Actions relating to the screening license for the motion picture film Il Miracolo

Paperwork related to licensing the motion picture film "Il Miracolo" or "The Miracle." The paper includes a license and then notice of action by Board of Regents dated February 16,1951 to rescind the license to screen the film in New York.

Il Miracolo, an Italian film produced by Tever films in Italy, 1948, starring Anna Magnani. Application fee of $12. Application includes confirmation that a copy of the film script was included, and an examiner's report.

Lopert Films, Inc. license for exhibition of Il Miracolo (Italian dialogue) made by Tever films. Signed by Ward C. Bowen, Director of the Motion Picture Division.

Application for original license for Il Miracolo, page 1 of 3.

Motion Picture Division Director Dr. Hugh M. Flick's acknowledgement of the letter from Alice D. Cruikshank protesting the showing of The Miracle.

Letter from Alice D. Cruikshank to Motion Picture Division Director Dr. Hugh M. Flick protesting the showing of The Miracle.

Motion Picture Division Director Dr. Hugh M. Flick's acknowledgement of John Squire's letter asking for clarification on who is the legally constituted censor in New York State.

Letter from John Squire to Motion Picture Division Director Dr. Hugh M. Flick asking for clarification on who is the legally constituted censor in New York State.

Letter from Jeanne Somerville to Motion Picture Division Director Dr. Hugh M. Flick criticizing the Catholic Church and its attempt to ban The Miracle from all movie goers.

Acknowledgement of letter from Arthur M. Klouda to Motion Picture Division Director Dr. Hugh M. Flick. In his letter Mr. Klouda describes the theme of the film as “an outright blasphemy against the Holy Scripture.”

Letter from Arthur M. Klouda to Motion Picture Division Director Dr. Hugh M. Flick. In his letter Mr. Klouda describes the theme of the film as “an outright blasphemy against the Holy Scripture.”

First page of a twelve page film script for Il Miracolo in Italian, and The Miracle, an English translation. The film is about forty minutes long and was distributed in the United States as part of a film trilogy by film distributor Joseph Burstyn. The three short films included a comedy, “Jofroi” by Marcel Pagnol, a romance, “A Day in the Country” by Jean Renoir, and a drama, “The Miracle” by Roberto Rossellini.

Case of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Joseph Burstyn, Inc., Plaintiff, against Edward T. McCaffrey, Commissioner of Licenses, Defendant. The document is a brief of the New York City Civil Liberties Committee and National Council on Freedom of Censorship, Amici Curiae. Statement of facts states that this is an action for an injunction by the distributor of the motion picture "The Miracle," against the License Commissioner of New York City, who has threatened to revoke the license of any theatre showing said picture on the alleged ground that it is blasphemous.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from the New York Times, December 24, 1950.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from The Evangelist, December 29, 1950.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from The Tablet, December 30, 1950.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from Catholic News, December 30, 1950.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from the New York Times, January 8, 1951.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from The Daily News, January 15, 1951.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from The Daily News, January 21, 1951.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from The New York Times, January 21, 1951.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from The New York Times, February 11, 1951.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from The New York Times and the Herald Tribune, February 18, 1951.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from the Motion Picture Herald, February 24, 1951.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from the New York Herald Tribune, May 27, 1952.

Newspaper clippings relating to the controversy surrounding the film “The Miracle.” Clippings from the New York Times, June 16, 1952.

Brief of the respondents, pages 1-34.

Program for a luncheon at the Hotel Astor in New York City, to honor Joseph Burstyn, the American film distributor of “The Miracle,” and Ephraim London, his attorney, and to commemorate the decision of The United States Supreme Court in the Miracle Case. The luncheon was sponsored by the International Motion Picture Organization and The Metropolitan Committee for Religious Liberty.
Identifier
NYSA_A1418-77_52695_licensing
Date Original
April 12 1951
Language
English
Source
New York State Archives, New York (State). Motion Picture Division, License application case files, 1921-1965. Box 2561, Folder 52695.
Rights
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Geographic Locations

New York
Italy