Final Paper

Movies like Scarface do not pose the risk to the general public that the supporters of censorship feared at the time in a significant way. Except in terms of the potential risk to children and today violent films and new media like video games could be leading to violence however these concerns to are significantly overstated and the rules for what should be openly available to children (over should be lax. 

Final Paper Proposal- Joe S

In my paper I am planning on addressing early film censorship as it existed at the time of Scarface with specific attention on Scarface. I will be addressing causes of concern for film and the arguments for censorship by moral guardians. My thesis is that although the origin of these concerns was natural at the time they were unnecessary and that film generally did not and does not pose a substantial threat to society in and of itself.

Denby in Culture Shock- Joe S

Both forms in which he draws a distinction between concerning the presentation of film I think he is expressing the view that film is an introduction for many people for good or evil forces which exist in the world. For instance he says that representational complexity serves as an introduction to the interplay between good and evil in the real world. He then sort of implies that this is why many want for film to teach unambiguous moral lessons because of the potential harm which could be caused by the former. He considers censoring these lessons a repression of art into something more akin to children’s stories. I agree with him in that I prefer representational complexity over the teaching of unambiguous moral lessons. If film is an introduction to these things, which I don’t think I agree with, then letting people see it for themselves and make their own decision would have a more powerful effect than trying to force them into learning a specific lesson.

Mutual Decision- Joe S

On complaint brought was that the statute violated laws regarding interstate commerce, this argument was rejected by the Supreme Court because of the realities of distribution at the time. Some think that if the film industry had waited and those realities had expanded this complaint could have been considered valid. Another was that it violated free speech, this was rejected along the same lines as the Hays Code had sought to regulate it. It gives legislative power to a non-legislative body which is in violation of the Constitution, this to was rejected.

Hays Code- Joe S

Individual:
The Hays code was an early attempt to justify and establish the method and guidelines for what was appropriate to show to the general public. This was before a rating system was established and was in many ways a precursor to the rating system that exists today. Because this came at a time where very little precedent existed for regulating films and there were also free speech concerns an attempt was made to justify the guidelines being put forth in the code and that element is apparent throughout it. I think the guidelines were reasonable and just like we have today, there has to be some restriction on publicly accessible content.

Group:
The code is relevant to Scarface on a more obvious level because changes were made to the film at the behest of the Hays office and this is the Hays Code. So it is relevant being that Scarface is a film where you can see the underlying guidelines being expressed in the film and the changes made to it as you can also see ultimately expressed in the code. Our group focused on the first section of the code in which the justification for the need of guidelines is laid out. The same reasons given to make changes in Scarface are laid out in this section of the code. The effects of graphic violence, sexual content and who the audience would be are all things which exist in the code and influenced changes made in Scarface.
Free speech and the character of film as a medium of entertainment and art were both issues which existed at the beginning of this industry. A distinction was drawn between film and for example literature. Film was said to be potentially much more influential because it presented concrete images and later sounds where the imagination had solely provided for before. Also, there was the general idea that less educated or poorer people were far less likely to read literature and would also be very easily influenced by film because of both the method and ease of how it told the story. Advocates for censorship were particularly concerned with what messages young people and less educated people were getting from film. This is generally laid out in the code and led to modifications of Scarface, for instance how criminals in relation to the government are portrayed.

1st A & Virginia Decleration- Joe S

Gangster movies upset critics and citizen groups because they felt the content of the film encouraged crime and a criminal lifestyle. During prohibition criminals were the producers and distributors of alcohol which there was a large market for within an otherwise law abiding segment of society. This helped bring a very criminal segment of society closer to the non-criminal segment where they both engaged in the same illegal activity. This isn’t a very good thing to have happening in a society in part because crime in general can become more accepted or over looked for instance the other crimes the gangsters (people were drinking with) were committing. An element of the concern for this happening was also in the concern about it being in the movies. In a country founded on democratic principles there is a simultaneous need to maintain law and order but also to all freedom of speech and expression.

Scarface endings- Joe S

The original ending was controversial because they didn’t want to show gangsters in a way that would would be attractive to the public. The alternate endings went along with the other modifications made to the film in this way. Many people were concerned that the way gangsters were portrayed in this film and in others would encourage their acceptance in society or contribute to other people especially young people patterning criminal behavior. There was a fear that this would contribute to the deterioration of society, a factor of this was the era which was very effected by The Great Depression. They were afraid that if Clamonte was shown as brave or had a glorious death that it would give gangsters added respect at the detriment of the government.

The first edited ending reflected this by portraying Clamonte’s world as coming apart not only during the shootout but beginning during the death of his friend. Clamonte was no longer in control and his end was due to what had initially brought him power and what garnered him respect and perhaps led the audience to like him. Ultimately the police and broader judicial system triumphed while Clamonte hysterically shoots out of his window, visibly out of control in a wild manner with a crazed expression on his face. He was also an indirect cause in his sisters death because the bullet that hit her bounced of the steel window guard he was holding. He becomes a coward and is gunned down in the street. A very unattractive end.

The final ending showed the impact of the prior modifications of the film in a more marked way. The government this time worked through the court system and Clamonte was executed. While the second ending was a result of the attempt to de-glorify the gangster, the third was a specific attempt to glorify the government. Order, bureaucracy and less brutal processes were shown rather than just gunning the gangster down in the gutter in the gutter.

Scarface- Joe S

It was very interesting to see the differences and parallels that exist between current films and films made at the beginning of the industry. The oldest movie I’ve ever seen (and watched the whole was through) is probably from the eighties, maybe a few older ones here and there but nothing comparing to the original Scarface. That being said I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it and how well done it was. I have to admit I expected much less.

The production of the film and it’s use of sound was very well done. It helped to add a feeling of perspective on the events. Because it was one of the first movies to use sound I think that extra attention was paid to it. It could be that I was just focusing in on that in particular this time but I don’t remember watching a movie and hearing the same use of it as I did in this one.

The character of Tony was interesting in the use of comedy and the sort of brash way he carries himself although he always manages to control himself and manipulate the people around him. For instance his boss, who he gets along great with all the while planning on taking his job. He doesn’t represent to me the typical gangster but neither does his boss. That was defined for me in movies like the Godfather in which the characters acted a bit more reserved compared to Tony. Although Sony was very headstrong sort of like Tony (in Scarface) he wasn’t ultimately able to control himself like Tony is able to at this point in the film.

Introduction- Joe

Hey, my name is Joe Smith. I’m 21 years old. I just transferred to George Mason from Seton Hall this semester. I’m a Junior/Senior and I’m living on campus. This isn’t my first time transferring my first two years at college were in Louisiana but I’m originally from this area. I’m a History major and I’m planning to go to law school.