PICTURE SHOWS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3033, 21 March 1917, Page 6

PICTURE SHOWS

Sir,—Last week I read as the opinion of a present-day schoolmaster that the picture palace is one'of the few places where children, get their ideas of morality. I read \in another place that the Censor 'jsees little to expunge in the films put before him When ho was appointed there was'on view within a stone's throw of his office a picture advertisement over these words: "Is platonic love possible between two on a desert island?" There was evidently no question as to this being' good mental, pabulum fc'r our young folk, as no protest was raised. Last Saturday the advertisement Tan: "Is it possible for a fallen woman to go straight? Story of a modern Magdalen." I would liko to ask in" all seriousness, Are the "people satisfied with this kind of censorship? Census of opinion states that the drama is the most popular form of representation. Surely, then, plenty of tales might ho shown that do not bring in so much, of the eternahsex question. The desert island scheme and snow-bound-for-the-winter scheme must ho worn quite threadbare, for, though rarely attending a picture show, I have never failed in being greeted l by one of these. _ Our boys and girls up quite quickly enough without'our anticipating their growth with a forcing-house of this kind. The very points that a true parent leads away from, and provides distraction from, are placed beforo them with endless reiteration and in every possible light at tho pictures, ■■ which are mostly thronged with young people. Many who are nauseated with pictures as they aro content themselves with staying away. But it m'eah's much to lis as »■' nation liow_ pur young peoplo got imbued with ideas, so may I plead with these not to allow thepiselves to be onlookers, hut to insist on a closer censorship, even if it means several censors? —I am, etc., ..LIGHT.