Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-05-01
BAN ON HEARTS OF
THE WORLD" PICTURE
Censors' Demand for Minor
Changes Prevents Public
Performance at Garrick

The declaration that the sorely beset
death" has resounded through cycles OF
footllght melodrama. Despite its age,
however, and its enjoyment Of cstab-
lished theatrical tradition that locution
and the scenes which ever so briefly IL
lustrate it, are offensive to the Pennsyl-
vania State Board Of Moving Picture
Censors whose sudden demand for elm
nations in Hearts of the world' made
impossible the scheduled public show
ing Of n. w. Grifith's pretentious war
photoplay at the Garrcl Theatre last
evening
Six or seven eXcisious were ordered.
Nearly all of them were referablc to
scenes of German brutality with regard
TO women. The stirring appeal of re-
markable film would not he seriously
compromised If these "Cuts" were made,
but the fact that the ruling related TO
incidentals only served to intensity man
agerial and popular indignation. The
crowd of screen devotees assembled at
the Garrlck's doors last night was genu-
inely disappointed. All the admission
money was returned at the box office
cut picture was then made before Sc
lected audience.
Morris Gest of Elliott. Comstock and
Gest, who are exploiting the photoplay.
characterized the state boards decree
as outrageous and vouched for the
historical accuracy Of the Crown
Princes gay duE-out party" which the
censors want deleted from the reel
"Our protest" he said, "will come up
on Friday, when we shall ask for an
injunction restraining the censorial COM
mand. If we cant give this patriouc
film. in which, byt the way, the British
Government is financially Interested. in
its entirety. we shall not offer it at all
IN this city" He also announced that
an appeal concerning the situation had
been made to the President
Richard j. Beamish from the stage
briefly explained the cause Of the snarl
to the managerial guests, who We're inn
rnediately afterward thrilled by war
film Of notable vividuess and power
Mr.. Griffith, voted by screen experts as
the most talented Of photoplay directors
has employed in his latest offering the
distinctive screen technique revealed ii
his Birth Of a Nation" and "Tntoler
anCe." The new spectacle is simpler il
theme than those monumental offerings
for it's character interest is chiefly cen
tered in the love story Of "A Franco
American youth and his sweetheart
War. however. Is the terrific and tru,
prOtagOnist. II reaches the lovers Onct
peaceful French village and the actor
swings back and forth from the front t'
their nome Many of the battle scenes
are bona nde and were taken in France
by Mr.. Griffith, with the special sane
tion Of the British Government II is M
hyporbole to say that among scenes o
the modern hrmagCddon they are inCom
parable. Actual photographs wer
shown Of trench warfare, Of infautr!
and cavalry movements Of tank charges
barrages Of shelled and burning villages
Of airplanc operations ana all the mani
fold phases Of contemporary battle
There was frequent cheering through tht
performance and the Huns were roundl,
hiSSed
The film is extremely long aud =
times redundant The sentimental story
is Of the elementary Victorian type lonl
ago capitalized by Ouida. Mrs. AleNande