2. Early Years in North America and Australia
The Phillips brothers spent their youth in Spokane, Washington with parents Abraham (a cigar dealer) and Gertrude. They also had two sisters; Rae (recorded, incorrectly, it seems, as 'Nay" on at least one US document) and Elizabeth (possibly known as "Lena"). Notable residents of the same city included Bing Crosby, fellow actor Darren McGavin (star of the 1970s TV show "Kolchack: The Night Stalker") and voice artist Michael Winslow ("The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects"). At the time of writing, however, other personal details of the "Spokane Phillips" were yet to be confirmed as some of the information that is available is contradictory and, as already pointed out, apparently incorrect. As I understand, genealogical research is continuing and a member of their family in Los Angeles has suggested to a DNA contact that their name may have been changed from Figowski (or something similar) in the 19th century.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane,_Washington
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| Michael Winslow as character Larvell Jones in 1984's Police Academy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Winslow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Academy_(film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NT4C1F_HZE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjgP0c-drsg&t=2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HHMA1Dpo5M&list=RD1HHMA1Dpo5M&start_radio=1 |
at 1901 W 1st Avenue, Spokane, WA (Megan Duvall) and
(Right) The Spokane Chronicle, June 11, 1902 mentions Herman Phillips
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Leon's passport application showing his Spokane address
https://www.apartments.com/1909-w-1st-ave-spokane-wa/4prtt2l/
Spokane Chronicle, July 15, 1912
As already indicated, Herman had musical talent. But it seems that Leon may have been the first of the trio to become involved in the "business side of the business"' when he went to work with an older, established showman by the name of James Dixon Williams. A native of West Virginia, "JD" was born in Ceredo (1877) and got his break in theatre, selling tickets and playing the organ at the Opera House in Parkersburg - birthplace of Tommy Gene Thomason - better known to Australian television viewers of the 1960s and '70s as Tommy Hanlon Jr (although the much-loved comedian grew up in Kentucky). Surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, the area was immortalized in John Denver's 1971 chart topper "Take Me Home Country Roads" . And it was, indeed, home to the legendary Scots Irish mountain men, the feuding Hatfields and McCoys and remains so to some unique musicians who often have a quick fiddle with such energy and passion that they shred their bows (henceforth to be referred to as "Good Old Bows" (cough.... I did warn you)
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| The Novelty Theatre (right) on West Cordova Street, Vancouver (Vancouver Historical Society) |
"For the working man, the railroad was a vital feature of daily life either through employment or because the tracks ran through his neighborhood. Travel had given the immigrant an idea of the vast scale of the country and because such [ journeys] were prohibitively expensive, a great hit of the 1904 St Louis Exposition was the Hales Tour; the brainwave of a Kansas City Fire Chief. He built reproductions of Pullman cars (train carriages - BC), equipped them with machinery to replicate the swaying, hissing and banging and projected a movie that had been shot from a locomotive. Hales ignited the spark of enthusiasm for a number of entrepreneurs who became the leading producers in the business; Sam Warner of Warner Bros.,Carl Laemmle of Universal, Adolph Zukor of Paramount and J.D.Williams of First National".
Clearly, Leon did his apprenticeship with one of America's most prominent showmen
When Phillips and Williams joined the cinema industry there was no Hollywood. The earliest "moving pictures" were produced in New York, London, Paris and elsewhere by the likes of Edwin.S.Porter, Robert Paul, George Melies, Segundo de Chomon and others - a group of highly skilled and creative technicians who not only made the movies but also, occasionally, had to invent or improve the equipment with which to do so. In the process, they churned out the ever-increasing amount of product that was being demanded by kinetoscope parlors and nickelodeons as the public fell under the spell of the "flickers". Many of these trailblazers were, of course, photographers. Some, like Melies, were magicians who ran short films as part of their shows. As for the type of movies they produced, in between the major money-makers such as a Trip to the Moon (1902) and The Great Train Robbery (1903), there was a wide choice of titles for the fans to enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAJVgLyJKx0&t=423s
(Trip to the Moon 1902)
The main genres were already taking shape, and they ran the full gamut from horror and science fiction to comedy and action, romance, fantasy, classic children's stories, social commentary and "trick flicks" (which were particularly popular).
