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Originallypublishedas:
HerbertBlumer."SchemesofLife."Chapter10inMoviesandConduct.New
York:Macmillan&Company(1933):141191.

MoviesandConduct:APayneFund
Study
Chapter10:SchemesofLife

HerbertBlumer
TableofContents|Next|Previous

THEreaderwhohasfollowedourpreviousdiscussionanticipatesperhapsatreatment
oftheinfluenceofmotionpicturesonideasandattitudes.Onewouldexpectthatmovies
wouldbeeffectiveinshapingtheimageswhichpeopleformoftheirworldandingiving
formtotheschemesofconductwhichtheycometodevelop.Motionpicturesdepicttypes
oflifewhichareunfamiliartomanypeopleandconsequentlyshapetheirconceptionsof
such a life. Further, many of the situations and kinds of conduct which are treated are
shownveryattractively.Inwitnessingthemsomepeoplemaydeveloplongingsforthese
forms of life. What is presented in the movies constitutes a "challenge" to the life of
many. Out of the reflection may emerge attitudes, ambitions, dissatisfactions, desires,
temptations,renforcedideals,andsoforth.
In this chapter we shall treat motionpicture experiences as an influence in the
developmentofschemesofconduct.Weshalllimitourselvestothoselinesofinfluence
which seem to have been of major importance in the written motionpicture
autobiographiescollectedforthisstudy.

INFLUENCEONGENERALFRAMEWORKOF
THOUGHT
LET us begin with a general statement of how motion pictures shape conceptions of
lifeandinfluencesubsequentschemesofconduct.Particularlyinchildhoodwecandetect
therleofmotionpicturesinbuildingupa
(142)worldofimageryusedbychildrenforpurposesofinterpretingandillustratinglife.
It is no misstatement to say that motion pictures fashion the minds of gradeschool
childreninanappreciablewaybyprovidingbothspecificideasandageneralframework
of thought. A large part of the average child's imagery used for interpretation of
experiences in everyday life has its source in motion pictures. One may easily get an
appreciationofthisasthewriterhasdone,byasking,onanumberofoccasions,classes
of school children to draw pictures of action or of interesting life. Given no further
suggestionbutencouragedtousetheirimaginationsfreely,childrenwillsubmitdrawings
showing unmistakably motionpicture imagery. The cowboy, the Indian, the airplane
combat,mysterycharacters,andotherfamiliarmotionpicturetypesorthemesspringout
ofthechildren'ssketches.

Oneappreciatesfurtherhowmotionpicturessupplychildrenwithmanyoftheirimages
oflifeintheshortstoriesoressayswhichtheywrite.Usuallythestorysubmittedwillbe
modeled after movie themes. The characters, the situations, and the plot conform very
frequentlytoconceptionspresentedinmotionpictures.Schoolteachersarequitefamiliar
withthiscondition.Manyofthemhavestrivenonrepeatedoccasionstofreethemindsof
theirstudentsfromsuchfixedpatternsofthought.
Thereareotherindicationsthatmanypeoplecarry,sotospeak,amovieworldintheir
heads.Thegreatpopularityofmotionpicturemagazinesandtheaviditywithwhichthey
arereadbymanysuggesthowgreatlypeople'sthoughtsandinterestsmaybeboundup
withmotionpictures.Thisisparticularlytrueinthecaseofhighschoolstudents,perhaps
chiefly in the case of highschool girls. It is very common to find the lockers of high
schoolgirls
( 143) profusely decorated with photographs and pictures taken mainly from motion
picturemagazines.Thekeepingofmotionpicturescrapbooksisagainacommonpractice
andfurthersuggeststhedegreetowhichpeoplemayhavetheirmindspreoccupiedwith
themovies.Wemaythinkalsoofthefrequencywithwhichthetopicofmotionpictures
entersintotheconversationofchildrenandofhighschoolstudents.
Afurthersignificantsignofthisgeneralkindofinfluenceisshowninthetendencyof
manyboysandgirlstoinvokemotionpictureimagesinvisualizingthe content of their
reading.Veryfrequentlytheywillconceivethecharactersandtheplotofthebookthatis
being read in terms of the conventional images of the screen. This in itself presents an
interestingproblemofimagination.Weshallconfineourselvestotwobriefillustrations
ofthepoint.
Female,20,white,collegejunior.Aswestoppedimitatingthemovietricks,mytaste
formovieschanged.Ididn'twanttobetheherosomuchanylonger.Itwasmuchmore
thrilling to be rescued and fought over. Then, the books that I read were not merely
reading.Theywerestoriesactedoutinmymind,asthemovieswouldhavethem. Even
nowthatpersists.Icanreadplaysandshortstoriesandenjoythemassuch,butthereis
alwaysasubconsciouspictureofhowtheywouldlookwhenproduced.
Female,21,white,collegesenior.Sometimesthemoviesaffectedmyappreciationof
books.IthinkthatmyfirstacquaintancewithDickenswasmarredbythefactthatIdid
not like the illustrations in the editions I read because the people were not drawn
beautifullyandwerenotmadetolooklikestarsinthemovies.Iexpectcertaintypesof
characters to act as did those same types in the movies and often I was puzzled by
differences.
The general impression formed by one who studies the minds of children and
adolescentsisthatthecontentas
( 144) well as the direction of the mental imagery derives in no small measure from
motionpictures.Itisratherdifficulttoestimatetheextentofthisgeneral influence and
even more difficult to assess its significance. If one turns, however, from this general
manner in which motion pictures supply a framework of thought and interpretation, to
morespecificinstances,thepicturebecomesmuchclearer.

STEREOTYPEDVIEWS

ONEcanseeratherclearlytherleofmotionpicturesinformingconceptionsofthe
world in their stereotyped treatment of different people, different occupations, and
different forms of life. In depicting villains, heroes, gangsters, nationalities, life of the
rich,war,andothersubjects,motionpicturesmaydeterminehowpeoplevisualizethese
things.Thefollowingaccountsuggests,inageneralway,thiskindofinfluence.
Male,20,white,collegejunior.AyearorsoagoIsawapictureinwhichaJapwas
showninaverybrutallight,andIbegantothinkthatperhapsallJapswerethatway.I
realizenowthatIbecameprejudicedtooearly,butwhenapictureshowsnothingbutthe
evilsideofarace,itishardtobelievethemcapableofgood.PicturesoftheWorldWar
usedtomakemeverybiasedagainstallGermans.OneortwoofthemIremembermade
me actually thirst to spill German blood. But more recent pictures have absolved
Germany of these brutal charges, and enabled me to see their side of the question. I'm
afraid that in all cases where a picture has been presented from a prejudiced point of
view,Ijumpedtooreadilytotheconclusionthatitwasalltrue.
Manyofthewritersofthemotionpictureautobiographiestellofhavingtheirideasof
nationalities formed by the motion pictures. One of the chief of these types is the
Chinaman.Inmanypictureshehasbeenpresentedasa
(145) cunning, mysterious, treacherous person and has come to be regarded as such by
somemoviegoers.Theexampleswhichfollowspeakforthemselves.Thefirstthreerefer
tothewayinwhichtheChinamanwaspresentedinserials.
Female, 19, white, college senior. One thing these pictures did was to establish a
permanentfearofChinameninmymind.TothisdayIdonotseeaChinesepersonbut
whatIthinkofhimasbeingmixedupinsomeevilaffair.Ialwayspassthemasquickly
as possible if I meet them in the street, and refuse to go into a Chinese restaurant or
laundry.
Male,20,white,collegesophomore.WhilestillataverytenderageIfollowedone
serial picture called "The Yellow Menace." It was a story of Chinatown with plenty of
daggersandopium.ForquiteawhileafterwardsIhadaninwardfearofeveryChinese
laundrymanIsawwalkingalongthestreetwithabagonhisback.
Female, 19, white, college junior.But I shall positively say that Warner Oland, the
orientallookingvillainofthescreen,wasresponsibleformymortaldreadofChinamen.
WheneverIsawoneIwouldrunasfastasmylittlelegswouldcarrymeandpalpitating
with fear would cling close to my reassuring mother. He, Warner Oland, was always
wickedinhisrleofthecanny,cunning,heartlessmandarinwhopursuedPearlWhite
through so many serials. I carried over this impression to all Asiatics, so that they all
seemedtoconcealmurderousintentbehindtheirblandfeatures,theirhumbleattitude
merelyadisguiseuntilthetimewasripetoseizeyouandkillyou,or,worseyet,tomake
youaslave.IneverpassedbyourChineselaundrywithoutincreasingmyspeed,glancing
apprehensively through the window to detect him at some foul deed, expecting every
momentoneofhissupposedwhiteslavegirlstocomedashingoutofthedoor.IfIheard
someunduedisturbanceatnightoutside,Iwascertainthat"MarkWoo"wasathisusual
workoftorturinghisvictims.Ihavenotbeenabletothisdaytoerasethatapprehensive
feeling whenever I see a Chinese person, so deep and strong were those early
impressions.

(146)
Female, 19, while, college sophomore.The characters that I have seen portrayed
uponthescreenhaveleftuneasyimprintsuponmymind.Ihaveseensomanypicturesin
whichOrientalpeoplequietlysneakupandstabapersoninthebackthatIamsuspicious
ofeveryOrientalthatIcomeincontactwith,frommylaundrymantothecook.Ihavea
distinctaversiontocrippledbeggarsgainedfromLonChaney'spicturethatIsawseveral
yearsback.Itisthatrepulsionthatsomanyofhispictureshavegivenmethathasmade
mehatetoseethem.
Male,17,Negro,highschoolsenior.IthinkallChinamenarecrooksbecauseIhave
seen them in pictures of the underworld so often. I have seen a picture where the
Chinamenalmostburnedaladytodeathtryingtomakehertellasecret.Thispictureand
similaroneshavemademeafraidoftheChinamen.
Let us continue with a few further instances merely to illustrate the point that
conventional depiction of certain types in motion pictures may implant fixed images of
these types in the minds of many people. The writer of the followingaccount,aNegro
highschool girl, protests against the way she feels the Negro is usually presented in
motionpictures.HerstatementsuggeststhestereotypedimageoftheNegrowhichmotion
pictureshaveformedinthemindsofmany.
Female,17,Negro,highschoolsenior.Itseemstomethateverypicturepicturinga
Negro is just to ridicule the race. When a Negro man or woman is featured in a movie
theyareobligedtospeakflatsouthernwords,besuperstitious,andafraidofghostsand
whitemen.Theyhavetomakethemselvesasuglyanddarkaspossible.Thebadthings
areemphasizedandthegoodcharacteristicsleftout.Thisisveryunfairtotherace.All
Negroes are not alike there are different types as in other races. Why must they be
portrayed as ignorant, superstitious animals instead of decent people that are just as
capableofdoinggreatthingsasanyotherracealltheyneedisthechance.Itisthesame
withotherdarkracesbesidestheNegro.Theyarealwaystheloser,theshrinkingcoward,
and never the victor. It is very unjust of the white race to make every nation appear
inferiorcomparedtothem.
(147)
The following instances show how in their respective experiences, the writers
developedastereotypedconceptionofa"villain."
Female, 22, white, college senior.I remember that the villains usually wore
mustaches,andtothisdayIheartilydespiseanykindofanupperlipdecorationonany
man.EvenJohnGilbert,DougFairbanks,andConradNageldonotalterthisaversion.
Female,20,white,collegesophomore.ItwaswhenIstartedhighschoolthatIbegan
toenjoypicturesinwhichthelovethemewasprominent.I'dputmyselfinplaceofthe
heroinealways,neverthehero.ItwasatthistimevillainswouldwearamustacheandI
stillcan'tdispeltheideathateverymanwithamustacheisavillain.Iusedtoenjoygoing
overthepictureinmymindanddaydreamingaboutthem.Thesepicturesdevelopedmy
imaginationimmensely.
Another instance of the development of a stereotyped conception is given in the
followingstatementconcerningthepolice:

