Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS LATEST NEWS FROM CHICAGO 33 Plummer with Amusement Supply MR. P. Plummer, who for a number of years conducted the business of the Chicago Projection Company and more recently was connected with the Enterprise Optical Company, is now occupying the position of manager of the Amusement Supply Co., succeeding Mr. Traub who has gone in business for himself. Mr. Plummer has been active in the motion picture supply business for a number of years and is well qualified for the position he now occupies. Eichenlaub and Hood Go East E. J. Eichenlaub and H. H. Hood of the America's Feature Film Company left for New York City last Saturday to close a deal with an Eastern syndicate on the purchase of the Mexican war picture which they issued under the name of Barbarous Mexico. These pictures were taken in the heart of this turbulent country during some of the battles which were fought there and show a few of the actual encounters, besides much of the interesting life in that country. Operators' Ball December 10 The Chicago union of the Motion Picture Machine Operators will give its annual ball on Wednesday, December 10, at the Coliseum. It is expected that this year's affair will outclass anything ever before attempted by this body in Chicago. The arrangement committee has prepared many novel surprises and innovations which it is expected will place this event far above their previous efforts. They are using every available means to give this ball publicity and state that they are already assured a larger attendance than they ever before enjoyed. An invitation has been extended to all the Chicago motion picture manufacturers and the acting companies. It is expected that many of the local photoplayers will be present. In anticipation of this the committee is putting out a card which reads as follows: "Meet your favorite motion picture Actor at the Ball." Electrical effects will be used, throwing different colors over the throngs at intervals. William F. Canavan, third international vice-president of the I. A. T. S. E. and his wife have been invited to attend and lead the grand march. The ball will commence at eight o'clock. The arrangement committee consists of Hal Johnstone, president; Morey Cohen, secretary; E. D. (Jack) Miller, Lee A. Forbes, H. H. Goldberg, Frank Hassett, Will Hassett, Bobby Burns, Bob Connelly, Al Strange and Ed Halliday. Ventilation Injunction Hearing Continued All the testimony of the defendant in the case of the closing of Mr. Whalen's theatre, the Washington, located in Cottage Grove avenue near Forty-third street on account of not complying with the ventilation ordinance, has been taken. Such experts as Mr. Weinshank of Indianapolis, Mr. McCormack of the Armour Institute and Mr. Price, connected with the State Health and Safety Department, testified in favor of Mr. Whalen. The case will be brought up again and the city will present its testimony. In the meantime no action is being taken by the aldermen in connection with modifying the ordinance as they feel that any decision on their part would affect the case one way or the other. Mutual vs. Ohio Censorship Henry S. Toner, attorney for the motion picture interests of Chicago, who are preparing to fight for what they term a more just censorship, gives the following interview on the case which was heard in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, November 28 of the Mutual Film Corporation against the State of Ohio. "Ohio has provided for a board of censors, the function of which is to pass upon the availability, modesty and respectability of motion picture films exhibited in that state. The law provides that before a film can be exhibited it must be passed upon by this board of censors, and a fee of $1.00 for each film or each copy of an original film must be paid into the state treasury. This board of censors was appointed some time in the spring of this year, since which time they passed upon something like 15,000 films. "Some time ago the Mutual Film Corporation, a Virginia corporation, filed a bill in the U. S. court to enjoin the board of censors from performing their statute duties. This bill set forth that the Ohio statute was a violation of the fourteenth amendment of the Federal Constitution, and that THE Precision Machine Co., has greatly increased its factory facilities in its present location at No. 317 East Thirty-fourth street, New York City, by taking over two additional floors and thereby adding about 16,000 square feet floor space to its quarters. it also is a violation of the constitutional provision guaranteeing the right of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The bill also alleged that the act was in violation of the Ohio constitution. The bill further averred that the Ohio statute ran contrary to the Interstate Commerce clause of the Federal Constitution. The hearing on Saturday, November 29 was had before a full bench of federal judges. Circuit Judge Warrington of Cincinnati, arid District Judges Day and Killets sat on it. For the purpose of hearing the argument on motion for a temporary injunction, the Mutual Film Corporation was represented by their general counsel, Mr. Seligsberg, of New York City and by Squire Sanders and Dempsey, one 'of the leading legal firms of Cleveland, Ohio. Arguments were made by Mr. Clark, Mr. Seligsberg and Judge Sanders on behalf of the Mutual Film Corporation, and by Mr. Morgan, assistant to the attorney general of the state of Ohio on behalf of the attorney general. "At the conclusion of the hearing the court entered a restraining order as prayed for in the bill. This order restrained the state board of censorship from in any way interfering with the distribution of the films of the Mutual Film Corporation until final hearing of the case.'' Mr. Toner's purpose of visiting Cleveland to hear the arguments in this case was for informative purposes. Should the Mutual win out in their fight it would affect the censorship of the whole country and at the present time the motion-picture interests of Chicago are preparing to secure what they term more just and sane censorship of the motion picture. Mr. Toner is delving deep into the subject of censorship and has gathered much valuable material and other data which will materially affect the case. What method of procedure will be used or when the first steps will be taken, has not been decided. However, the various interests have already contributed a considerable amount of money. C. J. V. The top floor is utilized for the assembling department and the general offices, where all is light and comfortable. The steady increase in demand for Simplex projectors has made this addition imperative. " Simplex" Enlarges Its Factory