davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
AN IMPENDING DANGER
Smith Hughes Bill for Federal
Censors an Unfortunate One.

In commenting last week on the pres
ent status Of motion picture censorship
in this country examples were given Of
the fiasco in which local censorship in
evitably results. Within the past few
days another instance has come to light
In a moment OF misplaced zeal the Penn
sylvania Legislature created State
Board OF Censors. The new body Is just
getting into action. and by way OF an
opening shot have decided that farce and
fact the chairman of the board has stated
that farce cannot appear in any motion
picture shown in Pennsylvania, unless
there is a reason for its presence. AS
mere entertainment is not considered by
the board 10 be reason, it would
appear that the days OF farce are num-
bered In the keystone State. Such few
good ideas as this critical body processes
TO have have long been regarded as
matter of course by the National Board
of Censorship.
In view Of the evident necessity OF hav-
ing all films censored once for the entire
country, IL they are TO be Inspected
sanely, a bill has been introduced into
Congress to create a National Motion
Picture Commission. Senator Hoke Smith
and Congressman Hughes. both of
Georgia, are the sponsors. The bill pro-
poses that every motion picture which
goes into interstate commerce be previ-
ously inspected and passed by commits
sion OF FIVE men sitting In Washington
and that no film be allowed to be shown
outside OF the state in which 1t is made
unless IL bears this commissions stamp
OF approval.
The mechanical difficulties alone are
sufficient TO make this bill. as at present
framed. extremely undesirable. So rapid
Is the output Of film in this country that
each OF the five commissioners would
have TO inspect different pictures. This
would result in making one man the
Judge OF what Is suitable for the entire
country's entertainment.
Faults OF this nature can be passed
over in considering the bill because there
are so many other Cital objections. In
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

Smith Hughes bill is decidedly douttful
II is the opinion of many prominent legal
authorities that the United States SUI
preme Court should the bill be passed
would decide that the law violated the
constitutional guarantee OF the right OF
all persons to a free expression Of their
beliefs and sentiments.
The need for any censorship is grow
ing less every year but to do away with
il entirely would not be wise just now.
Yet this is virtually what would result
if the Smith-Hughes bill should become
law. Paradoxical as it may seem this
attempt to improve censorship would
practically do away with 1t. However re-
luctant the film makers might be 10 see
it happen the passage of the act would
automatically kill the National Board Of
Censorship. This would mean that with
in the limits of each state there would re
no check on INSCRIPTIONS manufacturers
and anything could be flashed on the
screen which oftentimes too indulGent
police would allow. The stamp OF the
National Board of Censorship is now
universally recognized by civic officials
throughout the country as determining
whether or not a film is suitable for ex-
hibition.
The trainers of the Smith Hughes bill
have without question been acting in
good faith, but they have evidently not
given the matter sufficient study. The
pending case of the Mutual Film Corpo-
ration VS.. the Ohio Board of Censors,
which will be decided by the United
States Supreme Court, should settle the
question Of local censorship once and for
all. The National Board of Censorship
is the best solution of the national prob
lem which has yet been conceived, even
though il has many faults. Its members
believe that eventually no censorship will
be needed and when that time comes
the organization will disband. AS II now
exists il stands or falls on its own merits.
To destroy II by legislation which would
so inadequstely provide for doing its
work as the Smith-Hughes bill would be
inimical to the best interests OF the
country. Every person interested in any
way in motion pictures or in their effect
should protest against the enactment OF
this ill-timed legislation. The National
Board has turned chaos into order, and
TO reverse the process is at best an ILL
advised procedure.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
IN THE MOTION PICTURE WORLD
CLAIRE'S MISTAKE
Once She Thought the Movies Passing
Fad, but Times Have Changed
with Alacrity.

