The world film encyclopedia (1933)

other Film Personalities (WES-ZUK) 217 ronling films he inspected the pictures that were being considered, and it was on his judgment that decisions were made. Ill-fortune came to the famous brothers in time, compelling them to separate, thus it was that Jack paid his first visit to Hollywood in search of a new career. Having learnt the essentials of the motion picture business, he began producing a series of Al St. John and Monty Banks comedies. After a time the brothers joined again and presented the world with My Four Years in Germany, It was due to Jack Warner's artistic and productive abilities that this film became a great success and laid the foundation of the Warner Brothers' present position in the motion picture industry. Having found that direction was his true vocation, he thereafter took an interest in all subsequent productions. Having established themselves, the Warner Brothers opened a studio on the West Coast of America, which was again mainly under the control of the youngest brother. He was later called to Hollywood to participate in the development of the Vitaphone Company which was inaugurated at the time when talkies were causing a revolution in the motion picture industry. It is due to his guidance that the interests of this company have been promoted tp their present influential position in the motion picture world. WEST, Roland. B. Cleveland, Ohio, 18S7. M. Jewel Carmen. The motion picture business had not even been remotely heard of when Roland West turned his attention to theatricals. He began as an actor and achieved a certain amount of success in this direction. Before he was to produce his first picture — Lost Soids, with Joseph Schenck — he was to be playwright, director and producer of stage plays. With Joseph Schenck he chose to make himself responsible for the creative side of the business rather than take an interest in finance. During those days he made many successful films, among them De Luxe Annie, with Norma Talmadge. Left the motion-picture business for a period of two years to produce The Unknoivn Purple on the legitimate stage. On his return to Hollywood was offered the post of associate producer by United Artists. Among his more successful and recent productions are The Monster, The Bat, The Dove and Alibi. WILCOX, Herbert. B. Cork, Ireland. 1892. Ed. Brighton. Dark hair, blue eyes. After demobilization from the Army in 1919 began to take an active interest in the British motion picture industry. Was at first secretary and director of Astra films and is now a director and one of the most active personalities in British and Dominion Film Corporation Limited, which has its studios (one of the most up-to-date in Europe) at Elstree. One of his greatest productions. Good Night Vienna (B. & D.), starring Jack Buchanan, met with world-wide success. Other films directed by him include Chti Chin Chow, Nell Gwyn, Ponipadoitr, Dawn, and Carnival (B. & D.). WOOLFE, C. M. Associated with the Ostrer Brothers in their film ventures First took an active interest in this country's motion picture industry in 1919, when, as a partner in W. & F. Film Service, Ltd., he was successful with his exploitation of Harold Lloyd comedies. Is one of the men to whom great credit is due for the progress made by British films since the War. Is now deputy chairman and joint managing director of Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, Ltd., and managing director of W. & F. Film Service, Ltd. ZANUCK, Darryl. B. Wahoo, Neb. Brown hair, blue-grey eyes. Ht. 5 ft. 7i in. Wt. 9 St. 4 lb. Ed. Oakdale, Neb. High School. M. Virginia Fox ; one daughter, b. Aug. 28, 193 1. During his career has been associate executive in charge of Warner Bros, pictures, general production chief, and chief executive in charge of all productions also for the same company. Among the many successful films which have come under his supervision are Singing Fool, Noah's Ark and My Man. ZUKOR, Adolpii. B. Hungary', about 1874. Grey hair. Ht. 5 ft. 3 in. Married ; one son. Journeyed to the United States when fifteen years of age and there began his business career in the fur trade. Later, an experiment v^•ith one of the early " flicks " with which he toured about the coiintry led him to take a m.uch more active interest in this new form of entertainment, with the result that he began making full-length films and concentrating on creating his own stars (one of them being Mary Pickford). This, it can be said with little exaggeration, set an example upon which much of Hollywood's present prosperity and success is based. Is president of the Paramount Company, formed by him in 1912.