FILM CENSORING.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 7

FILM CENSORING.

EXACTING WORK IN ENGLAND. W4O MILES EXAMINED. <M3K OUB OWW COBMapONDMJT.) LONDON, March 21. Tie Beport for 1929 issued by the British Board of Film Censors, contains some, interesting information. This.is * body without official authority 1 set up by the cinema trade. The Board la«t year examined 7,063,435 ft of film,embracing 2155 subjects. . Of the films-examined 923 silent film* 'and 721 sooM.' films were passed for universal exhibition; ~ • '2BO silent films and 182 sound films ■ were passed for exhibition'' to adult Audiences;, '•; , 293 films were referred to the pub- , Ushers for amendment; and ', films were totally rejected. j '.. Of the 300 films to'which objection ' «U taken, 251 were granted certificates ~ after amendment, and in some cases .' v V«ry drastic alteration. The remaining 'forty-two are still being considered by '•y!"' . P°Ww n ors, but, adds the report: "/'£» many cases it is.the theme to /iJ'Mch objection has been taken, and fflcnl tj especially in the case of. auditory films, to see how they' Fl'l*. Httle likelihood of these films bepublicly exhibited." WX - Th * actnal e3cam * nation ot.. the audi v - Alms imposed a much greater npon the examiners than that m% » nt films ' Beference is made to *»fc? i ge nmnber of fllm s w hieh might j|WJP«la»s«d as "back stage drama,"

and the Beport states "the themes are often sordid, and the lives of the principal characters, if not actually immoral,'are at all events unmoral ,in practice and principle. In many cases there is in addition an admixture of the criminal or bootlegging element, with the introduction of an atmosphere of riotous luxury. There is evidence of quite, definite, disapproval of this type of film among the regular cinema-going public." Seasons for Rejection. Among the reasons given for the exceptions taken to films are mentioned: Materialisation of the conventional figure of Christ; Ministers of religion in equivocal situations; to the Prince of Wales; • .hushing workers to armed conflict: i British officers and forces shown in a degrading light; - y % | Girls and women in a state of intoxication; [ "Orgy" scenes; Eeflections on the medical profession; Suggestive and indecorous dancing; Outrageously indecent incidents- disguised under would-be morals; Marital infidelity and collusive divorces; Pernicious scenes in the underworld of large cities; Executions and incidents connected therewith; Criminals shown in affluence and apparently successful in life-without retribution; "Crook" films in which sympathy is enlisted for criminals; "Third degree"; Cruelty to animals; Irreverent, blasphemous, and suggestive sub-titles. Coarse speech; and Unwarranted reference to well-known public characters. Sound Film Problems. Eeferring to th« new problems raised by Bound films, the report states*

Generally speaking, it is* found that the dialogue far more emphasises the situation than is the (Jase with titling. In some cases/ in view of the technical difficulties of amendment, concessions have been allowed in minor matters that would have been refused in the case of silent films. This was only temporary, however, and no alterations ill the standards have been made. Although the Board has no compulsory powers whatever, it is pointed out, "no attempt has teen made by any member of the trade to dictate to the president any modification in. . . . the established standards." A warm tribute is paid to the late Mr T. P. O'Connor, M.P., the former president of the Board, who, the report states, "endeavoured to steer a middle course between prudery and license."