Introductory Paragraphs
Scarface & Censorship paper
Engl302 Summer 2007 

After you have read each paragraph, discuss it in your groups and write answers to the following questions:   1) What is the thesis?  Is it presented clearly and sufficiently explained so you have a good idea where the paper is going?  2)  are there ideas needing further clarification or explanation?  If so underline and suggest changes. 

1)  In 1930s, the film Scarface was finally exhibited to the public with three different versions of ending.  The film was a dangerous in that time period because the content of the film was shocking, provoking yet entertaining to the public.  In 1930s, the National Board of Review did not reject or cut a film that might be unsuitable for children even if it contains violence which means that NBR let anybody watch the film including the children at the young age.  Violence in the film is not dangerous for adults as much as children because most likely, adults already would have formed their standards which will not be affected very easily.  However, unlike adults, impact of films on children is critical.  Children learn to behave aggressively toward others and are taught to use violence instead of self-control to take care of problems or conflicts.  Violence in the film may make children more accepting of real-world violence and less caring toward others and these attitudes tend to last.
    As a main character of the film Scarface, Tony Camonte demonstrates a life of a gang leader who does not care about other people’s lives but still has a flashy and admirable lifestyle.  He can get anything he wants and it does not seem too hard for him, which is dangerous to audiences’ psychology.  The film Scarface, which presents obvious and hidden immoral and extreme violence contents, is a shocking and dangerous film to be presented to the general public, which includes children at young age.    

2)  The Case for Censorship in Scarface

    The movie Scarface (1932) was one of the most realistic and brutal gang films of its time.  Based on the book written by author Armitage Trail, the movie portrayed the life of gangsters on the streets of Chicago.  Ben Hecht wrote the original screenplay for the movie and scripted version that he produced was incredibly violent and pushed the moral boundaries of what was common during those times.  This version depicted a shameless display of gun violence at the hands of the criminals and a death toll higher than what had ever been seen in a motion picture. 
    Of course a film of that nature was in fact very dangerous and would not be able to make it to the big screen due to censorship from the Hays Office, a Hollywood-based office put in place to circumvent further censorship from the government.  In order for the producers to get the movie past the Hays Office a few changes had to be made to the film before final presentation.  There were two specific changes made to the film that made it more acceptable to the censorship board and more appropriate for a 1930s audience:  the scene in the newspaper office and a revision to the final ending.  These changes were in good taste because they adhered to the section of the Lord-Quigley Code which deals with violence.  It also put some of the violent material in the film into context by making it appear as if the producers are merely reporting on the subject and not capitalizing on it. 

3) Scarface: Dangerous or not?

    The film Scarface, adapted from the book by Armitage Trail, has been a topic of controversy since its release in 1932. Produced by Howard Hughes, the film set out to fictionalize the life and career of Al Capone, the most well-known and widely recognized incarnation of gangsterism in America at the time. It was perhaps the most daring and violent portrayal of modern gangsters in the 30s and because of this, the film was met with intense pressure from the Hays’ Office to create a film that showed gangsters as “evil” and focused on condemning immoral behavior. In order to do this, Hays delayed the film’s release until “inappropriate” scenes were cut and additional scenes containing speeches and statements condemning gangster activity were added to counterbalance the glorification of gangsters throughout the film. 
    Controversy arose as to whether or not Scarface was a dangerous film or not and whether the extensive censorship that the film was subject to by the Hays Office was legitimate or not. With the new film technology many censorship groups rose in opposition to the new array of material the public was exposed to. In my opinion, Scarface definitely pushed the boundaries of modern films during that time, but in no way was the film dangerous. Films could now reach people on a more real level through motion picture combined with sound. This was thought by Hays Office to be a more intimate means of communication that would profoundly impact the public and cause them to imitate “immoral” behavior seen on the screen. The Hays Code may have had good intentions by censoring films but they were carried out very poorly. The revisions to the film, in my opinion, were not necessary at all and in a sense were more harmful to the film than beneficial.

4)  The 1932 film titled “Scarface,” directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hughes created a national uproar by using a dialogue containing actions of murder and immoral characters who were consumed with greed and deception to achieve the goal of immediate wealth.  The film exemplifies a world of force in which victims must comply with the needs of the enforcer or receive the consequence of death. 

5) The year of 1932 was a critical period for America. The government was trying to control virtually all aspects of the citizens’ lives. Hollywood was being censored; film directors and producers were being told what they were and were not allowed to film, the government was also regulating alcohol in the U.S. Any issue that the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (commonly known as the Hay’s Office) thought glorified violence was addressed and forced to change. Despite the negativity that surrounded the 1932 version of “Scarface”, the movie itself does glorify violence. What does glorify violence is the way people imitate the violence and negative, evil attitude portrayed in the movie, but not the movie itself.

