The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 20, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 309 Southeastern Films Conference Prefers Indorsement to Censorship; Is for Hays THE Southeastern Conference for Better Films, held in Atlanta on April 28, was a splendid success, accomplishing four things — opposing censorship, approving of selection and indorsement as a means of obtaining better films, recognizing the National Board of Review and indorsing Will H. Hays. It was the expressed opinion of Charles Petti john and Senator H. F. Ashurst, of Arizona, both of whom represented Mr. Hays personally, that this conference points the way for future dealings with the public and is significant as the proper method for opposing regulatory agitation. In attendance at the conference as delegates were leaders of the various women's organizations, civic ckibs, churches and rehgious publications tlirough Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Between 300 and 400 attended. The report of the committee on findings, which is of great interest to every exhibitor in the country, follows : Your committee on findings realizes the great importance of this conference, the difficulties of the problems it presents, and the grave responsibility of undertaking to voice its findings. This conference is unique, not only as being the first of its kind, but also as exemplifying the application on a large scale of the great principle of conscious co-operation between producer and consumer. We accept this principle as the safest rule to guide us in our approach to the problem of preserving and developing the good and destroying the evil in this great industry. We highly value the good and feel that it predominates and that standards are being raised, but recognize that there are evils, grave evils, and that both the industry and ourselves are at fault. The impatient must bear in mind that the RADIATING a spirit of faith in the future restoration of normal conditions, M. Gore, president of the West Coast Theatre Syndicate, principal First National franchise holders in Southern California, controlling and operating fifty-two of the finest cinemas in Southern California, has opened the new Tivoli Theatre, a $100,000 surburban house located in the rapid growing section of the city of Los Angeles, and the new Hippodrome, a pretentious theatre combining both first-run features in cinema productions and high class vaudeville, in Bakersfield, California. From this activity in constructing new houses it is quite evident that the future outlook, in Southern California theatrical circles is not a hazy one. Mr. Gore makes this point very emphatic, stating that his syndicate expects to continue their building program just as rapidly as new sites and locations can be secured. whole world is the motion picture audience ; that the film cannot be produced, except at prohibitive cost, for a particular community, or to satisfy a special small group, but must be made for all the world. On the other hand, the producer must recognize the rights of the community — the right to demand that no industry shall pollute its life or corrupt its children. We doubt the wisdom or practicability of delegating to small groups the power of deciding for all the rest what pictures they shall see. If such censorship should be established it would have to be exercised by a single national body rather than be censors in every state or city. Otherwise meritorious pictures could not be produced and a great educational and recreational institution would be seriously impaired. But we think co-operation should be thoroughly tested before censorship is tried. We believe the industry is ready and sincerely desires to co-operate; that patrons are satiated with salacious films, and would welcome and patronize pictures of higher grade and moral standard. We therefore recommend : — (1) The indorsement of the principle of selection rather than censorship. (2) The establishment of a Better Films Committee in every community and their co-operation with each other and the National Board of Review and with producers and exhibitors. (3) That all pictures be submitted to the National Board of Review before being exhibited, and that its findings be given careful consideration by local committees in reaching their decisions. (4) That earnest eflfort be made by local committees to secure the co-operation of churches, civic organizations and newspapers in the better film movement, especially in small towns, where the motion pictures occupy a position of great comparative importance. (5) That each local committee have an Indorsement Committee whose findings shall be given such publicity as will encourage attendance at the exhibition of pictures The new Tivoli Theatre is actually the personal project of Mr. Gore and his wife. Ultra-modern in every respect, no expense has been spared in equipping this modern cinema house in a most lavish manner. Mrs. Gore personally designed the beautiful foyer with appropriate appointments and it is said to be one of unusual beauty and character. The Tivoli is the largest surburban cinema in Los Angeles. Honoring the opening of the Tivoli, a preiniere of the First National attraction, "The Seventh Day," starring Richard Barthelmess, was booked for the initial offering. This picture showed to recordbreaking crowds and was then sent to the Kinema Theatre, the most pretentious and popular theatre owned by this syndicate located in the heart of the down town section. A highly successful run was the report on this First National attraction. of the best type, thereby raising the standard for the community. (6) That, in communities of size to justify it, matinees of specially selected films be arranged for children, under proper chaperonage of mothers or members of Better Films Committees, and, in other communities, on special days, exhibitors of pictures selected for the family group. (7) The liberal use by local committees of the Alphabetical Index of Selected Pictures, published by the National Committee for Better Films, for determining the suitability of films, and the use of photoplay columns in local newspapers to adequately inform the public of good pictures, thereby encouraging patronage of the better films. (8) That advantage be taken of the great value of visual education by the installation of equipment for the exhibition of films in schools and institutions. (9) The approval, commendation and pledge of earnest support of the following standards of the industry, adopted hy resolution of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, March, 1921. which pledges its members to refrain from producing pictures — (a) Which emphasize and exaggerate sex appeal or depict scenes therein exploiting interest in sex in an improper or suggestive form or manner ; (b) Based upon white slavery or commercialized vice or scenes showing the procurement of women or any of the activities attendant upon this traffic; (c) Thematically making prominent an illicit love affair which tends to make virtue odious and vice attractive; (d) With scenes which exhibit nakedness or persons scantily dressed, particularly suggestive bedroom and bathroom scenes and scenes of inciting dances ; (e) With scenes which unnecessarily prolong expressions of demonstrations of passionate love; (f) Predominantly concerned with the under-world or vice and crime, and life scenes, unless the scenes are part of an essential conflict between good and evil. (g) Of stories which make drunkenness and gambling attractive or with scenes which show the use of narcotics and other unnatural practices dangerous to social morality; (h) Of stories and scenes which may instruct the morally feeble in methods of committing crime or by cijmulative processes emphasize crime and the commission of crime. (i) Of stories or scenes which ridicule or deprecate public officials, officers of the law, the United States army, the United States navy, or other governmental authority, or which tend to weaken the authority of the law; (j) Of stories or with scenes or incidents which offend the religious belief of any persdfi, creed or sect, or ridicule ministers, priests, r_bbis, or recognized leaders of any religious sect, (k) Of stories or with scenes which uj;duly emphasize bloodshed and violence " without justification in the structure of the story. ' ' (1) Of stories or with scenes . which are vulgar and portray improper gestures, posturing and attitudes;. (m) With salacious titles arid subtitles in connection with their presentation or exhibition, and the use of sa lacious advertising matter, photographs and lithographs in connection therewith. Gore Opens the Tivoli in Los Angeles; Largest Suburban Picture House There