The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Nov-Dec 1922)

‘ = LACAUHADAGAEOAGAODOOEOUOULGUODEOGOGEGOUOGESCUOUAUOUCGOUNOGGANOGDEAUONONSQORDS! cnecaUoGQOUDGOUONCSOONUGT MTV0U0AEUAERUUNGNEATOUCUANTANENROGELONUONASUOUOENUGONQOUUOUUEUONENCONUUEUNONGEONUUUCOONN0NGTUDEENCOUSUEUONUEESOOUGuENSENNNOGNUGeqNONUNGaNQoooCvstusaueuuequguduovueucneotasneaconerannevenesquevanednsgucoranvvstcceencetvvsvsccocneeenecenncnnnanyuucnenttgy” The Film Renter and Moving Picture News HNGATDOG AA SOADAEOOENGERUENGLETATOEGNGONOUGOOGNOUGOLSOGAOAEOOSUOQG eeu OOSGeHOLUULOUNOOUOOOGLOUONAUND a SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1922. SIXPENCE. Where Do We Stand? HE decision of the Manchester Watch Committee in banning from the kinemas of their town the production, ** Foolish Wives,’’ was entirely ex pected, for it was certain that the Civie Guardians of Manchester morals would never permit such an extremely unpleasant production to be shown in their kinemas. — Indeed, the only surprise that has ever been expressed concerning this particular film is how on earth it ever cume to receive the censor’s certificate. It will be remembered that after the initial showing cf this film some weeks ago we had some strong remarks to make concerning the issuing of a certificate to a production which, in our opinion, would be provocative of serious harrn to the whole of this industry, and the fact that the Manchester Watch Committee have placed their ban upon the film shows that our cpinions were justified. A more serious thing, however, is the effect that their decision has on the whole of the trade to-day, for exhibitors, producers, and renters are asking: ‘‘ Where do we stand?” At the present: moment the trade’s own censorship has received a very severe blow by the issue of a certificate to a film which has been banned in two of the most. it: portant cities in this country, and it would appear that the trade should realise the present weakness of its eonsorship board, and drastically alter its constitution, unless they want a State censor thrust upon them. The Manchester verdict has not been followed in Leeds, where this picture has been passed by the civic authorities, but it is quite likely, and, indeed, may be expected that other towns will follow Manchester's example and ban this particular picture from the sercens of their city. The present position in which exhibitors find themselves as a result of the censor’s stupid blunders is absolutely intolerable. Tt cannot be.denied that not only this trade but Government authorities place little or no reliance on the present forth of censorship as it exists to-day. Tf it were otherwise Google we should not see the Londen County Council interfering, neither would we have the humiliating spectacle of Manchester banning films after they had received a certificate from the censor. a The leaders of this country should take the matter in hand, and without delay put their house in order. It is uscless dilly-dallying with a situation that is fast besoming intensely serious. The edict of Manchester (in this ease fully deserved) means that local authorities in every other part of the kingdom will be more stringently watehing film production. What is the good of paving a large sum of money yearly to uphold our present) censorship if no notice is to be taken of their certificate when the film goes to the country? If there were a State censor at least there would be no trouble with local authorities. Candidly, there is much to be said for such an institution, but at the same time it must be agreed that if this trade ean keep the confidence of governing authorities in’ this country without having a State censorship thrust upon them then it will be all to the gecd of the industry. At ‘the present moment exhibitors do not know where they stand. Jt is no criterion when a film receives an ‘A’ certificate that it will be allowed to be shown on their screens, and consequently money is lost in advance publicity which could well be saved if it was known that. the film in question did not meet with the approval of the civie authorities. The Censorship Board, as at present constituted, is a menace to the trade. Tt is in the best interests of this industry that it should function as a real safeguard to the public and to this industry, and by passing productions such as ‘* Foolish Wives ‘" and the consequent publicity of their certificate being scorned by the northern capital it is only bringing the trade censor. ship into ridicule. Before it, is too late we exhort the leaders ef this industry to take the matter up and put their house in order. Tfa State censorship is to be avoided then there must be instant action.