Universal Weekly (1923-1926)

32 Universal Weekly April 3, 1926 Leon Callot Flight Film Held By Ship Captain International To Rush U. S.-China Crisis Pictures EDGAR B. HATRICK, general manager of the International Newsreel, has issued the following statement on the holding up of the negative of the flight through an arch of Eiffel Tower by Leon Callot, which resulted in the death of the aviator: “The motion pictures of Lieut. Callot’s flight through the Eiffel Tower were shipped to us by eur French agents via the purser of the S.S. La France. When the France was at sea the newspapers published reports that the film was to be seized by the Captain on orders of, presumably, the French Government. “When the France docked the International Newsreel Corporation made formal demand for the film. This was met with a denial by French Line officials that the film was on board the ship. A representative of the International Newsreel, however, had already examined the ship’s manifest and confirmed thereon the fact that the film was aboard the France. “The writ of replevin resulted. The International Newsreel Corporation does not know that the French Government wishes to suppress the film for sentimental or any other reasons. The Intern a tional Newsreel Corporation has received no request from the French Government to suppress the film. It only knows that the captain of a French steamship has seized motion picture film which is the property of the International Newsreel. It proposes to recover its property. “If the film, on being recovered by the International, should prove to be objectionable, and therefore unfit to show to the American public, it will not be released. If the French Government wishes the film suppressed for sentimental reasons, the International Newsreel will give the utmost consideration to any such request, but up to the present time the International Newsreel has not heard from the French Government. “The International Newsreel is in the position of objecting to the high-handed methods of the French Steamship captain — the unwarranted seizure of private property. It has asked the United States Court for aid in the recovery of its own property.” Just what is included in the film is a mystery. It is expected, however, that complete pictures of the aviator taking off, circling around the tower and making his death dash through the arches are shown in gripping detail. FIVE minutes after word had flashed from Washington that the United States had served an ultimatum on China in the present Chinese war zone crisis, Edgar B. Hatrick, general manager of the International Newsreel Corporation, cabled to Capt. Ariel Varges, International Newsreel Corporation cameraman now in China, to go to every extreme to get pictures of American activities around Tientsin and to speed them to New York. This means that International Newsreel intends to supply its customers with early and complete screen views of the present turmoil to which four U. S. destroyers are now steaming under forced draught from Manila. The ultimatum to China, signed by the United States and other leading nations, is the latest move in the internati onal drama which has centered about Peking and Tientsin during the last several months. It is fraught with significance and may be t h e match which sets off the vast powder magazine — China — with its unmistakable Moscow liaison. In this maelstrom of oriental intrigue and bloodshed, Captain Varges has been on the job for several months. From his camera have come startling pictures of conditions in the Chinese war zone. In February, a remarkable series of scenes reached New York from Varges, taken during the investment and fall of Tientsin, late in December. These pictures were included in various issues of the International Newsreel, in 200 foot subjects. They showed the battle in many of its startling phases, from the time General Feng and his National troops, began their drive against the forces of General Li, the leader of the Chili forces. Feng who finally captured the city, has since found his position there a bit warm. The action of his troops in denying the Pei river to foreign vessels is the cause of the present ultimatum. The pictures forwarded by Varges showed scenes taken with the Feng troops and the Chili troops. He may be counted upon to send excellent pictures of future developments. Accompanying Varges is another International Newsreel cameraman, known as Newsreel Wong. He is the only Chinese newsreel correspondent extant. He is known throughout the whole of China and is not only an expert cameraman, but also acts as interpreter for Varges. He is a born correspondent, taking his life in his hands without a thought and always in the thick of the fighting. The sensational exclusive showing by International Newsreel of the “Roosevelt’s” rescue at sea of the crew of the “Antinoe” was announced by many radio stations throughout the country. Here are A l Halperin of Balaban & Katz, Max Balaban and Norman Alley, mid-west representative of International Newsreel, collaborating on a talk. APRIL 10TH— CARL LAEMMLE INTERNATIONAL DAY