2 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide 30 th Anniversary Edition ® 3 Movieguide 30 YEARS OF DIVINE MIRACLES The Amazing Success Story Behind MOVIEGUIDE ®

By Dr. Ted Baehr

In 1983, more and more movies deserved and received an R-rating than any other year before. Only 6 percent of the movies released by Hollywood were being mar - keted to families, and even fewer movies had any positive Christian content. Things seemed dismal for families, and even more hopeless for Christians. Then movie producer Ken Wales (REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER, AMAZ - ING GRACE) introduced me to George Heimrich, the president of the former Protestant Film Office. Little did I realize the effect this meeting would have on me, my family, and the entertainment industry in Hollywood and around the world. Where it All Began In 1946, at the height of the Golden Age of Hollywood, I was born to Theodore Baehr (whose stage name was Robert “Tex” Allen) and Evelyn Peirce. Both my parents were successful stage, screen, and television actors. Growing up in New York with extended times in Hollywood and on lo - cation with movie productions starring my father, I followed re - luctantly in my parents’ footsteps, performing in commercials, movies, television, and stage, but I was not fond of being in front of the camera or even waiting for the casting cattle call. What I did enjoy was living the high life, which included everything from horse shows to fancy trips to engaging in ungodly activity from a very, very young age. After my mother died in 1960, when I was a young teenager, I renounced the spiritual con - cept that I thought was god and dove completely into the sordid life of drugs and looking for love in all the wrong places. I even tried to bring as many people as I could with me on the road to perdition by throwing parties with po - tent concoctions. Some never recov -

4 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Moviguide ered. Some tragically ended their & Television Foundation won an precious lives. Emmy Award for Best Animated After studying abroad, I gradu - Television Special. THE LION, THE ated with high distinction in Com - WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE parative Literature and as a Rufus aired on one of the three major Choate Scholar from Dartmouth CBS networks and was watched College. I then received a Juris by more than 37 million viewers, Doctorate from New York Univer - thousands of whom wrote me let - sity School of Law where I served ters that it influenced and trans - as editor of the NYU Law School formed their lives. newspaper, editor of the Drug Shortly thereafter I was nomi - Law Review, and editor of the En - nated for another Emmy Award for vironmental Law Review. one of the programs in the PBS At the same time, I got involved PERSPECTIVES SERIES: WAR AND in radical causes including lead - PEACE I served as the exec utive ing the Law School Coalition to producer, creative director and host. End the War, the National Lawyers While I was head of the organ - Guild, and starting the environ - ization that produced THE LION, mental movement at the US At - THE WITCH, AND THE WARD - torney’s Office SDNY and the Dr. Ted Baehr and his wife Lili DROBE, I was asked by my friend, environmental law department at when they first moved to Hollywood John Heyman, the Jewish pro - NYU motivated by a particular ducer of the Genesis Project, for hate for faith, free enterprize, and Filled with the Holy Spirit through his input on THE JESUS FILM that he business. I had no idea that God was faith in Jesus Christ, I decided to attend was producing. Bill Bright later used this in fact shaping me, even during those seminary at the Institute of Theology at project to reach over a billion people rebellious days. the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. To for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then I support myself through seminary, I was went to Rome to work with Vincenzo La - Rescued by God miraculously offered a position as the bella, the producer of JESUS OF While I was financing independent Director of the Television Center at the NAZARTEH and the first A.D. movies for the startup Canon Films, an City University of New York (CUNY) and older matriarchal friend, who had was hired at the same time to head the How We Help come to know Jesus Christ at the Billy television and radio ministry of Trinity Originally JESUS OF NAZARETH did - Graham Crusade in New York City in Church at Broadway and Wall Street. n’t have a resurrection, so we convinced 1957, suggested that I read the Bible to Still, God was opening important the producers and filmmakers to in - show her what was wrong with it. I was doors, leading me to important work. clude a resurrection. The same issue an over-educated man, so how hard arose in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. could it be to refute the Bible? Each Step Directed by God The number of projects we have been Upon opening God’s word one night, During my tenure at CUNY, I worked involved in since the late 1970s would my life was changed, both profession - closely with academia, researching the take up pages and pages. However, the ally and personally. Suddenly, life made impact of the media. I joined with more most important thing is that MOVIE- sense. Chasing after empty promises than sixty professors to develop and test GUIDE® is at the forefront of helping lost their appeal. Hedonism relin - the first intergenerational media literacy movies and television programs pro - quished its hold on me. I stopped the course. Convicted by my previous fi - claim the Good News of Jesus Christ, for debauchery by God’s grace alone. nancing of salacious and despicable the benefit of our children and grand - There was no withdrawal, only the movies, I started the Good News Com - children. Your involvement, including peace that comes from a personal en - munications ministry in 1978 to redeem your gifts and prayers, have helped us do counter with Jesus Christ. the mass media of entertainment. the work of the Kingdom in unique and Immediately, I was compelled to Miraculously, I was elected President world-changing ways. marry my beloved. The week before the of the Episcopal Radio & Television Then, 1983 came, and a meeting wedding, a friend asked me if I wanted Foundation in 1979 and began con - took place that changed everything... to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and ceptualizing another ministry, the Chris - Savior and be filled with His Holy Spirit. tian Film & Television Commission®. I did. During my tenure, the Episcopal Radio

