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46
Photoplay Magazine
The first real studio in Los Angeles — the completed Edendale studio of Sel'c*, where Boggs ■was murdered. It is now occupied by Clara Kimball Young.
director of stock productions for many years when he came to me early in 1907. I have always regarded him as the real pioneer in photodramatic production, as well as the real discoverer of California as the paradise of the photoplay maker. Had he lived he would have become a figure of international importance as he was far ahead of his time. He was assassinated by an insane Japanese gardener in my Los Angeles studio, on October 11, 1912.
When the inclement weather of Chicago drove Boggs southward, he was succeeded by Otis Turner, who died about a year ago, after a long and successful career. In later years Turner was generally regarded as the dean of the directoral profession.
Boggs started for New Orleans in April igo8. He had orders to turn out a one reel drama each week. His first company consisted of Tom Santschi as leading man; Jean Ward as leading lady; James McGee, now manager of my Los Angeles studio who has been with me continuously ever since; Harry Todd, another actor still in the game; James Crosby, cameraman; the latter's wife and Silence Towers, who played characters and mothers.
Meantime we were making "Damon and Pythias" in Chicago. That nearly broke me because it was so long that the exhibitors refused to run it. It measured just 2400 feet and the theater
men of that day wouldn't take anything that ran longer than a reel. "The Holy City" released the same year ran even a little longer.
Boggs made "In the Bad Lands" as his first offering en tour and next came "Faust" with Tom Santschi as "Faust," Jim McGee as "Valentine," Harry Todd as "Mephisto" and Miss Ward as "Marguerite." This was filmed in a little Louisiana town.
Wet weather overtook the cinema troupers in the south and Boggs, having started "Monte Cristo" was compelled to go on to California to finish it. It was cut to one reel because it couldn't be sold, but later I had it redone in three reels.
The first studio in California was built — or rather improvised— by Boggs at the corner of Eighth and Olive streets, Los Angeles, within hailing distance of the present "Film Row," the seat of film distribution for that section of the country. The studio didn't amount to much as studios go nowadays but it was the beginning of California's greatest industry. The photographs of that pioneer institution, for which I am indebted to Mr. McGee, tell better than words just what sort of a place it was.
Meantime we were still making pictures in Chicago. WaUie (Continued on page 130)
At the left — when Fatty Arbuckle made (and fully earned) "five a day." The comedy was called "The Sanitarium" and was made under the Selig banner, in 1909. The man b.ehind Fatty is George Hernandez. At the right — an old unidentified Selig,
featuring Stello Rogetto. James McGee is seated at the right.