Volume I: Narrative History

Chapter 9: 1916 October News

The reduced staff in New Rochelle and the large amount of unused studio space prompted the Thanhouser Film Corporation to run this advertisement in the October 7th issue of The Moving Picture World:

The Thanhouser Laboratories are open to you. Have you ever felt, Mr. Producer, that your photography lacked the truly artistic touch? Have you ever wished that you could get developing and printing equal to that shown consistently in Thanhouser plays? Your wish can come true. The Thanhouser Film Corporation is now in a position to do your work.

No little part of the excellence of Thanhouser photography is due to superior developing and printing. No laboratory is better equipped than the Thanhouser Film Corporation's; none is manned by artists more expert. The Thanhouser Film Corporation is not interested in contracting for work of an inferior quality, in which perfect developing and printing are not necessary. For those companies that have expensive negatives and demand that their prints be upon a par with the productions, the Thanhouser Film Corporation offers laboratory work unsurpassed.

On the same date The Motion Picture Mail carried this item: "The Thanhouser Film employees have organized a football eleven made up mostly of former college players who are now employed at the studio. The Thanhouser team challenges any other motion picture team for a game anytime and will donate its share of receipts to the Actors' Fund."

The difficulties with Mutual in early 1916, the subsequent firing of numerous studio employees and players, and the strain of producing five-reel features which might be found acceptable for distribution through the Pathé Exchange all had a toll on Edwin Thanhouser's spirit. The New Rochelle Pioneer, October 14, 1916, told of the producer's future plans:

According to reports, Edwin Thanhouser, in spite of his unusual activity at the present time, has declared to friends his intention to retire from business at the conclusion of his three years' contract with the corporation bearing his name. This will come to pass about 18 months hence, by which time the producer feels that he will have earned a permanent vacation. It will be recalled that when Mr. Thanhouser sold out to the concern he agreed not to re-enter the film business for a period of three years. He kept to his bargain until asked by the purchasers to once more assume the reins of management.

Subsequently it was related that in a sale arranged by Theodore S. Hall, Edwin Thanhouser had purchased the 10-acre shorefront estate of Ernest N. Greenfield. Located near Locust Valley, Long Island, the property was valued at $55,000.

In its issue of October 21st The New Rochelle Pioneer stated that this year's annual movie ball would be held under the management of John Lehnberg at Germania Hall the coming Wednesday evening. A number of actors and actresses from other studios planned to come, including June Caprice of the Fox Film Corporation, Joseph Gleason of Famous Players, Maurice Costello, and Harry Meyers, plus from the Thanhouser studio, Doris Grey, Kathryn Adams, Gladys Leslie, Peggy Burke, Wayne Arey, Thomas Curran, George Marlo, Edwin Stanley, and Boyd Marshall, all of whom would participate in the entertainment.

A full page advertisement in the October 28th issue of The Moving Picture World was titled "These are the Stars You See in Thanhouser-Made Pathé Gold Rooster Plays." Shown were pictures of Gladys Hulette, Frederick Warde, Charlotte Walker, Doris Grey, Florence LaBadie, Jeanne Eagels, Vincent Serrano, Valkyrien, and Wayne Arey.