“king of Kings” Shown in Seven Cities Despite Protests of Jews

B’nai Brith Lodges Lead Move Against Film (Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Although the exhibitors agree that the film tends to incite religious and racial hatred, the picture “King of Kings,” will be exhibited at Finkelstein & Ruben motion picture houses in the Twin Cities.

Committees representing the St. Paul and Minneapolis lodges of the B’nai Brith vigorously protested against the showing of the picture, and resolutions to that effect passed by the lodges were presented to the exhibitors. Numerous conferences were held by the committees with the exhibitors. At these conferences, no defense of the picture was presented. M. L. Finkelstein, I. H. Ruben, and E. Ruben, who is director of bookings for the company, all stated that it was unfortunate that a contract for exhibiting the film was entered into, that the film merits condemnation, and that it would be a desirable thing if it were not shown.

The committees were hopeful that the exhibitors would decline to show the film until Friday, December 7, when Mr. Finkelstein informed Gustavus Loevinger, a member of the St. Paul B’nai Brith committee, that the film would have to be shown.

The exhibitors declared that they must show the film or violate their contract with the Pathe Co. They stated, however, that only the bare essentials of the contract will be carried out, that the film will not be exhibited either in St Paul or Minneapolis for more than one week, that it will be shown at only one theater in each city; and that it will not be exhibited at any of the suburban theaters. Certain deletions will be made, the management promised, to make it less objectionable.