Warner Brothers’ ban on March of Time’s newsreel, “Inside Nazi Germany — 1938,” was explained today on the grounds that a “large number of company officials” considered it could be interpreted as pro-Nazi propaganda.
Harry M. Warner, president, said in a statement: “I am informed that most of the portion of this film showing Nazi activities within Germany was made in the form of silent motion pictures with the consent and necessarily with the approval of Dr. Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda — as indeed must all motion pictures be that are made in Germany. It is true that the remarks of the commentator, added to this silent film in this country, tend to counteract to some extent the effect of the silent film. But the effect and appeal of a motion picture is to the eye primarily. Careful analysis has proven that the words of commentators when used in connection with motion pictures have but a small effect as against the great effect of what is shown on the screen. In our opinion the film remains pro-Nazi propaganda.”
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