The actual date of this episode is 1955-10-02. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Gilbert Seldes discusses the censure of "Blackboard Jungle." He speaks of Ambassador Clare Booth Luce's role in the film being withdrawn from the Venice Film Festival. It was reported that Luce disagreed with the screening of the film because it showed the United States in an unfavorable light, he reports on conflicting accounts of whether Luce asked for the film to be withdrawn or simply refused to view the film at the festival.

Seldes goes on to discuss the film studio's response that they take pride in showing films that expose America's shortcomings; Seldes believes that this is not the role of the studios and that they are not capable of exhibiting the subtlety of these types of situations.

Seldes then goes on to discuss term "lively arts" - filmed opera, he refuses to call one of the "lively arts."

Seldes then announces the Museum of Modern Art's drive to preserve it's film library. He mentions their announcement of tri-acetate film, which will "allow film to be preserved indefinitely." They will raise money by showing recently acquired films. He speaks also of some very early films he recently viewed.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 70352
Municipal archives id: LT6375