The Ramparts We Watch

The Senate Theater in Harrisburg's Market Square discontinued showing the 1940 film, "The Ramparts We Watch," due to the Pennsylvania State Board of Censors' condemnation of the last 15 minutes of the film. RKO Radio's March of Times edited the original version to add footage from the Nazis' propaganda film, "Baptism of Fire," which showed images from the Polish Blitzkrieg. The film's producer attempted to explain that the addition was meant to expose German propaganda, but the Board of Censors thought it would instill fear in Americans. The film was shown in many other states; nevertheless, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas upheld the ban of the Board of Censors, which later ceased to exist after it was determined to be unconstitutional in the 1950s. Photo ID: W03032.