6 APRIL 1934, Page 3

The Doubtful Film The Mayor of Oxford, Miss Tawney, did

a public service in refusing to perform the official opening of a new cinema on the ground that the first film shown was one which has (with much reason) come under con- siderable criticism. Whatever may be said for it, self- respecting persons in the position of the Mayor of Oxford would be very ill-advised to lend it countenance. There are many films, and many publications, which arc a palpable offence against the decencies without necessarily being indecent in the technical legal sense. The best way to deal with them is to create a public opinion which condemns them. It is by no means easy, but actions like the Mayor of Oxford's do some- thing towards it. * * * *