Evening journal., 1922-06-12
The Church and the
Motion Picture
Sy DEAN CHARLES ". LATHROP
" the Social Service Commission of
the Federal Council of Churches.


the Federal Council of Churches.
MS is the first of a series OF 4
articles summarizing a study OF mo-
ton pictures made by the Social Ser
vice Commission OF the Federal Coun-
ell OF Churches. II Is a remarkable sur
vey Of conditions, and its findings and
conclusions are practicable and sane. II
should be read not only by producers,
distributors and exhibitors but also by
parents and all who attend motion pic
ture performances.
Dean Lathrop is executive OF the
Department OF Christian Social Service
OF the Episcopal Church. He gives
special thanks and praise to Lee +.
Hammer. director OF the Recreation De-
partment Of the Russell Sage Founda-
ton for collection and presentation OF
most of the data collected.
Those who are looking for the SEN
sational and extraordinary will be
disappointed in this study Of motion
pictures under the direction of the
Social Service Commission Of the
Federal Council OF Churches. 1t
frankly lacks the thrill and excite
ment OF the reform movement. II
does not denounce and It finds the
ultimate solution OF its problem in
the social ideals of the whole COM
munity.
The character of the motion pic
lures shown daily in commercial
houses is the ground of much con-
troversy which is causing concern TO
many OF the most earnest people in
our churches. Church officials, and
in particular those responsible for
social and educational work, are con-
tinually receiving protests against
the screen and demands for the en-
dorsement OF some plan for control
over motion pictures. The criticisms
specify the excessive portrayal of
crime and violence, unwholesome
treatment OF sex themes. OF mar
riage and divorce, and OF family life.
II should be recognized at the out
set that with reference to these and
similar criticisms the screen is not
the worst offender. In many theatres
the pictures are fine and wholesome
by comparison with the vaudeville
performances that accompany them.
In the nature Of the case motion
pictures, because they emanate from
a few cepters Of production, lend
themselves more readily TO control
than does the action stage. Also the
greater influence Of the screen upon
the young gives vastly greater i'm
portance TO its quality. These are
at once reasons for considering def
mite social action and a reason for
exercising caution and restraint lest
such action be arbitrary, superficial
and unjust.
ANY effort at betterment needs to
be addressed 10 the entire industry.
The attitude of the public toward
films. as toward theatrical perform
ances. is difficult to determine. Mem
bers OF the trade often declare that
films of risque character are very
much in demand and that the pub
lie is therefore responsible for their
use. There is, unfortunately, evil
dence to support this contention.
II was pointed out by the Cleve-
land recreation survey that utterly
false Impressions as TO the character
of a film are frequently given by ad-
vertising. II the pictures were as
bad as the posters sometimes indi- |
cate the conditions would be much |
more serious. Undoubtedly some of
the harsh criticism OF motion pic
lures which is now heard is based on
what the critics think the films are.
Again II is not uncommon for
theatrical producers and exhibitors
to state the reverse OF this. Elk
nerience seems TO indicate that the
response OF the public is equally pro-
nounced whether the performance is
OF artistic quality and high moral
tone, or OF a subtly salacious char
acter: IL It kindles the imagination
and conveys a thrill, little else
matters.
During the year 1921 an effort was
made 10 secure opinions from groups
of church people in a number OF
cities as to the character of the films
in their communities. They are
probably illustrative of general
opinion on the part Of our people on
this subject.
The church Federation Of Phil
adelphia reports the results OF
survey in which, It was estimated
about two hundred people took
part. There are approximately 165
licensed motion picture houses in
the city where pictures are shown,
81 of which were visited; 346 per
formances and 427 films reported.
OF these films 191 were approved
as containing no undesirable feat
ure whatsoever.
The committee making the study
expressed regret that such pictures
were not more widely shown in the
poorer districts of the city. The
report characterized 149 as lin
1t should be noted, how
ever that the committee used the
term indifferent" to include films
In which there Is underlying un-
of theme, or false
standards of conduct" and other
questionable features.
Eighty-seven films were con
demned as radically bad and unde-
sirable BY bad films" the com
mittee meant pictures showing
gross immortality, vice. brutality !