The Moving picture world (September 1921)

September 24, 1921 It THE following statement on the Arbuckle case has been made by the Committee on Public Welfare, Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America : "While the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America is cognizant of the charges made against Roscoe Arbuckle, yet the apparent reflection which seems to be cast upon the entire motion picture industry because of these charges demands that this organization at this time and in terms as emphatic as it is capable of, declare that it has lost none of the sublime confidence it has always manifested in the laws of our government and the integrity of its various prosecuting officers. "This organization knows that Roscoe Arbuckle will be prosecuted, as he should be, by the same methods and under the same laws that the humblest citizen in California would be dealt with, and if a jury of his peers, decides that he is guilty of the crime as charged, not only will this organization refuse to sympathize with him but will ring loudest in its condemnation. "However, we believe that it is not for us to pass judgment on him, nor any other in similar circumstances, but to withhold our judgment until the jury shall return a verdict, and to be guided by that alone. "Exact Analogies." "However, we keenly resent the indictment hastily and unthinkingly made against the entire motion picture industry because of this most unfortunate occur MOVING PICTURE WORLD rence. Not so long since, when a minister of the gospel was charged with a heinous crime, no one ever thought, and very properly so, that it cast a reflection upon all those distinguished gentlemen of the cloth, nor yet when one of America's foremost bankers played an important part in a sensational domestic controversy did the public look with suspicion upon the entire banking interests. And so we might recount instances in every profession and every industry known to the civilized world and find exact analogies. "Our motion picture theatre owners are modest, industrious family men of the highest type of citizenship in this country, which is evidenced even in the smallest hamlet by the respect in which they are held. The industry at large is made up of the best executive minds, the greatest artists and the best mechanics, and it is high time they were accorded that same fairness and justice that is so freely given to men in every other walk of life. Against Reissue Showing Victim "This organization respectfully submits that of the hundreds of thousands of men and women earning a livelihood in the motion picture industry, there has been but a mere handful who do not enjoy an enviable reputation for industry, citizenship and morality. "This organization, formed for the protection of the motion picture going public, has never swerved from its original intention and is determined to remain steadfast as long as its exists. We will never, in so far as we can. prevent it, permit any one to capitalize crime or 395 indecency, nor to use our screens for the purpose of morbid notoriety. Upon this, we assure the public, they can absolutely depend. "While various state and local associations have already declared that they will not show Roscoe Arbuckle pictures until he shall have purged himself of this charge, no more so shall we tolerate the showing on our screens of any picture of the unfortunate Virginia Rappe. We make this observation because our notice has been called to the fact that a certain distributing company has decided to reissue an old comedy picture showing Miss Rappe, who appears in a very minor and inconspicuous part, and we want the people to know that they will never turn morbidity into dollars with our assistance." Legion Post Resolution on Death of G. S. Cooke The S. Rankin Drew Post of the American Legion has adopted the following resolution anent the death of George S. Cooke: "Whereas in His infinite wisdom and beyond all understanding the Creator Captain of our destinies has suddenly summoned, to the bivouac of the dead our beloved comrade George S Cooke, this post, made up of men who like this young man served their country in its hour of peril, bow their heads in sorrow at the passing on of this companion. "It is our desire that there be recorded in our post records and preserved in our Legion history the golden memory of this comrade who by his gentle nature, his genuine character and his fine qualities endeared him to all who knew him. That we point to all young men his worthy example of one who, carrying burdens of responsibility, dropped all and went to his colors when the call came, and who when released from service again took up the task in civil life to rebuild and remake — a task that he was performing with great industry and skill when the last summons came. "To his devoted mother and to all thqge of his shadowed household, this post expresses great consolation in their sorrow, with assurance that these men of the Legion join with them now and for all time in keeping alive the memory of a real man who gave to others all that he had in life — a life that he was willing to give to his country. "It is resolved that these resolutions be inscribed in the minutes of the meeting at which they are adopted, that copies be sent to the family of the decedent and to the journals of the motion picture industry, a calling which he adorned." First National Withholds Virginia Rappe Films UNDER date of August 14, Sydney S. Cohen, national president of the M. P. T. O. A., has written Associated First National Pictures, Inc., that he has been informed its exchanges are "extensively exploiting and reissuing films in which Miss Virginia Rappe plays a minor and inconspicuous part." He writes that if this is true, the M. P. T. O. A. will look upon it "with positive disfavor." J. D. Williams, manager of the circuit, replied immediately, expressing great surprise and saying that he has no record of any such bookings made since September 11. He presented a copy of a telegram sent all exchanges, to the effect that no bookings will be countenanced on "The Punch of the Irish," "Wet and Warmer," "Kick in High Life," "Twilight Baby," and "Game Lady," all pictures in which Miss Rappe played. The telegram asks for reports on any instances where exhibitors recently playing any of these pictures may have ignored the posters and press sheets, in which Miss Rappe's name does not appear, and instead used "special matter printed locally and featuring her." Is Not for Us to Pass Judgment on Roscoe Arbuckle, Says M. P. T. O. A.