CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1927, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE

MOTION PICTURE PROGRESS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln view .of the criticism levelled lit pictures and the picture industry in the Press from time to time, I would appreciate very much if you would grant me space to let the public know of th« genuine endeavour being made by the leading producers to produce better pictures. A year or two ago the leading producuV and distributors of motion pictures joined hands co-operatively, to improve motioa picture standards and service to the public, to promote public understanding md goodwill", to'prevent those things withia the industry itself which might be harmful,'.and to establish concord amons themselves, while at the name tmic jealously, maintaining thciv individuality and competitive interests. They have" pledged themselves to estab. iißh and maintain the highest possible moral and artistic standards in motion picture productions, and to develop the educational as well as the entertainment [ value and general usefulness of the motion picture. ■ ,t,'m° you wll° Ilave seea such pictures ns "lite i-Teu Commandments," "The Only Way," "The Volga Boatman," "Tha vIK Sister>" "Ypres," ".Michael Strogonv" "Stella Dallas," "Zeebrugge," "If \\ inter Comes," and tithers, the success ot the co-operative. movement is evident, lou have seen the improvement in.moral and artistic standards, and much that i« educational. ■ Books and plays are the prolific : Eourc<?f of picture material, but the prevalent type is not the prevalent type of motioa pictures. Since 1024 over, 100 objectionable books aud plays have been rejected, and steps have been taken to see that nothing in pictures shall be : presented which may create disrespect for law, and also to prevent misleading titles ai>d salacious advertising. . | The discussion of pictures generally is ; based upon their influence upon the youth. This is a serious and-difficult problem in which all thoughtful peopla are justly concerned. It should be approached from the basis that the motion picture is primarily a source of entertainment for the adult mind, and if we hava any drama at all there must be certain phases of life presented in pictures which perhaps the child should not ccc. And, too, if all pictures were made for chit drens minds the grown-ups would not attend picture shows. Furthermore, them are many responsible leaders of thought who dp not share this apprehension over picture influence upon the yputh. The parents must surely have the same respon- ' sibility to supervise the pictures their children see as the books they read. Some of the notable successes in motion pictures have been taken from the Bible. Although perhaps not generally known, producers are, in order to more correctly portray these subjects and to avoid offence, availing themselves of th« co-operation of reliable authorities on such topics. l?or nearly a year the producer 6j 'The King of Kings," which is based 'on the life of Christ, has had the advice and/ council of a religious advisory board: comprised of 29 representatives of Protestant sects, Catholic, Jew, Buddhist, and Mohamniedan. Before producing "The Scarlet Letter," from Hawthorne's classic, the producer was aided by the advice of a. committee of clergymen because of tlus situation involved. Representatives of tiie Catholic Church advised in the production of The White Sister" and "Bomola.'V both having Catholic settings. It will therefore be "seen that producers of pictures are always seeking correct portrayals and to avoid giving offence. Thosa who make statements to the contrary ara either prejudiced or misinformed. As the outcome of the study between educatois and the motion picture interests, pedagogic films will' be produced by several motion picture companies and will include films of a religious nature. Films.•to.be used for. the of medicine and surgery will also be made, a- special committee of noted surgeons having already been appointed to decide just what is needed. The motion picture industry has offered full co-operation in developing this important work, and -with the development of the slow motion picture and the microscopic camera much good work will be attained.

Those people who write to the papers making general statements about motion pictures must realise that picture values cannot be measured by individual yardsticks. Tastes and temperaments in audi« ences differ, and pictures as yet must ba made for the mass entertainment.. Merely making worth-while pictures is not enough. There must be a demand as well as a supply. In this there is a joint responsibility between the public and ths industry. Picture men are in business to please the greatest number of people and to offend none. Openly condemning a particular picture only serves to advertise and popularise such a picture with certain classes. Reasonable criticism, if specific, is always welcome, and if forwarded to me will be placed at the source, of production. Motion pictures rank with speech and Piess as means of expression into-which human thought and inspiration enter, lheir messages convey different meaning! and stir different impulses according to each individual make-up." Their service m public enlightenment, progress, and enjoyment is best promoted by the maximum degree of freedom. 'The answer to the co-operative efforts of motion picture producers to produce the better type o£ picture and their proper effort to encourage public ,support of suoli pictures is pictures themselves. Everyore will admit that the standard of pictures seen in this country during the last few years is evidence of the desire on the part of producers to satisfy the public taste.—l am, etc., E. M. STEWART, Secretary, Kirn Exchanges „,. T Assn. of N.Z. (Inc\ 13th June.