FILM CENSORSHIP.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17063, 7 February 1921, Page 7

FILM CENSORSHIP.

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE TRESS." Sir, —I think that it is quite time that the public took some action in the matter of tho ruthless cutting-up of films. Already too many of our best pictures are spoilt bv ridiculous censorship. The managers of tho picture theatres should arrange to have petitions at each of their theatres to protest against the proposed new censorship. If the Minister of Internal Affairs paid more attention to the censorship of "penny dreadfuls," etc., it would be a step in a sensible direction. These are really harmful to school dren. Tho cartoons on the cover are sufficient for anyone to see that this is so, while th& grammar in every case is deplorable. ■Certain - pictures, I admit, are not fit for children to eea, but why allow them to view such pictures ? _ They (the children) should be prohibited from visiting these. Because we are told that the motion picture industry is in its infancy it is not to say that pictures are for children alone. Jusi_ as we have a certain pleasure in reading "'Grimm's Fairy Tales" to children, so do wo enjoy taking them to see "Jack and the Beanstalk" in films: but for ourselves we would much rather read Hall Caine's works and visit at the pictures "Whv Change Your Wife" and "The Sea Wolf." It is ridiculous to censor films 50 that they are fit for children alone. Why not he consistent and censor books, plays, musical comedies, and pantomimes?— Yours, etc., . SILVERSHEET.