Hollywood Censored: Morality Codes, Catholics, and the Movies (Cambridge Studies in the History of Mass Communication)

Book Description

'Hollywood Censored' examines how hundreds of films were censored and edited to promote a conservative political agenda during the gold era of studio production in the 1930s.

Customer Reviews:

An eye-opening look at America's first culture war.......2005-03-04

The early motion picture industry didn't just entertain audiences, it enticed them into movie palaces with spectacle, sex, and (increasingly) lurid tales of sin and seduction. This combination proved so successful that, by the early 1930s, a conservative religious movement emerged with an aim to "clean up" Hollywood's excesses, led by the Catholic Church but supported by preachers, ministers, and spiritual spokesmen nationwide. The Catholic Church's League of Decency became the first cultural crusade against what was perceived as a threat to the national character. Wielding an authority of equal parts religion and politics, the League saw to it that movies were banned outright, content was snipped and clipped, and production scripts were combed over for hints of immorality. Classic novels were re-written for the screen to pass the scrutiny of the hastily-created, reactionary Hays Office. Is this a good thing? There was a backlash among Hollywood writers; Black's recounting of William Faulkner creating the story of "Sanctuary" in three weeks ("the most horrific tale" Faukner could imagine, Black writes, "a morbid tale of rape, murder, sexual impotence and perversion") certainly seems like an outright challenge to the Paramount studio writers and censors, and the rewritten, completed film ("The Story of Temple Drake") turns the story inside out for a relatively less-scandalous ending.

Over the course of years, the Legion of Decency and the Hays Office's Production Code (which functioned as a presumptive industry watchdog) ensured that onscreen crime would not pay and immorality would be punished. Realism in Hollywood films got bleached out, but as the book makes clear the industry preferered to deal with religious moralists, and to police themselves with a nebulous code, rather than face government interference. In that regard America hasn't come very far, as the religious right's contemporary battles over entertainment and the morality of content in movies, TV, and the internet make clear. Recommended.

Romanism and culture: A "B" Movie.......1999-12-30

What enabled one viciously anti-semetic Catholic, Joe Breen, to control an entire industry? This delightful scholarly tome gives a partial answer: the industry wanted to have its product go to the largest possible audience, despite local and national boards of censors. By censoring themselves, they obtained a pugnacious Irish Catholic who could browbeat bishops, state legislators, and others. The only price was to meet this one person's private moral code: to make movies that would not offend 12 year old girls in convent schools. This history of the Production Code Authority, and how it was exercised is par excellence. What gave Breen his power was a confluence of Catholic bankers, vertical integration from studio through distributor to exhibitor, coupled with mandatory booking at the exhibition level. The weakness for the studios was Catholic threats of boycotts at the midwestern exhibitor level where the studios were weakest. This book should be coupled with the author's "Catholic Crusade Against the Movies" and the pictoral "Sin in Soft Focus." An interesting footnote is the KKK response to the Roman Catholic Legion of Decency. Does the revival of Catholic horror of blasphemy, in the so-called Catholic League of the 1990s pose a similar threat? Probably not, since the Fr. Lord's Legion of Decency was focused on Jewish studio heads, and the Catholic League objects to Catholic movie makers and Catholic television writers. The PCA did more than condemn the use of angora sweaters in the finished movies, it forbade any movie that was social in comment or controversial in its politics. Somehow it even managed to offend William Randolph Hearst, a honor usually reserved to Orson Wells and "Rosebud."

Hollywood Censored: Morality Codes, Catholics, and the Movies. (book reviews): An article from: Cineaste

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Hollywood Censored: Morality Codes, Catholics, and the Movies. (book reviews): An article from: Cineaste
Tom Doherty
Manufacturer: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00096Q77U
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Cineaste, published by Cineaste Publishers, Inc. on June 22, 1996. The length of the article is 2455 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Hollywood Censored: Morality Codes, Catholics, and the Movies. (book reviews)
Author: Tom Doherty
Publication: Cineaste (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 1996
Publisher: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
Volume: v22 Issue: n3 Page: p52(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Musicians are always looking for better, more efficient ways to practice. With the current prevalence of music-related injuries, musicians will welcome this book detailing a practice technique that somewhat reduces physical work and yet enhances musical learning and performance.

