The Film Daily (1918)

ZfcBRADSTREET of FILMDOM xfeRECOGHlZED Authority Vol. V, No. 65 Saturday, July 13, 1918 Price 5 Cents EXPORTERS RECEIVE NEW RULING TO GOVERN FOREIGN FILM TRADE War Trade Board Appoints Representatives To Handle Pictures in Foreign Countries Exporters in the trade yesterday received copies of the new set of rulings governing the foreign film trade which have been issued by the War Trade Board. It is believed that licenses which have been held up for six weeks pending the issuance of these regulations will now lie granted freely upon the exporters' compliance with these rules. The rulings just handed to the trade are far reaching in their effect and make clear just how the Government wants the trade to attend to its shipments and what must be done before such shipments can leave the country. List of Films The War Trade Board has issued a new form that calls for an enumerated list of the film consigned for export, the number of reels and footage. This comprises an application for a license. The form must then go to Washington for approval. If the War Trade Board approves it the films are subjected to censorship as is done now. If the films are sanctioned, the War Trade Board is so informed and the license is granted immediately. The Government is evidently determined that nothing shall leave this country that will be a comfort or an aid in any way to the enemy. To further this idea, the War Trade Board has appointed representatives^ in various countries to receive shipments of film from America. An exporter thus sends his films to the War Trade Board man in that particular country. Practically a Pledge A form has been made that calls for what is practically a pledge which says that the films will not be shown by any exhibitor who is in any way connected with Germany or Germans. The shipment when it reaches its destination will be held up until the charZ. acter of the consignees is determined. Exporters do not complain about this but they do think these regulations unnecessary when the pictures go to allied countries where German propa ganda is insignificant. If the rules applied to neutrals only it would mean so much less time and labor. Raw stock has been practically banned for export. Exporters now feel sure that film pirating will be stopped to a very large degree. No unexposed film can leave the country except for titling purposes. With a five-reel feature, about 600 feet of raw stock are shipped to make the foreign titles and this is not enough for pirates to make a duplicate print of any picture. In this way, likewise, Germany cannot secure any raw stock for munition purposes. The committee of film men composed of William A. Brady, Paul H. Cromelin and David P. Howells discussed export matters only in Washington. They returned to the city yesterday. Allotting Shipping Space A report was in circulation that the British Shipping Controller would consign 80 square feet of ship space for films per month. The committee through T. P. O'Connor, chief of the British censors arranged a meeting with Lord Reading who promised to help them. British ships are being used very extensively by American exporters and the eighty square feet allotment is far too small for their purposes. A general call to exporters was sent out yesterday after toon to attend a meeting of the export trade in the National Association's rooms on Monday at 2 o'clock to discuss the new rulings. In Time of Trouble George E. Clark, Castle Square Theatre Boston, Mass. "WID'S," New York City. Gentlemen: I found your review a very valuable help in time of trouble. Yours very truly, Geo. E, Clark. McRae Reported Out Universal's Pinch Hit General Manager is Coming East LOS ANGELES.— Henry McRae, the pinch hit general manager of Universal City, who has practically been doing a marathon between the jobs of general and production manager, whenever the regular general manager has been let out or quit, is reported as having finally thrown up the sponge and walked out. He is on his way East now. At the Universal offices in New York it was stated yesterday that there was no authentic news regarding Mr. McRae and that as far as it was known at present "he was on a vacation." Whartons Return Home The Wharton Brothers, who have been in town for the biggest part of a week, leave today for Ithaca. They have completed all of the episodes of "The Eagle's Eye" and the studio has been leased to Carle E. Carlton, who will produce his feature "L'Air" there during the next six weeks. Harry Revier will direct. South Sea Feature Roxie Will Show Martin Johnson Film at the Rivoli Still following his policy of keeping out of a rut by presenting something unexpected in motion pictures, Manager Rothapfel will offer the Martin Johnson South Sea Island films as the feature at the Rivoli Theatre commencing July 21. This will be Broadway's first opportunity of seeing what is said to be a remarkable picture made by Mr. Johnson during a trip of some eighteen thousand miles, during which fifty-two thousand feet were photographed. Some of Mr. Johnson's film will be used for educational purposes, but much of it is said to be suitable for general presentation. Roxie has made a careful selection that is expected to supply an interesting feature subject.