But such a system in England is impossible. All films imported from abroad pay the same duty whether they are shown once or a hundred times. It follows that only those films calculated to make a box office appeal are considered by the importers and renters.

On the other hand, supposing that the Ciné Club of Geneva were to import for a single performance the programme of, say the Ciné Club of Ostende, or that of any French or German society, the cost would be that of postage, taxation, and an import duty averaging three pounds.

*To exchange the same programme with London would cost from fifty to two hundred pounds.*

In most countries abroad children are not admitted to cinemas. Foreign films sent to England have therefore to meet a series of conditions of censorship which result in their complete alteration, in an attempt to make them suitable for "Universal" exhibition to adults and children. They are then further censored here with the same object in view. Yet in the attempt to protect the young from contaminating influence on the screen, much salacious and degrading matter is allowed while scientific and serious problems such as they are likely to encounter in youth as well as in maturity are strictly forbidden. An example of this can be found in the fact that a film like *Our Dancing Daughters*, which presents an unpleasant and worthless aspect of social life, was passed, while *Cosmos*, a serious attempt at scientific documentation, was finally permitted only after the deletion of thousands of feet. Abroad *Cosmos* has even been shown as a film RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

## 4. REMARKS ON THE PETITION

Such restrictions are harmful, not only because British films have not attained a standard sufficiently high to establish them firmly in the world markets, but also because of the tendency of those in the industry with intelligence and initiative to go abroad when opportunity presents, for the reason that they are anxious to keep abreast of modern developments, not to remain five years behind.

Hundreds of English people abroad see films banned by the English censors, and it would be foolish to suggest that they are in any way harmed by so doing.

The above petition is emphatically opposed to any tolerance of obscenity. It is, however, convinced that in the present attempt to formulate a standard, the moral restrictions covering suggestive and vulgar films have more than once been proved erroneous, since vulgar and suggestive films are constantly being passed, and much of valuable and serious import prevented from entering the country. As example, Dreyer's acclaimed masterpiece *The Passion of Joan of Arc* is refused on account of the fact that a clause exists which states that among prohibited subjects is *Brutality and torture of women*.

A third certificate covering such films as *Dawn* has been suggested. This is not sufficient without the additional facilities requested in this Petition. We consider that films not suitable for A. or U. certificates should be entitled on the petition of the producer or producing firm to examination by an entirely different body, whose sanctioning licence should be as valid as that now pertaining. ■

These are serious points to consider when we are building a film industry of our own, and when comparison and knowledge of the best work of all countries is essential to its future prosperity. We respectfully present, therefore, the above Petition with the conviction that unless the present system is modified, British cinematography will lose its opportunity of establishing itself in the film markets of the world.

### A

ABLARK, H.

AHERN, J. H.

AGNEW, G. W. A.

ALDINGTON, H.

ALLISON, F.

ALLSOP, E.

ASTBERY, P.

ARNOT, I. S.

AYKROYD, W.

ALLINSON, E. V.

ALLINSON, B. P. (M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.)

ALLEN, F.

ADLER, H. B.

ARUNDALE, J.

ADLER, S.

ALLINSON, C. P. (A.M.I.E.E.)

ALDERSON, C. J.

ALLEN, E.

ANDREW, H.

ASHLEIGH, C.

ATKINS, H.

APPLEBY, M.

### B

BROWN, E. A.

BAKS, H. A.

BRED, E. R.

BOARSE, A. M.

BOARSE, W. N. (C.P.E., J.P.)

BAIDELEY, C. W.

BROWNIGG-CALY.

BERNFIELD, C.

BORANE, N. R.

BEATON, N.

BERRY, L. W.

BARING, F.

BASTAN, H. S.

BUTTER, W. E.

BOOKES.

BARDEN, J.

BETTS, A.

BAXTER, N. G.

BARSONS, A.

BUTLERS, R.

BROWNE, S.

BYWATERS, A. L.

BERYON.

BEAUMONT, W.

BANFIELD.

BRAITHWAITE, F. A.

BAYLISS, K.

BRYHER, W.

BLUNT, A.

BLAND, L. G.

BOND, R.

BOLAND, M.

BULL, H. M.

BAOKES, W. T.

BEAVON, H.

BAKER.

BAKER, I. H.

BAKER, M.

BAKER, N.

BACKHOUSE, J. T.

BAINES, U.

BEECHLEY, S. S. V.

BARNES, A.

BYWATERS, A. I.

BURNS, A. C.

BENNETT, G.

BRIDGES, E. G.

BAYLISS, L.

3

["It is impossible at present to bring many films of proved artistic merit into England on account of the censorship and of the heavy duties which preclude the importation of any film other than one judged likely to be a popular success. The payments per single film often amount to as much as between one hundred and two hundred pounds.", "Films dealing with social problems in a serious manner, such as are widely shown on the continent, are either barred by the censor or so cut as to be incoherent, with one or two exceptions, notably the very \"dangerous for ignorant\" *Dangers of Ignorance*. Vulgar and suggestive films are constantly passed provided they possess a conventionally \"moral\" ending.", "It is impossible to change the present conditions of affairs unless you will help. If you desire the same intellectual liberty as the continent of Europe possesses, will you not sign and forward to us the following request which will go forward with as many as can be collected to be presented for consideration in the House of Commons.", "I desire films of artistic merit to be submitted in their original form for grading in a category other than A. or U. and for limited showing to a board of censors that will include individuals of proved artistic and scientific capacity who will judge these films according to their educative and artistic and not their commercial worth.", "I understand the words \"limited showing\" to mean that these films may be shown either by film societies or in general cinemas that advertise fully the certificate letter they are granted and to which children under sixteen will not be admitted except by previous written request of parent or guardian.", "I consider that such films on account of their limited possibilities of showing, should be automatically entitled to a large rebate of customs duties.", "Signed................................