Post by Terry Harbin on Oct 30, 2010 16:29:07 GMT -5
WHARTON STUDIO
HIGHLY PRAISED
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"Directors' Dream of Paradise Come True," Morning Telegraph Critic Calls It.
Ithaca is getting advertising in various forms as a result of the location of Wharton, Inc., which becomes famous through motion picture productions. The New York Morning Telegraph, which has a high reputation as a motion picture weekly, in its last issue contained the following "write up" of the Wharton company:
HIGHLY PRAISED
------------
"Directors' Dream of Paradise Come True," Morning Telegraph Critic Calls It.
Ithaca is getting advertising in various forms as a result of the location of Wharton, Inc., which becomes famous through motion picture productions. The New York Morning Telegraph, which has a high reputation as a motion picture weekly, in its last issue contained the following "write up" of the Wharton company:
In the motion picture industry there are two figures that stand out unique in accomplishment and one studio at least that, in point of location is like a director's dream come true. The Wharton Brothers, Leon and Ted, have distinguished themselves as directors, and have gained fame as producers of successful serials, but little is known to either the public or the trade of their remarkable work shop; or the stage that nature has placed at their doors. Had Aladdin with his wonderful lamp, been a motion picture producer he could not possibly have conjured enchanted producing grounds more perfect than where the Wharton's work.
Within a few minutes by auto from their plant in Ithaca, New York, there is everything in the way of natural settings from a Florida swamp to an Arizona desert and from old world architecture to a replica of the Grand canyon. They have a lake on which a naval battle could be staged, with aeroplanes and hydroplanes situated right at the door. The woods are within sight of the studio, and there are side settings such as railroad trains, trolley cars and modern city streets within walking distance. In the wide and varied range of natural backgrounds that surround the studio, almost every conceivable scene can be supposed to take place. Manufactures have sent companies thousands of miles and expended thousands of dollars to secure what the Wharton's have almost within the confines of their grounds.
There are waterfalls that vary from fifteen to two hundred feet in height. There are pine and spruce and cedar trees, such as are found in the Northwest Territory; there are gorges and canyons and on the property adjoining that of the Wharton's are the famous Renwick Woods, visited during the year by every kind of North American bird. Fifty feet from the studio building is Lake Cayuga, forty miles long and five miles wide. Tranquil and beautiful in calm weather, or thrillingly wicked enough during a storm for the most sensational picture ever conceived.
When architecture is wanted, the buildings of Cornell University supply the different periods of European construction, both for exteriors and interiors, while in the houses and back streets of the town any American scene can be laid from that of a Southern village to a thriving Northern city.
The studio itself is a model of completeness and cleanliness, a wholesome quality that is sometimes over looked even though it is a most important factor in the final result. In the Wharton Studio every piece of furniture, every rug and every ornament in an interior scene is kept scrupulously clean and that part of the floor not covered by rugs is varnished and continuously dusted. When sets are not in use they are taken off the floor. There is a designated place for everything and everything is kept in its place, therefore there is no confusion or delay.
source: Ithaca Journal 5-5-1916