CRIME FILM DANGER.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1922, Page 3

CRIME FILM DANGER.

BASRA, IRAQ (Mesopotamia) Sept. 1 One of tile minor worries of Europeans in Iraq lias been the undesirable nature of the films shown in picture houses iu both Basra mid Bagndad. One kinema theatre has lately been advertising a reel entitled “The Road to Divorce,” mid it is widely suggested that the plot is very unsuitable for a Mnliommedmi country. Tt is not going too far to say that the matter is one that concerns all interested in the maintenance of British prestige. To a country where all women are closely veiled, where a wife's infidelity is frequently punished hv death, it is obviously undesirable that European and American women should be shown on the scene in attitudes of abandon. The most popular films among the

Arabs are those which depict “fast” life in the capitals of Europe, but it is worthy of note that very few Arabs would dream for a moment of allowing their wives to witness sncli performances. The Baghdadis and Basrawis whose knowledge of European and American customs is mainly derived from the kinema might ivcll be excused for the belief that the Anglo-Saxon race consists principally of murderers, fools, thieves, and philanderers, with a thin sprinkling of phenomenal heroes,