What Kind of a Fellow Is — Fox? (1917) 🇺🇸
Being a glance at the real human side of the big men of the picture game — caught in action!
by William A. Johnston
A careful computation, in which an expert statistician assisted, proves conclusively that William Fox works twenty-six hours out of every twenty-four.
The special figures given us by the Fox publicity department are forty-six hours per day. Allowing for the usual 100 per cent, reduction in press agents’ figures and also Mr. Fox’s final admission that he eats lunch once a week, we are able to arrive at our own total.
After considerable difficulty an interview was finally arranged in Mr. Fox’s private barber shop, reached through a secret panel from the projection room. Time: 1 o’clock in the morning.
The writer met Gus, the barber, going up in the elevator to fill his regular appointment.
In the barber shop we found a cabinet sitting silently, composed of the scenario editor-in-chief, the chief sales manager, an attorney, a director, the head of the London office, the general manager of the Fox circuit, and a representative from South America who came into New York at 12, midnight.
Enter Mr. Fox, bowing pleasantly to Gus and the other gentlemen present
To Gus: “Shave and facial massage, Gus. Trim the hair and mustache.”
To the other gentlemen: “Please be brief.”
Following the reports Mr. Fox spoke incisively, through the lather.
To Gus: “Not so close, Gus.”
To the Scenario-Editor-in-Chief: “I don’t like the scenario.”
“But it is now practically your own, Mr. Fox.”
“Very well, make it all mine. Meet me at the golf links tomorrow morning and we’ll work on the train coming in. The climax needs strengthening.”
To the attorney: “Any film monopoly on the horizon?”
“Not as yet, Sir.”
“Well, start a suit, anyway. This industry must be free, or —” here Gus applied the lather and Mr. Fox snorted angrily.
To the Director: “Where are the takes in scene two hundred and thirty-eight? Should have been here at four twenty-five?”
“Well, there were just a few feet.”
“Makes no difference. I want to see every foot — understand, every foot — keep the lather out of my nose, Gus.”
The London Manager: “Is my report satisfactory?”
“Witch hazel,” said Mr. Fox, “and keep the towel out of my mouth.”
“No,” resumed Mr. Fox, “it is not. You have skipped seventeen British theatres, in the cities and towns of Manchester, Glascow, Aldgate, Plumstead, Aldershot, Bournemouth — see me at the office tomorrow at twelve thirty-six.”
To the Fox circuit manager: Put a new projection machine in the ——— street theatre; spend $2,476.38 on the ——— avenue theatre; build a new theatre, corner ——— and ——— street. Here are the plans.
To everybody: “All over, gentlemen. I’ve got to go to work.”
“But, Mr. Fox, Motion Picture News wants an interview.”
“I dislike personal publicity,” said Mr. Fox. “How does my cartoon look. What do you want to know?”
“Well, what is your answer to Mr. Mastbaum’s telegram?”
“Why did he send it?” continued Mr. Fox.
“Is that your answer?”
“It is.”
“Will you merge the Fox Film Corporation?”
“My business,” answered Mr. Fox, “is making and showing pictures. “I’m William Fox, and always will be.”
—
What others say of him:
- “He’s a boy for play, and a fiend for work.”
- “He can build a photoplay and a photoplay theatre — every detail.”
- “Six out of every seven nights he is at work in his office.”
- “He plays golf as he works and plans — alone.”
- “His business hobby is independence.”
- “He is the aggressive figure in the film business.”
- “He’s a fighter.”
- “He takes big chances.”
- “He demands that business be played wide open.”
- “He is impetuous — but clear-eyed.”
Illustration by: Harry Palmer (Harry Samuel Palmer) (1882–1955)
Collection: Motion Picture News, December 1917