Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

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February 5, 1927 It Speaks For Itself MOVING PICTURE WORLD 405 Reaping the Whirlwind A.OME years ago, when the questions of State and Federal censorship of the Motion 53' Picture came up, the prediction was made that censorship of the movies would inevitably lead to an extension of the system to embrace the stage and literature. An appeal was made to those interested to make common fight with the pictures to further their own protection. And at that time the publishers and the dramatic producers merely laughed. The cheap and vulgar movies assuredly needed some regulation. Such a thing never could happen to the dignified pursuits of literature and acting. Not only did the appeal fall upon deaf ears, but the newspapers, appealing to their small section of fanatical readers, actually aided in forming sentiment against the pictures and in favor of censorship. Dramatic producers were less open in their attacks, but feeling sure of their positions, they furthered the censorship bills, glad to see the new and powerful amusement branch handicapped. They figured that the motion pictures, laboring under the handicap of unintelligent censoring, would be a less formidable rival to the stag'e shows, and they secretly aided in many instances. ; Today there are three bills before the legislature of the State of New York. One of these provides for the censorship of stage plays. A second provided for more stringent control Of newspapers and magazines. A third seeks to gag radio broadcasting. In the Federal Congress a bill has been introduced providing that advance proofs of all magazines must be submitted for Federal inspection before the magazines may be issued. Possibly none of these bills will be passed — this time. It may be two or three years before any of them becomes enacted into law. But the fanatics have tasted blood. They have enjoyed their victory over the pictures. They will not rest content until they can lay their blighting hands upon all other forms of art. They will keep on until they win, and they will win unless there is a united and concerted drive to abolish all forms of special censorship laws and control the issuance of unfit material in any line through the laws already in existence. Unless immediate action is taken all branches of art in the United States will be reduced to the dead level or moronic mediocrity. Get busy.