BRITISH MORALS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17454, 31 December 1930, Page 11

BRITISH MORALS

LOWERED BY LURID FILMS DENUNCIATION OF VULGARITY LONDON, Dec. 6. Scathing criticism of the alleged indecency and of the flagrant- vulgarity of modern films is voiced by Sir Hesketh Bell in the Times. Sir Hesketh, former governor of several British colonies and a wellknown writer, charges that “sensationalism is rampant and pictures displaying erotic antics are the rage.” He declares that while until recently American producers were entirely, blamed for films of this kind, it- must now be confessed that many recent British films are just as bad.

“Nothing has done more,” writes Sir Hesketh, “to lower British standards of morality, decency and good manners than the vulgar and sensational pictures being presented daily to millions of our people. Up to a few years ago the ‘kissing business’ done on the stage was decent and restrained, whereas now we are treated to exhibitions of passionate osculation practised to the last degree and evidently intended to give rise to 'feelings better imagined than described, whicli can do nothing but cause deplorable disturbance of immature minds.”

Ho doubts whether the censorship is adequate or vigorous enough to cope with this greatly increased industry, and complains bitterly of the inadequacy of a £2 fine recently imposed on proprietors of a Manchester movie house for exhibiting before children a film called “The Bad One,” which bad been licensed only for adults.