effect after ALL and that Q retske
would not be necessary. Miss Whitney.
actually sasping with excitement and
emotion was much relieved at this in
formation. Any one who is skepticsl
about the oft-repeated assertion that plct-
ure actresses actually feel the emotions
which they are portrayins should watch
the making OF scene such as we saw
When the excitement had subsidized We
had a chance for little chat. but II was
rather interrupted by the taking OF sew
eral stills" for use in making posters.
Where is your home. Miss whitney
We inquired. by way OF starting to
gather statistics
IL was born i'm New York CITY, and
have always lived there" she replied.
What about your tours In vaudeville
"Oh. | don't call them livins.' she
laughed. But now that | am settled
in one spot have no more OF that
trouble. l am a commuter. but com
mute in the opposite direction from
most of them. New Jersey Is all r'sht
as place in which 10 take pictures
but wasn't built TO live In IL I i've
with my mother and grandmother I'm
the city"
what's your favorite recreation rs
a question which should be asked We
remarked. so please consider IT asked
We'll" laughed the naxen-haired
Claire its little hard to say, but
one of them is going to moving pictures.
I can always get some good points from
watching other players. no matter who
they may be. and at the same time
am amused. 1t is also very entertaining
! TO go to some theatre where I am be
ing shown in a film and listen to the
comments OF the audience, or such OF
them as sit within range. Believe me.
| hear some odd things then, and I'm
free to confess that they are not always
complimentary. which goes 20 prove that
old stuff about listeners. ! suppose
| About that time drop of water which
I appeared TO be boiling landed on our
/ neck. and the result was rather inn
! polite remark But it was very simply
explained. II N began when we decided
TO leave our 1aincoat AT home. Naturally
! it began 10 rain. and a big glass studio
roof is never watertight everywhere. \
/ small stream OF water Nippelcu 10 now
down the side of an arc light hood, whore
it was mostly turned into steam. but
what did get by was some warm.
However. those arc lights are decidedly
worth while. They are used largely an
Miss Whitney's account. because the
mercury vapor lights which many studios
use make blonde hair photograph as
il IT was dark With such blonde hair
as Miss Whitneys that would be Grim
inal
Our only regret In connection with Miss
Whitney is that picture fans must be
content with seeing her on the screen
Motion pictures are a great thing. and
it is the personality OF the players which
is largely responsible. but II is Just that
personality that makes them so agree
able to meet. Claire Whitney is shining
example OF this. and in nor the picture
industry has acquired a player who was
really too good for vaudeville, because
there she could not reach enough people
, at once.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

IF you make a mistake don't he afraid
TO admit it," says Claire Whitney. lead
ing lady of the Solax & Biache pictures
In telling of her own experiences.
"A few years ago Miss Whitney goes
on. II went into pictures for short
time. although I had been on the vaude-
willie stage for several seasons and liked
that work very much. The trouble with
me vas that | didn't know a good thing
when | saw it. | was with the Biosraph
Company and under the direction OF u W.
Griffith, who is now the most famous d.
rector in the country. But | was little
know-it-all, and | remarked contemptu-
ous-like. this moving picture business will
noe last. and I'm going back to vaude-
Vile Wasn't the dandy little prophet
ess. though? II makes me laugh at my
self. So back went TO vaudeville and
began another round Of that moving
eVery-week and no-place-to-call-home
stuff. However. | finally saw the Hight,
although it was only eleven months ago.
Well" We commented. III you have
become a leading lady in eleven months
you are not making what could exactly
be described as slow progress.
Miss Whitney admitted that she was
rather gratihed by her reception on the
screen.
our little talk with her was an inter
view under difficulties in several ways.
First of all we had to so to the Solax
studio at fort Lee, and that. grab il
from us. is considerable trek from Park
Row. It's bad enough, even to a place
that is on the trolley line. but the studio
is not so located, not by what natives
dc scribe as quarter of a mile. But
that's the way with these picture folk.
They all have their automobiles. and. Of
course, distance means nothing to them.
On reaching the studio We found Miss
Whitney rehearslns for very emotional
scene from modern production, while
alongside OF the set was another i'm which
n scene from Charles Dickenss The
Chimes" was being put on. 1t was just
like scene from the late lamented
Queen Of the Movies" On our left We
could hear the director OF the Dickens
picture plaintively asking Winnie Burns
the fair heroine. to show more emotion
ana her prosecutor to exhibit more irri-
tdllOnt WINE vi Jul ilSiN .NiT' " ''N''~'
yas imploring a stony hearted captor To
Let me GO please let me go You see
lines are used very frequently in pictures,
especially in emotional scenes, where they
are OF great assistance I'm helping the
PLAYERS to get worked up properly.
Il am very careful not to get into the
real mood OF the scene during the re-
henrsal." confded Miss Whitney during
a srcathing spell, because that makes IT
much harder to put the right spirit into
the actual scene as it will appear on the
screen
The scene which was being tried out IN
cluded a fight between Claire's rescuer
and the villain, in which was used a
broken bottle The bottle, carefully
cracked about the middle, was placed on
the table, and finally the lights were
turned on and the real work began.
Everything went smoothly. except that
a rather fragile vase which the villain
hurled at the hero crashed right through
a panel OF the door. But the director
finally decided that it would be a good
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
POP" lUBIN ABROAD.

