Crime films are another section which should not escape the critical
eye of the censor. It has been suggested that in some cases acts of
crime by juveniles have been incited by seeing similar scenes enacted
upon the screen. They have endeavoured to imitate and emulate the
pictorial crime creator, who was lucky enough to evade the long arm of
the law, by which they themselves were caught.
One cannot imagine for one moment that the display of films showing
murder, suicide, arson, violence or theft, would leave a happy
impression upon the human mind. It only fires the impressionable
mind of the juvenile, who ultimately finds himself arraigned in the
“juvenile court.” Such films only injure the reputation of the cinemas
exhibiting them, because sensible parents will forbid their children to
enter such places.
The prevention of crime is depicted by a series of “Police pictures”
in the Metropolis. This film, promoted to defend that great wall which
defines the orderly and disorderly sections of the community, shows
“Robert” (as he is lovingly called) in the discharge of his duties,
which is not only to exercise a ceaseless vigilance, but to come into
contact with danger of which many of us are ignorant.
It shows us the daily routine of every member of the police force,
from the highest to the lowest rank. Scotland Yard is seen in all its
specialized branches. One can see the detectives being trained to
prevent and discover crime, and the manner in which they run social
offenders to justice, and the deductions leading up to the trail.
The policeman is shown as a friend and helper to the young and aged,
and children nowadays are taught to regard him as someone to appeal to
in case they are lost, and not to run away at sight as if pursued by a
spectre.