Variety (May 1918)

MOVING PICTURES 45 I a t Chicago, May 1. Clyde A. Mann, publicity represen- tative of the British-Canadian mission in Chicago, announced this week that the mission will make formal protest against Major Funkhouser's action in cutting scenes from patriotic films. The protest will be based on the action relating to Griffith's "Hearts of the World," at the Olympic, and "My Four Years in Germany" at the Co- lonial. Major Wallace Owen, com- mander of the western division for "HEARTS OF THE WORLD" SEEN IN PH1 LA. IN S PITE OF BAN Griffith Photoplay Is Presented at Garrick, With No Admission Charged, Without Excisions Ordered by Pennsylvania Board of Censors. Votes of Audience Were Over- whelmingly in Favor of Philadelphia, May 1. The D. W. Griffith photoplay, "Hearts of the World," which was to have been presented publicly at the Gar- rick last night, has been banned by the Pennsylvania Board of Motion Picture censors, which has ordered seven excisions from the film. After the notification had been re- ceived by the management, the pic- ture was shown, but no admission was charged and those who purchased tick- ets had their money refunded. In this way the showing came under the classification of a private view, which could not legally be barred. In order to get the public opinion on the picture, each person was hand- ed a slip which read: "In justice to the people of our beloved country, we ask you, as good American children, to express your opinion as to whether or not 'Hearts of the World' should con- tinue to be exhibited as presented this evening." The votes were tabulated later and showed an overwhelming af- firmative. When it was announced from the stage that such an unprecedented situ- ation had arisen there were cries from the audience, "The censors are pro- German," and there was every evi- dence the picture met with entire ap- proval. Morris Gest, of Elliott, Comstock & Gest, managing the picture for Mr. Griffith, sent messages last evening to President Wilson and to the Eng- lish Ambassador, apprising them of what had occurred here. Gest will take the matter to court and it was an- nounced argument would be heard Fri- day morning. At that time the vot- ing of this evening's invited audience will be presented as evidence of popu- lar approval. Gest was emphatic in saying that he would under no circumstances make ' the excisions demanded by the cen- sors and added he would withdraw the picture entirely before doing so. He declared the character of the elimina- tions demanded was of the most ridicu- lous nature and that to cut certain episodes from the photoplay would be to tamper with a masterpiece, destroy the continuity of the story and de- prive it of some of its most' potent propaganda, namely, that of having to do with the arch brutality of the Ger- man soldiers and officers toward the young women of the occupied portions of France. Another episode which the censors banned showed a revel by the Ger- man crown prince with semi-nude women from Berlin as the entertainers. This series of scenes is said to be founded on facts which he obtained from a German prisoner. Pending the decision of the Court no presentations will be made at the Garrick. This theatre's regular dra- matic season came to a close with the banning by certain officials in Wash- ington of a play called "The Little Rclgian," which reflected strongly on the soldiers of Great Britain. the mission, and several members of the state council of defense reviewed the films Saturday. A protest against the censor's ac- tion was sent to Washington by F. Ray Comstock and Morris Gest, who are handling the Chicago production of "Hearts of the World." There was a very stormy scene in the censor's office when he announced that he proposed to make the cuts. Morris Gest was there. It is not known just what happfned, but it is said that Mr. Funkhouser heard re- marks concerning himself that have never before been expressed with equal frankness. "Hearts of the World" opened here at the Olympic last Thursday to tre- mendous business. It was learned that Major Funkhouser had eliminated two short scenes of ten feet each, they being the "Dungeons of Lust" interior and the bit where a German ^soldier stabs a Poilu. But the censor failed to edit the scene where a French soldier bayonets a Hun, and because of the alleged favoritism Morris Gest declared he would bring the matter to 1 the attention of the Washington authorities. Boston, Mav 1. The first week of "Hearts of the World" at the Majestic ended oh Saturday, with the taking around $14,- 000. This is claimed to beat "The Birth of a Nation" record. The film continues at the 44th Street theatre, New York, with the takings last week around $16,000, the night showings drawing capacity. The report that the Griffith film, "Hearts of the World," was to be shortly released to exhibitors arose presumably through an article appear- ing in a trade publication. It