NURSE CAVELL FILM

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 11

NURSE CAVELL FILM

' LICENSE REFUSED EMBARRASSING POSITION FOR DISTRIBUTORS BY TELEGBAIH.—PBBSS association Copyright. London, February 20. The Board of Film Censors, after a long sitting, refused a license to the film “Dawn.” Mr. T. P. O’Connor announced that the theme rendered exhibition in Britain at present inexpedient.—A.P.A. and “Sun.” “A VERY GRAVE MISTAKE” HAVE CENSORS EXCEEDED THEIR PREROGATIVE? (Rec. February 21, 8.15 p.m.) London, February 21. The decision regarding the film “Dawn,” in an ordinary case, would not prevent the exhibition of the film in theatres or halls, but the significance of the unusual expression “inexpedient” remains to be seen. Mr. T. P. O’Connor refused last night to elucidate Ins point. Meanwhile distributors are in an embarrassing situation. They have already booked the film in dozens of kinemas throughout the country for a total of £30,000. Miss Sybil Thorndike, the portrayer of Nurse Cavell, says: “I think the censor made a very grave mistake. I am confident the public will reverse his judgment when the film is shown.” Mr. Wilcox, the producer, regards as Gilbertian the fact that a film entitled “Edith Cavell, Nurse and Martyr,” from a story by Edgar Wallace, made in 1919 with the approval of the War Office, is still being offered the public under a certificate of the British Board of Censors. He intends to show “Dawn” within a few days to the whole British Press.

The “Daily Express” says: “The film censorship was established to protect the public from exhibitions which were degrading, or which might debase the public. The censors in this instance have exceeded their prerogative and assumed the function of Government control.”