We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
Who's Who on the Screen THE VITAGRAPH STORY In an industry in which eras are marked almost by days, the Vita- graph Company of America stands forth as the oldest and the longest- lived of American motion |)ict)ire coiiii)aiiies. The c-ompany was officially established in 1898, twenty-two years ago, although its actual inception took place several years before that date. The organization of Vitagraph was brought about by Albert E. Smith and J. Stuart Blackton, the former still guiding the organization as president. Both were successful in the lyceum and on the stage, and when moving pictures were 6rst exploited, they bought an outfit and gave exhibitions in New York and adjoining towns. Mr. Blackton painted the scenery, and wrote and constructed the pictures, while Mr. Smith gave most of his attention to the mechanical end of the industry, developing and patenting many improvements. The first pictures were taken on the roof of a downtown office building, and it was not until seven years later that a studio in Brooklyn was constructed. In the midst of such a pioneering atmosphere, the Vitagraph Company produced some pictures far ahead of the times. For example the first multiple reel picture, one of the very first features ever filmed, a "Life of Mo.ses" in seven reels, dates back to this period. With the amazing growth of the industry, building after building was added to the Brooklyn studios, and later, a western studio opened, among the first, at Hollywood, California. Reorganizations, in which other companies were parties, took place adding continually to the efficiency and prestige of the company, but the original personnel stayed with Vitagraph for periods of service remarkable in a kaleido- scopically changing profession and craft. During all these years, Vitagraph was responsible for the discovery, and introduction to the screen of a vast number of stars of the first mag- nitude. Those who went to the \'itagraph school and owe their success to the training received there include Anita Stewart, Norma Talmadge, Constance Talmadge, Clara Kimball Young, Naomi Childers, Lillian Walker, Alice Joyce, Karle Williams and scores of others. The .same pioneering spirit which infu.sed Vitagraph at its inception has served to keep it in the forefront of motion pic-ture progress. Big stars, noted directors, famous stories—these are the elements which have made for success, dominated, always, by the Vitagraph genius of exploration and disc-overy.