3-D Films

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27018, 18 April 1953, Page 6

3-D Films

The New Zealand Film Censor (Mr iG. H. Mirams) is adopting a reasoni able approach to the questions posed Iby the introduction of 3-D (three--dimensional) films. There is no 'doubt that the people of New Zea--1 land will want to see this new form of entertainment, and that part of I its technique in the early stages ; will be the use of an element of ' shock. It would be unreasonable to - restrict unduly the showing of these I films, at least until their effect on audiences is known; and Mr Mirams proposes to go and see for himself. In the interval he has given some advice to film-goers, and particularly to the parents of children, who should see for themselves if they have any doubt about the suitability of the new films for their children. As Mr Mirams says, parents perhaps even more than censors, have another responsibility on their shoulders. And that, of course, is true of all films. It has been the duty of Mr Mirams to indicate in general what films are unsuitable for children, and for parents to decide in particular cases whether to heed this advice. This service has been given with conspicuous success by Mr Mirams, so that there has been no demand for stricter and more objectionable censorship. It is, with occasional notable exceptions, the responsibility of parents to decide what films their children may see, a responsibility that the State should not be expected to bear. It is also the responsibility of parents to decide how often children may go to cinema theatres. It may be that too much theatre-going can sometimes be as harmful as an injudicious choice of picture. The new film technique has not really altered this fundamental responsibility of parents, but only increased the importance of its discharge.