Juvenile delinquency (1955)

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82 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY I submit that that would be impossible in an}^ drama, because by its nature this type of kidnaping is bound to supervene or prevail over any theme in any particular picture, and in this case we see that the child is kidnaped, and the details of the kidnaping are given, how the ransom was collected. The onl}^ corrective applied through- out the whole theme is that corrective so often considered sufficient by so many people, which I think is very much inadequate, the con- clusion of crime being punishment. What is so interesting to me, also, at this time is that many drive-in theaters have recently turned to this type of crime and violence and sex picture. The drive-in was once regarded as practically sacrosanct to family entertainment, because the people could take the kids along in the car. It is changing very much, not only here on the coast, but I understand throughout the country. These verv vicious pic- tures are now being booked with more and more frequency in drive- ins. And I am told this change in policy changes with an apparent change in clientele. I have information that was given to me confidentially which indi- cates that some drive-ins here in California and elsewhere not only show the pictures that are calculated to provide emotional excite- ment for some young people, but they condone and even to a degree encourage behavior that obviously appeals for some police action. The general technique, as I understand it, that an eye is blinked at certain cars which are directed to certain parts of the amphitheater, and the understanding young patrons take along with them is they need not be overly concerned with the entertainment quality of the picture, that there will be no police patrol passing by and no inter- ference from the manager. Now, I think I have said all I should say and perhaps too dif- fusely. I would perhaps round up my talk this Avay, by saying it is m}^ belief, and I believe this very strongly, that most of the major producers in Hollywood, and I believe in television, are sincerely desirous of providing good, well-balanced entertainment for the pub- lic. They are bound to do so, because—incidentally, I did fail to mention this: They are faced with problems abroad as well as at home. Some countries regulate the films that are shown to children. In Britain, for instance, they have three classifications. The British Board of Film Censors, a nonstatutory body, permits children unac- companied to see only such pictures as are rated U, for universal exhibition. Those rated A, for adult exhibition, may l)e seen by juveniles but only when accompanied by responsible adults, who obviously give parental or some such consent. Films rated X, as horror, sex and crime films are rated, may not be shown in any circumstances to any person in Great Britain under the age of 18. Now, this system or something of its kind may very well become an insistent demand on the part of a large segment of the American public, unless something is done to prevent young and impressionable children, even teen-agers, from seeing the type of film which is pro- duced mainly for adult consumption. I would leave you with the thought that I believe the industry does try to produce a variet}', as it must, of films which deal with the