A comprehensive attempt is being made in the United States to improve
the quality of the films shown, and for this purpose a “National Motion
Picture League” has been formed. It is proposed to elevate the standard
in two ways--first by supervising and conducting children’s matinées,
and assisting churches, municipal boards of education, parents’
associations and other organizations interested in public welfare to
secure proper pictures for adults, young people and children. In the
second place it will assist, by proper publicity, towards the provision
of good pictures and a campaign of education against the immoral and
objectionable ones.
A reviewing board has been formed by the League, composed of clergymen,
Sunday school teachers and public welfare workers. This Board makes a
selection from the general output of films, and a list of those which
they deem suitable will be published in weekly bulletins before the
pictures are released for the open market and public exhibition. These
lists are sent to the film-producers, and are published in magazines.
Local committees are formed everywhere to unite in their efforts and
use every influence. These committees are of two kinds--children’s
matinées, which seek to provide suitable programmes for youthful minds;
and reviewing committees, which report on all pictures seen in local
picture theatres which are considered suitable for the lists of the
League.
The films selected are clever and wholesome throughout. Films
unsuitable, even though the details exercise the moral ending, are
rigidly excluded. They have to be in good taste, unbiassed and
accurate. The board refuses to endorse a film that is inaccurate from a
scientific standpoint or that contains undesirable inaccuracies in the
production of well-known stories.
No crimes are allowed in pictures if they show killing or gunplay, and
there must also be no cruelty to either man or beast. Infidelity and
sex pictures are not tolerated, and even scenes of women smoking or men
drinking are debarred.
A rule has been instituted which would produce good in this country,
and should be followed. All titles and letter-press must be strictly
grammatical and free from profanity or vulgarity.
The following is a label on a film after having passed through their
hands:--
“In part 3, cut out scenes of mixing drinks.” In part 6 cut out
sub-title, “You don’t care a damn,” etc., also all drinking scenes.
In short, the National Association of the Motion-Picture Industry has
resolved to suppress and refrain from films that “emphasize vice or the
sex appeal or illicit love; exhibit nudity, excessive demonstrations
of passion, and vulgar postures; unduly concern themselves with the
underworld of crime, bloodshed and violence, drunkenness, gambling, and
unnatural practices; emphasize the methods used in committing crime;
bring into ridicule the law, the authorities, and religious beliefs
and leaders; contain salacious titles, or are advertised salaciously.”