~ usit OF Slcgmund Lubin. the
.ean hlm manufacturer who Is the
VI tho Lubin company, Is arousing
!. interest In England. THE London
a'd' describes some OF his activities
81, ~una Lub!n, who IS certainly the
b. ,he moment in the film world. has
y much struck with tho comfort and
- appearance OF many OF the Lon
INA theatres. He Is taking back
s'lea the moving picture rights Of
hfee plays by Henry Arthur
ne has also secured several Drury
~asnas, including Hearts Are
Cheer. Boys. Cheer" The
" rsace,' and "fhe White Heath
" those rias~ lend Themselves
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
Y. M. c. A. GIVES MOVIE COURSE.

The West Side Young Mems Christian
Association has opened a school for the
purpose OF instructing persons In the
management of motion picture projecting
machinery. There is considerable demand
for competent operators. and the object
Of the new course of study will be TO
turn out intelligent men to meet this de-
mand. Problems Of projection. as we'll as
the mere mechanical handling Of the ma
chimes, will be studied. During recent
months there have been numerous cases
Of unsuspecting persons victimized by
concerns protesting to- give training
in picture machine operation. usually Of
fering the instruction by mail. In such
an institution as the Y. M. c. A. diff
culties OF this sort Will be avoided, and
the student viii have an opportunity TO
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

The Great Diamond Robbery" recent
b reviewed In this department, will be
the chief attraction for the week at the
New York Theatre. The picture, which
vas the first TO be made with an entire
cast Of legitimate players. results in the
novel situation Of actors appearing on
opposite sides of Broadway at the same
tine. Wallace Eddinger and Gail Kane
appear in the principal parts Of "rhe
Great Diamond Robbery" on the screen,
while almost directly across the street
hey are 10 be seen on the stage in
Seven Keys to Baldpate." Other theat-
real favorites who are to be seen in the
Tin are Elita Proctor Otis, Charles j.
Ross Z. = Graham. Dorothy Arthur,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
A CLASSIC IN MOVIES"

Within the last year there has been
much activity in the producing OF famous
books and modern stage successes as mo-
ton pictures. but so far few attempts
have been made to put the classic Eng
lish dramas on the screen. There is
therefore considerable interest In the pro-
duction by the London Film Company OF
She Stops 10 Conquer" as motion
picture. To put play in which there Is
such a constant succession OF brilliant
dialogue into the silent drama seems
rather startling at first. but, Judging by
reports, the scheme has proved success.
The film was first shown In London a
few nights ago. and dispatches state that
several OF the most conservative London
papers reviewed the work favorably 1t
will probably be imported and shown in
this country at an early date. although
definite information on this point Is not
available at present.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

shown in the act of bringing down fine
specimen. whose carcass was used as a
bait which later led five lions to violent
closing of their bloody careers. Various
other animals are depicted on the film.
among them being the chetah, cerval cat
and Gland.
While intended only for private show
ing, the Dewar hunt pictures have been
exhibited in London for the benefit Of
several charities. and may be put on
public view in this city in the near future
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

will be shown in addition to the vaudeville
bill.
The widely read novel 'The Port Of
Missing Men" has been produced as a
feature film. with Arnold DAILY in the
principal role. The first public showing
of the picture will be at Marcus Loew
Bijou Theatre, beginning tomorrow.
"a Million BID" in FIVE parts. which
played at the Vitograph Theatre, has
started over the Marcus Loew circuit.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
THE pEWAR HUNT PICTURES.