The line up at J.D's theatres may have included these quirky offerings..........
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On August 12, 1909, the Vancouver Daily World reported Williams departure from that city onboard the Marama bound for Sydney. A well-known venue owner on the West Coast, J.D had announced his intention to duplicate his "amusements" in the "Antipodes". Three weeks later, when the ship reached its destination, its passenger list was printed in the Sydney Morning Herald. As can be seen (below), the names of J.D.Williams and Leon Phillips appear in consecutive order, showing that they were not only on the same voyage but probably boarded and/or bought their tickets together. This is a significant point because, as with other aspects of the Phillips' background, conflicting accounts have been published in regard to where and when they joined forces with Williams. Several writers have claimed that they met at a 1911 cycling event in Melbourne. But, as shown, it seems that Leon had been closely associated with J.D in the US and/or Canada prior to their arrival in the South Pacific. Having said that, however, Williams did, indeed, promote a 1911 gymkhana in Melbourne. But he had also organized a previous one in Spokane. It should be further noted that there was no sign of Herman Phillips on that same list. However, all three of them were visible in Sydney newspapers from 1910.
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Vancouver Daily World, August 12, 1909 S.S. Marama American showmen heading Down Under.....  (Left to Right) J.D.Williams, Leon Phillips (Williams Company photos) Herman Phillips (Megan Duvall) |
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| Sydney Morning Herald, September 6, 1909 |
"The autumn of 1907 found him at the northern limit of his migrations in Vancouver, Canada. Some sea-faring patron left an Australian newspaper in his seat and Williams became curious.... an advertisement for a picture show caught his eye...and he calculated that the movies might be much more profitable in Australia. He was stunned at the discovery that admission was two shillings and sixpence; equivalent to 75 cents in New York where people paid five or ten cents to get in"
However, a different version of J.D's tale was outlined in a July 1st, 1911 profile that appeared in the literary magazine Lone Hand in which it was suggested that he was at a film distributor on the West Coast where he had dealings with two Australian cinema owners who mentioned that there was enormous demand for the flickers "Down Under".
But it is likely that yet another sequence of more reliably documented events was bringing the Great Southern Land into sharper focus internationally. On December 26, 1908, for instance, the world heavyweight boxing championship was held at the Sydney Stadium before 20,000 paying customers. The challenger was the American negro Jack Johnson and the defending champ was Canadian Tommy Burns. The match was widely covered by the press. It was also filmed. Johnson was the winner and his first public appearance back in North America was in Vancouver. Again, the cine cameras were on hand for his return and a movie of his exploits did a brisk trade at a local nickelodeon (which may have been owned by Williams)
| Tommy Burns (left) about to be clobbered into defeat by Jack Johnson at Sydney (Boxing News Online). The Los Angeles Times December 26, 1908 |
However, there was nothing unusual about overseas celebrities coming to Australia. Despite the country's extreme isolation and small population, it was known by foreign performers to be a lucrative market. At the turn of the century (1900) it was a wealthy nation. Workers were paid high wages and had more leisure time than their counterparts elsewhere. The entertainment industry was flourishing with many fine theatres and other amusement related venues being constructed and there was a constant need for new attractions. Of more specific relevance was the fact that two Americans had already played important roles on the showbusiness scene over here. Our most renowned theatrical company was named after its founder - comedic actor James Cassius "J.C" Williamson (remarkably similar to James Dixon "J.D" Williams) who hailed from Mercer, Pennsylvania and Carl Hertz, a magician from San Francisco, was the first person to project a motion picture in Australia on August 17, 1896 (Salon Lumière | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia). Both activities had been a huge success financially. Articles about American stars touring Oceania and Australian artists performing in the US were published regularly in Stateside papers
| (Click on collage to supersize) Legendary Hollywood screen comedian W.C.Fields toured Australia in 1903 and again in 1914 as an eccentric juggler and "humourist" for theatre owner and entertainer Harry Rickards appearing at the Melbourne Opera House, Sydney Tivoli Theatre and elsewhere (Left to right) Fields in Hollywood (amazon) Publicity pic from a Tivoli programme and in character makeup for one of his Australian shows (Melbourne Punch 25 June, 1903) |