6) It was a time of change, conflict and social unrest within society.  The aftermath of the great depression had called society to question their morality.  America was dominated by the effects of high unemployment, exploding immigrant populations and prohibition.  The release of the 1932 film by Howard Hughes and Howard Hawks Scarface would evoke and delight its critics at the same time, while yet again, calling morality into question.  The economical conditions, its fallout, social and moral issues effecting America had prevailed over Scarface, now a victim of a social change movement in society.  One that question the influence of violence and morality in America.  Was this truly a dangerous and immoral film or a creative work of art.  My position is no!  
    Did the morality of society have a role in the film industry, if so, what and who shall govern such a change.  The film industry its self had embarked upon an apex of change with the introduction of sound and special light effects.  These components would influence how films would be perceived by the going public.  An effect that would be a powerful vehicle to educate and inform, challenge the intellect of its viewers, and set cultural trends while still entertaining.  Was there now, a moral obligation for the film industry, because of the effect film would have on the public?    

7) Scarface Uncensored

Movies have been an essential form of entertainment since the early twentieth century. Within those dark theatre walls people lay witness to explosions, gunfights, romance, frightful monsters, and a never-ending list of story plots all created for our amusement. People today take for granted all the graphic scenes we are privileged to see in theatres. During the beginning of the cinematic age, censorship ruled over Hollywood, and the “R” rated movies of today would have been cut down to size so even a toddler would feel comfortable watching. However, things wouldn’t always stay this way. As technology advanced, sound was added to the black and white motion pictures which surged a new era of self expression. Actors and actresses could show more emotion with their tone and sound effects brought the movies to life. Yet, not everyone looked at these advances in a positive light. People like Lord, Quigley, and Joe Breen took these new innovations as a chance for producers to further push their vehicles of sin and disgust. So in order to counteract Hollywood’s effect on the young and old minds alike, they began restricting movies they deemed as “dangerous” to be ripped from its seams and made a new. Censorship ran a muck and artistic visions were unjustly prosecuted. Although many of these films were a head of their time in terms of vulgarity, people and children still know the difference between reality and film. Having Joe Breen tell people what they can and can’t watch is not only unconstitutional, but it takes away people’s personal responsibility, treating them as if they were children. Films of that nature were not dangerous because people still thought for themselves and chose how to live based on their own moral decisions, not from what a big rolling picture tells them. The Lord-Quigley code suggests that the audience should not be “thrown to side with crime, wrong-doing, evil or sin… and sympathy should not go against goodness, honor, innocence, purity or honesty. (Quigley 305)” The only thing the censorship boards and the Lord-Quigley code accomplished was putting the kibosh on producer’s cinematic art. One fantastic piece of cinematic art that was put under heavy fire was Scarface.    
       In a time where violence and evil were omitted from the silver screen, one film stood out from the rest, causing a stir of commotion. In Howard Hawks’ controversial film “Scarface,” gangster life is the center of attention and the protagonist of the story, nun other than a headstrong gunslinger named Tony Camonte. The film pits mob against mob; men are shooting in the streets, making illegal deals with the local pubs, and all above the laws reach. All these scenes make for quite an entertaining movie; however, during the time period it caused the censorship boards to fling their arms up in outrage. The Hay’s office, reluctant to allow this work to be seen, demanded scenes to be changed. For example, the Hay’s office wanted a new ending to replace Camonte’s never-ending defiance as he fought till the end. Even more so, the Hay’s office had Hawks’ change Mrs. Camontes character completely to a more acceptable motherly role. These changes may have allowed the movie to pass the rigorous censor boards, but in doing so, made the film much less powerful and quite unrealistic. Certain scenes, in particular, water down Tony Camonte’s character and ruin the flowing theme of the film. These scenes include the three alternative endings of the film, the change in Mrs. Camonte’s character, and the added text prologue.  

8)  Scarface as a modernized Movie  

During the early 1900’s, United States was facing the greatest economic decline in US history, the great depression. The Economic conditions were worsening. There were no jobs available for people. In 1920’s, 3% of Americans were without jobs, by 1930’s; this number had increases to reach 25%.  During the time the united states were facing the great depression, it was also facing a large movement of immigration. 70% of these immigrants were from Eastern and Southern parts of Europe. They came to the United States seeking freedom of religion and better opportunities in life. They came thinking they will have an easy life, but they were surprised to find all the hardships of the great depression; especially, the Italian families who entered the country through the Ellis Island. They found it very difficult to accept their conditions. There was an Old Italian saying summed up the disappointment felt by many: "I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, found out three things: First, the streets weren't paved with gold; second, they weren't paved at all: and third, I was expected to pave them." Basically, this statement tells us the hardships people went through during the depression whether it was a citizen or an immigrant. As a result of these aggravating conditions, many gang groups were forming in the country. They traded drugs and smuggled alcohol in the country at the time alcohol was banned by law. Basically, these gang members were able to make a lot of money in an easy way.  
    While the economic conditions were declining, the film making technology was improving incredibly. Sound was introduced in to films. So now instead of people watching silent movies, they were able to watch and hear simultaneously. Consequently, more people were going out for movies. Therefore, film producers made more exciting movies than before. Film producers made movies that corresponded with the society events whether it was the violence or the corruption that was going in the country at that time. For example, “Scarface” was a movie made in 1931. The movie talked about the crimes that were being committed by the gang members. Therefore, it had some scenes that showed killing and bombing places. But, powerful people in the community and so-called moral guardians were against using action in movies and they demanded Scarface to be censored because they thought it was encouraging violence in the community. However, I do not think that Scarface was a violent movie at all; it only portrayed the violence that already existed in the society at that time.