The New York Clipper (March 1916)

36 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER MOTION PICTURES March 11 HARRY BbTXIS, MOTION PICTURE EDITOR. H. Y. STATE BRANCH M. P. L L OF A. FLAYS CENSORSHIP AT ALBANY CONVENTION. EXHIBITORS TO PRESENT PETiTOH TO LEGISLATURE IH OPPOSITION TO AHERN HEASTOE. •SJSJBJSJSiamiSSaaiBSSS* DEPOSITS WITH HA5DFACTURERS AND EXCHANGES ALSO SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION. Geraghty, Harvey Thew, Clifford Bruce and W1U- lam RUey Hatch. It has not been leaned -whether this organiza- tion la affiliated with the local body of "Hard Boiled Begs" or not, trat the presence of two or three empty "Mecca" boxes at the first meeting leads to tie belief that It is. Tie annual convention of N. T. State Branch of the M. P. E. L. of America, wag held In Albany last ■week. Tie session gives promise of being- pro- ductive of big things in general, as far as the In- terests of the Industry are concerned, and was particularly Important In view of the expressed attitude of the assemblage concerning* State and atfl other kinds of censorship. When the smoke of battle had cleared after the final 6esslon last Wednesday at the Ten fycfc Hotel, and the energetic motion picture exhibitors and their first line offense bad retired temporarily to seek rest, refreshments, sweethearts and wives, a decided calm settled over the State Capitol. Old timers, in reviewing the week's activities, barkened back to the days when the Croker clan •was in power, and to a man they opined that the ■hades of former aggressive Tammany leaders turned a greenish hue after hearing some of the fiery, utterances delivered by members of the M. P. Exhibitors' League. The Ahem bill was attacked with a fory and collection of rhetorical .phrases by a group of de- termined and earnest men who felt that they had a strong and likewise healthy kick In view of the existing circumstances. Wasting no time, the exhibitors present at once proceeded to expound the virtues, both moral and <in«T...; B ] 0 f the "movies" on the Sabbath. The welkin rang with salvos of applause at tne conclusion of each speaker's efforts, and strong men silvered perceptibly when an editor of one of the trade publications took a "wallop" at cen- sorship. Said he: "We moving picture men will be heard from this Fall. We dug the political grave of the first father of censorship In this State. Our shovels are still good and our muscles are In fair shape. We are keen for battle.'' A petition was adopted by the league, setting forth objections to the Ahern measure in particu- lar, and the serious effect they believe any form of censorship will have on the motion picture in- dustry of the State. This will be presented to the Legislature. The petition asserts film censorship has proved a fallnre in the three States In which It has really been attempted, Knnass, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Experience shows that people hare little Interest in emasculated films. . The row between exhibitors and the XI. P. Board of Trade got an airing when, by an overwhelming vote, a resolution for a conference committee upon matters between the two organizations was de- feated. Another proposition dealt with the alleged harsh conditions imposed upon the exhibitors by the aim manufacturers and the high deposits from ex- hibitors. It was reported that there is on deposit With ore film making company, $1,400,000 of exhibitors' money. Some protection for the amount was orged and the question of State protection tor these deposits was discussed. - More than three hundred delegates were in at- tendance at the opening session of the convention, and were called to order by Lee A. Ochs, State president of the organization. An address of welcome was delivered on behalf of Mayor Stevens by Corporation Counsel An- drews, of Albany, who concluded his remarks with a plea for pictures of an elevating nature, and In addition requested the delegates to lend their efforts in that direction. That the concern intends staging a production Which will entail considerable expenditure can readily be seen when it is known that Sir Herbert Beerhobm Tree, the eminent English actor, is busily at work in the company's Los Angeles studios. fie Is now selecting special scenery and effects that are hard to' duplicate and that have beea transported from remote parts of the -world. M MACBETH" m FILMS* 'Owing to the marked success of James K. Backetfs ''Macbeth" at the Criterion Theatre, New CToTk, it will be Interesting 'to note the release of the pleturized version of the famous Shakespearean play by the Triangle Co. WELLS SECURES ANOTHER. Ltcebcbg, Va., March 5.