BBFC 1912-1949

• At the time, the BBFC did not have any written rules or codes
• The policy evolved around practical lines, whilst seeking to reflect public attitudes
• In 1916, T.P.Connor was appointed president of the BBFC
• He summarised the board's policy by listing 43 grounds for deletion
• Some of these include cruelty to animals, nude figures, indecorous dancing etc
• In 1948, Arthur Watkins was appointed secretary to the board under the presidency of Sir Sidney Harris
• Together they formulated a new term of reference for the board based on 3 principles:

Was the story, incident or dialogue likely to impair the moral standards of the public by extenuating vice or crime or depreciating moral standards?
Was it likely to give offence to reasonably minded cinema audiences?
What effect would it have on children?