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True or False: In early 20th century movies, censorship groups formed on the belief that movies would undermine morality. Film review boards were formed.

User Caltor
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Final answer:

The statement is true; early 20th century movies faced censorship from groups and official review boards concerned with morality. The Hays Code and state initiatives like New York's ban on homosexual theater content exemplify actions taken to control movie content.

Step-by-step explanation:

True: In early 20th century movies, censorship groups indeed formed on the belief that movies would undermine morality, and film review boards were created. The emergence of photography and movies raised public concerns about morality, leading to government action to censor content considered improper.

With the rise of the film industry, particularly in Hollywood, movies gained widespread popularity which brought about the advent of film censorship. Organizations like the Hays Code in the 1930s explicitly forbid homosexual content in movies, and theaters in certain states such as New York were banned from promoting homosexual content. This reflected broader concerns of the time regarding morality and the potential impact of media on public decency.

During times of war and political tension, such as World War I and the Cold War, censorship peaked with heightened efforts by the government to manage civilian sentiment, often through controlling media narratives and producing propaganda. These historical instances show a pattern of increasing concern and action over the perceived influence of media content on society's moral fabric.

User OnResolve
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