The Pittsburgh Press (February 9, 1946)
Ferguson: Hollywood’s responsibilities
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
The motion picture industry deserves the nation’s thanks for a war job well done. Movie stars sold billions of dollars’ worth of bonds, lifted civilian and soldier morale, and some of their best talent was on the fishing front.
Looking back at the record, the leaders of the industry must be amazed at the power they possess – power to move great masses of people to patriotic fervor and unprecedented generosity. Do they think also of the responsibilities that go with such power? I hope so. For moving pictures, as well as the rest of us, have a big peacetime job ahead.
The war against Fascism, the war for decency and righteousness, the war for freedom and morality is by no means won. And I dare say the future will prove that it is easier to sell Government Bonds to people than it is to sell them sobriety, good behavior and high ideals.
Hollywood has just emerged from an epoch of material prosperity. Ancient Rome was never more lavish with money. Cleopatra never lived as luxuriously as thousands of small-town girls who made good on the screen.
With such men as Eric Johnston and Byron Price sitting in conferences with the great leaders of the entertainment world surely we may hope now for something better to come out of Hollywood.
May it be something that will match the splendor of Hollywood’s wartime vision; may it uplift the ideals and morals of the nation; may it inspire adults to put duty before pleasure and young people to dedicate themselves to humanity’s service.