The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-19
IS
DEMANDED ON
STATE MOVIES
Pictures Branded Obscene,
DiSreSpeCtfuI of Law,
in Legislature.
CHURCH PEOPLE OBJECT
Delegation ASSaiIS Films;
Counsel for Producers
Hits Back.

Hollywood actresses appear in
the obscene pictures shown at stag
smokersl'
Motion pictures are teaching
disrespect for the prohibition law
Pictures of robberies stir the
same ideas in the minds of the
young"
The pictures shown today are
indecent.
"A strict censorship on motion
pictures is necessary to protect the
youth of the nation"
These we're the charges hurried
by members of the Friends. church.
who appeared in behalf of the
Foster motion picture censorship
bill before the right and privileges
committee of the house of rep-
resentativeS. They we're answered
by a high representative of the
movie industry.
A divided report probably will be
brought in by the committee when
1t reports on passage of the bill.
Council Defends Pictures
Ajax defying the lightning had
a piker's job compared to Charles
c. Pettiiohn of New York, counsel
for the Motion Picture Producers
and Distributors Association OF
America, who appeared against the
censorship bill and attempted to
answer the questions and charges
hurled at him.
Those appearing in favor Of the
bill were: Representative Charles
Y. Foster of Carmel its author:
M. A. Holloway of
Farmland; the Rev. Jehu Ragen
of Carmel, Mrs, Mary Hiatt, pastor
of the Friends church at Carmel;
the Rev William Kitch of Sheridan,
Minnie Leap Of Indianapolis, and
the Rev. E. r. Garrison of Sheridan.
I'VE have laws protecting the fur
bearing animals; why not laws pro-
tecting the youth of the state22
asked MIR. Ragen.
Motion pictures have become in
decent and they should be censored.
If there. is no censorship there viii
be nothing to deter children from
false ideas Of morals and
and conduct from the pictures Fos-
ter, the author of the bill, said.
Says Films Are Worse
Suggestive parts should be cut
out of t. pictures" Mrs. Leap said.
II believe in motion pictures, but
when scenes suggesting obsceneties
are shown, they should be deleted'
She later asked Pettiohn If it
wasn't true that the Hollywood
actresses were appearing in the stag
smoker pictures, which Pettijohn in
denied.
"Mc-.on pictures are worse this
year than last" Representative Hol-
loway said
ut is just as important TO look
after the minds of our youth as
their bodies and we have a board OF
health and we should have a CEN
sorship board"
Isn't it true that the pictures are
teaching disrespect for the prohibi-
ton law? asked Representative Tru-
man MUrden of Twelve Mile, COM
mittee chairman.
1T is utterly impossible to film
picture such as the Covered Wagon,
or Old Ironsides, without showing a
scene, because drinking was
a part of the life of those periods,
he was informed.
Can't Watch All Films
There are fifty-seven miles Of
film released in Indianapolis each
week and it will be manifestly inn
possible to review as much film
PettijohnSaid.
At present partial review is
made by the Indiana Indorsers,
composed mostly Of churchwomen,
and their recommendations are al
ways gratefully accepted. he said.
Il want to see any person MAX
ing or showing an obSence picture
fined $500 and sent to jail for six
All motion picture ex-
hibitorS agree with me in this" said
These smoker pictures
are made in foreign countries and
in to this country.
1.-THE majority of people object TO
crime and robbery pictures" Foster
why should they object? In tho
picture right always triumpns,
crime. never pays. The criminal al
ways goes TO jail he was told
The Foster bill. one OF the most
drastic ever introduced, would ban
all pictures showing. crime, nudity.
suggestiveness. gun-play. gambling.
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