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Film Censors 15
the materialized form of Christ ; blasphemy, and comic treatment of religious subjects ; irreverent quotations of scriptural phrases ; sacred rites and ceremonies and travesties of religious rites ; themes portraying the hereafter ; and the Salvation Army shown in an unfavourable light.
Under the heading of " Political," films have been returned for alterations because of references to royal personages ; offensi\'e political propaganda ; and the representation of living personages.
Exception has been taken, under the heading of " Military," to British officers and forces shown in a disgraceful light ; British officers in equivocal situations ; and uncivilized acts of warfare.
Many scenes ha\'e had to be cut from films because they have offended the social code. These subjects have included : drunken women and gross drunkenness of men ; " orgy " scenes ; indecorous dancing ; habitual youthful depravity ; accosting and soliciting ; unacceptable vulgarity ; unpleasant details of medical operations ; immodest scenes of girls undressing ; companionate marriage and " free love."
Several film scenes have been cut out because they have infringed the censor's rules by introducing hanging scenes, preparations for suicide, and methods of crime open to easy imitation ; murderous gang fighting (remember that Scarface had some difficulty in being passed in many countries) ; and severed human heads.
Many other incidents have met with the disapproval of the censor, including such scenes as human sacrifices ; cruelty to animals and birds ; scenes of torture ; agonizing scenes of martyrdom ; self torture with knives ; and prolonged and gross brutality and bloodshed.
These are not hard and fast rules. Each incident I have mentioned has actually been introduced into pictures and cut out by the censor's orders.
Several such incidents have been allowed in other films, probabty because of different treatment. But the list I have enumerated gives a broad idea of the large number of items that the film producer should avoid if he wants his films to gain a certificate.
It must be remembered that the censor is bearing in mind a large public of all t3'pes, from sophisticated Londoners to children. He gives the picture an " A " (adult) certificate if he considers it suitable only for grown-ups and not for children. This picture is technically not supposed to be seen by a child unless accompanied by an adult. If the picture is deemed suitable for grown-ups and children alike, it is given a " U " (universal) certificate.
The censor's decision, however, is not legally final. Local councils have the last say in the matter. As a general rule, thej^ accept the censor's decision without question. Sometimes a local watch committee wUl step in and demand to see every picture due for local showing. This happened in Beckenham, Kent, during 1932, much to the amusement of press and public. Films which had passed the censor with ease were sometimes rejected entirely. E\cn a INIary Pickford film was criticized and allowed to be shown only after the word " rat " had been expunged from one scene !
On the other hand, films which have not passed the cen; or may be shown if permission can be obtained from the local council. Thus, the Barbara Stanwyck film, TIic Miracle Wovtaii, did not obtain a ccrtihcate bccaur.e it