Projection engineering (Sept 1929-Nov 1930)

Page 4 Projection Engineering, May, 1930 *v. EDITORIAL May, 1930 r WHAT KIND OF PICTURES? E~KING over the list of "cut outs" in films, ordered by the various boards of censorship during the year 1928, one learns that there were no less than 2960 cuts ordered. It may be that the new Hays' code is the organized industry's reaction to this wholesale activity of the scissors guild. Classifying the 2960 cuts it is found that the largest number, 528, were attributed to "display of dangerous weapons." "Sex-suggestive" comes next with 509 cuts; "portrayal of crime" third with 499. Others are: "cruelty-brutality," 276; "nudity — indecent exposure," 150; "overpassionate love-making," 115; "mean or mischievous," 104, and "vulgarity," 249. A subhead under "vulgarity" is "nose-thumbing." Thirty-five cuts were made on this score, and fifty-three on that of "drinking or reference to." No doubt the serious losses to producers, due to cuts, constitute one of the most aggravating charges against gross receipts. With an American investment of about two billion dollars the moving picture industry ranks third among the industries, following foodstuffs and automobiles. In various quarters there is doubt as to whether the censors in their deletions reflect the judgment of a majority of movie patrons. And, of course, there are those who believe that Hollywood, even under the persuasive influence of Mr. Hays, can not safely be given free rein in deciding upon standards of movie taste. In the nearly five hundred films provided annually in the United States there is opportunity for gauging popularity of subjects. A recent study of photoplay preferences showed that 21 per cent, of 500 persons interviewed preferred historical presentations; 20 per cent., comedy; 20 per cent., melodrama; 15 per cent., mystery; 15 per cent., sex drama; 5 per cent., westerns and 4 per cent., costume. With "historical" at the top of the list it would appear that here is a subject that may be presented in paying quantity without undue recourse to the vulgarities objected to by the censors. The inquiry indicates also that upward of one hundred historical films can be profitably distributed annually. An industry that furnishes employment for 225,000 workers, 30,000 supers and several thousand artists, in the United States alone, is large enough to be entitled to all that can be contributed toward its stability by consumer analyses, and by constructive suggestion. S.M.P.E. CONVENTION THIS year's convention of the S.M.P.E., at the Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D. C, May 5-8, comes at a time when there are many subjects of interest to come up for report and review. The members of this organization of engineers have within the brief span of five years seen astounding changes take place in the art of the moving picture. Within this period most of the contributions in the way of sound projection have come to the theatre. To account for the rapid progress made in a few years, as compared with the rapidity of progress made by older arts a few decades ago, it is necessary only to have in mind the extent of present-day avenues for exchanging information. Scientific discoveries and inventions have a way of getting out into the open very soon after birth. Through the agencies of the technical press and the engineering societies each and every new or renewed idea is given wide circulation and is widely discussed. There is a viewpoint from which it may be argued that it would be better for the business if fewer new ideas came to the surface; or having been born, better if they were strangled early. On the other hand many large investments have been wiped out because of lack of knowledge of the exact state of an art or industry. Safety depends upon not overlooking what has been done, and so far as possible, what is being done. DONALD McNICOL, Editor.