Archives West Finding Aid

Included in this set of documents are annual reports; petitions, protests, and other correspondence regarding shows at theatres and panoramas (panorams); and other material related to the Board. Subjects include licensing of theatres and censorship of theatrical performances or motion pictures deemed obscene or offensive by the Board. Of particular interest is a set of files dating from 1950 which deal with the City ban on the motion picture "Stromboli" on the basis of lead actress Ingrid Bergman's extramarital affair with the film's director, Roberto Rossellini. Included are the mayor's directive banning showing of the film as well as letters from citizens both in agreement with and opposition to the City's position.

Annual reports exist from 1956 to 1963, although not for every year. The reports are brief and include discussions of the Board’s activities for the year, information on membership, meetings, and budget, and a list of films previewed, plays checked, and actions taken. Actions include recommendation of deletion of scenes as well as age limits for films. Panorama activities and foreign film screenings were the subjects of separate subcommittees, and reports are included for some years. A special committee was appointed for the "supervision and control" of entertainment at the Seattle World's Fair; this committee's activities are discussed in the 1962 annual report.

Minutes document the Board's meetings, including members present and business discussed. Topics covered are largely the same as in the annual reports. The minutes include members' reports on spot-check visits to theatres and conversations with theatre owners, as well as findings of the Board's various committees, such as the Panorama Committee, the Night Club Committee, and the Foreign Film Committee.