The New York Clipper (April 1919)

April 30, 1919. THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 33- IMMORAL FILM BOYCOTTED NATL ASS'N ISSUES WARNING What ia practically a boycott threat against e-faibitorB. who shoV films con- demned bf the National Association i of' ' the Motion Picture Industry, has been laid down by jfcte organization.- jtf. pictures under thAan are shown the-Tufsociation will at once sever relations with the ex- hibitor. »'."-. This action came last week as a remit of bitter protests from all parts of the conn try against the showing of salacious films. Officers of the association say the pictures which have been denounced aa immoral and indecent are controlled by persona ontside the association. It is claimed that some of these pictures were made .by the government to warn soldiers •gainst certain vices and were shown only to a restricted class. Having served this purpose, however, they then passed into the hands of independent distributors, who began to exploit them. - The widest possible publicity is being given to the resolutions, and the aasocia- tioa stands ready to co-operate with any person or organization going into court to stop the exhibition of these films. The resolutions adopted read: First—That all members of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry shall submit to it every picture produced at any time prior or after the public ex- hibition thereof and shall accept any and all rulings made by said National Associa- tion in respect thereto. * Second—That all producers and distribu- tors shall attach at the beginning of the first reel of every picture produced and dis- tributed by them such mark or stamp-as Shall be authorized and Issued by said Na- tional Association and -shall remove the same upon order thereof. Third—That all members of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry snail forthwith advise all of their exhibitors that on and after the first day of June, 1919, they shall refuse to furnish any of their product for exhibition in any theatre In Which there shall be exhibited after the re- ceipt of such notice any motion picture dis- approved by the said National Association of the Motion Picture Industry or from which eliminations have been ordered or changes in titles or sub-titles have been or- dered by It but not made; and that the purport of this third paragraph be incor- porated In and made a part of all con- ' tracts between distributors and exhibitors hereafter entered into. Fourth—That the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry take all steps that may be permitted by law to pro- hibit the exhibition of such pictures as are by It disapproved or from which elimina- tions or changes in titles or sub-titles have been ordered by it but not made. Flftli—That the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry shall adopt rules, regulations and orders with respect ♦« the foregoing and provide for their proper enforcement. ■ Sixth—That the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry condemns the ex- hibition of aU pictures which are obscene, immoral, salacious or tend to corrupt or de- base morals or that are exhibited contrary to its rules, regulations or orders. Seventh—That the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry Shall assist and co-operate with the proper authorities In any legal proceedings, whether c riminal or otherwise, that may be undertaken to prohibit the exhibition of such pictures and in the prosecution of those exhibiting; the same. .. Eighth—That the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry reaffirms its unalterable opposition to any form Of le- galised censorship Of motion pictures prior to their exhibition. Ninth—That the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry shall endeavor to cause to be adopted an amendment to the constitution of the United States pro- hibiting; the enforcement of any law abridging the freedom of expression through the medium of the motion picture to the same effect as is provided in Article 1 of the ten original amendments to the constitution of the United States that ware declared in force December 15. 