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Revision as of 07:32, 5 November 2014 by ChrisGualtieri (talk | contribs) (→The Birth of the Gnomes: add)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Gnome Motion Picture Company was a animated film production company that is credited with three animated productions between 1910 and 1911. The purpose of the company to was to produce stories about gnomes.
Formation
According to The Nickelodeon the "Gnome Motion Picture Company was formed to manufacture pictures under the Meredith-Jones camera patents, now owned and controlled, together with several other patents, by the Animated Picture Patents Company." The announcement of the new incorporation was stated to have $30,000 in capital and its directors comprised of Fred Kalmbach, James C. Hutchinson and H. Meredith Jones. The studio and offices were located at the southwest corner of Park and Tremont Ave in Bronx, New York City, New York. According to a report, Gnome purchased a Motiograph Moving Picture Machine and Hallberg's Standard Automatic Electric Economizers for their productions.
The company's lead actress was Mildred Hutchinson and employed its staff to produce stories about the fictional gnomes aimed at producing works for children. Hutchinson was a seasoned child actress at the time of the productions who had credits working with Edison, Vitagraph and Melies the age of six.
Films
The Birth of the Gnomes
Little is known of this animated film produced by the Gnome company. A published synopsis in The Nickelodeon reads as follows, "An old fairy realizing that her span of life is rapidly drawing to a close, brings to life a new race of people, called the Gnomes, who are governed by a new fairy. When the Gnomes appear, the old fairy informs them that their duties will be to perform acts of kindness to all people of the world. After thus admonishing them, the old fairy disappears, and the Gnomes start upon their career of well doing. Many beautiful acts of kindness are performed in the course of their travels, which is through wonderful scenery and in strange places. In one scene the Gnomes discover an old man bemoaning his fate, and him they magically transform to a youth of great beauty. Many other acts of kindness are performed, all of great interest. Finally, the band of Gnomes discover a balloon, and the fairy queen being helped into the basket by the Gnomes, is last seen flying away watched by her adoring subjects." The film was billed at being 1000 feet in length and having a set release for December 12, 1911. Though a announcement stated that the release would be delayed to "Christmas week".
Alice in Funnyland
A published synopsis in The Nickelodeon reads as follows, "The night before Christmas, Alice, a child of wealth, after going through the usual form of hanging up her stocking, is put to bed by her maid. Alice falls asleep and dreams. Enter Santa Claus and Gnomes who tell Alice to follow her and they will show her part of their Funnyland. Alice follows the little people under the special protection of a policeman two foot high. The little party are seen trotting through beautiful glens and dales until they reach Funnyland. Santa Claus tells her that if she is a good girl all the animals and toys here are hers; as Alice touches each one they come to life. The teddy bear steps out to dance with Alice. As Alice removes the cover from Doll's box the doll dances out, a little king gives a magical entertainment, a clown is very active and all the animals and dolls do some interesting act much to the surprise and delight of little Alice. At last, tired out, Alice falls asleep reclining upon the shoulders of Teddy bear. Then we see her again back in her own little bed. It is now Christmas morning. Her maid awakens and dresses her for the great event, takes her to the drawing room where she is welcomed by her parents to find that her dream has come true." Originally the film was billed as being released for December 19, 1911 and then it was later claimed to be December 26, 1911.
Alice's New Year's Party
References
- ^ "The Nickelodeon (Jul-Dec 1910)". Electricity Magazine Corp. 1910. pp. 312, 321, 340, 343. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Moving Picture World (July-Dec 1910) (1910)". Chalmers Publishing Company. 1910. Retrieved 5 November 2014.