BAN ON NEGRO FILM LIFTED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21974, 24 December 1936, Page 9

BAN ON NEGRO FILM LIFTED

"THE GREEN PASTURES" The screen version of Marc Connelly's remarkable play, "The Green Pastures," has been passed by the British Board of Film Censors. The play was banned by the Lord Chamberlain, and the fact that God, or the negro's conception of God, is one of the characters, was enough to prevent the film from being passed at first by the film censor. That "The Green Pastures" was a beautiful, reverent, and tender conception was generally admitted. The Board of Film Censors felt, however, that the ban on the showing of sacred figures could not be removed without creating a dangerous precedent, and it is only after five months' consideration that the picture has been passed. "The Green Pastures," as a play, had a sensational success in America, running 73 weeks in New York and 20 in Chicago. The film, supervised by Mr Connelly, is said to be just as lovely and sincere. There are 111 speaking parts, all played by negroes, and nearly 1000 extras. The story begins in a Sunday school in one of the southern States attended by children who ask the old negro pastor to explain Heaven to them. He gives them his idea of Heaven — populated entirely by negroes—and describes some of the events in the Bible, with negroes playing Gabriel, Noah, and other characters. "De Lawd" is a benevolent old gentleman in a frock coat. The effect is said to be quaint, amusing, and very moving.