Shortly after their arrival, Williams and Phillips established the Greater J.D.Williams Amusement Company with Herman and Leon as partners and directors. Building a group of prestige cinemas in the heart of Sydney which included the Colonial, Lyric and Crystal Palace (all on George Street), they also launched a film exchange (International Pictures) and a newsreel production unit (Williams Weekly). The Crystal Palace was noteworthy as it showcased the concept of a multi-purpose entertainment and commercial centre that not only had a movie theatre but also a penny arcade, "soda fountains", the Winter Garden Cafe, a gymnasium and private offices for lease. Additionally, it was the national headquarters of J.D's company. Presumably, this approach was adopted to maximize income from a pricey block of land.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHFR9Zsp33w
(George Street, Sydney 1906)
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Sydney Morning Herald, October 19, 1911 |
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Colonial Theatre (Williams Company photo) |
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The Lyric exterior and main auditorium (Wikipedia) %202.jpg) with its original twin arch facade (Williams Company) |
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A few years later with slightly altered appearance (Dictionary of Sydney) |
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Crystal Place entrance (Williams) |
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Crystal Place auditorium (Williams) |
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J.D in his Crystal Place office (Williams) |
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Approximate location of the Crystal Place today.. Seems that the theatre was on the left as marked (Google)  .jpeg) in Sydney's Sun newspaper, October 13, 1912 (click to supersize) |
"...having held control of the treasury since the first company was formed, he has a thorough knowledge of every branch of the business"
Here again, the relevant publication reveals that Herman wasn't a member of the executive staff at that point.
In those days, when Australian showmen presented the flicks in rough and ready, makeshift surroundings, the newcomers from the States were more service orientated. Offering, comfortable, pleasant and convenient escapism at low prices, they also introduced continuous screenings from 11.00 am to 11.00pm daily with twice-weekly changes of films and it proved to be a winning combination.
In 1911, they moved into the Melbourne market with the luxurious Melba Theatre (a converted hall) in Bourke Street. The following year, they unveiled the even grander "Britannia" right next door. A visually striking confection of florid Edwardian kitsch and art nouveau ornamentation (a style which I hereby christen "Wedding Cake Deluxe" ), the Britannia was designed by the prolific architect Nahum Barnet and it reportedly featured a number of ultra-mod cons such as a child-minding center that was supervised by a trained nurse and an early form of air-conditioning (yes...hard to believe.. perhaps huge blocks of ice with a couple of fans?).
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note proximity to legendary Melbourne landmark Coles Book Arcade
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| Melba original entrance 1911 In his book Picture Palace Architecture in Australia ( Sun Academy Editions , 1976), noted architect and historian Ross Thorne described the Britannia as being a "monument to British patriotism" and how the broad, gentle sweep of the street awning was backed by a half circle. But its crowning glory was across the top of the building where a "deep, fake colonnade was surmounted by an extraordinary collection of features". These included a "Britannic shield flanked by two walls in stage-set perspective" and a pair of "crouching lions" which "appeared to guard the theatre from possible encroachment from its neighbours". Contractor on the project was the somewhat controversial future architect and property developer H.R.Lawson - the man behind the flamboyant "Beverley Hills" apartments in South Yarra and the "Garden of the Moon" tourist attraction on the Mornington Peninsula..... https://architectureau.com/articles/howard-lawson-the-forgotten-architect-ahead-of-his-time/ |
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John Ruel as "Diavolo" Tacoma Daily Ledger, Washington, August 16, 1903 |
There were, in fact, a number of different Diavolos on the road simultaneously, such was the demand from the fans who couldn't get enough of the "Devil on Wheels" . Indeed, as a figure in popular culture, a stylized and playful depiction of Satan seemed to come into vogue around the 1900s, being used extensively in films, the theatre and advertising. Demonic skeletons were another familiar spook of the silent movies and dragons were a favorite of Australians with large terracotta examples of the beasts sprouting from the rooftops of "Federation" houses. All three were featured by fun fair artists as well.
