Morality Tests.
A comprehensive attempt is being made in the United States to improve the quality of the films shown, and for this purpose a “National Motion Picture League” has been formed. It is proposed to elevate the standard in two ways—first by supervising and conducting children’s matinées, and assisting churches, municipal boards of education, parents’ associations and other organizations interested in public welfare to secure proper pictures for adults, young people and children. In the second place it will assist, by proper publicity, towards the provision of good pictures and a campaign of education against the immoral and objectionable ones.
A reviewing board has been formed by the League, composed of clergymen, Sunday school teachers and public welfare workers. This Board makes a selection from the general output of films, and a list of those which they deem suitable will be published in weekly bulletins before the pictures are released for the open market and public exhibition. These lists are sent to the film-producers, and are published in magazines. Local committees are formed everywhere to unite in their efforts and use every influence. These committees are of two kinds—children’s matinées, which seek to provide suitable programmes for youthful minds; and reviewing committees, which report on all pictures seen in local picture theatres which are considered suitable for the lists of the League.
The films selected are clever and wholesome throughout. Films unsuitable, even though the details exercise the moral ending, are rigidly excluded. They have to be in good taste, unbiassed and accurate. The board refuses to endorse a film that is inaccurate from a scientific standpoint or that contains undesirable inaccuracies in the production of well-known stories.
No crimes are allowed in pictures if they show killing or gunplay, and there must also be no cruelty to either man or beast. Infidelity and sex pictures are not tolerated, and even scenes of women smoking or men drinking are debarred.
A rule has been instituted which would produce good in this country, and should be followed. All titles and letter-press must be strictly grammatical and free from profanity or vulgarity.
The following is a label on a film after having passed through their hands:—
“In part 3, cut out scenes of mixing drinks.” In part 6 cut out sub-title, “You don’t care a damn,” etc., also all drinking scenes.
In short, the National Association of the Motion-Picture Industry has resolved to suppress and refrain from films that “emphasize vice or the sex appeal or illicit love; exhibit nudity, excessive demonstrations of passion, and vulgar postures; unduly concern themselves with the underworld of crime, bloodshed and violence, drunkenness, gambling, and unnatural practices; emphasize the methods used in committing crime; bring into ridicule the law, the authorities, and religious beliefs and leaders; contain salacious titles, or are advertised salaciously.”