New York Clipper (May 1915)

May 22 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 21 JOHNSON-WIHARD FIGHT FILM CASE REACHES COURT OF APPEALS. JUDGES BUFFINGTOH-WOOLEY AHD McFHERSOU USTEH TO ARGUHEHTS OF BOTE SIDES IR PHILADELPHIA. Judge Haignt Sitting In the tJ. S. District Court for New Jersey, at Jersey City, May 6. as previously reported In these columns, refused to Sunt permission to L. Lawrence Weber to bring to the country via. the Custom's Bureau of the Port of Newark, N. J., certain firms of the now justly celebrated Johnson-Wlllard embrogllo, 'which as the whole world knows by this time (and this Includes Cincinnati and other Inland newspaper centres), took place some weeks agone down Ha- vana way. However, Judge Height did not entirely blast the hopes of the fight-Dim promoters that they might ultimately secure admission for their raoto- grapblc views of the famous pugilistic contest, and stipulated that an appeal could be taken to- a higher court. L. Lawrence Weber, taking advantage' of this Judicial courtesy through his attorney?, Spellman a Towne, consequently brought the case before Judges Burlington. MoPherson and Woolcy, In the TJ. S. District Court of Appeals In Philadelphia, Pa., May ll. Practically the same basic argument was of- fered as In the case previously decided adversely the week before by Judge Height, Mr. Weber's attorneys contending that tbelr clients object la Importing the fight films was for the sole purpose of exhibiting the same In the U. S. under bin per- sonal control, and decidedly not for the purpose of traffic, sale or commerce. lilr. Towne, of counsel for the appellant, quoted CANADA ACCEPTS JOHNSOR- WHLARD FILMS. QUEBEC CENSORS PASS PICTURES—TWO VERSIONS OF CONTEST NOW BEttitt EXHIBITED IN MONTREAL. While their American brethren axe debating the question legally as to the status of the Johnnon- WUlard fight pictures, the (Inhabitants of Canada at least may enjoy looking at no less than, two versions of the contest for the payment of an adequate admission price in each instance. The censor board of Quebec, May 10, passed upon the suitability of the pictures. for Canadian exhibition, and the Goyety Theatre, Montreal, started with a seven reel version, of the fight films for ft run last week, Consldlne recently brought the films from Lon- don, and while doubtful of their admission, deter- mined 1 to make a test case. The fact of Judge Hough's refusal to admit the Welsh-Bltchle films under the provisions- of the Sims Law, which measure, by the way, the Jurist commented on in a learned, and lnnmlnatlng fashion, it Is thought by authorities, will have a marked bearing on the ultimate result of the John- son-WIIIard litigation now in course of progress In the Court of Appeals la Philadelphia. The Welsh-Rltchle case may also be taken to the Court of Appeals, and there Is a strong .possi- bility that both the Welsh-Rltchle and Johneam- Willard cases. may reach the Supreme Court. Anolber series of views; eighteen hundred feet in length, Is being exhibited at the Casino and Elng Edward Theatres, in the same city. George Kennedy, a Montreal sporting "promoter, controls the seven reel version for the - Dominion, while the Picture Playhouse Co.. Ltd., have the eighteen hundred feet views of the championship battle. The'seven reel version Is the same as that controlled by L. Lawrence Weber for the TJ. S. The Quebec censorship O. K. permits the John- son-Wlllard pictures to be shown In Quebec, Mon- treal aad Toronto. Whether- Vancouver and the Maritime Provinces will endorse the Qnebec de- cision, in regard to the fight pictures is a matter still undecided. WELSH-RITCHIE PICTURES BASKED FROM U. S. JUDGE HOUGH'S DECISION HAT HAVE EFFECT OF CREATING PRECEDENT. Judge Cbas,. M. Hough,-of the TJ. 8. District Court for the Southern District of New Tor*. Wednesday, May 12, handed down a decision barring from the U.S. the Welsh-Rltchle prize fight films of the championship contest held a year or so ago In London. George Consldlne, the well known American sporting promoter and theatrical man, through his attorneys, had brought proceedings which came np for a hearing before Judge Hough last week, in which Consldlne endeavored to overcome the edict of the collector of the Port of New York, who had technically denied admission to the Welsh-Rltchle films And held same until a legal opinion could be secured. The fly In the ointment In tho practiblllty Of this course that is bothering the promoters of both fight 91ms, however, is the admitted danger of public Interest waning, as stated In these col- umns last week, long before the Supreme Court would decide the Issues at stake. Judge Hough, while rendering a decision adverse to the entry of the Welsh-Rltchle films, seemed to Indicate by his remarks from the bench that the onlv remedv In sight would be a Congressional repeal of the Sims Law. a course which he ap- parently seemed to be in sympathy with. the tariff law of Oct. 31, 1913. under which he deemed the films fit b objects lor entry to the U. S. A, The law reads: "Photographic film positives. Imported In any form, for use In any war In connection with mov- ing picture exhibits. Including herein all moving, motion, mot ©photography or cinematography film pictures, prints, positives or duplicates of every kind and nature and whatever substance made, one cent per linear or running foot: Provided, how- ever, that all photographic films Imported under this section shall be subject to such censorship as may be Imposed by the Secretary of the Treas- ury." ■ Collector Freed, of the Port of Newark, N. J., who denied admittance to the Johnson-wlllara films, was frequently referred to dnrlng the action by both sides. U. S. District Attorney Bodice drew a parallel between the case before the court