CENSOR'S SHEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 5 (Supplement)

CENSOR'S SHEARS.

When Nations Are "Touchy! , HOW HOLLYWOOD MUST "TOE THE LINE."

(By SHEILAH GRAHAM.)

DID you know that Japan lias a rigid censorship against movies containing promiscuous kissing and scenes uncomplimentary to soldiers? That China lias given a beating to nearly every studio in Hollywood because of the country's objection to pictures portraying its nationals—with the exception of Charlie Chan? That Spain has forbidden all films featuring the current revolution? That .Hungary dislikes pacifist film fare? That in Persia the boot is on tlie other foot? That Russia prohibits pictures produced by "capitalistic" countries? That Canada would much rather have pictures minus knifethrowing and shooting—ditto Austria? And that the time is fast approaching when the only safe way for producers to avoid difficulties with foreign Governments will lie to make only KM) per cent American films?

Tliere are few films of European or Asiatic background that survive diplomatic interference. Darryl Zunuck had no sooner announced production plans on "The .Siege of the Alcazar' , than he received a severe protest from the Spnnish Government, threatening to ban ths film from Spanish and -Mexican theatres. Zamick decided to shelve it. Paramount and China are on nonspeaking terms because of the studio's refusal to withdraw "The General Died of Dawn" from world release. As punishment, China has banned the entire Paramount product, which means an annual loss to the studio of 2.30.000 dollars.

M.G.M., with a production cost sheet of 40,000,000 dollars a year—returns from the United States, :55,000,000 dollars—decided to take no chances in the foreign market with "The Good Earth." Before the film was made, every incident was discussed and approved by representatives of the Chinese Government. Several officials were on the pay roll as technical advisers. Sam Goldwyn, wise in the ways of foreign interference, refused first olfer for "Idiot's Delight," the Broadway play starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, following ii visit from Italian Consul Ernesto Arrighi. In its present state, the play depicts Mussolini's soldiers and flying officers in an unfriendly light. M.G.M. bought the play and hopes to succeed where Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" failed—shelved because of Italian and German objections. "The- Green Pastures," originally banned in England because of its picturisation of the Deity, reached the British -public following boosting by the Duke of Kent, who saw it privately. "A Tale of Two Cities" was banned in Hungary—but reinstated when scenes of the starving revolution populace were deleted—also the pacifist picture,'"The Lost Patrol," starring Victor McLaglen. Paris refused this film but released it later because the theatre had no other film on hand. It ran 17 weeks.

"The Forty Days of Musa Dagh" did 1 not progress beyond M.G.M.'s sound stages as a result of Turkey's vigorous protest against "rehashing" TurkishArmenian atrocities. There are only about 100 motion picture theatres in Turkey, but she is befriended by England, and England ie where Hollywood makes most of the profit on its Jilnis. "Robin Hood of Eldorado" was okayed in Toronto, Canada, but not until treated to censorship shears. The Ghost Was Lost in China! Mexico is a stickler for authenticity, and the Government objected to "Vivo Villa," asserting that Panclio Villa was 9. teetotaller, despite the imagination of the script writer. "The Gay Desperado," i n which Mexicans arc depicted as bandits, a la American style, was not objected to because the characters were L gay and had sense to live in luxury. ; Mexicans Late pictures showing nationals poor or squalid. Marlene Dietrich is a constant source of anxiety to Spain, because of her predilection for Spanish or Moroccan locale film-. "Carnival in Spain" was primarily banned by the Spanish Government, which asseVtcd that it portrayed police officers behaving with lack of dignity. After considerable trimming the film was finally allowed to reach the susceptible Spanish public. La Dietrich's latest picture, "The Garden of Allah," is said to have given offence in

its silent version to many Catholics. So far there have been no repercussions from Koine. Sweden awoke from a peaceful lethargy several years ago when Warners madeV'Tlie Match King." It was too much like the life of Ivar Kreuger for Swedish mental comfort. Manned production of the realistic war story. "Paths of Glory," an important book of the year, was dropped in the conference room because the French Government refused to play ball. And now for the United States. Xot only do Americans not object to a Holly-wood-created American villain, but they retain a sense of humour when foreign film producers poke fun at them—to wit, in Alexander Korda's "The Cihost Goes West." The picture showered the American with ridicule, but was a success here, ft remained for dear old China to take up censorship cudgels on behalf of this country. (Ihosts are no laughing matter to the Chinese, who worship their ancestors. The picture was cut to ribbons. The ghost went west.