Kalem An early film production company formed in 1905 The company's name was based on the in itials of tis founders george Kleine Samuel long and frank marion. Begun whit only s600 kalem was clearing S250.000 per year by 1909 from its two weekly production the company has a certain renown in film history because it's 1907 one-reel production of benher made with no regard all filmmakers to use copyright material only with proper consent. some of kalem's best film. including Ben Her. are the result of sidney Olcott's direction Kalem eventually had studio in Los Angeles New york jacksonville And New Orleans and also shot several films in Ireland Kalem was one of the forces behind the for mation of the motion Picture Patents Company in 1908 but along with the other companies did not inevitably meet the challenge of the independents kalem made only one feature film the highly successful From the Manger to the Cross 1912 which was shot in palestine and Egypt and directed by Olcott Declining fortunes resulted in the Company becoming part of Vitagraph in 1916