The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-11
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES -

TIME fundamental cultural issue involved in
Il the movement to purge the movies is one OF
far greater significance than is perceived usually
1t goes more deeply than the question of the
profits of a great industry or the salaries OF Its
artists It also is something wider than the issue
of whether or not self-constituted bodies shall
censor the education, morals and art of the
American people.
1t brings sharply to the fore the basic ques-
ton of who shall be our guides in so advanced
and highly civilized an age as the second quarter
of the twentieth century.
Moving pictures are more than an industry.
They are or certainly should be, prominent
element in our culture ranking with the news
papers radio and the stage.
They already have attained a marvellous de-
velopment as a manifestation of applied science
and popular art. In spite of all the valid crit
cism which may be leveled against them 1T is
doubtful whether any other notable product of
recent capitalistic enterprise offers more to the
public for its money contains so slight an
element of evil in proportion to the educational
and recreational facilities provided.
A LNOST any sane and civilized man would,
N however welcome any intelligent move
ment. within or without the films, to insure
better pictures. We would profit greatly if we
could have productions which dealt with more
vital and realistic themes. The movies could
do far more than they achieve at present IN
LQe way Oh pOpuldI CQuNoOIOl eelA0 oONAo'A
guidance Even from the artistic standpoint,
where the movies are admittedly strongest,
there is immense room for Improvement.
While not movie addict myself 1 certainly
have seen representative movies which 1aII INTO
every category of film productions. L have
never seen in any movie open to the public any
production which struck me as even moderately
, approaching obscenity or immortality
L have been impressed much more frequently
with inSufferable dizziness or the ncreoloIe
&c NiptTI o
are some very popular film clowns who seem TO
me in every way far more Objectionable IMAM
hundred May Vests or Clara Bows. say
this not as an apostle of Solemnlty, Tor can
enjoy Eddie Cantor very thoroughly ana even
can take the Marx Brothers couple OF times
year with some gusto.
EVEN this most deadly charge against the
T. movies-that of a prevailing trend toward
trivality nonsense and too often sheer imbecility
may be lodged quite as much against the Amer
lean public as against the film industry.
1 personally am we'll acquainted with some
of the leading producers and know that they
would much prefer to make their millions out
of worthy and educational films if they could
do so.
Many a producer has spent large sums in
making pictures which dealt intelligently with
an important current social theme only to find
that the antics of one of his clowns brought IN
hundredtold more PAID ADMISSIONS.
Inasmuch as the film industry is not char
liable enterprise, but one of the most highly
organized and extensively equipped of capital
istic undertakings, it hardly can be blamed II 1t
produces what the public wants.
1t is nothing else than the old, old story
of having to vend the wares for which there
is mass demand if we are going to operate an
elaborate industry under the profit system.
No honest and fair critic of the movies we'll
can allege that the producers have been as
reluctant to give us films providing both social
education and high order of entertainment as
the public has been in giving the necessary sup
port to such laudable efforts.