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Valenti: New Watchdog of Film Morals? Peter Ustinov as a comical embezzler attempting to rig a computer in \Hot Millions.\ There's Audience For Family Films, NCOMP Claims By BILL RING (NC News Service) Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Associa- tion of America, may emerge as the most powerful figure in the nation's movie industry since Will Hays won the so- briquet of \czar\ and stemmed a flood of objectionable movies back in the 1930s. Valenti has prepared the way for the Oct. 7 launching of a nationwide rating system of movies, under which young-, sters 16 and under will be barred by the theaters them- selves from viewing some movies, even when accompa- nied by a parent. Officials of the two reli- gious organizations'concerned with moral evaluation of mo- vies — the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures (NCOMP) and the National Council of Churches Broad- casting and Film Commission (BFC) — have adopted a watchful waiting policy pend- ing launching of the new rating system, before evaluat- ing it. The new system can be compared to one which has been operating in England for years. It will run parallel to the Production Code, but wiLLnotreplace it. Valenti forged the system not only through conferences with 4he- industry^ producers-,- but also through regional con- ferences with exhibitors who are members of the National Association of Theater Own- ers. The tie-in of the exhibitors to the project is expected to have an outstanding effect where foreign-made movies are concerned. The new rating system will apply to both domestic and foreign-made movies. The cryptic GMRX rating system goes like this: G—for general audiences. M—for adjblts and mature young peoj __R—-jeflEricted for those over TS^ unless those younger are accompanied by an adult. X—barring those under 16' whether of not accompanied by a parent or adult. An X rating will be given to films not submitted for classifica- tion. In launching the program Oct. 7, Valenti is expected to announce the names of those who will serve on the rating board and also spell out the appeals machinery available to those dissatisfied with rat- ings. It has been disclosed that an appeals board of 25 members will be established. It is planned to have the pro- gram in operation in Novem- ber. The careers of Jack Valenti and Will Hays ran on a par- allel course before each be- came involved with the movie industry. Hays was Postmaster -General unde ren G. Harding before he be- came the movie \czar.\ Jack Valenti was a top aide to President Johnson before he became head of the MPAA. When Hays took over in 1930, there was a public out- cry against the pictures being produced in Hollywood—vio- lence was rampant in gangster films; law enforcement agents and agencies were ridiculed; sex was accentuated. There were frequent threats of national legislation to reg- ulate the Hollywood product. State and city censor groups were established and for years controlled in their localities the types of movies allowed to be shown. To help stem the tide of unsavory movies, the Catholic bishops of the nation some 30 years ago formed a com- mittee on movies which estab- lished the National Legion of Decency, forerunner of the NCOMP, to evaluate films from the moral standpoint. The Legion, from time to time, was ridiculed, criticized, even threatened with court action as an unconstitutional \censorship\ organization. But it had a telling effect in affording, especially for parents, a guide to the type of movies available. The crowning achievement of \Czar\ Hays was establish- ment of the production code machinery. Under it there were taboos against glorifying criminals; against themes of drug traffic and addiction, lorality in costuming, and other restrictions. The code continued in force until about Five years ago, when it was modified, giving producers a greater leeway. in film making. Valenti took over as head of the MPAA. When he took of- fice movie makers, taking ad- vantage of the relaxed code provisions, were turning out movies specializing , in vio- lence; nudity and near nudity; themes such as homosexuali- ty, lesbianism and drug addic- tion; use of profanity and vulgar language. Religious groups have grown highly critical of the modern-day film fare. Na- tional organizations of wom- en, especially mothers, repeat- edly have protested. A num- ber of legislators, particularly U.S. