LETTERS TO EDITOR: Movies criticized
To the Editor:
An old Peabody newspaper from 1934 includes an article about a club meeting at which the movies were heavily criticized. It seems that the movies haven't been popular with some folks for a long time.
The Old Retired Editor was cleaning up some old newspapers at the Printing Museum last week and happened across a copy from June 28, 1934. On the front page was an article about the meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the conscience of the community for many years. The club's lesson topic was "the movies," and different members spoke on such topics as "What's the matter with the movies?", "The producer has misjudged the taste of the American public," "Constructive work for better motion pictures," and "Revolt against filthy films gaining ground."
Members present included Mrs. D.M. Greene, Mrs. Clara Padgett, Miss Ella Gard, Mrs. Eva Glenn White, Miss Enola Maze, Mrs. Clanin, Mrs. Moffett, Miss Ebright, and others.
On the same front page was an account of a team of horses being dumped into the elevator pit at the Peabody Equity. The dump malfunctioned, dropping the team into the pit. They were hoisted out unharmed however, although the elevator was shut down for a couple hours.
The only injury was to George Ross, a commercial salesman who was on the scene. One of the horses was hoisted kicking and bucking and the salesman, attempting to get clear of the animal, stepped through the floor where a board had been removed. He suffered bruises and scrapes but was not badly hurt.
The team belonged to Al Eggon of rural Peabody.
Bill Krause
Peabody
