American movies made in 1970, cut and banned before the November 1971 liberalisation of the Australian censorship system.
Alex in Wonderland
Directed by Paul Mazursky / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 07-1971 / Rated: SOA / Length: 10045 feet / Time: 111:37 / Censored by 02:44 / Reason: indecency and incitement to drug abuse
The Baby Maker
Directed by James Bridges / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 12-1970 / Rated SOA / Length: 9813 feet / Time: 109:02 / Censored by 03:46 / Reason: indecency and drug encouragement
Censored footage
Shane Harrison reports.
Warner Brothers Archive Collection – 109:26 (NTSC) – Includes opening and closing Warner logo lasting 00:10 each
At the time of release, the story of a young woman offering to carry someone else’s baby for a fee was shocking.
These were the cuts that I was able to identify.
Censored at 11:06 by 01:13 – Tad (Scott Glenn), Sam (Paul Linke) and Wanda (Helena Kallianiotes) smoke dope while cutting up and eating sea urchins for their hallucinogenic qualities.
Censored at 20:23 – Footage was trimmed of Tad being stoned. The same cut removed him offering Tish (Barbara Hershey) a sea urchin.
Censored at 66:59 – A long sequence of a ‘happening’ had numerous views of dope-smoking removed.
Censored at 91:13 by 00:03 – A heavily pregnant Tish jealously spies on her boyfriend Tad, catching him in bed with Wanda. She sneaks in and throws paint over the two while they are having sex. This first cut to the scene is a view of the two making love as Tish sneaks in.
Censored at 91:19 by 00:03 – View of Tad and Wanda having sex.
Censored at 91:34 by 00:03 – View of paint splashing over the copulating couple.
Censored at 91:40 by 00:05 – Shortening of the view of the couple disengaging after the paint has drenched them. Tad is shown full frontal.
Post-November 1971 rating
In February 1986, Syme Home Video received a M-rating for an 104-minute videotape.
This was followed in April 1991 by an M (Adult themes, Drug use) rating for a VHS submitted by Warner Home Video.
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Directed by Russ Meyer / 1970 / USA / IMDb
October 1970 / Rated: Banned / Length: 9867 feet / Time: 109:38 / Reason: indecency and drug abuse
Post-November 1971 rating
See the separate entry for this title in Film Censorship Database No. 1.
Further reading
See also, the Directed by Russ Meyer page in Film Censorship Database No. 1.
The Challengers
Directed by Leslie H. Martinson / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 12-1970 / Rated: G / Length: 6605 feet / Time: 73:23 / Censored by 00:22 / Reason: violence / Comment: Reduced version
The Christine Jorgensen Story
Directed by Irving Rapper / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 11-1970 / Rated: SOA / Length: 8026 feet / Time: 89:11 / Censored by 00:50 / Reason: indecency
Cover Me Babe
Directed by Noel Black / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 09-1970 / Rated: SOA / Length: 8003 feet / Time: 88:55 / Censored by 03:11 / Reason: indecency
Censored footage
Shane Harrison reports.
Cable TV screening (us) – 85:07 (NTSC) – Print ends abruptly during the credits
Censored at 18:38 by 00:14 approx: – A couple making love in car while secretly being filmed as part of Tony’s (Robert Forster) cinéma-vérité project. The view is semi-obscured by foliage.
Censored at 46:30 by 00:26 – Prostitute (Maggie Thrett) lying naked on the bed waiting for Tony to start filming.
Censored at 47:02 by 00:08 – Prostitute caressing her breasts.
Censored at 47:41 by 00:19 – Prostitute masturbating for Tony’s film.
Censored at 59:33 by 00:03 in total – Two separate views of the prostitute climaxing, as seen through a Moviola during the editing process.
Censored at 63:55 by 01:42 – Tony and Sybil (Susanne Benton) making love in a cave. The scene cuts once Tony starts to remove her bikini top.
Censored at 81:15 by 00:05 – Ronnie (Floyd Mutrux) removes Sybil’s bra while being filmed by Tony.
Censored at 81:14 by 00:14 – Ronnie kissing Sybil’s breasts while being filmed by Tony.
Darker Than Amber
Directed by Robert Clouse / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 11-1970 / Rated: SOA / Length: 8749 feet / Time: 97:13 / Censored by 01:06 / Reason: violence
Post-November 1971 rating
In November 1989, Video Excellence had a 92-minute tape passed with a PG (Occasional low level violence) rating.
Diary of a Mad Housewife
Directed by Frank Perry / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 02-1971 / Rated: Banned / Length: 8518 feet / Time: 94:39 / Reason: indecency
Post-November 1971 rating
Resubmitted by UIP, and passed with an R-rating in February 1972. The print ran 8466-feet (94:04), which was shorter than the one that was previously banned.
In May 1987, CIC-TAFT Video had a 92-minute tape passed with an M-rating.
False Witness
Directed by Richard A. Colla / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 07-1970 / Rated: SOA / Length: 9359 feet / Time: 105:59 / Censored by 00:20 / Reason: indecent language
Fools
Directed by Tom Gries / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 10-1971 / Rated: SOA / Length: 8399 feet / Time: 93:19 / Censored by 00:01 / Reason: indecent language
Post-November 1971 rating
In January 1986, VCL Communications had a 95-minute tape passed with an M-rating.
Getting Straight
Directed by Richard Rush / 1970 / USA / IMDb
Date: 10-1970 / Rated: SOA / Length: 11278 feet / Time: 125:19 / Censored by 00:06 / Reason: indecency and indecent language
Date: 10-1970 / Appeal: Against eliminations / Length: 11278 feet / Time: 125:19 / Result: Appeal substantially dismissed by Review Board
Post-November 1971 rating
In March 1985, RCA/Columbia Pictures/Hoyts Video had a 124-minute tape passed with an M-rating.
Homer
Directed by John Trent / 1970 / Canada – USA / IMDb
Date: 06-1971 / Rated: A / Length: 8197 feet / Time: 91:05 / Censored by 01:32 / Reason: incitement to drug abuse