1791, pro- hibiting the enactment of any law abridg- ing the freedom of speech, or of the press. Tenth—That the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry urge the pass- age of a law by the next Congress of the United States amending that section of the penal law, of the United States which now prohibits the transmission by mall or other- wise of fndecent pictures or literature so s clearly Include the •prohibition of a .to like transmission of obscene or indecent motion pictures, TROUBLE OVER SYMPHONY Under an order signed last week by Justice Hotchkiss, of the Supreme Court, a jury will determine whether the ap- proval of reconstruction plana for . the building of the Symphony Theatre was a violation of the law. Should the jury hold the Building, Department was not. justifis*, ir%ppro|WBj jhe'pleniTflji lease I ofthe theatre by the Tyro interests just completed will be halted. win. O. Maasarene, the architect' en- gaged to reconstruct the original building into the Symphony Theatre for the Ken- nedy Theatres Company, testified last week in suits by various creditors against that company. Maasarene said he was to get 10 per cent, of the cost of the work, amounting to $44,000, and that ho received the final payment of his bill on April 10 last from the attorney for Thomas F. Healy, owner of the theatre. WOMEN WANT BETTER FILMS At a meeting held last week by the Bet- ter Film Committee of the National Coun- cil of Women, in the Hotel Commodore, the National Federation of Better Film Workers was organized. -Mrs. Myra King-, man Miller, chairman I of the committee, called the meeting for the purpose of or- ganizing the new association, with the idea of having a national clearing house for women's committees interested in im- proving moving pictures all over the United States. Mrs. Harriet H. Barry was elected presi- dent, and will open an office on the coast. Mrs. Miller was made executive secre- tary with' headquarters in this city. REOPEN FORT LEE STUDIO The Fort Lee Studio of the World Film Corporation, at Linwood avenue, West Fort Lee, Was reopened last week after being closed for a number of months. Several alterations have been effected in tile building, which is now in complete working'order. Two companies, tinder the direction respectively of DeU I. Hender- son and Oscar A. Apfel, are now at work at the studio.- June Elvidge heads one and Zen* Keefe the other. Two others moved in on Monday, and are also getting under way. - NEW DAVIES FILM ALMOST. READY The latest picture in' which Marion Davies is featured is now nearing comple- tion at the Paragon Studios at Fort Lee, after being worked on for four weeks. Alan Dwan has been directing it. The' picture is in -seven reels and. includes in its out Norman Kerry, Matt Moore, Dor- othy Green, Fred Mean, George Cooper, 'Arthur Earl and Ward Crane. Miss Davies has begun work on another story. ARBUCKLE BUYS BALL CLUB LOB AZTOEXSS, April 25.—"Fatty" Ar- bnckle, the motion picture comedian, has bought a large interest in the Vernon club of the Pacific Coast League and now con- trols the team. Thomas J. Darmody, for- mer-owner, still has a small interest in the. organization, but Arbnckle is now the ma- jority stockholder. - UNITED STOCK GOES UP J. A. Berst, president of the United Picture Theatres of America, Inc., an- nounced last' week that, on June 1, the price of the stock of the company per share will go up from $250 to ©50. With the week ending April IS the United had sold 4,500 shares representing ifiOO the- atres in America. BRADY SCORES STAND OF ? CLERGY i . RESENTS PATRIOTISM CHARGE The aitack en the film industry issued by members ai the clergy, reflecting disV credit on the attitude of film men during the world war, has. aroused the ire of j producers and|WilliAm. -Brady has retali- ated alhVa-a&Vlant Itfendil^tii to- ' dustry. .The clergy haa, taken its .usual stand, and has. opposed the showing on Sunday of pictures intended to stimulate interest in the fifth Liberty Loan, admis- sion to be free. The statement- issued by Brady reads as follows: "Whether the people of Philadelphia want- films shown on Sunday or not la a matter for them to decide. When local clergymen attack. the industry aa out- rageously and unfairly aa"they have done recently it becomes a matter which we can- not in justice to the truth pass over with- out refutation. - "Everyone in the business, and many outside of it, knows that practically every film concern in the country lost money during the war. That.is, in the'regnlar ' course of their business. How much more was freely given by artists and officials in time and brains, it would be hard to com- pute. "And that is leaving out of the question altogether the organized work done to fur- ther- - the ' Government's propaganda through the preparation and release of patriotic films." ' Brady then cites a letter which he re- ceived from President Wilson. It reads: "My Dear Mr.. Brady—It is in my mind not only to bring the motion picture, in- dustry into fullest and most effective con- tact''with the nation's ends, but to give gome measure of official recognition to an increasingly important factor in the de- velopment of our .national life. The film has -come to rank as a very high medium for the dissemination