New-York tribune., 1922-12-21
ArbuckIe Ban
Off; Hays Asks
Public Favor
Thinks Film Comedian Is
Entitled 10 Chance for
His Exemplary Conduct
Since Manslaughier Trial
''Pardon'' Effective Jan. /
Schenck to Produce New
Pictures; Lasky Says He
Won't Market Old Ones

Los ANGELES, Dec. 20. 80 Roscoe
Arbuekle, film comedian, freed to-day
By VIII Hays, chief Of the motion pic
ture industry, Of the embargo placed
on his work following the death Of vir-
ginia Rape In Arbueklc's apartment
here year ago, faced the new year
with the frank confession that he had
learned his lesson and was determined
10 work his way back 20 his old place
in public favor. Arbuckle will make
pictures for Joseph Seho ok, producer
Of the Norma and CO. .nco Talmadgo
and Buster Keaton features.
"My troubles arc all behind me, ?
Arbuekle said tonight. am going 70
/ play the game square. I've had a hard
lesson, but believe I've learned II.
I'm going 20 try 70 be what have al
ways been on the screen. Nobody can
say my pictures we're not always clean" /"
Dir. Hays. IN announcing the restric-
tions imposed last April on the 7rodue-
/ tion or sale OF Arbuekle's pictures
would be lifted January /, said he be-
lieyed the comedian had shown himself
entitled 10 n chance 10 come back. He
/ pointed out that Arbuckle's conduct
since his acquittal last spring by a San
Francisco jury had been exemplary.
Lhsky Won't Market Old Films
Jesse Lssky, Arbuckle's former pro-
dueer, said he would not attempt 10
market any Of tho comedians old
films
Arbuekle was just hitting his best
stride n year ago last September, get
ting out Of the slapstiek and into
comedy dramas, when he was accused
OF the murder Of Virginia Rappe.
Miss Rape had gone 20 n party In
| Arbuckle's suite at the ST. Francis
| Hotel here on Labor Day. 1921. During
the festivities she was found on the
/ floor Of Arbucklc's room In pain. She
was removed 20 another room and sub
sequeatly died.
AZ the police court hearing the
charge Of murder was changed to man
| slaughter. Two juries disagreed. The
| third jury was out two minutes, when
| Il returned a verdict Of not guilty, and
then insisted on signing n statement
I completely exonerating the comedian.
In this statement they held he was In
no way responsible for the death Of
Miss Rappe.
Some Time Before New shoWings
However, within a few days viii
Hays banned all Arbuekle pictures. II
may be several months before they
I arc released now, and IL will be some
time before ''Fatty's" new pictures APP
pear.
Mr.. Hsys's statement to-day said, in
part:
livery man in the right and at the
proper time Is entitled 20 his chance
10 make good. II IL apparent that
/ Roscoe Arbuekle's conduct since his
trouble merits that chance. So far as
! am concerned, there will be no sug-
gestion that he should not have his
opportunity to 80 back 10 work In his
! profession.
at became known that certain def
rite features figured In the action that
will allow Arbuekle another opportuni-
" to make good.
"First, perhaps, was the fact that
he seems completely changed and that
his conduct since he was barred from
the screen last April apparently has
| been exemplary.
"Then. too, the action was taken In
the spirit Of Christmas, and IL was be-
lieved that the fullest cooperation in
an branches OF the motion picture in
dustry would be best advanced By clear
ing the slate as far as possible.
"No plans arc In contemplation FOR
! he release Of the three comedies In
which Arbuekle appeared before his
trial"