Kids & Ripper Films

[How Brown]

The following inspires me to ask...

Would you have let your kid(s) watch the 1959 film "Jack the Ripper" with their buddies back in 1960 ?

I'm not referring to "From Hell" or some of the documentaries that have appeared since 1960...but since the concerned parent in this story is referring to the 1959 release...we'll stick to that one.

Stars & Stripes
September 7,1960
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[Stan Reid]

Hi How:

I think I was about 14 when I first saw it and a classmate saw it the year before at age 13, I assume either with his parents or with their knowledge. He saw the color blood squirting finale which was cut out of the TV version that I saw.

[How Brown]

Stan:

Were you allowed to go see it or did you go see it without prior assent from Ma & Pa Reid ?

[Stan Reid]

How, I saw it when it first played on TV. I don't remember if mom or dad (who are now 86 and 91 respectively) knew it was on. The final scene was cut out for TV play but I don't know if that was all that was removed. AMC plays it even today without the bloody finale.

[Karen Sweet]

To be honest, I would probably not like a child under 11 to see this even now, let alone in 1959. I just don't think it's suitable viewing for this age group.

I saw it on tv when I was about 12 for the first time and I didn't find it disturbing then.

[Chris Scott]

One thing I don't understand is why the writer in the original article thought that the duty of preventing children from seeing such material would fall upon the Air Force? I just don't see the logic...

[How Brown]

Chris:

In case you weren't aware...that newspaper was published for men and women serving in the US Armed Forces...and in this instance, a wife of a USAF serviceman, was doing the talking.
The theater that showed the film was on a military base...in this case, a USAF base.

[WRITEFX]

I can't remember the film off hand, although for the subject matter (prostitution) it wouldn't be suitable for a young age let alone the gruesome murders.

However this question reminded me of the early Batman most of us watched each week as youngsters - remember he was always tied up next to a revolving saw inches away from his face and other such horrors. Thinking about that logically, it doesn't seem like it should be suitable for children.

[Chris Scott]

Ah - now it makes sense:-)
Thanks How

[Stan Reid]

I can't remember the film off hand

It really isn't very good although "Kelly's" room seems remarkably correct. Either they had access to some police sources or they made a lucky guess, that is unless more was publicly known in the 50s than I'd thought.

[How Brown]

http://www.jtrforums.com/showthread.php?p=128111#post128111

[How Brown]

Bridgeport (Ct.) Post
March 3, 1960
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