Censorship of cinematograph films (1929)

2 (e) Nothing in the foregoing rule shall be deemed to relieve the licensee of his personal responsibility for any cinematograph films shown which may, in the opinion of the Council, be detrimental to the public interest. The effect of clause (b) of the rule is that the Council's written consent must be obtained to the showing at premises licensed by the Council for cinematograph exhibitions of any film (except photographs of current events) which has not been passed by the Board. (ii) Films which are specially dealt with by the Council. The films which are specially dealt with by the Council, fall into three groups :— (i) Films not submitted by the trade to the Board (owing to the well-known practice of the Board not to deal with films falling within certain categories, e.g., religious films having certain characteristics or incidents, and propaganda films) but submitted for the Council's consent. (ii) Films, banned by the Board, submitted for the Council's consent by way of appeal. (iii) Films, passed by the Board, giving rise to protest by a section of the public. The number of films coming wathin the groups (i) to (iii) inclusive, considered by the Theatres and Music Halls Committee during the past five years, have been (i) 4, (ii) 7, and (iii) 1. By an.arrangement made in 1923 with the Middlesex County Council, such films are inspected jointly by five (increased to seven in March, 1928) representatives of each authority. The Council's representatives are the five members of the Inspection of Films Sub-Committee of the Theatres and Music Halls Committee. Neither the Committee nor the Sub-Committee have laid down any rules in regard to the inspection of films., but each case has been considered on its merits and such conditions have been imposed as have been considered necessary or desirable. These conditions have been based on those laid down by the Council on 27th July, 1920 (pp. 278-9), in respect of the exhibition of propaganda films dealing with venereal disease, with the alteration in the limit of age from 18 to 16 years, as was agreed to by the Council on the 19th February, 1924 (p. 281). Under the arrangement indicated above, the joint representatives have inspected twelve films, including three propaganda films and two religious films. The two religious films had not been dealt with by the Board, but, contrary to its usual practice of not viewing propaganda films, the Board had inspected and rejected one of the propaganda films. Six of the other films had also been rejected by the Board, and one film had been passed by the Board for " public " exhibition (" A " certificate), but the Council had received complaints as to the character of the film. In 11 cases a unanimous decision was arrived at by the joint representatives, and joint reports were submitted to, and adopted by, each authority. In one case (" I.N.R.I."), divergent views were expressed by the joint representatives, but the exhibition of the firm was permitted in premises licensed by the Council, and was subsequently allowed in Middlesex. In five of the seven cases in which a certificate by the Board had been refused, the showing of the film was prohibited ; and in the two remaining cases (one a propaganda film) permission to show the film was granted, subject to the observance of certain conditions. In the only case passed by the Board the exhibition was at first prohibited but after modifications had been made no further objection was raised to the film being shown. (iii) Occasional exhibitions. Section 7 (2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1909, enables premises to be used without a licence occasionally and exceptionally and on not more than six days in any one calendar year for cinematograph exhibitions with inflammable films, subject to seven days' previous notice being given to the licensing authority and to the chief officer of police of the police area, and to compliance with the regulations made by the Secretary of State and with any conditions imposed by the licensing authority. In the case of such " occasional " exhibitions, no censorship conditions are as a rule imposed, and the Theatres and Music Halls Committee have not hitherto found it necessary in connection with such exhibitions to consider the question of attaching any general conditions relating to the character of the films exhibited. There have, however, been two exceptions. On 24th January, 1924, in connection with the proposed showing at the Albert Hall of the film i: Southern Love," a " censorship " condition similar to rule of management 8 was imposed, but the British Board of Film Censors passed the film before it was actually exhibited. On 25th February, 1928, a similar condition was also imposed in connection with the proposed exhibition in the Albert Hall of the film "Dawn." As a result, the exhibition was abandoned and an application was subsequently made to the Council for permission to show the film at all licensed premises under its control. It has not hitherto been the practice in the case of " occasional " exhibitions to attach any " censorship " condition in respect of (i) cinematograph trade shows in unlicensed premises, (ii) religious and other special fiinis, (iii) cases in which lack of time renders it impossible for a film to be submitted to the British Board of Film Censors. In the case of propaganda films however, if it is known that it is intended to exhibit such a film, specially stringent conditions as to advertisements, posters, types of audiences, approval by recognised society, restrictions upon the exhibition of other films at same performance, exclusion of children or young persons, etc., are imposed. The majority of " occasional " exhibitions are given in church halls or town halls. Many of the films shown in these biuldings are of a semi-religious character or come under the category of " propaganda " films. Many films of this latter class are exhibited in connection with " health weeks." As regards " propaganda " films, these are usually shown under the aegis of the British Social Hygiene Council, which is well acquainted with the Council's conditions governing their exhibition. We are of opinion that the establishment of? an official and indepeha^nt ; jensorship of films functioning for the whole country and for all classes of films, as was suggested bv tlje Council on 30th May 1916 MAY % 1829 DOCUMgNJTS CIVfF'ON