Volume III: Biographies

CHAMPURY, Frank

Studio employee (1910-1914)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Frank Champury was a scenic artist for Thanhouser from about 1910 to 1914.

Biographical Notes: Frank Champury's work as a scenic artist included backdrops for the highly publicized three-reel production of Jess. He was among those attending the Thanhouser employees' outing on September 7, 1912. New Rochelle city directories gave his home address as 70 Rockdale Avenue in 1910 and 1911, and as 4 Jackson Street in 1913 and 1914.

The New Rochelle Evening Standard, April 30, 1912, told of a planned career change: "Frank Champury, scenic artist for the Thanhouser Film Corporation, is about to sever his connection with that company to join the Sphynx [sic] Film Company, Yonkers, as directing artist. Mr. Champury has had charge of the scenic effects of the local company since it was established and has made many friends in this city where he has his home. He will continue as a resident of New Rochelle for the summer at least. The Sphynx Company produces only four films a year. They are of an educational nature consisting of scientific and historical pictures from 6,000 to 8,000 feet long. It is said that Sphynx is the only company producing this class of film. It is supported by scientists and theatrical men who are particular about historic and scientific accuracy, and the films are used in theatres, schools and colleges. Mr. Champury's work will be the designating and laying out of the scenic details of which he has made a close study. Dr. H. Ragley is in charge of the x-ray and bacteriological departments which produce anatomical bacteriological and animal and vegetable structure pictures." Whatever involvement Champury had with Sphynx apparently did not affect his career with Thanhouser.

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