Motion picture censors' and reviewers' manual: a handbook (1934)

page 5* ligious subject should be passed* The principle followed is (as set forth in the section on sacrilege,) that if the passing of the picture make for sacrilege _vr the weakening of the moral fibre of the audience, it should be condemned, but otherwise should be passed* in general however, The Board totally disregards the truth or falsity of pictures,. •-^Sectional, National, And Class Prejudices And The Censorship* Many of the criticisms of motion pictures and their censorship have their foundation in local prejudice* Practically uniform though the people of the United States are in most of their ideas, political, social, and moral, there are yet certain striking differences, and these differences naturally are much in evidence in the comments on motion pictures* For example, the treatment accorded to different races in motion pictures is received in vastly different manners in different sections of the country, and there are certain customs which are looked upon as being outside of the field of morals in certain sections wmile in others they are considered fundamentally questions of morality* Different economic classes also have prejudices which are unique to themselves* Likewise, too, the United States as such has certain prejudices, and every business and profession has certain points of view, certain prejudices from which all others are free*. Now all these prejudices and different points of view make it impossible or at least inexpedient to pass upon pictures in a purely rational manner according to certain principles theoretically conceived* Through the force of circumstances the Board is compelled to steer a middle course in an effort to adhere as closely as possible to the rationally conceived principles for which it stands, and yet pay sufficient regard to popular prejudice* By so interpreting its duty between the new art and public opinion it hopes to cause public opinion to be impressed upon the film art, while at the same time the film art is interpreted in such a manner as to change public opinion*. The Censor who comes to the Board, however, with certain preconceived prejudices, certain points of view because of his environment and previous experience, should constantly be on his guard against allowing such personal, sectional, class, or professional prejudices unduly to influence his censorship decisions* The Exploitation Of Notorious Characters*. The Board does not, in judging films, allow itself to be influenced by the moral character of persons who may be concerned in the production or acting of the films* But the Board does retain the right to forbid, at its discretion, the exploitation of unworthy reputations, such as the morbid representation of perspns who may have been associated with famous criminal cases* If the picture is merely a news picture without dramatic plot, however, i+ should be passed even though the person expioited has gained an evil notoriety* Occasionally a "fake" news picture or dramatic picture founded upon a current event is made... m judging the merits of such a picture, it is well to consider that its effect upon the public will be different from what would be the case ^ere the same drama entirely divorced from the event upon which it may be founded* This is because it comes at a time when the public mind is in a condition where certain deeds, character, or experiences have an unusual significance* Such a picture will often cast a glamor around the person or persons involved* Thereby it becomes objectionable in setting up for emulation a person of unworthy character. In no