In 1913, Ohio movie censors faced a pressing moral question: how long was too long for a kiss on screen?
A quick stolen kiss might pass inspection. A brief romantic peck could be allowed. But the slow, lingering, “everlasting” movie kiss was another matter entirely.
The Ohio State Board of Movie Censors had apparently seen enough prolonged affection in the films coming before them, and they were ready to make cuts.
In their view, a kiss could begin as an innocent caress, but if it lasted too long, it crossed into dangerous territory.
Two Minute Kisses Are Barred By Movies
CINCINNATI, Ohio. — At what part of contact does a kiss between a male and female cease to become an affectionate caress?
This is one of the questions that is no small deal to the Ohio State Board of Movie Censors, as a result of the profuse osculation that has been evident in most of the films they have censored.
The board has passed films where a kiss is snatched hurriedly by a mere man, and where it has been of but a few seconds’ duration. But the long, lingering, everlasting, affinity kisses have got to be cut out.
Source: The Detroit Times. Detroit, Mich. December 12, 1913.
