The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-04

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~ Catholic Bishops Committee on
motion pictures and by Will H.
Hays, president Of the Motion Pic
ture Producers and Distributors
show that the industry is setting
up machinery to guarantee clean
pictures.
"At the quarterly meeting of the
board of directors of the Motion
Picture Producers and Distributors"
Mr.. Hays announces, action was
taken to amend its system of self
regulation in order to eliminate ap-
peals from the decisions of the
production code administration to
the jury of producers in Hollywood.
additional local authority has
been assigned to the production
code administration in Hollywood,
of which Joseph I. Breen is the di-
rector, and the personnel will be
amplified. Any appeal from the de-
cision of the production code adj
ministration rests only with the
board of directors of the Motion
Picture Producers and Distributors
of America in New York, which as
Sumes final responsibility for the
character of the pictures to be
made.
There is but one answer and one
answer only to reasonable objec-
lions to pictures, and that is the
pictures themselves. 1t is recognized
that the solution of the problem Of
the right kind of screen entertain
ment rests solely with the quality
of the product and these strength
ened arrangements are directed to
discharging that responsibility more
effectively
A r the same time the Catholic
n Bishops Committee on motion
pictures issued a statement which
indicates that the committee feels
that the industry is acting in good
faith.
The bishops committee, of which
Bishop John F. Noll of Ft. Wayne
is a member, states:
During the last several months
the Catholic Bishops Committee on
motion pictures, in cooperation
with the authorities of all the do
ceses of the country, has been wag-
ing a campaign of protest against
the destructive moral influence OF
evil motion pictures.
There has been no wish to harm
nor destroy the motion picture
business. But the evil character of
portions of many motion pictures,
and the low standards of some mo-
ton pictures, have forced the
Bishops to take direct and agrees
sive action in safeguarding the
moral welI-being of their people.
These recent activities against
motion pictures which offend de-
cency and morality were launched
only after years of vain hope that
the producers of these pictures
would realize the harm being done
and take positive steps to correct
the trend.
THE committee is not hostile to
the entertainment business; in fact,
it recognizes entertainment as a
virtual necessity in modern life.
But such entertainment must be
of a wholesome character, and to
that objective the committee has
earnestly addressed its efforts.
THE Legion Of Decency, whose
members pledge themselves not to
patronize theaters showing often
sive films, has gathered to its BAN
ner many thousands of adherents
wherever it has been introduced.
Plans are being developed to extend
its membership to every town and
city in the United States and to in
vite all persons in sympathy with
its purpose to lend their support.
THE committee has been in
formed that, through the loyal CO.
operation of our Catholic people, to-
gether with a widespread response
on the part of many others who be-
lieve that a publication of the cine
ma is an outstanding moral issue OF
the day, the motion picture theaters
have suffered a severe curtailment
of patronage.
This curtailment has prompted
the Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America, Inc, to
send Mr.. Martin Quigley Of New
York City and Mr.. Joseph I. Breen
of Hollywood to the meeting Of the
Episcopal committee today.
THE companies which are mem
bers of the above-named organiza-
ton are reputed to be responsible
for approximately 90 per cent Of the
films produced in the United States.