The Film Daily (1921)

7>fcBftADSTREET of FILMDOM 7/fcREOGHIZED Authority VOL. XV No. 6 Saturday, January 8, 1921 Price 5 Cents Ban Griffith Film Quebec Censor Board Condemns Film — Producer Plans Fight in the Courts D. \Y. Griffith has been advised by his representatives in Montreal that "Way Down East." submitted to the board of censors for the Province of Q«ebec, has been turned down as "not passed," and that they issued a condemnation of his work which prohibits its presentation in that province. The producer, through his general manager, Albert L. Grey, issued the following statement: "The news that the Quebec censors have condemned 'Way Down East' seems on the face of its record in this country so absurd that I scarcely know what to say. In America the story and its treatment in picture form has been so widely praised by minisceis, judges, editors, federal and civic authorities, statesmen, professional men and other good citizens, that I am at a loss to understand the attitude of the Quebec censors. I suppose our only remedy is to take the issue before the courts there and depend upon the spirit of justice which I have always found to prevail in the Dominion of Canada. "The essence of our story which they have singled out for attack is the very part of the productoin which the preachers and moral proponents of the presentation have used as illustrations for their praise. "When you] consider that more than 5,000 ministers of the gospel have seen the production of 'Way Down East' and have written wonderful letters to us dwelling upon its great moral force and the good it is sure to accomplish, it is easy to understand why this attitude of the Quebec officials seems so astounding." Laemmle on Long Trip Carl Laemmle leaves today for Palm Beach, Havana, New Orleans and finally the coast. With him go his daughter Rosabella and Mrs. Anna Fleckles. He will supervise the production of the Eddie Polo serial while in Cuba and will be gone for some time. Newark Bars Crime Films Newark, N. J. — Director of Public Safety has issued instructions to exhibitors that all films in which ciiminals are shown at work are not to be shown in the city. Until now, the police have banned pictures in which the criminals go unpunished 3nd posters depicting acts of violence. On the eve of her marriage to a man she knows she never could love, Nance Abbott's thoughts go back to another man, the mate of her soul, whom she has left to die on a flimsy raft at sea that she may claim the riches her wealthy fiance can give her. A scene from Thomas H. Ince's tremendous melodrama, "Lying Lips," his second Associated Producers' production, featuring House Peters and Florence Vidor. Mr. Ince in person directed the big scenes in the picture. — Advt. Strike on Coast? Operators Make New Demands — 130 Theaters Plan to Resist Action of Union (Special to WID'S DAILY) Los Angeles — A strike of operators at all local theaters looms up as a serious possibility because of the demands made by the union for shorter hours and increased wages and the determination of the theater owners to resist these demands. The union is asking for a sevenhour day and a six day week as well as*^a wage increase of $14 a week. One hundred and thirty local theaters plan to resist the demands of the union. An offer of a $5 increase has been made and rejected by the union which insists upon the original demands. Licenses Issued But Local Firms Will Not Admit They Have Received Them from the German Government It is understood that a number of American exporters have received licenses from the German Government for the shipping to that country of American pictures. For obvious reasons, local film exporters deny that this is true. Several disclaimed any knowledge of the matter, stating that so many rulings have been issued by Berlin that they haven't got them all clear themselves. Another for Wilmer and Vincent (Special to WID'S DAILY) Reading, Pa. — The Capitol theater, at 342 Penn St., has been taken over by Wilmer and Vincent. The theater is now under construction and will seat 3,000. That Merger Rumors Still Persist of Associated Producers and United Artists Tie-up (Special to WID'S DAILY) Los Angeles— The film colony here seems to expect some definite announcement shortly regarding the reported merger of Associated Producers and United Artists. J. Parker Read, Jr., told WID'S DAILY that positively nothing had been done in the matter. The Associated Producers directors, as noted, held a meeting on Thursday night, at which time it is understood the merger came up for discussion. There will be further' meetings shortly. Fight Pictures at the Park The Dempsey-Brennan fight films of their recent encounter for die heavyweight championship of the world which were shown to the public for the first time last Sunday at the George Cohen Theater, will be exhibited tomorrow at the Park. Unable to secure a theater to house the attraction the producers are contenting themselves with these Sunday showings. The performance at the Park will commence at 1 o'clock, and will continue until 11 o'clock for one day only. It is understood that the net receipts for last Sunday where $2,685 at $1.65 top. Dempsey Plans a Test Case (Specia. to WID'S DAILY) Chicago — Jack Dempsey plans a test case of the constitutionality of the Federal law regarding the sniping of fight pictures from state To state. His attorney, Ray Cannon, 6t Milwaukee plans to take the DempseyBrennan films from here to Milwaukee where they will be exhibited. Second Class Starts Jan. 17 The second class of the Famous Playcrs-Lasky Corp.'s training school for salesmen will open at the home office on Jan. 17. Fred F. Creswell. who conducted the first class, will ' again be in charge, and the sessions \ of the class will run through a period of four weeks as before. Thirtvfour selected men have been notified to be in attendance at the opening session. Sherwin Leaves Goldwyn Los Angeles— Louis Sherfin, former New York dramatic critic, who has been connected with the Goldwyn studios, has resigned.