The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-20
Topeka Movie Patrons Rise Up
i'm Wrath Over Carmen"
Assure Theater Manager That
They Will Support Him.
SHOW PICTURE and PAY FINE
I'll. S. Montgomery to Exhibit
Film in Face of Law.
Horrors, a Murder Right Out on
Topeka Screen.

Topeka movie fanS-SeVeral thOu-
sand of them-are sizzling and bub-'
bling with wrath today. Beautiful,
clever, talented Geraldine Farrar in
portrayal of Carmen" that rivals the
work of Emma Calve has been reject
ed from the screens by w d. ROSS,
state superintendent of public 1nstruc-
ton. Now the movie enthusiasts want
to go to war.
That isn't nearly all of the trouble.
The rejection of the work of the tai
ented Farrar is in itself severe
shock. But the pictures winch Ross
and his inspectors have passed, nave
raised a serious question as to the
competency and good faith of either
Ross or his assistants. In few hours
today H. S. Montgomery OF the lr1s
porters in his fight against the action
of the state picture censors. THESE r~-
cruits are from many fashionable west
end homes, and some of the most
prominent people in Topeka
Protest Over Phone.
.sIn two hours this morning, we ans
wered 225 phone calls protesting
against the action of Ross in reject
ing Carmen" said H. S. Montgom-
ery. ''It is simply ridiculous that
man of supposed ordinary 1ntelligenee
could take such action, If he could
lust hear the remarks we heard over
the telephone today, he wouldn't sleep
a wink for ten days..
Montgomery was asked Cohcei ms
the Ross objections to the opera
scenes.
HE objected because there was
cigarette smoking and a murder, SAID
Montgomery. Yes, sir. There was
cigarette smoking and murder why
| think of it. And yet the country has
gone wild over Farrar and her work
! and Carmen was the vehicle OF Calve
! and people raved about her work
Then Montgomery drew few com
parsons that Superintendent Ross
| might sit in some quiet corner for
day and mediate as to his consistency
Plenty of Blood Last Night.
Last night we showed The Regen'
| eration.'" said Montgomery. In the
picture were four murders, two SUI
| cides, several drinking scenes and
4 mob fight What do you think o.
that? Awful, wasn't it? And did Mr.
Ross protest against tnat picture! NO
He said it was fine and passed it will
praise Consistent, wasn't it 2?
That wasn't all the trouble next u
the heart of the movie man
Passed Sin without even seems
it" exploded Montgomery TT wa
really the Jewels of the Madonna,
and probably would have passed witt
praise under that title.
4 Passed Some Bad Ones.
4 st wouldn't say a word, though, j
that were all. But it isn't. Why, HI
inspectors have passed pictures that
wouldn't allow in my theater. Just lie
me name a few and then draw you
own conclusions about the rejection
Farrar in Carmen.
Montgomery reached in his pocket
Mere are a few of the pictures tina
were shown in Kansas under the ap
prevail of the state superintendent o
public instruction, according to Mont
gomery: 1.-The Lure" 1.-The Closin
Net" The Flame o. Passion; 9TH
Soul of a Woman" 1.-The Cup of Life,
, Ghosts" and a long string of othe
pictures with equally innocent, pur
minded titles
But Farrar and Carmen? Never
Naughty, naughty Farrar actual
smokes a cigarette in a scene. Their
: is a murder scene right out on tn
P screen where everyone can see it. S
: Kansas is 1enderly protected agains
suggestions of crime as depicted b
Farrar while 1.-The Regeneration goe
with official approval and four muir