Revised Paper-Monica M

I was originally going to write about the negative affects of television on children, but that is such a broad topic to tackle, and due to limited, time I decided to continue adding to my Scarface paper. My original thesis is about how Scarface IS NOT a dangerous film and how it was influential to America. I will discuss topics of censorship in the 1930’s and today (the Hays Office& today’s censor board). I’m going to also discuss the first amendment,the Lord and Quigley code and our rights (as well as) film makers rights. I want to do some research on the Hays Office and the connection of the Catholic Church. I believe religion played a large part in censorship, and I want to find facts to support that.  I also would like to discuss the 1983 remake of Scarface and problems it had with censors before its release. I want to compare the two films and how it does not promote a gangster lifestyle, but portrays a the rise and FALL of that lifestyle.

Mutual Decision-

 In the case of Mutual Film Corp v. Industrial Commission of Ohio, there were three main arguments made by Mutual:

• Due Process (fairness): “Deprives complainant of a remedy by due process of law”
• Free Speech: The statute violates this freedom 
• Delegation: attempts to delegate legislative power to censors and to other boards to determine whether the statute offends in the particulars designated 

The case starts with an explanation and description of “film” and how it differs from other sources of entertainment. Film is described as “being projected upon a screen with great rapidity” which “appears to the eye an illusion of motion.” The case goes on to explain how photographs in newspapers, magazines or publications (even if they depict real life) do not depict “a harmful or immoral character,” like a film would. The way this information is presented, automatically singles out films as being the only “immoral” form of media. This argument is the source of why due process of law becomes an issue. Mutual felt if they were going to be censored, then other forms of media should have censorship as well.

The case goes on explaining the business and financial aspect of film companies. Mutual film is blamed for “imposing unlawful burdens on interstate commerce” because they sell film in Ohio AND Detroit. Ohio forced Mutual to pay a fee before releasing any film to the censorship boards. In my opinion, Ohio was purposely trying to make things difficult, hoping the film industry would give up with wanting to distribute films. In the end, things became complicated and excessive. The fee for pre-production ended up being more money to process, which in the end results in economic damage.

The debate of free speech becomes a discussion later in the case and Ohio has some interesting things to say. Ohio states that only “films of a moral, educational, or amusing and harmless character shall be passed and approved.” This is very misleading because who is to decide what exactly is moral, educational, or amusing? The venue films are viewed, and the “potential” dangers absorbed by its audience become a big concern. A fear for the general public viewing corrupting material becomes emphasized. Films in general, are enjoyed by a large array of people (young, old, men, women,). There is a concern that the mixing of an unsupervised audience is not suitable for all people, especially for children. The courts also stressed that the motion picture industry is a “business” therefore it is not protected in freedom of press.

In the end, the court ruled in favor of the censorship board, turning down all three arguments made by Mutual Film Corp. Protecting society from being tainted by the evils of film, seemed to be the main concern of the censors. I do agree that some material should be filtered to a degree, (especially with children) but not to this extent. I don’t agree that a censorship board, or any individual for that matter, can determine what is right and wrong for a society.

Group 5’s Group Report- Lindsay,Thomas, Monica, and Jon

Group 5 Report-Response to Reasons Underlying Particular Applications, Sections 2- 12 

Lindsay. C
Monica. M
Thomas. A
Jon. M 

 Amazingly, our group did not have any disagreements on the key issues of our portion of the Lord-Quigley Proposal.  As a group we agreed that the overall message of our section of the code was that films containing explicit sexual behavior or offensive material are not to be tolerated.

(Section by Lindsay. C)  

In the Lord-Quigley Proposal, under the “Reasons Underlying Particular Applications,” in the second section labeled “SEX,” the code feared that the “sanctity of marriage and the home” would suffer, if the role of “passion” and “pure love” was misused (Black. 306, 307). It also states that many people, especially criminals and children should not view overly sexual material because it will have a negative and “dangerous” impact on their “emotions” (Black. 307). The film Scarface, illustrates how the rules of the code were broken with its numerous implications of incest between the movie’s main character Tony and his sister Cesca. According to Professor Thompson from George Mason University, the idea of incest was supposedly even more explicit in the original script. Overall, I felt the main points of this particular section in the code that were trying to be conveyed were that; marriage is sacred, incest is morally wrong, and movies that are overly sexual or show marriage in a negative light are bad and dangerous for society.

