Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-09
Public Hopes New Film Code
Will Bring Great Benefits

A higher moral tone in the motion
pictures, as forecast by the new code
adopted under the leadership of viii
H. Hays is welcomed by the public.
1t is declared that the code is rigid
enough for experimental purposes,
though some critics find loopholes which
may permit producers to violate good
taste, If it appears that commercial
demands require it.
The producers" says the Pittsburgh
PoSt-GaZette, will diScountenance use
Of unWholesome plays, will place the
sympathy on the side of the law and
against the criminal, refuse to ridicule
religion, uphold the sanctity of marriage
and the home, and in other ways seek
to inspire the audiences to emulation
of right things instead of imitation of
the base. The action follows the pre-
dictions made in advance of the ratifi-
cation and will bring no surprise to the
industry or to those who follow it
closely. The effect should be to
place before the world audience of $780,
600, 900 persons who view American
films weekly, entertainment that will
help and not harm. 1t is a demonstra-
ton that the cinema interests of the
country realize their responsibilities
and accept them"
"It sets a higher standard than that
observed by legitimate drama, by the
newspapers, by the noveliSts and
taking the matter by and largely
the Cincinnati Times-Star. The move
should be welcomed by the public
according to the Chattanooga News,
which holds that ''the surest way 60
make the motion picture industry a
permanent success is to strive for true
art" The Albany Evening News de-
clares: THE new code was not formu-
lated because of any sudden desire in
Hollywood for cleaner pictures. but
because the industry felt the influence
of large part of the public and con-
sign in itself. The box Office looks to
see on which side its bread is buttered
but it may be only temporary
gesture" The Burlington Gazette
thinks sit is too bad the motion picture
makers did not think of it sooner"
The movie FAM" observes the Wor-
cester Telegram, wants to be neither
degraded nor uplifted, as a rule. He
wants to be entertained. If the films
under the new code turn cut to be half
as funny as the code itself, the public
The Topeka Daily Capital advises that
"the new code would create greater
confidence If it were more positive and
less negative; that cit is when the
producers bring forward a constructive
program of what they purpose doing
rather than set forth decalogue of
shall nots,' the public will begin to feel
they are sincere.
X X X X
Certainly movies have spread in
other countries fantastic ideas of Amer
lean life" maintains the Buffalo Eve
ming News. THE general level has been
very low. The movies and the talkies
have wonderful possibilities. 1t must
be hoped that under the new code they
will render some service to culture. ~
The Ann Arbor Daily News remarks
1.-THE great difficulty VIII be in compre-
hensively observing the code, for there
must be conflict to have story: there
must be villains to oppose the heroes;
there must be convincing atmosphere
and Characterization to create the illu-
sion that Is necessary to real entertain
ment. But If the screen reflects
the spirit of the code, even in general
way, there will be no just cause for
complaint from the public. 1t is the
deliberate pandering to the lower in
stinctS that cannot be, excused"
Some danger in too rigid applica-
ton of this or any other prohibitory
code" is seen by the New Orleans item.
which adds: Some masterpieces of
literature have ridiculed man-made laws
and moral codes, and we know of no
reason why the movies should be de-
MED the field of satire. But there is a
vast difference between intelligent sat
ire and a dangerous Standardization
of crime. and criminals such as has been
seen during the past few seasons in
picture dramas of underworld life. If
Mr.. Hays new code can spare us that,
both art and our national standards Of
conduct Will sAin BY It,"