Moving Picture News (Jul-Oct 1913)

THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS II Stull, Robert Burns, Edgar Jones, Miss Florence Hackett (Mrs. Arthur Johnsonj, ]\iiss Daisy Evans, j\lrs. Peter Lang. Representing the Producing Department were Joseph Smiley, Barry O'Neill and George Nichols, to whose valued efforts the present standard of excellence of the Lubin brand is largely due. As we delve into this gigantic theme, the subject assumes inexhaustible proportions, but the generous response to the call for cooperation was so liberally answered we feel it incumbent not to allow anything to pass notice. All the way from Chicago came those two representative companies, the Selig and Essanay. Saturday night at the General Film booth, players and executive heads of both of these companies held sway, until the final moment; the immense throng clamoring to greet their favorites and when the time arrived to disperse; slowly and reluctantly moved away. Ben Zerr, of the handsome Schuylkill avenue theatre, Reading, Pa., accompanied by Mrs. Zerr and their twelveyear-old son, were late comers. Mr. Zerr imparted the information that his visit was more in search of knowledge for improved conditions than junketing, so he remained in close touch with everything new and novel offered at the various booths. He told ciuite a good story on Master Zerr. Passing the Herald Square Theatre in a taxi the elder Zerr saw a feature advertised; wishing to view it, he -signaled the chauffeur to stop. In company with Mrs. Zerr he dismounted. Master Zerr remained seated and was interrogated by his father: ■'Aren't you coming?" asked Zerr the elder. To which the lad replied: "No, pop! Broadway is moving picture enough for me. It's got all the feature films in the world cooked to a frazzle." All of which goes to prove that Master Zerr is a young gentleman of discernment. Petite and captivating Mary Alden, in private life Mrs. Wray Physioc, was an attendant during the entire week accompanied by her clever husband. A train of admirers followed in her wake wherever she appeared, and her beautiful gowns attracted universal attention. Mr. Physioc is the youngest and most ambitious of all manufacturers, and there is no department of a plant he's not thoroughly in touch with. He but recently resigned as general manager of the "Ramo" Company, of which he was the founder, to enter upon a more ambitious project 'in the industry. Henry J. Brock, of Toronto, appeared for a brief moment on Wednesday, and after expressing regrets, that important engagements demanded his presence elsewhere he sorrowfully departed. Diminutive, but aggressive, "Jeff" Dolan made his presence felt on several occasions during the session, by declaring that he still lives and is the smallest representative of the big feature game, and is with the Selig Feature Film Company. Awed by the thrilling impression made by the grandeur of the Exposition, Murray F. Beier, of the Embry Feature Film Company, purchased the latest of the Itala's offerings, "The Death Knell." Louis H. Aoto, of the Kitsee Talking Pictures, was present on several occasions extolling the merits of the Kitsee Company as was Bernard M. Corbett, prominent in the sales department of the Enterprise Optical Company of Chicago. All "dolled up" in Bowery rags and the "omnipresent," vari-colored hat band, with bow behind on his ninetyeight cent straw, broken nosed Kennedy, a pioneer advance man, looking like a prize pug at a bench show several points off was much in evidence during the final days. It is said Mr. Kennedy contemplates a bolt from the legitimate ranks for the more substantial field of the motion picture. Henry Mattoni, an inventor of international fame, and one of the most skilled photographers in the country, visited the Exposition several days in succession. Mr. ^lattoni found the trades exhibit most interesting, and spent most of his time examining the various improve ments and innovations in the camera. He is a nephew of the late Heinrich Von Mattoni, of the famous Carlsbad Mineral Water Springs, Austria, is entitled to the prefi.x "Baron," but prefers to be known as Henry M. Mattoni. Mr. Mattoni has sent to the "Union pour la securite" society, Paris, designs of his patented invention of a safety device for aeroplanes for which are offered several hundred thousand francs in competitive prizes. The Screen Club to the number of forty and more, made "Rome howl'' in and around the building Thursday night as though envious of the Famous Players announced reception and dance at their studio in West Twenty-sixth street. And now to the exhibitors. Beginning with the world famous Eastman Kodak Company, in charge of Mr. Blair, whose display of photographic supplies was most interesting and instructive, the attention of the visitor was next directed to the National Cash Register Company, where all of the latest improved inventions of that great industry were exhibited. This company also occupied theatre number 3, on the mezzanine floor. There were several styles of automatic ticket s-elling devices, notably the Automatic Cash Register and Ticket Company, the Automatic! Coin Cashier Company, Bausch and Lomb who carry a complete line of lenses for projecting and photographic purposes. The American Theatre Curtain and Supply Company. Their gold fibre screen was exhibited to great advantage in one of the theatres. Bell and Howell, whose printers, perforators and dark room supplies are in universal use, and are deemed by many the best in the market. The Berry and Wood Piano Company, Ernest Brecker and Rudolph Wurlitzer represented the manufacture of mechanical musical instruments. The Motion Picture Center Companj^ Inc., hanjlling everything in the field of the moving picture. The Mai. Lattan Slide Company, said to be the most extensive manufacturers of slides in the world. The H. Center Company, manufacturer of the famed "Mirroroide" screen. The H. W. Johns-Manville Company, whose asbestos booths and curtains are in universal use. An attractive series of arc lamps were shown by Koerting and Mathieson, while a complete line of frames for lobby display were exhibited at Monger and Rings. The Nicholas Power Company exhibited one of the most interesting displays of improved projecting machines of the Exposition. Air purifier companies were represented by the Ozone Company and the Spray Company. One of the most extravagant and cleverly arranged displays, one that attracted universal notice, was that of the Precision Machine Company. It is difficult to interest people in mechanical devices, but the Precision Company's booth attracted great attention. Lithography was adequately shown by the United States Lithograph Company, the Miner Lithograph Company, The Morgan and others prominent in the trade. The Lang Manufacturing Company, the Whyte Whitman Company were largely in evidence. The Novelty Slide Company offered one of the most artistic and beautiful displays of colored slides shown at the Exposition. Personally attended by Mr. Coufal, their booth was thronged each day of the convention and marked results were attained. The Novelty Company carry over seven hundred designs of stock announcements, from "Welcome," to "Good Night," on beautifully colored glass or indestructible brass. And now we come to one of the most novel attractions of the Exposition. An attraction that will be imitated and copied we venture to predict in all future gatherings of like nature. We refer to the competition for supremacy in the art of portraying emotions without the aid of words. Several reviewers were inclined to be facetious and could only see the ludicrous side, which is not at all strange, in view of the fact that many persons of disorganized mentality are prone to forget that all things must have a beginning.