(Section by. Thomas. A) 

In the third section of “Reasons Underlying Particular Applications” the sub-sections on vulgarity, obscenity and profanity are pretty self explanatory. There is to be no vulgar or obscene material such as excessive violence and sexual content and there is to be no use of profanity, no cursing. This section in regards to Scarface has little effect from my point of view but I’m sure in the 1930’s the way the gangsters acted and talked seemed vulgar. I believe this may be one of the reasons why they didn’t show the original ending of the movie because it was seen as too vulgar.

(Section by. Monica.  M)

The next section (“Costume”) stresses the effect of nudity or semi-nudity and how it should not be portrayed in any film. It recognizes the human form as “beautiful,” but is firm with its decision that it “does not make its use in films moral.” The code even went as far as eliminating “translucent material and silhouette” because it was felt that it could be “more suggestive than actual exposure.” In regards to Scarface, there was no nudity, but some questionable scenes that walk a fine line of immorality according to the Lord-Quigley code. Poppy’s costume in the film is an example. When her character is first introduced, we see her dressed in a silk night gown with a large slit up the thigh, as she applies her makeup. Although she is not nude, the gown left little to the imagination, and showed off her sex appeal. The scene where Tony rips Cesca’s dress is another risqué scene. I can understand why the film Scarface received negative criticism by viewers. It’s portrayal of crime, violence, and sex was “immoral” even though it illustrated the world’s reality.

(Section by. Thomas. A) 

In regards to section VII, Dances, there are to be no dances that represent sexual actions that intend to “excite the emotional reaction of an audience.” There are to be no dances that involve groping or sexual motions. In Scarface dancing is used in a sexual manner when Cesca dances with a man at the party, although by today’s standards that dance was very toned down. In regards to section VIII Religion ministers and religious figures cannot be made fun of or showed as villains because that could change the attitude taken toward religion. Changing the way people view religious officials could have problematic outcomes.

(Section by. Jon. M) 

In sections IX-XII of particular applications the section locations mentions that there are some places that too closely associated with sexual life to e shown it never mentions directly what these places are, but the bedroom could very well be one them. This has a direct connection to Scarface since when Tony bring Poppy into his bedroom he shows her and invites her to sit on his bed and she excited with Tony. Later after Tony kills Lovo he runs into Poppy’s bedroom in the middle of the night and her to come with him. In section X it mentions that not specific country or people should ever be insulted in any film. On the subject of titles for movies it mentions that any title must conform to ethical practices in regards to Scarface, the title was one of the ways the director used to make it clear to the Hays Office that the movie did not glorify gangsters by changing the title from simply Scarface and adding The Shame of the Nation to it. Section XII is perhaps one of the vaguest sections of the code even compared to the other sections it mentions that while repellant subjects may be necessary they should never offend good taste.

 

 

Hays Code–Individual Response

After reading the Lord-Quigley code proposal, I can understand why the film industry and censors fought a long battle on censorship. The code disapproves of “immoral” actions, violence, sex, sin, and crime in any film. It gives a very detailed outline of what is acceptable and what is not. Some ideas of what the code suggests to be “moral” and “immoral” are a bit extreme. I feel that one’s perception of morality/immorality is simply an individual opinion.  The code forces others to conform to their beliefs with no say. I can imagine how frustrating it was for film makers to produce a film under such strict guidelines.  Sex, violence, sin and crime are all components of REALITY. We all know it exists, and eliminating it completely, seems unrealistic.

 

 On the other hand, the point in time these regulations were written is a completely different society from today. When I look at it from that perspective, I understand the intentions of the code, and what it was trying to achieve (to some extent). Film was enjoyed by many, and I felt the code’s purpose was to create order and conformity in society. I didn’t agree with film being the only form of media being singled out.  If films were to be censored, then books, plays and newspapers should have similar censorship guidelines.

