Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1915)

September 25, 1915. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 53 Ohio Censors Face Big Fight On "Hypocrites" Carl H. Pierce, Undaunted by the Board's Reputation for Autocratic Methods, Throws Down the Gage of Battle and Intends to Force the Issue Whether It Is Possible for the Snap Judgment of a Handful of People to Govern the Wishes of 5,000,000 Picture Fans idea, apparently, of what a constitutional law is supposed to mean. AT last the expected nas nappcncu. <jn rrioay air. fierce received me ccr Mr. Pierce has now put the affairs conMaud Murray Miller and her board tificate from the board stating that the cerning "Hypocrites" in the hands of Ata. c„v,i. ,„v,;^Vi -J _„:_^: — _r «tt :<-„„" ,.,„„ torney Henry Gumble for such determined action as Mr. Gumble thinks best to take. Mr. Gumble viewed the film at the Majestic theatre during the week announcing that, in his judgment, it was perfectly fit to be exhibited. Special to Motion Picture News Columbus, 0., Sept. 15. T last the expected has happened. Maud Murray Miller and her board have precipitated the fight for which they have been spoiling ever since the Ohio Censor Board was formed. This time the fight centers around the photoplay "Hypocrites," with Carl H. Pierce present and accounted for, on the ground— prepared to fight to a finish the question as to whether the 5,000,000 people of Ohio shall have decent pictures which they themselves wish to see, or whether the will of one woman shall dominate the affairs of the exhibitors and public of the state. Mr. Pierce some time since remarked to the News that "Hypocrites" had been passed in every state in the Union except Ohio, and ventured the remark that this in and of itself did not seem to be a right condition. He stated that he felt the situation needed attention and accordingly, after the close of the Paramount convention in Chicago, and after consulting with Mr. Steele, president, and W. C. Bachtneyer, branch manager, of the Famous Players Film Service, Inc., of Pittsburgh, -who handle the Ohio territory, Mr. Pierce journeyed to Columbus. The film was duly brought again to the attention of the censors. The fee was again forthcoming. It seems that each time the censors review a film they charge an additional fee, which makes the revenues from the office more lucrative and hence present the force of argument to the state that the censor board is a most desirable adjunct to its sovereign administration. "Hypocrites" having been rescanned, the censors expressed themselves as of the same opinion still. Charles G. Williams, whose previous experience as an attorney in Dayton has probably provided him with exceptional facilities for knowing the wants of the photoplay fans, thus expressed himself, "I'm afraid that this film might be misinterpreted by children." To this Mr. Pierce replied: "I have shown it to my children. Mr. Steele has shown it to his children. It has been shown to wives, mothers, heads of civic and social organizations, ministers, priests, mayors, police officials, judges and mixed audiences. Probably in all I have seen it viewed by 50,000 people from all classes of society — and viewed most respectfully and with commendation. I feel that your fears are based on fear and not on fact." Mr. Williams' Objection Mr. Williams, however, was obdurate. "That picture," he said, "was made purely to commercialize the form of a naked woman. Your director ought to have shown the minister's mother instead of the young maiden. Then no one could have had impure thoughts from the nude woman." Mr. Wilson was of still another mind. "The director," he said, "has pictured truth as a woman. N«w we all know that woman does not typify truth. Those of us who have experience with women know that." On Friday Mr. Pierce received the certificate from the board stating that the cause of rejection of "Hypocrites" was "on account of being harmful," having delivered which ultimatum the Ohio censor board resumed its quiescent attitude of watchful waiting and the music began. 1 Mr. Steele and Mr. Pierce then called upon the industrial commission, whose secretary, George L. Stoughton, is secretary of the censor board under the Ohio statute. Ben H. Harmon, general manager of the Neil House — a famous hostelry where Charles Dickens once stopped and concerning which he has written an immortal tribute — went with the film representatives, introducing them to Wallace D. Yaple, chairman of the commission. "Mr. Yaple," said Mr. Harmon, "these gentlemen have come to see you about a film called "Hypocrites" which I have seen myself and in which I see absolutely no harm — in fact it is a film that I believe will do much good. It has been turned down by the censor board and I would speak in behalf of these gentlemen who are personally known to me as men of business integrity and repute, asking you to use your best efforts to have the decision reversed." Mr. Yaple, after listening to Mr. Pierce's explanation of the film was asked to view it. "I am rather stale on account of too much work," he replied. "I want to get away to the country and go fishing for a while. I'll turn you over to Mr. Stoughton, who is secretary of the censorship board. I will see what can be done. I will ask Mrs. Miller to look at the picture again," said Mr. Stoughton. "But won't you look at the film first to satisfy yourself as to its fitness," asked Mr. Steele. "No, I have not the time," replied Mr. Stoughton. Refuse to See Picture Again That afternoon Mr. Stoughton reported that he had used all his measures of persuasion to get Mrs. Miller and her board to review the picture again. While speaking of other things he said : "There was one time that I went up to the board and made them review three pictures and they did." "Why wouldn't it be right to make the board review this picture again with you present?" asked Mr. Pierce. "For one thing," replied Mr. Stoughton, "I'm too busy." "You cannot spare forty-five minnutes to look the film over?" he was asked. "No, I cannot. Besides, it would start a dangerous precedent for film manufacturers to make an appeal from the board. We put the censors there to do their work. We believe in them and their conscientiousness and they should be allowed to run their own department." The matter was thus dismissed by the industrial commission, who evidently believed in having a board from whoce decis:on there is no appeal, this being their In addition to taking such steps as seem to be necessary to present the matter most favorably to the courts, Mr. Pierce has engaged the Majestic theatre — the best motion picture house in Columbus, where he will show "Hypocrites" to a specially invited list of Columbus' first citizens, from whom a ballot will be taken as to their opinion of the picture. The vested choir from Trinity Church has been engaged and steps have been taken to make such a presentation of the picture as Columbus has possibly never before seen. This private showing will take place on Saturday morning next at 10 o'clock, admission being by ticket only, although the public will have the right to make appeal to Mr. Pierce for admission, subject to acceptance. The opinions of these first citizens will, it is believed, form valuable evidence if the case comes up in court, as it now seems fair to do. When asked as to his future plans, Mr. Pierce replied : "It is perhaps too early to give out the plans that we at present have in mind. They are elaborate and thorough. We propose to let every man, woman and child in Ohio know just the conditions existing in the censor board today. Ohio has been some problem to manufacturers of good films. The attitude of the ordinary film man is 'pat them on the back.' So long as you smooth them the right way you can get anything you want — but for heaven's sake don't antagonize Maud Murray Miller.' This — mind you — irrespective of the merits or justice of the case." It has been rumored persistently that her time has expired and that some one else is to be appointed in her place. That decision is said to be about due. According to authorities, Mrs. Miller's time expired the first of September. Tt is understood that she is temporarily filling the place because the Governor* cannot make up his mind whom to select from among the 200 to 300 applicants for her position. But one might prognosticate without fear of contradiction that "Hypocrites" will be the official death of Maud Murray Miller. "THE SPOILERS" IS POPULAR IN AUSTRALIA Word has been received from friends in Australia by Colin Reed of the Selig Polyscope Company that the famous multiple reel production of this company, "The Spoilers," is one of the most popular pictures in that country at the present time.