CENSORING FILMS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 35, 9 August 1930, Page 9

CENSORING FILMS

INTERESTING FACTS

INFLUENCE OF "TALKIES"

Interesting details regarding the e6nsorship of films are given in the annual report of the Department of Internal Affairs, presented to Parliament yesterday. During tho year 262(5 films of sill classes, of a total length of 6,474,990 feet, we-re examined. Of this number 102 were rejected in the first instance, 274 were- passed subject to excisions, and 107 were passed with resommendatious that they were more suitable for adult audiences. Eleven appeals were lodged against the- censor's decisions. In two cases the censor's decisions were reversed, and the films wore released with recommendations for adult audiences. In the other nine cases the censor's decisions were upheld. Tho countries of origin of the quota films were as follows:— United States, 569; Great Britain, 58; Germany, 12; Italy, 2; Austria, 1; Trance, 1; Norway, 1. Total 644. Of £he British quota films fifty-one were silent and seven were synchronised for sound, while the foreign quota films were 276 silent and 310 synchronised for sound. All the foreign sound films originated in the United States of America. Of the films rejected fiftyfive were quota and forty-seven were non-quota. All the quota films rejected were of foreign origin, while of tho non-quota films rejected five were British and forty-two wore foreign.

Tho report states that tho year under review has seen the introduction of sound-synchronised moving pictures, which had created many new problems for those engaged in the film industry. The work of the censor is more exacting, and any alteration or amendment is most difficult, and in some cases impossible. When amendment is impossible the censor has to decide whether an offending portion is sufficiently objectionable to justify the total rejection of what may otherwise bo v good, production. With tho addition of sound to the films, tho pictures now approximate and in some ways are superior to the legitimate stage. The regulations provide that where a film is recommended as being move suitable for adult audiences that fact must be advised to the public in every advertisement relating to the film. Unfortunately, a. slackness in the observance of this regulation forced the Department to take action against an exhibitor. A conviction was obtained, and tho report expresses tho hope that the regulations regarding tho matter will be fully complied with in future by all exhibitors.