Female, 20, white, college junior.The movies have made me skeptical about our
policeforce.Thepicturesdepictinggangs,etc.,havemadeanimpressiononme.Lately,
in "The Racket" I came away saying to myself "And that is our justice!" Such pictures
shouldnotbeshownbecausetheymakeonedoubtthethingweshouldbefaithfulto. I
mustconfessthatwheneverIseeapoliceman,Ismileandgetakickoutofhisauthority.
Onethinksalsoinconnectionwiththepointunderdiscussionofthewayinwhichthe
Germans were depicted during the World War. It is unnecessary to give any accounts
(manyareavailable)toappreciatehowsuccessfulthemovieswereinhelpingtodevelop
anintenseattitudeofhatredtowardstheGermansthroughsuchpicturesas"Heartsofthe
World."Morerecentlythroughthepresentationofthethemeofwarfromadifferentpoint
ofviewthemovieshavehelpedchangetheearlierstereotypedattitude.Someindications
ofthisareshowninthefollowingaccounts:
(148)
Female,20,white,collegejunior.Thefollowingpicturesoftodaysuchas"TheBig
Parade," "Wings," "Mother Knows Best," etc., have increased my horror of militarism.
No speeches or lectures or doctrines desiring war can ever convince me to change my
opinionorhatredofthebeastlyhumanpractice.
Female,17,white,highschoolsenior.TheWarPictures,andIbelieveIamrightin
capitalizing what I did, have convinced me of the real evils of war, of the ideas that
thoughwarisamenace,disarmamentcanneverbefullyandthoroughlyput into effect.
"BarbedWire"withPolaNegri,"TheLegionoftheCondemned,"and"TheBigParade"
servedasthefoundersofthoseideas.Oneincidentfrom"TheBigParade"Iwouldliketo
requotehere.JohnGilbertisinashellhole,awaitingthereturnofhisbuddyfromNo
Man's Land. His nerves are on edge the cannons roaring about him and the shells
burstinginairarousehishatredofthegeneral'sordershehateshimselfforstayingthere
like the general told him to do instead of going out and finding and aiding his buddy.
Thenontopofallthistensionasoldierfromthetrenchcrawlsintotheshellholetotell
himtoquitstandingthereandpacing,buttoliedownsothattheenemywillnotspytheir
dugout. "Orders from the general," the soldier said. And then John Gilbert arose, and
jumpingupoutofthedugouthepauseslongenoughtodrawhimselfuptothestatureof
a real man and to fire back, "Orders! Orders! Who's fighting this war, MEN OR
ORDERS?"AndwiththatheleavestoseekouthisbuddyfromGodknowswhere.Ishall
neverforgetthatbitofphilosophy,norshallIeverforgettheincidentcausingsupposedly
thathitofwisdom.
Further ways in which motion pictures have developed stereotyped conceptions are
suggestedbythetwofollowingaccountsdealingwithconceptionsof"formal"society:
Female, 19, white, college sophomore.Some of my ideas about life in general
particularly those connected with association with the modern young man were drawn
fromthemovies.I shall never forget my disappointment upon discovering after having
attended my first real grownup dinner party that all grownup dinner partners weren't
clever,distinguished,worldly
(149) wise, and charming individuals I had thought them to be after seeing a large
numberofsocietymelodramas.

Female,20,white,collegesophomore.Solongasthevehiclewasamorous,thecast
wasofsecondaryimportanceandIwoulddoteuponatenderlovesceneforweeksata
time.Theheightofmydesirewastobeofanagewherefineclothes,parties,anardent
loverwouldnotbeoutofplace.Ilongedtobeasocietybelle,andmyambitionsseemed
toberealizedwhenIwasabletoseetheobjectsofmyfancyonthescreen.Ofcourse,I
believedthatlifewasexactlyasitwaspaintedandthatattheagewhenIwouldbeableto
goout,lifewouldbeasortofbedofroses.
Finally, we may give the following account which represents a protest of the writer
against the distorted impressions which he declares the movies have given him. This
documentisgivenherenottoincriminatemotionpictures,butmerelytoillustratefurther
howinfluentialtheyareindevelopingstereotypedconceptionsoflife.
Female,19,white,collegesophomore.Theimpressionswhichthemoviesgaveme
as a child, had to be torn down by experience, by reading, and by contact with other
people. I thought that only wicked women smoked that criminals were hard and
inhuman, and were to be dealt with accordingly. I thought that all society women
neglectedtheirchildren,hadpartiesmostofthetime,andwereuntruetotheirhusbandsI
gotanideathatdivorcewaswrongandthatpeoplewhowereinlovemarriedandlived
happilyeverafter,inalittlerosecoveredbungalow.Themoviesgavemealotoffoolish
ideaswhichmyimaginationacceptedasfacts.Ithinkthatmoviesmakeadjustmenttolife
and understanding of people and their problems more difficult, because of the wrong
impressions which they give. The understanding should come firstthen the movies.
AlsoIthinkthatthemoviesoveremphasizethesexinterest,andcausepeople'smindsto
dwellonsexoutofallproportiontoitsimportance.
The investigation to any thorough extent of the stereotyped conceptions built up by
motionpicturesisoutsidetherangeofthisreport.Theinstanceswhichhavebeen
( 150) cited are given merely to indicate in a general way how such images may be
formed.Afewwordsofexplanationmaybeinorder.Thedepictionofcertaincharacters,
nationalities,races,formsoflife,etc.,inmotionpicturesisparticularlylikelytoleavean
impression on imagery because of their vivid visual presentations. One's images, so to
speak,comereadymade.Theyarelikely,further,tobesimpleandunambiguous,andto
beclothedwithcertainemotionalandsentimentalqualitieswhich,onecalculates,make
theirappealsomewhat irresistible. In other words, the setting of the image as shown in
thepicture, and the emotional feelings which are directed toward it, give it a "catchy"
character.Thesefeaturescanbeeasilyperceivedintheaccountswhichhavebeengiven,
asinthosespeakingoftheconceptionsformedoftheChinamenthroughthewitnessing
ofcertainmotionpictures.
Someotherremarksmaybeoffered.Motionpicturesmaytreatcertaintypesorphases
oflifewhichtherestofoureducationalsystemacceptsasunquestioned,andindoingso
implantimageswhichmaybecontradictory.tothoseassumedbyeducationalinstitutions.
Thus, the policeman may be shown in a way that lessens his prestige or respect
althoughtheschool,church,etc.,takeitforgrantedthathehastheseeffects.Itwouldbe
interesting to learn to what extent motion pictures do implant images, in a concrete,
realistic fashion, which challenge the abstract conceptions tacitly assumed by the
remainderofoureducationalinstitutions.
It is fit to make here another observation. In responding to transient states of public
opinion, motion pictures may develop fundamental prejudices or conceptions which

persistbeyondtheoccasiontowhichtheyweredevoted.ThustheimagesoftheGermans
formedduringtheperiod
( 151) of the war hysteria were retained far beyond the period where they presumably
renderedsomenationalservice.
Whateverbethevalueofthesereflections,ourcentralpointisevident.Itisclearthat
motionpicturesmayprovideindividualswithfixedviewsofcertainkindsoflifeandof
certainkindsofpeople.Wherethereisarecurrenceofthisfixedwayofdepictingagiven
type,ashasbeentrueinpartinthecaseoftheChinaman,stereotypesarealmostcertain
toarise.Ofcourse,theyarelikelytobeformedmosteasilybythosepeoplewhohavefew
othersourcesofknowledgeofthegivenkindoflifewhichisshown.Thedevelopmentof
fixedimagesinsuchsituationsisinevitableandrequiresnoexplanation.

CONCEPTIONSOFMODERNLIFE
MANYmotionpicturesaredevotedtothelifeofmodernyouth.Theydealparticularly
with relations between the sexes but also present schemes of conduct with respect to
family and community life. These forms of life are of genuine concern to many young
menandyoungwomen.Theschemesofconductwhichtheyimplyarelikelytobeshown
in a romantic and entrancing manner and may frequently carry the weight of authority
andcorrectness.Someyoungmenandwomen,becauseoftheirattitudesandbackground
ofexperience,regardthelifeofmodernyouthasitisshowninmotionpicturesnotonly
asan"ideal"typeoflifebutasthepropertypeoflife.Fromsuchpicturestheyarelikely
to derive ideas of freedom, of relations to parents, and of conduct towards one's
associates.Inthiswaymotionpicturesgivesanctiontocodesofconductandserveasan
instrumentforintroducingtheindividualintoanewkindandareaoflife.Wefollowwith
aseriesofexperiencestakenfromtheaccountsofthewritersofthemotion
(152) picture autobiographies. These reveal the ways in which pictures of modern life
mayshapeattitudesandimplantideas.
Female,18,white,highschoolsenior.Isaw"MotherKnowsBest"afewweeksago
and thought it was great. I think that Madge Bellamy is "darling" and Barry Norton is
great. He sort of gets under one's skin. "Mother Knows Best" proves that she doesn't
always. The problem of whether mother does know best is being discussed universally
justnow,andthispicturemademefeelthatmaybeifdaughterorsondidgetawordin
edgewiseonceinawhile,parentsandchildrenwouldnotbehavingsomanydifficulties.
Male,18,white,highschool senior. From my observations in high school, I think
thatthemovieshaveplayedalargepartininfluencingtheactionsofwhatiscalledthe
fastmodernoftoday.Thehighschoolstudentsseethesewildpicturesoffastnightclub
lifethentheythinkthatitissmarttomimictheseactions.Iknowofseveralcasesright
hereinhighschool,girlswhothinkitissmarttosmoke,drink,stayoutallnightatclubs
thathavenotagoodreputation.Theyseethesethingsdoneinthemoviesthereforethey
thinkthattheyarebeingverycute.
Female,16,white,highschoolsophomore.WhenIgotoseeGretaGarboandJohn
GilbertinamovieIfeeldisgusted,becauseIthinktheyarecarryingittoofar,butwhenI
go to see a modern picture like "Our Dancing Daughters" I am thrilled. These modern
picturesgivemeafeelingtoimitatetheirways.Ibelievethatnothingwillhappentothe

carefreegirllikeJoanCrawfordbutitisaquietgirlwhoisalwaysgettingintotrouble
andmakingtrouble.
Female,16,white,highschooljunior.Themovieshavegivenmesomeideasabout
thefreedomweshouldhave.Forinstance,inthepicturesthewildestgirlalwaystames
downandgetsthemansheloves.Whynotinreallife?MynotionofthefreedomIshould
have,andIhaveit,istogooutandhaveagoodtime,butwatchyourstep.Idon'tbelieve
chaperonsarenecessarybecauseifyoudon'tknowhowtotakecareofyourselfnowyou
neverwill.Onethingthatgetsmygoatistohavesomeone
(153)constantlyharpingaboutautomobileridesandtheydon'tmeanstrangerseither
butboysyouhaveknownforyears.
Inanotherpartofherdocumentthewriterofthelastaccountstates:
Onthescreenwhenitshowsapartywiththeheroineincludedtheyaregenerallythe
lifeofthepartyandIbelievethat"whenyou'reinRomedoastheRomansdo."Iusedto
thinkjusttheoppositebutafterseeing"OurDancingDaughters"andthe"WildParty"I
begantothinkthisover,andIhavefoundoutthatthatisthebestwaytoact.

