Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1382 M otion Picture News Film as Civic and Moral Force Author, City Councilman and Clergyman Boost Screen as Community Factor MASSACHUSETTS has heard some rather sincere praise of the value of the motion picture within the last few days. Au internationally known author stated that censorship was a far worse evil than any to be found in the films. A city councilman of Springfield advocated motion pictures as the only way to show official Washington the seriousness of New England's coal situation. A Methodist Episcopal clergyman strongly advocates movies as a means of stimulating interest, building up a church and keeping the young people occupied in a clean way. Basil Bang, the author, speaking before a recent meeting of the Fabian Society, stated that as far as censoring motion pictures was concerned, he would rather see a thing go wrong than to have it set right by censorship. He pointed out that the motion picture most appeals to those whose amusements are few, people excluded from many recreations because they could not afford them ; and pointed out that their moral standards and sophistication are far different from those of the class attempting to " reform " the screen. His talk was much on the theme that " evil sees he who evil thinks." He charged that the well-defined slump in the motion picture industry can be traced to the time when agitation for the betterment of the pictures was begun, and that that agitation is fostered by persons whose interest is not primarily in the pictures, but rather in other things and endeavors of more importance to themselves. Touching on the alleged relation of juvenile crime to the motion picture, he declared statistics show that such crime has been on the decrease rather than the increase since the advent of the silver sheet as a factor to be reckoned with in the life of a child. His speech, in fact, was a series of weighty " selling" arguments in fighting censorship. Councilman Denis A. Hogan of Springfield has said that motion pictures should be taken in coal yards and municipal distributing centers throughout New England, the result Censorship Bill Proposed in Colorado TWO bills calculated to make the path of the "movie man" harder are pending in the Colorado General Assembly, but present indications are that neither will get beyond first reading, if that far. One is a censorship bill; the other a measure to enforce the installation of sanitary conveniences in the operatingrooms of motion picture theatres. The censorship bill provides for a board of three "inspectors," each of whom would receive a salary of $3,000 a year; calls for an inspection fee of $2 per reel and otherwise is a close copy of censorship bills proposed in other states. Appointees would be chosen from a list of candidates proposed to the governor by the Colorado Child Welfare bureau. The sanitary measure provides that theatre owners maintain in the operating rooms of their respective houses a toilet with flush tank, and wash basin with running water; except that theatres not adjacent to a sewer system are required to provide a dry closet in lieu of the flush type. combined iu one film and sent to Washington that officials there might see the critical seriousness of the situation. He said in part : " If this were done the officials could see for themselves what conditions are. The motion pictures are an educational institution, and this is one of the times when they could do a great service if the theatre owners who have cameras would get busy and carry the idea to other cities and towns." The Rev. Frank A. Brown, of Leicester, has increased his church membership from two to more than fifty in the last two years, largely through motion pictures, of which he is a strong advocate. He says that the $600 spent for a modern projection outfit has been one of the best investments he has had anything to do with. He gives the motion picture shows at the Sunday and Thursday night services. "Mad Love" Banned in Canada as German Film The Ontario Board of Moving Picture Censors has caused somewhat of a sensation by condemning " Mad Love," starring Pola Negri, on the ground that it is a Germanmade production. The Famous Players Canadian Corporation who, it is reported, imported " Mad Love " into Canada, claimed that the Ontario Board first passed the feature for presentation in Ontario theatres and then rescinded the decision. Major A. S. Hamilton, chairman of the Board at Toronto, declared in explanation that the Board had ordered changes in the picture and then discovered that the feature had been produced in Germany, when it was banned altogether. Since the first of the present year the Ontario Board has rejected no less than six features on the ground that they were made in Germany. It happened that the pictures were banned at the rate of two each month for the first three months of the year. It has been pointed out to the Ontario censors that " The Loves of Pharoah " was passed and that this release has been screened throughout Ontario, although this picture was produced in Germany. In defense, the censor board pointed out that information was supplied to the effect that the subject had been filmed in the United States. Booking Combine Considered in St. Louis Negotiations looking to the formation of a booking arrangement whereby about forty St. Louis motion picture houses would combine in contracting for films have been under way for the past few weeks. Those behind the movement are not yet ready to announce their plans. The principal purpose of the new organization, if the plans are consummated, is to combat the growing influence of chain theatre competition. The independent exhibitors fear that eventually they will be put out of business by the chain theatre competition unless they pool their strength. It is understood the new body would be controlled by a board of directors and that the individual theatres would continue under their present management, merely paying a 5 per cent booking fee to the pool fund. Hard Going for Repeal Proposal in N. Y. Assembly THE proposal to repeal the censorship law in New York State is having some rough sledding. Political lines are being kept uniformly intact on the measure. The Senate Committee on Finance voted to report the bill out by a vote of eleven to two; Senators Lusk and Hewitt, the only two Republicans on the committee, voted against reporting the measure out. On the other hand, the Ways and Means Committee of the Assembly, which has had the measure in hand in the lower house, flatly ignored the proposal, giving evidence that it will die in committee as far as the Assembly is concerned. The Senate is dominated by Democrats while the Assembly committee is in control of the Republicans. Should the repeal proposal fail to pass the legislature now, as seems quite probable, little doubt is expressed by observers that the political complexion of the present censorship commission is due for a change. Kansas £% Theatre Tax Is Killed in Committee The proposed tax bill in the Kansas legislature, which would place a 6 per cent tax upon the shoulders of Kansas exhibitors, died in committee Tuesday, following the hearing of a delegation of nine exhibitors before the assessment and. taxation committee of the house and a joint committee in Topeka, Kans., the state capital. The delegation of exhibitors that appealed before the committee was appointed by R. G. Liggett, president of the M. P. T. O. Kansas. Mr. Liggett acted as chairman of the exhibitors' committee in the hearing before the house committee, while Thomas Brown, of Leavenworth, Kans., was chairman of the committee that appeared before the joint committee. The fact that Kansas exhibitors now are taxed about 15 per cent of their box office receipts and the damaging effect that such a tax measure would have upon theatre owners were outlined to the legislative committee by the exhibitors, and the "axe" immediately was brought down upon the neck of the bill. Spokane Exhibitors and Exchange Men Organize Theatre managers of Spokane, Wash., and film exchange representatives have effected a temporary organization to be known as the Allied Amusement Association. It will become affiliated with the state association, and through it, with the national organization. Dr. H. S. Clemmer of the Clernmer theatre was elected temporary chairman, and C. M. Van Horn, manager of the Pathe exchange, secretary. The following will draft constitution and by-laws and call another meeting, when a permanent organization will be effected : J. W. Allender of the Majestic and Lyric theatres: Charles E. Stilwell of the Casino, Class A and Unique theatres; Maurice Oppenheimer, Hippodrome; Dr. H. C. Lambach, Clemmer; Charles W. York, Auditorium; and Mr. Van Horn. Senate Bill No. 134, which would put a 10 per cent, tax on theatre admissions on top of the federal amusement tax will be fought by the new organization. Ultimately the organization will broaden out to include all engaged in any branch of the amusement business, according to Secretary Van Horn.