of public intelli- gence, and since.. it speaks a universal language it lends itself importantly to the presentation of America's plans and pur- poses. _■«.':; "May T ask you, aa chairman by my appointment, to organize the motion pic- ture industry in such manner as to estab-' lisb direct and authoritative co-operation with the Committee on Public Informa- tion, of which Mr. George Creel is chair- man? . . "It is much to ask, but-my knowledge of the patriotic service already rendered by you and your associates makes me count upon your generous acceptance. "Cordially and sincerely yours, ■ "WOODBOW WILSON." I Brady then continued his statement in the following manner: : "Now, that was the beginning of our film organization for work which did much to help the public to the'tasks and achievements of America at war. And it 18 a fact that throughout the war film folk gave unstintedly of all that they had to give. - "In the various loans the'influence of motion picture propaganda was especially effective. We intend to keep on without letup until the Victory Loan has been tri- umphantly put over the top. It was in the endeavor to further this campaign that free exhibitions of patriotic films were arranged for Philadelphia theatres. As I said before if the people of that city: want these films taken'off they should- have very little trouble in making their desire known. Also in the opinions of individu- als, clergymen or laymen,'we are inter- ested. But we resent insinuations as to onr loyalty." - PATHE EXCHANGE BURNS Salt Lake Onr, Utah, April 24.—TAe Tathe Film Exchange, at 04 Exchange Place, in this city, took fire this week. W. A, Calkins, -rana**.'estimated the amount, of damage done »r $85,000. Many of the employees suffered alight burns, but the two iqost .Injured, were Helen Tinyes and Da- vid, .Alander, who were taken to the hos- pital to' be treated. They recovered. "' The "heat from the names broke through' the windows of the Vitagraph exchange next door and damaged the offices to the extent of S1<{0. . TO RELEASE "CASTLES IN AIR" "Oasttes in. the Air," the new. May Al- lison cJ**c!ylaJeB ^^NA***.?'* rtofr in the SofttroW Bvaumg Pott, Tul he lie- leased on May 12. Supporting Miss Alli- son in this picture are Ben Wilson, Walter I. Perciva], Clarence Burton, Irene Rich, "Mother" Anderson, Viola Dana and Ruth Maurice. . METRO STUDIO TO BE EXPANDED President Richard A. Rowland, of the Metro Pictures Corporation, announced' last week that the new studio of that con- cern at Hollywood, .GaL,.is to he enlarged to meet the requirements of the new pro- duction policy. With the expansion of the studio will follow an increase in the staff. FILM FLASHES Joslc Sedgwick has left Triangle sad goae to Universal. Louise lovely win rapport Barl* Williams In "The TJsurper." • Qllson Willetts, scenario writer for Paths, has been ill with the grip. George D. Baker la back In New York from the Metro Coast Studios. Frank P. Donovan has resigned from the Macdon Pictures Company. ■ Denis J. Sullivan has been appointed gen- eral manager for Klsocmune. Oral Hswley will support Louts Bennlsoo In "The Boad Called. Straight." J. EL Flrnn. Detroit chief of Goldwyn, paid a visit to New York last week. Conway Tearle will support Florence Beed la her third United Pictures Theatre produe- Hon. - . , ■ William A. Brady will sail for England on May 3d. accompanied, by bla wife, Grace George. Bow Tapley returned last week from the Middle West In the Interests of the Famous- Players. Samuel Goldwyn has taken up his quartan in the new Goldwyn offices at 468 Fifth Avenue. ... ■ Frank Currier, of Metro, and Mabel Olma. sn English dancer, were married last week In Los Angeles. The Goldwyn Pictures Corporation will dis- tribute its films throughout Europe as soon as peace Is signed. Betty Bon ton has been engaged by J. a. Bent to support Duetto Fsrnom la "The Harvest'of Shame.'* Howard Turnrll I has been named as assist- ant to Whitman Bennet. product tan manager for Famon»-PUyen. m Margaret Marsh, star of "The Carter Case." has formed a company of her own for pro- duction of two-reelers. ■.■:'. J. Stuart Bniektoo haa purchased the rights to "Dawn," the novel by Eleanor B. Porter, and will shortly produce It. J. L. Johnson has .resigned ss assistant [city director for ~ j aaverthusg man tun theatre circuit In publicit y, directo r for Universal and has be- come advertising for a motlon-plc- e Middle West World Fiimi will distribute "Pardon Me" and "Neptune's Step-Dan/rhter" as the first of a series'of Macon productions released by that concern. ! C. A. Weeks, treasurer of.' Zens Grey Pic- tures. Inc. and of Brest Authors Pictures, Ibc_ returned to New-Tort last P~ visit to Los Angeles. . ..