CONCEPTIONSOFLOVE
FROMtheearlierdiscussionoflovepicturesandimitationandoftheinfluenceoflove
pictures in stimulating emotions, one would expect young men and young women to
derive from these pictures ideas of love and of the behavior associated with it. The
sampleof458highschooldocumentswerecheckedwithreferencetotheitem"Didthe
individual get any ideas of love from the movies?" Definite indications that the writers
hadsecuredsuchideasappearedin228documents,orapproximately50percent.Denial
wasmadein13percentofthedocumentswhilenoinformationappearedin37percent
oftheaccounts.
Someindividualsgetmuchoftheirinformationonloveandsexfrommotionpictures.
Suchhasbeentheexperienceofthewriterofthefollowingaccount:
Male,18,white,Jewish,collegefreshman.IwasraisedinanorthodoxJewishhome
wherenobodydaredtotalkaboutsex,love,etc.,anditwasimmoraltotalkaboutkissing
a girl. Until I was thirteen I never had a thing to do with girls because of my home
background. Highschool parties were my first introduction to the fair sex. After that,
whenIwenttoseeamovieorromance,Iactuallylikedit.AsIlookbackuponitnow,I
smilewhenIthinkofthehorrorandamazementandawethatIhad

(154)ofmyselfwhenIfoundoutthatI,thepurevirgin,actuallyconceived of the
ideaofkissingagirlandactuallyenjoyingit,too!AsfarasIcanremember,almostallof
my knowledge of sex came from the movies. There was no other place where I could
have gotten it. Ideas about kissing definitely came from the movies. This is absolutely
truethefirsttimeIeverkissedagirlwasafterIsawGretaGarboandJohnGilbert.
Letusgiveafewotheraccountstypicalofthosewhoacknowledgegettingideasand

schemesoflovefrommotionpictures.
Female,17,white,highschooljunior.IreadalittleandIwenttothemoviesquite
often.FrombothIlearnedaboutthecustomsofothercountriesandsomehighlightsin
thehistoryoftheUnitedStates.Ilearnedsomethingabouttheartoflovemakingandthat
badandprettygirlsareusuallymoreattractivetomenthanintelligentandstudiousgirls.
Female,16,white,highschooljunior.Lovemakingformewasgreatlyinfluenced
by my older sister, but the many lovemaking pictures naturally affected me some. The
seemingly free abandon to the fact that lovemaking is perfectly all right came to me
throughthem.Inthemoviestheheroisalwayseverythinggoodandtrustworthyasisthe
heroine,andtheideacametomethatIcouldtrustanyboytoo.Ihavebeenveryseverely
reprimandedforcarryingoutthisidea,butIstillfeelthatmostpeoplearetrustworthy.
Female,19,white,Jewishcollege,sophomore.Certainly the movies have made me
sharply aware of the fact that men place a high premium on the physical aspect of
woman,thatprimarilyaman'sattentionisdrawntoawomanbecauseofherbeautythat
alargedegreeoftheproverbial"IT"maybeattainedbyprettyclothes,risqueclothes.
Female,16,white,highschooljuniorLoveinthemoviesasportrayedbythestars
always made me squirm because I knew nothing about it. Now I think it's all
"applesauce." When I was younger, though, these scenes always stayed longest in my
mind.I'dputmyselfinthegirl'splaceandtrytomakebelieve.Butafterallthefeeling
wassecondhand.Nowondergirlsof
(155)olderdays,beforethemovies,weresomodestandbashful.TheyneversawClare
BowandWilliamHaines.Theydidn'tknowanythingelsebutbeingmodestandsweet.I
think the movies have a great deal to do with presentday socalled "wildness." If we
didn'tseesuchexamplesinthemovieswherewouldwegettheideaofbeing"hot"?We
wouldn't.
Female,15,white,highschoolsophomore.Goodnessknowsyoulearnplentyabout
love from the movies. That's their long run. You do see how the golddigger
systematicallygets the poor fish in tow. You see how the sleekhaired, longearringed,
languideyedsirenlandsthemenyoumeettheflapperthegoodgirl'nallthefeminine
types and their snappy comebacks which are most handy when dispensing with an
unwantedsuitor,atooardentone,atoobackwardone,etc.Andbelieveme,theyobserve
andremembertoo.

RELATIONSBETWEENTHESEXES
FINALLY, let us quote two accounts which reflect the judgment of the writers
concerning the way in which motion pictures present ideas or schemes of conduct
betweenthesexes:
Female, 16, white, highschool, junior.The fellows get all their ideas of necking
fromthemovies.Thegirlslearnhowtoleadafellowonfromthemovies.Inthatrespect
theyarebothoutforthethrill.OnethingImustadmit.WhenTgotoaloveorromance
movie,Iwishsomesheikylookingfellowwouldfallinlovewithme.
Female,14,white,highschoolsophomore.FrommyobservationsinhighschoolI
thinkthatthemovieshaveplayedalargepartininfluencingtheactionsofthe,whatis

called, fast modern of today. The highschool students see these wild pictures of fast
night club life and then think that it is smart to mimic these actions. I know of several
casesrighthereinourhighschoolgirlswhothinkitissmarttosmoke,drink,stayoutall
nightatclubs,thathavenotagoodreputation.Theyseethesethingsdoneinthemovies
therefore,theythinkthattheyarebeingverycute.
(156)

MOTIONPICTURESANDUNREST
INpresentingthelifeofmodernyouthinanappealingandromanticwayamidasetting
ofluxuryandfreedom,motionpicturesengenderacertainamountofdissatisfactionwith
lifeasitisformostpeople.Youngwomenandyoungmenmaybeledtocomparetheir
ownlifewiththatwhichtheyseepresentedonthescreen.Suchacomparisonmayfoster
dissatisfaction and unrest on their part. The sample of 458 highschool autobiographies
was gone over to ascertain the number of writers who wrote of having become
dissatisfiedwiththeirhomeatsome time or other as a result of what was witnessed in
motionpictures.Itwasfoundthat22percentofthewritersspokeofsuchexperiences.
Therewasadenialofanysuchinfluenceinthecaseof28percentofthewriters,whereas
in 50 per cent of the documents there was either no information or insufficient
informationtopermitonetomakeajudgment.Itisinterestingtoobserveinthecaseof
thosewhospokeofhavingbecomedissatisfiedasaresultofwitnessingmotionpictures
thatthepercentageofgirlswastwiceasgreatasthepercentageofboys.
Someindicationofthewayinwhichmotionpicturesdevelopdissatisfactioninthecase
ofhighschoolboysandgirlsisgiveninthefollowingaccounts:
Male,18,Negro,highschoolsenior.OftenIgetideasofhowmuchfreedomIshould
havefromthewayinwhichfellowsandgirlsaregivenprivilegesinthemovies,because
theycanwearthebestofclothes,makeplentyofmoney,gonearlyanyplacetheychoose,
becomewellknownthroughoutthecountryandenjoyalltheluxuriesoflife.
Male, 20, white, college sophomore.I have compared the life shown in society
picturestothelifearoundmeandhavefounditverymisleading.Itfurnishesonewiththe
wrongideasoflux
(157)uriesandtendstomakeonediscontentedwithhissurroundings.Inthiswaythe
moviesdepictingsociallifeatfirstdisturbedme.Iwasn'tsatisfiedwithmyenvironment
Iexpecttoomuchfrommyparentsinthewayofcomfortandleisure.
Female,16,white,highschooljunior.Themovieshavealwaysmademedissatisfied
withmyneighborhood,butnotwithmylife.Ihavealwayswantedtoliveinabeautiful
bungalowlikethoseyouseeinthemovies.
Female,15,Negro,highschoolfreshman.SinceIhavegottenoldenoughtorealize
whatgoodtimesreallyareIamdissatisfiedwithmyclothesandmyhome.Iseethegirls
in the movies going out in cars to roadhouses and to balls, cabarets, and many other
thingsthatputmeinthehabitofwantingtogotoo.SometimesIfeellikestoppingschool
andgoingtoworkformyselfsoIcangoanyplaceIwant,doanythingandgetanything.
Ithinktheyounggirlsoftodayshouldbegivenprivilegestogoandhaveagoodtime,
notallofthetime,butveryoftensotheycanenjoythemselvesaseverybodyelse.

Inthelightoftheseaccountsitisfittingtoobservethatmotionpicturesoftenpresent
theextremesasiftheywerethenorm.Further,itisanattractivenorm.Formanyyoung
moviegoers no discrimination is possible the intriguing appeal of the picture, the
seemingly natural sanction which it carries, and the simple vividness of its display
combinetoimpressitscontentasproperandunquestionable.

RESENTMENTOFPARENTALCONTROL
On occasion the dissatisfaction represented by the accounts given may take a more
acute expression in a form of some rebellion against parental restraints. Therebellious
tendenciesmaymerelyexistintheformoffeelingsofacutedissatisfaction,ortheymay
break over into some actual form of complaint and rejection of parental control. In the
458highschooldocumentsthereisdefiniteindicationofsuchrebelliousfeelingsatsome
timeorotherasa
( 158) result of motion pictures in 12 per cent of the writers. Denial is made of such
influenceinthecaseof31percentofthewriters,whilenoinformationiscontainedinthe
documentsoftheother57percentofthewriters.
INordertogivemeaningtothistypeofinfluence,toshowhowthemovies,inother
words,mayinduceincertainindividualsfeelingsofrebellionagainstparentalcontrol,the
followingcasesarepresented:
Female,19,white,collegesophomore.Anotherthingthatmoviesareresponsiblefor,
Iamsure,ismyresentmentattimesoftoomuchparentalrestraintespeciallyinthematter
ofhowlateIstayoutandwhereIgo.Youngdaughtersinfilmsseemtohavesuchagay
timetravelingfromnightclubtonightclubeitherignoringtheirparents'wishesorbeing
blessedwiththekindthatdonotobject,andIamafraidattimesIthinkIshouldhaveas
muchlibertyastheyseemtohave.VeryrecentlyIsaw"DancingDaughters"whichina
waystrengthenedmyideasstatedabove,asthegirlinitwhowashelddowntoomuchby
her parents turns out badly, while the one who is "the modern" and is allowed full
freedomendsupthebest.
Female,16,white,highschooljunior.Ofcoursethemoviesmademewanttorebel
againstmyparents'supervision.Theystilldo.Myideasofthewaytobehavecomesome
fromthemovies,butmoreparticularly,whenitcametotreatmentofboys,frommyolder
brother.Ithinkthatgirlsshouldbetreatedthesameasboysbytheirparents.Theyshould
telltheirfolkswherethey'regoing,butshouldn'tbekeptonastricttimelimit.
Female, 15, Negro, high..school freshman.The movies have often made me
dissatisfied with my neighborhood, because when I see a movie, the beautiful castle,
palace,stoneandbeautifulhouse,Iwishmyhomewassomethinglikethese.Isometimes
getdissatisfiedwithmyownlifewhenIseemoviestarswithbeautifulgowns,diamonds,
gold,silver,andothervaluableandbeautifulthings.AndIalwayssaywhenImarryIam
goingtomarrysomerichmansoIcangetalltheserichthings.Themoviessometimes
makemewanttorebelagainstthestrictness
(159)ofmyparentsbecauseIseewhatothergirlsinthemoviesdoandhavesucha
nicetime.Noonetosayyoucan'tgoout,orsay"no."ThenIwishIcouldgowhenIget
ready.Ioftenthinkmotheristoostrictanddoesn'tgiveagirlenoughprivilegeIgotthis

ideafromthemovieswhentsawwhatprivilegegirlsinthemovieshave.IthinkIshould
havemorefreedomintheseways,gotothemoviesoftenandonceaweekgotoaparty
andthenabouteverytwoweeksreceivecompanyandafewotherthings.
Female,17,white,highschoolsenior.Afterseeingawonderfulpicturefullofthrills
and beautiful scenes, my own home life would seem dull and drab. Nothing unusual
would happen and I would become dissatisfied and wish I could runaway. My clothes
wereneversmartenoughandIfeltthatmyparentswerefartoostrictwithme.Thegirls
inthemotionpicturesnearlyalwayshadfarmoreprivilegesthanI.
Male,17,white,high.schoolsenior.Onegreatdesirethathasrisenfromthemovies
hasbeenthedesiretoownacarandtobeabletogoanywhere,anytimethatIwanted.
Themovieshavemademedislikerestraintofanykind.Theyhavealsomademedislike
work.
Female, 17, white, highschool senior.Fashionable pictures made me long for fine
clothes. I could not see why my parents were not able to buy me all the clothes that I
wanted. I sometimes thought I would run away like the girls in the movies and live on
"easy street." But whenever I had these thoughts I would also have thoughts of what
happened to girls that left home. They lived a high life for a time, but they always
regrettedhavinglefthome.SothatwaswhyIneverhadthecouragetoleavehome.
I always thought that I did not have enough freedom. I remember one picture that
showedtheeffectsofbeingtoostrictwhichIwillalwaysremember.Therewasayoung
girlwhohadsomeverystrictparents.Theydidnotallowheranyprivileges.Onenight
shecameinlatefromapartyandherfathertoldherifsheevercameinthatlateagainhe
would put her out. The girl slipped out with a fellow that her father did not know
anythingabout.Sheandthefellowwentsofarthatshewasafraid
(160)togohome.Shewouldhavegoneonwiththefellow,bitshefoundoutthathe
wasabootlegger.Thefellowpromisedtogivethatupifshewouldmarryhim. But she
wouldnotthinkaboutmarryinghimsoshelefthimandstartedtotownonalonelyroad.
Shedidnotgonearhome,butinsteadwenttosomeplacewheregirlsweresupposedto
getonthestage.Inrealitytheydidanythingthemanagerwantedthemtodo.Whenthe
fatherfoundoutthathisdaughterwasmissing,hetriedtofindher.Hewenttotheplace
where his daughter was, but they told him that she was not there. He looked until he
thought that he had looked everywhere then he broadcasted a message over the radio
askinghisdaughtertocomehome.Sheheardhismessageandwenthome.
Ithinkparentsshouldtakealessonfromthatpicture.Iwishedthatmotherhadseenit.
Maybeshewouldnotbesostrictonmeifshehadseenthatpicture.
Ithinkagirlofseventeenshouldbeallowedtogoanywhere.Ithinksheknowswhatto
doandhowtoact.Sheshouldhavetherightideasaboutrightandwrongifshehashad
therighttraining.
Finally we may quote an account which presents another angle to these feelings of
dissatisfactionwithone'shomeandone'smodeoflife.Theaccountstressestheelement
oftemptationusuallyinvolvedinsuchexperiences.
Female, 16, white, highschool junior.Although moving pictures have many good
points, they also have their bad. They have suggested many temptations to me.

