The Evil Effect of Unsavory Films

NZ Truth, Issue 1184, 9 August 1928, Page 6

The Evil Effect of Unsavory Films

The commeroial gods behind the film world will soaroely fall upon "N.Z. Truth's" neck for launohing a spirited denunciation of the indiscriminate showinp of morally and socially undermining films to the young idea. Y^i things have come to that sorry j pass now that a weakrkneed Government, sterile of progressive views, absolutely lacking m courage and bound by the gigantic manacles of Big Business, will deliberately peer at the situation through the smoked glass of impotent indifference. The rottenness underlying this side of that colossal medium of influencing publio opinion — the silver sheet-%nust now be apparent to all, yet such is the stranglehold of money that all who would combine to oust the insidious side; are plainly "bought out" and stiflled into a far from benign silence. If a film is "recommended as more suitable for adult audiences," it should be the bounden duty of the Government to see that none but adult audiences see the picture, instead of allowing, as at present, picture houses to exploit this profitable censor's "recommendation" to fill the bulging coffers of Hollywood middlemen. ■ ..' •