The Moving picture world (January 1925-February 1925)

February 14, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 65 L "Blue Sunday" Legislation Continues Bone of Contention in Many Sections No Indiana Censors Sans friends and mourners, the film censorship bill introduced in the Indiana general assembly was quietly laid to rest in the legislative graveyard on January 30 when without debate or protest the house adopted the report of its committee on public morals for the indefinite postponement of the measure. It had been generally regarded as a meddling and treasuryraiding proposal. During a public hearing conducted by the public morals committee, no one appeared to sponsor the measure. Speaking against the measure at the hearing were Leo M. Rappaport, a stockholder and director of the Circle Theatre, Indianapolis; Mrs. Chic Jackson, Mrs. M. E. Robbins and Mrs. Fred L. Pettijohn, representing the Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays. No Iroquois Disaster Now Possible in Chicago The twenty-first anniversary of the Iroquois Theatre fire in which 575 Chicago theatregoers lost their lives was observed there last week. Fire Chief Buckley said the disaster could not happen under present conditions, owing to the modern methods of ventilation and fire prevention and the constant inspection of the theatres by the city fire department. Under the present city ordinances the ventilation system must be tested every six months, and all the theatre buildings erected since 1910 have been compelled to include automatic sprinklers over the stages, which must be inspected semi-annually. Steel curtains must be installed. This is of special interest to picture theatres, as many of them are now showing vaudeville and presentations which require that their stages be so equipped. Each theatre is required to have one fire guard, and where the stage is used for shows, he must remain back-stage during the performance. Another is required for the auditorium and front of the house. All scenery of incoming acts must be put through a fireproofing process, immersing in the fire-proofing liquid, even if it has been fireproofed in the previous town. Chief Buckley said that there is a corps of inspectors attached to the Fire Department and each one had a certain number of theatres to inspect each day. NEW SPRINGFIELD, MASS., THEATRE Three New York men, whose identity have not been made known, have secured options on three plots of land in the business section of Springfield, Mass. It is reported that a million-dollar vaudeville and picture theatre will be erected. Present plans are said to call for the construction of a two or three-story building with a theatre seating 3,600. The land involved is said to be valued at $800,000. One Censorship Bill Pending, One Defeated, One Threatened — Last Year Eighteen Were Under Consideration THERE'S much to be thankful for, but never is the cup filled to overflowing. At this time last year eighteen censorship bills were pending throughout the country, two being introduced in Nebraska alone, while this year finds only one such measure pend ng, that in Oklahoma, one threatening in Connecticut and one just killed in Indiana. Representative Averill of Branford will sponsor the Connecticut bill, which will provide for a board of three and resemble the New York measure. William Y. Hinkle's Indiana bill would have provided for a board of five, each to drag down $3,000 a year in salary. One would have been recommended by the State Sunday School Association, one would have been a member of the Ministerial Association, two would have been well known lawyers, and the fifth a member of the Indiana Medical Association. This bill met its death blow on January 31, when the House of Representatives indorsed the unfavorable report of the Committee on Public Morals. Another echo of the Sunday blue law, which has been bothering Ohio exhibitors for many moons, now comes from Chillicothe, where Sunday films are only a memory. Earl Myers and John Kaiser, Chillicothe exhibitors, arrested some weeks ago for alleged violation of the Sunday closing law, were found guilty after jury trials. Immediately thereafter a conference was held between W. M. McKenzie, prosecutor, and various agencies of the church, to which conference the theatre men were invited. After considerable discussion a truce was declared and the exhibitors agreed to remain closed on Sundays. C. A. Smith, another exhibitor, untried, also agreed. Myers and Kaiser each were fined $100 and costs by Judge Roscoe G. Hornbeck, who presided in place of Judge P. H. Blosser, against whom petitions of "bias and prejudice" had been filed by the defendants. The cases will be carried to the higher courts. Meanwhile, Hyers announces that sacred concerts and other similar programs will be given on the Sabbath. the Auditorium management intends to see that the law is observed in every detail. The dispute had its inception when the citycouncil objected to Sunday shows in the Auditorium, the town's only theatre. The theatre's management retaliated by declaring it would insist on every other activity forbidden by the ordinance being suppressed. Officials of the town declare this might goso far as to include the delivery of Sunday newspapers. The attitude of the city officials is to await the filing of complaints against violators of the law. Through Mayor R. A. Jenkins it was announced that the city would not take the task of enforcing the law intoits own hands, which means it probably wilt be left to the county circuit court to settle. The Sunday closing ordinance, "which prohibits almost everything except breathing and eating," first was passed in 1908. It was amended in some minor details in 1911, but never has been enforced rigidly. Petitions for a referendum to permit Sunday shows in Evanston, 111., are being circulated in that city under the auspices of the Downtown Evanston Business Mens Association. The petition will be presented to the city council and the sponsor will be asked that it be submitted for a popular vote at the coming April election. Ira Rosenberg, president of the organization, says that unless Sunday shows are permitted in Evanston, many of the newcomers will demand annexation to the city. Several theatre projects are being held in abeyance in Evanston to await the result of the movement, and it is likely that if it succeeds attempts, will be made to secure Sunday shows in other north shore suburbs that have held out against the movement for many years past. Sunday concerts have been abolished at Saxe's Wisconsin Theatre, Milwaukee, apparently as a result of protests by clergymen that they were attracting patrons who otherwise would be in church. The concerts will hereafter be given by Rudolph Kopp's Wisconsin Theatre Orchestra on Friday nights. BERMANS GIVE "ARRIVAL" PARTY Reversing the usual order of farewell parties marking departures from Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Berman of New York gave an "arrival" party Tuesday night at the Ambassador Hotel, where they are guests for several weeks. It took the form of a dinner dance and covers were laid for the following: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph I. Schnitzer, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. John Brownell, Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt Daab, Mrs. Liehmann, Pandro Berman, Louis Baum, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Meehan and Dr. E. J. Wolfan. Speaking of blue laws, Slater, Mo., may, as a result of a civic argument which started last week, be the bluest of blue towns within a few days. As a result of the retaliation of the management of the Auditorium Theatre, even the delivery of Sunday newspapers may be prohibited. The town wanted enforcement of an old Sunday, closing law, so PICTURE INCORPORATIONS FALL OFF Motion picture companies incorporating in New York State during the past week failed to hold their average, the records in the secretary of state's office revealing the incorporation of four such companies, all located in the metropolis. The largest was the Lyric Operating Company, Inc., capitalized at $200,000; Alben, Inc., $10,000; Five Chatham Square Theatre, Inc.; B-C Productions, Inc., the capitalization of the last companies not being stated.