The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

March 27, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 2099 P. A. Powers Retires from Universal; Laemmle and Cochrane Now in Control IN a deal involving several million dollars, one of the largest in the history of the moving picture industry, control of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company will be unified within the next day or so in the hands of its president, Carl Laemmle, and its vice-president, R. H. Cochrane. This will be brought about by the purchase by these two officials of the holdings of P. A. Powers, at present the treasurer of the concern and its second largest stockholder. The Universal is the oldest and one of the largest film companies. Mr. Laemmle and Mr. Cochrane have held an option on Mr. Powers' stock, which still has a month to run, but it has become known that they will exercise this option and acquire the stock. Mr. Powers was one of the company's original stockholders when the firm was organized in May, 1912. Friendliest Feeling Exists. Reports have been circulated for several weeks that there was a possibility of such a deal being consummated, but no statement could be obtained from any of the principals until March 17, when Mr. Laemmle and Mr. Cochrane, in admitting that they held an option of the Powers stock, announced: "We will exercise this option as soon as the papers can be drawn up." Mr. Laemmle stated that by acquiring the Powers stock he and Mr. Cochrane would be the sole owners of Universal. It was further announced that there will be no changes in the personnel of the organization except the retirement of Mr. Powers as treasurer. The friendliest feeling is said to exist between all parties involved. Were Original Stockholders. Mr. Powers has considered this move for several months. In discussing the option and the proposed sale, he explained that his other business interests have assumed such proportions that he desires to be relieved of his duties with, the Universal company. The three principals of this deal have been associated throughout the history of the Universal and were original stockholders. The company was formed in May, 1912, by a consolidation of several independent film manufacturers, the most important of which was the Imp Film Company, owned and operated by Mr. Laemmle. Among others interested in the new company were Charles Bauman, of the New York Motion Picture Company, and W. H. Swanson, the manufacturer of Rex pictures. Fought Patents Company. The new combine was formed to wage war against the Patents Company, an organization endeavoring to prevent the independent manufacture and sale of moving pictures in the United States. It took up the fight of the Motion Picture Sales Company, the distributing agency for independent film manufacturers. Mr. Laemmle had been in the film business only a few years at that time. Mr. Cochrane had been his close associate from the start. The present vice-president of Universal and his brother, P. D. Cochrane, now at the head of the Universal poster department, conducted an advertising agency in Chicago prior to their entrance into the moving picture world. How Mr. Laemmle Started. Among the accounts they handled was the advertising of a department store in Oshkosh, Wis. Carl Laemmle was one of the officials of that store. Amassing several thousand dollars, Mr. Laemmle determined to break away from the department store and start his own business. He went to Chicago and sought the advice of his advertising friends, the Cochranes. He wanted to put his money into some small article of popular demand. Impressed by the unusual opportunities offered by the moving picture, then really "in its infancy," he enlisted the Cochrane brothers in his support and launched into the film business. The Cochranes threw their talents heartily into the new field. R. H. Cochrane, already an advertising expert of note, began to force new ideas into the struggling moving picture business. Some of the most important steps in the advancement of moving picture advertising were originated by him. He has been one of the most important figures in the screen world. Universal Had UpHill Strugg'le. The Universal company had an up-hill fight, not only against the Patents Company, which it finally defeated, assuring the future of all independent film concerns, but also because of internal disputes. Charles Bauman, its first president, retired from his position shortly after the company was formed, and Mr. Laemmle, recognized as the leader of independent film men, was placed in his stead. Mr. Laemmle has been president of the Universal ever since. ; Shortly after taking office Mr. Laemmle went to Europe and opened the first Ameri-! can independent manufacturer's office. Upon his return several thousand acres of land in the San Fernando Valley, California, were purchased, and Universal City, today one of the largest moving picture plants in the world, began. The Universal Film Manufacturing Company is a distributing organization as well as a manufacturer of moving pictures. Today it has more than half a hundred branch exchanges throughout the United States. It has its own branch exchanges in all parts of the globe and constantly is adding to its foreign film exchange equipment. Don't Have to Page "Old Lady 31" Here — There's at Least One in Every Picture. Who said the old folks can't act — Take a look at Metro's new creation with Emma Dunn as the star.