The world film encyclopedia (1933)

214 (MAX-POM) Other Film Personalities combined with Lask}' Feature Player Company he was made vice-president of the new corporation and has continued in that capacity ever since. He has at all times remained in complete charge of the company's production, dividing his attentions between the big Lasky Studioat Hollywood and the office in New York, where he is in close touch with the Long Island Studio activities. MAXWELL, John. Was at one time a solicitor practising in a small Scottish town. A sudden idea one day led him to the purchase of a theatre, and, discovering that the potentialities were great, he bought up other theatres, until in time he became the owner of a large group of first-class houses. From this it was only a step to an active interest in tiie renting side of his business. Scon he became associated with the Wardour Film Company, of which he is chairman to-day. Under Maxwell's guidance this company grew into the leading independent house in this country. From this, he turned his attention to film production and in time acquired the Elstree studios of British National Pictures. At the same time fie formed the now famous British International Pictures, Ltd., the distributing side of which is served by Wardour Films Ltd. Is undoubtedly one of the persons to whom great credit is due for promoting the motion picture industry in this country to its present position. MAYER, Louis B. B. July 4, 18S5. Ed. pubhc schools of St. John, New [ Brunswick. M. Margaret Shenburg. Began his association with the entertainment world by purchasing a small and dilapidated theatre in Haverhill. He renovated this theatre and reopened it with From the Manger to the Cross. This seemed to alter the house's prospects altogether and soon after Mayer was known as a theatrical personality in that town. A meeting with Nat Gordon led to the Gordou-Ma5'er tlieatrical chain, one of the strongest at that time in New England and subsequently the biggest buyers of film productions. His record of successes earned for him the position of chief of operations v/hen ^letro-Goldw^n-Mayer was organized. Has remained in charge of affairs there ever since and under his guidance this company has become one of the most influential and prosperous in the business, producing an average of sixty pictures a year. OSTRER, Isidore. Eldest of the three famous Ostrer brothers. President, Denman Picture Houses, Ltd., Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Ltd., Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd., etc., etc. Is associated with many of the film enterprises in this country and much of the progress that has been made with films over here recently is probably due to the financial genius exercised by him and his famous brothers. Everywhere in the film world one comes in contact with their name, but more particularly in the affairs of tfie Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, which contributes a large number of films to the British market every year. This company was founded 34 years ago by Colonel Bromhead and Leon Gaumont. In May, 1932, a book, " Conquering Gold," by Isidore Ostrer, was published. This dealt with the difficulties and advantages of the gold standard, which, at that time, was the centre of interest in this country. The following month, June, marked the opening of the new Gaumont-British Studios at Lime Grove — the biggest production development British films had seen for some years. OSTRER, M.\RK. B. about 1S93. M. Florence Margaret Peterson. One of the financially influential brothers whose entry into the film business has caused such a stir in the past few years. Is a director of 27 companies, among them Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, Ltd., Denman Picture Houses, Ltd., and Lothbury Investment Corporation, Ltd. Like his brothers, takes a vital interest in the motion picture industries of Britain and has contributed not a little to the enhanced reputation of British films during the past few years. Was associated with the production of Flames of Passion which marked the first occasion on which an American star was brought over to this country to appear in a Biitish film. Also associated himself with Herbert \V'ilcox in the production of Chu Chin Chow, the first post-war Anglo-German film. PABST, G. W. Producer and Director. (See Directors' Biographies.) POMMER, Erich. B. Hildcsheim, 1889. Began film career on the businfcss side. Was engaged by the French Gaumont Company in Berlin, 1907-14, and later represented the French Eclair Company in Central Europe. Joined U.F.A., 1923, as production manager, and during