A movie of the “bloody reign of the Hitler terror” was banned after its opening performance this morning at the Majestic Theatre here. The film was distrlbuted by the Jewel Productions, Inc., of New York.
Objections lodged by Dr. Hans Luther, German Ambassador, and Dr. Rolf L. Jaeger, German Consul in Chicago, are believed to have prompted Mayor Edward J. Kelley to issue orders banning the film.
Mayor Kelley issued a decree a few weeks ago declaring his intention to prohibit films in which riot scenes were shown. He said today that the Hitler film has riot scenes.
Dr. Jaeger told the Mayor that the film should be stopped because it would stir up antagonism between two friendly nations. “In addition,” he said, “the picture is fake. Most of it was made in New York and not in Germany.”
Several anti-Nazi organizations here are believed to be considering requesting a court injunction which will permit them to view the film, since they are interested in the subject. The outcome of this development is still in doubt.
Samuel Cummins, president of Jewel Productions, Inc., announced in New York City last week that “Hitler’s Reign of Terror,” said to be the first authentic motion picture record of the Nazi regime in Germany, will open at the Mayfair Theatre in New York on April 30.
The picture was made from films smuggled out of Germany by Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., and was originally scheduled to open in New York yesterday. Delays by the New York Board of Censors in granting a film permit causec postponement.
After application for the permit had been made, attorneys for the producers discovered that since the film deals with current news, it did not come under the jurisdiction of the board. The application was withdrawn.
A statement issued by Cummins said that, if necessary, the producers would take the matter to the State courts in an attempt to have the film shown.
Edwin C. Hill, newspaperman, collaborated with Vanderbilt in preparing the film.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
