Moving Picture World (May 1919)

May 3, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 641 name of the Brooklyn League, his thanks and support for his efforts in securing an injunction against the public exhibition of the film. Mr. Cohen added that the State League had also officially condemned the film in a letter to Mr. Gilchrist. The meeting on motion then went on record "condemning salacious films and particularly the film entitled 'Fit to Win'." The motion stated further "that the public health officials be requested to withdraw this picture from public exhibition, and if this cannot be done to withdraw its official sanction therefrom; that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United States authorities at Washington, to the district attorney of the county to Deputy Police Commissioner Mrs. O'Grady and to Comissioner of Licenses Gilchrist, offering to the latter our full and hearty support in his endeavor to prevent this and similar films from being shown on the screen." League Will Carry on Work. A telegram from Mr. Cohen shows that the New York State Exhibitors League is carrying on the work in connection with the interests of the showmen. In addition to its successful fight for Sunday showings the League was able to halt in the Senate the passage of the Slacer censorship bill which had passed the House. The work of the League, according to Mr. Cohen, will now be concentrated on the opening of the remainder of the State where Sunday pictures are banned. to Forbid Commissioner ing with Its Showing who has for the past seen in several stage cific Coast, has joined edy Company forces tured in forthcoming productions. Miss Rob ' work was in comedy. support of Eddie Lyon for a time and then work. few weeks been plays on the Pa the L-Ko Komand will be featwo-reel comedy erts's first screen She was seen in s and Lee Moran took up feature SUE TO KEEP CENSOR OFF "FIT TO WIN" Seek Through Injunction Gilclirist from Interfer A CAMPAIGN to insure the exhibition of the film entitled "Fit to Win," originally produced for the use of the War Department with the approval of the United States Public Health Service for exhibition in the army cantonments in this country and in ' France, has been launched with the support of the army authorities and with the filing of a suit in the United States District Court, to enjoin John F. Gilchrist, Commissioner of the Department of Licenses, New York, from interfering with the exhibition of the film. When the film was exhibited at the Grand Opera House in Brooklyn recently, Commissioner Gilchrist is alleged to have assumed the prerogative of public censor and notified the owners of the leading motion picture theatres in the city that if they showed the film in their playhouses it would be deemed sufficient cause for the revocation of their licenses. Commissioner Must Show Cause. The action of Commissioner Gilchrist is alleged to be illegal and unlawful, and Isaac Silverman, who recently acquired the rights to the film throughout the country, obtained an order from Judge Augustus N. Hand directing Comrfiissioner Gilchrist to show cause why he shall not be enjoined from interfering with the exhibition of the film. The film was produced with the hope and expectation of elevating the morals of the men in the service, and many army oflficials are of the opinion that its exhibition accomplished highly successful results and the film has received the indorsement not only of army officials, but of prominent members of the medical profession and many clergymen. Has Been Found Valuable. "The film 'Fit to Win' in its original form is being used to good advantage in the army," says Meritten Ireland, Surgeon General, "and it is high time that the general public should receive the benefit of its information and clear teachings. I regard motion pictures, next to newspapers, to be the most rapid and effective way of telling the people what needs to be done." Billie Burke Opens Big Loan Drive at Capital WHO'LL take the first bondsi" asked Billie Burke of the crowd of 50,000 that assembled at the steps of the south steps of the Treasury at Washington on noon last Monday to attend the opening ceremonies of the Capital's Victory Liberty Loan drive. Admiral Sims, who commanded the American fleet in European waters during the war, was among those present. People fought to go forward, but the admiral was on the job and reached Miss Burke before anybody else could. "I will," he cried. And he did. Admiral Sims, it will be recalled, was asked when America declared war when he could have the navy ready for action. "It's ready now," he said. And it was. Nobody minded playing second fiddle to the admiral, and for a long time afterward the famous Paramount star was busy selling bonds, helping Washington off to a good start toward its quota of $20,307,000. At the personal request of Frank R. Wilson, in charge of publicity for the Victory Loan, Miss Burke, the Paramount star, agreed to come to Washington to open the drive. She arrived in the Capital Sunday afternoon. Edith Roberts Joins L-Ko Forces. Edith Roberts, who has been featured in Bluebird productions recently and Josie Sedg'wick Now with Universal. Josie Sedgwick, sister of Eileen Sedgwick who will be remembered as Eddie Polo's leading woman in "The Lure of the Circus," has been added to the Universal Western drama forces. Josie Sedgwick, has been seen in numerous Triangle releases. Miss Sedgwick will first be seen in "Hate Everlastin' " opposite Pete Morrison, which will be produced by George Holt. Many War Films Ready for the News Weeklies THE War Department has announced that in the near future there will be available for use in the news weeklies films showing American troops in all the varied phases of training, fighting and occupation, which were made in Europe by officers and men of the Signal Corps of the Army. Representatives of all the companies making news weekly films viewed the first showing of official Signal Corps films last week at the projection room of the International Film Service, in New York. Subsequent showings will be held weekly or oftener. "The war pictures thus made available have never before been shown to the public," declared the War Department in announcing the completion of these films. "The films already in the possession of the War Department and not yet shown in public, are sufficient to furnish all the war scenes which the news weeklies can use for some months to come and additional material is still being received from Europe, including pictures from the Army of Occupation in Germany and from Russia." Frank Currier Marries. Frank Currier, affectionately known as Metro's grand old man because of his long association with Metro in parts of old men, but who is not so old, was married to Miss Mabel Olms, an English dancer. For many years Miss Mabel Olms had made her home in America, and she and Frank Currier were friends. Then Mr. Currier was stricken with a dangerous illness and Miss Olms had him brought to her home, where she nursed him back to health. At that time Frank Currier was the organ grinder in the stage production of "The Poor Little Rich Girl," with Viola Dana, but on his convalescence he came to California. After he became established in motion pictures he sent East for Miss Olms to come to Los Angeles, and when she arrived he persuaded her to marry him. H. M. Gaylord Made Deputy. H. M. Gaylord, former assistant to Deputy Commissioner B. C. Keith, has been appointed deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to succeed Mr Keith, who resigned -April 15. Mr. Gaylord entered the service of the Treasury Department in 1905, coming to this city from Bristol, Conn. He has advanced rapidly, filling in succession a number of important positions and has a very comprehensive knowledge of the revenue laws and the needs of taxpayers. Erects Big Sign on "Salome." A painting thirty feet high, representing a scene in ancient Judea, confronted everybody who went near Gordon's Olympia Theatre, Boston, during the run of the Theda Bara production "Salome." Topping this huge cut-out was another big cut-out showing Miss Bara looking over the city. This was one of many exploitation devices used by N. H. Gordon, owner of Gordon's Olympia, during the two weeks' run of the Bara spectacle.