Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

April 5, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 13 2. Scenes of Passion. a. They should not be introduced when not essential to the plot. h. Excessive and lustful kissing, lustful embraces, suggestive postures and gestures, are not to be shown. c. In general passion should so be treated that these scenes do not stimulate the lower and baser element. 3. Seduction or Rape a. They should never be more than suggested, and only when essential for the plot, and even then never shown by explicit method. b. They are never the proper subject for comedy. 4. Sex perversion or any inference to it is forbidden. 5. White slavery shall not be treated. » 6. Miscegenation (sex relationships between the white and black races) is forbidden. 7. Sex hygiene and venereal diseases are not subjects for motion pictures. 8. Scenes of actual child birth , in fact or in silhouette, are never to be presented. 9. Children s sex organs are never to be exposed. III. — VULGARITY. The treatment of low, dis gusting, unpleasant, though not necessarily evil, subjects should be subject always to the dictate of good taste and a regard for the sensibilities of the audience. IV. — OBSCENITY. Obscenity in word, gesture, reference, song, joke, or by suggestion (even when likely to be understood only by part of the audience) is forbidden. V. — PROFANITY. Pointed profanity (this includes the words, God, Lord, Jesus, Christ — unless used reverently — Hell, S.O.B., damn. Gawd), or every other profane or vulgar expression however used, is forbidden. VI .—COSTUME 1. Complete nudity is never permitted. This includes nudity in fact or in silhouette, or any lecherous or licentious notice thereof by other characters in the picture. 2. Undressing scenes should be avoided, and never used save where essential to the plot. 3. Indecent or undue exposure is forbidden. 4. Dancing costumes intended to permit undue exposure or indecent movements in the dance are forbidden. VII. — DANCES 1. Dances suggesting or representing sexual actions or indecent passion are forbidden. 2. Dances which emphasize indecent movements are to be regarded as obscene. VIII. — RELIGION 1. No film or episode may throw ridicule on any religious faith. 2. Ministers of religion in their character as ministers of religion should not he used as comic characters or as villains. 3. Ceremonies of any definite religion should be carefully and respectfully handled. IX. — LOCATIONS. The treatment of bedrooms must be governed by good taste and delicacy. X.— NATIONAL FEELINGS 1. The use of the Flag shall be consistently respectful. 2. The history, institutions, prominent people and citizenry of other nations shall be represented fairly. XI. — TITLES. Salacious, indecent, or obscene titles shall not he used. XII. — REPELLENT SUBJECTS. The following subjects must be treated within the careful limits of good taste: 1. Actual hangings or electrocutions as legal punishments for crime. 2. Third Degree methods. 3. Brutality and possibly gruesomeness. 4. Branding of people or animals. 5. Apparent cruelty to children or animals. 6. The sale of women, or a woman selling her virtue. 7. Surgical operations. Films Increase Exports (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, April 1. — The increased spiral of demand, at home and abroad, for American manufactured products, is the real basis for future prosperity in the United States, and motion pictures are a major factor in creating that demand. Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America, told the nation over a chain of 32 broadcasting stations Saturday night. The address was on the “ New Business World ” series sponsored by “ The Nation’s Business.”