It has been stated in error that the Kinemacolor pictures were never
released. They were very much released, being shown at the New York
Theatre Roof, besides many other theatres in New York, and contracts
for their service all through the country were made by the Kinemacolor
Company. Things started off with such a bang, we never did get over the
shock of the sudden closing.
It was one exciting year with Kinemacolor, but it ended suddenly and
tragically with the death of the president, Mr. Brock. While preening
our wings for a flight to southern France, a telegram arrived from
the New York office announcing the finish of picture production in
Kinemacolor.
The sudden disruption of the Kinemacolor Company sent a flock of actors
and a few directors scouting for new jobs. Frank Woods took up with
Universal, only to suffer a six weeks’ nightmare. Being unable to turn
out the class of stuff wanted, and anticipating what was coming, he
resigned, dug up the return half of his Kinemacolor round-trip ticket,
and was not long in New York before he got busy as a free-lance; and
not so long after that a telephone from D. W. Griffith asked him to
become his scenario writer. With great joy he accepted, filling the
position with Mr. Dougherty, who was now back at Biograph after a short
spasm with Kinemacolor.
Right away Mr. Woods and Mr. Griffith got busy on “Judith of Bethulia,”
for having produced such a classic, Mr. Griffith wanted some special
titling for it. He turned it over to Frank Woods, who phrased the
captions in the style of language of the day--the first time that was
done. However, it proved too much of a strain for the exhibitors, for
they afterward fixed the titles up to suit themselves in good old New
Yorkese.
Mr. Griffith’s connection with the Mutual Film organization and his
association with H. E. Aitken resulted in the production of such
eventful and popular pictures as “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “Home, Sweet
Home,” “The Escape,” “The Avenging Conscience,” and “The Battle of the
Sexes.” The Clara Morris home out on Riverdale Road served as a studio
until the 29 Union Square Place was acquired.
Billy Bitzer, D. W.’s photographer, went with him in his new
affiliation, as also did Frank Woods and Christy Cabanne. As Mr.
Griffith’s work with the Mutual became organized, one by one he took
over his old actors, but he left them working with Biograph until he
could put them directly into a picture. So they trailed along; Henry
Walthall, Blanche Sweet, James Kirkwood, Mae Marsh, Lillian and Dorothy
Gish, Eddie Dillon, and many others.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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