Rabbis Urged to Form Film Unit to Guard Morals of the Screen

Only the continued operation of a militant public opinion, ever ready to check any tendency that may degrade rather than give recreation to the million-fold audience of the screen can ensure the social and artistic gains now evident in motion picture entertainment.

This is the conclusion reached by Rabbi William Fineshriber of the Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, here, in his report to the Central Conference of American Rabbis on the social and moral problems presented by motion pictures. Dr. Fineshriber, who was appointed by the Central Conference to study these problems, made an intensive survey of the machinery of self-regulation in the production of pictures set up by the motion picture industry in Hollywood.

In his report, Dr. Fineshriber recommends the appointment of a standing committee of members of the Conference to study and survey the problems of popular entertainment, both at the source of production and from the standpoint of exhibition, in order that intelligent action might be taken when and if needed further to promote the movement for better pictures.

MANY FACTORS IN PROBLEM

“Granting,” he says in his report, “that the system of self-discipline established by the industry can be and is now being made to function effectively in the public interest, the fact remains that the problem of better entertainment has its roots deeper than in what is or is not included in the actual picture produced, distributed and exhibited by the industry.

“The works of fiction published and later adapted into movies, the stage productions transferred to screen entertainment, the wide choice of emphasis inherent in the treatment of any dramatic or current subject, the army of writers, playwights and adapters that serve the interests of popular entertainment as an industry, all are factors in the problem of wholesome entertainment for the family…

ROOM FOR CRITICISM

“Nevertheless, the fact remains that there was real and ample room for public criticism of some of the pictures produced by the industry, that in many instances box-office support was given to pictures socially deplorable, and that every error of taste or judgment was magnified a million-fold in effect by the exhibition of such films in thousands of theatres throughout the land.

“The religious leadership which crystallized public opinion against such pictures performed a great service to the American home and the American child.

“The parade of fine films now featured from the theatre screens of the nation testifies to the power of public opinion, effectively organized. At the same time these pictures have made needless the fears voiced that the creative impulse would be destroyed and true artistry would be fettered by the productions that would result from a moral crusade against objectionable features of screen entertainment.

“The problem of film betterment is four-fold from the social standpoint; Better pictures must be made. Higher standards of appreciation must be developed for pictures of the better kind. Public leadership must support the honest efforts of the industry to produce honest entertainment. And films that disregard the accepted standards of decency and of wholesome popular appeal must be driven from the screen.”