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i6 Film Censors
turned stately hymns into jazz (it was a skit on Aimee McPherson). Yet this picture was shown in many towns and cities throughout England and was a great success.
One of the most amusing cases on record is that of a certain English watch committee in a district where there was a cinema for sale. Four members of the committee wanted to buy it ; one of them was victorious. Whether the subsequent events were deliberate or merely coincidence, is hard to say ; but the fact remains that the very first picture booked for this cinema was frowned upon by the watch committee. For a time, it looked as if it would not be passed for local showing. The film company putting out the picture, however, succeeded in getting it passed.
Another strange story of local " censorship " concerns the cinema manager who booked a film at a figure which he afterwards regretted. It was too high. But the bargain had been made and it seemed certain that he would have to pay the price.
Then he heard that there were certain scenes in this film at which the censor had rather frowned before passing. He seized his chance. He told the local chief constable, who has the power of banning a film. In this case, this one did so.
The film company objected. They took the matter to the watch committee and demanded that the film should be seen by them. The watch committee saw the picture and cancelled the ban. The film was shown at another cinema.
Nowadays, the English film-producing companies find that it pays them to submit the scenario to the censor before actually producing the picture. From October, 1931, to October, 1932, 74 scenarios were submitted. In one or two instances, certain alterations were suggested. As a result, not one of those 74 pictures had any trouble with the censor.
Although local authorities in England sometimes complicate English censorship, the question of censoring films here is not so involved as in America.
First of all, there is the Organization of the ^lotion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, with Will Hays (popularly called the " Tzar " of Hollywood) as its president. This organization was founded by the film people themselves for their own interests. Producers go to Will Ha3's for guidance when contemplating pictures dealing with subjects which might meet with some opposition.
Will Hays' word is law. If he hears of a company making a picture which will be harmful to the Hollywood interests, he forbids it. Thus, an independent producer once conceived the idea of making a picture featuring all the girls in Hollywood who resembled Garbo. The whole thing was to be in the nature of a skit on this famous star. WiU Hays heard about it, said " No " — and the film was never made.
Most American pictures seen in England bear a small sign at the bottom of the opening title. This reads : " Passed by the National Board of Review."
This means that the film has received the approval of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures — a voluntary, citizen organization reviewing films in New York City with associate and advisory members, and affiliated citizen groups throughout the United States,