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THE NEW MOTION PICTURE CODE
The new code of the producers of motion pictures is of current interest at this time. It has been ratified by some twenty companies, and its terms have been given to the public. The keynote of these self imposed standards is to be found in the statement that “every effort shall be made to reflect in drama the better standards of life” and to provide the sort of entertainment “which tends to improve and not degrade the race.”
The ideals are high and this effort at self government within the producer’s organization is a step which we cannot too highly applaud. Robert A. Millikan, President of the California Institute of Technology says of it:
“I regard this as one of the most magnificent exhibitions I have ever seen of the possibility of our typical American method of private initiative, bringing about the most beneficent development of our modern civilization. The motion picture has in it the possibility of becoming one of the most stupendous educational forces of modern life and this looks as though it had appreciated this possibility and set about to realize it.”
Such a code of ethics is very difficult to formulate and more difficult to interpret, and upon interpretation will depend its success or failure. One of the greatest faults of motion pictures has been the “fraudulent emotions” portrayed and aroused and even in sincere efforts to present life in a human vital way, crudities and vulgarities have crept in which offend. If, as Mr. Thomas A. Edison says, the code may “obtain a uniform interpretation of subject matter consistent with the judgment of the best elements in the international constituency which the motion picture has come to serve”, we shall all have reason for congratulation.
We, the public, have a certain responsibility also. We must withold judgment until the code is effective, remembering that the new films made under its suggestions cannot be released for months — probably not before fall — and that the internal cooperation cannot show results before then. We must have sincere interest and confidence that the Association may reach its high objective.
Mrs. John Vruwink, General Chairman Mrs. Palmer Cook, Subscriptions
Mrs. Walter Van Dyke, Vice-Chairman Mrs. George Ryall, Previews
FEATURE FILMS
Unless otherwise indicated the following pictures have been seen in all dialogue form.
ACROSS THE WORLD WITH MR. AND MRS. MARTIN JOHNSON. Talking picture Epics, Inc.
A record of adventure in many out of the way places and among rarely visited peoples, such as cannibals, pygmies and head hunters. It is a remarkably interesting picture and shows rare courage,
endurance and skill on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. The latter half of the picture, in which the boy scouts figure and which shows magnificent scenes of wild animals, will have greater appeal for younger children and is more suitable for their entertainment.
Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. Excellent. Latter half only.
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