Sometimes they have made me want to be a very bad girl, and do things that people
wouldfindhardtoapproveof.TheyhavegivenmetheideaI'dliketoleavehome,andgo
danceinsomecabaret.IimagineI'dlikethelifeinsomenightclub.ButuponreflectionI
have always decided that these things were not the best things to do, so I banished all
thoughtofthemfrommymind.
It can be seen from the statements of experience which have been quoted how some
youngmenandwomenmayformtheirconceptionofmodernlifefromthewayinwhich
(161)itisportrayedinmotionpictureshow,correspondingly,theymayderiveideasof
freedom, of privileges, and of rights from what has been seen how, further, they may
experiencedissatisfaction,temptation,andunsatisfieddesires.Thesemaylead,insome,
toatendencytorebelagainstconfininginfluences,particularlyagainstparentalrestraint.
The entire discussion indicates how motion pictures may generate and give content to
newschemesoflifeandindoingso,changeattitudesandawakendesirestoconformto
theseschemes.

TRAVELANDCOLLEGE
SOMEfurtherunderstandingofthewayinwhichmotionpicturesmaydevelop
conceptions,attitudes,anddesirescanbederivedfromconsideringexperiences
withpicturesshowingadventureinforeignlands,andwiththosedealingwith
collegelife.Picturestreatingsuchthemesareofnoticeableinfluencein
developingdesires,respectively,tovisitotherlandsortogotocollege.Writersof
themotionpictureautobiographiesspeakveryfrequentlyofhavingbeenso
affected.Wemayconfineourselvestothementionofafewtypicalcases.
AcollegegirlwhoseearlylifewasspentinasmallArkansastowndeclares:
Female,16,white,collegesophomore.Lifeinasmalltownsuchasminewasnotso
thrillingafterIpassedtheageoftwelve,andoftentimesIwenttotheFridaynightshow
andsatinadaze,picturingmyselfintheplacesIsawonthescreen.Myworldwasvery
small,foruptothistimeIdidnotknowwhatexistedoutsidethesmallcircleIhadbeen
traveling in. When I would see the great open spaces of the desert and the cities with
greatbuildings,myheartwouldyearntobreakawayfromthesurroundingsIhadalways
livedinandtogetoutintotheworldandseewhatitwasallabout.
(162)
Thenextaccount,toselectonewithaverydifferentsetting,comesfromacollegeboy
wholivedduringhischildhoodinoneoftheslumareasofChicago:
Male,20,white,Jewish,college sophomore. I had and still have one ambition that
hasbeendevelopedprimarilybythemotionpictures.Thatisadesiretotravelandseethe
world.Theconditionsunderwhichthetravelingwouldtakeplacewouldbenobarrierto
me.IhadthatdesirewhenIwasyoungandhaveitnow.IhopethatImaysoonbeableto
fulfill this ambition. It is common for the children to develop ambitions to become
policemen or movie stars or the like, but I never did have any ambition like that. The
desirefortravelwassostronginmethatwhenIusedtoquarrelathome,Ialwayswanted
torunawayfromhome.Thetemptationtorunawayfromhomeisduebothtothefactthat
I desired to travel and to the fact that in the movies I saw scenes of how the wealthier

classlives,andwasdissatisfiedwiththelife1wasleading.Itneveroccurredtomethatif
IdidrunawayIwouldleadaworselifethanthatathome.Comingfromsurroundingsof
squalidness, dirt, thievery, missing meals often, and limited space to travel in always
bringsforthinonethesocialisticattitudewhenheseesscenesoftherichandhowthey
squandermoney.Soitwaswithme.Whenabigbeautifulcarwentthroughourstreetswe
threwstonesatit,havinginmindthattherichwerenogood.Theoccasiontoseethelife
ofthewealthywastheonlytimewhenpicturesmademedissatisfiedwiththelifeIwas
leadingorperhapsdissatisfiedwiththelifetherichwereleading.
Finally we may give an excerpt from the document of a highschool girl. This is a
typical example of the kinds of statements that one finds in the motionpicture
autobiographies:
Female, 17, white, highschool junior. I have always wanted to travel extensively
and movies have strengthened that desire. Having seen the warm swept sands of the
Sahara,thecoldbarrenlandsofRussia,andthewhite,snowladenAlpsportrayedinthe
picturesIhaveakeenlongingtovisiteachandallofthem.Iamplanningnowtosave
sufficientfundstogoabroadinabouttenyears.
(163)
Intabulatingthe458highschooldocumentsbeingusedasasamplewefoundin59per
cent of them evidence that motion pictures have helped develop a yearning for travel.
This was denied in 7 per cent of the documents, and not touched on in 34 per cent of
them.
Somewhatofasimilardistributionappearsintheevidenceinthedocumentsbearingon
theitem,"Havethemoviesdevelopedadesiretogotocollege?"Affirmativeindication
ofsuchinfluenceisgivenin51percentofthedocumentsanddeniedin7percent.There
wasnoinformationonthepointin42percentofthedocuments.
Wefollowwithsomeaccountswhichshowtherleofmotionpicturesinengendering
orrenforcingdesirestogotocollege.Theaccounts,incidentally,callattentiontothe
very attractive way in which college life is usually depicted and suggest the kind of
stereotypedpictureofsuchlifethatmotionpictureshelptoform.
Female, 20, white, college sophomore.WhenIwasabouttwelveyearsold,college
pictureshadaparticularfascinationforme.Ihadabeautifulmentalpictureofcollegelife
and an ambition to be allowed some day to attend one. I used to get the biggest thrill
whenIsawpicturesofyoungpeoplehavingsuchglorioustimesatcollege,enteringinto
athletics, being in dramatics, going to "proms," and having midnight escapades. After
theseshowsIusedtogohomeandstudywithrenewedvigorsothatImightgettocollege
allthesooner.Alas,collegeisnotallthatIsawittobeonthescreenorevenimaginedit
tobeinmywildestdreams.Butthatonlyprovesthatmyimaginationandmyemotions
overshadowmysenseofreality.
Female,17,white,highschoolsenior.Likemoststudents,collegepicturesgaveme
alongingforcollegedays.Iknowallcollegelifecan'tpossiblybeasitisportrayed,butit
mustbefunanyhow.IintendtogotocollegeafterIworkafewyears.
Female, 16, white, highschool junior.When I saw "The Campus Flirt" I was
determinedtogotocollegeandtryto

(164)becometheheroineofthecampusactivities.Iwasathleticallyinclined(atleast
peopletoldmeIwas)soIwaspositiveI'dbeagreatsuccess.
Male,18,Negro,highschoolsenior.WhenIsawClaraBowin"TheWildParty"it
gavemeadesiretogotocollegesomuchso,thatIhadtogotoseethepictureagain
because I realized that if the girls get along so nicely and have so much fun, the boys
wouldhavemuchmorefunthanthat.
Female, 16, white, highschool sophomore.College pictures have always made me
ambitious.AfterseeingoneothemIalwaysfeellikeIwouldliketogotocollegeanddo
everything the pictures show. An example of inspiring college pictures is "The
Collegians."
Female,18,Negro,highschoolsenior.IfeelthatI'vewastedagooddealofmytime
inhighschool,butIintendtogotocollegeandmakeupforthatmistakeofgettingoutof
alltheworkIcould.SometimesIgiveuptheideaofgoingtocollege,butwhenIseea
movieofthatgloriouslifethatlittleflamestartstoburningagain.Fortomecollegelife
seemsdivine,notallwork,butsomegoodwholesomeplay.Itwouldbemorethrillingto
attendacollegefootballgamethanahighschoolgame.Trackmeets,socials,andclass
workwouldbeveryenjoyable.
In motion pictures college life is shown very attractively. Such pictures are likely to
awaken yearnings, stir ambitions, and sometimes lead to resolutions. They are likely,
also,toleadyoungmenandwomentobuildup"ideal"imagesofcollegelifewhichare
farfetchedordistorted.Itisperhapsnotimpropertoaddthatagoodpartofthegeneral
public's conception of college life is derived from the way the subject is depicted in
motionpictures.Manycollegestudentsspeakandwriteofthedisillusionmentwhichthey
experience after coming to college or a university. The following is an account of a
conversation,asverbatimaspossible,betweenfourcollegegirlslivinginadormitory.It
(165)willconveysomeideaofthestereotypedpictureofcollegelifewhichmanyderive
fromthemovies.
"HerideaofcollegeisBebeDanielsandRichardDix."
"OneMinutetoPlay?"
"Yes,thatcombinedwithFlamingYouth."
"Well,youknowalotofushavethatinmindwhenwecomeawaytocollege."
"Itdoesn'ttakeuslongtogetridofit,though.Buttheoneswhonevergetherearethe
oneswhoidealizetherahrahstuff.Theyreallybelievecollegeisnothingmorethanabig
houseparty."
"Highschoolkidsarelikethat."
"Yes,andworkinggirls.IworkedinatMacy'sonesummer,andIlearnedalot.When
theydiscoveredIwasacollegegirl,youshouldhaveheardthequestionstheyaskedme.
Theywerepathetic."
"What,forexample?"

"Well,thegirlthatworkedbesidemewasparticularlythrilled.SheaskedmeifIlived
inasororityhouse,andiftherewerealotofgoodlookingmen,anddidwedrinkmuch."
"Iwonderedthesamethingsmyself,whenIwasinhighschool."
"But that wasn't all. This girl wanted to know if we had dirt sessions, and did the
collegestudentspetallthetime.Notawordaboutclassesorstudying,justthesocialside.
She said, `Oh, do you really go to houseparties? And do the men and girls wear their
pajamaswhenthey'retogether?"'
"GoodLord,wheredidshethinkofthat?"
"Movies."
"Shemighthavegottenitfromthese,sizzlingbooksUnforbiddenFruitandsoon."
"No, these girls don't read much. The movies are about their only source of
enlightenment. They dote on college pictures, too. The University campusYouth's
Playground!"
"YouknowIhadafewofthoseideasmyself,somewhattoneddown.AndIlivedina
collegetown."
"Ithinkweallhave,toacertainextent.AfterseeingeverycollegiateshowfromThe
FreshmantoVarsitywe'reallready
(166)tohavejustonebigfrolicthroughthefieldsofhighereducation."
"Yeh,andwefindoutsoonenough."

