Cinema News and Property Gazette (1913)

January 15, 1913. THE CINEMA. 11 THE BRITISH BOARD OF FILM CENSORS. HOW EXHIBITORS AND THE PUBLIC MAY IDENTIFY CENSORED FILMS. In the early part of last year a deputation from the kinematograph trade was received by the Rt. Hon. Reginald H. McKenna, at the Home Office, to submit the outline of a scheme for the Censorship of Films, which had been drafted by the trade associations. The subject has since received the very careful consideration of the various sections of the trade, and a number of meetings have been held of representatives from the Manufacturers' and Exhibitors' Associations. The outcome is a form of Censorship which is primarily independent, and which it is confidently anticipated will effectively meet all the points at issue. Mr. G. A. Redford, late Examiner of Plays under the Lord Chamberlain, is the President of the British Board of Film Censors, and he is assisted by four examiners of films whom he has nominated. Any film subject objected to by the examiners is submitted to Mr. Redford for final approval or rejection. The whole of the organisation, therefore, is under the direct control of the President of the Board, and, in addition to his decision being final, it ensures an absolutely independent and impartial censorship. The Publishers of Films and the Board. of Films enter into the following undertaking \\itli The Publishers the Board : — Memorandum of agreement made the day of 10... between the British Board of Film Censors, of 75-77, Shaftesbury Avenue, in the County of London, hereinafter called the Board, of the one part, and of in the Count)' of hereinafter 1 the Publisher, of the other part. Whereby it is agreed as follows: — 1. In consideration of the Board undertaking the examination of the Publisher's film and granting a certificate for such as are passed for exhibition, the Publisher undertakes to submit to the Board all films to be released by the said Publisher on and after March 1, 1913, except films of actual events reported in the daily or local Press, and known in the trade as " Topicals " or " Locals," for censorship, and to pay a fee for each subject at the rate of one shillnig per one hundred feet or part thereof, with a minimum fee of five shillings. 2. The Publisher shall cause a photographic reproduction of the certificate, granted by the Board for each subject passed, to appear in every copy of such film immeuiately after the main title. Such reproduction shall not be shorter than six feet or longer than eight feet. 3. The certificate issued by the Board is for the film which has been duly examined and passed at the offices of the Board, and the Publisher agrees that he will not use the said certificate for any other film subject, neither will the Publisher submit any film to the Board unless he is the legitimate and (or) authorised publisher of the said film in the United Kingdom. 4. After such certificate has been granted to the effect that such film has passed the Board, the Publisher agrees to make no substitution or any addition to the film whatsoever without resubmitting the film to the Board as herein specified. 5. The Publisher agrees not to publish or cause to be published any film whatsoever that has been rejected by the Board. 6. The Publisher shall notify the Buyers and Viewers that a film subject has been passed by the Board, either by attaching the photographic reproduction of the certificate, according to Clause 2 hereof, or by inserting a running title worded as follows :—" This film has passed the Censor— when released, it will bear official certificate." 7. This Agreement shall remain in force until December 31, 1013. As witness the hands of the parties hereto this day of One thousand nine hundred and Signed on behalf of the Board : Signed by the said In the presence of : This Agreement may be signed under hand by a responsible official of the Film or Company, duly authorised for that purpose. One of two certificates, as illustrated, are issued by the Board for every film examined and passed, and a oopy of each certificate will be printed on the film immediately following the main title. No film subject will be passed that is not clean and wholesome and absolutely above suspicion, but those passed for " universal " exhibition are especially recommended for children's matinees. The Proprietors of Halls and the Board. The Proprietors of the Picture Halls will enter into the following Agreement with the Board : — Memorandum of Agreement made the day of igi between the British Board of Film Censors, of 75 and _ 77, Shaftesbury Avenue, in the County of London (hereinafter called "the Board") of the one part and of in the County of (hereinafter called "the Proprietor") of the other other part. 1. In consideration of the Board agreeing to grant a certificate in the form set out in the Schedule hereto, the Proprietor hereby agrees not to exhibit any film which is released on or after 1st March, 1913, unless it has been passed by the Board and bears a photographic reproduction of the certificate issued by the Board. 2 The Proprietor iurther agrees to pay the sum of 5s. on signing this Agreement, which shall include the grant of the said certificatl The certificate shall remain the property of the Board, and the Proprietor shall return such certificate £0 the Board at its expiration and not later than the 7II1 day of January, 1914. 3. Any person duly authorised by the Board in writing shall be afforded the opportunity of satisfying himself that the provisions of this Agreement are being strictly complied with. 4. If in the opinion <of the Board there shall be any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Proprietor the Board shall be at liberty, to forthwith cancel such certificate, which shall thereupon be immediately returned to the Board, but without prejudice to any other rights or remedies of the Board under this Agreement. Signed on behalf of the Board : Signed by the said Proprietor : In the presence of THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO. British Board of Film Censors. This is to Certify that the Proprietors of this Hall have entered into an undertaking with the British Board agree that films published after March in this Hall provided they have been Board. Certificate No Name of Hall Town President. This certificate does not apply to films of actual events reported in the' daily or local Press, and is the property of the British Board of Film Censors. It remains in force until December 31st, 1913. On the above undertaking being signed the Board issues a certificate, on vellum, for each hall becoming a party to the agreement. The certificate remains the property of the Board, and has to be returned on its expiration at the end of the year. It is subject to being revoked if the terms of the agreement are broken, but as the Board is independent, it assures that the certificates are issued by a purely impartial body. The Board will appreciate a report as to any objectionable film that may be shown in your district, as it is obvious that films published prior to the date of the commencement of the censorship, and which are already in circulation, cannot have been controlled by the British Board of Film Censors. _ BMroH *°™f™<*>«™ 'HB IS TO CERTIFY thai the Oroprietots of thi» Doll have entered into an» undertaking with thc4_>4 BRITISH BOARD <f FILM CENSORS, thereby they agree that T5um5 pubuMf ed oxter (Earth Ut.1913 will only be exhibited in due Boll provided they jt have been pooled for exhibition oy"1^ lhe Ooard. t»J of Film Censors whereby they 1st, 1913, will only be shown passed for exhibition by the Signed ^aJ** tuil wrw npmti i. Aj Dtdy Owl prHt