While the book is based on scientific research, the focus is on the practical application of mental techniques for musicians. The techniques described can be used by musicians of every skill levelamateurs and professionals, teachers and students.

In this book: a) The vital characteristics of mental practice and creative imagery; b) A step-by-step program for training mental skills; c) Examples showing how mental work can be combined with physical practice for optimum results; d) Strategies for enhancing performance; e) Pointers for teaching mental skills to young students; f) A section on relaxation; g) A discussion of how mental skills can be applied in the case of injury; h) An extensive bibliography and index.

Customer Reviews:

Book on using your brain to improve practice and performance.......2000-06-28

This book provides easy to read and understand information about how to use all of your senses to enhance musical practice and performance. The author provides her own story of applying these practices, and summarizes research to support her recommendations. She outlines specific activities - from very simple to more complex - that you can use in your practicing to bring visual, aural, and physical memory and imagery to your musical performance. I found this combination of theory and practice very interesting and useful.

The Music of Emily Dickinson's Poems and Letters: A Study of Imagery and Form

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The Music of Emily Dickinson's Poems and Letters: A Study of Imagery and Form
Carolyn Lindley Cooley
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Women Writers & Feminist Theory | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 078641491X

Book Description

Music is a vital element in the poems and prose of Emily Dickinson but, despite its importance, the function of music as a literary technique in her work has not yet been fully explored; what information exists is scarce and scattered.

Book Description

An edited collection of papers which explore a large number of topics related to musical imagery. Musical imagery can be defined as our mental capacity for imagining sound in the absence of a directly-audible sound source, meaning that we can recall and re-experience or even invent new musical sound through our "inner ear". The first part of the volume is focused on theoretical issues such as the history, epistemology, neurological bases, and cognitive models of musical imagery. The second part presents various applications of musical imagery in performance and composition, and provides the reader with a broad overview of the many musical activities which are concerned with musical imagery.;Musical imagery is a truly interdisciplinary subject, and it is the belief of the editors that a plurality of approaches, ranging from the introspective and philosophical to the experimental and computational, is the most fruitful strategy for exploring the subject of musical imagery.

Sound and Sense: Musical Allusion and Imagery in the Novels of Iris Murdoch (American University Studies Series IV, English Language and Literature)

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Sound and Sense: Musical Allusion and Imagery in the Novels of Iris Murdoch (American University Studies Series IV, English Language and Literature)
Darlene Debault Mettler
Manufacturer: Peter Lang Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 082041462X

The art of listening with depth, understanding, flow and imagery.(piano music): An article from: American Music Teacher

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The art of listening with depth, understanding, flow and imagery.(piano music): An article from: American Music Teacher
Jessica Johnson , and Midori Koga
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from American Music Teacher, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2006. The length of the article is 3605 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The art of listening with depth, understanding, flow and imagery.(piano music)
Author: Jessica Johnson
Publication: American Music Teacher (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Page: 22(6)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Effect of musical expertise on visuospatial abilities: Evidence from reaction times and mental imagery [An article from: Brain and Cognition]

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Effect of musical expertise on visuospatial abilities: Evidence from reaction times and mental imagery [An article from: Brain and Cognition]
R. Brochard , A. Dufour , and O. Despres
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000RR0MDG

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Brain and Cognition, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Recently, the relationship between music and nonmusical cognitive abilities has been highly debated. It has been documented that formal music training would improve verbal, mathematical or visuospatial performance in children. In the experiments described here, we tested if visual perception and imagery abilities were enhanced in adult musicians compared with nonmusicians. In our main experiment, we measured reaction times of subjects who had to detect on which side of a horizontal or a vertical line a target dot was flashed. In the ''imagery'' condition the reference line disappeared before the target dot was presented. In order to accomplish the task, subjects had to keep a mental image of the position of the line until the dot appeared. In the ''perception'' condition, the procedure and stimuli were the same except that the line remained on the screen until the dot was displayed. In both groups, reaction times were shorter for horizontal compared to vertical discrimination, but reaction times were significantly shorter in musicians in all conditions. Moreover, discrimination on the vertical dimension, especially in imaging condition, seemed to be greatly improved on the long term by musical expertise. Simple and choice visual reaction times indicate that this advantage could only be partly explained by better sensorimotor integration in adult musicians.

