The Moving Picture Weekly (1916-1917)

30 ■THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY Chicago Exchange Burns— Every Account Shipped ^IRE early Wednesday morning, November 15th, destroyed a million and a quarter feet of moving picture film, and the entire exchange of the Laemmle Film Service at 205 West Washington Street, Chicago. The loss has not been definitely estimated as yet. But it is neither the loss nor the fire which is the most interesting thing which occurred last Wednesday in Chicago. It is of far greater moment to know that not one single account failed to receive its scheduled allotment of films on scheduled time. The main business of an exchange is to supply film to its exhibitors, what it promises and when it promises. With its building in smoking ruins, with scarcely a foot of film saved, the Laemmle Film Service set to work at six o'clock to get together their shipments for the clay. Fortunately, the order books and records had been saved. It is doubtful if any company less highly organized than the Universal could ever have made it possible to fill every single shipment under such conditions. But such is the efficiency and the foresight of the Universal exchange system, that not a single exhibitor suffered a moment's delay on account of the fire. Three factors made it possible for the Phoenix-like Laemmle Film Excjiange to rise from its ashes, and perform its duties as though nothing had happened. The first of these is the Universal clearing house, the second, the surrounding Universal exchanges, and the third, the Universal factory at Leonia. Wires to the nearby exchanges brought prompt response, and before noon film shipments were on the way to the distressed exchange from eight surrounding Universal distributing agencies. Through the Universal clearing house the entire stock of film in the exchange was able to be duplicated in the emergency, and through dint of working the factory at Leonia as it never was worked before, and through the hearty co-operation which the loyal Universal employees gave to the superintendent in the factory, the destroyed film was entirely replaced in forty-eight hours. This was done, too, without stopping the work on regular releases which had to go out on scheduled time. This is a remarkable tribute to the efficiency and loyalty of the Leonia factory. Within an hour the film exchange had taken up temporary quarters at 172 West Washington street, and by noon a very systematic office had been created. Mr. Laemmle took the Twehtieth Century to Chicago, and by the time he arrived the temporary quarters had assumed a business-like atmosphere vbich greatly surprised him. OUR JAPANESE CORRESPONDENT. K. SAKAMOTO, Tokyo. Editor, Moving Picture Weekly, New York. Dear Sir: — I thank you for sending me letters so often. Please forgive me that my correspondences were hindered by my illness to last week, but I have became so healthy now that many interesting correspondences may be sent you often hereafter successfully. Now I will send you the votes of second time as I have nothing more interesting in consequence of the illness. I haven't any photograph with me now, but it will be sent before long, as I had it taken the other day. For your kindness to give me letter papers I was obliged to thank you very much, but I have some with me now then there is nothing I must certainly trouble you. Your very sincere friend, KINTARO SAKOMOTO. P. S. : — May I trouble you to gave Miss Grace Cunard my words which are so anxious? I am sending Picture Post Cards and letters to Miss Cunard, but I have no any answer of her receiption. I can't help feeling uneasy wheather she received those or not. Sincerely yours, KINTARO SAKAMOTO. No. 70, Hayashi-Cho, Korshikawa-Ku, Tokyo City, Japan. Mr. Paul Gulick, Publicity Department, Universal Film Manufacturing Company. Dear Sir: — I have received your letter and Miss Cunard's picture at same time, her picture came directly from her. I thank you very much for it. are you lady? I think you are lady because your name and writing are such like of lady are you so? Are you fond of Japanese picture post card? You shall have them next time. If you possible, please tell me your own address, hoping to hear from you again I am Yours very truly, M. AOKI, c|o MORI, 8.3 Tamatsu cho, Shiba, Tokyo, Japan. McRAE SETS NEW PACE WITH CAMERA IN "LIBERTY." ^HEN the Universal serial, "Liberty, A Daughter of the U. S A., was turned over to Director Henry McRae following the indisposition of Director Jacques Jaccard, who produced the first twelve episodes, it was found necessary to set a new pace m the production in order to fulfill the demands of the exhibitors. McRae took off his coat and seized Cameraman Fred Granville, and with the members of the company in pursuit made a dash for the old Univer.sal ranch. Arriving on location, McRae said: "Get set up, Fred, and we'll begin 'shooting.' " This required only a few minutes and then McRae with a clap of his hands, cried out: "Let's go!" The net result was that in three and a half days McRae had filmed two separate episodes and a total of 4,000 feet of film, all of it full of punch. CIRCUS IS EDDIE POLO'S HOBBY. ^HENEVER a circus arrives in Los Angeles it is a certainty that Eddie Polo, who is playing a leading role in the Universal serial, "Liberty, a Daughter of the U. S. A.," featuring Marie Walcamp, is restless until his day's work is over. Polo, for many years, with his wife and brother Sam, appeared in some of the largest circuses in the United States and the saw-dust ring holds an attraction for him which he cannot overcome. NANINE WRIGHT, SCREEN FAVORITE, IS UNIVERSAL CITY MOTHER IDOL. |T is not an unusual sight at Universal City to see a group of young actresses sitting at the knee of Nanine Wright listening to her words of wisdom and suggestions not only for stage work but for the passing of the idle hours away from the studios. "Mother" "Wright's life has been full of tragedies, deep sorrow and, at times, poverty, yet she is always smiling, ever ^vith a cheerful word and, as she describes it, her "mother heart" finds solace in loving the boys and girls at Universal City. Mrs. Wright has been a member of the Universal acting forces for the last two years, and her services are always in demand by directors. She has taken an unusual interest in the welfare of the younger people of the film capital and more than one girl has come to her for advice. 'The actress never complains about her lot in life or about her work, and declares she proposes to keep herself surrounded by sunshine for the rest of her days.