 

In section VI (“Costume”) under Reasons Underlying Particular Applications, the code stresses the effect of nudity or semi-nudity and how it should not be portrayed in any film. It recognizes the human form as “beautiful,” but is firm with its decision that it “does not make its use in films moral.”  The code even went as far as eliminating “translucent material and silhouette” because it was felt that it could be “more suggestive than actual exposure.”  In regards to Scarface, there was no nudity, but some questionable scenes that walk a fine line of immorality according to the Lord-Quigley code.  Poppy’s costume in the film is an example.  When her character is first introduced, we see her dressed in a silk night gown with a large slit up the thigh, as she applies her makeup.  Although she is not nude, the gown left little to the imagination, and showed off her sex appeal. The scene where Tony rips Cesca’s dress is another risqué scene. I can understand why the film Scarface received negative criticism by viewers. It’s portrayal of crime, violence, and sex was “immoral” even though it illustrated the world’s reality.  

1st A & VA Declaration

 

Scarface was among the firsts in its genre of gangster films in the early 1930’s, and was aggressively beat down by critics. It emerged during a critical time of prohibition, the Great Depression, and when motion pictures were still fairly new. Films of this era, usually brought families together and were a source of entertainment that rarely promoted violence. When Scarface was released, it was shocking to everyone, and changed the rules of censorship in film. It was America’s first realistic glimpse into the violent lives of gangsters. The portrayal of gangsters committing violent acts, breaking laws, and looking good while doing it, was too much for most to handle. Shortly after its release, many critics and citizens were concerned with how the film would affect society and young children. Scarface was viewed by audiences as encouraging violence, and portrayed the government as ineffective. Critics and citizens all over were afraid children would emulate this behavior and think it was acceptable.

 

According to the 1^st Amendment and Bill of Rights,  the original uncensored version of Scarface had every right to be filmed due to free speech.  Even though the government didn’t intervene, third parties made sure the film was censored. This makes a confusing argument, because it doesn’t say in either document, that it is illegal for third parties (state and municipal censors) to force censorship on offensive material. So whether or not who censored the film, the fact of the matter is, it was still censored. There seems to be a blurred line of free speech and censorship, and it seems inconsistent.

 

Scarface-3 endings

The original script of Tony Camonte’s death differs greatly from the other two endings. The first ending depicts Tony as fearless as he refuses to give up his battle with the cops.  Once he’s forced out of his home with tear gas, he comes out “with his guns blazing, not crawling and begging for mercy.” He is obviously outnumbered by police and still continues to fire his gun with no hesitation.  He is hit by several bullets and still continues to fire, but his gun is now empty.  “Only a click is heard”, and he is unprotected. The policeman shoots one last bullet, and Tony still attempts to click his gun in the process. Several “clicks” are heard, before Tony’s last seconds of life come to an end.  I would relate Tony’s death as going down in true gangster style.  He never gave up, never showed fear, and fought till the death.

The first ending in the film version turns Tony into a fearful character before he is gunned down by police.  His sister Cesca sneaks to his home to kill her brother, but ultimately doesn’t go through with it. He asks her several times why she didn’t go through with it, as if he deserved to be killed.  Once a swarm of police arrive, stray bullets are fired everywhere. Tony makes use of his steel doors and windows and feels untouchable at this point. He becomes excited in the moment, and Cesca becomes his assistant in helping him load bullets. A stray bullet hits Cesca, and she collapses on the floor.  Tony immediately panics, becomes afraid and of being left alone. You can see the fear in his eyes and he realizes that he no longer has anyone.  The police finally break into his home with an axe and Tony is cornered with no where to run. He slowly comes down the stairway and submits to the police. “Give me a break will you” he says several times to the police. Tony desperately tries to bargain with the police and make himself seem like a victim. The police have no pity, and attempt to handcuff him and take him away. With one last attempt of pride, Tony tries to flee out the door to escape, and is immediately shot down in the street.

