The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-08-17
BY TOM BRANDON


THE Legion of Decency" move
ment for decent" movies, init
ated by the Catholic Church Of
America, has secured the endorse
ment Of the top spokesman Of the
Protestant, Methodist, Lutheran
churches. Supporting this Inter-
faith movement, are the American
Rabbinicsl Association, the Hearst
newspapers and prominent repre-
sentatiYes of the bourgeoisie: Mrs.
August Belmont, Mrs. Calvin Cool
idge, Mrs. Roosevelt, IF. d. mother)
etc. Already Pope Plus XII in Rome
has given his blessing. Rumors are
rampant that before October 1st the
American Legion, the Daughters of
the American Revolution, the Eks,
Moses, Knights of Columbus will
endorse and actively support the
Legion Of Deceney" and its pro-
gram. The Catholic press swears
that 20 million Catholic church
goers will enroll; the Protestant
spokesman promise the unrelenting
support of % million followers. In
Washington, D. c. representatives of
the Motion Picture Research Coun-
Gil are busy "coordinating this
movement for decent" films.
To the millions of movie-goers who
have not yet deserted the Holly
wood films, this "decency" campaign
came suddenly. To many millions
more of workers, farmers, and in
tellectuals who go to the movies only
to get in out of the rain, If at all,
the great drive for decent" films
seems rather foolish. It must be
reported, however, that careful study
Of the whole history of the Church's
relations with the movies, as well
as an examination of the present
war" between Church and movie
shows that the present campaign is
neither sudden nor foolish.
The Legion Of Decency" is not
at "war" with the movies-nor is
the Interfaith crusade concerned
only with sex films. On the con-
trary, this drive represents the en-
deaEors Of the more reactionary sec
ton Of the bourgeoisie to work out
more effective methods of using this
great medium Of social control-the
movies-in the interests Of the capt.
talist class as whole and against
the main interests of the workers,
farmers and intellectuals Of Amer
lea,
WHAT is the program OF the
W Church Crusader What does it
hold in store for the masses of movie
goers? Why does the drive start
now after five years of silence on
the part of the Church? What are
the dangers Of this crusade? These
questions can best be answered by
examination Of the economic and
political conditions in which both
the movies and Church find them
selves:
1.-The undated economic crisis
that has plunged the whole movie
industry into bankruptcy, receiver
ship and thus into the hands of the
largest Wall st. banks.
2.-The unprecedented "coopera-
ton" and guidance of the Federal
government since Roosevelt came to
office (his part in Gabriel Over the
White House" the National Defense
Week and MIRA. ballyhoo shorts,
N.R.A. conferences on policy, etc. /.
3.-The development OF two main
tendencies in the Hollywood films:
a. escape f1lms-inoluding musical,
mystery, animal, freak and sex films
which serve 10 give the masses of
movie goers q cheap and easy way
out" Of their pressing everyday
problems.
4,-The tremendous drop in movie
attendance lover so per cent since
1920 due to the crisis and to the
fact that millions of disillusioned
movie-goers are rejecting the Holly
wood efforts.
5.-The economic and political
factors operating in the field of
movies have likewise been function
ing in the Church causing (for the
first time since the first World War;
complete, daily cooperation be-
tween the Church and the Federal
government. This, for instance, is
seen in the appearance of Church
leaders on every strike breaking
Arbitration Commission"
6.-The emphasis of two main
tendencies in lectures, sermons and
program Of the Church:
a. Escape propaganda directed at
covering the unbearable conditions
Of life under capitalism with prom
Use of way out in heaven.
b. Political sermon and lecture
propaganda in support of the N.R.A.
slave codes, against strikes, against
struggles for relief, against open
struggles against fascism,
THE tremendous drop in church
attendance lover IS per cent since
1920.