The Film Daily (1918)

Thursday, September 5, 1918 Published Every Day in the Tear at 71-73 West 44th St.. New York, N. Y. By WID'S FILMS & FILM FOLK, Inc. F. C. ("WID") GUNNING President and Treasurer LYNDE DENIG, Editor Entered at New York Post Office as Secondclass Matter Terms (Postage free) United States, OutBide of Greater New York, $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3 months, $3.00. Foreign, $20.00. Subscribers should remit with order. Address all communications to WID'S DAILY, 71-73 West 44th St., New York, N. Y. Telephone: Vamderbilt 4551—2 Cuts and Flashes There will be a trade showing of Ivan Abramson's "Ashes of Love," made for the Graphic Film Corp., at the New York theatre roof next Tuesday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock. Carle E. Carleton, managing director of the En L'Air Cinema, Ltd., announces that the company has bought from the publishers rights to "En L'Air," upon which their new picture is based. The first of a series of "pictures with a purpose" to be produced by Lloyd Carleton Productions, Los Angeles, is a six-reel drama entitled "Mother I Need You," featuring Enid Markey, Edward Coxen and a cast of well-known players. Carl Laemmle, of Universal, has just received from J. L. Meyberg, personal representative of the War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities a letter expressing the highest appreciation of the service Mr. Laemmle has rendered in obtaining Smileage for men in Uncle Sam's service. He recently sent out strong appeals to all Universal exchanges enlisting their co-operation in getting contributions to this fund from the exhibitors. "Autoless" Sunday Helps CHICAGO.— Moving picture theatres throughout the city report a marked increase in attendance at the Sunday matinee and evening performances, due to the first "autoless" Sunday. Many houses on the west and north side of the city had holdout crowds with no unusual features billed, something that has not been known since the opening of several theatres. Glenn Harper Replies Another Version of Dispute Over Goldwyn Branch Manager Glenn Harper, secretary of the Theatre Owners' Association, Inc., of Los Angeles who has represented that organization in the dispute over the removal of Goldwyn s Los Angeles branch manager, requests the publication of the following letter "in justice to the exhibitors of Southern California": August 28, 1918. Editor, Wid's, New York City. Dear Sir: An article, which very evidently emanated from the offices of the Goldwyn Distributing Corporation, appeared in various trades papers of Aug. 17th issue, in which it was stated that twelve Los Angeles exchange managers had congratulated Goldwyn for their stand in refusing to grant the request made by the Theatre Owners' Association to remove their local branch manager. It is quite clear that the Goldwyn Distributing Corporation has endeavored to center our attack on the action of one local exhibitor, whereas the facts are entirely different. This association, which represents 90 per cent, of the exhibitors of southern California, upon receiving a complaint, investigates it fully before taking any action. Arbitration of this particular case was denied by Goldwyn, and the matter temporarily dropped. However, several complaints followed immediately from other exhibitors, and after arbitration on these was also denied,, the aforementioned request was made. The combative and arbitrary spirit with which Goldwyn met this request is plainly shown in the article published. In conclusion, I might state that even the most casual reader, the motive prompting the signatures of these twelve exchange managers to the above mentioned article, is quite apparent, although we have not found it necessary so far to repeat this action with other branch managers. Yours very trulv, Glenn harper, Secretary. Names Railroad Picture David Horsley has selected a name for his feature picture which is to advocate the continuance of Government ownership of railroads after the war. The title of the production is "For the Period of the War," and is taken from' a title ot the agreement which the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen have with the Government under which they will not go on strike for any reason while the war is in progress. Cohen Denies Report Says Exhibitors Have not Pledged Support to Smith The story published in one of the morning papers yesterday to the effect that various branches of the theatrical and motion picture professions and industries would meet to organize the Alfred E. Smith Theatrical League was denied yesterday by Sydney S. Cohen, president of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of the State of New York. Mr. Cohen, who is in New York at present and not attending the convention at Chicago, as was generally thought, sent a letter signed by himself, Sam Berman, secretary, and Charles L. O'Reilly, chairman of the Law and Legislation Committee to this paper asking that his denial be printed. Mr. Cohen's letter said in part : "From this article, anyone unfamiliar with the situation, would be led to believe that the theatrical and motion picture professions have organized the 'Alfred E. Smith Theatrical League.' As president of the M. P. E. L. of N. Y., I wish to deny this statement, as no arrangement has been effected in any way. "Our organization is keeping in very close touch with the political developments throughout the State and proposes to issue a call shortly for a state-wide conference to discuss the situation in all its phases." Wanamaker to Have Studio John Wanamaker is to have a motion picture studio in New York. He has had plans filed for the conversion of a three-story stable at the northwest corner of Park avenue and 175th street into a studio, Thomas W. Lamb, architect, estimates the cost of the alterations at $40,000. Metro has finished its last Liberty Loan picture, making five in all, starring Mme. Nazimova, Ethel Barrymore, Edith Storey, Emily Stevens and Harold Lockwood. Censorship Regulations _ The following additional instructions have been issued to exporters by Collector of Customs Byron R. Newton governing censorship of films by the department: 1. Where a negative is to be censored for export, a positive print must accompany same, so that the censor may have a proper opportunity to censor the picture. 2. A representative from the shipper should be present to assist in the repacking, so as to verify shipment, and be sure that the contents of the case are correct. 3. When positive prints containing flash titles are to be censored, a copy of the title sheet must accompany same. 4. A shipping list showing the contents of each case shall be packed inside the case, so that the censor may verify the contents. 5. Each reel must be separately packed in a tin or any fireproof container. Cresson E. Smith is representing Metro at the Chicago convention. He is district manager for the central states.