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, have pro- posed legislation to regulate the movies. Recent threats of federal censorship or classification of films is admittedly one factor in the development of the new policy. However, Valenti reportedly said that a real concern about the effects of films on chil- dren was a major factor. Mr. Valenti pointed out that the new policy of separat : ing pictures into various cate- gories will actually ease the restraints on the film-maker because he will know who his audience is. \The first objec- Courier-Journal — Friday, Oct. M, 1968 17 Irondequoit Lanes THURSDAY SPECIAL HOT-N-COLD Variety Buffet ALL YOU CAN EAT ONLY $| 7K Served 11:00-2:00 P.M., 4:30-8:00 P.M. FISH FRY FBI, 95* OUR TUESDAY Special! SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT BALLS ALL YOU CAN EAT! *1.10 Served I I to 12 P.M. a net 4:30 to 8 P.M. Facilities For Up To 1000 Guests The New IRONDEQUOIT LANES INC. Formerly Marasco's Bowl 2121 N. Goodman St. 342-7092 AMPLE FREE PARKING (Catholic Press Features) New York—There would be many more family-type films once Hollywood realizes that television's grip on the family audience is not what film- makers fear it is, according to the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures. \As 'Sound of Music' demon- strated, the audience is there for general entertainment films. But most movie-makers are simply not willing to take the chance on investing money and skill in trying to lure the family from the living-room screen,\ NCOMP complained. NCOMP made its observa- tion in its \Catholic Film Newsletter,\ where it has lauded three entertainment- type films — \Hot Millions,\ \Finian's Rainbow\ and \Funny Girl\—and again crit- icized Hollywood's recojd in the area of children's films. The Catholic film office sug- gested that when Hollywood does set out to make a family film, it wrongly assumes that it has made one that only children will enjoy. \The American movie tradi- tion has always been that of the 'family film,' which nor- mally means something for eve rybody regradless of whether the whole film will satisfy any one particular age level,\ said NCOMP. \From a purely business point of view, it is understandable as simply a question of box-office eco- nomics based upon the .widest possible audience for the maximum profit. For children, however, such films mean be- ing bored half of the time.\ NCOMP also accused the American film industry of not knowing how to promote worthwhile children's films: \It ii unfortunate that the films of Robert Radnitz, for instance, never reached the potential audience that exist- ed for them, primarily because of their unimaginative distri- bution and promotion.\ Rad- nitz has made such flints as \Dog of Flanders,\ \Misty \Island of the Blue Dolphins\ and \Antd Now Miguel.\* P r a i sing \Hot Mi llions,\ which was rated for adoles- cents and adults by MCOMP, the film office called it \a film that accomplishes what it sets out to do, -which is to amuse its audience.\ \Tlie film is purely escape entertainment which reminds one of the great comedies that England was justly famous for years ago,\ NCOMP added. Ironically, \Hot Millions\ is about a professional errabezzler who seeks revenge on the computer system (one was re- sponsible for his ser-ving a prison sentence) by illegally programming one so that it will send him fat cheels. The embezzler, played by Eng- land's Peter Ustinov, stacceeds, and although the film is a comedy, the film office in an- other day would certainly have objected that crime is glorifted.i> .-i^i/..i L>»«.. J 3 \\When - Be succeeds,\ said NTCOMP, \one can't h-elp but enjoy it as* a moral victory for the human race.\ \Finian's Rainbo-w\ was given an A-l (for general au- diences) rating by MCOMP, which described it as \'an en- New Music Offered film Industry Violates 'Own Code':NCOMP j o y a t> 1 e entertainment, noi quite the light-hearted roman- tic fantasy that it migtit have been, but something that is pleasant to watch and, more especially, to listen to.\ \One might understandably be apprehensive about how It would fare 20 years later on the giant screen instead of staying in summer stock. Never fear, there is stiLl plenty of magic left in its soiags and romantic d r « a m s,\ added NCOMP*. The Catholic film office called \Funny Girl\ (about the career of Fanny Brice as interpreted by Barbara: Streis- and), a \handsome film\ that \offers essentially the llnd of costumed musical^omedy' world in which people belt out lyrics anywhere, aaiytime, without collecting a crowd ex- cept at the boxoffice.