In a message dated 96-09-19 11:06:29 EDT, you (Peter) write: >>I think movies/TV reinforce and intensify values already held, and this is >probably true of both adults and children. I am doubtful that movies CAUSE >a change in values.<< I would agree with this except to point out that few children have firm values established and I suspect that films can sometimes provide a more spectacular and impressive model of behavior than mom and dad---especially if there is limited interaction between child and parents. >>To test this notion,I took the time to find out which films were Hitler's favorites. After all,it would be wonderful if one could prevent (or even reduce the likelihood of) a Hitler by banning a film or changing a TV channel. Unfortunately, it turned out that Hitler's favorites were KING KONG (1933) and SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937).As neither of these films appears to provide a sufficient explanation of Hitler's subsequent actions,I concluded the relationship between film-viewing and subsequent action is a highly complicated one.<< I find this to be a very interesting experiment so I almost hate to say this but there are several problems in drawing any conclusions based upon it (though there is no doubt that your conclusion that "the relationship............is a highly complicated one." is entirely correct). First of all, people have been committing henious acts since the dawn of time---long before film (Ghengis Khan, for instance, never saw a film in his life), so film certainly cannot be blamed for all despicable human behavior. Second of all, film in Hitler's day is a far cry from the universal access people (especially children) now have to TV, videos and other forms of film; the fact that film may not have had a big impact 50 years ago does not address the vast changes that have occured since. Third (and I present this mostly for entertainment value), the films you cite that were Hitler's favorites are both fantasy films, dealing with "mystic, magical" characters. It is well known that Hitler believed in the supernatural; who is to say that seeing fantasy fims didn't somehow further his believe in things magical? Perhaps if he didn't have such faith in supernatural powers, he wouldn't have had the courage/confidence to go as far as he did. My point is that I think film *can* have tremendous influence on people, but it is no excuse for inappropriate behavior and I don't think banning certain types of film will have much affect on the general population. Mike ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]