Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19

WlIUST AIlSGlJuJlOAls 2lAC
photoplay has changed all this.
instead of a season Of minor Incl
dents, the theater now blooms
with the Spring flowers. This Is
especially true Of washington,
where warm weather does not
curtail activities along Ell street.
The modern theater is building
of comfortable interior, even in
the warmest weather. With its
cooling system and other equip
csas@1. there is no necessity for
hunting the shade trees. Also,
this influence of the movies has
aided the legitimate theater with
it's Summer stock.
The producers look upon the
warm weather days with no fear.
All of them have laid out elab-
crate programs Of production.
Big pictures will be given pre-
mieres during the coming Summer
and box. office records will con-
tinue to be shattered.
~
DR. CLINTON WUNDER, execu-
- tive manager Of the Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sci
ences, announces that crime and
sex themes are gradually drop
ping from the program OF produc-
ton. The doctor says: out OF AZ
features released by studio men,
bers of the Hays group during
January and February, only 9
contained crime or sex in any
degree Of prominence, and OF
these Q. 8 received Endorsement
of the official reviewing groups
representing great national or
ganiEationS, including the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution,
University Women'S Association,
the Young Mems Christian ASSo-
citation, Federated Women'S Clubs,
international Federation OF Cath
Ollie Alumnae and others. From
January to July, 1890, the repre-
sentatives Of public groups who
examine pictures here in Holly
wood reviewed GOT new produc-
tions, and 9 out Of every 10 pic
lures won the Endorsement OF at
least one group"
AS often stated in these CO...
umnS, pictures run in cycles and
producers have "cycle minds"
For instance, If 6 picture Of a GER
tain new type wins approval, all
the producers in Hollywood make
haste to follow along the same
line. They do not care for origi-
nality; they prefer to follow the
crowd, There soon comes such a
flood of this particular type of
picture that the caSh-paying pub
lie becomes disguised. Then, by
some unknown method, writer or
director hits upon another idea.
Thereafter comes another flood OF
a certain kind of picture. We have
but to think back over the back
stage stuff" the avalanche Of mu-
steal offerings and the crime
wave" in the movies to notice how
the "cycle minds" of the producers
function. Hollywood requires some
new thought which will not be
taken to the studios by highly paid
novelists who are rehaSting their
old stories. Hollywood offers a
great opportunity; the photoplay
is wonderful medium, but 1t
is not advancing, as it should. The
Germans raTe yfaf ahead OF US In
their photography, although their
story material is not always what
it should be. Other countries seem
to- have dropped, temporarily at
least, from the competition, and
this country has remarkable OPP
portunity to show what can be
done in the studios.
-i@-
THE producers find themselves
confronted with peculiar prob
lens when it comes to censorship
Of the talking pictures. In the
first place, making cuts In the
pictures is not only difficult, but
it is very expensive. AS the mat
ter now stands, many of the States
have censorship boards, which
function in strange ways. Also,
cities and communities have their
censorship groups. All Of these de-
mand changes. A picture which is
suitable for one State, city or COM
rnunity might not-and usually is
not-proper for another State,
city or community. Each censor
ship group has its own rules or
laws. AS an illustration of this,
"Alibi" was judged unsuitable for
exhibition in Chicago, while in
other sections of the country 1t
was declared one of the best pic
lures of the year. Also, THE Big
House" another picture numbered
among the best 10" of the year,
was voted unsuitable for the State
of Ohio. It Is thought that the
latter ruling came about through
a. disaster in the Ohio State peni-
%AyakfnrxT ~ HAyaaNVa1AYNC ftfThn Bic
House" successfully passed CEN
sorship rules In all other sections
Of the country.
In order to quiet talk regarding
national censorship, the producers
must start cleaning their own
household. If they ever do,
through the Hays organization,
establish their own board OF re-
view in Hollywood, they viii have
an opportunity to acquaint them
solves with the various censorship
rules, follow them as closely as
pbSsible from the Hollywood angle
and thereby, TO a large extent,
eliminate future objections and
expensive cuts in feature produc-
tfonS. From Washington, looking
Westward, it appears that the only
way to prevent national censor
ship is to eliminate the cause for
it To clean house in Hollywood
Will give no reason for the estab-
lishment of national censorship
board. Those producers can take
aapeek into the future, If they are
wise. And If they are not, ma
tfonal censorship is coming just as
surely as one day follows another.
And national censorship in the
movies means national censorship