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The element of frequency is at the root of custom and habits and has a singular power of impressing its effect on the brain and of imparting the impression of normality. Considered by itself, a given situation may stir the soul of the spectator and give rise to questioning and discussion, especially in the case of persons of a certain culture and endowed with more or less psychic powers of inhibition. But repeatedly viewed, the same situation will produce the impression of the habitual and the inevitable, and persons, even above the normal mental standard, end by being unconsciously attracted to what they come to regard as a normal way of thinking and feeling.
It has also been observed that it is not always permissible to reproduce on the screen certain facts and realities of life, though in actual life these may have their motive and their justification. For instance, it may be true that in some circumstances a woman may sacrifice her honour for reasons not of the heart alone, but impelled by some necessity which ennobles an action in itself blamable ; such incidents occur in real life and even conventional morality absolves the woman from blame. But to show such incidents on the screen is often dangerous, because the whole theme is apt to be treated in a commonplace way, because no fine feeling or delicacy is shown in the plot, and the scenes depicted are forced and untrue to life. In such circumstances, the representation of reality becomes an element of corruption.
Special Criteria. — The following particular reasons were adduced for the rejection of films during the year 1928 : Advocacy of companionate marriage ; crude immorality ; indecorum of dress ; predominance of the criminal element ; scenes of procuration and of excessive and sustained brutality.
The reasons for revision, alterations and cuts were more numerous and may be summarized under the following heads :
a. Religion. — Religious rites and ceremonies dealt with irreverently or shown in such a way as to arouse contempt ; biblical quotations when out of place or rendered comical ; travesty or mockery of Biblical characters ; frivolous treatment of the solemnity of death ; representation on the screen of the figure of Jesus Christ.
b. Political. — Generally speaking (apart from peculiarly British reasons, such as the high respect due to the Sovereign and the Prince of Wales) all subjects and treatment which may give offence to the Heads of States or their representatives are rejected in the interest of international good will and more particularly so as not to display other countries — friendly countries especially — in an undesirable light.
Another point included among the political reasons is the necessity of avoiding all scenes likely to lower the prestige of the white populations
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