Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-08
Max Karger
Seen Between
Phone Calls
Metro Director and Ledger
Scenario Judge Proves
Human Dynamo
By ARTHUR JAMES


the studios and then they add: isn't II
extraordinary that man of great artistic
feeling, one who senses drama, one who is
exquisite in music and tremendously serious
in his manner Of making motion pictures.
isn't It strange that he should at the same
time possess the vital energy of a champion
pugillst, the endurance of an army mule and
the disposition Of refreshingly cheerful
chiid7"
If you know the ins and outs Of the great
motionpicture studios you'll know that
all the foregoing conversation bears directly
on Maxwell Karger, presiding genius Of a
dozen picture companies and master in tho
studios Of Rolfe Photoplays, Inc.
1t is characteristic of Maxwell Karger
that he prefers a studio in the very heart OF
the Broadway district with tons of sound
coming in at the windows and life, color
and tense action all about him for 16 OF the
20 hours of his day.
He shuns publicity, does Max. He pre-
fers the projection room to the housetop.
He makes appointments with photographers
only to forget to sit for his portrais
The facts set forth herewith are largely
matters of observation. Pursued. pinned
down behind locked doors, It was finally pos
sible to cajole, wheedle, entreat. bully.
threaten and finally blast out of the dyna-
milo Max certain definite details of his ex-
periences and these between phone calls
and distractions of the studio rush.
1t ran something like this:
You were born in -7"
Ting-a-llng, ting-a-ling, grrrrr.
Yes, this is Karger What? Yes. the
sample, print left here hour ago. whnt7
Now don't tell me that. I want It by IL
o'clock tonight; yes, I'll be here to look at
1t" Bang. squeak dby the chairl You
were saying?"
Where were you born and when7"
Ting.a.ling, ting-a-ling. Yes, Dick,
signed her up for four pictures year, two
years contract and we have two scripts
ready All right, I'll be down in an hour"
Bang, squeak dby the chairl
Where was 1 bornH Why in Ohio 80
years ago in -"
Ting-aIing. ting.a-lIng. Hello, yes. Be
ready to start on your exteriors tomorrow.
IL It's fair at o'clock. Schuter will hav
two sets ready in case II rains, and say
drop in about midnight want to go over
the fourth reel with you. The continuity \
needs bolstering What? Well you get
more sleep than do" Bang, squeak by
the chair.
"oh, yes, in Ohio SO years ago. went to
Chicago as boy took to music, fiddled
and kept at It. Leader of orchestra at 20
years and won the scholarship at"
Ting-a-llng, tlng-a-ling. Eyes, sure. Ben.
I'd like to have her call any time. She
can act, but how does she screen? What?
All right, Wen make a test this afternoon
or tomorrow. Yes, and say. Carewe's new
picture is all cut and he'll have the titles
in tonight. Come up about 1 :30 a. m and
well run it." Bang, squeak (by the chair).
oh, yes as was saying. 1 won the
scholarship and went to Europe to study
under Joachim, and then finally I became
first violin at the Metropolitan. After sevan
years Of that d-W
Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling. ''Yes, dear, am
glad you called. Can't make It for dinner,
but why don't you come down here. No,
l won't be home much before 4 a. M. there's
an extra rush and can't possibly get away
All right. Good-by"
Yes, and after that rested and watched
motion pictures until I couldn't stay away
any longer. financed several other things
and then L"
Bang. bang. rap, rap, rapl
NO. you can't come in; I'm tied UP now.
What?. I'll have tea with them in the
dressing room"
"As I was saying. I met Ben Rolfe and
'ound We were of the same mind. There
'ore we made pictures. and once in pictures
he fascination is irresistible. believe In
hem. 1 am fond of them. They rob you
If your home life, OF your social life. OF
'our sleep. your time, your vitality your
nergies but the fascination is compelling.
II believe in the future of pictures, in
heir wonderful possibilities, their tremen-
ious opportunities All opinions to the con-
rary Notwithstanding they grow finer and
'igger and better every day"
There was a pause, and a faint buzzinR
IS of bee caught in pitch pot 1t was
he telephone bell into which the Interviewer
Gd surreptitlously inserted a wad of paper
o cut Off the outside and annoying world
he buzzing ceased and Karger went on;
Clean dramas, that's what we want Big.
rainy. interesting stories, that's what we
eed, and were getting them and we'll get
lore of them. for the worlds alive to pic
ures and the brains OF the world are con-
on the possibilities of pictures"
The buzzing was resumed and the ruse
1as discovered. A new talk began on the
1ire and there was a chance for analysiA
he result reads;
large well-shaped head, well equipped =,
nth waving brown hair, preserved as a
ribute to the days OF the violin. broad
orehead with the bumps OF perception
'el developed. Clean eyes with the
Tinkles Of humor at the corners. high-cheek
ones, well-shaped nose. sharp white teeth
nd belligerent chin The brow OF 4
oct, the jaw OF pugilist A manner
mild or fierce. calm or intense,
pleasant persuasive voice. soothing in
ajolery, loud and sturdy in argument A
lick-set body, strong and radiating vitality.
nd last of ALL hands-hands most unusual
I all because equal 10 the delieacies OF
iusic and big enough for tree chopper.