CENSOR’S WAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 September 1939, Page 6

CENSOR’S WAY

FOREIGN SURVEILLANCE. NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTES. In the business of the cinema the reactions of foreign film censors are unpredictable, often impossible and always unbearable to the producer. According to Stephen Pallos, who controls the sale of Alexander Korda pictures abroad, no film has yet been made to suit every national temperament.

For instance, in the enlightened state of Switzerland, the republican canton of Fribourg forbade "Henry the Eighth” on the ground that it offended Royalty, while neighbouring rightwing cantons allowed it to be shown.

In China, where ancestor worship, joss propitiation and incense burning are part of the national life, the censor objected to “The Ghost Goes West” and “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” because they introduced a supernatural element. “If you cut the ghost scenes,” said the courteous censor, . “I will allow ‘The Ghost Goes -West' to be shown.”

GERMANY AND WAR. “The Man Who Could Work Miracles” was also forbidden in Germany, not through dislike of the miracles —is the Reich not governed by men who perform them daily?—but because it made fun of that sacred institution, war. “Things to Come” was rejected because it was anti-war and anti-dictator. Italy and Portugal censored “Things to Come” as Communistic. It was even alleged that Mr H. G. Wells had stolen tljie most important parts of the story from an Italian writer, and London Film Productions became engaged in a copyright lawsuit. In Spain “Don Juan” was censored for the odd reason that it reflected on the female characters’ morals. “Catherine the Great” inspired misgivings in several countries. In Japan, where the Emperor traces his descent from the Sun Gold whereas Catherine’s ancestors were somewhat less distinguished, it was condemned as casting an unfavourable light on Royalty. In another country film was licensed, but the chief of police warned Mr Pallos to expect trouble if he had the hardihood to show it. The explanation, Mr Pallos discovered, was rather curious. A friend of the ruler had complained that most of the scenes and dialogue referred to her. TROUBLE IN THE BALKANS. In Germany "Catherine the Great” was withdrawn after the first-night audience and a crowd outside the cinema had demonstrated against Miss Bergner for having the insolence to bo both an artist and a Jewess.

“Knight Without Armour" found trouble in the Balkans. Bulgaria banned it as a pro-Communist. In the neighbouring State. Turkey, it was banned because the Soviet Embassy considered it anti-Communist.

When Edgar Wallace wrote “Sanders of the River." he never dreamed that some day his tales of boyish humour and adventure would provide ammunition for warring idealogies. But it so happened- In the United States some cinemas showing this “Imperialistic British Empire blurb," wore picketed by Communists. In the South it was boycotted by whites as presenting, in the character of Bosambo (played by Paul Robeson), too flattering a portrait of the negro. In Mexico, again, it was censored as Imperialistic.

"The Squeaker." another Wallace story, was banned in Siam because it. was anti-Frcnch: and "Storm in a Teacup" in Venezuela for reasons not stated. '