BAN ON SENSATIONAL FILMS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17118, 13 April 1921, Page 9

BAN ON SENSATIONAL FILMS.

-v ;:■';';";;; ';..'♦ . ' , - ,; ' '■■' (?nOU OUR OWN gOBRESEONDBNT.) \X- ' ; IbNT>ON, Febraary 24. Vr' the restrictions .to be placed on. Sensational films in, New Zealand has •naturally- led to a certain amount r.f comment inHhe'columns of the; Press of this country.' ''What would. Qiappen :if a ban came into force in England?" asks tlio : ''Yorkshire Telegraph Anil'. Star." ."Educational fanatics, no doubt, wouldhail it with delight,- and ''theVmall boy, who now revels in watching the t)hrilling adventures of 'Daring I>ick of Duistone Dale,' would probably be instructed'in the arts of science and -literature. Venturing into the realms of prophecy, a future programme at the. ' Grand -Cinema- of Varieties may read something liko- this: Picture No. 1, 'Patts of a.Flea' (specially prepared by Professor ■ Insectus) j 2,- 'The Kobin at Feeding Time.' ;> 3,. 'Methods be Adopted;in'-the Case of EncephalitLs ■Letihargica'; 4', 'How to Earn £SOOO a .Year with -the. Brain' (special Go%-ei'n-ment Mm): 5, 'Tho Evils' of Drink and, TJobacco' (Pussyfooto film in five reels); a'ndlC, 'Hints on Health.' The.possibility is too serious. "to: contemplate'. .Although'there is a great outcry against present*day films,, in. our secret hearts werall love something of the sensational ; —something; a little different from the ordinary humrdrum. of the daily life. In-tliat lies the entertainment. The mnch-rcondemned Wild West film maintains its popularity because of the im- .. possibility of tho stoiy, and the daring heroes and," heroines who take part in it.; .There are, doubtless, many films : which, contajit too much or the murder and sudden death business,, But in these abnormal times the uublic clamour forthe sensational, and astute v business men see that they, get it. It seems doubtfill, whether tho New Zealand decision "will spread to.other countries.—it seems £oo drastic.'_ One and all agiee that imSrovement is - necessary, but this will be but sarely, and not in one Siuge slice. It would bc ; a bold Governnieitt ,who would attempt anything similar in this country."