Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1956)

Code Universal^ Shurlock Tells Protestant Council Geoffrey Shurlock, director of the Production Code Administration, analyzed the code in all of its aspects and facets and discussed its past, present and future role in the motion picture industry in an address Tuesday to the board of managers of the broadcasting and film commission of the National Council of the Churches of Christ at their annual meetings in New York. The Council numbers among its members about 30 Protestant denominations in the United States. ‘"‘Permissive, Not Restrictive^’ The screen, he said, should never be used to try to make what is basically wrong appear to be right, and added that the Code “assumes that the tenets of the Ten Commandments are as applicable in the field of the imagination as they are in real life.” He described the Code as “a voluntary set of self-regulations, based on sound morals, common to all peoples and all religions,” and stressed that it is “basically a permissive document, not a restrictive one,” its aim being to tell producers how they can treat any subject, in consonance with sound moral principles.” Only a half-dozen areas of subject matter are totally forbidden, he stressed, and pointed out that what cannot be amended is the basic approach of the Code, which, he reiterated, emphasized that all subject matter must be treated morally, first and foremost, and secondarily within the confines of decency and reasonable good taste. Mr. Shurlock said: “Our aim is to make certain that films are reasonably acceptable, morally, to reasonable people,” adding that to achieve this it is borne constantly in mind that Hollywood product is designed for mass family entertainment. Tells Foreign Plight Mr. Shurlock told of having dinner with an Argentine Jesuit priest, a motion picture fan and editor of a religious publication in Buenos Aires. The priest told him that by the very rigid standards of his publication, 85 percent of Hollywood’s pictures were completely acceptable. He then ruefully told Mr. Shurlock that where his own Argentine films were concerned, the figures would almost have to be reversed. Because Hollywood films are designed for mass family entertainment, he said, they differ fundamentally from most foreign films, which are intended primarily for adult audiences. “No matter how refractory the basic material, the purpose of the Code is to treat it in such a manner, that the end result will neither frustrate the intelligent, nor offend the innocent,” he stressed. Referring to the 13,000 feature films passed through the Code Administration machinery since 1934, Mr. Shurlock said: “It would be silly for me to pretend that all of these 13,000 have been of the highest moral calibre, but such a preponderantly large percentage have proven reasonably acceptable to reasonable people, that our efforts have been justified and rewarded a thousandfold.” Mr. Shurlock paid glowing tribute to Martin Quigley, publisher of The HERALD, crediting Mr. Quigley with the major share of credit for the Code’s conception, and calling him “a man of conscience, with a keen sense of social responsibility,” and “a pioneer, with a pioneer’s enthusiasm and love for the medium he has helped cultivate, and watched grow and blossom.” Mr. Shurlock called the Code “universal in its application, based on the natural and moral laws, and should be acceptable to Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Moslems and Hindus,” and referred to the fact that India and Japan had adopted it as the basis for their own film regulation systems. Declaring that Hollywood should be interested, gradually, in making more religious themes, he paid tribute to all denominations in their efforts for the betterment of films, including Will Hays and Eric Johnston, whom he called “Towers of Protestant Strength” who marched arm in arm with the many progressive Catholic film industry leaders like Mr. Quigley and the innumerable motion picture notables of the Jewish, Greek Orthodox and other faiths. "Alexander" to Open In New York March 28 Alexander the Great,” Robert Rossen’s Cinemascope production in color by Technicolor starring Richard Burton, Fredric March, Claire Bloom and Danielle Darrieux, will have a gala benefit premiere at the Capitol theatre. New York, March 28, United Artists, the releasing company, has announced. The opening is sponsored by the Metropolitan Council and the Cinema Lodge of the B’nai B’rith in behalf of the National B’nai B’rith Agency, which will receive all premiere proceeds. The agency provides philanthropic support for nearly a score of educational, youth and health groups. Justin Manager of New York Rivoli Theatre The appointment of Nicholas M. Justin as acting manager of the Rivoli theatre. New York, was announced this week by Edward Rowley, executive vice-president of United Artists Theatres Circuit, Inc. Mr. Justin succeeds Montague Salmon, who has retired. Mr. Justin, a graduate of New York University’s Department of Motion Picture Production, started in the motion picture business in 1940 with RKO. Awards #o Raekmil and GoEdensoMt Milton R. Rackmil, president of Universal Pictures, and Leonard H. Goldenson, president of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, were among those named as winners of Look Magazine's film awards MiltoR Rackmil Leonard Goldenson for 1955. The awards were presented on Ed Sullivan’s television show last Sunday. Mr. Rackmil received the industry achievement award while Mr. Goldenson was given the exhibitor award and cited for his “leadership in helping to bind movies and TV into a closer working relationship.” Other Look award winners were James Cagney for his performance in “Love Me or Leave Me,” Susan Hayward for “I’ll Cry Tomorrow,” Jack Lemmon for “Mister Roberts” and Jo Van Fleet for “East of Eden.” Daniel Mann received the director’s award for “I’ll Cry Tomorrow” and “The Rose Tattoo”; James Wong Howe, cinematography, for “The Rose Tattoo” and “Picnic” ; Paddy Chayefsky, screenplay, “Marty” ; Harold Hecht, producer, “Marty,” and Bamlet L. Price, Jr., of UCLA for the best college-produced film. Citations for “newcomers” went to Anna Magnani for “The Rose Tattoo,” Fess Parker for “Davy Crockett” and Kim Novak, “most promising female newcomer.” RKO Executives Discuss "Conqueror" on Radio Don Moore, head of RKO’s new eastern story department, and Benn Jacobsen, the company’s new eastern casting and talent representative, appeared on successive days over the Mutual Broadcasting System to discuss Howard Hughes’ “The Conqueror,” now in its initial pre-release engagements across the country. Mr. Moore discussed the film’s story and script March 7, then March 8 Mr. Johnson explained the procedures for acquiring specialized talent for the production. Produced and directed by Dick Powell, “The Conqueror” stars John Wayne, Susan Hayward and Pedro Arniendariz. It MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 10, 1956