Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1914)

24 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS The theatre has a seating capacity of six hundred, with four wide aisles, all of which are in cork tile, noiseless and non-slipping. The seating is in upholstered leather, both back and seat, with thirty-two inches between chairs, giving ample space. A Kimball organ and grand piano have been installed. The lighting system is unique, inasmuch as its reflector lights, the Baily-Cove, dispense with the hanging basket efifect of the ordinary indirect lighting system. A Superior screen and two Simplex motordriven machines are in use. The theatre is a model of architectural elegance, and with its interior attractions is an ideal neighborhood house, drawing upon the cream of the best patronage. IVAN FILM DRAWS CROWDS The Grand Theatre, Grand and Chrystie streets. New York, with a 2,000 seating capacity, opened for the season as a high-class photoplay house, on Friday evening, August 38, with the "Sins of the Parents," for a ten days' engagement, featuring Mme. Sarah Adler with a star cast. For this occasion the entire house was decorated. A special box was prepared in hoiior of Mme. Sarah Adler, who witnessed the first performance, and saw herself in the role of Laura Henderson. The "Sins of the Parents" is the record breaker in the history of the Grand Theatre. On Sunday from 1 p. m. to 11 p. m., the management announced that they handled 11,240 people that paid admission. The film was made by Ivan Film Productions, Inc. BIG CHANCE FOR REAL WAR FILMS Special to The Motion Picture News Milwaukee, Sept. 3. There is a big chance for some one to make considerable money in Milwaukee with a picture of the German Army either mobilizing or on the way to the front. This picture, however, would have to be the genuine article, and could rot be faked as there is a very big German population here, hungry for something from the Vaterland. They would resent anything not the real article, and would be quick to discover a fake as many of them are former German officers. Just such a picture is being widely sought at present by local exhibitors, and the man that has one will have little trouble in placing it. The interest the Germans are taking in the war is intense and as the local papers, despite protests from the various German societies and individuals, have been unable to give them much German news a picture of this nature would be sure to "pack them" for a number of weeks. Kansas City Censors Issue Film Report Censorship Division Passed on 539,000 Feet Between October 1, 1913, and September 1, 1914 — Rejected Thirty-two Entire Reels Special to The Motion Picture News Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 1. A REPORT has just been made public by the censorship division of the board of public welfare here showing that 539,000 feet of films were reviewed between the dates October 1, 1913, and September 1, 1914. Of that amount, thirty-two entire reels were rejected and 31,455 feet were ordered cut out. Of those totally rejected all were three-reel subjects, with the exception of one two-reel and one six-reel drama. The censorship division is now working under a recently enacted ordinance by which the censor and a board of appeals — none of the members of which are exhibitors — are given absolute power. No films passed entirely by the national board are viewed by the local censor unless a complaint is lodged. However, films in which cut-outs were ordered by that board or films that were not presented before it must be viewed by the local workers. No films passed by the national body have been rejected here. The members of the appeal board serve without pay and are three in number. The chairman is Judge H. C. McDougal, former city counselor; Battle McArdle, an attorney, and Trigg A. Long, an insurance man. They are given the power to revoke a theatre's licence in case the censor's orders are violated several times. Film Firm At Odds With Chicago Censors "Chimney Sweeps," Picture Playhouse Feature, Disapproved by Them, Though National Board and Other Censors Passed It The Picture Playhouse Company have declined to make these changes, claiming that it will literally cut the "meat" from the film, but the censors contend that in its present state it is not suitable to show, for they claim the moral effect will prove bad, especially upon the minds of the younger class of the motion picture goers. However, the company propose to bide their time and then demand a special permit, to be allowed to show the picture to all those over twentyone years of age. Only those titles pertaining to the illegitimacy of the child are the ones over which there is a dispute. THE Chimney Sweeps," a Pasquali feature, controlled by the Picture Playhouse Film Company in this country, has struck a snag in the Chicago Municipal Censorship Board, after having passed the National Board and various other state boards, including Pennsylvania, favorably. As the entire production is based on the illegitimacy of a child, the Chicago board claims that it is not suitable to be seen by the public of that city, and they have declined to deliver a permit to the Picture Playhouse Company unless nine of the subtitles are obliterated which, however, will alter the entire plot of the production. Pictures and Opera Put On at the Academy One of New York's Oldest Theatres, Now a William Fox House, Under the Management of F. M. McClintic, Extensively Remodeled THE latest addition to the fastgrowing class of motion picture houses which run the highly popular combination of feature pictures and extracts from operas, is the Academy of Music, at Fourteenth street and Irving place. New York City, which opened Monday, August 31, with that variety of entertainment. Under the able direction of Mr. McClintic, the manager, the theatre has been extensively altered to suit the requirements of a motion picture house. It seats approximately 3,700. A twenty-piece orchestra, led by George F. Briegel, and a Moeller pipe organ, played by H. Leslie Goss, will furnish the music for the house. Two Simplex machines have been installed. The program of the first week featured the De Luxe six-reel picture, "Sealed Orders," and was followed by two comedies and two operatic recitals by the National Grand Opera Company. William Fox is the financier of the proposition and F. M. McClintic the manager of the house, which is equipped with all the latest motion picture theatre accessories. The lighting effects of the stage are very ingeniously devised. The Academy of Music is one of New York's oldest theatres, having been opened over half a century ago, Its entrance into the circle of motion picture theatres is only another sign of the rapid growth of this industry.