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| 1905 advertising for a French liqueur |
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| Sheet music for the 1913 Irving Berlin song At the Devil's Ball At the Devil's Ball (1913) |
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Flying roof dragon - Victoria, Australia Hell Gate, Coney Island (1905) (Australian readers: Apparently this was a dark ride....a combination of the River Caves and the Ghost Train) (Facebook) |
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/626271/hell-gate-coney-island-dreamland-water-ride
As for the devilish Mr Ruel, legend (or urban myth) has it that he retired from loop-the-loop cycling when, after a serious near-miss, he sensed that "the force" that allowed him to stay on the track was no longer "with him"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S26w_u4-WeE. Remaining in Melbourne, he replaced the push bike with a red Indian motorcycle (how appropriate) which he rode in a much more sedate manner . But he still, occasionally, wore the "Satan Suit" into the Britannia when the Indian was off the road being serviced and, when he did, he never had any trouble finding an empty seat on even the most crowded Bourke Street tram
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| 1920 Indian Powerplus (You Tube) 1920 Indian Powerplus Startup - First Smoke in 40 years! Indian Boardtrack Racers - YouTube  Everyone's, September 5, 1923 |
Williams had several cinemas called the "Empress" - one in Sydney, another in Wellington, New Zealand and a third at 217 Chapel Street, Prahran, Victoria. Opened in 1913, the latter venue was, possibly, one of J.D's final projects in Australia. Later acquired by Hoyts, it was destroyed by fire in the early '70s and the site is now occupied by the Chapel Street, Bazaar Antiques and Collectables Centre. According to film historian Greg Lynch, Williams was also the original exhibitor at the Newmarket Theatre in the Melbourne's suburb of the same name. However, a rival showman, Robert McLeish, had taken over the business a few years after it commenced trading. In Brisbane, J.D constructed the Pavilion Theatre in Queen Street and it seems that he may have been connected to other cinemas in Adelaide and Perth.
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| Empress Theatre (formerly the Colonial No 2) George Street, Sydney (Ross Thorne) |
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Empress, Wellington, New Zealand (Williams Company) |
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Empress Theatre 217 Chapel Street, Prahran, report of the arson attack in 1971 and the site today as the Chapel Street Bazaar (Click to supersize) |
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| Melbourne Herald, July 19, 1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241845239? |
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.jpg) The Newmarket Theatre (top left) - 318 Racecourse Road (1913). became a venue for teenage dances prior to its closure in the '60s - Instrumental group - the Fabulous Blue Jays pictured (top right and lower image) (Cinema Treasures) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9jndsKvAr8&list=RDV9jndsKvAr8&start_radio=1 (the Blue Jays with Tony Worsley) https://historyofaussiemusic.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-fabulous-bluejays.html (Read what Greg Lynch has to say on the above page about Williams connection to the Newmarket)  The Pavilion Theatre Queen Street, Brisbane (1912) (Facebook) |
Around this period, they embarked on a trip to North America, England and Europe. As mentioned before, Williams had been a movie show pioneer in Vancouver and, as he was planning to build an upmarket cinema in that city, his arrival generated considerable interest. An article outlined the duo's travel itinerary together with their intention to set up an office in London (which they did). J.D was described as an "Australian photo play magnate". But, then, he has also been referred to as a "Canadian" here in Australia
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Vancouver Daily World, August 24, 1911 |
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