AMBITIONS
FURTHERinstancesofhowmotionpicturesmayhelptoshapeschemesofconductis
showninthedevelopmentofambitions.Adolescentsmaywitnessmotionpictureswhich
portrayattractivelyagivenlifeandmaydevelopambitions to experience that life or to
emulate some character within it. It would seem from the autobiographies that motion
picturesareofquiteminorsignificanceintheformationofambitionssinceindicationsof
suchaneffectappearinlessthan7percentoftheaccounts.Weshallcontentourselves
with listing a few of the descriptions of this effect as they appear in some of the
documents.
Male,19,white,collegesophomore.ThepicturesthatIenjoymostnow,though,are
thosecenteringaboutthelawcourt.Filmsofthistypeareratherrare,infactIhaveseen
buttwopicturesinthelastfiveyearsthatIcouldplaceinthisclass,andasaconsequence
Ialwayslookforwardtothem.WhenIdoseeone,ithasamoresubstantialandlasting
effectonmethananyotherkindinthatformanydaysafter,whenevermymindisfree,
mythoughtswanderbacktothescenesofthecourtroom.Ipicturemyselfintheposition
ofthepresidingjudge,asourceofjustice,thenintherleoftheprosecutingattorney,
freeingsocietyfromthescourgeofgunplayandviolence,andfinallyasthecounselfor
the defense, successfully maintaining my client's innocence. The effect of all this is to
cause me to wish that I was through with school and out in the world covering myself
withglorybyvirtueofsuperattainmentsinthefieldoflaw.Again,thesepicturesseemto

occur at a time when I am rather depressed, and they serve in the added capacity of
refiringmyambitionandgivingitanentirelynewbirth.This,Ibelieve,hasbeenthemost
lastingbeneficialeffectthatIhavederivedfrommotionpictures.
Female,19,white,Jewish,collegesophomore.Thepicture"Humoresque"
(167)hasalsoinfluencedme.Ialwayswantedtobeamusicianandthatpicturemade
my desire stronger. I seemed to "feel" music since that picture, and I still see the actor
holdinghisviolinandmakingfacialexpressionswitheveryfeelingofthetone.Imight
addthattothisdayIstudymusicandhaveaspirationsofbecomingaconcertmusicianin
thenearfuture.
Male,21,white,collegesophomore.Ifirmlybelievethatmygoingtocollegewas
theresulto`theinfluenceofmotionpictures.UponmygraduationfromhighschoolIhad
nothoughtofgoingtocollege,becausemycommercialcoursehadnotprovidedmewith
allthesubjectsnecessarytofulfilltheentrancerequirements.Iwasshorttwoentireyears
ofmathematics.ThatIhadgivenupallhopeofeverreceivingauniversityeducationis
shown,bythefactthatIhadenrolledforacourseatabusinesscollege.OneeveningI
attended the theater alone. A college picture was being shown, which was different,
however, from most pictures of this type in that it (lid not stress football and the
inevitablecampusromanceunduly.Instead,itwasareallyworthwhilestoryofayoung
man'sstruggletogetacollegeeducationandhisfinalsuccess.Thepictureshowedboth
thevalueofacollegecourseandthepleasurederivedfromthesociallife.
IdidnothavetoponderoverthispictureafterIhadseenit.Instead,theanswertomy
problem came very suddenly while I was watching the screen. One thought flashed
throughmybrain:"I'vejustgottogotocollege."ThenIrealizedthatIhadwishedtodo
so all the time, but that the thought of the work I lacked had held me back. Upon my
arrivinghomeIannouncedmynewdecision(tothesurpriseofeveryone!)andwithina
fewdayshadplannedmyfuturecourseofaction!
Male,20,white,collegesophomore.IfithadnotbeenforacollegepicturethatIsaw
inmysenioryearinhighschool,Imightneverhavegonetocollege.Itwasinthespring
ofmysenioryear,andgraduationtimewasnearing.Myfriendsandteachersaskedme
whether I was planning to go on to college. I told them that I would like to, but that I
didn'tseemyway
(168)clear.Aboutthistimeacollegepicturewasintown,andIwentwithafriendof
minetoseeit.Icannotrememberthenameofthepicturenoroftheactorwhoplayedthe
partofthecollegeboy,butIrememberthestoryperfectly.
Ayoungmanwasgettingreadytogotocollege.Itwasduringthesummertimewhen
thestorystartedandtheyoungmanwasemployedinamachineshopinhistown.Itwas
hardworkandhehadlonghoursbuthestuckitout,andmadeconsiderablemoney.At
theendofSeptemberhebidhisfolksgoodbyandwasoff.Assoonashehadregistered
inschoolandhadgottensettled,helookedaroundforjobs.Itwasnotlongbeforehehad
ajobinacafeteriawipingdishes,forwhichworkhereceivedhismeals.Thenhefounda
jobforhisroom.HetookcareofaDoctor'sresidence,rakingleaves,washingporches,
tendingfurnace,etc.Hereceivedhisroominexchangefor this work. Then after a few
weeksofthis,hegotajobonSaturdayinagrocerystoreandwiththismoneyhebought
hisincidentals.Hegotalongfineinschoolalso,mainlybecausehestudiednightswhen

theotherfellowswentoutforagoodtime.
Ithoughtaboutthispicturefor a long time. It had come just at the time when I was
contemplatinggoingtocollegemyselfanditwasaremarkablehelp.Idaydreamedabout
goingthroughcollegelikethisfellowhaddone.Isawmyselfwipingdishes,carryingout
ashesandeverythingelse,andgettinganeducationatthesametime.
I graduated from high school that June and was employed a week later in a door
factory. I worked for 35e. an hour, but it was the only work to be had in the town. I
workedallsummerinthatfactoryandbyfallIhadenoughmeanstogotoschool.WhenI
arrived,IimmediatelyinquiredaboutworkattheUniversity,andIreceivedajobinHall
servingmeals.InthiswayIearnedmyboard.AboutthreeweekslaterIhadanotherjob
checkingmen'sclothingandwiththismoneyIpaidmyroomrent.ThenonSaturdaysI
pickedupoddjobs,andwiththismoneyIpurchasedmyincidentals.
Male,20,white,collegesophomore.OneambitionwhichIgotfromthemovieshas
becomeapartofmydailylife.Insomecircuspicture(Iforgetthetitle)afewyearsago,I
sawJoe
(169)Bonomoperformsomewonderfulfeatsofstrength.AtthetimeIwasaphysical
weakling,sufferingfromlungtroublewhichitseemedcouldneverbecured.Thepicture
fired my ambition to become a strong man. I do not intend to say that the movie was
responsibleforthatdesire,forIhadalwayswantedtobestrong.Butthatpicturewasthe
event which made me decide to do something to realize my ambition. I tried weight
liftingasBonomodidonthescreen,startingwithlightweightsandadjustingthemasI
grew stronger. This exercise put me on the road to recovery, cured my lung troubles,
added about forty pounds of muscle to my frame, and put me in perfect health and
physicalcondition.Isuppose that even if I had not seen that movie, I would some day
havestartedonanexerciseprogram,butIhavethemoviestothankfordecidingtoget
busywhenIdid.
Female,16,white,Jewish,highschooljunior.IalwayswantedtobeadancerandI
believe the movies influenced this idea very much. Such a picture as "The Broadway
Melody" helps to tempt one to be a dancer because it showed how a poor girl could
becomefamousasa(lancerifsheworkedhardenough.Thefameandbeautifulclothes
andluxuriesalwaysappealedtome.IalwaysthoughtthatafterIwasafamousdancerI
couldtravelandseetheworldasmanypicturesshowhow,afteroneisfamousandhas
plentyofmoneytheycouldtravelaroundtheworld.
Female, 16, white, highschool junior.I can remember very distinctly that when I
was thirteen years old I saw a moving picture in which the heroine was a very young,
prettygirl.Inschoolshehadtakenabusinesscourseandafterworkinghardshehadbeen
promotedtothepositionofprivatesecretary.TothisverydayIwouldliketobeaprivate
secretary. I used to sit and dream about what my life would be like after I had that
position.ForquitesometimeafterIhadseenanotherpictureinwhichthegirlwasavery
talenteddancer,mygreatestambitionwastobeadancer.ThenatothertimesI'vewanted
tobeamotionpicturestar,butthatambitiondidn'tlastquiteaslongastheothertwodid.
(170)Female,17,Negro,highschoolsenior.Asaresultofmyfrequenttripstothe
moviesIhavehadoneambition.Thatambitionhasremainedthroughoutthetwoyearsup
tothepresent.Iwanttobeawealthysocietylady!SooftenIsitandthinkofthe

manythingswhichIwoulddoifIwereinthepositionoftheladiesIseeonthescreen.
Picturesshowingagreatdealoftravelonthepartoftheheroinealwaysarousethatold
longing.HowIwouldlovetoseeParis,Spain,aristocraticEngland,andthetropics.
Weareomittingfromthisbrieftreatmentdiscussionoftheambitionsarousedinyoung
children by motion pictures, and of the desires to become movie stars in the case of
adolescents.Inbothinstancesonecandetectmarkedlytheplayofmotionpictures.The
desiresandhopesofbecomingcowboys,aviators,detectives,andmotionpicturestarsare
bynomeansinfrequent.However,sincetheseambitionsarealmostalwaysoutlivedand
donotseemtoentersignificantlyintoactuallifecareers,wehaveconsciouslyrefrained
fromdealingwiththem.

INSPIRATIONANDTHEDESIRETOBEGOOD
OTHERevidenceoftheinfluenceofmotionpicturesinoutliningviewsoftheworldor
indevelopingschemesofconductisofferedinexperiencesofemotionalinspirationand
inthemingleddesiresandintentions"tobegood"whichpeoplemaysometimesformasa
resultofseeingmotionpictures.Suchexperiences,astheyappearintheaccountsofhigh
school and college students, usually arise in response to motion pictures which play up
themesoffamilyaffectionorreligiousduty.Beforeconsideringinstancesofthissort,let
uspaybriefattentiontothemorecasualwaysinwhichinspirationmaybearousedand
moralconceptionsrenforced.
Theseeffectsmaybeattainedonoccasionbytheuseofmotionpictureswhichhavea
"propagandistic"character.
(171)
ThefollowingaccountwrittenbyacollegegirloftheCatholicreligiondescribingher
experiencesasastudentinaparochialschoolwillillustratethepoint:
Female,20,white,collegesophomore.Iwasastudentataparochialschoolandthe
churchgaveamovie one afternoon. What an impression that picture left on me! It has
onlybeenwithinthelastfewyearsthatIhavebeenabletocastitentirelyoff.Thepicture
was to emphasize the seal of the confessional. It opened with a murderer making a
confessiontoapriestandwhileconfessinghemanagedtogetsomeofthebloodofhis
victimonthehandsofthepriest.Afterthemanhasgone,thepriestcallsthepoliceand
theyaccusehimofthecrimeandhisknifeisfoundalongsideofthebodyofthevictim
stained with blood. Because he will not break the seal of the confessional the priest is
doomed to the electric chair. Before the electrocution the murderer confesses on his
deathbedandthusthepriestissaved.Irealizenowthatthiswastoimpressthesealofthe
confessionalonouryoungminds.ForsometimeafterthisIheldtheecclesiasticsinawe.
Whatawonderfulandyetinsomerespecthowterriblealifetheymustlead.Iresolved
that I would do anything possible to make life happier and easier for them. I did try
helpingthenunsafterthis,butafterashorttimethenoveltyofitworeoffandIdrifted
backintomyoldways.
Anotherexperienceofasomewhatsimilarcharacterappearsinthefollowingaccount:
Male,20,white,collegesophomore.TheonlyoutstandingcaseofthisperiodthatI
candefinitelyrecallwhichplayedanimportantpartinmymorallifeofthefuture,was
theattendingofashowcalled,"SowingWildOats."Iwasbutsixteenyearsofage,but