and the lot- tery cases, tried some years ago. Insofar as both brought forth the subject of the proper definition of what la commerco and what Is not. From the beginning It hoe been the contention of Weber's attorneys that the law prohibiting the entrance of fight films Intended for the everyday usages of commerce did not apply to their case, as &fr. Weber proposed to sell nothing, but exhibit the Blcturea 'Personally. Whether the Philadelphia judges take the same view of the case remains to be seen. A decision Is expected in a few days. THH Western Lubln studio has begun the timing of a three reel drama, called "The Red Virgin, a play that promises to- attract considerable at- tention. A great deal of time ha* been spent In selecting scenery, costumes, locations, and In the building of special sets. Many of the scenes will be filmed In the Exposition grounds at San Diego, CaJL. which will add special Interest and variety to "the production. Cabbolx. 'Fumxxo has resigned as a director of the Thanhouser productions. ■Ham? Spixoles, excellent portrayer of Juvenile roles and popular Screen Club member, will have the juvenile lead In support of William Farnum. Who la slated to appear In a plcturlzed version of "The Bondman," founded on Hall Calne's famous novel of the same name. The Fox Film Corpora- tion, who stands sponsor for the new feature has selected Edgar Lewis to direct the photoplay, re- hearsals of which are now In progress at the Pathe studio In Jersey City. W. A. At.t.>v. wtto formerly held a very respon- sible position with a large typewriter, concern, has been appointed salesman at the Indianapolis branch of the World" Film' Corporation. Ernest Lane, manager there reports that during the two weeks that Allan has been connected with the World Firm, he has done extremely well, and that that company may look for him to develop Into a star salesman. Jack Conwat, who played Captain Macklln In the Mutual Master picture of that name, has gone In for chickens, and his morning mail is full of poultry catalogues. ■ POSTERS IMPORTANT. As visual proof that the value of merltorlnu* features Increases with every showing of the film, the publicity department of the V. L. S. E. is making a collection of posters gotten up by t.ie different exhibitors throughout the country. These posters are not a part of the regular V. I_ 8. E. paper, but printed matter designed by pro- gressive theatre managers announcing the return engagements for extended runs of V. L. S. E. pro- ductions. In most cases the re-booked feature had previously appeared for two or more days In the same theatre, and the fact that special paper wi» prepared for Its re-appearance Is pointed to as most convincing proof of the big four, that fea- tures of real dramatic value gain prestige by con- tinued exhibitions. These posters are being used by exhibitors In conjunction with the regular advertising matter for the features, and It Is a notable fact that In every Instance the length of the second run ex- ceeds the original engagement. ABBAitomRrrs have been made by the Than- honser Corporation, of New Rochelle, N. Y.. for the use of the Long Island Railroad yards In Long Island City, in filming a number of scenes In "The Four Seasons." a four reel Mutual Master picture, the release date of which Is undecided. Harris Gordon appears lu the leading role. The picture Is being produced under the direction of W. Eugeno Moore. Dm. Edwabd A. Bax,isbubt, whose features hare been running at the Strand during the last two weeks, has just opened an office In the Candler Building, 220 West Forty-second Street, for tho purpose of not only promoting his Wild Life Pic- tures, which have already been sold throughout the United States, Canada and England, but for the establishment of a further series of educa- tional pictures, to be booked in the finest theatres throughout the United States. Vsba. Lewis is the latest character woman to join the Grlffitb-Mutnal forces. Sbe has already appeared In "Gridley'a Wife," and now has been cast for the xole of the Countess, In OuJda'a "Tro- cotrin." Whin she Is not appearing before the camera. ■Francella Bllllngton wears her hair in curls and romps around the Mutual studios like a child. When she wants to, however, she can be as grown up and dignified as any might desire. JOHN FLYXN. bookkeeper at the New York office of the World Film Corporation, baa bean spendlnc his evenings going out after business. He ha* succeeded In obtaining bookings where the com- petition has been most keen. We are pleased to not*) that Mr. Klynn and a few other Eastern men are taking advantage of their opportunities to fit themselves for higher positions, the same as those ambitious Westerners. The Franklin Brothers, directors of the Mutual Juvenile company, have a time of It These young- sters are as temperamental as their elders. The other afternoon Violet Radcllffe. ill year old lead- ing woman, refused to continue working because tie leading man had failed to pick up her purse when sbe dropped it Doris and toy soldiers awarded as prizes for a good day's work, are hav- ing the most efficacious effect, Er.MEB Cliftox won a Carnation runabout re- cently in a prlzo raiDe. "He's been lucky since be came here. Always winning things," othera at the Mutual Btudlos say. Despite his luck, Clifton had four tire Dlowouts and his engine overhauled three times In the course of a week. ration PRODUCTIONS NOW PLAYING ORRIN S. MILLER THOS. JEFFE MIHE. PETROVA in SATAN in THE in in THE in SANDERSON AND THE LADY OF A GREAT CITY OF A PAINTED WOMAN OF DAN HcGREW in CORA VALIER in THE MIDDLEMAN and Releases Next Monday HOWARD ESTAH90& in FMR FlflTHERS BBABOQEB niHni.mn a are n in a THE PROGRAM THAT IS ALL ON THE SCREEN metro Pktoro Corporation [ 1465 BROADWAY NEW YORK CITY