The Exhibitor (1957)

December 11, 1957 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 9 Screen Producers Guild Aguinst Further Sole Of Films To Video Legion Exec Explains Revision Of Ratings NEW YORK — The entertainment require¬ ments for today’s adolescents prompted the National Legion of Decency to revise its A2 classification to “morally unobjectionable for adults and adolescents.” And the classifica¬ tion, “morally unobjectionable for adults,” for¬ merly A2, but now A3, represents “an at¬ tempt to face the problem of the more adult subject matter in entertainment motion pic¬ tures.” So said Monsignor Thomas F. Little, execu¬ tive secretary of the Legion, in an interview at Legion headquarters here. “Both changes are the result of an exhaustive and long-term study,” Msgr. Little said. “As a dynamic or¬ ganization, the Legion recognized the neces¬ sity of some modifications in its system of classification if an intelligent solution for these problems was to be found. Henceforth, there will be no doubt that a B film is one adjudged to contain material which in itself, or in its offensive treatment, is contrary to traditional morality and constitutes a threat, not only to the spiritual life of even an adult viewer, but also to the moral behavior patterns which condition public morality. Catholic people will be urged to refrain from attendance at all B pictures not only for the sake of their own consciences, but also in the interests of promoting the common good, particularly as this effects the impressionable youth of our land.” A number of psychological facts are be¬ hind the organization’s move to set up a new category specifically mentioning adolescents, Msgr. Little stated. Adolescence, he explained is characterized “by considerable uncertainty of judgment, emotional instability and alter¬ nating reaction toward adults of excessive de¬ pendence and of unreasoning rebellion.” Dur¬ ing this period, education must be both liberating and restraining, he said. HOLLYWOOD — Terming the sale of the¬ atrical films to television “suicidal,” the Screen Producers Guild last week called upon the industry to cease the practice. The Guild position, which applied speci¬ fically to release of pictures made after 1948, condemned the practice of selling to TV generally. The statement issued by presi¬ dent Samuel G. Engel declared: “The Screen Producers Guild opposes the distribution of post 1948 pictures for exhibi¬ tion on television. It unqualifiedly rejects the fallacious argument that exhibition of these pictures on television is not harmful to the entire motion picture industry. “It predicates its reasoning on the fact that even films made 15 or 20 years ago and now showing on television are proving ruinous to a large segment of the exhibition industry. “The Guild is convinced that the continua¬ tion of supplying films originally produced for theatrical release to television is an impru¬ dent and ill-advised practice, one which must inevitably do immeasurable injury to the motion picture and theatre industries, and cannot fail to do grave harm to those en As for A3, the classification for adults, Msgr. Little said that “the Legion is not in principle opposed to the legitimacy of adult material. Consequently the Legion is not adverse to the revised Motion Picture Pro¬ duction Code, provided that the themes and their treatment be consonant with the moral law and with traditionally accepted moral standards.” The revised Code demands greater discre¬ tion on the part of its administrators, he said, but the Legion can foresee “no imme¬ diate moral repercussions” for mature adults gaged in producing films directly for tele¬ vision release. “The Guild recognizes the inherent rights of all persons, who have been associating creatively with these pictures, in partici¬ pating in whatever proceeds they may one day earn on the television screens, but it is of the firm opinion that it is in the best interests of all persons engaged in our in¬ dustry that a concerted effort be made to bring about a halt to this suicidal method of distribution which is nothing more or less than a ‘quick buck’ method of liquidation of valuable assets.” The Guild position was thought to have been arrived at as the industry sought to negotiate with other talent guilds and the American Federation of Musicians for clear¬ ances of their performing rights on pictures made after 1948. Theatrical films for the most part on television today were produced prior to Aug. 1, 1948, for which right clearances from the talent guilds have been obtained by companies involved. The Producers Guild statement made no mention of toll TV or cable theatre sales. in the so-called “modernization” of screen material. “Moreover, if treated well, such material can contribute much to the cultural and social perfection of adult audiences,” he said. The first pictures to receive the new A-2 classification were the United Artists re¬ leases, “Paths of Glory” and “Wink of an Eye,” the organization’s rating list revealed. In the same issue, it was noted that the French film being distributed by KingsleyInternational, “And God Created Woman,” had been condemned. a special SERVICE BONUS to our valued subscribers . . . IN THE MAILING ENVELOPE, AND ACCOMPANYING YOUR ISSUE OF DEC. 18 The Big, Two-Color 1958 BOOKING CALENDAR LARGE ENOUGH (18 in. x 24 in.) to be soon at a distance, but small enough, and neat enough, to grace the nicest theatre executive's office. 14 MONTHS (Dec. 1957 through Jan. 1959) all on one sheet, to facilitate the forward and backward scanning so nec¬ essary to the intelligent booking of im¬ portant shows, and of important dates. ALL SHOWMAN'S DATES and NA¬ TIONAL HOLIDAYS clearly shown on the Calendar Days, where their boxoffice values can't be missed or forgotten, weeks and months in advance. FOR OVER 30 YEARS . . . this Annual Calendar designed for Theatre Booking, has been a FREE extra service and industry courtesy from — MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR BEST ... of all industry Weeklies ... in NEWS, REVIEWS, and SERVICES Watch for YOUR copy! NOTE: For additional copies, while they last, send a self addressed label and 10c in stamps. We'll try!