ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY. - The E. dello s. (a name adopted since 1946) comprises the Catholic Cinematographic Center (C.C.C.), Theater Center (C.C.T.) and Radio Center (C.C.R.).
I. THE CATHOLIC CINEMATOGRAPHIC CENTER
Established in 1936 by the will of Pius XI, who in the encyclical Vigilanti cura fixed the thought and the directives of the Church on the subject of cinema, it has had and maintains the task of informing Catholics about the moral value of the films presented in Italy. For this purpose, a commission composed of ecclesiastical and lay experts operates under its direction, promptly issuing and disseminating such judgments. In addition to this activity, which is the fundamental one, the C.C.C. works to suggest to the film industries themes and ideas for a morally sound and constructive production, and does not neglect to support the free initiative of producers, especially as regards films of a particularly religious character, with collaboration of a technical nature as well.
Convinced of the importance of this work, which would restore and moralize cinema at its origin, that is, in its creative and productive phase, the C.C.C. advocated and promoted the establishment of a Catholic film company, which arose precisely in 1944 and was called Orbis, which produced several films of action and documentation (v. CINEMATOGRAFO). To Orbis is also due the first experimental realization of a vast program of educational cinematography relating to the teaching of Christian doctrine by means of cinema. This program of catechetical films is in the course of implementation through the joint work of the C.C.C., which oversees its doctrinal and artistic framing, and of Orbis, which undertakes its technical realization and industrial distribution. Promoted by the C.C.C., the A.C.E.C. (Catholic Association of Cinema Exhibitors) was established in May 1949 for the organization and protection of the more than 3500 parish, oratory, college, or otherwise ecclesiastical-authority-dependent cinemas.
II. THE CATHOLIC THEATRE CENTRE
Founded in 1941, it has overseen the staging, or the public reading, of dramatic works of religious interest (La leggenda di ognuno, by Hugo von Hoffmanstahl, S. Oliva, by an anonymous 16th-century author, Il sacro esperimento, by Fritz Hochwalder, L'annonce faite à Marie, by P. Claudel, La Passione secondo s. Giovanni (theatrical adaptation by Guido Guarda and others).
It has in its programme the establishment of a Service for the theatre for the guidance and protection of the more than 2000 Catholic amateur dramatic societies.
III. THE CATHOLIC RADIO CENTRE
Founded in 1940, its purpose is to make Catholics in general, and militants in particular, increasingly aware of the various problems (technical, legal, artistic, cultural, organizational) of radio broadcasting, and to present programs of Christian inspiration to the National Radio (R.A.I.), as well as to carry out special broadcasts on Vatican Radio.
For the R.A.I., the C.C.R. prepares news bulletins and special broadcasts on the occasion of important religious observances.
It collaborates with Vatican Radio through special broadcasts, for which it also handles the production by means of its own dramatic company. Part of these broadcasts are dedicated to children.
Finally, the C.C.R. collaborates with the radio service of the Presidency of the Council for broadcasts addressed abroad.