Charles Hirliman (1915) 🇺🇸

Charles Hirliman, superintendent and laboratory manager of the Life Photo Film Corporation, and the Commercial Motion Pictures Co., Inc., is one of the rare examples of “practical perfection” in laboratory work.

Mr. Hirliman, in the course of his association with the Commercial Motion Pictures Company has devoted every spare moment of his time to experimental work in an endeavor to carry the art of tinting and toning of motion picture films to its highest point.

Mr. Hirliman has prepared more than 300 formulas before using one, that to his mind, would give proper results in tinting and toning various colors, disregarding one formula, only to prepare and try out another.

The result of his efforts, as shown on the screen, has been such as to call forth commendation from almost every motion picture manufacturer in the United States.

It can be said without fear of contradiction that Mr. Hirliman is one of the most competent laboratory superintendents in the industry. The proof of his ability is shown by the work turned out of the Commercial Motion Picture Company’s laboratories, now under his sole charge, and the large numbers of orders which are placed with that company for developing negatives and making prints of some of the largest motion picture manufacturing concerns in the country, most of them owning and operating their own laboratories.

The marvelous tinting and toning in such pictures as The Ordeal, Capt. Swift, Northern Lights and The Avalanche, produced by the Life Photo Film Corporation, Mignon, produced by the World Film Corporation, A Fool There Was, The Thief and The Idlers, produced by the Box Office Attractions Company, and Paul Rainey’s African Hunt, released by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, all of which productions were printed in the laboratory of the Commercial Motion Pictures Co., under the personal supervision of Mr. Hirliman, prove his ability, and place him in the front ranks of technical and practical laboratory managers.

The contract of employment between the Commercial Motion Pictures Co., Inc., and Mr. Hirliman, has been renewed for two years at a large and substantial increase in Mr. Hirliman’s salary.

Mr. Hirliman has been placed on the board of executive managers of that company in an advisory capacity.

—

The Heart of Lincoln

Thrilling Story of the Days of the Civil War, to Be Released under the Gold Seal Brand.

Reviewed by Margaret I. MacDonald

As a basis for the multiple-reel picture perhaps no period of history has lent itself so unstintingly to the screen as that of the Civil War; nor has any single personality of history been more largely monopolized as a subject for screen impersonation than that of Abraham Lincoln. Being without any degree of personal vanity, Lincoln would no doubt feel highly flattered at the tribute paid him, no matter which way his forelock twirled. And it cannot be denied that the crudest attempt at impersonation of the famous president is a compliment to the great nature of the man.

The Universal Film Company has again undertaken the filming of a story of which Abraham Lincoln is the central figure, and in which his kindness of heart shines forth with its usual brilliancy. This time Grace Cunard has written the story, and Francis Ford has again played the role of Lincoln, as well as having directed the picture which is in three reels. The story has been presented in an interesting manner, with splendid realism in the battle scenes. One of the most effective photographic results obtained is in the scene sub-titled “The Sorrows of Lincoln,” in which he is seated in sorrowful meditation at his big library table, while on the far side of the screen the smoke of battle partly obscures the horrors of the field.

Grace Cunard in the role of Betty, the pretty daughter of Col. Jason, is an attractive figure, and plays with vivacity and good effect. The big situation of the story has been brought about through the illness of the wife of Col. Jason, when in answer to a message sent him from home he braves the consequences and attired in a stolen uniform of the enemy reaches the bedside of his dying wife, only to be discovered and held a prisoner. A trip made to Washington by Betty with an appeal to the President to intercede on behalf of her father appears at first to be unsuccessful, and Betty goes away in sorrow and disappointment; but on a mysterious visit to the battle line made by the President that night the order is given to the Confederate leader to allow Betty’s father to escape. This is cleverly brought about by the apparently accidental firing of the sentry’s gun by the Confederate leader which brings the soldiers rushing to the scene, thereby giving the captive colonel an opportunity to escape, which he is not slow in grasping.

There is a pretty love thread interwoven in the plot of the story, and a distinctive Colonial atmosphere permeates the entire production.

—

Uncut Diamonds in Zudora

Uncut diamonds valued at $25,000 were used in a recent scene in The Twenty Million Dollar Mystery, in which Marguerite Snow plays Zudora. The gems, when not in actual use in a scene, were kept in the vaults of the National City Bank of New Rochelle.

—

Tom Cox Dead

Tom Sinclair Cox, a former member of the Kalem players at Glendale, Cal., died on December 6 at La Crescenta, Cal., after a long illness. The deceased was a nephew of Tom Wise of The Gentleman of Mississippi fame. His mother, Adelaide Wise, was present when he died.

—

General Film Company Election

The annual election of officers of the General Film Company occurred at the offices of the company, 200 Fifth Avenue, on Tuesday, January 19. J. J. Kennedy of the Biograph Company, was elected president; C. H. Wilson of the Edison Company, vice-president; A. E. Smith of the Vitagraph Company, treasurer; Paul Melies of the Melies Company, assistant treasurer, and F. R. Clark, secretary. All the employees of the company including P. L. Waters, General Manager, will remain the same. There was a full representation of stockholders and directors present.

—

Margaret Turnbull Now with Lasky

Miss Margaret Turnbull, widely known throughout the United States as a successful author and dramatist, has gone to the Lasky studios at Hollywood, California, to become a photodramatist in association with Wm. C. De Mille, who has charge of preparing the scenarios for all the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Co. productions. Miss Turnbull collaborated with Mr. De Mille in writing Classmates and she wrote The Deadlock, in which Edith Wynne Mathison starred last year. She has recently published a story entitled, Looking After Sandy, which has been one of the leading “best sellers” of the year.

—

—

Chas. Hirliman

Scene from The Heart of Lincoln (Gold Seal)

Collection: Moving Picture World, January 1915