An unusual interest attaches to the
melton pictures OF Sir Thomas Dewar's
lion hunt in East Africa In speaking OF
the films the hunter says: Nothing Is
claimed for them apart from the wish Of
one anxious to keep record of two
months in the African bush" Although
this is decided underestimate of the
pictures. it strikes the right note in one
way. The views have a quality which In
some manner suggests the difference be-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
V1O1Nt HOpf&r
nOhAWk- Fling

Hugo's novel. Les Miserables,' will be
shown twice daily at the Brooklyn Acad-
envy OF Music. The film was made By
Pathe F'reres in France and is the same
production which has lately had long
run at Carnegie Lyceum.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
{ Inns ON BROADWAY
rulton Theatre Joins Ranks Picture Houses
"Neptune's Daughter" Popular Other Feature
Attractions on he

I Martin j. Alsop. Stapleton Kent and p.
h. Pratt.
The picture is the fret production of
the Playgoers Film Company and is
marked by excellant settings of the in
terror scenes and a numtsr of novel ex-
tericrs. The acting. as MUD naturally
be expected is of a high esdcr, although
the stage players in soma instances do
not conform to convention ) which their
screen contemporaries reglrd as rather
essential
Besides this modernized version Of the
old melodrama "A shorter feature pict-
ure. entitled" The Dishonored Medal"
Will be shown. II is a Mutual feature,
produced under the supervision of d. w.
Griffith.
The feature films Mr.. Barnes OF New
York" and Love, Luck and Gasoline"
and the comedy pantomime The New
Stenogrspher" will enter another week
Of their long run at the Vitagraph
Theatre tomorrow. Love, Luck and
Gasoline" is an exceptionally entertain
ing comedy. and introduces many at
tractive water scenes. Lillian Walker
anu sNdlIN all dle the piInClphlS VI Tue
film as well as Of the silent playlet.
Two excellent and widely divergent
stories will be presented by the feature
films at Proctor's Fifth Avenue Theatre
this week. For the first half Of the week
"A Million Bid" direct from its run at
the Vitagraph Theatre, will be shown,
and during the remaining three days the
chief attraction will be Mary Pickford
i'm Hearts Adrift" "A Million Bid" is
widely known from Its long run in
Times Square as a spectacular melo-
drama of present day life. While rather
improbable as to plot, ii nevertheless
presents event which are easily possible.
Hearts Adrift" is rather more of an
idealistic story. and charming little
Mary Pickford is seen at her best in it.
The events concern a girl who. as the
sole survivor of a wreck. lives alone on
an island from the time she is a child
until she reaches young womanhood.
Then a man cast up by the sea from
another wreck appears He seems
strange and terrible animal to the little
island waif at first, but later she learns
to love him There is blending OF
comedy and pathos in the strange court
ship.
Various shorter pictures will complete
the programme,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

