Films and the Studios

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1082, 20 September 1930, Page 25

Films and the Studios

Another severe blow to the British film industry has been struck in Australia by the bann,u '- 7 of the film version of the play "Young Woodley.'' This is the latest of several decisions against British films — decisions which have guzzled and annoyed, exhibitors and the public. It is true that, not infrequently, a complete ban is imposed on American productions, but the number thus prevented from entering 'Australia is small in proportion to the importations. Furthermore, the British film industry is in no jjosition to stand any curtailment of its limited market , especially in the case of an outstanding production. The ban. against “Young Woodley" is ludicrous in view of the fact that thousands of A ustralians saw the stage *production less than a year ago. If a similar ban were enforced in> .\ cw Zealand the position would be equally ludicrous, for “1 oung 'Woodley ”, on the stage, toured the Dominion from Xorth to South. The play deals with the adolescent. love of a schoolboy for the young wife of his house-master, but it is done in good taste. It is true that the situation has been criticised. but mainly on the grounds that the story is not a

I true portrait of public, school life. j The moral effect of the play has | not been questioned, and this can be the only reason for a censor's ban. The situation created by the banning of '‘Young Woodley ” i serves to emphasise the gross injustice of a censorship that j applies only to one of the two j branches of theatrical entertain- ! merit. j Here is what a Sydney critic says of a current play “Tittle i Accident"■- "The exquisite humour of an inconvenient baby is the theme . . . Some comedies . . . arc funny without being vulgar . this is both . . . though our delicate minds are guarded against ses knowledge by the Kind censor . . ■ ice may still go to the stdge for education in what every young mother ought to know . . . ■ 1 Naturally such a situation (one | in. which a man on his honey- | moon is embarrassed by receiving \ word that his mistress is about | to give birth to a child) offers \ plenty of scope for the peculiar ; humour which 'Clings about mater- | nity homes. . ■ - Yet they ban the film "Young j Woodley."