New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-26
Anita sts 3ee B Rf2sH9a t aSs4s a15 9eSa 5
PENNSYLVANIA FILM Censor, Said To Be
Liquor Lawyer, Seeks to Suppress
"Johm Barleycorm" by Order
ing Impossible Changes.

backs down when he knows he il
right He at once took the film from
/ the censors, and on Wednesday las
/ gave il 9 private showing az the Cen
trail Young Mems Christian ASSOcla
/ ton in Philadelphia. He was threat
ened with arrest, but the threat provec
to be n bluff The audience repre-
sented religious and secular oreaniza
tions Of many types. but the picture
was received with unanimous approval
and many sarcastic remarks about the
censor were heard. Encouraged by the
attitude OF this representative audi
encP, Mr.. Smith is making arrange
ments to rent one or the largest the
aires in Philadelphia. and within few
days will proceed to show the film. j.
the censors attempt 20 stop him IN any
way he will seek ar injunction TO re
strain them from interfering with ms
rights.
The suggestion that NJ. Breitiagel
action is due 70 any sympathy for IN.
LIQUOR interests has been met by HIN
with a loud protest, in which he state
that he is a total abstainer and thai
the picture does not sufficiently empha
size the mora lesson. A they say IN
Paris. where they order these things
better, "C'est rire."
\ Philadelphia View.
The general attitude OF the Philadel-
phia press in the matter IS ILLUSTRATED
bv the following editorial from The
Evening Bulletin" of Thursday:
Refusal 10 approve a film drama
based on Jack London's John Barley
corn precipita.es the first actual con
test Of the critical authority exercised
by the State Board Of Motion Picture
Censors. Il will he as well If the case
shall be fought 20 a final conclusion
because. unless that shall be done, me
issue will inevitably arise again an'
agcin. so long as the limitations OF the
censorial discretion remain vague ant
underlined by judicial Interpretation OF
the act creating the board
The objections 20 the film are not
clearly stated, in fact. have been scarce
" indicated bv M Breitinger, The
/ chief censor. but. Judged from the suG
gested changes. they are that the stor!
Of intemperance as told in the pretoria
reproduction OF Jack London's auto
biography is TOO horrifying and should
be softened down and given more o
emphasis in It's pleasant closing, az
70 make its final word an assurance
that all comes out right in the end.
But no story Of intemperance which
Is true 20 life subordinates it's horror
and its suffering and ITS degredall
nor gains anything by magnifylng th'
joys or reformation If 1t duils OF
shades in any way the contrast WIN
the actualities % tie drunkard's life
And Jack London in his storl
u tCn MI
fortunate can bear witness.
OF the ban Of disapproval IS 10 b'
placed on a production because Som'
feature of it lacerates the seusiblllle
Of an individual or group OF lndlvldu
ais. without regard 70 the general ei
fec, upon the welfare or the com
munitv. then the experiment OF censor
ship m ght as we'll be given up iortn
with as an absolute and utter failure
for il will certainly tir up such puoh
resentment as 10 be overwhe lined.
Ohio Boards Action.
The censorship board which has late
~ been created in the State OF ONO )
VIGOROUSLY connected with certain poi
j'icians IN that state The state ~ o.
the eve Of great campaign 10 decd
whether ~ shall remain wet or not
The Ohio censors have taken a stan
during the week which is PRACTICAL
the same as that Of the Pcnnsylvani
committee, except that the change
ordered are no, 30 drastic, and lead N
producers 20 express the belief that
IS ignorance. rather than lnslncoril
which is responsible for their action.
The situation IN the two states no
only points out once more the iallac
Of state censorship. but the stll great
or error of allowing persons serving %
: such boards 10 continue IN their regu
r lar business. To allow this is 10 dc
p stroy what faint chance there Is 70
r fair censorship in politically DOM
> mated censoring body.
For the hrst time on record the mo
= tion picture has been enlisted 20 A.
grand opera. In "Dylan." a. Drur
Lane. very weird effect b. introduce
by moving picture OF sea birds abou
, The Bass Rock The dying hero A.
9 peals 10 the sea birds which ~ IN
& time Of the story were regarded ne 10
=. spirits Of the departed for vengeance
: A cleverly taken film depicts the gar
4 nets flying OF on their crrand Of ver
4 geanco.
, Harry Pollard has purchascd I'm
hand worked bride from convict m
, state prison. The convict saw Harr
4 IN the picture which are shown ever
, Saturday A. the prison and picked hi'
, ogt a. \ KIND hearted person. He wi
, use the money IN en- appeal 20 prov
, his innocence.
Every little geological activity hs
, An importance ~ its own 20 pietui
: maker. Joe De Grssse, the directo
will take Pauline Bush and compsn