JSul3 · 70-79
There's no monster like a human monster.... especially when that monster is carrying a bible.
The Motion Picture Production Code featured an explicit directive under Section VIII (Religion) stating that "ministers of religion in their character as ministers of religion should not be used as comic characters or as villains." Because a studio could not widely distribute a film without a Production Code Administration seal of approval, treating a genuine clergyman as a murderer was a complete taboo.
Mitchum's Harry Powell is a fraud, and no more a preacher than I am, so that's likely why Laughton was able to dodge any reprimand from the censors.
Regardless, it was 1955 and people were not at ease with anyone of faith, be they real or fake, to be a murderer.
The good news is, today the film is considered a masterpiece, but the bad news is Laughton didn't live long enough to have witnessed the praise his film now receives.
The Motion Picture Production Code featured an explicit directive under Section VIII (Religion) stating that "ministers of religion in their character as ministers of religion should not be used as comic characters or as villains." Because a studio could not widely distribute a film without a Production Code Administration seal of approval, treating a genuine clergyman as a murderer was a complete taboo.
Mitchum's Harry Powell is a fraud, and no more a preacher than I am, so that's likely why Laughton was able to dodge any reprimand from the censors.
Regardless, it was 1955 and people were not at ease with anyone of faith, be they real or fake, to be a murderer.
The good news is, today the film is considered a masterpiece, but the bad news is Laughton didn't live long enough to have witnessed the praise his film now receives.