HOW IT BEGAN

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 11

HOW IT BEGAN

DRIVE AGAINST "SEX" FILMS

| IVJOyE v BY CHURCHES

The revolt of the Romau Catholio Church in America against sex.-films is now assuming Continent-wide propori tions, says the "Morning Post." ; !

This protest* arose as the result of si tactless remark mado by one of the best known' Hollywood produijtioa chiefs. A distinguished Ne\v York banker, was cleputed to discuss with tha Hays office in Hollywood and tholcading. producers there' the apprehension felt by the- Roman Catholic'organisations in America at the-way. the sex note was emphasised in too many? films.

.In reply, the Hays office. made a slighting reference, to the iktexferenca of the Church,in film mattors, ~'

The result has had consequences fae more serious than, could l>e , imagined. Theßornan Catholic organisations formed tho. League of Deqoncy, to boycott -films where the sex note was too heavily accentuated. In a short while 2;000,000 people had joined tho league. Over 100,000 joined in Syracuse in. ontj week. " ''■'..

The Catholic protest was then endorsed by the Presbyterian Church.; Mr. Will Hays, late Postmaster-General to the American Government; and now head of the Haya organisation, the sole arbiter on taste in Hollywood films, is » prominent member of. this. Churph. POWER OF BOYCOTT. ~ His position 'has been ; .made increasingly difficult. When the> Leagno of Decency was formed,.and its power demonstrated—by their power they could, if they decide to do so, bring about an effective boycott of any film throughout America—the first reaction of tho producers was to compromise. But- this has now been altered. A "war chest" of 2,000,000. d011ar5,', it is said, has been subscribed :b_y the producers to put forward their point at view on this all-important matter.

But it is not without significaneetbah a- prominent producer visiting Britain said the other day that sex films are dead, as tho ■public will Hot'go to see them. ■ . ' ' .'■

Tlio American. Daughters :of >:tli«! Revolution lfsivo also expressed their objection to sex films. This revolt lias already:.had proper* ..cussio'ns in Britain. The WesleyanMethodist Chnrcli in South. Wales is Actively opposing1 sex films, and there can bo little doubt that if Hollywood: producers do not come into line, tho Roman Catholic organisations: in England will take a similar stand.

It is estimated that there are' at least 7,000,000 Koman Catholics in the United Kingdom, and more than 2,000,000 in Lancashire—a very important county from the point of view of box-o|fic& returns.