Moving Picture World (Aug 1916)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 19, 1916 The Death of a Pioneer Tl 1 E passing of William T. Rock, one of the pillars of the old system, reminds many of us of the gigantic changes this industry has undergone since the early days. In the truest sense of the word Rock had been one of the pioneers of the motion picture. We know of none who antedate him in association with the screen and its works. Rock possessed an almost intuitive sense of entertainment values — the one indispensable qualification for every practical and every successful showman. Time and again he manifested this rare and precious gift. He took pictures that had been given over for dead and breathed life into them. He proved in a most convincing way the importance of handling a picture and the value of real showmanship. His choice of a vocation in the world of amusements was in obedience to the talents Nature had endowed him with. He loved the work and therefore he became a master. Having begun at the bottom, he rose to the pinnacle of his profession. No greater tribute can be paid to a man in the world of action, in which Rock loved to take a lively part and from which he has been removed much too soon. He was like most successful men, a relentless foe to those who chose to fight him, but as one of his friends put it, "an easy man to travel with." His integrity in business affairs was the result of sound principles. In a field in which Fortune has always shown herself at her ficklest he retained what he had acquired. He never gave the changeable Goddess a chance to desert him. William T. Rock was one of the great and notable figures in the industry and his premature death is deplored by a numerous host of friends and admirers. Buyer from Australia Here A. B. Hellmrich of the Co-operative Film Exchange of Melbourne Talks to World Representative. HB. HELLMRICH, the general manager of the Cooperative Film Exchange, Ltd., of Australia, whose •head office is located at Melbourne, is now staying at the Hotel McAlpin, New York City, looking for a steady supply of good American features. When seen by a reporter of the Moving Picture World Mr. Hellmrich told of a most delightful and interesting journey half around the globe. He came from Australia by way of New Zealand, Fiji Islands to Honolulu and thence to Canada. "Australia," said Mr. Hellmrich, speaking of conditions in his native land, "imports 60,000 feet of film a week and all the big stuff comes directly from America. The small stuff is still bought in London. I am looking for a steady supply of first-class features and I will want about fifty-two a year. Out of the 600 permanent motion picture theaters in Australia we supply about 200. Among the principal places supplied by us I will name Hoyt's, Lyric, Port Melbourne, Plais Cinema in Melbourne and the Australian, Kings, Dix and Baker, Alhambra and New York in Sydney. These houses and scores of others are of the highest type, as you can see by these photos." The photos exhibited fully bore out Mr. Hellmrich's statements, for they showed solid, attractive and thoroughly artistic showhouses. Mr. Hellmrich said that the general run of programs in Australia consists of two features with two stars, one feature being about two or three and the main feature generally five reels in length. Australian exhibitors, he added, are generous and skilful advertisers. They use more space by far than the American exhibitor or his British brother. Exchanges featuring a particularly fine number will frequently buy a full page at rates comparable to those charged here. These "ads" contain the names and the locations of the theaters using the particular feature advertised. "It is a common thing." said Mr. Hellmrich, "for people in Australia to read the big papers in Sydney and Melbourne just to see the ads of the great motion pictures." Mr. Hellmrich exhibited several pages to prove what he said. The ads were dressed up wonderfully in a typographical way and showed fine judgment en the part of the advertiser. "I am going to stay here for some time, probably for a couple of months anyway, and during that time I shall make it a point to hunt up available material," Mr. Hellmrich concluded. Max Under Coming to America Famous Old Pathe Comedian Has Been Engaged by George K. Spoor— Salary $260,000 per Year. AN INTERESTING cablegram from Paris appeared in American daily papers last week to the effect that George K. Spoor of the Essanay Company, Chicago, had secured the services of Max Linder for a term of years at a salary of $400,000 per year and that the famous motion picture comedian was soon to come to this country to appear on the screen. Inquiry at Essanay headquarters in Chicago elicited a confirmation of the news of Linder's coming, but it was stated that the salary would be $260,000, instead of $400,000 per year. It is a matter of indifference whether the price be greater or less than the figures named; the big thing is that Linder is coming and that he is to again appear to delight the millions of picture fans who have not yet forgotten his most laughable antics. Linder sprung into prominence in 1907 and 1908 when he originated a style of motion picture comedy that was all his own and which has scarcely been equaled by any other picture comedian and never successfully imitated by any of them For a long time Linder was the most popular motion picture actor in the world. Through the wonderful distribution afforded by the Pathe organization his pictures were shown in every civilized country and he literally made millions laugh daily. After more than thre.e years as a member of the regular Pathe stock company Linder organized a company of his own, releasing through Pathe, and enjoying a larger share in the profits, which accrued from his efforts. But while the popular player made more money by this transaction, not so many Linder comedies were released. Then came the war and he went to the front, so, for several years, there have been no Linder comedies shown in America. Early in the great conflict now raging it was reported that Max Linder had been killed. Later it was learned that he had only been wounded and that in deference to the petitions of his many friends and admirers in France the Government prevented him from returning to the front and retained him for an indifinite period as an entertainer, sending him from hospital to hospital to cheer up the convalescent soldiers Just what plans the Essanay Company have for Linder is not known at this writing, but he is expected to arrive in this country before many weeks have passed and will probably work in the Chicago studio of that company. Much credit is due Mr. Spoor for his enterprise in securing so distinguished an artist for the Essanay Company and, no doubt the best use of his well-known ability will be made. Linder. PIONEER'S FIRST PRODUCTION READY. Nathan Hirsh. president of the Pioneer Feature Film Corporation, announces that his first production under the ■•I'i.m.-rr" brand is rapidly nearing completion. Em Gorman, the talented and versatile juvenile star, plays the leading role William Plater, recently with the Famous Players Film Co and John Dunn, well known through his part in the "Iron Claw," also have leading parts. There is surprise in store in a captivating new vampire.