The Moving picture world (March 1923-April 1923)

March 24, 1923 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 405 The Work of the Censors OHIO exhibitors are finding much to cuss and discuss these days in connection with the State Board of Censors. This august body of picture potentates, sitting on the throne at Columbus, in addition to banning films in their entirety, likewise wields a wicked pruning knife on the few films that get by. According to reports, many of the original films can scarcely be recognized after their operations at the hzuids of the cinema surgeons. F'rinstance, the changes and eliminations in Gloria Swanson's latest picture cover 16 inches of closely-typewritten, single-spaced typewriter paper. Certainly "The Impossible Mrs. Bellew" must be a very respectable lady by the time the Ohio film mentors get through. Here is a sample of the changes: "Cut out subtitle, 'Horace Porter, an attorney, to whom victory is more important than the honor of his profession,' and substitute, 'Horace Porter, an attorney, to whom victory at any cost is a virtue.* " In passing "The Mysterious Eyes of the Ku Klux Klan," the censors say : "This film was rejected in its original form on account of its containing propaganda for the Ku Klux Klan. As reconstructed, and with the additional eliminations ordered, the film contains no propaganda either for or against the Klan." So there you are. Plans Started to Organize New England Theatre Owners A New Talking-Movie Lee De Forest Has Invention Which Photographs Sound Photographing sound was demonstrated to be a practical accomplishment at the Hotel Astor Saturday night, March 14, when Lee De Forest exhibited his invention, the Phono-Film. By this process it is possible for all sound necessary to make motion pictures complete entertainment to be reproduced on the film itself. Human voices and musical accompaniments are recorded. At a demonstration which Dr. De Forest gave ia his studio Tuesday he showed a Spanish dance on the screen in which the orchestral accompaniment seemed to come with uncanny perfection from the screen itself. A piano recital followed in which the movements of the artist's fingers could be seen to correspond minutely with the music. . The taking of these films requires an elaborate machine, but the reproducing needs only a small device attached to the ordinary projection machine. A demonstration for the benefit of the trade press will be held at Dr. De Forest's headquarters, the old Talmadge studios at 318 East 48th street, Monday, at 3 p. m. 1923 Year Book Issued Kinematograph Puts Advantageous Information in Industry's Hands The Kinematograph Year Book for 1923 has just been issued, and contains a wealth of information helpful to all lines of the industry. This is the tenth yearly issue of the Year Book and particular pains have been taken to revise and bring up to date the theatre directory and lists of new films that were trade shown or released during the year. The latter are of real value not only to members of the trade, but also to picturegoers, press contributors and others anxious to learn when any particular subject may be expected at the theatres, the actors appearing in it, the firm by which it is handled, etc. British films are especially indicated. The office of the Year Book is at 85 Long Acre, London, W. C. 2. Police Chiefs Invited Asked to Aid in Making Film to Fight Narcotics Chief of Police Philip T. Smith, of New Haven, Conn., president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, has dispatched letters and telegrams to the members of his organization inviting them to go to Hollywood and assist in the filming of "The Living Dead," Mrs. Wallace Reid's picture on the narcotic evil. The action of Chief Smith, who has prepared monographs on the subject and is recognized as an authority, marks the adoption of the film as the official one of this world-wide association in the fight against drugs. Sig-ns Ethel Shannon B. P. Schulberg has announced the first of a number of contracts he expects to close securing the exclusive services of actresses to be featured in Preferred Pictures released by the Al Lichtman Corporation. He has signed Ethel Shannon. The long term agreement giving Preferred Pictures exclusive control of Miss Shannon's screen work is the third step in the formation of a permanent stock company. Kenneth Harlan and Gaston Glass were Schulberg's first acquisitions. PRELIMINARY plans for the organization of the New England motion picture owners into a compact unit to combat the so-called machinations of the big producer and distributor interests of the country, were perfected Tuesday afternoon, March 13, at the Copley-Plaza Hotel, Boston. This unit, it is indicated, will become a part of the new organization known as the Motion Theatre Owners' Distributing Corporation, the purpose of which was endorsed by the gathering and some of the regional directors were named. Officers and members of the executive committees of the six New England state units of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, together with other theatre owners, in all representing one hundred and twenty New England motion picture theatres, attended the mass meeting. They greeted with enthusiasm National President Sydney S. Cohen of the M. P. T. O. A., and William A. True of Hartford, Conn., president of the Connecticut unit of the latter organization, as well as president of the new theatre owners' distributing association, who were the principal speakers. Jacob Lourie of Boston, president of the Massachusetts' unit of the M. P. T. O. A., presided. A luncheon preceded the meeting. The mass meeting had been called primarily, to discuss the affairs in theatreowner circles which have come into prominence since the Washington convention, particularly as they relate to business methods in vogue in different sections of the country which are believed to imperil the business safety of the independent theatre owner, especially in New England. The plan also was to point out how other independent forces in the industry are prepared for concerted action and to suggest this method as one to be safely followed by the New England theatre owner for his own protection. President Cohen explained at some length the activities of the national organization since the Washington convention, and discussed minutely the conditions that obtain in the industry in different parts of the country. He charged that certain business methods of leading producing and distributing elements are placing in jeopardy the interests of the independent theatre owner. President True explained minutely and explicitly the object of the new disturbing organization of theatre owners, and offered it as a ready-to-hand solution of some of the serious problems now facing the New England independent theatre man. During the discussion on the' producerowned theatre, it was declared that statistics show that such interests represent only about 10 per cent, of the purchasing power of the New England theatres, but that they are so well organized as a minority that they function definitely because of the lack of organization among the individuals who form the remaining 90 per cent, of the theatre purchasing power of the territory. Following the address a rapid-fire series of questions were answered by both Mr. Cohen and Mr. True, and a plan was outlined for the functioning of the independent interests of New England, whereby a definite organization, organized and operated by and for them, will work along definite lines and co-operate with the independent producers and independent distributors throughout the New England zone. Mr. True was invited to head such a new organization, and took the question under advisement. Gets O'Reilly Gift There is a handsome bronze desk set on the desk of Commissioner Gilchrist, head of New York State Tax Commission, occupying nearly one-half of the fourth fioor of the State Capitol. The set was presented to Mr. Gilchrist last Tuesday by Charles L. O'Reilly, head of the Motion Picture Theatre Ovwiers of New York State. Mr. Gilchrist was formerly connected with the Department of Licenses in New York City.