The second filmed ending of Scarface is similar to the first with some scenes that are taken out. The emotional scene between Cesca and Tony,(“I’m you, you’re me, its always been that way”) was removed. The scene of Cesca and Tony helping each other excitedly load guns and prepare for the cops was also removed. I feel the closeness of Tony and Cesca was de-emphasized for this ending, to stick with the fact that Tony is supposed to be a “bad guy”.  Adding the soft moments, would give the audience a sense of feeling bad for him. Once Tony is forced out of his home by police, he’s captured and taken put on trial. As he stands in front of a jury, the judge makes a point to call him “Ruthless, immoral and vicious”, and sentences him to be hung.

2).I feel the ending in the original script glorifies Camonte. He is a man that stays consistent with his ruthlessness and is fearful of no one. He kills almost all of the characters by the end of the film, including is supposed “good friend” Guino Rinaldo.  He shows no weakness and submits to no one. He has everything he wants, and makes sure he gets everything he wants. He’s able to slickly dodge police officials and get away with murder (literally). To his understanding, he runs things, and anyone who disagrees should be willing to put up a fight (and probably lose their life). Once Camonte is captured by police, he shows no mercy and fires til the death.

3)The differences of how Camonte is killed makes a difference on our view of the government. In the first filmed ending, Camonte is shot only because he tries to escape. We don’t know what the outcome would have been if he didn’t try to run, or  how extensive his punishment would have been.  The second filmed ending accomplishes a more effective ending by capturing Tony, and sentencing him to death. It shows that the government has no sympathy for this man and will give him what he deserves. His hanging makes clear that the government till not tolerate this behavior by anyone in society.

 

Scarface-Camonte

This is my first time viewing the original 1931 version of Scarface, and I’m pleasantly surprised how much I like it so far. It’s easy for most of us to watch this film now, and not be affected by it. If we take this film and watch it through the eyes of an audience seventy years ago, we can propose a different outcome. It makes sense as to why this film became one of the most controversial films in history and was banned for many years. Howard Hawks producing and directing techniques almost seem ahead of its time. The bold shadows, camera angles, and animated facial expressions, make it easy to relate the relationships of the characters, and pick up some foreshadowing. Tony Camonte’s character is very arrogant, egotistical, sarcastic, and can’t be trusted. We immediately notice his suave sense of style, and taste for “expensive” things. He’s very charming and knows how to “play” different roles, as long as he gets what he wants in the end. This man is very relentless and cares about himself.  We’ve already seen his disloyalty to Louis Costillo and Lovo, which proves he’ll do anything to get ahead. The fact that his own mother doesn’t trust him clearly signifies how grimy Camonte is. She clearly disapproves of her son’s ways and calls him “bad” and “no good”.  Despite Camonte’s shady character, he does have a bit of a sense of humor.  This smoothes out the harshness of his character, and makes him a little more likable. He’s very cool, calm and collected, and knows how to control his emotions. In closer camera shots, we can see in his dark eyes that there are nothing but plots, schemes, and trouble brewing in his head. Based on what I’ve seen, I don’t think this film glorifies violence and gangsters. It doesn’t depict the life of Tony Camonte and his clan as having a simple, carefree lifestyle. If anything, their life would include. always having to watch their back, not trusting  anyone, covering up evidence, and constantly dodging from cops. That doesn’t seem like a life anyone would want to live.

Intro- Monica M.

What’s up Eng 302, My name is Monica Morgan, I’m 24 years old, and born and raised in VA. I’m a transfer student, and this will be my second semester at George Mason.  I studying Psychology, and hope to graduate within the next couple of years. I’m a pretty laid back for the most part, and my interests include a wide spectrum of things. I love anything that involves art, or artistic expression and I usually tend to think “outside the box”.  Music is a must and is pretty much my life.  I mostly listen to Hip-Hop (Common, Kanye, Nas, Talib, Lupe) some good R&B, a little bit of Rap, Soul, Reggae, Jazz…I think you get the point. I’m a very open-minded person, and I love to learn new things about myself, others, and the world. On the surface, I come off as a little shy and quiet, but once you get to know me, you’ll learn otherwise (I’m very goofy too by the way–Brace yourself!). For those of you who have graduated Lake Braddock High, My brother  is a “well known” Sports Marketing teacher and does some football coaching. I think thats all I want to share for now, if you have any questions feel free to ask!