Free Expression

THE NEWLY RELEASED film about the life of the Virgin Mary, Hail Mary, which portrays her as a modern-day gas station attendant and shows her nude, was originally to be shown by the Sack cinema chain. However, under intense pressure and scattered threats of violence from religious protesters after the movie was denounced by the Pope and other Catholic officials, Sack, which owns most of the major theaters in the Boston area, dropped the film. Sack owner A. Alan Friedberg's decision was cowardly. Friedberg expressed compassion for the sentiment of offended Catholics, fear for the safety of audiences, and, most disturbing, a fear of anti-semitism in the wake of pressure and hostile comments from the Catholic community.

These concerns are understandable, but protecting freedom of expression is essential. Whether zealots burn books or threaten to bomb movie theaters, bowing to their demands is unnacceptable, particularly if they threaten violence. Capitulation to extremists does a disservice to the community and sets a dangerous precedent for those who wish to obstruct free expression.

After it was dropped by Sack, Hail Mary was picked up by the Orson Welles Cinema in Cambridge. Irrespective of the quality of this particular movie, the Orson Welles deserves congratulations for showing the film in the face of bomb threats and continued picketing. Likewise, Cambridge City Manager Robert Healy and Police Chief Anthony Paolillo deserve censure for suggesting that the cinema bow to the protesters threats and not show the movie.

There is nothing wrong with protesting against a movie. But while efforts to suppress the film have not been endorsed by the Catholic Church, the Committee to Oust Hail Mary from America and its supporters have done a disservice not only to the general public and to those who wish to see the movie, but especially to people who are offended by its contents. Those who would suppress Hail Mary have distracted debate from the movie's substance and generated a notoriety which will only swell audiences.