Motography (1912)

18 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. VIII, No. 1. Men have used it for centuries. That "other business interests" should demand more of this gentleman's time can hardly be imagined, for it will need no elaboration to prove that G. F. required very little of his time and there was large incentive to remain at the head of such a successful institution. The General Film Company, be it known, is one of the biggest revenue producers ever thought out by man. It stands, primarily, for a betterment of film conditions, but every film man knows that its chief reason for existence is the profits it returns to its shareholders. And being the child of the Patents Company, you are allowed only one chance to name the stockholders. If P. L. Waters — the boon companion and friend of Mr. Kennedy— had not given up the general management at Jeanette Trimble appearing in Cities productions released by George Kleine. the same time that the presidency was cast aside for more important business affaiis, there would be less reason to doubt Mr. Kennedy's reason for retiring. I can not keep the present line-up from my mind's eye. The General Film Company has J. A. Berst for president; George Kleine for vice-president; Paul Melies, secretary, and Sam Long, treasurer. Sigmund Lubin is the fifth director and rumor has it that Lubin's man will succeed Mr. Waters. There we have of the licensed makers, Pathe, Kleine, Melies, Kalm and Lubin dominating the General Film, and Selig, Biograph, Edison, Vitagraph and Essanay hanging around the edge. Does it imply that those government sleuths who have been passing around film centers have given the bunch reason to do some serious thinking? * * * The story follows that Messrs. Kennedy and Waters plan tremendous big things in spectacular and historical film production to be wholly aside from their old connections. Maybe so. It is barely possible • that we'll hear from that old dream of educational and feature film rental exchanges for exhibitors who want that sort of thing. However, my little pile says that men who have been piling up money on a cinch proposition will never indulge in such speculation. Neither Kennedy or Waters have gone into the philanthropic lists to the extent of being able to make the detection with a microscope. The Motion Picture Exhibitors' League has invaded Gotham and splashed over into Jersey. This is another example of the East giving way to the West. President Neff is to be congratulated in being able to effect two state organizations at a time he had only planned for one. The League has a month and a half in which to work, prior to the Chicago convention. It is my suggestion that the forenoon of August 13th be set aside to organize the scattering visitors who will come to Chicago for the second annual convention. I'm sure a roll of the states will bring responses for each, and these representatives should have full authority to sit in the meetings with powers to act. The League is a tremendously active body and members are enthusiastic. * * * I talked with the owner of the Royal Theater at Warsaw, Indiana, last Saturday, and he is only an example of other exhibitors who are counting the days awaiting their big show at the LaSalle Hotel, August 13-17. If anybody says the boys are not going to attend the League convention, tell 'em to guess again. The entertainment committee understand and are hustling to beat the band to provide for the visitors. * * * Since this magazine has found its way to the general public through the medium of the newstand, we are being constantly reminded that this is a tremendously large and active country. And as a result, we find in our press clipping service, scores of items that have been printed in all kinds of newspapers, giving Motography credit. This new channel of publicity is having a very salutary effect on the newstand sale, and if our modesty didn't prevent, we might imagine that the advertiser would find increased benefit. At any rate, we are indulging in a bi-weekly edition, beginning right now in order that you will have opportunity to pick up fourteen additional numbers a year. The Universal Film Manufacturing Company has had an early explosion, which ought to afford very mild surprise onthe part of insiders. I never saw so much fuss and fluster over such a little thing. Without inside knowledge, I trace the slit in the Sales Company ; the forming of Film Supply, and Universal all to that bunch of white elephant films turned out by the Bison crowd when it engaged the 101 Ranch outfit. No doubt about the cost of the product and no doubt about-the mistakes that have been grouped around the performance. Fact is Bauman and Kessel bit into an overripe lemon. They put money into something that won't come out without coaxing. They wanted 15 cents a foot for this wild west stuff and the gang refused to fall for it. Even the Universal won't take to it kindly. When Ad Kessel was in town and I got to him there were tears in his eyes. He told me that the buffalo stuff was real — that he