Evening star., 1941-11-27


when word came Tuesday from
Providence, r. l., that police censors
In that city had revoked the films
license from showing there.
This is the first time in several
years that leaders of the Catholic
Church, who have been grading the
moral tone of motion pictures. have
placed a blanket condemnation on
major release.
1t is feared now that other cities
and even States may follow suit
and, further. that new crisis in the
recently strained relationship be-
tween the legion and the film in
dustry may be not far over the
horizon.
In disapproving the Garbo film by
placing a &C" or condemned"
rating upon ii, the legion listed the
following reasons: Immoral and
unchristlan attitude toward mar
riage and its obligations, impudently
suggestive scenes. dialogue and situ-
ationS, suggestive costumes
The story is about ski inStruc-
tress who fears she is about to lose
her husband and who poses as her
own twin sister in an amorous cam
paign to win him back.
Metro Goldwyn Mayer, which
produced the picture, had no COM
ment TO offer either on the Legion S
condemnation or action of the
Providence board in barring the
film, but pointed out that it had
compiled with all the regulations
of the Hays office" in putting it on
the screen.
At the Hays office neither Mr.
Hays nor Jeffrey Sherlock, in charge
of the censorship department since
the resignation of Joseph I. Breen
six months ago, would discuss the
matter.
When Breen quit after seven
years service Sherlock took over as
custodian of the morals code. His
appointment has never been con-
f1rmed by Hays or any member OF
the Producers Association.
The Legion of Decency first came
to grips with Hollywood in 1888 ano
1884 when leaders of the Catholic
Church, objecting to the genera
moral tone of films then being re.
leased, began urging the faithful tc
pledge themselves to remain away
from pictures condemned by the
group.
The results had such serious
effect on the box Office that Holly.
wood promised in June. 1884. to SET
up a self-regulating code of morals
approved by church dignitaries, anc
to abide by it rigidly.
1t was then that Breen took ovel
supervision of the code, a job ht
relinquished last May to become
general manager of the R-K-C
Studio.
At that time Breen's only com
ment was: I'm fed up"
Birth of the Blues'-Paramoun
was torn between San Francisco
New Orleans and Memphis as cite
entitled to claim origin of low-dowr
music emphasized in this movi
-. finally split up honors between
last two Southern cities :. It'll
here aptly describes story, for i
pictures birth of blaring music tha
paved way for Jazz" and swing
eras.
Opening title reads: This pictur
Is dedicated to those men from
Memphis and New Orleans who tool
American music out of rut and pu
1t in the groove"
Last picture directed by quiet
talented Victor Schertzinger, musi
clan and composer himself :. Fev
weeks before its release, Schertz
tnger died suddenly in Hollywood
home Considerable libertie
taken with films music, as not al
of it was published before 1915
period of story =. . but this Wa
necessary so all best Loved blues
tunes could be fitted in score.
Jack Big Gate" Teagarden ant
band engaged for production ant
leader himself recorded sounds sup
posedly emanating from hot trum
pet footed by Brian Donlevy.
Curious story back of title: B. G
"Buddy" De sylvia used song, Brit
of the Blues" in New York musics
show Monte Bell, then a pro
ducer at Fox Studios, bought It'll
for $1,000, planning to use it on
picture Story was never mad
Eventually De Sylvia became
producer at Paramount E. He 10
Gated Bell and bought the title bac
for 81 900 :. then De sylvia becam
executive producer at Paramount
and hired Bell to make the picture
Only new song in film, written b
Johnny Mercer, is THE Waiter, tn
Porter and the Upstairs Maid" sun
by Bing Crosby, Mary Martin an
Teagarden -. . but there are
'oldies," evenly distributed betwee
Bing and Mary-with some In due
"The Tvo-Faced Woman-No,
for the first time. Garbo plays
dual role-shes twins! But OF
twin impersonates the other g.
One girl is dowdy health-mind'
ski instructor at smart winter r
sort. the other chic. sophisticate
elamorous woman of world-wi
MELVIN Douglas falling for both.
This is second time Garbo h
nANCUEC