Sworn deposition of translator Josephine McNee that the translation of the Mexican film "Las Abandonadas" ("Lost Women") provided was correct. The deposition was signed and notarized.

"Las Abandonadas," about a woman forced to work as a prostitute to support her son, won a Silver Ariel in Mexico for the performance of lead actress Dolores del Rio, and was nominated for seven other awards. New York State rejected its application for a license to be screened in theaters because of concerns about immorality.

Sample page from the translated script of the Mexican film "Las Abandonadas" ("Lost Women"), 1945. This page contains credits information and the beginning of a dialogue in both Spanish and English.

Report of the Motion Picture Division examiner on the Mexican film "Las Abandonadas" ("Lost Women"), 1945. The examiner recommended that the film be rejected in total for a license to be shown in New York State, due to the determination that it would "tend to corrupt morals."

Analysis of Motion Picture Division explaining why the Mexican film "Las Abandonadas" ("Lost Women") would be denied a license to be screened in New York State, 1946. Namely, the division decried scenes that "condone, glamorize, glorify and publicize the technique of prostitution." The film was deemed "flagrantly indecent"; "immoral"; and "tend[ed] to corrupt morals."

Letter from Motion Picture Division to Clasa-Mohme, Inc., the American distributors of the Mexican film "Las Abandonadas" ("Lost Women"), 1945. The letter explained that after the film had been reviewed, it was determined to be "immoral" and "tends to corrupt morals," and that it was therefore denied a license to be screened in New York State.

Identifier
NYSA_A1418-77_47619

Date Original
December 6 1945

Language
English

Source
New York State Archives, New York (State). Motion Picture Division. License application case files, 1921-1965. Box 1199, File 47619.

Rights
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Special Project
Ventana al Pasado/Window on the Past