Keep an eye on Hollywood

As with most things Hollywood, it's a glittery idea, but America will have to wait to see just how much substance it holds.

We're talking about the decision of the Motion Picture Association of America to consider smoking on screen as a factor in giving a film an "R" rating. The word "smoking" would also be included in advisories about the film. Older and classic films would get a pass.

Anti-smoking groups have been pushing hard for an automatic "R" for films with tobacco use, but the movie industry will likely steer clear of such restrictions. But as long as the MPAA is considering new factors for giving movies a "restricted" listing, it may as well throw open the window and ponder others. "Use of obscenities" would look good in an advisory, for example, as would "alcohol abuse." "Suicidal images" might warrant some consideration, along with "animal abuse."

Still, even the most stalwart fumigator long ago realized that warnings and restrictions go only so far. The most important factor is conscientious parenting and a consistent set of personal standards and warnings for choosing which films to see.

Hollywood will always be Hollywood. Whether that means Clark Gable wearing a dress-shirt without an undershirt, or Ursula Andress wearing much less, Tinsel Town will challenge all rules. It has a long and storied history of pressing on the edge of the envelope. If there's a borderline, Hollywood will try to cross it. Such is life in La-la Land. Making the movie industry give full disclosure of how and where those borders are being crossed is the best viewers can expect. Censorship is not an option. But more complete information is. And with more information comes better decisions.

It's not about limiting. It's about educating.

Hollywood will go where it will. But it needs to let the American public in on the itinerary so that parents can protect those who would be traumatized by certain images and so others can see what they're getting into when they take a seat in that long, dark hall.