Louis F. Gottschalk was a friend of L(yman) Frank Baum, the Wizard of
Oz creator. They formed what they called "The Uplifters, " the full
name of which was "Lofty and Exalted Order of Uplifters." The members
met socially at the Los Angeles Atheletic Club, and somewhere along the
line decided to form the Oz Film Manufacturing Co. They were right in
there with Universal and Paramount at the start, but were not
successful since they had to rely on the others for distribution.