Inventor Name
Exactus Photo-Film Corporation
Repository
Stanford University
Special Collections and University Archives
Green Library- Bing Wing 200
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004
650-725-1161
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/index.html
Physical Description
1.5 linear feet
Summary
These records include correspondence, work reports, inventories, financial papers, legal and official documents, American Consular Service reports on overseas film distribution, descriptions and illustrations for patent applications, scenarios, promotional brochures, miscellaneous printed articles, photographs, and short filmstrips. Representing the first documentary film company in the United States, the Exactus papers also give an interesting background of the early film industry, particularly in California. The Peninsula and southern Bay Area had a good number of studios and at one time rivaled Los Angeles-Hollywood for the center position of the film world. The American Consular Service reports, as well as correspondence with agents for film distribution overseas, give an idea of the very wide-spread interest in and activity of the film industry at this relatively early date. Archie Rice, a graduate of Stanford and motion picture director for Exactus, wrote at length and in detail of his work. His letters and reports in the Exactus Collection describe some of the technical angles of the business, its difficulties, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Much of the groundwork of the school and library films is revealed in Rice's letters and additional information can be found in the Frank S. Wilton correspondence. Wilton was one of the cameramen on these projects. Rice's letters and notes are voluminous and entertaining, full of personal opinion and advice on business matters, and very detailed as to his own activities. In a letter to Peterson dated simply "Saturday, 10:55 p.m.," he gives a description of some well-known personalities of the early motion picture industry. Charlie Chaplin and Fatty I saw together last night and heard them talk a little while. Chaplin is now getting $1,500 a week as a movie actor, and has been in the business but one year. He was formerly getting $1,000 a week from the Keystone company at Los Angeles. Now he is with Essenay at Niles. He is a little, rather handsome, good natured chap with good teeth and an English accent. There are other correspondents of interest, too, including: Louise Bayard Angell, a director; H. P. Thayer, a creditor and one-time General Manager of Exactus; Milton A. Ayers, manager of the Ayers Motion Picture Company in San Francisco; and Frank Wayne, an Actor and magician. Several photographs of the Exactus studio and camera, some scenes taken by Peters in Los Angeles, and some short
Finding Aid
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/spc/xml/m0055.xml