John W. Leezer — Little Close-Ups of the A. S. C. (1922) 🇺🇸
John Leezer, A. S. C, started in the photographic game back in Pennsylvania as proprietor of a portrait studio. This was in 1907-8-9. Tiring of this he accepted a good offer in the photographic department of the National Cash Register Company and remained there two years, going thence to the Kinemacolor where he had charge of the laboratory 1912 and 1913.
In the latter part of 1913 he went to Mack Sennett for a brief engagement and then to the old Reliance in 1914 for one picture. About this time D. W. Griffith saw Mr. Leezer’s work and engaged him to join the Fine Arts staff where under direction of D. W., he made ten pictures.
Do you remember any of the early pictures of Griffith — the pictures that earned him his early reputation? Here are a few: The Lily and the Rose, “The Wood Nymph,” “The Marriage of Molly-O,” “The Girl of the Timber Claims,” “The Hope Chest,” Boots, “Peppy Polly,” etc. Mr. Leezer shot them all.
The Marriage of Molly-O was made in 1916 and in this picture Mr. Leezer used the first soft focus lenses employed in motion photography. Carl Strauss made these lenses and Mr. Leezer believes they were the first ever used on a motion camera.
After completing his contract with Griffith in 1917 Mr. Leezer divided his time between various independent companies among which were the Brentwood and William R. Lighton Productions until 1921 when he and Leigh R. Smith organized the World Classic Film Corporation for the purpose of producing educational pictures for exhibition in schools and theatres. Of this organization Mr. Leezer has been elected first vice-president and general manager, and he will bring to it a wealth of ability and experience.
Mr. Leezer [John W. Leezer] also writes interestingly on cinematographic subjects and as a part of the equipment of his new organization will publish a magazine devoted to educational films.
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Collection: American Cinematographer, February 1922
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