New-York tribune., 1921-05-08

Bv ADACII KINNOSUKE
I'm TOXIC there is one peerless motion pic
ture masterpiece. 1t has many distinc-
tions about it. In the first place, like
real masterpiece of art, there is nothing
like it in all the world. It is made UP OF eli
makes from the curtain-raiser to the end OF
the fifth act It is drama which has nothing
whatsoever in it but high lights. More as
founding still, this unique and tremendous pic
xure drama was born and brought up to its
present maturity and perfection without the
least assistance from any authors and scena-
rio writer's or any director, fussy or otherwise.
1t came into being in spite of them all.
This great picture is not on public exhibi-
ton. Like most of the really precious treas
ures of earth, it is kept under lock and key
most of the time, far and away from the pro-
fame eyes of the vulgar. But mortal eyes have
seen it more than once, for it belongs to an
American of rather decent and sociabie sort.
He is in Toxic representing number OF Amer
lean Aim companies, and in his more liberal
moments he invites some OF his intimate
friends to view this picture and share with hlm
the transport of emotional thrill and never-to-
be-forgotten ecstasy of mirth. forgot to men
tion that besides having all the transcendent
qualities mentioned above the film is a master
piece of humor, the more delicious because 1t
is of an entirely unconscious type.
We have already stated that this remarkable
picture came into existence without the art OF
author or director, but, Of course, nothing is
ever born without parent. The films parent
age is the most correct in the world, for it was
fathered by no less parsonage than the movie
censor of the imperial Japanese government
OF course, ne did not write the masterpiece
with a pen or the writing brush of his native
country Neither did he construct it out of his
brain He wrote and wrought it with pair OF
scissors and fashioned it with his right hand.
It is high time to make detailed statement re-
garding the masterpiece without taxing the
readers patience any further. The film is one
continuous, sustained unfolding of oscuation
in all its various and varied moods and lenses
and intensities 1t is made up OF all the parts
which the Japanese censor has cut out of all the
American films which had been shown in Toxic
FOR years
The censor should not get all the credit for
the birth of the masterpiece. An ancient and
perfectly proper custom in Japan had some
thing to do with the thing. Kissing is not
anywhere as popular in Japan as it is in
America-especially with the American movie
heroes and heroines 1t is particularly unpop
ular with the Japanese censor. To the heather
Japanese way of looking at things kissing is
q primitive, uncouth way Of translating the
very poetry of sentiment in the magic mo-
ments of lifes Maytime When some protest
ing individuals, including some of the Ameri-
can representatives of producing companies
in Los Angeles, made more than one impolte
remark about the intelligence of the Japanese
movie censor, he retorted that kissing is not
only savage and degrading, as the Japanese
ethical sense holds it, but also it is unhy-
gienic. And to show that he had the better Of
the argument he offered to read to any rep
resentatives of American film companies not
only one but quite number Of passages from
come of the most eminent American medical
authorities on the subject.
This, then, is the reason why an American
gentleman treats few of his intimate friends
in Toxic, of and on, TO certain film master
pieces, to their eternal delectation. The moral
- that even the censor Is not without an ex-
cuse for existence, and, moreover, even gov
ernment official can produce masterpiece of
humor ii only he is unconscious about it.
II, however, Americans would like to hear
what real Japanese movie fan thinks of the
censor Of Japan and what his work has done
besides achieving the aforementioned master
piece, then here it is;
IL have been resident Of Asakusa for more
than twenty years." this fan wrote to one Of
the Toxic papers, discussing the effect Of gov
ernment censorship on picture dramas as ex-
hibited in Japan. In passing one might add
that Asakusa is section Of Toxic which is
sometimes called the "Coney Island Of Japan
for no ether reason whatever than that il is a
center of rather iowbrow amusements and
contains Whole street almost altogether de-
voted to "movie palaces" from one end to the
other.
Il have been one Of the most enthusiastic
smoviegoers' until the censorship was estab-
lished." continues the correspondent. II re-
Eaauhag when there was only one movie
eAsaaar IN Asakusa-~svhychs indeed. wss chs
asag Asassaa theassr, In ~ strict senss, in tha