AS we are writing this short article the House of Commons is discussing the Cinema Bill sponsored by the Government. As one reads this book one cannot but regard with amazement the reckless infatuation of the National Government in soiling their reputation by such a measure. We had absolutely no idea that the cinema was such an active agent of the Prince of Darkness until we had read this book. The writers are
*The Devil’s Camera: Menace of a Film-ridden World, by R. G. Burnett and E. D. Martell.
journalists, and have no strict puritanic ideas, for they do not offer objection to the picture house. But they are out to expose the fearfully demoralising effect of modern films generally. Their book has been well described “A direct and fearless survey of modern film art; for the first time the glamour of the screen is torn aside and the danger of sex and crime films exposed.” They certainly make no mistake, even if only a tenth of what they say is true, in calling the cinema the devil’s camera. It seems incredible that an invention that might have proved so useful for educational purposes should be so prostituted as to be an aid to vice and the darker shades of vice at that. Behind this terrible menace there are invested interests involving millions. Hollywood’s annual bill in wages is £17,000,000. £20,000,000 is spent in advertising. It is estimated that in the U.S.A. the gross takings of the cinemas is £312,000,000. In Great Britain the average weekly attendance is 26,400,000 and £1,320,000 is paid weekly by the frequenters of these places of amusement. We do not purpose to enter into the nauseating details given by the authors in their book, not because we disbelieve them, but because we have respect for our readers. That such a condition of things should exist in this country seems at first sight incredible, but when it is remembered that the Government of this country is lending all the weight of its power to rush through Parliament a Bill to allow cinemas to be open on the Lord’s Day in London and other places, one wonders what we are coming to. These journalists are not alone in the terrible indictment they bring against the cinema; they quote others who, familiar with what is going on, are no less sparing in their condemnation. The critics of the “class” newspapers of the country, such as The Times, The Morning Post, The Manchester Guardian, The Scotsman, The Observer and the Sunday Times are severely criticised for not using their influence against the questionable films. A word of praise is given to G. A. Atkinson, of the Daily Telegraph, who is doing all he can to purify the cinema. When that can be said about the “class” press of Britain what may be said about the newspapers that glory in their million circulations. Now and again
a voice is raised against the moral degradation of the film, but it is so feeble that it is scarcely heard. All this may explain, where vested interests are not at stake, of the “good press” the various Cinema Bills had from the newspapers generally of this country.
The authors say after their onslaught on the press: “It may be as well to say that we are quite aware of what we have done in this chapter. By attacking the Press, the critics and the trade Press, we have alienated any support we might have received by way of publicity they could give this book. Many of them, afraid that the public will learn the truth, will probably ignore us.”
The authors of this tremendous exposure conclude by saying: “Our complaint against the films of to-day is that too many of them are concocted by depraved minds for depraved palates. All the world knows the “home” life of Hollywood. Many film magnates, producers, “stars,” breathe an atmosphere of fornication and divorce. And so proceed to foist the off-scourings of their sadistic imaginations upon the film-going public. . . . In both Great Britain and the United States there is a rising tide of public indignation against it. Somewhere the line has to be drawn; a halt must be called. But where—and how?”
Now it is a terrible thing to think that the National Government of Great Britain has given its great strength to carry through a Bill where films such as have been unsparingly condemned in this book will be exhibited in many places in England. This is worse than madness; it is a base betrayal of the claims of the God who made us great among the nations of the world, and if, after all He has done, He permits this Bill to become part of the law of England, He is saying to us: “Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.” It is sad to think that behind the cinema the Jews have the greatest stake in the vested interests of the cinema, and what care they for the Christian Sabbath? But are our statesmen so misled as to walk blindfold over the precipice which means judgment for themselves and others?