Paper #3
ENGL 302 Spring 2008

So far this semester, we have studied some of the fears about the new entertainment technology of film evident in the reaction to Scarface (1932).  We have also read about the history of film censorship (Black, pp. 3-46 and 151-154), studied the Lord-Quigley Production Code Proposal (Black, pp. 302-308), and read the Supreme Court's 1915 decision denying 1st Amendment protections to film (Mutual Film Corp. v. Industrial Commission of Ohio).  In addition, we have discussed Hecht's original script for the movie.  Finally, we went over the assumptions about technologies of communication and entertainment evident in the Lord-Quigley proposal, especially pp. 303-304. 

For the first class after spring break, write a 6 page paper (typed and double spaced).  Choose one of the following options: 

  1. Revise and extend the paper you wrote in response to the question was Scarface a dangerous movie. If you chose this question, most of you will need to add some new material developing and supporting your thesis but can stick with the question/position you already developed and revise/extend your earlier paper.
     
  2. Incorporate parts of the 4-6 page paper you’ve written in a paper with revised question of your own—a more specific focus on the danger to children or the danger of the new technology of film, for example, or some other issue that interests you.  If you take this option, first clear the idea with me.  

For guidelines on citation formats, see:  http://classweb.gmu.edu/nccwg/researchdocument.htm and http://classweb.gmu.edu/nccwg/mla-document.htm as well as Diana Hacker's account of MLA, APA, or Chicago (depending on your major) in her writing handbook.  For the rules on citing other students’ online postings to our web forum at Wordpress see http://dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c08_s2.html#35 You are invited to read each others posts but not to borrow ideas and phrases from each other without citing your fellow students work and developing the point on your own. 

For your convenience if you are choosing option one above, I'm pasting a copy of the last assignment below: Write a  4-6 page paper (typed and double spaced) in which you take a position on whether Scarface as originally conceived and/or filmed (in the script and/or the early shootings) was a dangerous film.  Discuss at least two changes made to the movie in response to the censors and explain why you think the alterations improve or harm the film.  Also indicate whether these changes reflect the concerns seen in the Hays' Code.  Include a discussion of the relevant background material covered in Black and a detailed analysis of individual scenes (from the film and scripts) as you develop and support your thesis.  As we discussed in class, a thesis is more than a topic; it's a position you take on an issue or the answer you give to a question you have asked. 

You may find the following clips and images helpful as you write your paper.  If you have forgotten the user id and password to access the files, email me.  You will also need QuickTime installed on your computer to view the videos.  You can download a free QuickTime reader at:  http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.  After you download the QuickTime installer it will either install automatically or you will have to click on the .exe file to install the program (note where you save it).  

  1. See a clip of the 3rd ending at: 
    http://classweb.gmu.edu/kthomps4/video/scar-sm.mov
  2. See the added text at: 
    http://mason.gmu.edu/~kthomps4/stills/scarface/scar-text.htm
  3. If you are going to include an account of the incest plot, see the clips at: 
    http://classweb.gmu.edu/kthomps4/video/scarface/sister1.mov
    and http://classweb.gmu.edu/kthomps4/video/scarface/sister2.mov
  4. For an image of Tony highlighting either his enthusiasm or insanity, see
    http://mason.gmu.edu/~kthomps4/stills/scarface/crazyTony.jpg      

NOTE ON PLAGIARISM FROM THE SYLLABUS:  The English Department defines plagiarism as "using the exact words, opinions, or factual information from another source without giving that source credit. Writers give credit through the use of accepted documentation styles, such as parenthetical citation, footnotes, or end notes; a simple listing of books, articles, and websites is not sufficient. Plagiarism is the equivalent of intellectual robbery and cannot be tolerated in an academic setting" (Department of English Plagiarism Statement).  I will not tolerate plagiarism in my classes and will report incidents to the appropriate authorities.