The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

January 24, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 561 Louisville, Ministers Unearth Blue Laws to Thwart Sunday Shows FOR the first time in ten years a real fight has been launched in Louisville, Ky., against Sunday theatres, amusements, etc., and the fight came out of a clear sky. The Louisville Ministerial Association approved resolutions adopted by the Baptist Ministerial Association, and the resolutions were presented to the mayor with a request that he enforce the old statutes known as the "Kentucky Blue Laws" for this purpose. The mayor's mind is open on the subject and so far he has made no decision. Mayor Smith is a Republican and the state recently passed into Republican control. The house of representatives of the state legislature is Republican. In the event Mayor Smith supports amusements and the matter is carried to the state court of appeals, it would probably be easy to get through a new legislative enactment superseding the old laws. Legislature May Act. If the mayor decides to uphold the "Blue Laws," a bill will be introduced through the efTorts of the amusement people and others affected, and i i view of the fact that the legislature is now in session, it is believed that amusements will continue to operate regardless of the local outcome. On the other hand it appears almost certain that new legislation may be enacted at the present session of the legislature that will disqualify the "Blue Laws," to prevent further troubles during the next two years. Mayor Smith in discussing the subject said: "My mind is made up on one point, namely that if the ministers must see the amusements closed on Sunday, they will also have to walk to church or ride the street cars. Telephones will only be used for calling doctors, and in real emergencies ; there will be no Sunday papers ; automobiles will not be permitted to operate on the Sabbath, and every retail establishment in the city will close on Saturday night for twenty-four hours. If we are to revert to the old 'Blue Laws' to support the church, then we will operate everything on the same basis." Would Enforce Law in Entirety. The mayor also said : "If Sunday shows must be prohibited to fill legal requirements, the law must be enforced in its entirety. I can't make fish of one and flesh of the others. If a man desired to play golf on Sunday he would have to do so without a caddie. There would be no baseball, no open filling stations, no taxicabs, drug stores would sell drugs only, and only for missions of charity would autos be permitted to operate." While thirty-four ministers went on record in the matter, there are a number who take different views. The Rev. E. L. Powell, who was not at the meeting but who is one of the men to be reckoned with, is bitterly opposed to the movement, stating that he did not believe people could be driven to re ligion and that it would do more harm than good. Ministers Disagree. Other ministers have taken the same stand. The Rev. C. W. Welch, of the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, said: "The institution of the Sabbath must be protected. But, let's not treat moving picture patrons as we did saloon patrons, by closing down their playhouses and furnishing no substitute." The Rev. Dunbar Ogden, Second Presbyterian Church, said: "Closing the theatres will not fill the churches. We must give the patrons a substitute if we take their pleasure away." Fred Dolle, of the Broadway Amusement Enterprises, controlling a number of local theatres, said: "I don't believe the theatrical men will take any legislative action, as such an effort failed two years ago. We believe that Sunday shows are of such vital interest that the people will safeguard their own interests, and it would do more good for the move to legalize Sunday theatres if it came from another source. Enforcement would make the law so odious that things would swing back to normal channels." Diplomatically Censured. The original resolutions stated that the mayor and city officials were violating their oath of office if the "Blue Laws" were not enforced, but this line was marked out before being presented, for fear that it would antagonize the mayor. L. J. Ditmar, president of the old Kentucky Motion Picture Exhibitors' League, the Louisville Photo Play Association, Majestic Amusement Company and other picture enterprises, said: "Enforcement of an obsolete law of this kind would cut revenues materially and result in poorer films during the rest of the week, while it would deprive many residents of much needed pleasure. I don't believe it is anything to worry about, however, as general enforcement of the law would cause it to be repealed, or discarded locally at least." Unitarian Dares Association. The Rev. R. Ernst Akin, pastor of the Unitarian Church, is probably somewhat responsible for the movement, as he has been using pictures in his church for some weeks past with fine results, and has much displeased the ministerial association. Probably the action of the association is to force Akin to discontinue as well. Akin, however, said that he would continue his picture shows in spite of any "Blue Law" enforcements. "Unless the well meaning people who wish to deprive thousands of pleasure have something better to offer in its place," he said, "I'm opposed to depriving them of pleasure. That kind of thing is out of date. The Scriptures do not command people to be idle on Sunday, but merely enjoin the Sabbath as a day of rest. The few who are employed in actual operation of the theatres are doing a real service to a far greater number, and their work is a work of necessity and charity." Mayor Smith in Earnest. It is understood that the Ministerial Association's committee has arranged to take the matter before the legislature to secure enforcement of the law if Mayor Smith will not enforce it. In a movement to legalize pictures in the eastern section of the state, the legislature two years ago upheld the old laws as written. Mayor Smith said: "I realize that we could close all theatres and everything else, and I would if I thought any harm was being done. The theatres are creating innocent amusement for hardworking people. I'd close them in a minute if I did not think they were valuable. I do not feel that it is my duty, to club religion into the people of Louisville. It it comes to a show down, I'll use the police to close everything and will arrest the man who fixes his auto on Sunday, all chauffeurs, etc." Anita Stewart Rests. After a short rest following the completion of "The Fighting Shepherdess," Anita Stewart will begin work on her next production, "The Yellow Typhoon," Harold MacGrath's sensational story of the same name, which ran serially in the Saturday Evening Post and is now one of the big sellers in book form. It will be produced at the Mayer Studios in Los Angeles and directed by Edward Jose, who also directed Miss Stewart's "The Fighting Shepherdess." It will be released as a Louis B. MayerFirst National attraction. Illlllilllirililiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiinriii iiiiiniiiiiriitiuiiii iiMMiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiJiiiriiiiiiriiiiiipiiimiiiiir Lieut. Bob Hartley Second Canadian ace, special feature representative for Pathe.