The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-04-09


encountered in fabulous and usty metropolis of New
York is publication called Motion Picture Daily The
paper is in fact Mondsy-throughFriday daily and it
skips an issue every legal holiday.
Now, here is puzzling thing. This Motion Piefur.
Daily edited lin chief" by Mr. Martin Ougley and
assisted doubt ably by others of less striking name
has been consistently ouspoken advocate of ideals
of the Legion of Decency, and champion of the
Legion itself
Mr. Qugey Joy in the that twenty years ago
he co-auhor of the motion picture production code
lately under seige by producers unreaistc
moded Only few weeks ago. Mr. Quigey rushed into the
fray against Mr. Sam Godwyn in defense of the decency
code.
Mr. Qugley is known to be counsellor and friend of
the Legion of Decency program Indeed in 1884
of the Legion Mr. Quigey authorized representa-
tive of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of
America Inc at the meetings of the newlyformed Bishops
Committee Motion Pictures which set up the Legion
Mr. Qugley informed the Bishops of the ndurys latest
plan for sereguaton and throughout the years he has
worked closely with who wished to maintain decency
in films.
Mr. Quigley the champion of decency in motion pic
lures ofends against decency In the Motion Picture DaYs
advertisements He cannot have it both ways The new
vogue of ewd and obscene advertising in the daily press
and magazines has been forthrghty criticized lately by the
Jesuit Fathers America and by Monsgnor Meehan Editor
of the Chicago New World" Other journalists have given
timely notice to the insulting sexness of the movies latest
efforts to recapture patrons.
Two recent copies of MPD may be cited In its issue
February It's March 18th
ber the Daily carries two color full page ad which is
filthy broadside for a filthy film.
We are not astonshed nowadays. unless happen
belong the somewhat moronc class of nnocents who
dabble about in politics and mudde up foreign rea-
tions when lesser breeds without the law breathe hot
and cold at and the time We longer tax
aback by the cry of peace peace uttered by aliens bent
determinedly destroying But we are still little
shocked when people and publications of nation
talk nobly in column of print and nosomey in the
column adjoining.
We expect the panderer and the pornographer to veil
their dirty business with deusve phrases Thus for in
stance not amazed when the purveyor of smutty
print or immoral pictures talks up his literature
art But iusifiably iolted when find plain
editorial policy and pronouncement accompanied by wholly
contradictory sort of advertising We are dismayed to find
the clarion call for decency illustrated for frankly in
decent pictures.
For such unconscionabe and contradictory conduct
the Motion Picture Daily is to be taken sharply to task.
Despite its pous of decency presents the March
number an advertisement for film condemned by the
Legion and by immoral And the adver
tiserS know that it is immoral and its immortality
enticement to potential viewers
Chief feature of the fulpage ad distressingy broad
beamed creature tightfing garment Not seductive
to normal persons it nevertheless meant to be seductive
and by wildly approving quotes from
in such publications Motion Picture Herald Hollywood
Reporter and Film Daily And Daily Variety is cited
calling the film "Sexpoiation Film Fare! Hsrrsons Re-
ports calls it "Sex dished out with vengeance and
adds that ii is top boxoffice grosser Film Daily after
calling the picture luSy nunK oil pulse SURFING drama
garnished with adds that it generates plenty of heat
and that it will attract plenty bucks"
Generates much appeal as the screen will
aowl is the geeul comment of Motion Picture Herald
' should roll up strong crosses says Hollywood Report
aded by wordofmouth praise that is bound to follow
The star is described by the Reporter "a suy
looking gorgeous hunk of sexy feminnity," who 'ends
sparkle and vitality to fine screen play! Note that
all of these eeng and explanatory comments part and
parcel of the advertisement carried by the Motion Picture
Daily whose editor and publisher champion of decency
and lover of the Legion
The March II issue of the Daily broadsdes for another
dirty picture but in less tumescen and offensive terms
Even So we read that the leading lady person who
wears very little the dance and osSeS her charms
about extravagantly" And the comment continues that
nearly everybody who has the film including the dance
has enioyed it And here too the note of much money to
be made of pomography is sounded in urid banner
line, "Oo-ala those crosses
The fact that this of thing exists In modern Amer
lea is sad demonstration of the low state to which our
sense of public decency culture and very clylza
ton have fallen That Mr. Martin Quigley should be mix
ed up in this dirty business added point of distress
especially since this edorinchef and publisher OF
the Motion Picture Daily has been considered avowed
advocate of sane morals and manners.
The open and public advocacy of Sexness which finds
expression in the advertisements we here consider