the impression this show left upon me still lingers in my memory. I was not taught
anythingdealingwithsexmatterspriortothisandtoseetheconditionof those people
whodidnotlivemorallycleanlivesfilledmewithfear.Adoctoraboutfortyyearsofage,
aresidentofthecity,havingagoodreputation,madeaspeechafterthepicturepleading
forcleanlivingandacting,especiallywhenincontactwiththeoppositesex.I
(172)believethisinfluencedmyfuturelifeinregardtolivingamorallycleanlifeas
muchasmyearlyLutheranparochialschooltraining.
In addition to such pictures which are probably consciously designed to implant
definitekindsofattitudes,morecasualpicturesmaycallforthincidentalresponsesofthis
nature in certain moviegoers. Some understanding of how this or that picture may
fortuitously stir the desires of individuals and awaken within them resolutions towards
goodconductcanbeinferredfromthefollowingaccounts:
Male,20,white,collegejunior.ThencameafilmofAbrahamLincoln'slife.Hehas
alwaysbeenmyhero.IhaveneverbeensoarousedasIwasattheportrayalofthedeath
of Anne Rutledge. I cried. For a whole week I was a Galahad. I could not entertain a
mean thought (nor a happy one) and I purchased Herndon and Week's twovolume
biographyofLincolnandreadandrereadit.
Female, 19, white, college sophomore.I remember a certain picture of a little boy
runningawayandwhogotintoagooddealoftrouble.EversincethatpictureIheldmy
tongueeverytimeIfeltlikesaying,"I'mgoingtorunaway."Apicturelikethatshouldbe
shown to every child because in his life every child gets the idea that he "wants to run
awayfromhome."
Female, 19, white, college sophomore.When I was about fifteen years old, Mary
Pickfordandhercurlsin little girl parts attracted me. I saw "Pollyanna," and cried and
respondedtoher emotions as though it were myself. I can remember vowing to myself
that I would be real good, too, and make everyone like me for my politeness and self
effacement. I lived with her through her trials and tribulations in orphanages and in
poverty,andI'dbesodelightedatahappyendingforher.Iwassoimpressedbecauseshe
playedthepartsofgirlsasoldasIwas,andIcouldappreciatetheirfeelings.
Female,20,white,collegejunior.Theloveinterestalsowasextremelyinterestingto
me. To what adolescent isn't it? Didn't Elsie Ferguson play in a little skit once called
"Forever"inwhichsheandherloverwereseparatedforaperiodofsome
(173) fifty years by dreary prison walls, only to be reunited by death? I remember
thinking that such a sad love would be the sublimest type of trial a woman could bear.
Oh, yes! I believed in trials for the human race, on the grounds they were character
building. For weeks I went around with an Elsie Ferguson expression of sweet self
sacrificespreadallovermycountenance.Alittlepremature,butneverthelessrealtome.
Female,20,white,collegesophomore.One evening mother, dad, and I went to see
"Humoresque."Idon'trecallwhotheplayerswere,butIthinkthatVeraGordonplayed
thepartofthemother.Isatthroughtheentirepicturewithoutevenstirringonce,andmy
interest was so intrigued that I was utterly immune to everyone and everything around
me. For the rest of the evening I thought I heard violins playing, and that beautiful
melodykeptrunningthroughmymind.Iwasgoingtomakemotheranddadashappyas

theboyinthepicturehadmadehisfolks.ThatnightIwenttobedwithadeterminedfact
in my mind. The following morning I arose, at least an hour earlier than I usually did,
dressedinahurryandwithoutanybreakfastIstartedtopractice.Iwasgoingtoproveto
myinstructorthatIhadtalentandthatifIwantedtoIcouldbecomeagreatviolinistand
play "Humoresque" as well as did the boy in the movies. Unfortunately, my sincere
motives were not recognized, for instead of being commended, I was reprimanded for
makingsomuchnoiseatsuchanearlyhour.
These accounts deal with experiences of emotional inspiration which are somewhat
casualandfleeting.Theyare,perhaps,oflittlesignificanceexceptinsofarastheyhintat
the ability of motion pictures to cultivate some good intention or aspiration of the
spectatorandtoincreaseitsvigor,eventhoughtemporarily.

FAMILYAFFECTIONANDLOYALTY
AMOREdistinctappreciationoftherleofmotionpicturesinfortifyingmoralideals
and in inducing individuals "to be good" should be conveyed by the series of accounts
presentedbelow.Theexperiencesdescribedhavebeen
(174)evokedbysentimentalpicturescenteringaroundthethemeoffamilyaffection.
Male,16,Jewish,highschooljunior.ItisveryrareformetocryoversomethingI
haveseeninamovie.Ithasalwaystakensomethingveryseveretostartmecrying.The
firstmoviethatIcriedoverwasoneIsawattheageoftwelveandwasentitled"EliEli."
ThismoviewasaverygoodideaaboutJewishhomelife.Ihavemyownambitionswhich
Iwilltrytofulfilformyownsakeandmostforthesakeofmymother,mybestpalin
life. I didn't realy feel the love of a mother until I saw "Eli Eli" and now I know that
nothingistoogoodforher.
Female, 16, white, highschooljunior.I remember once I had had trouble with my
mother. I said that everything that was done in the house I had to do. I was very
downheartedandthoughthowcrueltheyweretome.ThatnightIwenttothemovies.I
donotrememberthenameofthepicturebutithitthenailonthehead.Itconcernedagirl
whodidnotgetalongwithherfamilyandonewhodid.Theonegirlwassogood that
everyonelovedherandherlifewasveryhappy.Theothergirlwasnothappyandpeople
didnotlikeherbecauseshewasnotsweet,good,andkindtoher mother like the other
girl.ThismademethinkthatIwasjustlikethegirlwhowasnotgood.Ialwayswanted
tobelikedbyeveryoneandtobehappysoIwenthomethatnightwiththeintentionof
beingasgoodaspossibletomymotherandoftryingtomakefamilylifeashappyand
pleasantaspossiblebothformyselfandmotherandfather.Ithasbeenagoodmanyyears
since I saw this picture and I am still trying to be that kind of a girl. I have succeeded
some,butnotenoughyet.
Male, 19, white, Jewish, college sophomore.Movies do change my moods. They
affectmybehaviorincertainchannelsforaboutaweekafterIhaveseenthemovie.The
bestexampleorinstanceofhowamoviehasaffectedmeisthefollowing:Ioncesawa
movietreatingthethemeofhowamotherraisedherchildreninpoverty,butworkedhard
tokeepthemontherightpath.Afterthechildrengrewuptheylefthome,becametramps,
andthemotherbecameadependentofthestate.Forsometime
(175)afterthispictureIwasashelpfularoundthehouseinsavingmymotherwork

andindoingalotofthingsthatwereneveraskedofme.Beforegoingtobed,I'drepeat
my goal to myself that "I'm going to make good." This feeling comes over me after
sentimentalpicturesonly.Idonotbelievethatanyothertypeofpictureshasaffectedme
inthismanner,exceptingthesentimentaltype.
Female,19,white,Hungarianparentage,collegesophomore.Ithinkofonepicture
whichreallymadealastingimpressiononme.This,ofcourse,was"OvertheHill,"with
Mary Carr. I saw it with my mother, and during the picture I cried profusely and
promisedmotherthatMrs.Carr'sfatewouldneverbeherownaslongasIwasaliveand
abletodomyshare.Idon'tbelievetheeffectofthatpicturewilleverwearoff.
Female,19,white,collegejunior.Ialsolikedtoseegirlsmyownageactinginthe
pictures. If any misfortunes happened to them like their mother dying or if they were
takingthepartofselfishgirls,IwouldstartthinkingifIwaslikethat.Iwouldappreciate
mymothermorethanIhadeverbeforeandIwouldsaythatIwouldneverdisobeyher
again.Iwouldtrytobesweetandpleasantathomesothesetypesofpictureshadavery
goodeffectonme.
Thepicture"BeauGeste,"whichdwellsuponthethemeofbrotherlyaffection,hadan
influenceonmanysimilartothatof"OvertheHill."Theaccountssuggesthowapicture
ofthissortmayawakengoodintentionsandreenforceresolutions.Instancesofboysand
girlshavingchangedtheirfraternalattitudesasaresultofseeingcertainmotionpictures
arepresentedinthefollowingstatements:
Female, 17, Negro, highschool senior.Last year I went to see the picture called
"BeauGeste,"andthelovethebrothershadforoneanotherwasremarkable.Theirlove
wasdifferentfromtheloveofbrothersandsistersIhaveseen.ThelovethatIsawwas
distinct the love for one another in the picture was great. From that night on I made a
promisetohavethesamekindofloveformysisters.Iamstilltryingtokeepmypromise
andhopetocontinue.
(176)
Female,18,white,collegefreshman."BeauGeste"ontheotherhandotherhanddid
wondersforneeinregardstomybrother.BrotherandIalwayslovedeachotherastouch
asanysister:111dbrothereverdid.incidentally,thereisayearandahalfdifferencein
our ages, his being 192, mine being 18. After seeing "Beau Geste," though, our love
turned into something more beautiful. One seemed more willing to sacrifice something
fortheother.IfIaskedmybrothertodomeafavoritseemedthathediditwithmuch
morewillingness.Possiblythiswasimaginationonmypart,butIknowthatIforonewas
changedandcould"gothroughanything"formybrother.
Female,17,white,highschoolsenior.Wordscannotdescribe"StellaDallas."Asfar
asrealismisconcernedthatpicturehad"IT"incapitalletters.BelleBennettasthegay,
frivolous,butlovingandgoodmotherwillalwaysberememberedbyme."StellaDallas"
taught me several things, but the one I can never forget I cannot really put into words.
Thislesson,thoughIguessitismoreofaprayer,isthatbyGod'sgraceandbenevolence
mymotherwillneverhavetosufferthosepainswhich Belle Bennett suffered, that she
may never need to wear that wretched, that remorseful, that uneasy and hunted and
pleadinglookthatBelleBennettwore,andlast,thatshemayneverseethedaywhena
sonoradaughterofhersisunabletocometoheratthetimesheneedsthemmost."Beau
Geste,"thatbeautifulstoryofbrotherlylove,reallydidinfluencemyhomeenvironment.

Ibecamemoreconsiderateofthefeelingsofmyolderbrother,Itreatedhimwithmore
respect, I lost my love for pestering him and for wanting to go where he goes, and
consequently although he never saw the picture he changed in his ways toward me, so
thatnow,aboutfouryearssincetheshowingofthatpicture,mybrotherandIaretheideal
brotherand"kidsister."

RELIGIOUSINFLUENCE
MOTION pictures centering around religious themes are the other kind which seem
effective in supporting schemes of moral conduct, and inducing intentions and vows to
followsuchschemes.Letusturnourconsiderationtosomeaccountswhichshowthissort
ofinfluence.
(177)
Female,20,white,collegejunior"KingofKings''fromthebeginningto"Lo,Iam
with you always'' was an inspiration. Its portrayal of Christ's passion was splendid and
broughtevery pearl ill I he :audience into sympathy and perhaps deeper understanding
withthegreatestfigureinworldhistory.Iwent,inthemoodofonedesirousfor peace
andIreceivedit.ThewordsoftheMaster,thesightofHimandHisdisciplesinworkand
insolitudeliftedoneoutofthisworldintoadifferentrealm.Itmademedreamofatime
anddaywhenstrifeshallbenomoreandmenshalllivetogetherasbrothers.Irejoiced
thatallofmyidealismhasnotyetbeendestroyed.Myfaithbringshopeeternal.
Male,20,white,Jewish,collegeJunior.Probablynoothersinglefactorinfluenced
thespiritualsideofmylifeasdidthepicture"TheTenCommandments."IamJewishbut
nooneinourfamilyisorthodoxandwedonotmakemuchofreligioninourhome.Ican
rememberhowIhatedtogotoSundaySchool"What'stheuse?"Ialwaysasked.WhenI
wassixteenyearsold,Isawthepicturementionedabove,andfromthattimeonIhave
never doubted the value of religion. The many, many hardships which my people went
throughforthesakeofpreservingourracewereportrayedsovividlyandsorealistically
thatthefeelingofreverenceandrespectformyreligionwasinstilledinme.
Male, 20, white, college sophomore.Two or three pictures have been a great
influenceinstrengtheningmyideals.Ofthese,"BenHur's"influenceswerethegreatest.I
saw the picture three times, and I'll probably see it the next time I get an opportunity.
Thatpicturemademewanttoliveanunselfish,selfsacrificinglife.EachtimeasIleft
the theater I was intensely desirous of showing my new attitude by performing some
noble, gracious deed. I dreamed of saving a life at great risk to my own, of dying a
martyr'sdeath,orofsacrificingmydearestpossessionforsomeoneelse.Theseambitions
usuallylastfortwoorthreeweeks,andduringthattimeIwasamodelyouth.Everybody
noticedthechangeinme.ButafterseveralweeksI'dgraduallylapsebackintothenormal
again."TheKingofKings"alsogavemehighaspirations.Itmade
(178)mewanttobeagreatreligiousleader,andIdreamedforquiteawhileofplaying
therle.Motheralwayswantedmetobeapreacher,andthesetwopicturesverynearly
decidedme.Infact,Iam,atpresent,ratherwaveringbetweenlawandtheministry,anda
fewpictureslikethosewouldprobablymakemedecidetobecomeaminister.NotthatI
wouldallowjustanypicturetososummarilychangemywholefuture,butIamsotorn
between the two ambitions that a little influence thrown to one side of the scale would
turn the balance in favor of that occupation. The noble aspirations aroused by these