\ It was classified by NCOMP for ado- lescents and adults. In 'Celebrations 1 Three area composers will present new works at Celebra- tions, a symphonic program of Rochester premieres arranged by the Cultural Affairs Com- mision of St. John Fisher Col- lege. — The program is set for 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, in the Nazareth College Arts Center. David Fetler, director of the Rochester Chamber Orchestra and the Opera Theatre; D. Don- ald Cervonne of the music faculty at the State University College at Brockport, and Wil- liam Ferris, organist and choir director at Sacred Heart Cathe- dral will conduct first perform- ances of their own works. The program, features also the Roch- ester premiere of William Wal- ton's Partita for Orchestra. More than 50 musicians from the Rochester Philharmonic will be joined by the St. John Fisher Glee Club, under the dirertinn of H Wendell How— New York — (RNS) — The National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures has accused the movie industry's Produc- tion Code Administration of \quite patently\ violating one of its own principles in regard to nudity on the screen. The NCOMP made its charge in announcing \C\ or condemned ratings for five films: \Barbarella \Birds in Peru,\ \If He Hollers, Let Him Go,\ \Weekend \and \The Killing Game.\ Concerning Para m ou n t' s \Barbarella\ which stars Jane Fonda, the Catholic film of- fice stated: \This science fic- tion , film is basically struc- tured around repeated sexual encounters involving the hero- ine. It is a sick, heavy-handed fantasy, it relies for its appeal on a crass exploitation of nud- ity and graphic presentations of sadism rather than on so- phisticated wit and imagina- tion. patently violated one of its principles whuch states that 'undue exposure of the hu- man body shall not be pre- sented.* \ In addition, the NCOMP rated the Franco Zeffirelll production of \Romeo and Juliet\ as A-4, morally un- objectionable for adults, with reservations. The film stars two teenagers, the youngest performers ever to play the title roles professionally. The Catholic film office observed: \Because the film is being promoted for school viewing, parents should be aware that it contains a brief scene of nudity which is not only in itself an unnecessary ele- ment in motion picture treat- ment but is also particularly inappropriate \•'foHan KdLoles- cent audience.\ tive of classification,\ ne ex- plained, \is to free the film- maker, to loosen the artistic fetters around his creative ankles by segregating pic- tures.\ Retirement Plans Vary for Priests Albany — (N€) — There are 1,689 retired priests in the United States receiving varying types and amounts of retire- ment Income, according to a nationwide survey reported by CRUX of the News, a bulletin published here for priests. The report was based on a 100% response to question- naires sent to 153 dioceses. Highlights of the report in- cluded: — Forty-one dioceses have a mandatory retirement age — 30 of these at 75 and 11 at 70. — Sixty-seven dioceses re- port formal retirement pro- grams with the matter current- ly under study in another 34 dioceses. — Retirement stipends vary from continuation of salaries .to a top pension of $600 per month. Forty-six dioceses have a retirement stipend of $300 per month or more. ard, and the cathedral choir of men and boys. Tickets are available at the Arts Center box office, at $2.50. \In granting a seal of ap- proval to the film, the Pro- duction Code Administration of the Motion Picture Associ- ation of America has quite New Office Makes Radio TVPlams New York —(RNS)— The Na- tional Catholic Office for Radio and Television, which has just been handed a major assign- ment, will have to study its sit- uation and resources before.an- nouncing detailed future plans, NCORT e x e c ut i v e director Charles Reilly said here. Rellly's office, a part of the new communications depart- ment in the recently reorgan- ized U.S. Catholic Conference, has been given the responsibil- ity for regularly scheduled na- tional radio-television network religious programming which .._- - --,- ^iad-ter=38==year«=*een=asslgiifid JMJjudgeUncr-ease to the National Council of Cath- olic Men. It will assume this new role on Jan. 1,1969. The three-year-old NCORT has served so far not as a producing agency for radio and television broadcasts but as a consultant. It has advised Catholic organ- izations which were seeking radio-television outlets and net- works which needed technical advice or suggestions on Catho- lic subjects. A major future production in which it has collaborated is an hour - long television special based on Michelangelo's paint- ings for the ceiling of the Sis- tine Chapel. The program will be broadcast by ABC in prime time on Thursday, Dec. 5. 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