Turned-on films may bring big TV turn-off

By Gerald Gardner

HOLLYWOOD It looks like dark days are ahead for the producers of those "X" and "R" rated movies if they expect to sell them to TV.

Senator John McClellan has promised a complete review of Hollywood's film classification system before his Senate sub-committee.

The only cheerful part of the picture is the headline in Variety, which read: Senator's Sex Hex A Vex.

What steamed up the Arkansas Senator is the response he received to the questionnaires he mailed to various movie-makers. Mr. McClellan asked if they actually intended to sell their

"X" and "R" rated movies to television.

The answer, in a word, was "Uh-huh."

Those “X” and “R” films

"Suits me," replies Lucille.

"Hey, there's some good movies on tonight. On Channel Two is 'Love American

contain such gamey materiStyle,' about the seduction of a parlor maid by a lecherous tapioca smuggler." "Sounds good," says Lucille, reddening slightly.

al that either restricted category shouldn't be offered for sale to television, where lots of children, unaccompanied by adults, can see them. And maybe the senator is right.

They could end up losing more audience than they attract

Picture this scene in a typical American home.

Lucille and Harry Whelan sit in their living room. Lucille darns a sock as Harry consults the program guide.

"Let's watch a little TV," says Harry.

"Channel Four has 'Sex and the Single Gorilla.' It's about an orgy in an African game preserve."

"Sounds wild,” says Lucille, squirming in her chair.

"Channel Seven has 'Naked in Bayonne,' the story of a truck driver who has

his way with a showgirl in an airport phone booth." "That's nice too," says Lucille, breathing deeply.

"Channel Six has 'You Are Woman,' the story of a young boy who stumbles on a tribe of women who wor-

ship their bodies and who

sets out to embrace their religion."

"Interesting." says Lucille, her glasses fogging slightly.

“Channel Nine has a movie called 'Q.' It's about the rise of Fidel Castro as seen through the eyes of a Havana call girl.'

**

"Sounds good," says Lucille, lighting a cigarette with a trembling hand.

"Channel Eleven has "The Good, The Bad and The Obscene.' the story of a homosexual child-molester who realizes a life-long ambition when he's appointed president of the Boy Scouts of America."

but does not reply.

"Well, what do you say? Which do you want to see?" Lucille puts down her Lucille quivers slightly mending. She rises, crosses

N

to her husband, and slides slowly into his lap.

"What do you say we don't watch television tonight?" she says.