Music of Finer Tone: Musical Imagery of the Major Romantic Poets (Romantic Reassessment)

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Music of Finer Tone: Musical Imagery of the Major Romantic Poets (Romantic Reassessment)
Sue E. Coffman
Manufacturer: Longwood Pr Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 3705205595

Amazing musical moments!: In song, movement, imagery, and dance

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Amazing musical moments!: In song, movement, imagery, and dance
Kathy Poelker
Manufacturer: Look at Me
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

A top business consultant and speaker lights the path to a positive, productive work environment
What do the best leaders do to achieve greatness in the modern workplace that is muddled by fear, pressure for productivity, overwork? Inspire! offers business leaders a clear vision of what a positive, productive, inspiring organization looks like in these challenging and chaotic times, and how to get there.
The key to extraordinary long-term performance lies in a transformational commitment to inspiring people rather than motivating them. Lance Secretan's Higher Ground Leadership concepts have been widely used to increase profits and quality, slash staff turnover, and achieve record organizational and personal performance. Inspire! describes Lance's breakthrough thinking, often in the words of the pace-setting leaders who are implementing them and building legacies. Countless examples, stories, and case studies demonstrate the magic of these brilliant ideas.
Six essential values form the foundation of positive, productive, and profitable organizations and a meaningful and fulfilling life-courage to begin the transformation; authenticity that lets people contribute all of themselves and excel; service that fosters a spirit of cooperation; truth-telling that builds trust and loyalty; love for others that leads to inspired results; and effectiveness, the attainment of results. Inspire! shows leaders in any organization how to foster these essential values that lead to personal and organizational greatness.
Lance Secretan (Alton, Ontario, Canada) is one of the world's foremost thinkers on self-improvement and leadership. He is an author, award-winning columnist, philosopher, corporate coach, and a renowned public speaker and business consultant. He served as chairman of the Advisory Board of the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games and is also a former ambassador to the United Nations Environment Program.

Download Description

The key to extraordinary long-term performance lies in a transformational commitment to inspiring people rather than motivating them. Lance Secretan's Higher Ground Leadership concepts have been widely used to increase profits and quality, slash staff turnover, and achieve record organizational and personal performance. Inspire! describes Lance's breakthrough thinking, often in the words of the pace-setting leaders who are implementing them and building legacies. Countless examples, stories, and case studies demonstrate the magic of these brilliant ideas.

Six essential values form the foundation of positive, productive, and profitable organizations and a meaningful and fulfilling life—courage to begin the transformation; authenticity that lets people contribute all of themselves and excel; service that fosters a spirit of cooperation; truth-telling that builds trust and loyalty; love for others that leads to inspired results; and effectiveness, the attainment of results. Inspire! shows leaders in any organization how to foster these essential values that lead to personal and organizational greatness.

Lance Secretan (Alton, Ontario, Canada) is one of the world's foremost thinkers on self-improvement and leadership. He is an author, award-winning columnist, philosopher, corporate coach, and a renowned public speaker and business consultant. He served as chairman of the Advisory Board of the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games and is also a former ambassador to the United Nations Environment Program.

Customer Reviews:

Leadership in a Bubble.......2006-05-15

While this book certainly does aim high, it only deals with the idea of leadership in a perfect situation or "bubble" if you will. I have to admit I didn't like the book or the author after reading the first page of the introduction. Secretan makes the assumption that we all live in fear and that there is a shortage of people to inspire us (apparently he is here to fill the void). Perhaps I am a minority, but I do not live in fear and can think of many inspirational people, both in the past and present.

