American Films of 1970 – Page 1

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 Challengers (1970) - Australian daybill movie poster 1
Daybill via moviemem

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

The Christine Jorgensen Story (1970) - Australian daybill movie poster 1
Daybill via moviemem

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

Darker Than Amber (1970) - Australian daybill movie poster 1
Daybill via moviemem

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

False Witness (1970) - Australian daybill movie poster 1
Daybill via moviemem

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

Getting Straight (1970) - Australian daybill movie poster 1
Daybill via moviemem

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