Judge, 1922-02-04 · page 7 of 36
Judge — February 4, 1922 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Satire on Movie Censorship This page satirizes the Motion Picture Board of Censorship (established 1909), which imposed strict moral guidelines on American films. The text mockingly lists absurd censorship rules: cards must be four of clubs only, tobacco replaced with menthol jujubes, kisses separated by "quarter-inch beaver board," and emotions like love and anger prohibited. The cartoons illustrate these ridiculous restrictions—the top shows a dance scene (heavily censored), the bottom depicts the bizarre "beaver board" kiss barrier. Judge's satire targets censorship's hypocrisy: the Board claims to "broaden" cinema while actually reflecting "everything but life," and boasts of controlling Americans' thoughts. The final paragraph's tone shifts to bitter irony, suggesting that zealous "fanatics and religious maniacs" can manipulate the public through censorship. This critiques moral crusaders' paternalistic control over entertainment and public thought during the Progressive Era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
14. Playing cards may still be used in moderation, but every card must be the four of clubs. 15. In scenes that call for the smoking of tobacco the taking of menthol jujubes must be substituted. 16. All human emotions may be por- trayed as before, with the exception of love, lust, hate, greed, gambling excite- ment, thirst, revenge, fear, despair, pride and anger. The Board of Censorship wish to state publicly that their one aim is to broaden the scope of the Moving Pic- ture, feeling as they do that it is a mighty influence and that it should reflect every- thing but life. As life, especially in America, is far from what it should be, and as we by our power and knowledge feel that we are in a position to tell the United States of America what it should see in the movies, we will not rest until we have shown you how easy it is for a few determined fanatics and religious maniacs to rule Americans even in their innermost thoughts! be allowed, but they must be made of beaver fur. The fur outside. 10. In shipwrecks the hero's or hero- ine’s clothing must never become disar- ranged. If the hero swims ashore bear- ing the unconscious form of the heroine in his arms he must be accompanied by a stewardess in full uniform. No young lady shall be cast away on a desert isle unaccompanied by her legal guardians. Or at least her rector. 11. If the action of a drama calls for the shooting of the villain by Bill Hart the latter may be shown reaching for his weapon. Then two hundred feet of a Chester outing or other travel scene must be shown. Then the funeral of the villain. If the fist is used it may be shown doubling up, then interpose the travelogue as before. 12, If a horse race is necessary, all en- tries must arrive at the winning post at the same second. 13. In all orgies, including society, tenderloin and pirates, all casks, bottles, demijohns, and cases must be promi- No kisses between lovers except through quarter-inch nently labeled “Loganberry crush.” beaver board.