Why was the Golden Era of Hollywood (as seen in the quality of movies) way back in the 1930s and 40s? It was because of the salt from the Church, both Catholic and Protestant, influencing the outcome of the content. So the writers had to be clever. The actors couldn’t swear, yet they could act out their frustrations in such ways that the idea of swearing was conveyed.
From the 1930s until the 1960s, the Motion Picture Production Code, through influence of Catholic and Protestant leaders and offices they had in Hollywood, provided a type of salt — keeping the movies from going too far. Dr. Ted Baehr, the go-to guy when it comes to movies from a biblical perspective, says they “worked behind the scenes to make sure that the movie industry represented the concerns of the vast majority of the public.”
Two movies with Christian themes or sub-themes were the Movies-of-the-Year, respectively in 1965 and 1966, “The Sound of Music” and “A Man for All Seasons.” Both were rated G. But then the church pulled out its influence in Hollywood; and by 1969, the first X-rated movie won the Oscar for best picture, “Midnight Cowboy.”
As the films got progressively dirtier, tens of millions of Americans left the theaters in droves.
Today, Sony is trying to offer consumers toned-down versions of movies that contain raunchy moments so that they will be more acceptable as family entertainment. And some in Hollywood are screaming bloody murder.
Hollywoodreporter.com (6/13/17) noted, “Sony’s sanitized initiative faces growing opposition.” For instance, they quoted film maker Judd Apatow, who said, “Shove the clean versions up your [expletive]!”
Obviously, I don’t agree with Apatow. What a great idea. This could win back many potential viewers.
I asked Ted Baehr, who is the publisher of Movieguide, about this. He told me, “I can’t recommend all of these movies, even if edited, due to dangerous or anti-Christian messages inherent in the story, so please still read the reviews. That said, Movieguide commends Sony for taking the step in the right direction of providing families with safe entertainment.”
Click here to read more.
SOURCE: The Christian Post
Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is an on-air host/senior producer for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written/co-written 26 books, including The Book That Made America, Doubting Thomas (w/ Mark Beliles, on Jefferson), What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (w/ D. James Kennedy) & George Washington’s Sacred Fire (w/ Peter Lillback). djameskennedy.org@newcombejerry
BCNN1 WP 