Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1928)

March 17, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 21 Re-Takes World Politics, Barring "Dawn," Upsets Production in England Cavell Picture Banned by Sir Austen Chamberlain Without Even Seeing It When Germany Objects — Other Producers Panicky — Showing of Another War Film Delayed (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) BRUSSELS, March 13. — Prolonged applause greeted the showing here last week of "Dawn," English film centering on the execution of Edith Cavell, war nurse. (By Special Correspondent of Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) LONDON, March 13. — The whole edifice of British film censorship is tottering on its foundations, with international political juggling succeeding in forcing the withdrawal of a war picture, "Dawn" at the demand of a British cabinet member who has not seen the production and even has refused to see it. The demand for withdrawal followed a protest from the German embassy before the production had been shown. Other Producers "Panicky" Leaders in the trade see possibilities of the effects of the decision spreading beyond the boundaries of the British Isles. Results already are apparent as far as British production is concerned. Other producers with war pictures in work or in prospect are becoming panicky. Wardour postponed the tradeshowing of "The Great War Through German Spectacles," made in Germany and re-edited by Boyd Carpenter. "Dawn" was made with a $250,000 expenditure, with no objections whatever from official quarters, and the censor admitted satisfaction with the treatment of the theme, but refused a permit after Sir Austen Chamlain, in charge of the British Foreign Office, entered objections. Months ago Herbert Wilcox, who has just floated a new company called British Dominions, announced his intention of making a film around the execution of Nurse Cavell, who was short by a German firing squad for assisting English and Belgian soldiers to cross into Holland, and so escaping their captors. Officialdom raised no objections and the film was completed. Before it had been shown to anyone, the German Embassy approached the British Foreign Office, and exhorted the minister in charge. Sir Austen Chamberlain, to use his influence to get the film banned. Chamberlain Refuses to See It Sir Austen, invited by Wilcox to see the film, seemed so thoroughly charmed with the German point of view that he even refused to see the film, saying the theme was repugnant to him. Then the bombshell burst when T. P. O'Connor, chief of the British Board of Film Censors, refused to grant "Dawn" a certificate, because it was inexpedient to treat such a theme. Wilcox was furious, and so were many in trade circles who had no special interest in the film. Local authorities who can still grant a license to cover their districts are almost certain in most cases to be influenced by the decision of the censor, and so refuse to allow the film to be shown. New System Proposed Several questions are to be asked in Commons, one of which calls upon the home secretary to state whether in view of the unsatisfactory position of the film censorship, he will consider introduction of a bill to set up an official body, or delegate the matter to the lord chamberlain, who censors stage plays. O'Connor, before sailing for America on a health visit, said he felt the government would abide by his ruling. WELL, things are pretty quiet around this bailiwick. Even the motion picture companies who use the streets of Hollywood are not very active of late. Only saw three movie companies blocking traffic this week. * ^ * And while we're on the subject of movies (most everybody talks pictures here, you know) I see where some bird has invented a "laugh meter," a device that automatically records the giggles in a comedy. Jack White tried it out the other night and it worked perfectly. The boys who count the laughs can't bribe this machine. It's got a heart of springs and only registers the genuine laughs, hearty laughs and guffaws. ^ ^ Freeman Lang, the Los Angeles inventor of the "laugh meter", is working on another device now, it is said, that will hand long-winded radio announcers a "dirty look" whenever they talk over five minutes to tell you about the "next numbah will be." ^ ^ Don't Like 'Em Fat Did you see where one German actress ate herself out of a nice long contract? She wouldn't stick to the pineable and lamb chop banquet and took on so much weight they couldn't get her into focus. So she's on her way back to Europe, where a few pounds more or less doesn't matter. ^ ^ ^ Too Much Henry Ford wants to see the air full of airplanes. Hollywood had enough with one flying around overhead last week. It was equipped with a deafening siren and kept the motorists busy pulling into the curb and looking around for a police car. ^ ^ ^ We're Getting So Literary Only two new screen magazines were launched here last week. Harry Carr says the rain delayed everything. i}: ^ ^ Oh My Yes As Charlie Pyle's bunyon trotters get farther away from home the headlines shrink. I'll bet Chicago is sitting up nights waiting for coast-to-coast runners to dash through. Yes, they are. i}S * H< Not Real Hootch Saw a picture the other night ("The Escape") in which a bootlegger drank his own stuff. But then it was only a picture. * * H< Famous Last Words "Yes, Mr. Exhibitors, you can pick any film you want." ^ ^ ^ _ Turn on the radio, Meadows, I want to listen to ex-Senator Blah broadcast his twohour speech tonight. — R. M. Black to Open Theatre ( special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HILLSIDE, N. J., March 13.— Harry Black, manager of the Park theatre in Cadtvell, N. J., has resigned, and affiliated himself with Fred Falkner's interests. He will open and manage the Mayfair in Hillside, N. J. Marcus Passes Cigars FLORENCE, S. C, March 13.— A baby boy, born to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Marcus, answers to the name of Jack, Jr., and is permitting his dad to pass the cigars. Looked Like Same Old Stuff— But It Wasn't (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) NEILLSVILLE, WIS., March 13. —Billy Tragsdorf, son oi William E. Tragsdorf, local exhibitor, in January entered a contest conducted by the Fan Magazine. Recently he got a letter — that is, his dad got it for him. Only his dad didn't even notice that the letter was addressed to the son. The names are so much alike. Now, the elder William receives a lot of mail from motion picture people. A letter from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the company which was giving the prize, meant only some nice words about that producer's pictures or something like that, so the elder William was about to put it where he says he puts most of those letters — in the waste basket. Then, somehow, he noticed that this envelope looked a little different from the others. He opened it. There was $50 and a letter to his son. Out of all the thousands in the contest, Billy's contribution was deemed the best. A, M, P, A, Promise All Kinds of Fun at Annual Banquet on March 31st (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) NEW YORK, March 13.— Thrills, fun, music and all sorts of stunts are being promised by the A. M. P. A. for its annual banquet to be held at the Astor hotel on March 31. One of the main features will be the absence of all speeches. The affair is being billed under the name of "The Naked Truth." Gotham Buys 4 Stories For 1928-29 Production ( special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) NEW YORK, March 13.— Sam Sa.x, president of Gotham, has purchased four stories to be filmed for the 1928-29 program. They are "The Bowery," an underworld drama; "Law of the Blue Ridge," tale of a mountaineer who had to live down the reputation of cowardice; "The Flying Kestrel," by Captain Dingle; and "The Racing Fool," by Gerald Beaumont.