'Birth of Nation' Cancelled; Racial Pressure Says Society

Although asked by the University to cancel its showing of "Birth of a Nation" only because it would be "unfair competition with student groups," the Boston Film Society told its patrons last night that pressure from a Negro association had forced "banning" of the film.

A sign in Fogg Museum, where the controversial film was to have been shown, told over 250 disappointed students it was "the better part of wisdom" to yield to the demands of the Boston Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Beside the note was a telegram from the NAACP, calling the showing "actionable," and saying the Society would be held "responsible for any repercussions." The telegram was sent on May 21, 1948.

Blocked Out

The date was blocked by a large black arrow pointing to the text of the telegram. Many of the disappointed students complained about "irresponsible minority groups' 'and "trumped-up racial issues."

Associate Dean Robert B. Watson said yesterday the racial issue "had nothing to do" with the University's request to cancel the showing. "We cannot set ourselves up as censors," Watson said.

Watson had objected to the showing when informed the Boston Film Society had substituted the film for a previously scheduled film, although two student organizations had previously announced plans to show it. One group, the Liberal Union, had desired to co-sponsor it with the College's NAACP affiliate as an example of anti-Negro propaganda. Its showing was scheduled for next week.

"Strong Objections"

Watson said he "didn't like the looks of the last-minute substitution," and "raised a strong objection to it" with David W. Bailey '34, secretary to the Corporation. According to Watson, Bailey called Benjamin Crocker, Boston Film's director, and convinced him to substitute another film for "Birth of a Nation" in tonight's program.

Crocker last year lost his permit to show films at the Museum of Modern Art because he had not used his profits for "educational purposes." The Museum requires this of all its exhibitors.