Charles B. Herrlitz, who represents the Bavarian Film Exchage, how engaged in peddling a film entitled “S.A. Mann Brand,” anti-Jewish, Nazi-produced movie, has removed his business address from Room 406, 489 Fifth avenue. His destination remains a mystery.
Inquiry at the Fifth avenue address yesterday disclosed that Herrlitz, alleged to be a salaried agent of Hitlerites, had rented a mail box, from Max Teller whose business is subletting office space and mail, boxes.
Teller described himself as “an honest Jewish business man,” and said that late Tuesday night when he had been informed that Herrlitz was causing near riots by producing the anti-Jewish film, he promptly ordered Herrlitz to vacate the premises. A. demonstration arranged by the Film and Photo League on Tuesday afternoon was dispersed by police. The group had stationed istelf in front of the Fifth avenue building but had not received a police permit for the protest.
At first Teller refused to say anything about the Bavarian Film Exchange. He disclosed after persistent questioning, however, that Herilitz i sa “small quiet man who occasionally distributed theatre passes among the girls in the office.” He said that Herlitz had received mail at 489 Fifth avenue since Nov. 1, 1933.
NO DEMONSTRATION
A second demonstration scheduled at noon yesterday by the Film and Photo League, which was to have been sanctioned by the police, did not take place. Inquiry at the headquarters of the League, 12 East 17th street, revealed that League members, led by Samuel Brody, would parade with the central committee of the Communist party which was planning a mass demonstration “of soloidarity with Austrian workers,” now engaged in a war against the Dollfuss government. The Communist sympathizers were to congregate on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd street. The Austian cnsulate is at 500 Fifth avenue, near the building which housed the Bavarian Film Exchange on the opposite side of the avenue.
Two or three members at headquarters of theFilm League were busy making cardboard posters which they were to carry in the demonstration. One of them read. “Stop Hitler Propaganda in America. Demand Deportation of S. A. Mann Brand, and anti-Jewish and anti-labor film.”
One of the members said that Brody, a member of the faculty of the Harry Alen Potamkin Film School, was attempting to have the film barred in New York City. He said that the Bavarian Film Exchange would probably change the name of the cinema.
The League is preparing a number of mimeographed “digests” of the S. S. Mann Brand moving picture which it calls “a film sturated with venom against Communists, Jews and militant workers.” The American Civil Liberties Union, according to one of the broadsides, has protested against showing the film.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
