Did you know, for 37 years the government could censor movies ?

[steve2470]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11631051

I had no idea whatsoever. Absolutely fascinating. It just goes to show how very important SCOTUS is.

[Blue_Tires]

1. I thought the MPAA for years after that could still unofficially censor films too?

[steve2470]

2. yes

SCOTUS in 1952 declared movies to be protected by the First Amendment. I was shocked to learn this today.

eta: changed subject line, missed your word "unofficially".

[joeybee12]

3. What was it, the Catholic something that condemned movies, and while not censoring...

Really did hold sway over whether movies were hit. We used to get the Catholic Transcript, and I was fascinated by what movies they condemned...as a kid, I was dying to see those!

[steve2470]

4. National Legion of Decency

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Legion_of_Decency

[joeybee12]

5. That's a little before my time...

This group was active in the 60's...

[steve2470]

6. hmm let me see if I can find it

Finally, in 1980, the Legion released its last film reviews, condemning, among others, American Gigolo and Friday the 13th. While the Church unofficially gave its opinions on movies after that, there was no threat of committing a mortal sin for Catholics simply by seeing the wrong film. Still, the Legion had left its mark on Hollywood, and one has to wonder if classics like Some Like it Hot would be better or worse if those making the film hadn't been worried about being acceptable to clergymen.

http://www.pajiba.com/think_pieces/how-the-catholic-church-controlled-hollywood.php

It looks like they were around until then.

[joeybee12]

7. Guess so...

Wish I could remember, but I recall reading some really popular movies they were condemning...

[mockmonkey]

9. The Catholic League

http://www.catholicleague.org/philomena-is-pure-propaganda/

Catholic League President Bill Donohue (party of one giant ego)

[Walk away]

8. 37 years worth of movies without one happy divorce or...

one bedroom scene between a husband and wife in the same bed with their feet off the floor.

Only government censors could feed us that crap.