b. Emporia, KS
Born Thelma Floy Hillerman.
Silent film comedienne who got her start as a Mack Sennett bathing beauty.
Back to Index
b. Douglas , KS
Haver started as a Mack Sennett bathing beauty and went on to star in silent comedies. She played Roxie in the first film adaptation of Chicago. Phyllis also appeared with Buster Keaton in The Balloonatic.
Back to Index
b. Independence, KS
In 1914, Hodkinson formed Paramount Pictures by merging 11 film rental businesses. It was the first nation-wide distribution system. He acquired exclusive distribution contracts from several leading film producers that included Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky. He then introduced the practice of block booking which required exhibitors to buy films in large bundles rather than as individual titles. This guaranteed a steady supply of films for exhibitors as well as a market for producers. His innovative model lasted nearly a century and is the reason Hodkinson has been called, “The Man Who Invented Hollywood”.
Hodkinson is also credited with designing the Paramount Pictures logo. He allegedly sketched it on a napkin.
In 1916, Zukor and Lasky acquired Paramount and promptly fired Hodkinson as they expanded Paramount into a production studio. In 1928 he left the movie business to seek his fortune in aviation.
Back to Index
b. Dodge City, KS
Before directing and starring in Easy Rider, he had appeared with James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and Giant.
Back to Index
