The Moving picture world (October 1920)

MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 30, 1920 Florida Service to Producers Is Now Backed by Studio; Interest Runs High FLORIDA is entering the field of picture production with a vengeance. As the climax of the successful trip to New York by H. A. Kelly, representing the Boards of Trade of eleven cities on the West Coast of Florida, to introduce his location and service bureau to producers and directors here, came the announcement that a $200,000 studio will be built in Tampa, ready for use on November 15. Mr. Kelly returned to Florida Tuesday, carrying with him the indorsement of three hundred producers, directors and stars of his location and service bureau. This bureau, centralized in Tampa, and extending locally to all the cities of the Florida West Coast Association enables a director to select locations from a list of 5,000 stills, representing all types of locations, thus saving the time and expense of securing the locations himself. FortyA ere Tract This bureau, outlined in full in the two previous issues of Moving Picture World exclusively, includes all kinds of boats and outdoor props, etc., and their cost. A service of immense value to any producer, it is now enhanced by the erection of a studio in Tampa. A crew of expert mechanics is already on the way to Tampa, where Mr. Kelly purchased a forty-acre tract of land this week. Associated with Mr. Kelly in the studio organization are L. R. Eastman, president of the Eastman Publishing Company, and his brother, C. L. Eastman, president of the Eastman Rubber Company. A fourth member is a silent partner as yet, and the fifth is another whose name is withheld for the present. Everything looks rosy for Florida. With a service bureau, in itself a great moneysaver, backed up by a studio now under way; with more hours of sunlight per day than Los Angeles ; railroad rates cheaper by more than fifty per cent.; with a variety of scenic beauty, and only forty hours from New.. York, Florida becomes a real factor in production. Two ofganizations, one to produce a fivereel feature, and the other to make twelve two-reelers, have already signified their intention to produce in the Kelly-Eastman studio and under the auspices of the Florida West Coast Association. This association is highly enthusiastic over the prospects and promises definite cooperation. In a letter addressed to Moving Picture World this week, Horace C. Gordon, mayor of Tampa, said: "It has been my pleasure to have been connected with quite a few of the large moving picture concerns and to have met many of your people. Those who have talked of Tampa have all said that we have an ideal place for producing pictures; that the climate is ideal, and locations easy to secure. Los Angeles of the Atlantic "The leading people are always willing and anxious to co-operate in any way possible with bona fide producers, and if there is anything I can do to co-operate with you in helping promote Tampa as 'the Los Angeles of the Atlantic Coast' I shall be glad to do so." The studio being built in Tampa at a cost of $200,000 would no doubt cost upwards of half a million in the vicinity of New York. Material is right at hand in Tampa and much cheaper. Mr. Kelly reported that independent pro. ducers were highdly enthused over the whole Florida idea. In fact, every indi vidual interviewed on the subject thought the plan was a big money-saver. Mr. Kelly may be reached through the Tampa Board of Trade. A New York "Cop" Pays Tribute to Hope Hampton As an aftermath of the games held at Sheepshead Bay by the New York Police Force, Hope Hampton, who donated two prize cups in the contests, has received a vote of thanks by that body and personal tribute from the winners. They are Officer Mathew A. Skea, 2184 Washington avenue, Brooklyn, first prize winner, and Sergeant Jay J. McDonald, 54th Precinct, City Island, second prize winner. The latter from Sergeant McDonald expresses the attitude of the New York "Cop" toward the profession in general and Miss Hampton in particular, and is in part as follows: "The prizes, magnificent as they are do not overshadow your thoughtfulness and generosity which made them a fact. "The New York 'Cop' likes most of all a kind thought for him occasionally, by the public, and in this respect those in the theatrical profession have always been the most generous. "It is my hope in particular and the others in general that some time, in some way, though I trust it will not be trouble, we can help your cause and rest assured we will respond in kind." Frances Eldridge Featured Arrangements have been made whereby the Superior Pictures, Inc., will make four two-reel comedies a month for release through the World Motion Picture Corporation. The first will appear in November and will be entitled "The Little Liar," a comedy from the pen of Walter Irving and featuring Frances Eldridge. The Superior Pictures, Inc., will release two comedies a month with Miss Eldridge in the stellar role and two comedies a month featuring a well-known male star. MAYOR HORACE C GORDOS Live Mayor of Tampa who offers co-operation to producers zu/io come to Florida to make pictures.