Art-O-Graf
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production and distribution |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Founder | Otis B. Thayer |
| Defunct | 1923 |
| Headquarters | Denver, Englewood, Steamboat Springs, Colorado , United States |
Key people | Otis B. Thayer (President, General Manager, Managing Director), M. Jay Casey (President), Gretchen Wood (Vice President), David Townsend (Vice President, Scenario Editor), Vernon L. Walker (Lead Cameraman) |
| Products | Silent films |
The Art-O-Graf Film Company was an American enterprise engaged in both film production and distribution, established by Otis B. Thayer and operational from 1919 until 1923 during the silent era. The company marked the early career of four-time Academy Awards nominee Vernon L. Walker, who served as its lead cameraman. Among its cinematographers was William E. Smith, who had previous experience working with Essanay Studios in Chicago. The firm maintained offices within Denver's Guardian Trust Building as well as in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, while its primary studio was situated in Englewood, Colorado. Additionally, filming took place in Grand Junction and surrounding regions. Although numerous productions by Art-O-Graf are now classified as lost, some titles remain extant, notably its most renowned feature, Wolves of the Street, alternatively titled The Wolves in Wall Street.
Staff and crew
The Board of Directors featured Alden Van Epps Wessels (proprietor of the Steamboat Springs Orphium Theatre), Clay Henry Monson, M. Jay Casey, Otis B. Thayer, Gretchen Wood, Lucius Alfred Dick (son of Ohio Senator Charles William Frederick Dick), and David Townsend.
Leadership roles included President and General Manager positions held by Otis B. Thayer (1919) and later M. Jay Casey (1921). Vice Presidents were Gretchen Wood (1919) followed by David Townsend (1921). The Managing Director role was occupied by Otis B. Thayer. Ned Jesse Pease acted as Assistant Manager and Director.
Scenario editing duties were managed by David Townsend in 1923. The head cameraman was Vernon L. Walker, supported by cameramen H. Haller Murphy and William E. Smith.
Secretarial and treasury responsibilities were handled by Alden VanEpps Wessels, L. Linderman (1919), and David Townsend (1919). In 1920, sales management was overseen by David Townsend.
The company's Rough Riders team comprised A. E. McCormick, Babe Marshall Courvoisier, Charley S. Tipton (formerly affiliated with Buffalo Bill's Wild West), Dave Campbell (previously with Erwin Bros. Wild West show), Fred Shaefer, Lewis Milner, Marion Milner, John Keogh, Ora Keogh, Albert Keogh, Frances Keogh, Lewis Hannan, and Thomas Hannan.
Notes
In July 1920, scenario writer Frederick W. Eichorn initiated a $3,000 breach of contract lawsuit against the company concerning the 15-episode serial script Rado the Invisible, which was planned to feature Anna Luther. Director David Townsend was named as a defendant in the case.
In September 1921, M. Jay Casey was detained in Durango, Colorado on charges related to passing a fraudulent check; Casey asserted that he had been framed to facilitate his expulsion from the company.
In July 1923, Mrs. Gretchen Wood was arrested following a vehicular accident involving her chauffeur that resulted in injuries to three passengers; authorities subsequently discovered 17 cases of liquor during a search of her residence.
Selected filmography
- Miss Arizona (1919)
- The Desert Scorpion (1920)
- Wolves of the Street (1920)
- Finders Keepers (1921)
- Out of the Depths (1921)
- Trail's End (1922)
- The Wolf Breed (1922)
- Riders of the Range (1923)