Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1540 Motion Picture News Peter Brady Condemns Censorship Allied Printing Trades Council Sends Broadside to M.P.T.O. of N. Y. Members PETEB J. BRADY, president of the Allied Printing Trades Council of New York State, has sent a broadside to the members of the M. P. T. 0. of New York on the subject of the legislative hearing on the Walker-O'Connor bill to abolish motion picture State censorship held at Albany on March 6. The broadside is being given editorial attention in this week's issue and in addition we are appending herewith the concluding sentences of Mr. Brady's appeal as of particular interest to every exhibitor: " At the hearings and with letters and interviews the labor organizations of this State are doing all they can to have the law repealed, but your co-operation and active assistance is needed, so you are urgedto get busy immediately and keep at it from now on until your legislative representatives vote to abolish the commission. " Don't overlook a visit to the County Chairmen or other statesmen of influence in your district. In fact, let no person -who may in any way help to repeal this law escape an interview*; they were all anxious for your personal aid and the assistance of your screen during the campaign, and now is their time for reciprocity. " Concentrate on the Republicans, both members of the Legislature and county leaders, but do not overlook the Democrats. " The motion picture film is a publication and subject to the law of libel. It publishes drama, literature, scientific, religious, political, economic, and other ideas, sentiments and opinions. Any attempt to abridge or restrain such publication in any degree is a violation of our constitutional rights. If it becomes an indecent publication it can be suppressed by proper statute. The license of the exhibition place can be revoked, the place closed, and all connected with the indecent publication prosecuted— but the publication must take place before the law is invoked. " Remind them that Article 8, Section 1, of the Constitution of the State of New York, contains the following provision: " ' Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press.' "It further says that in a prosecution for libel based on abuse of this right : " ' If it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous is true and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends the party shall be acquitted.' " That is the basis of our liberty and under that provision the jury, not the court or judge, shall have the right to determine the law and the facts. " Organized labor of this State condemns the motion picture censorship law. That law clothes two individuals with the power to approve or disapprove and thus publish or suppress, in whole or in part, any motion picture film and to delegate that tyrannical power to any subordinate. " We are in this fight to secure for the people all of their constitutional rights, and ask you to join with us as a duty you owe to your patrons and to your fellow citizens. Therefore interview and write to your legislative representatives and all other men of influence in your city so that we may be free from this -vicious, tyrannical and offensive legislation." Governor Bans Bootleggers in Penn. Pictures GOVERNOR PINCHOT, of Pennsylvania, has served notice on Harry Knapp, chairman of the Pennsylvania Board of Motion Picture censors, that the censors must eliminate from pictures all references throwing light on the successful methods of bootleggers and also that they must rule out all slurs or ridicule directed at Prohibition enforcement authorities. Governor Pinchot's action in this respect was in line with his expressed determination to enforce strictly the federal and state prohibition laws in Pennsylvania. First National Club to Hold Annual Dinner Dance With a bevy of First National stars as the guests of honor, the First National Club annual dance will be held at the Hotel Commodore Wednesday. April 4th. Richard Barthelmess and Dorothy Gish have promised to be present, also Dorothy MacKaill, Mary Astor and a score more screen celebrities. The committee in charge has received acceptances from practically all of the prominent players located in the East. Robert Lieber, president of Associated First National, will attend, as will other executives of the home office. The dance will mark the first anniversary of the formation of the club, and is receiving the enthusiastic support of all First National employees. William P. Kroll's Souciant Syncopators will furnish the music. The committees are — Entertainment: C. R. Waxman, Margaret Hughes, Mildred Kroll; publicity: Abbott Oberndorfer, W. Pierresport, B. Krewer, L. Bilson. Requests for tickets, which cost $1.50 per person, should be addressed to Mr. Waxman or Mr. Oberndorfer at the First National offices. Sunday Closing Issue in Colorado Elections Spring elections in many of the cities and towns of Colorado which now have Sunday closing ordinances will be featured by efforts of the liberal element of the citizenry to remove the ban, so they may enjoy motion pic t tires, baseball and other forms of amusement on the Sabbath. The first battle on this issue will come on April 3 at Greeley, third largest city in Colorado, where, for the first time in six years, two tickets have been put in the field for the municipal election. Charles D. Todd, the present Mayor and advocate of Sunda\ closing, wants to keep the lid on. Walter S. Hayden. candidate of the liberal element, would like to see the ban removed. Motion picture interests throughout the State are eagerly awaiting the result of the election, because of a feeling that if the ban is removed in Greeley it would encourage res;dents of many smaller communities to follow suit. Late News Notes from the West Coast by Wire BOSTON capitalists have purchased the Chester Studio on Gower street from William Horsley and have appointed Ben Verschleiser general manager of productions and made contracts with Elliott Dexter and Bryant Washburn, each to appear in five productions. This organization is making the Joe Rock comedies and will make a series with Monte Banks. Jerome Storm, for three years a Fox director, has been signed by Famous Players. The Wampas announce their second annual frolic and ball to be given April 21st at the new Warner Brothers 300 foot stage, with Harry Wilson as director general. William Farnum has completed his contract with Fox and is considering of fers from other companies. P. A. Powers was host to two hundred guests at a St. Patrick's Day dinner dance at the Beverly Hills hotel. E. G. Patterson, sales manager of Standard Film Laboratories, is making a tour of the country. Kansas Exhibitors Plan for Convention President R. G. Liggett of the M. P. T. O. Kansas has announced the tentative date and place of the semi-annual Kansas exhibitor convention April 9 and 10 at Wichita, Kan. For several years the Kansas organization has looked forward to the attendance of officers of the national organization at Kansas gatherings, but apparently the convention next month will be the first time that Sydney Cohen, and associates will attend in the Sunflower state. A letter received Wednesdav bv R. G. Liggett, president of the M. P. T. O*. KJ from Mr. Cohen, assured Kansas exhibitors, of the presence of Mr. Cohen and Michael O'Toole, member of the national board of directors in charge of the public service department. William True, president of the Connecticut exhibitors, and William Burford, president of the M. P. T. O. Illinois, also will attend the convention. The uniform contract and the Cohen distribution plan will be among the principal matters for consideration. Mr. Cohen and Mr. O'Toole also will attend the Arkansas and Nebraska conventions, April 3 and 5, respectively. Paramount Settles with F, Wehrenberg for $5,000 Fred Wehrenberg, owner of the Cherokee theatres, St. Louis, has received a check for $5,000 from the Famous Players-Lasky Missouri Corporation in full settlement of his suit against that organization growing out of the deal entered into in 1919 when the Famous Players local theatre organization sought to purchase the Cherokee. Wehrenberg in his suit alleged that Harry Koplar had delivered the Cherokee to the defendants without his consent. His claim represented receipts of the theatre while the defendants were in possession. The case was set for trial in the Circuit Court on February 28, but was discontinued when attorneys stated the matter would be settled out of court.