Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

March 4. 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 45 Tirades of Reformers Fail To Affect Legislative Body Censorship Bill in Virginia Is Tabled by Committee Vote of 7 to 2— Regulatory Measure Adopted by Upper House in Mississippi Although censorship advocates have had the industry in hot water in a number of states, latest developments indicate that a free screen will be maintained in each of the states in which the reformers have waged fights. Dr. Wilbur F. Crafts, superintendent of the International Reform Bureau, and his cohorts, lost their first skirmish in Virginia when the senate committee on general laws voted 7 to 2 to table the measure. Jake Wells of Richmond, president of the state exhibitors organization, led the fight on the reformers in Virginia. Adopted by Senate in Mississippi The theatre owners of Mississippi have not been so fortunate, as the regulatory measure up in the legislature in that state has passed the senate and will be voted on shortly by the house. Among the exhibitors active in that state in defending the screen is W. E. Elkin of the Temple theatre at Aberdeen. A letter which Mr. Elkin forwarded to his representative in the assembly is published in the Public Rights League department. New York Exhibitors At Hearing on Repeal (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY. X. Y., Feb. 21. — A large delegation of New Yorkers are here today to appear at the public hearing on the Cuvillier bill which provides for the repeal of the censorship law. Among those speaking for repeal of the law are Thomas Dixon and Augustus Thomas, representing the author's league: Fred Elliott of the X. A. M. P. I.: representatives of the Citizens Union, the M. P. T. O. A., and the Real Estate Owners Association. The point brought out by the repeal advocates was that notwithstanding the fact that the commission has viewed more than 1,500 pictures, it has been found necessary to reject but four. Chairman Cobb of the board has asked $134,500 to meet the expense for the coming year. Bull Montana Will Star In Stromberg Comedies (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES. Feb. 21.— H u n t Stromberg has withdrawn from the active production and management of the Doris May pictures and has organized his own producing unit to make comedies starring Bull Montana. The first subject, from an original story by Stromberg. is titled "A 'Ladies Man." Production is at United Studios. It is said that Stromberg retains his financial interests in the Doris May productions which R-C is distributing. Ladies' Man." Production is at United in' his negotiations with Stromberg. Plan Hearing Soon on Political Activity Bill Washington Bureau, Exhibitors Herald) " WASHIXGTOX, D. C, Feb. 21.— It is probable that there will be another hearing on the Myers bill to investigate the alleged political activities of the motion picture industry in the near future. Senator Shortridge of California, chairman of the senate subcommittee in charge of the measure, has announced that his committee will hold another meeting within a few days at which time the fate of the Myers resolution will be discussed. Coast Producers in East for Conferences (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. Feb. 12.— Thomas H. Ince, accompanied by Mrs. Ince, Mack Sennett, J. Parker Read, Jr., and Al Lichtman arrived in Xew York today. The producers formerly affiliated with Associated Producers will hold a series of important conferences with Associated First Xational officials. That Mr. Ince considered the Xew York mission urgent is shown by his departure in the midst of an important producing program. Proctor Handling Film Ralph Proctor arrived in Chicago on Monday from Xew York to take charge of_ the Chicago territory for "Foolish W ives." the big Universal special now playing an extended engagement at the Roosevelt theatre. The picture was shown to disabled soldiers at the Reconstruction hospital. Chicago, on Wednesday noon. Kentucky and South Carolina are among the other states in which the reformers are active in their efforts to muzzle the screen. Both the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of the various states and the Xational Association of the Motion Picture Industry have thrown their forces into the fight to maintain a free screen. Dixon Opposes Passage In Virginia. Thomas Dixon, author, appeared as spokesman for the X. A. M. P. I. Other speakers against censorship were Windham Meredith, representing Mr. Wells and other exhibitors; Mrs. Channing Ward, well known club woman of Richmond; Mrs. Speed of the Xational Board of Review, and Mrs. J. E. Krise, chairman of the motion picture committee of the Parent-Teachers Association and Mothers Congress of the state. David Wark Griffith is .scheduled to appear before the legislature in Kentucky. He will address the assembly in opposition to censorship at the behest of Col. Fred Levy. The Kentucky measure provides for a censorship board of three members, each to receive an annual salary of $3,000. A license fee of $2 for every 1.000 feet of film reviewed would be levied. Violation of the law would be punishable by a fine of from $100 to $1,000. According to the bill, introduced by Senator Brock, only films which in the judgment of the board are considered "of a moral, educational or amusing and harmless character" may be exhibited. Situation Serious in East A serious situation has developed in Massachusetts where a bill has been introduced to prevent the use of the screen in the forthcoming censorship referendum campaign. The X. A. M. P. I., through its representative, former Judge J. Albert Brackett, is cooperating with the Allied Theatres in the fight to prevent passage of the obnoxious measure. This measure is considered one of the most detrimental and far-reaching of any ever offered in any state. Passage of the bill would set a precedent which, if adopted generally throughout the country, would place the industry in the grasp of the reformer. Convicts See Picture (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES, Feb. 21.— Premiere American showing of "Peterman," by Louis Victory Eytinge. life termer at Arizona state prison, was given last week at the Florence penitentiary with only convicts as spectators. Photodramatists Club To Observe Birthday (Special to Exhibitors Herald) XEW YORK. Feb. 21.— The anniversary' banquet of the Xew York Photodramatists Club will be held February 28 at The Cecil, 94th street and Broadway. Among the speakers, writers and reviewers who are expected to attend are: Oliver Lippincott, W. W. Young. Sydney S. Cohen, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America; Senator James J. Walker, general counsel of the M. P. T. O. A.: Rita Weiman, Rupert Hughes. Phillip Bathalame, and Robert C. Bruce, Educational Film Company. Young Producer Tours Studios of California (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES, Feb. 21.— Jesus Enrique Topete. 22 years old. one of the youngest producers in America, who has been making films in Mexico City tor several years, is making a tour of California studios. He is now making pictures for the Mexican government. Incorporation Articles Filed for New Concern (Special to Exhibitors Herald) SPRIXGFIELD. MO.. Feb. 21.— Chronicles of America Picture Corporation has been incorporated by Secretary of State Emmerson. Offices of the company will be located in the Reisch building. Schenck and Talmadge On Visit to New York (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES, Feb. 21.— Joseph Schenck and Norma Talmadge have left here for a visit to Xew York via Xew Orleans.