EXPELLED FROM CINEMA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20868, 9 May 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

EXPELLED FROM CINEMA.

MAN AND WIFE IN MONTREAL. "NO HOLDING HANDS HERE!" The expulsion of two British visitors from a local cinema for the offence of " holding hands " is typical of a series of incidents which are gaining for Montreal the sobriquet of " the Holy City." Cinemas have proved a fruitful field for the local censors of morals, and all sorts of by-laws and regulatiijns have been instituted, says the correspondent of a London newspaper. It was the unwitting infringement of one of these regulations that led to the unpleasant experience for two strangers. " T visted the cinema in company with my husband," the Englishwoman concerned stated. " When we had settled down comfortably in our seats my husband idly let his hand cover mine, which was resting on the arm of the chair. " Suddenly a beam of light was accusingly played upon us and the gruff voire of an attendant cried out in the darkness: 'No holding hands allowed!' Petrified with shock my husband and I sat looking at one another in horror. The incident ended with our being asked to leave the cinema, which we did after making a strong protest at such treatment."

Not, only do the authorities keep a stern eye on the behaviour of cinema patrons, but they severely censor the films shown to them.

Tn talking films the word " divorce" is not allowed to be spoken, and when it occurs, as of course it is bound to at times, the actor's lips silently form the syllables but no sound escapes. Passionate love scenes also are cut from all films.