Although most U. S. churchmen have long agreed that in decency’s name the U. S. cinema should be regulated, some liberals have squirmed because the strict regulation which now exists was devised by Roman Catholics, is now in the Catholic hands of Motion Picture Production Code Administrator Joseph I. (“Joe”) Breen. Last week was announced a step, obviously the work of astute Will H. Hays, Presbyterian Elder, which may make U. S. Protestants feel better about the part their churches play in purifying the nation’s pictures. The most potent executive of the Y. M. C. A., General Secretary Francis Stuart Harmon, 41, turned in his resignation, made ready to sit on the board of the Will Hays organization, the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America.
—Time Magazine, November 2, 1936 and the person mentioned, Francis Stuart Harmon, is my father’s father
Fascinating glimpse into your family history, Kendall. So your grandfather, at age 41 already the top leader in the YMCA, left that exalted post to go to Hollywood to help clean up the film industry? Hmmm, it seems that concern for the welfare of the larger culture goes way back in your family and that you come by it naturally. It also appears that while your grandfather may temporarily have had a good short-term impact on Hollywood, the long-term impact on the YMCA he left behind was perhaps quite negative.
Alas, today there’s very little left of the C (for Christian) in the YMCA. Oswald Chambers call your office! If only the still young Francis Harmon had stayed in office for the rest of his adult life, perhaps things might have been different (wink).
More seriously, I see that you can join the Psalmist in gratefully saying, “[i]Indeed, I have a goodly heritage[/i]” (Psalm 16:6)
David Handy+