Thomas H. Ince — Producer and Sportsman (1919) 🇬🇧
In Culver City, California, Thomas H. Ince has built the most modern motion picture studio in the world. There is nothing like it in the industry. The administration building is fashioned along old Colonial design, and the entire atmosphere of the plant is that of the greatest refinement.
Mr. Ince has, in the advancement of the motion picture business, given something that was distinctly his own, in all his productions. He has always been a leader instead of copying the ideas of someone else. He was the first to stage big battle scenes.
Mr. Ince was one of the first to introduce the vampire to the screen, with Louise Glaum as the vampire. He was, without question, the “father” of the Indian and Western picture, introducing to the public the much-loved Bill Hart [William S. Hart]. He was the first producer to see the possibility in Japanese artistes, and engaged Sessue Hayakawa (早川 雪洲) to play the leading role in The Typhoon. And last, but not least, he saw the great possibility in the small town story, and gave to the public the inimitable Charles Ray, with Dorothy Dalton as the best of dramatic stars, and Enid Bennett as the winsome, appealing type, absolutely in a class by herself.
Mr. Ince is a keen aviator, and is always ready to further the advancement of this latest means of quick travel.
In order to encourage youthful pilots, he has offered to present to the first aviator who accomplishes a flight across the Pacific Ocean the magnificent prize of 50,000 dollars, a sum which everyone will agree is well worth striving for. The only condition is that the flight must be made via the Hawaiian Islands.
Mr. Ince will also be remembered as one of the founders of the famous Triangle organisation.
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Thomas H. Ince is himself a keen aviator.
Thomas H. Ince giving H. E. Coles, Mayor of Venice, his certified cheque for 50,000 dollars to pay over to the first aviator that crosses the Pacific via Hawaiian Islands.
Collection: Picture Show Magazine, October 1919