Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

February 4, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 45 $157,817 in Fees Paid to N.Y. Censors in 5 Months 1.170 Films Approved without Eliminations — 745 Scenes and Titles Cut Out— 6. 194 Permits Granted to Distributors (Special to Exhibitors Herald) XEW YORK. Jan. 24. — During the first five months of operation of the censorship board of New York State, distributors paid to that body in fees for licenses and permits a tutal of S157.S17.50. Of the 1.330 films reviewed. 1.170 were approved without eliminations. One hundred sixty films had scenes or titles eliminated, while 5 pictures were refused licenses. The number of eliminations made total 745 ; scenes. 477 and titles. 268. Board Classifies Eliminations Made In classifying the eliminations the board's report showed that 85 eliminations were made because scenes or titles were indecent ; 35, inhuman; 54, tending to incite crime; 61, immoral or tending to corrupt morals, and 5. sacriligious. Film Exports Drop In 1921; Imports Show An Increase (Special to Exhibitors Herald) XEW YORK. Jan. 24.— Final reports nn the 1921 exports and imports of film nave been made public by the departnent of commerce. Imports of positive •ilm show an increase of 4. 847,559 feet aver 1919. Film exports for the year, however, show a decrease of 12,358,915 feet under 1919. Imports of negative were 2.364.013 feet in excess of 1919. The total value of film, both negative ind positive imported last year was $1,419,213. as compared to $499,673 in 1919 and $933,016 in 1920. The total value of exported film in 1921 was $6,513,567. For purposes of comparison it is intersting to note that the value of the total film exports in 1919 was $8,066,723 and in 1920 was $7,900,198. The report also gives import and export figures for the last three months of 1921. Merger of Distribution Systems Completed by Famous PlayersLasky (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. Jan. 24.— The exodus (from the Realart offices at 169 Fifth Avenue was made complete last Saturday, when the last of the effects of the company were moved over to the offices ■of Famous Players. General Manager John S. Woody's office was the last to close, most of the others having moved some time ago. Mr. Woody has been ill and confined to his home for the past ten days, but was able to be at his office for a short time Saturday. He has made no announcement of his plans for the future, but has a number of things under consideration, one of which he expects to close within the next week-. Production of Popular Fairy Stories Started (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES, Jan. 24.— Production of screen versions of popular fairy stories have been undertaken by Jackson Reade •and Robert Lee. Within the next eight months, 12 two-reel fairy tales will have , been filmed by them. To date they have complete one picture. "Once Upon a Time — ," recently exhibited at a preview. Schools, churches and other social organizations as well as theatres have been clamoring for pictures of this nature, asserts Mr. Reade, who with Mr. Lee has formed the Robert Jackson Productions to further ideas along this line. Prizma Official Wins Patent Case Decision (.Washington Bureau, Exhibitors Herald) WASHINGTON'. D. C.. Jan. 24.— The priority of one of the patents used in making Prizma pictures in colors was established here in a decision handed down by the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia by Chief Justice Smyth. The decision is in favor of Y. D. Kelley, technical adviser of Prizma. Inc. The Kelley patent involved was issued on March 12. 1918. claims to which were laid by A. Hernandez-Mejia. who obtained a natent office interference. Eliminations were made in 81 dramas. 43 comedies, 20 comedy dramas. 7 serials. 4 news reels, 3 educational and cartoons 2. Sixteen appeals, asking for a review by the entire commission, were taken by the applicants. The report which covers the period from August 1 to December 31, last year, asserts that the commission's censorship has had an uplifting tendency on motion pictures and asks that the law be amended giving the board broader powers. Request is made also for an additional appropriation to pay twelve inspectors an annual salary of $2,500. Amendments Urged The following amendments were recommended: The law should be amended so as to authorize the commission to furnish the film for the exhition of the serial number as a part of the license or permit leader. The law should be amended giving the commission power to refuse the granting of a license or permit for films which contain unpatriotic or seditious features or matter. The statute should be amended in such a manner as to clearly define educational, scientific, religious or charitable films in such a manner as to make clear what films are exempt from the payment of the required fee. The law should be amended so as to make clear the right of the commission to charge producers of films which are exempt from payment of the fee a price sufficient to reimburse the state for the permit or license leader. The law should be amended so as to empower the commission to retain the fee paid for the original of a film condemned in its entirety for the purpose of reimbursing the state, partially, for the expense it has incurred in reviewing the film. The report lauds the industry for its cooperation, declaring: "The commission labored under much difficulty at the start in perfecting its organization for the reason that it had no precedents to follow and no information to guide it except such as in a very brief time it was able to obtain from sister states which did all in their power to assist. "We have endeavored to treat the producers with the greatest courtesy and consideration and have urged and courted cooperation until such time as the organization could properly function and the producers and exhibitors could become familiar with the requirements of the law and of the commission in its administration. As previously indicated in this report, the industry, in general, has we think intended to and has cooperated with us in our work. This is particularly true of the exhibitors." Old Griffith Studio Disposed of to New Los Angeles Concern (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES. Jan. 24.— The old Griffith studios at Sunset and Hollywood boulevards, the birthplace of many big productions and famous for the number of film stars who appeared in their first productions there, have been sold by Triangle Film Corporation of Xew York to Fine Arts Studios. Inc. The new company is incorporated for $100,000 and. according to the officials, will operate as a leasing concern. The officers are: Xat Deverich, president; Andrew D. W. Reid, vice-president, and John Rikkleman. secretary and treasurer. Want Films of Nations Biggest History Drama (Special to Exhibitors Herald) XEW YORK. Jan. 24.— A film version of the greatest drama in their national history is the object of a visit here of two representatives of South American nations. A conference of the men was held with D. W. Griffith after viewing his picture "Orphans of the Storm." Xative authors of the respective countries which the men represent would handle the scenario of the stories, and it is understood that two productions are being considered, one of appeal to the South American eye and the other to the views of Xorth American people. " Foolish Wives" Is Cut Five More Reels (Special to Exhibitors Herald) XEW YORK, Jan. 24.— "Foolish Wives," L'niversal's lavish production, will be cut to ten reels before the end of the week, according to a statement issued by Julius Stern. When presented in fifteen reels, at the Central thearre. Xew York City, the production, it is pointed out. was not in its final form. In ten reels. Universal officials state, exhibitors will be able to play two shows each night with it. a more satisfactory arrangement.