picturesarestillpresent,thoughinalessintenseform,andIstillfeelthedesiretoleadan
unselfishlife.
My home ties have been strengthened by such pictures as "Sorrel and Son," which
taughtmetoappreciatemyfather.Thereisahostofpictureswhichshowamother'slove,
manyothersshowhowstrongarethetiesofblood,andallthesehavemademyhometies
more binding. Still other pictures have shown me the true value of friendship, and
enabled me to appreciate more fully the friendship of a pal who is very dear to me.
Friendshipsdon'tflourishunlessthefriendsarewillingtosacrificeforeach other. That
themewasshowninsomepictureIsawseveralyearsago,andithashelpedmetokeep
myfriendshipwiththispalofmine.
Female, 17, Negro, highschool junior.After I saw "Over the Hill" I made up my
mindtoalwaysrespectmyparentsandtrytodoallIcanforthem.Itwasasadpicture,
butIthinkitwasagreatonetoteachchildrentoobeyandrespecttheirparents.The"Ten
Commandments" was another great picture. The man in the play broke all the
commandmentsandtomakethingsworsekilledhismotheralthoughhedidn'tknowit.It
mademewanttotrytokeepthecommandmentsasbestIcouldandtothink about the
nextworld.Ithinkthemoviesarewonderfulforifyouwouldonlytrytodothethings
someofthemtrytoteach,Ithinkyouwouldnevergowrong.
Female,16,white,highschooljunior.Picturessuchas"BenHur"and"TheKingof
Kings"awakenthehigheremotionsinme.Theyjustthrillme.WhenIseesuchpicturesI

(179)can't help wondering why everyone can't be good. I think those picturesare
wonderfulandthereshouldbemoreofthem.
Female, 19, Negro, college sophomore." The Ten Commandments" was a very
impressivepictureandIspentmuchtimeworryingforfearthatImightbreaksomeofthe
commandmentsinmyfuturelifeandbringaworldofsufferinguponmyself.Inorderto
preventsuchadisasterItriedmybestnottomisbehave.
The reader who has read our discussion of Emotional Possession will of course
recognizeintheaccountswhichhavebeengivensomeofthecharacteristicsdiscussedin
thatchapter.Thefeelingsofinspirationandtheaccompanyingvows"tobegood"may,
andperhapsusuallyare,shortlived,althoughthisremarkshouldnotcauseonetoforget
that in certain cases the individual may maintain a lasting resolution. Usually, as the
memory of the picture is lost the accompanying intentions disappear unless they are
thoroughlyassimilatedintoalifeorganizationwhichisingeneralpossibleifrenforced
by other influences. In most cases, however, the experience is like that given in the
followingstatement
Female, 16, white, highschool junior.Movies have in some respects affected my
resolutions,althoughtheywereseldomcarriedout,ashadbeenthecasewiththerestof
myresolutions.
AfterseeingJanetGaynorin"SeventhHeaven"and"StreetAngel"Iresolvedtobeas
kind and sweet to everyone as she was. But before long the picture died from my
thoughtsalsomyresolution.

DIFFERENCEININTERPRETATION
INordertofilloutproperlythissketchofhowmoviesoutlineschemesofconduct,itis
necessary to call attention to the different interpretations which people may place upon
whatisseen.Thereisawidevarietyinwhatpeople
( 180) may select out of a picture. Its influence, consequently, is dependent not solely
uponitscontentbutalsouponthesensitivityanddispositionoftheobserver. A picture
which to one may be quite devoid of stimulation may be highly exciting to another. A
picturewhichsomemayregardashighlymoralmaybeconstruedinanoppositelightby
others.
Thedifferencesarenotmerelymattersofageandsex,butofculturalbackgroundand
personalcharacter.Moreoveritisoftenfoundthatwhileapictureasawholemayhavea
certaindominantatmosphere,specificscenesandepisodesmaystandoutunexpectedlyin
the experience of an individual because of specific reference they may have to his
personal career. Consequently, in order to assess the significance of motion pictures in
providingschemesofconduct,itisnecessarytoconsidertheothervariablethelineof
interestoftheobserver.
Sometimes the meanings which moviegoers may get from the same picture are
diametricallyopposite.Afewcasesofsuchdifferenceininterpretationseeminorderto
illustratethepoint.
We may choose as our first example "The Birth of a Nation." To many, perhaps to
most, of the observers, this picture awakened some feelings of antipathy or hostility
towards Negroes. One perhaps may recall the opposition of many groups to it on the
scorethatittendedtofanracialhatred.Thefollowingaccountfrom the motionpicture
autobiographyofacollegegirlrepresentssomewhatthissortofreaction:
Female, 22, white, college senior.The pictures of the South that were in my mind
were those given by Harriet B. Stowe. D. W. Griffith's production, "The Birth of a
Nation,"mademeseetheNegrooftheSouthashewasandnotastheNorthernershave
alwaysportrayedhim.IbelievethatmanypeoplewereinfluencedasIwastorealizewhat
theNegroesthoughtfreedom
(181) meant. It is only when a Negro demands the marriage of the abolitionist's
daughter,whoiswhite,thathe,thefather,canrealizewhatallhis agitation has meant.
This picture did not make me an advocate of slavery as it existed but it made me see
thingsfromaSoutherner'spointofview.
Wemayfollowthisaccountwiththeremarksofanothercollegegirlwithreferenceto
thesamepictureshowingamarkedlydifferentresponse:
Female,20,white,Jewish,collegesophomore.In"TheBirthofaNation"Ifeltmy
first feeling of rebellion over a racial question. I remember coming home and crying
becausethepoorcoloredpeopleweresomistreated.Iexpressedmyviewofthe"terrible"
white people saying, "How would they feel if they were colored?" For weeks I looked
withsympathyateverycoloredpersonandgotelevencentstogetherwithin two weeks
andgaveittoalittleNegroboy.

Letusillustratethepointfurther.byconsideringthereactionstoanotherpicture,"The
King of Kings." The reader will recall from our earlier discussion the influence of this
picture in inducing emotional inspiration and a resolution to conform to certain moral
standardsofconduct.Anotherinstanceofthissortisgiveninthebriefremarksofahigh
schoolgirlwhowrites:
Female, 16, white, highschooljunior.The religious picture "King of Kings" made
mefeelthatIwaswickedanditawakenedinmearesolutiontotrytoamend.
AJewishhighschoolgirl,however,hasthistosayaboutthepicture:
Female, 17, white, Jewish, highschool junior.I believe that pictures such as "The
PassionPlay,""KingofKings,"andsoon,shouldnotbepermittedonthescreen,asthere
are many weakminded people who bring up subjects that should have been forgotten
centuriesago,suchasthesubjectoftheJewishpeoplekillingJesusChrist,whichisnota
fact.
(182)
Ithappensthatthewritersofthelasttwoaccountswerestudentsinthesameclassin
thesamehighschool.Letusfollowwiththeverbatimconversationtakenfromagroupof
universitygirlsshowingastilldifferentinterpretation:
"That'swhatIsaid,thatIwentforrelaxation.Noworry,nothinking.Youjustsitback
andlistentothemusicandknowforsurethateverythingwillturnoutallright.Isuppose
yougotobeeducated?"
"Well,Ilikealittlethought.They'reallsosuperficial.Nomoraloranything.
"WhatabouttheTenCommandments?andTheKingofKings?ThereyouhaveH.B.
Warner dressed up like Jesus and running all over the place. Couldn't find more
moralizingintheBible."
"Thosewereexceptions."
"I'llsaytheywere,thankGod! They came the closest to making me an atheist since
TheGoldenBough.[1]I'llbetGodgotabigkickoutofthem."
Suchinstancesashavebeengivenarenotatallrare.Theyshowthatthewayinwhich
anindividualrespondstoamotionpicturedependsconsiderableonhisownattitude.Let
usgiveotherinstancesshowingthispoint.Thefollowingaccountisfromahighschool
boyagedsixteenfromahighlyreligiousbackgroundandwiththeambitionto"servethe
Lord in some foreign land as missionary." He is expressing his attitude towards love
picturesinawaythatmakesitmarkedlydifferentfromthepointsofviewofmanyother
boysofsixteen.
Male, 16, white, highschool junior.When I was about 13 years old I gradually
ceased going to movies and therefore I have gathered nothing from the modern love
scenes.OnecannothelpseeingthemanyadsandsignsandbillboardsandIhavegathered
thatthemoviesnowshownarecomposedofnothingelsebutlove.Manyoftheseshows,
tomywayofthinking,are

(183) not fit to be shown. For the most part, I think, they are composed of a lot of
mushy love scenes. How anyone can go to a movie and sit there for several hours and
enjoyhimselfwatchingalotofotherpeoplemakeloveismorethanIcansee.Thesigns
advertisingthesevariouspicturesaredisgustingenoughinthemselves.
Someincidentintheexperienceofanindividualmaycausehimtoconstruepictures
fromaratherunusualpointofviewandconsequentlytoreactinawaywhichwouldnot
be ordinarily expected. Response of this sort is evident in the following experience
writtenbyacollegegirlinhertwenties
Female, 23, white, college senior.But fate had something else in store for me. A
broken engagement upset the whole world. Tragic pictures for the next few months
helpedmetoweepitoff.Youthdoesn'tcrylongoverspiltmilk,andthenwhatakickI
gotfrompictureswheresomevampledsomefoolmanonandgotthebestofhim.Even
incaseswhereawifeandfamilysufferedIenjoyedit.BythetimeItiredofthistypeof
pictureIhadforgottenthestingofthewholeaffair.InthiscaseIthinkthepicturesmade
me remember long, but they furnished a different light by which to look upon my
troubles.TomypeopleandfriendsIneverintimatedhowbadlyIfelt,andthosepictures
tooktheplaceofaconfidant.AfterseeingthepictureIfeltbetter.ItwasjustasthoughI
hadtoldthemthewholeaffair,andtheyhadmappedoutanexplicitbitofadvice.Iwasn't
alonesomebodyelsehadhadsimilarexperiencesandwewerestrangelyakin.[2]
Very frequently one can detect a distinct difference in the interpretation of the same
kindofpictureonthepartofeldersandadolescents.Apicturewhichonthepartofone
mayberegardedaschieflysalaciousmaycarryadistinctmoraltoothers.Aninteresting
examplewas"Our
(184)DancingDaughters,"featuringJoanCrawford.Manyadultsinconversationwith
the author impressed upon him their judgment that this picture was harmful and would
likely lead to immoral attitudes and thoughts in highschool boys and girls. These
informants included a number of highschool teachers, an editor of an educational
magazine,andtwocollegeprofessors.Intheexperienceofanumberofhighschoolboys
andgirls,however,thepicturetendedtoemphasizeothervalues.
Someofthesedescriptionsareofexperienceswhichareilluminating
Female,14,white,highschoolsophomore.Ishouldsaythatmoviesaretakenattheir
valueaccordingtothemodernstandard.Forinstance,"DancingDaughters"wasmodern
ascouldbeandeverybody(Imeanthestudents)likedit.Itportrayedpettingandtheevil
consequences of drink and of taking people at face value. In other words, it was an
educationalpicture,ifonecouldtaketheexampletoheart,clothedinmodernism.
Female,17,white,highschoolsenior.The last show that I am going to mention is
the show that so accurately pictured the viewpoints of the younger generation "Our
Dancing Daughters," starring Joan Crawford. In Joan Crawford the true spirit of the
youngergenerationwasshown.Nomatterwhathappenedsheplayedfair.Sheevenlost
her man, and in the eyes of the older generation they think that when a modern young
misswantshermanbackshe'devenbeacutthroat,butJoanCrawfordshowedthateven
in the crisis like that she was sport enough to play fair! And "Play Fair" is really the
motto of the better class of young Americans, and even in the best products there is
always a blemish so why must the younger generation be so shamefully thought of. I
hopemanyofthesewomenwhoarescandalizedattheactionsofthemodernmisssaw

