Mark M. Dintenfass from The Champion Film Company (1911) 🇺🇸

Mr. Mark M. Dintenfass has been one of the most bitterly persecuted of men we know in the industry. We have often wondered how our good friend Mark managed to save his neck and keep out of limbo, owing to the fact that injunction after injunction, contempt proceeding after contempt proceeding were hanging over him, and we have no doubt that his nightmares were of the sheriff, or some other limb of the law, taking hold of him and rushing him to the Tombs or Sing Sing, or some of the other places where the guests of the Federal authorities are kept at the nation’s expense.

At one time not so long ago, our friend Mark [Mark M. Dintenfass] was so close to the bars that even his close friends consoled him by promising to bring him cigarettes and a chew of tobacco. However, all this is now past, and Mark can once more breathe the air of freedom of an American citizen; although this has come to him at tremendous expense, so that his coffers are almost depleted of the wherewithal to obtain food, clothing and the inevitable cigarettes.

The expense of fighting this litigation has been such that we sincerely hope that the sale of Champions will more than recuperate him by their increase in the future for what he has lost in the past.

We wondered how friend Mark felt under these conditions and we asked him to give his opinion on the subject and whether he was able to sleep well now, compared with the former times, to which he replied:

“My experiences commenced with my taking up the Champion Film Company, and to give you a little past history I may say that the hardship that I have endured during the last eighteen months was almost beyond forbearance. It is impossible to tell you the innumerable difficulties that I had to contend with in order to keep making film. It is, however, a fact that even had I been caught taking pictures with a broom handle, or by some other miraculous method, I would have been up for contempt again. So you can see the position I was in. Even under those circumstances I have turned out pictures like The Old Man and Jim, which is taken from the notable poem of the famous poet James Whitcomb Riley, the historic Stonewall Jackson, Clark’s Capture of Kaskaskia, Gen. Meade’s Fighting Days, Gen. Marion, the Swamp Fox, With Sheridan at Murfreesboro and last but not least Molly Pitcher.”

“All these pictures we presume, Mr. Dintenfass, were taken under severe mental strain and great difficulties, and we think great credit is due you for the admirable way in which you handled them, and the success that you have secured among the exhibitors and the public. What do you consider the future outlook for Champions now that all the injunctions are dismissed?”

“I may say that my heart is very much lighter and that I am able to think more lucidly and devote more of my attention and time to the production and selection of pictures.”

“The outlook then looks very pleasurable to you, and, judging the past as a criterion, we suppose you will put the money you would spend in litigation into scenarios and pictures, employing actors and actresses of a higher quality, so that the Champions may be elevated to a still higher altitude.”

“I give you my assurance that every effort will be exerted to produce real Champs.”

“We have no doubt that now you are given an even chance, and having known you for so long and watched your progress, and very much admired your fighting and tenacious grip of what you believe to be right, you will make good and excel your past endeavors.”

“You know, Mr. Saunders [Alfred H. Saunders], I have been on the firing line for freedom of trade and the Independent cause since the combination of the Patents Company, and since the time I met you in Philadelphia, when I spoke from the platform to the organized Independent exhibitors, and when you so ably defended the righteousness of Independence. My only desire now is that I be left alone and be allowed to get to the position that I have aimed for as ideal, — the production of picture stories that I should appeal to every patron of the moving picture industry. The attainment of this victory is intensely gratifying to me, for, as a firm adherent to the single tax philosophy, I believe in the elimination of Trust monopolization, restraint of progress and the unjust hardship that has been oppressing us for years. I believe in our constitution whereby every man has a right to the greatest possible freedom, which is equal freedom.” A word about the Champion factory and studios

Situated in Coytesville, N. J., on a large tract of land, and solely owned by Champion, stands the one-story building wherein the actual work is performed. As the main building is 75x100 feet, one can imagine the enormous facilities to be had for the turning out of first-class films.

The location of the various operating departments and laboratories, i.e., perforating, developing, assembling, printing and property rooms, with clear light and fresh air, sanitary and protective methods being employed, plainly denotes a model institution.

Adjoining the factory is the studio which is quite an object of interest, considering the wealth of properties which are stored about for immediate use, and the large dimensions of the grounds for interior scenes. Altogether the valuation of this plant figures quite a few pennies.

In Connection with the Exhibitor

The Champion Company does a large amount of direct advertising to the motion picture theaters. Each week a very nobby looking booklet is circulated to their mailing list, and those theaters desiring attractive lobby displays will be able to secure same by simply dropping a line to that effect. Those who have already seen evidence of their work need only recall the three-color synopsis entitled With Stonewall Jackson. Even at this late day this display is still in demand. Another feature of proper advertising is the Champ photo-frame mounted with select members of their cast. This can be obtained for the cost fee of $1.00. However, the photos are forwarded unmounted, without charge, when asked for.

• To the victor belongs the spoils

• Scene from The Boy Scouts, Champion release June 28
• Scene from Molly Pitcher, Champion Release June 19

Collection: The Moving Picture News, June 1911