Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1916)

October 7, 1916 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 2209 I Film News From Foreign Parts Battle of the Somme " Creates Stir in England Sl'ccial to Motion Picture News. London, Sept. 15. <i¥F the exhibition of this film all over _! the world does not end war, God help civilization." This is how Lloyd George, Secretary of State for War, expressed himself on the official five-reel film visualizing " The Battle of the Somme." Without a doubt, this is the most startling war film yet produced, and it has been exhibited to crowded audiences in all parts of the country. On the first day of exhibition hundreds of people were turned away disappointed, from the picture houses. In Liverpool, for instance, the film was shown at the four most important cinemas, all situated within a hundred yards' radius (one building having the largest seating capacity of any in the city), simultaneously from two o'clock in the afternoon until eleven o'clock, and till late in the evening there was constantly a long queue waiting to gain admission. " The Battle of the Somme " film is certainly a production that heralds the dawn of a new era, so far as historical records are concerned, and in the future posterity may not have to depend so much upon the veracity of historians as upon cinematograph film for panoramic records of events that indicate the milestones of progress. Cabinet Faces Camera When It was first announced that the British Cabinet ministers intended to face the camera for a cinematograph film, certain sections of the lay press, awe-stricken at such an unseemly and undignified condescension on the part of the Cabinet posing for the movies, heaped scorn and ridicule on the proposal till, on the eve of the filming operations, it was decided to abandon the project. The idea was to take a film record of the Cabinet " deliberating " in the Council Chamber and to exhibit the film with a view of raising some thousands of pounds for a charitable object. However, although the official film is off, Cecil Hepworth, of Hepworth Cinematograph Company, has succeeded in obtaining a series of three films, each of 1,000 feet in length, to be released for the open market in consecutive weeks from the 11th inst. The title is " Cinema Interviews," and in each film twelve of the most eminent men of the period are to be seen face to face, each of whom makes a statement through the medium of the screen to the people or nation. Twentyfive per cent, of the profits drawn from the handling of these subjects will be handed to the Sportsmen's Ambulance Fund. Besides Cabinet ministers, the films depict leading public men of the country. There has been a decrease in the value of films imported into Great Britain during the month of July, which is the latest month for which the returns have been published, by over i60,000 compared with the previous month. While America has exported to Great Britain £77.208, France's exports are £6,623, and other countries £3,308. The American figures for the current year are : January, £75,000 ; February, £42,000; March, £145,000; April, £46,500; May, £139,000 and June £141,500, making an actual total up to the end of July of £661,495. Compared with July last year, there has been a decrease of £47,000 in U. S. A. films sent to the United Kingdom. France's film exports to Great Britain for seven months have been valued at £55,500, and other countries nearly £40,000. British exports for the month of July have been the largest this year, the value being estimated at £13,500, a figure only equaled in November of last year. Under the auspices of the Treasury Department of the Customs Department, bonded film stores are to be opened in London. It is understood that under this new arrangement agents will be enabled to view the films consigned to them in this country, before paying the import duty. The great advantage of this system is that if the negatives do not come up to requisite standard, the film need not be cleared, which of course means that the import duty is not paid. Official Censorship Proposals A draft scheme has been submitted by the Home Office and is now under consideration by the film and cinema industry of Great Britain for the establishment of a central and definite censorship under Home Office control. The model conditions which it is suggested should govern the new issues of cinematograph licenses provide (1) that no film be shown which is likely to be injurious to morality or to encourage or to incite crime, or lead to disorder, or in any way offensive in the circumstances to public feeling, or which contains any offensive representation as to the living persons. If the licensing authority objects to the film on any of these grounds, it shall not be shown. (2) No film which has not been passed by the official censors to be shown unless three clear days' notice has been given to the licensing authority. (3) Film must be exhibited to public exactly as passed by censors or licensing authority, unless consent for additions or alterations has been previously obtained. (4) Applies the wording of paragraph 1 to that " No poster, advertisement, sketch, synopsis or program of a film shall be displayed, sold or supplied either inside or outside theatre which is likely to be injurious," etc. The Secretary of State contemplates the appointment of Chief Censor and assistant censors, and at least one of them should be a woman. None of the censors should be considered with the trade. It is proposed that the expenses of the Board shall be met by charging the manufacturers a fee in respect of each film examined. It has been suggested that a strong Advisory Committee be appointed, including representatives of the local authorities (including the educational authorities), well-known members of the general public and authors of standing, not connected with the cinemas. The Secretary of State hopes that that official censorship may come into operation on January 1, 1917. British Films The leading British films of the last few days have been " The Princess of Happy Chance," London Film, based on Tom Gallon's novel on the experiments of a princess who exchanges positions with one of the "lower strata." The sequel provides a virile plot. " Lead Kindly Light," Surrey Film, fourreel drama of a girl's selfishness and its consequences. " The Man Without a Soul," London Film, 7,000 feet, drama, with remarkable power of appeal, strong plot and excellent production; showing the adventures of a vicar's son who combats agnosticism. " Odd Charges," London Film Company, two-reel comedy by W. W. Jacobs, giving a glimpse into old country life. " The Girl Who Wrecked His Home," British Empire Film. " Tatterley," Lucoque Film, from Tom Gallon's novel. A convincing human story with beautiful photographic effects. " Her Greatest Performance," Ideal Film, featuring Ellen Terry. This beautiful six-reel drama will rank among the best films of the year. The story is charmingly developed, allowing full scope for the gifted artists. Of the spectacular scenes the views of brightly dressed children indulging in May-day revels and festivities stand out pre-eminent. The plot has a strong human side and the title of the story is the most apt description one can .give to Miss Terry's histrionic attainments. Lucoque, Ltd., intend producing a sixteen-part serial entitled " Fu Manchu," by Sax Rohmer, to be followed by "King Solomon's V/ives." At present the firm is engaged on a two-reel fairy story entitled (Continued on page 2211)