—Jake Weils, who was lessee of the Academy of Music for several years, •will take over the management of the National Theatre on April 1, after making a number of changes, and operate it after the manner of the big "movie" theatres is the larger cities. Wells yesterday closed the deal with the owner, O. B. Barker, by leasing the bouse for a period of three years, and it Is his Intention to Inaugurate cer- tain improvements which will make the theatre one of the most attractive in the South. The National Theatre was opened on Dec IS, 1914, and operated for six months by M. L. Hoff- heimer, a well known Richmond theatrical man. He had charge until bankruptcy proceedings forced him to relinquish control. The owner .has been managing the theatre slice this time. The Na- tional la the largest exclusive picture theatre la Lynchburg. INDIANA EXHIBITORS MEET. It is quite the thing these days to hold a con- vention, and Indiana M. P. Exhibitors, having • desire for modernism, held their animal session at Indianapolis, Lnd., last week. * The affair was held at the Hotel Severin and was followed by a ball, at which many prominent screen stars were in attendance. Censorship was discussed to some extent, and resolutions were adopted placing the convention on record as against all forms of either Federal, State or municipal censorship Support -was pledged by the exhibitors in the suppression of any pictures that are immoral. In- decent or obscene. Among the speakers were: J. W. Binder, execu- tive secretary of if. P. Board of Trade of Amer- ica ; Frank J. Bembusch, Dr. James Rhodes and Joseph Garvin. Representatives of practically all the big film concerns attended. HARD BOILED EGGS? A club has been formed at Bayside, L. L, to be known as the Screen and Press Crab. James J. Corbett, former heavyweight champion, actor, monologist and boa tnot, has been chosen president, and "lad" Dorgan, of The Smo Tort Journal, vice president. Other officers selected are: Maurice CosteRo, sec- ond vice president; Marshall Farnum, treasurer, and Janle McOree, secretary. The hoard of directors is composed of Thomas J. METRO GO* BLAMELESS. Last week the Motion Picture Board of Trade of America met to determine whether the Metro Film Corporation was guilty of enticing Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew away from the Vitagraph fold. After arguments, pro and com had been heard for a few hours, the Board unanimously declared that tbe charges were not sustained. The Vitagraph Company contended that a verbal contract was In existence between Drew and Itself. Drew, when called as witness, stated that he had forwarded a two weeks' notice to the com- pany informing them that he was leaving their services. The Metro Company maintained that Drew bad •ought them for an engagement, and after due investigation as to his worth they had contracted for his services. MINISTERS OPPOSE SUNDAY LAW. At a hearing before the New Jersey Legislature, but week, of a bill Introduced by Senator Charles Bgan, of Hudson County, for the opening of mo- tion picture houses on Sunday, many ministers Toiced a protest against the measure. The committee in charge of the hearing was handed a petition that was signed by ihoneanda of persons who favored a liberal observance of the Sabbath. Leading film men spoke for the passage of the bill, but were Utterly opposed by tbe reform ele- ment. NEW BAY RIDGE THEATRE. The management of tbe Bay Bldge Theatre, in Brooklyn, last Monday presented a special stage setting for its moving pictures that has caused much pleasant comment. The set depicts an Italian garden, at tbe back of which a balcony arch la seen, and through the opening a view of New Tort Harbor is disclosed as it appears from the shore road at Bay Bldge. Tbe back drop is Illuminated and the changing light effects of the lower bay and lower New York beggars description. In trelllshed psgodas on each side an electric fountain spouts forth crystal rays. As the lights gradually die out a Gold Fibre screen is lowered behind a chintz drop, and as the latter tm gradually raised the picture comes .to a clear foeus. Tbe borders represent Japanese wistarias, and the, trellis Is entwined with crimson rambler roses. Boot. T. Basamnssea is the sponsor for the pres- ent arrangement. (HAPUNGOES WEST. Charlie Chaplin, tie Mutual FDm Co'a. expensive comedian, having finished his business in the metropolis will hie himself, mustache and all. West- ward during the week. Stopping off at Chicago, he will attend the "cat- ting" of a film la which he appeared for the Essanay Company. Thoagh various and sundry reports have been cir- culated relative to the number of pictures as yet ryn^»fn by the public. It is understood that there are only two Chapllns not yet released by the Bssanay concern. Preparations are now In progress at the aew Mutual studios in CaTUbrnla for occupancy by Charlie and his assistant mlrthmakers, and the West Coast colony is exhibiting much Interest in the coming of the star. The first Chaplin picture to be released on tbe Mutual program will contain a short series of breath holding scenes depicting the contract sign- ing of tbe curly beared youth with President John R. Freuier, by which the company will unburden itself of $870,000. This will appear on. the Mutual Weekly, and the star will be seen f n fnn s his fuxsny clothes and wearing a pecuniary expression npon his classic features. Once at the studio oat will come the bettered derby and famous shoes, and the public will await with interest the first Chaplin comedy release. "Loraxx Mast" is tbe name of the fire part Metro release In which the diminutive Mary Miles Mlnter will appear. • ••■OTIOI FICTTUX ACTMG"—OaBplete In- struction and real facts f or ambitious amateurs. Approved by libraries and directors. TeSa Bow to Frepe-e for Photoplst tng. How Engagements are Secured. How Photo plays are Produced. Invaluable for Scenario Writers, in pages, cloth boend, fflurtrsted. Only 40c_ postpaid. 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