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Legion of Decency---Condemned 'Torn Curtain'

posted 13 years ago by hisgrandmogulhighness
8 replies | jump to latest

Chicago Tribune, Sunday, July 17, 1966:

TOWER TICKER

by Herb Lyon

" . . . . The board which has replaced the Legion of Decency, the new Roman Catholic Office for Motion Pictures, has lowered the boom on Alfred Hitchcock's new pic, "Torn Curtain," due here next month. It's been pronounced "morally objectionable in part for all," and parents are warned that the happy 'MaryPoppins' image of 'Curtain' co-star Julie Andrews, is all but destroyed by her earthy role in this new film"

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[same], Wednesday, July 20, 1966:

" . . . producer-director Alfred Hitchcock [in London], cancelled an Aug. 3 promo visit here ahead of the opening of his latest flick, 'Torn Curtain,' at the Chicago Aug. 12. Starring Julie Andrews, it's a box office block buster, despite a blast from the Roman Catholic Office for Motion Pictures [formerly the Legion of Deceny] . . . "

[same], Thursday, August 4, 1966, sec. 1, p. 18, c. 1:

". . . . Roly-poly Producer A. Hitchcock asked for and got an Aug. 12 opening date at the Chicago theater for his new one, 'Torn Curtain'--'for good luck.' It's Hitch's 66th birthday--P.S.: Julie Andrews who co-stars in the flick and who now knocks down a million bucks per movie, is regarded by exhibitors as the No. 1 box office lure in the business. [She really snaps her sugary 'Sound of Music'-'Mary Poppins' image in this racy one.]

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[–] sasha99 12 years ago

Two unmarried people in bed together!! And apparently they don't have all their clothes on!! EEK!! We know they were just discussing formulas for creating a nuclear weapon, and they were so happy when they solved the math problems that they just had to kiss-- repeatedly... but it LOOKED quite indecent.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 12 years ago

What makes it even worse is that Newman and Miss Andrews don't match!

[–] rekcilorf 12 years ago

Sorry to be a bit pedantic but "morally objectioable in part for all " was NOT the Legions "Condemned" rating (C) -- it was one level up "B". Condemned is totally morally objectionable. Still it's a rather silly ruling and the Legion, now replaced by another agency is a bit more liberal and ralistic.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 12 years ago

They could've "condemned" this film for other reasons . . .

[–] hockeyhrs 11 years ago

. . . like being somewhere between "slow-paced" and "boring". But I still like it because it's Hitchcock.

[–] ecarle 10 years ago

There is probably some slight-of-hand in the shot sequence, but while Newman and Andrews seem to be naked under the sheets(and possibly even "doing it" while chatting away)...

...when Newman gets out of bed he is WEARING his boxer shorts. I'd have to check if there is time for him to put them on under the sheets.

Note : when NBC network television broadcast Torn Curtain nationwide in 1970 -- the entire opening scene with Newman and Andrews under the covers was simply cut. They started the movie with Newman in his suit heading down the stairs to retrieve his telegram.

[–] Fleurus 8 years ago

In 1970 ? After the 1968 sexual liberation movement, the free love, flower power...
That must have looked bizarre.

[–] 8 years ago

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