Appeal Against “Blackmail” Ban

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 816, 9 November 1929, Page 27

Appeal Against “Blackmail” Ban

Experts Discuss Censor’s Action SCENE IN DISPUTE

Both British and Australian film circles are astounded by the official decision to ban “ Blackmail ” in Australia. Bo far the exact reason for the ban is not knoicn, but it is presumed to be the scene in which the heroine defends her honour by stabbing an artist to death.

HHE film has been viewed by the Australian Appeal Board which has reserved its decision. “Blackmail,” the first British talkie, makes a formidable challenge to Hollywood with excellent English diction and acting. The mise-en-seene includes many l'amous spots and street scenes in London, notably the British Museum and the Strand. The British film censors passed the film, and no critic throughout Britain questioned its propriety. The film has also been shown, in Berlin and New York. British International Pictures, the producers of “Blackmail,” consulted the authorities at Australia House, where they were informed that officials who had seen the film did not consider it objectionable. Dangerous Suggestion? “It came as a shock to me to hear that the picture had been banned,” said Cyril Richard, the Australian actor, who plays the leading part. “The censor must surely take a rather narrow view. I do not think that the Australian public could object to it. “I am eventually stabbed with a bread-knife —a most undignified ending—after which an ex-detective and a doctor mutter over the body that was me. As in the other world, virture triumphs, and vice eventually is punished. So that’s all right, surely. “Possibly the censor considers the suggestion to housewives thus to use the bread-knife is dangerous.” The Sydney Censor (Mr. O’Reilly) has said that the Censorship Board rejected the film because it believed that was not up to the Australian standard. A film expert who saw the film in London says that it contains a scene in which a man attempts to criminally assault a girl, and the girl kills the man. Big Loss Imminent “The monetary loss over the Australian banning of the British talkie film, ‘Blackmail’ is roughly £10,000,” claims Mr. Arthur Dent, a director of British International Pictures. . “But far more important is the damage to the prestige of the British film Industry, particularly as ‘Blackmail’ is generally regarded as having created a standard from which Americans may learn much.” “I have appealed to the Board of Overseas Trade to assist us,” he added. “Blackmail,” was viewed on October 28, by the Appeal Board, which deferred its decision. Up to last August the Censor Board had turned down 32 productions of various nationalities, British included; but when appealed against by the importers, the Appeal Board passed 13 of them, and confirmed the censor s decision In 19-