Harrison's Reports (1933)

Entered as second-class matter January 4, 1921, at the post office at New York, New York, under the act of March 3, 1879. Harrison’S Reports Yearly Subscription Rates: United States $15.00 U. S. Insular Possessions. 16.50 Canada 16.50 Mexico, Cuba, Spain 16.50 Great Britain 16.00 Australia, New Zealand, India 17.50 35c a Copy 1440 BROADWAY New York, N. Y. A Motion Picture Reviewing Service Devoted Chiefly to the Interests of the Exhibitors Its Editorial Policy: No Problem Too Big for Its Editorial Columns, if It is to Benefit the Exhibitor. Published Weekly by P. S. HARRISON Editor and Publisher EstablishedJulyl,1919 PEnnsylvania 6-6379 Cable Address ; Harreports (Bentley Code) A REVIEWING SERVICE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF FILM ADVERTISING Vol. XV SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11. 1933 No. 6 DEFAMING AMERICA FOR PROFIT! From time to time the professor of some university will issue a statement to the effect that, according to his investigations, evil pictures exert no demoralizing influence upon the youth. A statement of this kind is the result, either of hasty investigation, or of improper outside influence, for any sane person knows that an assertion of this kind is contrary to the truth. The best proof of it is the fact that the popularity of the most popular screen star can be destroyed if such star were given a villainous part in one or two pictures. The picture-goer unconsciously endows that star with the moral make-up of the part he or she impersonates. If the assuming of a villainous part by a player has such an influence upon mature minds, you may readily see what an influence the glorification of a gambler, of a burglar, of a hold-up man. of a licentious man, exerts upon the minds of young men ; and that of a prostitute, in the minds of young women. The findings of The Christian Century abroad are neither erroneous nor exaggerated ; they are the natural consequence of the type of pictures we have been exporting for several years. The impression the people of other countries get is that what is shown in our pictures represents our national life and character. And these findings tend to corroborate the assertion that demoralizing pictures e.xert a demoralizing influence, not only upon the youth of this country, but even upon many adults. When the murderer is shown wiping off his gun after shooting and killing his victim, so as to remove his fingerprints ; when the burglar is shown, while manipulating the combination of the safe, wearing gloves so as not to leave his fingerprints anywhere ; when drinking is made so attractive ; when gambling is made to appear so fascinating ; when prostitution is surrounded with so much splendor, it is hypocritical to insist that these exert no evil influence upon such minds. It is hardly necessary to treat with The Christian Science Monitor articles from other countries, for they all convey the same facts the articles treated in last week’s issue of Harrison's Reports convey. I shall, however, print a letter sent to me by an e.xhibitor of New Zealand, for not only is the writer of this letter friendly to Americans, but it tends to corroborate the findings of The Christian Century. From what I have gathered, the writer is a broadminded person, his only motive being, in sending me that letter, his grief in seeing the American name dragged into the mire by the American films : “It would be no exaggeration to say that nothing America has ever done or is ever likely to do has injured the standing of the United States as much as the pictures it has produced. What the American Censor, or the ^Wnerican Public or Government, are thinking about is beyond my comprehension. “It is quite an exception for an American picture not to feature drinking. You could not persuade even a fifteen year old boy — “i. That every American, from the President down to the toughest Chicago gangster, is not a hard drinker ; “2. That there w’as an honest American Business man, politician, judge or jury ; and “3. That there is any such thing as a clean, honest newspaper man. “That is what the American picture producer has done with this golden opportunity. It has gone beyond recall. The opportunity to build up throughout the civilized world the most wonderful and profitable reputation for American home, political and educational life any nation has ever had. But what has he done? He has taught the world (not the Dominion of New Zealand alone) that those things our mothers, our churches, our government taught us to believe, were not worth having. “They have taught us to believe that clean, honest courts of justice; clean, honest home life; clean, honest sport, are not known in the United States ; that every man breaks the law against drinking; that marriage is a farce. “I know America. I know hundreds of real Americans, and that is one reason why it is beyond my comprehension how the REAL America could allow this thing to go on. America is portrayed as the land of loose women, drinking men and women, dishonest judges and juries, corrupt Government, rum-runners. And what has been gained by all this boost of Hollywood stars, their stories of high salaries, divorces, etc., etc.? Nothing but moral and financial bankruptcy. “The foregoing may sound exaggerated criticism. It is not ! America is judged today by what Americans tell us life is like over there. And that is what they tell us. “I make the following constructive suggestions : “We of the Dominion of New Zealand are known throughout the world by our exports. To make sure that we are known well and favourably, we have export control boards. Before butter, cheese, lamb, wool, fruit, etc., is allowed to leave the Dominion, even for the home market, it must pass the Export Control Board. I suggest that before an American producer is allowed to export films they should pass an Export Board. (I admit a difficulty here. According to the ‘Talkies,’ it would be impossible to get an honest board ; it would simply be another opportunity for graft.) This would not interfere (Continued on last page)