Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1915)

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September 18, 1915. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 41 OHIO PUBLIC INCENSED AT CENSORS Patrons of Motion Pictures Express Wholesome Contempt of the Unreasonable Actions of the Board — Undercurrent of Sentiment Among Screen Fans to the Effect That New Members Would Solve the Situation — Exhibitors Plan to Hold State Convention for Purpose of Fighting Censor Law Special to Motion Picture News Geveland, September 8. WHILE the Ohio Board of Censorship has scored a temporary victory over the motion picture exhibitors of Ohio, war still continues against the censors. In defiance of the board, Sam Bullock, one of the pioneers in the censorship fight, continues to exhibit pictures of the picnic of the West End Business Club at the Boulevard theatre, West Ninety-ninth street and Lorain avenue. They are in the original form. The Ohio censors ordered Mr. Bullock to cut out an extract from an address made by Fred. J. Herrington, president of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, reading : "'Censorship was conceived in iniquity, born in sin and is dying in disgrace." "Cleveland police know of the order of the censors and that I am running the film in its original form, but they have declined to arrest me," Mr. Bullock told members of the Cleveland Local of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, in a meeting held in the Moose Club. The Cleveland police never have agreed with the views of the Ohio censors. They were astonished, after seeing the private exhibition of "The Devil's Daughter," to learn that the state censors had chopped it. All policemen who saw the picture voted that there were no objectionable features in the film. The Cleveland police have used such good judgment in criticizing films that the local exhibitors would prefer to have them pass judgment on films, rather than trust them to the state censors. Bullock Defies Censor Chief Mr. Bullock has addressed this letter to Charles G. Williams, chairman of the Ohio Board of Censorship, on the order to cut out Mr. Herrington's statement : "I question your authority to issue this said order. I shall continue to exhibit the picture at the Boulevard theatre and await your further pleasure in the matter." "We have been bamboozled for two years. The big film exchange cannot make such a stand for fear of getting future films mutilated, but now we have called their bluff, the censors are afraid to take the matter into the courts," Mr. Bullock declared to his fellow exhibitors. "I want to be arrested so that we can fight the matter out in the courts and clear the atmosphere." The state board did not reply to Mr. Bullock's letter, but tried to drag Mayor Baker into the controversy, asking him to order the arrest of Mr. Bullock. Mayor Baker refused to take action, saying : "Free speech is the right of every American citizen. I think that the exhibitor was entirely within his constitutional rights. This censorship was intended to eliminate scenes that would be dangerous to public morals. The censors have no authority to bar criticisms of the law." As soon as Mr. Bullock learned that the censors had written to Mayor Baker, asking him to order the police to take action, he wired Mr. Williams : "Why drag Mayor Baker into this affair^ I am anxious for a court test. The dignity of your board is at stake. I am waiting for you to act.'' So far no reply has been made tc either the letter or the telegram sent by Mr Bullock. Likewise, the Cleveland police have not put Mr. Bullock in durance vile for defying the censors. Vigorous applause always follows the display of Mr. Herrington's remarks on the screen. Sawyer Questions Authority of Censors President Ben. J. Sawyer, of the Cleveland local, says that it is a nice point whether under the existing law the censors have the right to cut films. "My reading of the statute is that they must either approve or reject the whole film. The censors see the handwriting on the wall," remarked Mr. Sawyer. The Ohio censors have not replied to the letter of Mr. Sawyer, in which he told them that their published statements that the National Board of Censorship and the exchange men started the referendum petitions was a misstatement. They have not replied to the question of their veracity on the statement that the film manufacturers were spending money in the fight. Governor Willis a few weeks ago said that he did not approve of any state department issuing statements that were not correct in every detail, but no retraction of the statements credited to the censors have been seen around Cleveland. There is an undercurrent of sentiment that if the present board was sent back to private life and an 'entirely new board named, there would be . little ground for complaint. Patrons of the motion picture theatres seem to hold the Ohio censors in contempt. They keep close tab on censorship and express opinions that are not' favorable to the present board. Ohio exhibitors will hold a state convention in Cleveland in the near future, and it is expected that censorship will be the principal business tha,t will be discussed. National President Herrington, of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, will be present, as he is evincing great interest in the various phases of the censorship evil. His attitude toward the Ohio board does not need any comment, for he makes vigorous statements regarding the inefficiency of the censorship board as it operates in Ohio. He believes; that it is up to Ohio exhibitors to settle, the censorship question, as other states are looking to this state for a precedent. Cleveland exhibitors have taken an active part in the movement to fight censorship as it operates in Ohio. The object of the meeting is to reorganize the Ohio association and to take a definite stand on censorship. The conclave will last two days and it is expected that 1,000 delegates will be on hand when the roll is called. Ohio exhibitors realize that they will have to take concerted action to save the motion picture theatre business from the handicap under which they have been operating. Paul Alwyn Platz. Film Producers Plan Weekly Program in October Los Angeles Company, Under Guidance of Frank C. Hill, Is Getting Ready to Issue from 6 Studios 12 Brands, Consisting of 1, 2, 3 and 5 Reel Subjects Special to Motion Picture News Los Angeles. Sept. 6. THE first formal announcement of the Film Producers Corporation, incorporated under the laws of Colorado, which authorize a capitalization of $50,000 in common stock and $950,000 in preferred, was made this week in an artistically printed booklet mailed to exchange men and exhibitors throughout the country. The announcement sets forth that a complete program will be released each week, this consisting of one, two, three and five reel subjects, made by six companies, and consisting of twelve brands as follows : Masterpiece Film Company, Masterpiece dramas and Pickwick comedies ; Crown City Film Manufacturing Company, Crown and Crescent dramas ; America-Europa Film Company, Ameropa and Eurica dramas ; Eclat Film Manufacturing Company, Elite three-reel dramas and Eclat one-reel dramas ; Superior Film Corporation, Mirth comedies and Superior dramas, both one-reel ; and the Albuquerque Film Manufacturing Company, Luna and Cactus one-reel comedies. The five-reel subject will be known as Producers' Star Feature and these will be produced by five feature companies of the first five named companies. The complete official family of this new releasing company is announced as follows : Frank C. Hill, Los Angeles attorney, president; R. E. E. Nathansohn, vice-president; Harold A. Parker, treasurer; Robert Levy, secretary, and G. J. Smeby, George C. Watson and W. D. Mahoney, directors. While no announcement has been made regarding the first release of this company, it is understood that arrangements are now being made looking to the issuance of the first program about the third week in October. MARLEYS TAKE A VACATION Charles Marley, manager of the Los Angeles Film Exchangemen's board of trade, and Mrs. Marley, are on a vacation.