that showand, if they did not change their beliefs after seeing it, well, then, it does not
meanthatthemoviewasafailure,butthattheyarethefailures,nottorecognizeatruth
soobvious.
(185)
Female,20,white,collegesophomore.Iamveryemotionalbynatureandperhapsno
pictures have played on them quite so much as some of these modern pictures which
portray, with exaggeration, the modern generation. I remember seeing "Dancing
Daughters"and"DancingMothers"notsolongago,bothofwhichinfluencedmeagreat
deal.Thesepicturesemphasizedtheharmthatcanresultwhendaughtersdonotconfide
intheirmothers.Now,motherandIhadneverbeeneachother'sconfidantesIcouldn't
seemtoconfideinherasothergirlsdidintheirmothers,althoughIknewthatshelonged
for me to do so, so that we might be pals it just didn't seem to be my nature, but I
realizedthatIwaswrongandthatIwasmakingmotherunhappy.Duringtheperformance
ofeachofthesepicturesIseemedtolivethewholestorymyself,obliviousofallaround
me.AndwhenIsawhowhappyamotherwasmadewhenherdaughterfinallyconfided
inher,andhowsomanymisfortunesresultedfromnotdoingso,Iimmediatelydecidedto
changemytacticsevenifIhadtoforcemyself.EversincemotherandIhavebeenthe
closestpals.
Anotherinstanceofwhatsomemayregardasanunexpectedresponseisgiveninthe
following account of a girl's reaction to the picture "The Wild Party." The reader may
recall from instances previously cited how certain individuals experienced impulses
towards passionate love from this picture. The following account represents a different
angleofinterpretationtheselectionfromthepictureofadifferentfeature.
Female,18,white,highschoolsenior.Cinemashaveindeedstrengthenedmeinmy
ties of friendship. My girl friend and I were raised in the same community. We never
quarreledorfoughtastheotherchildrenofouragedid.Aswegrewolderwebeganto
driftapart.Wewereforcedtoseparatewhenwereachedhighschoolage.Sheleftthecity
andIdidnotkeepupthecorrespondence,althoughshewouldwriteoften.WhenIsaw
"TheWildParty"Ideterminedtowritemoreoftenand"stickbyher"asapal.
(186)

IMPORTANCEOFCONVERSATIONINDEFINING
ONE'SINTERESTS
LET us conclude this phase of our study by calling attention to the rle of
conversationindefiningwhatanindividualwillseeinapicturetheaspectsthat he will
select to pay attention to. An individual's sensitivity and perception are built up very
frequently in response to what his associates think and say. We have already touched
uponthispointintheconsiderationofemotionaldetachment.Hereletusmerelysuggest
thatthedifferentinterpretationswhicharemadeofpicturesareexplicabletosomedegree
intermsoftheinterestsofone'sgroup.Theprocessbymeansofwhichindividualsmay
besensitizedtocertainphasesofmotionpictures,previouslyignored,isbrought out in
thefollowingseriesofaccounts
Male,20,white,collegesophomore.Therewasatime,however,atabouttheageof
sixteen, when I took more of an interest in this sex part of movies. This interest was

developed largely through the comments of other boys who suggested that a certain
actresswasbeautiful,orhadanicefigure,orthatitwouldbefuntokissher,orthatthey
enviedtheactorplayingoppositeher,etc.InthiswayIstartedtotakeaninterestinlove
picturesandkeptmyeyesopenforsuchscenes.
Male, 19, white, Jewish, college sophomore.As far as adopting habits in one's
childhood,Idoubtverymuchifanylastinghabitscanbeacquiredthroughtheseeingof
moviesinone'schildhood.Inmyage,however,iswhenonecanpickupideasanduse
them.IknowafellowfromthehighschoolfromwhichIcame,heisagraduateofthe
reformschool,andanalumnusofthecityjail.Ihaveheardhimsaytimeandtimeagain
"I'mgoingovertomy`Babe's'houseandputontheJohnGilbertact."Otherfellowsin
thecrowd,Iforone,soonwenttoashowtoseewhatismeantbya"JohnGilbertact."
(187)
Female, 15, white, college sophomore.I believe the reasons that brought about my
changeofinterestswerefirst,thefactthatIwentwitholdergirlsandheardthemdiscuss
the different moving pictures. They expressed their ideas of some different pictures
concerninglove.TheyarousedmycuriosityandIwenttoseethesepicturesformyself.I
finallygrewmoreandmoretotheirwayofthinking.
Someideaofhowgirlsmaybecomeinterestedincertainfeaturesoflovepicturescan
besecuredfromthetwofollowingaccountswhichreflectthekindsofconversationwhich
takeplaceamongsomegroupsofgirls
Female,17,Negro,highschoolsenior.MygirlfriendsandIhavesometimessatfor
hourstalkingoflovescenesfromvariouspictures.Itseemswegetabetterthrillafterit's
about two days old. The general trend of these conversations was: "Oh, wasn't he
handsomewhenherescuedthegirlfromthevillain"or"Shewassobeautifulnowonder
hefellinlovewithher,"etc.Thatisthewayourconversationsrunon,andsometimeswe
talk so long and so much, until my mother says, "Girls, isn't there anything of interest
happeningattheschoolnow?"
Female, 14, Negro, highschool freshman.When I am with a group of girls we
alwaystalkaboutlovepictures.Wetellhowweliketoseecertainactorskissandhow
they hold you when kissing. We also talk about how much effect the kiss has on the
actress,whethershecloseshereyesorwhethershefaintsaway,orwhethersherefuses
suchlovemaking.
Thesefewaccountswillsufficetosuggesthowtheconversationofone'sgroup or of
one'scompanionsmaydirectthelineofinterestanddetermineinpartwhatonewillseek
toselectoutoftheconductpresentedinthemovies.

CONCLUSION
THE discussion in this chapter has been given to indicate the ways in which motion
picturesmayaffectconceptionsandattitudes,viewsoflife,andpossibleschemesof
(188)conduct.Evenwithoutevidenceitwouldbeeasytounderstandthatthewitnessing
of movies would leave such effects on certain kinds of people. Reflection on both the
contentofpicturesandthemannerofitspresentationshouldmakethisclear.

For one thing, motion pictures cover an extensive range of topics. Even though the
dominating themes be few (as they are), their setting, the country, the epoch, the
characters,andthebackgroundsoflifevary.Muchmaybeshownwhichisoutsideofthe
previousexperienceofindividualsitisnaturalthattheirconceptionsoftheobjectsand
areasoflifewhichhavebeentreatedshouldbeformedoutoftheimagespresentedinthe
pictures.Thereisnoproblemhere.Onemayappreciatethisinfluenceofmotionpictures
in providing people with images of life previously unknown, particularly in the case of
children.
Theareaofknowledgeandexperienceinchildrenisusuallymorelimitedthaninthe
case of adults, their objects are fewer, and their acquaintance with life more
circumscribed.Thescreenanddepictionsofobjectsinmotionpicturesnotonlyexpand
their world in new directions but also determine how it is seen or viewedinthesenew
areas.Intheearlypartofthechaptersomeattentionwasgiventoevidencereflectingthe
influenceofmotionpicturesonthestructureofimaginationofchildren.Theysecurefrom
themoviesnotonlyimagesofthisorthatobject,ofthisorthatformoflife,butalsoof
plot,ofaction,and,sotospeak,ofthemovementoflife.Tobetrue,theirimagesmaybe
recast or rejected as they gather fresh experience through either motion pictures or
throughothersources.Yetaslongastheyareintroducedbymotionpicturestoobjectsor
forms of life which are new to them, their views will be made up out of the images
presentedinsuchpictures.
( 189) This point can be better appreciated when we realize that the display in motion
pictures is a visual display. Images are supplied, so to speak, readymade.Theyhavea
vividnessandacleancutcharacterwhichmakeseasiertheirabsorptionin"wholecloth"
fashion.Thisitmaybeinferredisparticularlytrueinthecaseofthosewhoarevisually
minded.
The question may also be raised why motion pictures are such a favorable source of
stereotypedconceptionsofobjectsandformsoflife.Theanswermayinpartbesoughtin
thecleancutandunambiguouswayinwhichsuchobjectsandformsoflifeareusually
presentedonthescreen.Thedeclarationthatmotionpictureshavetobeleveleddownto
the intelligence of a twelveyearold may or may not be true. However, that they are
usually simple in plot, with the characters usually depicted in a definite and easily
recognizablemanner,observationshowstobetrue.Thissimpleanddecisiveformofthe
characters, rles, and plot conduces to the easy formation of images which become
elementsintheviewsandconceptionsformedbycertainmoviegoers.
Inadditiontothefactsmentionedthatmotionpicturesmaypresentcharacters,objects,
and modes of living which are new to the experience of certain people, that the
presentationisintheformofvividvisualimages,andthatwhatispresentedisdecisive
andunambiguous,thereisafurtherpoint,namely,thatwhatisshownmaycarryauthority
and the conviction of correctness. It is this latter mark which explains frequently the
displacement of conceptions which people already have, by those shown in motion
pictures. We have seen something of this effect in the ideas of modern life formed by
highschoolboysandgirls.
(190)
By providing people with images motion pictures obviously, then, shape their views
and influence their interpretationsthat is, in those areas of life where people do not

alreadyhavedefinitelyshapedimages.Theimagehasadoubleuseitdetermineshowan
individual will conceive things, and it serves as an implement of interpretation. An
individualusestheimageswhichhehastofilloutandmakeintelligibletohimwhathe
seesorhears,asinthecaseofthechildrenwhodepicttheChinamenintheirmindsina
definitewayonhearingreferencetothem.
If one understands that motion pictures may furnish certain people with conceptions,
onecanappreciatetheirinfluenceonschemesofconduct.Todevelopacertainviewofan
objectormodeoflivingistoformacorrespondingdispositionortendencytoacttowards
it. Conception and attitude are linked together. However, we may view motion pictures
morespecificallyfromtheangleofattitudeorprojectedactivity.
Itiseasytosee,foronething,thatmanykindsoflifepresentedinmotionpicturesare
showninanattractiveandappealingway.Thisislikelytobetrueparticularly of those
formsoflifewhichareofmomentousconcerntoyoungmenandyoungwomen,thoseto
whichtheylookforward.Inparticularthelifeofmodernyouthaspresentedinthemovies
isfullofromanceandadventure,freedomandexcitement.
In view of the likelihood of many young men and women being latently disposed to
suchpossibleexperiences,thatmoviesofthistypeshouldimplantschemesofconductis
to be expected. Those affected may extract ideas as to their rights, ideas of what they
come to believe they are privileged to enjoy. They may become dissatisfied or
discontentedwiththeirowncommunitycontrol,mayindeed
(191)actuallyrebel.Suchresultsarelikelytooccurwherethediscrepancyisgreatest,
i.e.,whereone'sownlifeseemsverydrabandconfinedincontrasttothe pleasures and
freedomofthatportrayedonthescreen.Fromthispointofview,onecanunderstandthe
seeminglygreatereffectofthissortinthecaseofgirls,ratherthaninboys,andingirlsof
thepoorandimmigrantfamiliesthaningirlsofwealthierandmoreemancipatedfamilies
awakened desires and family control are greater in the first instances than in the latter
instances.
In the latter part of the chapter attention was called to the rle of one's sensitivities
andexperiencesinaffectingwhatonewillselectfromapicture.Thisprincipleshouldbe
kept in mind in any consideration of the aid which motion pictures may give to the
development of schemes of life and conduct. It is quite possible, as it was shown, for
peopletoplaceentirelydifferentinterpretationsuponthesamepictureandtoderivefrom
itquitedifferentlessons.Theimplicationisthatifoneistoforetelltheeffectsofamotion
pictureonemustknow,ingeneral,somethingoftheinterestsandexperienceofthoseto
whomthepicturewillbeshown.

Notes
1. EditorialNote:ThisreferstothebookbySirJamesFrazer.
2. Thisaccountexemplifiesthenotinfrequentexperienceinwhichthespectatorfeels
thatthepicturehasaspecialmessageormeaningforhim,andthenfeelsapeculiar
kinshipwiththeactorand,inasense,buildsupanintimateworldoftwoinwhichhe
getsapprovalforhisattitudeorlatentconduct.

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