"FILMS DO NOT MAKE CRIMINALS"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 60, 27 March 1937, Page 11

"FILMS DO NOT MAKE CRIMINALS"

Lord Hewart, Lord Cbief Justicc of England, does not believe tbat films make eriminals of children. . He combated tbe too-popular theory vigorously in a speecb at tbe annual dinner of tbe Britisb Kinematograph Society in London. "It is commonly stated tbat wben adventures of passion and crime are portrayed before young people tbey tempt them to a life of crime," Lord Hewart declared. "Tbere is sometbing to be said for Bill Sikes and all bis kind and tbe criminal wbo exbibits beroic qualities may naturally be a more popular figure in fiction tban tbe persons whose features and piety Temain unimpaired and unattractive from tbe first page to the last. "Yet it is seldom suggested that chil dren wbo Tead works of tbis kind — many of them to be numbered among the classies of literature — are thereby encouraged to entertain evil designs or indulge in criminal praetices. "On wbat otber grounds tban prejudice can you base tbe view that tbe cbfema makes eriminals of young persons?" be asked. Every film of crime or adventure possessed the common feature that the criminal was brought low. "Why sbould it be suggested thaf thes© things are barmless in books, but barmful to tbe 'masses' on the screen?" Lord Hewart said tbat film producers ■ had been resorting less and less to ston ies of a cbeap or ridiculous kind. "Britisb films, I am informed and believe, bave given a lead in tbis wholesome direction," be went on. "The socalled 'instructional' films, tbe frankly humorous films, tbe bistorical films, Mr Walt Disney's cartoons, the news pictures — all tbese play an increasingly important part in tbe programme. "Tbe result is tbat in Britisb cinemas to-day tbere are offered to the public wonderful and magnificent photography, acting and dramatic effects."