What Kind of a Fellow Is — Sherrill? (1918) 🇺🇸

Mr. Sherrill was rehearsing a speech as we stepped, unobserved, into his office.

by William A. Johnston

“It is the bone and sinew of the industry,” he was saying with considerable vehemence, “as the steam is to the engine and as electricity is to the dynamo, so —”

“Is what?” we responded, by way of introduction.

Mr. Sherrill jumped. “Why — er-er — what’s that? Oh! Howdy do, Mr. Johnston. Howdy! Good morning, sir. Come right in, sir. Yesser. Quite well, sir. How are you, sir?”

Mr. Sherrill was looking the pink of perfection — cold bath, shave, manicure, valet service, pear scarf pin, fresh linen; as pink and fresh as a pink carnation. Most men of decided personalities give you a color impression. Mr. Sherrill’s is that of pinkness — a color of general warmth and optimism. True his automobile is finished in Alice blue, including even the victoria top; but then, pink and Alice blue go nicely together.

“Mr. Sherrill,” we began, “the exhibitors like you.”

Mr. Sherrill waved deprecatingly. “They like my pictures.” he suggested.

“Yes, but they like you. You made a hit at the recent convention in Washington.”

Mr. Sherrill grew a little more pinkish.

“They say you are the first producer who has ever appeared before them with no cards up his sleeve. They like your spirit and intentions.”

Mr. Sherrill gestured largely and generously, like a Southern plantation owner indicating his broad acres from off a sunny Colonial porch. Mr. Sherrill, by the way, is a native of Macon, Georgia.

“Thank you, sir,” he replied, “that’s mighty nice in you, sir; and I think exhibitors are mighty nice folks, sir. And they’re not fairly treated, sir.” Mr. Sherrill looked serious and earnest. “I could make a speech on the subject,” he suggested.

“No doubt,” we replied. “But, you see, we are cramped for room here. Th exhibitors want to know about you.”

Mr. Sherrill was, for the moment, nonplussed. “Well,” he said, “I’m an independent — and a pioneer independent.”

“Exactly.”

“And I always will be independent. I’d rather be William L. Sherrill, independent, than President of the U. S. on a program. Solidly independent — that’s Sherrill, yesser, one hundred percent!”

“Exactly.”

“But I believe in co-operation — business co-operation — between all branches of the industry. Yesser, we’ve got to make this a regular business. That’s my slate. Yesser. One hundred and fifty per cent!”

“You don’t mean profits — by one hundred and fifty per cent.”

“God bless you; no, sir,” exploded Mr. Sherrill. “Certainly not, sir. I was just being emphatic. That’s the trouble with this business — this idea of big profits and quick profit taking. No siree, sir. I stand for legitimate profits and business co-operation, run on business principles.”

“Certainly.”

“I’m not a producer —”

“Be careful,” we continued.

“That’s all right,” said Mr. Sherrill. “I mean I don’t know the technical side of picture-making. I leave that to those who do. I’m a business man. But I do know fine pictures and I make them.”

“You certainly do,” we acquiesced.

“So long, Bill,” we said, as we arose.

“So long, Bill,” said Mr. Sherrill.

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What Others Say

• “He’s a sure-fire success. He just naturally and instinctively manipulates things to a successful ending.”
• “He believes in quality production as a business proposition. Whatever business he was engaged in he would conduct it along high-grade lines — as a business principle.
• “He has never made, nor considered making other than clean pictures. He believes in them; he believes the other kind are bad business.”
• “He’s a natural born leader. He wants to be William L. Sherrill — or he won’t play ball.”
• “He’s human and likable.”
• “He’s genial — always has a laugh ready.”

Next Week: Walter W. Irwin

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Illustration by: Harry Palmer (Harry Samuel Palmer) (1882–1955)

Collection: Motion Picture News, January 1918