Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1954)

COMPO Dues Collection Up GOLDWYN ASKS CODE REVISION Suggests “Modernization” of Rules; Johnston Calls It “Living Document” Samuel Goldwyn, in a letter to Eric Johnston, president of Motion Picture Association of America, made public Tuesday, recommended revision of the Production Code for the motion picture industry. In answer to Mr. Goldwyn, the MPAA president declared that the “Code regulations were not intended at the beginning, and they are not intended now, to lay a dead hand on creative and artistic endeavor and integrity. And they have not done so.’’ [An editorial by Martin Quigley on the Production Code controversy will be found on page 7.] Mr. Johnston said, “The Code, like the Constitution of the United States, is a living document for living people. That has been demonstrated, I think, through the amendments and the interpretations, all within the basic principles of the Code, that have been made since the Code’s adoption.” Mr. Goldwyn suggested that a meeting be called of “all the producers who are signatories to the Code to discuss the need for modernization of the Code and the specific manner in which it can best serve not only our industry but the public. I am sure that out of this would come a better and sounder Code and an end to the present movement to disregard and nullify it. It is vital that this be done before it is too late,” Mr. Goldwyn said. In his letter, Mr. Goldwyn reaffirmed his confidence in and support of the Code of which he described himself as “one of its initiators.” Calls It “ Essential ” “I have never for a moment wavered in my belief — nor do I now — that the principle of the Code is essential to the well being of our industry. It is only through sound self-regulation that, as an industry, we can avoid the excesses that lead to unbridled censorship.” “Nevertheless,” he said, “we must realize that in almost a quarter of a century since the Code’s adoption, the world has moved on. But the Code has stood still. Today there is a far greater maturity among audiences that there was 25 years ago — and this is true of the young people as well as of the older ones.” Mr. Goldwyn declared that audiences today realize what creative people always have known, “that drama is worthless unless it has integrity and resembles life. To portray life honestly on the screen requires a greater degree of latitude, within the bounds of decency, than exists under the Code. The time has come to recognize this fact.” He pointed out that there are many aspects of life that can not be portrayed on the screen and the Code seal must never serve as a license for filth or vulgarity or for the violation of the basic principles upon which it is founded. He also said the Code must not serve the purposes of pressure groups which have “a special prejudice” on particular matters. Mr. Goldwyn said that unless the Code is brought “reasonably up to date, the tendency to by-pass it, which has already begun, will increase.” “This,” he said, can lead to “excesses which will do our industry a great deal of harm. I want to see the Code continue as a respected guide of conduct which is observed, not disregarded, by picture makers. But to preserve it as such, we must bring it into harmony with the times.” Calls Principles “ Unchanging ” In his reply to Mr. Goldwyn, Mr. Johnston said, “It must be deeply gratifying to everyone who believes in the American motion picture to know of your reaffirmation of faith in the principles of the Production Code. These principles, rooted in the Ten Commandments are, as you surely recognize, eternal and unchanging moral verities. “You will recall, I am sure, that our board of directors, meeting this fall, also strongly and unequivocally reaffirmed its support of and faith in the Code. Members of our board feel that, in adhering to the Code, they are fulfilling a solemn and unbreakable obligation to the public to provide decent and moral entertainment on the screen.” Mr. Johnston pointed out that over the years regulations under the Code “have been amended as the necessity arose to meet new and changing conditions.” He said “This is as it should be.” Concluding his letter, Mr. Johnston said to Mr. Goldwyn that he obviously has given “a good deal of study to the Code. It would be most helpful to us all if you would let me have your specific and detailed recommendations to bring the Code up to date, as you suggest. I think this should be a starter in consideration of the subject.” Agrees on Need of Code Replying to Mr. Johnston’s letter, Mr. Goldwyn said Wednesday that he agreed on the necessity for the Code and added “that is why I so firmly believe a reasoned reexamination of the provisions of the Code, within the framework of its fundamental truths, is necessary at this time.” He added that he would “be very happy to present” his detailed recommendations as to changes in the Code at any meeting of producers which “you may call to discuss this important problem. I hope you will call such a meeting promptly.” The Council of Motion Picture Organizations’ dues collection and its poll of Congressmen and Senators for their support of industry efforts to eliminate the Federal admissions tax have been moving along toward what are expected to be highly satisfactory results. Robert Coyne, special counsel for COMPO, said in New York this week that while all tabulations in the dues drive have not been compiled, figures to date indicate that “we will be able to operate.” This means that COMPO will be able to carry on its efforts with a comfortable margin. The dues drive started November 30 and ended December 7, with the intensive work carried out by regional chairmen. Mr. Coyne said that some areas had been slow in reporting on their activities, in soliciting Congressional opinion on the tax situation, but that information gathered to date indicates a justified feeling of optimism on the final results. State and regional chairmen of COMPO have been contacting personally and by mail Congressional representatives in their respective areas under the direction of Pat McGee and Col. H. A. Cole, COMPO’s co-chairmen of the tax repeal committee, and Mr. Coyne. "French Line" Opens in St. Louis Without Seal RKO’s “The French Line” opened at the Fox theatre in St. Louis Tuesday without a Production Code Seal. The film, in 3-D, stars Jane Russell. Negotiations between RKO and the Production Code Administration concerning revision of the film to conform with the Code were continuing at midweek. The immediate results of the opening were record crowds at the box office of the theatre and RKO, the distributor, a member of the Motion Picture Association of America and a signatory to the Production Code, making itself liable to a $25,000 fine by the Association for breach of its agreement not to distribute a film lacking a seal from the Production Code Administration. Lea Suit Against Majors Is Formally Dismissed Leonard Lea’s three-year-old anti-trust suit against major distributors having been settled, the suit last week was dismissed in Federal Court at Washington, by Judge Walter Bastian. Mr. Lea is an exhibitor at Danville, Va. He alleged his two houses were damaged by assigned clearance. The settlement involved payment of money to Mr. Lea on the day of dismissal, December 23, after the settlement was formally announced. The check having been handed to Mr. Lea, an Internal Revenue agent declared Mr. Lea owed back taxes and that the Government was attaching the check he had just received. 20 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 2, 1954