Boxoffice-January.07.1950

. . Keep
. . Mr.
. . Hollywood
. . Some
. . The
. . Movies,
what the Press Is Saying About U. S. Films
Editorially, there is
much evidence of an appreciation of the motion picture industry
WASHINGTON — The American press is
showing evidence that it is both recognizing
and appreciating the role of motion pictures
in selling the American story abroad, as a
cultural influence and, as spearhead of a
campaign to fight censorship. This was reported
this week by the Motion Picture Ass'n
of America in a special release "What the
Press is Saying."
The daily press has been particularly vocal
on the role of American films in selling democracy
as a way of life. The association also
quoted Irving Brown, European representative
of the American Federation of Labor, in
a special release which received widespread
editorial and columnar comment.
Printed here are some of the comm.ents on
the industry as reported by the Motion Picture
Ass'n of America:
AMERICAN FILMS ABROAD
In an editorial, the Hinton (W. Va.) "News"
said that "it is no secret that American
movies are immensely popular with European
audiences . Brown rightly warns
that the introduction of conscious propaganda
into Hollywood products would greatly lessen
this appeal. It is the picture of American life
which emerges as a by-product of making a
good film that really carries conviction."
The Scottsbluff (Neb.) "Star-Herald" editorialized
that "In the countries behind the
iron curtain the motion pictures produced in
the United States are attracting capacity
audiences while motion pictures produced in
Russia are being shunned by paying customers.
The reason is obvious. Soviet films are
made for propaganda and nothing else:
American pictures are made for entertainment
. the films as pure entertainment,
let them show the true American way
of life and nothing else—and we'll be making
some fine progress in the direction of a better
world."
ON BETTER PRODUCT
Quotable Quotes on the Industry
RuiLAND, Vt. Herald: Some of the most effective American propaganda
behind the iron curtain is so eagerly welcomed that people pay to see it. To
them, it is not propaganda but entertainment of the most exciting kind. It
opens to them vistas they have never seen, and represents a way of life that is
strange to them. Tlie great impact of American films abroad places a tremendous
responsibility on the motion picture industry in this country because the
films it produces not only entertain but play a part in selling the American way
of life to the world.
Springfield, Mass. Republican: More is being done in this country these
days to imbue children with culture than ever was done anywhere else. The
Motion Picture Ass'n of America has been conducting a Children's Film Library
since 1946 making the film versions of clas.sics and favorite juvenile stories available
to young folk. Participation in such foniis of entertainment and enlightenment
does more than keep boys and girls out of mischief at the time. It gives
them something to look forward to, and something worthwhile to think about
afterward.
Norman, Okla. Daily: Censorship is disliked and distrusted by Americans.
(Commenting on the Tennessee supreme court decision on the banning of
"Curley".) The real question isn't whether the board has the right to ban the
movie. Rather, has it or any state or local board the right to exist at all? The
movies are surrounded by censors ... Of these, only the Johnston office is in any
way necessary . is at last starting to deal with today's problems
in an intelligent and entertaining manner. But thousands of Americans don't see
the results because two or three men on a local censor board don't think they
should. The people are the best judge of what they wish to see.
(111.) "Herald" said that Breen "has a point
when he says that American film critics and
some moviegoers have developed a sort of
snobbery 'which seeks to make it fashionable
to sneer at American films'."
ON CENSORSfflP
The press of the country continued to
applaud
the industry's fight for freedom of the
screen and the abolition of political censorship.
Paul S. Nathan, in "Publishers Weekly," had
this to say: "Whether the screen is in the
process of shaking off its old shackles or Is
about to gain a whole assortment of new ones
The association, in several releases, quoted
Joseph I. Breen as saying Hollywood is producing
some of the best films in its history.
Breen, who is vice-president of the association
is a tough question to answer. ProbabTy the
in charge of the Production Code Ad-
strongest blows for freedom right now are
ministration, also described as a "kind of being struck by the exhibition of such pictures
snobbery" the attitude "which seeks to make
as 'Lost Boundaries,' 'Pinky,' 'Intruder
it fashionable to sneer at American films and in the Dust,' and 'Home of the Brave' in
laud to the skies those that come from whole areas of the South — and the North
abroad."
too — where no censorship issue has been
Columnist Harold Heffernan said that raised regarding them. The breaking down
Breen's remarks have been "applauded so of taboos, even without any attendant legal
loudly by thoughtful members of the industry restrictions, is valuable in extending the range
that he is being urged to repeat it over a of screen expression."
nationwide tour," "In no uncertain terms," The Auburn (N. Y.) "Citizen- Advertiser"
Heffernan said, "Breen tore into that segment commented editorially that the action of the
of moviegoers—fans and critics—who look Memphis Board "will undoubtedly excite attention,
down their noses at everything turned out by
the result of the appeals it
since . . .
Hollywood while applauding the output of may evoke will decide whether film censorship
foreign studios."
constitutional."
is
The Harrisonburg (Va.) •'News-Record" "Most everyone in the north," the editorial
commented that "A run of poor films get said, "and, we hope, quite a few in the south,
people out of the custom of steady patronage, anxiously await decisions . feel that
while good ones lure them back and even add they may be taken as a direct index to American
to the regular clientele ... It is interesting to
enlightenment."
know that Hollywood recognizes the need for
better movies, and for fewer propaganda
films."
CHILDREN'S FILM LIBRARY
The Children's Film Library was organized
Columnist David V. Felts in the Decatur in 1946 under the direction of Eric Johnston
BOXorncE January 7, 1950
to make available to theatres throughout the
nation films specifically suitable for children.
In recent weeks the program has drawn widespread
favorable comment in editorials.
The Wakefield (Mass.) "Item" said that a
"new force in the motion picture industry
has been organized and brought into 3,500
theatres throughout the country ... In addition
to the 54 films which are a part of the
Children's Film Library, established by Eric
Johnston, 150 other films have been added to
the rapidly growing stockpile of top-notch
entertainment for children ... Its effects
can be nothing but salutary."
Columnist Gita Packer in the Ft. Worth
(Texas) "Star-Telegram" described the Children's
Film Library as "a service of the motion
picture industry which enables millions
of kids in America to see specially selected
movies."
MOTION PICTURES AND CULTURE
Commenting on this contribution of the
motion picture, the Springfield (111.) "State
Journal" said that "in one of its regular and
frequent dispatches, the Motion Picture Ass'n
.
reminds us that the cinema is a strong ally
Hollywood stresses the
of the library . . .
visual selling power of the motion picture in
making literature alive . . . We encourage the
Hollywood colony in its efforts to produce
movies of lasting value and with cultural
depth road ahead is long, but It is
comforting to see Hollywood is looking up to
scan It."
Columnist E. J. Dias, in the New Bedford
(Mass.) "Standard-Times" commented that
"too many of us sometimes are inclined to
overlook Hollywood's beneficial influences on
the American scene . in many cases,
(Continued on page 10)