LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 544, 29 June 1920, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

"THE MAN THEY COULD NOT

HANS."

Sir.—l noticed in your Friday's issue an advertisement announcing the showing on the pictures and "oratorical" recital of the life of John Lee, thft man they could not hang. I am surprised that such a film should ever be passed by the censor. Why should the biography, and perhaps the sordid climax of his public existence be placed before the public? especially our young people. Is this the class of picture we need? The life story of a man who over 30 years ago was found guilty by the judges of England for murdering a wealthy woman for whom he worked, and condemned to death, but through a defect in the gallows was not hung, but committed to prison for the legal iife term. I ask the people of Pukekohe to show their disapproval of such films by inducing and forbidding their young people and abstaining themselves from going to such a debasing recital. .thanking you for granting the space for this. jr A PARENT.

Glenbrook, June 28, 1920. (In justice to the proprietor of the Premier Pictures we have shown him the above letter, but have, of course, not. disclosed the name of the writer, wk ll* append his statement here'■fcifc~EttV'F. and P. Times.")

jf'Sfe— In reply to the above I have no/lpishv to disagree with parent in the,desire to protect the people (partiaiiarly the young) from pictures of a debasing or an immoral nature. I with all other decent-minded showmen hailed with welcome the advent of the censor, also the freedom of the press to healthy criticism, but I would suggest to "parent" to make herself (assuming parent to be a woman) conversant with the merits or demerits of a picture before condemning it. As for "The Man They Could Not Hang" oicture "parent" takes it for granted that there was a mechanical defect in the gallows. This opinion was certainly not shared by the hangman and gaolers, nor by the minister present. The gallows was duly tested on each occasion, and found to be without defect. However, I will give to the local public the history and the verdict of the Auckland public on this picture. The picture opened at the Lyric Theatre "for one week, and such was

the praise of those who were fortunate enough to witness it and such was their recommendation to their friends, that the theatre was filled, and the "full house" sign was up before 7.40 p.m. every night. The proprietors of the film extended the season to two weeks, with no abatement of public patronage, parents and their children. The picture was then taken to the Grand Theatre and the Grand put up a record for Sueen Street for one week, in the history of the theatre. The season was extended another week with a similar result. Thus the picture established a four weeks' continuous run in the city, which eclipses any other picture ever shown in Auckland, and the picture is still thowing in the suburbs. This, then, is the verdict of the Auckland parents, and should be a sufficient answer to "parent." Thanking you, Mr Editor. JOHN J. COADY, Premier Hall, Pukekohe.