Juvenile delinquency (1955)

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY 205 (a) Because of the larger audience of the film, and its consequential mixed character. Psychologically, the larger the audience, the lower the moral mass resistance to suggestion. (ft) Because through light, enlargement of character, presentation, scenic emphasis, etc., the screen story is brought closer to the audience than the play. (c) The enthusiasm for and interest in the film actors and actresses, developed beyond anything of the sort in history, makes the audience largely sympathetic toward the characters they portray and the stories in which they figure. Hence the audience is more ready to confuse actor and actress and the characters they portray, and it is most receptive of the emotions and ideals presented by their favorite stars. G. Small communities, remote from sophistication and from the hardening process which often takes place in the etJiical and moral standards of groups in larger cities, are easily and readily reached by any sort of film. H. The grandeur of mass settings, large action, spectacular features, etc., affects and arouses more intensely the emotional side of the audience. In general, the mobility, popularity, accessibility, emotional appeal, vividness, straightforward presentation of facts in the film make for more intimate con- tact with a larger audience and for greater emotional appeal. Hence the larger moral responsibilities of the motion pictures. REASONS UNDERLYING THE GENERAI, PRINCIPLES I. No picture shall be produced which will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence the sympathy of the audience should never be thrown to the side of crime, wrong-doing, evil, or sin. This is done— 1. When evil is made to appear attractive or alluring, and good is made to appear unattractive. 2. When the sympathy of the audience is thrown on the side of crime, wrong- doing, evil, sin. The same thing is true of a film that would throw smypathy against goodness, honor, innocence, purity, or honesty. Note: Sympathy with a person who sins is not the same as sympathy with the sin or crime of which he is guilty. We may feel sorry for the plight of the murderer or even understand the circumstances which led him to his crime. We may not feel sympathy with the wrong which he has done. The presentation of evil is often essential for art or fiction or drama. This in itself is not wrong provided : (a) That evil is not presented alluringly. Even if later in the film the evil is condemned or punished, it must not be allowed to appear so attractive that the audience's emotions are drawn to desire or approve so strongly that later the condemnation is forgotten and only the apparent joy of the sin remembered. (b) That throughout, the audience feels sure that evil is wrong and good is right. II. Correct standards of life shall, as far as possible, be presented. A wide knowledge of life and of living is made possible through the film. When right standards are consistently presented, the motion picture exercises the most powerful influences. It builds character, develops right ideals, incul- cates correct principles, and all this in attractive story form. If motion pic- tures consistently hold up for admiration high types of characters and present stories that will affect lives for the better, they can become the most powerful natural force for the improvement of mankind. III. Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation. By natural law is understood the law which is written in the hearts of all mankind, the great underlying principles of right and justice dictated by conscience. By human law is understood the law written by civilized nations. 1. The presentation of crimes against the law is often necessary for the carry- ing out of the plot. But the presentation must not throw sympathy with the crime as against the law nor with the criminal as against those who punish him. 2. The courts of the land should not be presented as unjust. This does not mean that a single court may not be represented as unjust, much less that a single court ofiicial must not be presented this way. But the court system of the country must not suffer as a result of this presentation. 64765—55 14