IV
SOCIAL
The Cinema Commission.
The National Council of Public Morals embraces many subjects in its activities; for some years it has been keenly interested in the influence of the cinematograph upon young people, with the possibilities of its development and with its adaptation to national educational purposes. The President (the Bishop of Birmingham), with the Rev. F. B. Meyer, D.D., took a leading part; the first Cinematograph Congress being held at Olympia in 1913.
The Commission did not seek to abuse the people responsible for the promotion of the cinema by outspoken raillery, but met representatives of the whole trade in frank discussion of the best means of ridding the community of whatever evil elements existed, and meeting the demands of the best public opinion for a higher class programme; suitable exhibitions for juvenile minds, for the suppression of certain evils which had temporarily blighted the cinema halls, and lastly for the establishment of a national censorship which would give the necessary freedom for the proper development of the cinematograph, whilst prohibiting all undesirable films.
At a meeting held in London on November 24, 1916, representatives of the Cinematograph Trade Council, the Incorporated Association of Kinematograph Manufacturers, Ltd., the Kinematograph Renters’ Society of Great Britain and Ireland met together, and it was finally resolved—
“That the National Council of Public Morals be requested to institute an independent inquiry into the physical, social, moral, and educational influence of the cinema, with special reference to young people.”
The terms of reference to the Commission were:—
(1) To institute an inquiry into the physical, social, educational, and moral influences of the cinema, with special reference to young people.
(2) The present position and future development of the cinematograph, with special reference to social and educational value and possibilities.
(3) To investigate the nature and extent of the complaints which have been made against the cinematograph exhibitions.