The Film Daily (1918)

7i?BfeADSTREET of FILMDOM w'a , 7&&ICOCNIZED Vol. VI, No. 51 Wednesday, November 27, 1918 Price 5 Cents Selecting Committees Companies Urged To Send Names to Natl. Association Now that the war is over the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry is preparing to resume its regular work which has been held more or less in abeyance ,r'ng the war while the activities of the organization were concentrated on the work of the industry and the government. With this end in view Frederick H. Elliott, the executive secretary has sent the following notice to the executive heads of the companies constituting the association: "You are requested to file with us as soon as possible the names of the representatives of your company who are to serve upon the following committees for the ensuing year: Fire Prevention and Insurance Committee, Transportation Committee, and Legal and Legislative Committee. "Upon receipt of advices as to your nominations the appointments will be promptly made by President Wm. A. Brady. Your early compliance will be appreciated." Replies to this notice enclosing the nominations are coming in rapidly but there are a few of the companies that have not yet sent in their replies. As soon as these are received President Brady will decide on the personnel of these three important committees. The main problem, however, that of obtaining sufficient shipping cases in conformity with the revised regulations of the Interstate Commerce Committee and yet at a cost that will permit of their substitution for the cases now in use still remains unsolved. It is expected that the legal and legislative committee will have an extremely important part to play in the welfare of the industry during this coming winter. Many activities of benefit o the industry as a whole are being planned and the working out of the pr ictical details will fall upon the CO imittce as soon as it is organized. Chewing Gum Drive CHICAGO.— Health Commissioner Robertson has started a chewing gum drive, directed at patrons of moving picture theatres who have a habit of sticking gum under the theatre seats. "Besides being anything but healthy, the habit helps to spread disease," the Commissioner declares. "During our investigation of theatres closed because of the influenza epidemic, an inspector found 3,462 pieces of chewing gum under the seats of one North side house. How many of those pieces were filled with pneumonia, influenza and other communicable diseases no one can tell, but it is certain that not a few of them helped to continue the epidemic." Colleen Moore has been chosen to support Charles Ray in his next Thomas H. Ince picture. She will be remembered by many as being featured recently in a picturization of James Whitcomb Riley's poem, "A Hoosier Romance." In Star Series Goldwyn Secures Six Louis Bennison Productions Announcement is made by Goldwyn of a series of six Louis Bennison productions annually to be released under the Star Series, beginning in December. Already three Bennison pictures are completed and the first of these is in the hands of the Goldwyn offices in twenty cities for trade showings for exhibitors. "Oh, Johnny" is the production selected for Mr. Bennison's debut. It is a fast-moving romantic. drama of the east and west, written by Wilson Bayley and directed by Ira M. Lowry. No less than four of the big producing companies went after Louis Bennison to persuade him to quit the stage for the screen, and it seems reasonably certain that he will prove to be a popular star. Herbert Blache has finished work on his latest production, "The Man Who Stayed Home." Permit is Denied "Finger of Justice" Cannot Be Shown in Chicagc" CHICAGO.— Acting Chief Alcock has denied "The Finger of Justice" film a permit to be shown in Chicago. In denying the license he said: "This picture depicts vice conditions in San Francisco. There is no reason for it to be shown in Chicago. We have no red light district and no organized vice. This is a clean city and as such requires no lessons of the kind taught in the film." As stated in Wid's Daily recently, the Chicago censorship commission declared unanimously against showing the Rev. Paul Smith's feature film. Second Deputy Frazier, however, had recommended a "pink permit,'' which would allow it to be shown to adults only, "because it teaches a moral lesson." It is said a suit for $50,000 against Alderman Frank J. Link, who is a member of the newly appointed moving picture commission, was threatened by the Rev. Paul Smith of San Francisco, as the result of statements Link is alleged to have made. Al Rosenthal, business manager of the production, who is stopping at the Hotel Morrison, seconded the threat when asked about it. Third Rex Beach Picture A story called "The Brand" has been selected for the third Rex Beach picture in Goldwyn's Star Series soon to be started on the Coast. The two leads in the production are Kay Laurcll and Russell Simpson, who will be recalled for his work in "The Barrier." No Issue Tomorrow Owing to the jegal holiday, tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Wid's Daily will not be issued. On Virginia Circuit A contract has been entered between the Paul Smith Pictures Company, producers of "The Finger of Justice." and the First National Exhibitors' Circuit of Virginia, whereby the latter company procured the rights to that production in the territory of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The production is being exploited as a road attraction. Marguerite Clark and Elsie Ferguson have both been compelled to stop work on their respective pictures. "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" and "For Sale," owing to severe colds.