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Les origines (1880-1901)

Fils de Charles Porter, sergent de police ("Sergeant Met Police"), Arthur James Porter est recensé à Hendon en 1881. Dix ans plus tard, il figure comme écolier ("scholar") lors du recensement de 1891. En1901, Arthur James excerce la profession de magasinier (Storekeeper).

Le cinématographe ([1902]-[1914])

Arthur, James Porter fait déjà partie de l'équipe de la filiale britannique de la maison Gaumont en 1904. En avril de cette année, à l'occasion d'un tournage qui crée un petit scandale, il va avoir maille à partir avec la justice. Voici comme la presse rapporte cet événement :

TAKING LIVING PICTURES.
At Lambeth Police-court, on Tuesday, Frank Lloyd, thirty-two, described as a steward, and Arthur James Porter, twenty-four, a photographer, surrendered to their bail, and were charged, on remand, before Mr Hopkins, with causing an obstruction by causing a crowd to assemble.
Arising out of the case there were summonses against Mr Alfred C. Bromhead, of Cecil-court. Charing-cross-road, and Mr Alfred Collins, of Walworth-road, for aiding and abetting Lloyd and Porter in the commission of the offence.
On the afternoon of the 12th inst. Police-Inspector M‘Carthy found a large crowd assembled in Crampton-street, Newington, and upon investigating the cause found Porter standing in the centre of the roadway with a cinématograph machine. A tableau had been arranged on the pavement in which Lloyd, attired as a police-sergeant, appeared to be a leading character.
In view of the obstruction which was caused, Inspector M'Carthy arrested Lloyd and Porter, who where brought before the magistrate and remanded on bail in order that summonses might be issued against the other defendants.
Inspector M'Carty now informed his worship that Mr Collins was present at the time the picture was being taken, and was stage-managing the affair. Mr. Bromhead was the manager of a cinématograph company, and was responsible for sending the other men out to take pictures in the streets.
Mr. Collins pointed out to the magistrate that the taking of the picture only occupied a few seconds.
Mr. Hopkins said he did not see how this sort of thing could be done in the London streets.
Mr Bromhead—We have done it often, with the co-operation of the magistrates in many cases, At Worthing and other places the J.P.s have assisted us.
Mr Hopkins—I am afraid you will find London too big.
Mr Bromhead—We are far from wishing to cause an obstruction. If the inspector had cautioned the men they would have gone away. I admit that it was a great mistake to take the picture at that time of the day. I have taken pictures myself in the neighbourhood with an inspector present.
Mr Hopkins—Here you see you have got a sort of play going on, with a sham sergeant of your own. I don't see how it can possibly be done in the London streets.
Mr Bromhead—We are only too anxious not to cause any obstruction. We certainly do not cause such a large crowd as the Salvation Army, and we never occupy the street more than a few minutes.
Mr Hopkins—You see what is coming to. The next thing we shall have will be a motor accident in Piccadilly for the purpose of being taken on the Empire the same evening. Plainly, it can’t be done in London.
Mr Bromhead and Mr Collins were each ordered to pay a nominal penalty of 10s. and 2s. costs. Lloyd and Porter were discharged.

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The Era, Londres, samedi 23 avril 1904, p. 22.

Il travaille alors comme cinématographiste auprès d'Alfred, Claude Bromhead et d'Alfred Collins. Il a sans doute participé à de nombreux tournages.

À la naissance de son fils Cecil, en 1907, et lors du recensement  de 1911 (Londres/Lambeth), il figure toujours comme "Photographe" et "Laboratory Manager (cinematograph)". C'est en 1914 qu'il est initié dans la loge Lord Desborough Lodge Maidenhead et exerce toujours la profession de cinématographiste. Il intègre la franc-maçonnerie la même année que le "film publisher" Arthur Finn.

Et après... (1915-1955)

Par la suite, Arthur James Porter semble s'être marié à deux reprises et il aurait changé d'activité selon le recensement 1939, à condition qu'il s'agisse bien de lui.

Sources

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