Once again, the college library is smoldering from the effects of housing materials snatched from the clutches of those would ban, burn or otherwise censor our right to read whatever we choose.
Many of you are aware of the number of books that continue to be challenged, removed or otherwise restricted each year, in schools and libraries worldwide. The good news is, many of these delightfully objectionable books have found safe haven here, in the Hackelmeier Memorial Library.
And, for those of us who lack the time or willpower to read a book cover to cover, Hollywood has come to our rescue many times over the years. Were you aware that the books on which these films were based had such an unseemly past??
Beloved
Book by Toni Morrison, film version (1998) realized through the efforts of Oprah Winfrey as producer, directed by Jonathan Demme.
In 1995, the book was challenged in the St. Johns County School System (St. Augustine, FL) for language.
The film version received an MPAA rating of R for violent images, sexuality and nudity.
Huh, no mentions of language in the MPAA rating....wonder if their screening was bleeped??
A Doll's House
Henrik Ibsen, author; 1973 film version starring Anthony Hopkins
In 1983, several members of the Alabama State Textbook Committee called for a ban of this book because it "propagates feminist views".
Okay, so a wife realizes she doesn't really love her authoritarian and controlling husband and leaves him, taking the kids. Seems to me this is self preservation more than anything else, as we all know Anthony Hopkins later becomes genius cannibal Hannibal Lecter. She got out just in time...and Gloria Steinem had nothing to do with it.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl, author; 2005 film version starry Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton; 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder
The Boulder, Co. public library removed the book from a locked reference collection in 1988, where the book had been placed years previously by a librarian who felt the book was unfit for children because it "espoused a poor philosophy of life".
Who among us wouldn't prefer to sit home and eat bon-bons all day, at least once in a while? Seems to me that Johnny Depp has a pretty good life, despite appearances in Chocolat AND Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Must be true what they say about the benefits of dark chocolate....
These are merely a brief sampling of many banned or challenged works currently residing in the Hackelmeier Memorial Library, in a variety of formats. It's interesting that many controversial written works are later translated into acclaimed and beloved films. Is there some significance to this phenomenon? Is it true what they say about the inherent depravity of Hollywood?
Decide for yourself -- stop by the library during Banned Books Week and take a look at our display of banned materials and their celluloid counterparts, you might be surprised to learn the checkered history of a favorite film, or perhaps learn that the film version of a favorite work is just as controversial as it's inspiration.
Elizabeth Pearson-Coan
Acquisitions/Periodicals Librarian
All information here regarding challenged and/or banned books was gathered from either Forbidden Library (www.forbiddenlibrary.com; compiled by Janet Yanoski and updated 6 March 2005) or the American Library Association's Banned Books week media pack for libraries, available via their website, www.ala.org.
All editorial commentary regarding the correlation between banned/challenged books and film adaptations is the opinion of this author. If you don't agree, that's fine by me. It's just a (conspiracy) theory...
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