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Turteltaub, Alda lead censorship discussion

Alan Alda and Jon Turteltaub discuss the role of violence and censorship in the cinema industry. Turteltaub is a graduate of University of Southern California Film School and directed the recent film, "Phenomenon." Alda, who played Hawkeye in the television series "M.A.S.H," gestured toward Turteltaub saying, "I'm here because the dog ate his homework." / photo by Starr Carroll
Alan Alda and Jon Turteltaub discuss the role of violence and censorship in the cinema industry. Turteltaub is a graduate of University of Southern California Film School and directed the recent film, “Phenomenon.” Alda, who played Hawkeye in the television series “M.A.S.H,” gestured toward Turteltaub saying, “I’m here because the dog ate his homework.” / photo by Starr Carroll

by Scott Harvey
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne received a special visit from movie director Jon Turteltaub and actor Alan Alda yesterday as the ULV Honors Program presented its fall lecture, entitled “Why Bob Dole was Wrong About Hollywood.”

Turteltaub is an accomplished director and USC film graduate. He has worked on such projects as “While You Were Sleeping,” “Cool Runnings,” and “Phenomenon.” Alda is remembered best for his role as Hawkeye on the television hit “M.A.S.H.”

The focus of the lecture was censorship in the movie and television industries and how Dole’s criticism of violence in film was taken by the public. In order to become comfortable with the audience, Turteltaub and Alda gave the lecture in a discussion type format, often bouncing ideas and opinions back and forth, and expanded the topic to include how we as a society are affected by the content of movies.

“I am very concerned about our First Amendment, because it is most important in protecting the creativity and thoughts of people in the industry,” said Alda, reflecting on the idea of censorship by governmental regulation.

Turteltaub added to Alda’s statement by talking about self-censorship by production companies and his take on how people avoid movies because of ratings and labels.

“Self-censorship is the product of economics and governmental power and is the worst form of censorship in our industry,” said Turteltaub.

Although the mood was comfortable and humorous, Turteltaub and Alda were adamant in their views that the general public, not the government, should regulate and control what is considered violent and what is inappropriate.

“Everyone has their own responsibility to know what is right and wrong in film and TV and to avoid the self-censorship that effects creative thinking,” said Turteltaub.

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