One of the most interesting chapters or
the Mutual Girl" series is Reel l6'
which is to DC shown this week 4 con-
siderable portion of the film is devoted to
a visit paid by Margaret and her aunt to
the offices Of The Tribune. in the course
of which they meet Mr.. Briggs. the car
toonist and Franklin p. Adams, more
generally known by readers of his col
yum" as +. r. A.
Margaret is shown arriving in her
aunts motor car at the Tribune Build
ing There she is met and escorted to
Mr. Briggs's office. She eagerly asks the
cartoonist to make a sketch of her. and
he is at work on it when Mr.. Adams APP
pears Margaret is duly presented by
her aunt. and the drawing is finished to
the accompaniment OF good natured jeers
by Mr. Adams The visitors then depart,
Margaret carefully carrying caricature
Of herself. inscribed "Our Mutual Girl.
Gee I amt mad at nobody"
A motion picture purporting to be OF an
educational nature opened at the Repub-
lie Theatre last night. The name of the
production is Protect Us" which is de-
rived from the supposed appeal of thou
sands OF girls who are in danger of falling
into immoral ways through no fault of
their own The film is declared by its pro-
n oters to be intended as force for good,
although there seems to be much differ
ence of opinion among social workers as
to the efficacy of such productions.
There is no attempt to mince matters in
the picture, but 1t goes straight to the
point. The various methods which cadets
use in their fendish work are illustrated
with considerable detail and. as far as
can be judged, with considerable accu-
racy. The picture has a fault which is
common to all theatrical productions OF
the sort that we have ever seen-namely,
certain features seem to be overaccentu-
ated. as If to appeal to the morbid curios-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

Tsura Aoki, the leading lady OF tho
New York Motion Picture Corporation
Japanese company, was married yesterday
10 her leading man, Sessue Hayakawa.
The wedding was one OF the most inter-
csting which has taken place on inc
Pacific Coast for many months.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

Frank Montgomery has been busy Try
ing 10 keep his Indians from starting Tor
tho war. Now he has made them agree
10 wait until tho mediation question ~
settled. II II isn't settled peacefully there
will probably be Il lapse In his Indian
t.inft.r0s for q flne
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

Margarita Fischer Is the winner in the
"pbo.oplay Idor' contest just concluded
bv "The Photoplay Magazine" Being q
Californian. Margari,a can vote put IN
this instance she didn't need to DO So
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

ity OF the spectators rather than to their
logical reasoning powers.
From the strong and virle story The
Spoilers" to the rather pale comedy OF
the film version OF "Brewster's Millions"
was decided come down. but this week
the Strand Theatre returns to the red
blood type OF drama, with a production
of Jack London's THE Sea Wolf" Any
one familiar with the tale OF the terrible
sea captain will realize that. presented in
motion pictures it would either be a fat
failure or a gripping, living thing. Thanks
to the genius OF the producers and the
acting OF Hobart Bosworth in the title
role. IL is the latter.
THE Sea WOLF Is biting. thrilling
story Of an abysmal brute type OF man,
n person who has survived in hard sur
roundings because he Is the fittest. 1t is
filled with the tang of the sea and the
ways Of iron-fsted, heartless men. A de-
gree Of realism which is almost extreme
has been reached in many OF the scenes,
and the picture is one which ranks high
among the recent feature productions OF
this country.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03

II is a difficult task TO write about
"Neptunes Daughter without having
ones words seem like the utterances OF
a press agent. The picture. to use the
vernacuar. simply has it," Attractive
as II Is, 1t is not Annette Kellermann's
acting alone which is causing comment
at the Globe Theatre. Rather il is the
real novelty of the picture as a whole.
"Neptunes Daughter" demonstrates
fact which has been too much overlooked
BY motion picture producers, namely,
that one Of the greatest appeals of the
fms Is found in their power to show eff
fects utterly impossible on the stage. Too
many photo-plays are turned out in which
the majority of scenes are made in set
tings similar 10 those of the legitimate
stage, except that they are usually not
SO good. Such offerings pail on one after
time. where subjects staged amid at
tractive natural surroundings are pos
sessed OF a special interest. In the pict-
ure under discussion there are not only
scores OF beautiful natural scenes which
are beyond the possibilities OF the legiti-
mate stage, but there are also many which
have not even been attempted in motion
pictures before.
The pictorial charm of "Neptune's
Daughter" is best brought out by watch
Ing an audience. While there is both hu-
NOR and pathos in the story, neither is
present in an extreme which results in
eonvulsions of laughter or tears, but
without using either OF these violent
forms of appeal the attention OF the spec
tators is closely held throughout. AS
there are a number of scenes which are
not essential TO the story and are tech
nlcally padding" this is a strong testi-
monial to the pleasing nature OF the
scenes. The film is really worthy de-
psrture from conventional channels, and
as such deserves the success which it is
enjoying.