As for the rest of the book, he explains leadership in a very new age and ignorant way. Secretan's basic premise is that we all should love each other and that we should all inspire and be inspired ourselves. And that's great, in a world such as that I doubt we would even need leaders as everyone would do what they are supposed to. But in the real world, leaders are confronted with adverse situations such as dealing with subordinates who are unhappy, tired, depressed, going through a divorce, angry, hate you or other teammates, and etc. This book discusses nothing of how to be a leader in difficult situations, or even how to deal with people that you don't love or love you. This is where the book falls down in my opinion. The true test of leadership comes when times are hard, not when everything is hunky-dory. Further, I think Mr. Secretan is a little arrogant in his definition of Higher Ground leadership. He acts as if he is somehow reinventing the wheel when it comes to leadership. Any of the topics he mentions that are actually useful (such as leadership from the front/ serving your subordinates) are ideas that have been around much longer than this book or Secretan himself.

Aside from Inspires lack of useful leadership information, it also has an interesting take on competition. Secretan seems to think competition is bad, and is does nothing more than feed ones ego. He makes such statements as saying a "call to arms" never inspires and "what's wrong with being number two". Again, perhaps I am the minority but I work with small businesses every day. I can tell you that those who don't actively compete often fail.

In the end, Inspire reads more like a new age self help book. Everything from discussing guided meditation, having a divine conversation with God, discovering your destiny and defining your world by how you deal with terrathreats (read environmentalism). If these things are your cup of tea or you hail from a very leftist/pacifist ideology then I guess this book is for you. However, if you are looking for a book that actually deals with how to be a leader in less than utopian situations then I would advise to look elsewhere.

Leading from the Heart .......2006-05-02

This book was my introduction to the substantial body of work that Lance Secretan has developed around his "new story of leadership"-a style based on personal integrity, building community, and deep self-awareness.

The heart of the book is a discussion of what the author describes as "Destiny-Cause-Calling": WHY are we here, how will we BE, and what will we DO? Secretan offers a step-by-step process for undertaking this self-examination and producing a personal statement that can form the core of a personal leadership style.

The author suggests ways to ensure that all three elements are aligned, and how to lead by serving others. It is only through a relentless emphasis on inspiring others, Secretan believes, that we find success and fulfillment at a personal level.

One clear characteristic of this and other works by the author is that they are not "over-researched". Facts and figures are used to emphasize concepts, not produce them. For this reason, much of Secretan's work comes across differently from so-called "scholarly" works on the topic of leadership.

The approach in Inspire! is to arrive at personal view of leadership from the inside-out, based on an authentic, heartfelt calling. Most readers will find this approach more challenging than models which attempt to present leadership as an intellectual exercise. Patience and persistence are prerequisites for getting the most out of this book. The content can also be used as a framework for personal coaching.

Inspire! led me to new insights about my life and career, and affected how I approach both. I suggest that readers new to Secretan's work read this book in conjunction with his recently-released "ONE: The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership."

A Soulful Jump Start.......2005-02-05

As a life purpose and career coach, speaker, facilitator and workshop designer, I'm always on the lookout for new reference material for my clients. But this book gave me new reference material for my own personal development. The definitions Lance Secretan provides for destiny, cause, and calling have given me new understanding of my own purpose, along with new language to spur transformational conversations within the workplace. I can't speak highly enough about the value of the concepts in this book to the healing of our corporate leadership.

Review of "Inspire...".......2004-09-14

Within 5 pages of beginning my reading of "Inspire...", I was enthralled. Lance writes so eloquently and powerfully of a way of being in corporate life (and life in general) and how each of us can impact positive change as leaders in our individualized way. Want to make a greater difference in your life's circle? Read, read, read this book!

Inspire! Moved me to Higher Ground.......2004-08-18

I read "Inspire!" nearly in one sitting and was deeply moved by it. I was moved because what you are telling deeply resonates with me and with what I teach, and together with that it opened me and my work up to a new level. My own work coaching and consulting leaders and corporations has moved to a new, higher ground after reading Inspire! I thank Lance for inspiring me.

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