Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-27
Difficulties Of Censorship.

Few people realize the scope and COM
plexity of such criticism. Laws have al
ways Jagged behind public opinion, and
there has been startling disagreement on
basic ethical principles. The members
of the national board recognize these
obstacles and freely acknowledge that
they are open to error. Their methods,
however. are sound. They know the
motion picture business. They have
actual knowledge Of the effects Of the
pictures on people of different classes and
in different parts of the country. They
seek advice from people skilled in part
or the whole Of the field Of life.
The problem Is found complicated by
the necessity of reviewing and critis-
ing pictures for all the people. The
same films are released on the same
day in Florida. Maine and oregon. The
motion picture houses are open to peo-
pie ranging from three to eighty years
of age and representing social tradi-
tons and educational influences. some
modern and some antiquated. some ma
tive and some foreign. A partial So
luton Of this difficulty appears to be
special theaters and programs for chill
dren and young people. community
| theaters and unusually fine films in
schools, churches and libraries
The board recognizes that the mag
ination of young people acts quickly
on the senses. 1t appreciates that they
are open to all kinds of suggestion. On
the OlNef II Knows IQ6I the SdIe
guards of youth. resistance, respect.
fears and ideals. act as barriers against
impure and unworthy thoughts and
acts.
sensuality and Crime.
1t realizes that pictures stimulating
the senses require particular study
from the point Of view of the ado
| descent. 1t. therefore, has adopted
standards "curtailing prolonged love
scenes which are ardent beyond the
strict requirements of the dramatic
situation. 1t believes that it Is one
| of the purposes of censorship to keep
out of the mire the great experiences
of humanity SO that they may not be
cheapened to the extent Of losing their
significance" The board restricts also
very carefully the display of clothing
and the person in ways to arouse the
| imagination and suggest immortality
and tndecency. 1t also enforces strictly
the exclusion of those forms of close
| dancing which have the same sensuous
| appeal.
bewildering variety of crimes
against person and property requires
careful treatment. "The portrayal Of
crime should not degenerate into PAN
dering to a morbid appetite, but should
seek ends which are legitimate for the
| drama" The board insists that pun
ishment naturally and fatally follows
| crime and that an adequate dramatic
| motive for committing a crime is al
ways necessary to warrant picturing it.
IGruesome and suggestive details are
| excluded. Regarding violence the
board states: The actual deeds of VIC
lence need to be treated with the great
est discretion in motion pictures and
1 the producer should remember that he
| Is not writing a detailed exposition of
! the crime, but is telling a dramatic
story which most often does not need
| such detail. but merely enough to make
clear what has happened"
Severe With Maniac Films.
The board deals severely with films
which picture maniacs. on the ground
that they unduly harass the emotions of
real dramatic purpose. The insane char
acter. who is not a maniac. is less liza
BILE to be eliminated from q picture.
though If the presentation OF such
| character be unduly unwholesome or
unpleasant 1t is challenged.
| The board recognizes the need OF popu-
lar education as to extent and dangerous
effects of habit-forming drugs and be-
lieves that motion pictures may be a me-
dunn for this purpose. But it is opposed
! to the portrayal of the alluring, the grue-
some and suggestive, and will allow only
those scenes which are dramatically nee
essary to point the moral. 1t also OPP
poses those methods Of using such drugs
| as would stimulate curiosity and expert
mentation 1t will critically scan any
suggestions of easy methods Of obtaining
such drugs.
1t will support those subjects presented
in dignified, sincere and dramatic way
which will enighten and arouse the pub
le 70 the enactment and enforcement Of