Year book of motion pictures (1925)

Censor Board Standards BIRMINGHAM, ALA. Amusement Inspector, Mrs. Myrtelle W. Snell, City Hall Birmingham has an amusement inspector, appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Twenty-five theaters are under inspection. This includes one so-called road house and three vaudeville theaters, two of which show feature pictures regularly in connection with the vaudeville. Says Mrs. Snell : "The plan for inspection of motion pictures in Birmingham is similar to that of Boston and many othe places. A city ordinance requires that all exhibitors file in the office of the inspector their booking lists for the coming week. It is the duty of the inspector to check these lists by the bulletins of the National Board of Review. If any eliminations in plays have been requested by the Board; the inspector types them and sends them to the exhibitors who are required to see that the eliminations are made. If they have not been made before the film was received, they are made here and the fact that it was necessary to make cuts here is reported to the National Board of Review, who take up the matter with the producing company and insist on said eliminations being made in the future. "In the event that any plays are to be presented that have not been passed by the National Board, the inspector may require a private showing before the play is shown publicly. Posters are viewed regularly. "In order to do constructive work for better films, a Better Films Committee has been organized to work in co-operation with the city amusement inspector, to encourage, foster and promote clean, wholesome and better films to disseminate information concerning curret releases, in order that the public may exercise an intelligent selection of their individual entertainment and to promote the use of motion pictures in institutions, hospitals and rural communities. Thirty-five organizations are affiliated members. There are eighty individual members. Other clubs not affiliated with the Better Films Committee have motion picture committees who co-operate with the Better Films Committee. Churches, schools, libraries fraternal and civic organizations, parent-teachers associations, the D. A. R. and federated clubs are represented on the Executive Board. Eight visiting committees of six members each visit daily the pictures in the neighborhood theaters and report to the city inspector. "An indorsing committee views all first-run plays in down town, theaters every Monday and report to the inspector. Those plays considered worthy are indorsed and the reports are published weekly, on Tuesday, in the Birmingham News in a Better Films column. "Lists of plays for the week that are on the selected list of the National Better Films Committee of the National Board of Review are prepared by the inspector and published weekly in the News, Age-Herald and Post. The approved lists are also posted in the City Hall, in the central library, in hotels, in club rooms, all High Schools, colleges, private schools and in some of the elementary schools. "Boys' and Girls' Matinees have been put on by two exhibitors with the co-operation of the Better Films Committee and the inspector. "An alphabetical card index of all first run plays viewed in Birmingham is on file in the office of the amusement inspector. "Thq city inspector has the co operation of the City Commissioners , the local exhibitors, several clergymen, the schools, the press, the club women and the women of the parent-teachers associations. Pasadena, Calif. Woman censor operates here. Greeley, Colo. Members of the Board: Mrs. H. G. MacMillan, Mrs. John Read, Mrs. Ira W. Howerth, Rev. W. T. Scott, Mr. Bert. L. Kittle. They do not make public their rejections. District of Columbia Police Standards Moving pictures are forbidden : _ In which sex relations are shown or depicted in a manner tending to the corruption of morals. Or which are based upon white slavery or procurement of women. Which depict nude persons, except children, or persons so nearly so as to shock ordinary sensibilities. Which show undue demonstrations of passionate love or scenes of vice. Which use titles and subtitles containing salacious suggestions or use in connection therewith advertising matter, photographs or lithographs of this character. Chicago, 111., Police Standards The ordinance under which the Police censor pictures in Chicago includes this clause : 1627. Immoral pictures — permit not to be granted. If a picture or series of pictures for the showing or exhibition of which an application for a permit is made, is immoral or obscene, or portrays any riotous, disorderly or other unlawful scene, or has a tendency to disturb the public peace, it shall be the duty of the general superintendent of police to refuse such permit: otherwise it shall be his duty to grant such permit. Indianapolis, Ind. No Censor Board in Indianapolis, but the Endorsers League is active. Mrs. David Ross, President, Bonny Brae, Haversticks Park, Indianapolis. See list of officers elsewhere. Kansas 6th and Armstrong Sts., Kansas City. Gertrude Sawtell, chairman; Mrs. E. Tripp, Mrs. L. Swenson. Maryland State Board of Censors Standards, 211 N. Calvert St., Baltimore Baltimore Personnel: Dr. George Heller, Chairman, 1937 Gough St.; Asa G. Sharp, Vice-Chairman, Knollwood, Md. ; Marie W. Presstman, Secretary, Wyman Park Apts., Baltimore. Improper exhibition of feminine underwear. Bedroom and bathroom scenes of suggestive and indecent character. Offensive vulgarity and indecent gestures. Women promiscuously taking up men. Indelicate sexual situations. Nude figures. Indecorous dancing. Attempted criminal assaults upon women. Excessive drunkenness, especially in women. Overpassionate love scenes. Discussion of the consummation of marriage. Cruelty and abuse of children. Crime condoned. Impropriety in dress. Men and women living together without marriage and in adultery. Prostitution and procuration of women. Excessive use of firearms. Disrespect for the law, third degree scsnes. 349