Reel and Slide (Jan-Sep 1919)

42 REEL and SLIDE Watterson R. Rothacker Soon to Release Novelty Watterson R. Rothacker, president of the Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company, who is employing Willis H. O'Brien in the production of a striking new novelty series, recently explained to Reel and Slide the origin of the prehistoric animal scenes which form part of "The Ghost of Slumber Mountain," the processes which the Rothacker company control. He said : "It was in San Francisco in 1914 that I first heard of Mr. O'Brien's work. At that time Mr. O'Brien was working on a roof in San Francisco, making his first plastic pictures, the result being a picture seventyfive feet in length, featuring a brontosaurus and a cave man. In the latter part of 1915 Mr. O'Brien made a reel of prehistoric animals entitled 'The Dinosaurus' and 'The Missing Link,' and then made two novelty pictures entitled 'Morphorus Mike' and the 'Birth of a Flivver,' respectively. "In 1916 Mr. O'Brien went to New York City to make pictures for Edison's Conquest Program. For this purpose the Manikin Films, Inc., was formed, of which organization Mr. O'Brien was president. At that time he used the three manikins he had made in 1915. These were made by the same general process he now utilizes, although at that time Mr. O'Brien had not consulted any authority as to the anatomy of prehistoric animals and built his manikins according to popular conception of the appearance of prehistoric animals. "When the Conquest Program was discontinued, Mr. O'Brien was asked to edit a weekly in which the educational feature was to be a series of prehistoric animals, in order to make these scientifically correct, Mr. O'Brien went to the American Museum of Natural History and consulted with Dr. Brown of the museum. Much of the animal action appearing in 'The Ghost of plumber Mountain' was at the suggestion of Dr. Brown. "While with the Edison Company Mr. O Bnen made 'Curious Pets of Our Ancestors,' 'Rural Delivery 2,000,000 B. C ' 'In the Villain's Power,' 'Mickey and His Goat ' bam Lloyd Puzzle Picture' and 'Nippy's Nightmare.' In the last production human characters were used with the mani ^nS^"i? -11 W?s thls Picture that convinced Mr U linen that his previous pictures were lacking m human interest. When the Edison Company sold out to Lincoln and Parker, the plan to make educational pictures a chapter of the weekly was abandoned. It was about at that time that Mr. O'Brien met Herbert Dawley, who had been working along some special experimental lines and had, as a result, a small book in which he had pasted a large number of exposures of the plastic dinosaur. Mr. O'Brien entered into some arrangement with Mr Dawley and 'The Ghost of Slumber Mountain was started. "The work on this was all done by Mr. O Bnen, Mr. O'Brien's manikins were used and the entire production was made by Mr! O Bnen without any scenario, the only material being a sheet of titles. 'The Ghost Sn« r er Mountain' was originally about .5.000 feet in length and was cut to present proportions. When this picture was presented at the Strand, Mr. O'Brien was given full credit for its production, but since then an attempt has been made to create the impression that the work was not done by Mr. O'Brien, which, of course, is contrary to the facts in the case. „,'l)\e ,lave already finished with Mr." O Bnen three or four novelty subjects far superior to anything he has ever produced and are constantly improving Mr. O'Brien's process, which we control. Hudson River jNight Lines NEW YORK ALBANY TROY f I SHE luxurious route to vacation land. Leave Pier 32, •*■ N. R., foot of Canal Street, daily 6 P. M., West 132nd Street 6.30 P. M., due Albany 6 o'clock following morning. Direct rail connections to all points North, East and West. LARGEST RIVER STEAMERS IN THE WORLD EXPRESS FREIGHT SERVICE AUTOMOBILES CARRIED HUDSON NAVIGATION COMPANY Frank Joyce Says: See ALICE JOYCE In 'The Third Degree" Alice Joyce Says : See Her Brother Frank at HOTEL JOYCE 31 West 71st Street New York City "Fourteen Floors of Sunlight" Exceptional opportunity to live in cool, light, artistically decorated rooms at remarkably low summer rentals. Charming. Overlooking Central Park. Moderate price dining-room. Everything to make your stay pleasant.