nt financial decisions. In the 1920's, he opposed buying theaters, a far-sighted decision because of government decisions in the 1940's requiring such divestments. C.B.C.'s first production was a comedy called The Hallroom Boys, based on a newspaper cartoon. They also made Screen Snapshots, Fan Magazine of the Hour, and, in 1922, More To Be Pitied than Scorned, the company's first feature.
Harry began production at Gower Gulch on what was known as "Poverty Row" but advanced his company profits steadily. In 1924, Harry insisted on a name change--Columbia Pictures--because so many people started calling it Corn Beef and Cabbage Productions. Their first long production was The Bloodship, made in 1927. It became one of that year's most outstanding pictures. Harry was gambling with new ideas and luring talent from other studios to help to raise Columbia to the same status as other major Hollywood studios. In 1927, Frank Capra became a very important part of Columbia. He directed Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Gary Cooper in Mr. Deed Goes to Town. In 1928, Harry invested $1
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