Dramatic Feature Films
Encyclopedia
Dramatic Feature Films was an unsuccessful silent film
venture by Frank Joslyn Baum
, son of L. Frank Baum
. The office was at 300 West 42nd Street in New York City
(the building that currently houses the Times Square McDonald's
in its first floors), while the films were made in the Hollywood studios of The Oz Film Manufacturing Company
, which was the company's former identity.
Two films are known to have been produced by the company, neither of which survive. These include a slapstick
short titled Pies and Poetry starring Betty Pierce. Pierce, along with Catherine Countiss and David Proctor starred in The Gray Nun of Belgium
. The film was directed by Francis Powers from a script by Baum (some sources say the elder) and set during World War I
. Advertisements in the trade papers gave the film a release date of April 26, 1915; however, it is now believed that the film was never released. The distributor
, Alliance Film Program, apparently found the film inferior and refused to buy it.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
venture by Frank Joslyn Baum
Frank Joslyn Baum
Frank Joslyn Baum was a lawyer, soldier, writer, and film producer, though his attempts to continue the legacy of his father brought him lawsuit and estrangement from his family. Nonetheless, he became the first president of The International Wizard of Oz Club.He is best known as the author of To...
, son of L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
. The office was at 300 West 42nd Street in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(the building that currently houses the Times Square McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
in its first floors), while the films were made in the Hollywood studios of The Oz Film Manufacturing Company
The Oz Film Manufacturing Company
The Oz Film Manufacturing Company was an independent film studio from 1914-1915. It was founded by L. Frank Baum , Louis F. Gottschalk , Harry Marston Haldeman , and Clarence R. Rundel as an offshoot of Haldeman's social group, The Uplifters, that met at the Los Angeles Athletic Club...
, which was the company's former identity.
Two films are known to have been produced by the company, neither of which survive. These include a slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
short titled Pies and Poetry starring Betty Pierce. Pierce, along with Catherine Countiss and David Proctor starred in The Gray Nun of Belgium
The Gray Nun of Belgium
The Gray Nun of Belgium was a 1915 film announced for release on the Alliance Program by Dramatic Feature Films, Frank Joslyn Baum's short-lived successor to The Oz Film Manufacturing Company....
. The film was directed by Francis Powers from a script by Baum (some sources say the elder) and set during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Advertisements in the trade papers gave the film a release date of April 26, 1915; however, it is now believed that the film was never released. The distributor
Film distributor
A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for releasing films to the public either theatrically or for home viewing...
, Alliance Film Program, apparently found the film inferior and refused to buy it.