New York Clipper (Aug 1915)

THE NEW YORK CLIPP,ER August 28 MOTION PICTURE DEPARTMEHT BABRT Bains, JBOTIOBT PICTDRS EDITOR. FLOOD OF ^-NATION" PICTURES COMING- SUCCESS OF GRIFFITH'S "BIRTH OF NATION" INSPIRES PRODUCERS, *TALL OF HATIORr *«DEATH OF NATION" AHD **HIRTH OF NATION** AMONG THOSE SCHEDULED. The long run of D. W. Griffith's film version of ■which has met with unprecedented succeas at the Tbomaa DUon'e book and play, -The Clansman, ■Liberty-Theatre. New York, under the title of "The Birth of a Nation," has given Impetus to the pro- duction of several big featuiea In course of preparation, which wia have the- word "Nation" ucorporated In their captions. All sorts and types of "Xntlon" features are belUK whipped Into shape for the coming season, and at least one Is now read; for markethifc. "The Death of a Nation," produced by Quy Hedlond. a pioneer picture actor and director, whose experi- ence In the Held takes blm back to early Blograph dRTS, U written around the dedmatlon of the New ]-:i>£:and Indian nations The picture play covers a period of over one hundred vsars, and Klves an interesting glimpse of the early settlers' relatione with the liasteni Red Man. It has not been decided as vet what method of prtsentatlon and distribution will be utilized In the Ecuketlnff of "The Doath of a Nation." Several programs are now considering the proposition. The-Universal has a five reel burlesque, based on the Griiflth fUm. called "The .'^rth of the Nation." If this Is as funny as the Unlversal'a "classical" feature. "Damon and rythlas," It should be a knockout. Possibly the most ambitious of the proposed "Na- tion" plctiu-es IsThos. Dixon's peace and prepared- ness film, which will be etyl^ "The Fall of a Na- tion." 'Jfhls one. It Is understood, will encompa.JB eight reels and will be along the same lines aa niackton's Vltagraph production, recently shown under the name of "The Battle Cry of Peace." It Is said that Dixon, who Is a clergyman, and whose book, "The Clansman," as'above mentioned, formed the ground work tor "The Birth af a Na- tlcD," has the financial backing of the-Du Fonts, t2ie mllUonajre ammunltoln makers. In aauitlon to the above "Nation" films, three other producers have scenarios , ready for plcturl- zatlon. These will be called "The Wealth of a Na- tlon," "The Health of a Nation" and "The Passing of a Nation." / With a handy dictionary It onght to be easy now Tor the remaining picture concerns that have not announced a "Nation" picture at the hour of going to press, to ilg up « inltable tbeme tor a title. CERSORSHIF HURTING THE BUSHIESS - m CANAD A, BRITISH COLUBBIA CENSORS BAN NINE HUTUAL HASTER PIECES* That the United States Is not the only country In which the prosperity of the film baslnes* Is menaced by the activities of the censor Is evidenced by the fact that nine Mutual masterpieces, out of twenty submitted for examination at Van- conver, B. C, during the past lew weeks, have DANIEL FROHMAN PBESENTS TBE WORIiD*8 FOREMOST CHARACTEB-COUEDIAN Sam Bernard IN HIS nnST SCREEN APPEARANCi; AS "Poor Scbmaliz" A FOUR-BERL LAUOH aelaased August 83. Piodaced by the FAMODS PUIEB8 FUM CO. AOOLFH ZOKOB, Pies. DANIEL FROHUAN, Managing Director BDWIN S. POHTER. Treas. A Oen. Mgr. ezecntiveOfflces:213-2S W.SBthSL.NlT. Canadian distributors. Famous Flayen PUm Service, Ltd. CALOART—MONTREAL—TORONTO been rejected without a chance for future accept- ai.ce. Hie Mutual features which the British Coiumhia censors barred from exhibition without reserva- tion, are: "On the Night Stage,"' "StratiMnore,"* "The Failure," "Ghosts,' "Tiie Devil." "The Out- Icw's Bevenge." "The Darkening Trail," "Man's Prerogative" and "The iteward.'" The British Columbia M. P. Exhibitors' Asso- ciation sought recently to start a movement against the rigid censorslkip regulations. . This took the form of literature distributed in the film theatres and Included an appeal to the public, which was asked to aid through the medium of the ballot box. The Exhibitors' League* hope to establish an Appeal Board which would have the power of re- consideration In the matter of aims rejected by the Censor Bnard. The present censorship situa- tion. It is claimed, makes it exceedingly dllllcult for exhibitors to conduct their houses on a paying basis. The Canadian picture men hope for a change at the next election. dents, represented bj. a committee of negro clergy- men, are tiring desperately-to have the big specu- sle taken off. Director of Public Safety wm. R. Bartlett ordered tlie "Nation" removed from the NIzon last week, but the trackers of the picture, acting on an opinion voiced by City Solicitor Scblmpf, refused to comply with the order. ^. Mayor Johv. L. Davie, recently ulected mayor of Oakland, Cal.. stopped the showing of "The Clans- man," & couple of wzika ago at the MacDonongh Theatre. His action was due to asltatJon started by negro residents of Oakland. The engagement, which was terminated, was the second played' In Oakland by "The Clansman," an "The Birth of a Nation" is known on the Coast. The Initial exhibition given several months ogo was not Interfered with. The Oakland executive's action has occasioned considerable comment in view of the fact that htu predecessor allowed the picture shown. "BKTH OF NATION" MEETS WITH OPPOSmON I N ATLAN TIC CITY, N.J. OAKLAND, CAL., OFHOAL STOPS PRESENTATION. '^e Birth of a Nation" Is having Ita own troobles outside of New York. Donn at Atlantic- City, N. J., where the Griflith picture Is beinjj-' shown at the New Nixon Thcntr^, the colored rest- PORTLAND, OREGON EXHIBITORS AT ODDS Wnn CE NSORS. HOP E TO ENLIST AID OF CHAMBER OF COHHERCE IN FIGHT FOR LESS DRAS- TIC MEASUR E. Portland. Ore., exhlbltom have signified their Intention, through tlic medium of a press cam- paign recently Inaugurated, to fight to the last cltch against what they term nntair censorshop regulations. The principal expedients proposed to ameliorate censor conditions In the Wcrtcrn city Is the cs- tab'Ishntent of a repeal board and an entirely new censor law. The city officials of Portland claim that the pres- ent law gives the right of appeal to the film m^. -but the picture people deem the present regnla- tlons far from satlsfactorr. Matters <!ame to a head when certain views of the Kaetland disaster ircre held up in one theatre, while similar views, depicted by another topical v.eeklv, were allowed to be ehown la a neighbor- ing picture house. - A Mrs. Golwell heads the censor board, and O. A. Metzger, a ■ well known exchang man of Port- locd,' Is. leading the movement for a new censor law. V ■ •' TbeVlhlbltors hope to enlist the aid of the Port- land Chamber-of Commerce in their fight for a square deal. *Mutual nim Gorporation PRESENTS IN ITS NEW EICHT MILLION OOLLAft ALL STAft, ALL FEATURE PROGBACf Siar KlyTroutnian. In a Stirring Tlirec %cl (IIALTO STAR FEATURE