was denied by Elliott, Comstock & Gest late last week. Certain state right territory will be sold. The territory implied, however, includes some of the western states not possessed of dense population, which would not be covered by the road shows being sen,t out by Elliott, Comstock & Gest. JULIAN ELTINGE THE FAMOUS • IMPERSONATOR To the screen what he was to the stage Some similar objections were raised against the Griffith picture by Censor Major Funkhouser of the Chicago po- lice, and the same argument against the censoring put up as a defense by Elliott, Comstock & Gest. THE RIGHT TO USE THE NAME OF FROHMAN Mr. Daniel Frohman in a letter sent to the Press and Trade Journals, has stated that neither he nor Charles Frohman was ever connected with THE FROHMAN AMUSEMENT CORPORATION and that the name of FROHMAN was and still is being used without authority. We desire the trade and public should know—as we believe they do— that these gentlemen never were connected with this Corporation, and therefore arc not entitled to credit for any of its success. The statement, however, that the name was and is being used without authority has no foundation in fact, and Mr. Daniel Frohman must know this, as evidenced by the following excerpt from a contract made by and between Gustavc Frohman, the older brother of Charles and Daniel (and who I am informed is rcponsible for their being in the Theatrical business), and William L. Sherrill, viz.: This agreement made this tenth day of June, 1914, by and between Gustave Frohman, party of the first part, and William L. Sherrill, party of the second part; witnesseth, party of the second part agrees that lie will organize a corporation under the laws of Delaware, which shall be named THE FROHMAN AMUSEMENT CORPORATION. The party of the first part hereby authorizes the use of the name of FROHMAN in the corporate title of THE FROHMAN AMUSEMENT CORPORATION, and agrees to act as president of said corporation for a period of at least ten years, IF HE IS SO ELECTED BY THE DI- RECTORS. The party of the first part agrees that he will not actively be identified with any other company producing motion picture films during a period of ten years from the date thereof. Signed in duplicate on this 10th day of .Tunc, 1914, City of New York. SIGNED Gustavc Frohman, Party.of the First Part. William L. Sherrill, Party of the Second Pant. On January 13th, 1910, we purchased the stock holdings of Gustave Frohman. The success we have attained in building up the name of The Frohman Amusement Corporation with the trade justified our directors in not changing the corporate title. NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS viz. __ OUR LAST GREAT DELUXE PRODUCTION "MY OWN UNITED STATES" The Frohman Amusement Corporation, William L. Sherrill, President ANITA STEWART WORKING. Anita Stewart resumed work for Vitagraph this week at their Brooklyn studio. Her first vehicle will be "The 'Mind the Paint' Girl," a Pinero drama, in which Rillie Burke appeared on the legitimate stage here. - The price paid by Vitagraph for the rights is $6,000. Vitagraph last week offered Henry Miller $60,000 for the film rights to "Daddy Long Legs" for Miss Stewart, with an alternative price of twelve and a half per cent, of the gross of the takings of- the Guy Empey picture, "Over the Top." MOTION PICTURE ANNIVERSARY. The fortieth anniversary of the first motion picture ever taken will take place on May 18th of this year. Edward Muybridge, a photographer, • took the first motion picture of a horse racing on the track of the late Leland Stanford, at Oakland, Cal., on May 18, 1878. "HOME" WAR PICTURE. • At the Majestic, Brooklyn, this week is showing "Men From Home," a film of the land and naval forces of this country, taken under Government per- mission and exhibiting the activities of the forces at home since the declar- ation of war The pictures are showing on a 50-50 percentage split with the Shuberts, booked with them by Jack Goldberg, who has the direction of. the special feature. Dependent upon the Brook- lyn returns, "Men From Home" is hav- ing a route held for it in the Sliubert offices. LASKY SIGNS SHIRLEY MASON. Jesse Lasky has left for the West. Just before his departure Famous Playcrs-Lasky signed Shirley Mason to appear in John Emerson and Anita Loos productions for Paramount re- lease. Among the new stars who will begin work at the West Coast studios are Fred Stone and Ethel Clayton. Vivian Martin has been re-engaged under a new contract to continue in Paramount pictures. LASKY STUDIO FIRE. Los Angeles. Mav 1. hire started in the T.rtskv studio color and paint room at four o'clock yesterday, destroying draperies, sonic scenery and approached dangerously near a quantity of stored ammunition supplier. Wallace I\'cid sustained an injured finger and a limllirr of the engineer fell from the roof. F.verybodv turned out to fight the flames, extinguished in an hour.