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 5 Movieguide When Christians Pull Out of Culture ® From 1933 to 1966, Christians were one of the MOVIEGUIDE predominant positive forces in Hollywood. During that period, the Roman Catholic Legion of Decency and the Protestant Film Commission (which started IS BORN several years after the Legion of Decency) read every script to ensure that movies represented the largest possible audience by adhering to high standards of decency. As a result, MR. SMITH [went] TO WASH - INGTON, IT [was] A WONDERFUL LIFE, and THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S rang out across the land! The meeting with George Heim - It took 10 years and God’s Grace acting through rich and his lovely wife Lucille was three dedicated Christian men to position God’s peo - set up in 1983 by the great movie ple to be such a powerful moral influence on Holly - producer Ken Wales. George, the wood. As the videotape HOLLY-WOOD former President of the Protestant UNCENSORED all too clearly demonstrated, prior to Film Office; told me a story; a story the involvement of these Christian men in 1933, where people of faith retreated American movies were morally bankrupt – full of nu - from being salt and light in the cul - dity, perversity, and violence. From 1922 to 1933, ture, and left the entertainment in - churchgoing men and women tried everything, in - dustry, which resulted in the cluding censorship boards, to influence Hollywood to breakdown of morality in movies make wholesome entertainment. and television today. What he said Nothing succeeded until Christians volunteered to changed everything. work alongside the Hollywood studios to help them Inspired by George, I began reach the largest possible audience. Then, in 1932, contacting prominent members of Hollywood invited the church film offices to help the the entertainment industry, and in movie studios fill theater seats, and the movie indus - 1985, formed the Christian Film & ® Jeffrey Katzenberg, Founder and CEO of try turned toward movies and entertainment that the Television Commission ministry Dreamworks consults with Dr. Ted Baehr. ® whole family could see together. and MOVIEGUIDE : The Family, Dreamworks would later go on to release THE PRINCE OF EGYPT in 1998. When the Protestant Film Office closed its advo - Biblical Guide to Movies and En - cacy offices in Hollywood in 1966 (in spite of many tertainment. requests to stay by the top Hollywood filmmakers), In his will, George Heimrich do - Beautiful, Hollywood would notice. not only did it open the floodgates to violence (THE nated his Protestant Film Office The radio program grew and eventu - WILD BUNCH), sex and Satanism (ROSEMARY’S files to the Good News Communi - ally turned into a television program BABY), and perverse anti-religious bigotry (MID - cations, Inc. – Christian Film & Tel - and then a magazine. ® NIGHT COWBOY), it also caused a severe drop in evision Commission ministry, Eight years after Movieguide ® movie attendance from 44 million tickets sold per where they now reside. The min - formed, in 1992, spurred on by a con - week to about 17 million. istry uses the same vision for posi - versation with Sir John Templeton, the tive change in those files to redeem billionaire financier behind the John the values of the mass media of Templeton Foundation, as well as talks entertainment according to biblical with others, I started the Annual Report principles by influencing key enter- to the Entertainment Industry, a report tainment executives to adopt card to Hollywood telling the enter - higher standards and by informing tainment industry how they were doing and equipping the public, espe - when it comes to producing the family- cially parents with children and friendly and faith-friendly program - families. ming that American moviegoers ® MOVIEGUIDE started as a wanted. radio program. We knew that if The next year, a luncheon was also people voted with their tickets, and held in the heart of Hollywood to chose the Good, the True, and the deliver the first Annual Report, and it The Protestant Film Office of the 1930s preceded the work of CFTVC in Hollwood and now, Movieguide® is the repository of their archives.

6 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide stopped making morally damaging movies and TV programs. Instead, many of them are now making inspir - ing entertainment with faith and values. The mass media creates and controls the culture that shapes the hearts and minds of future generations. Imagine the hearts and minds that have been changed for the better in the past 30 years because of all the new family- friendly and faith-friendly movies and television programs that MOVIE- GUIDE ® and its Awards Gala have promoted and honored!

Radio is still a major part of MOVIEGUIDE ®‘s outreach

The first MOVIEGUID E ® office in Atlanta, Georgia attracted major studio executives in the entertainment industry as well as big stars like Charlton Heston and Pat Boone. The Annual MOVIEGUID E® Faith & Values Awards Gala & Report to the Entertainment Industry was born! The work has been plentiful, but God has been with us all along the way. Countless Hollywood executives and celebrities have come to Christ, strengthened their faith, and have The Red Carpet at the MOVIEGUIDE ® Faith & Values Awards Gala

Dr. Baehr on Oprah Winfrey Show discussing THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST in 1988

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 7 Movieguide 8 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide 30 th Anniversary Edition ® 9 Movieguide “NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS” This oft repeated proverb was reportedly first put into The former chairman of a major Holly - print in 1854 by Alexandre Dumas, the author of THE THREE wood studio attributed all these posi - MUSKETEERS and THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. Now, tive shifts directly to MOVIEGUIDE ®’s 160 years later, Christians are seeing the truth of this proverb influence as well as the Christian Film bearing much fruit. Last year, the movie industry released & Television Commission ®’s box office more than 15 faith-based movies in theaters nationwide to analysis and Annual Report to the En - tremendous success at the box office. tertainment Industry. Many major movie In March and April of 2014, for example, faith-based studios now have a Christian, faith- movies like SON OF GOD, GOD’S NOT DEAD, and based film division, and several HEAVEN IS FOR REAL made it into the top five movies at the studios are doing major box office, sometimes at number one, sometimes at number movies with strong and two or three. This year has also been an incredible year for overt Christian or biblical faith based movies such as WAR ROOM and DO YOU BE - content. Also, now all LIEVE. Next year could be another high water mark with the the major studios, not release of such movies as RISEN, THE YOUNG MESSIAH, just Disney, are doing GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, and a remake of BEN-HUR. movies for young Truth be told, most of the other top movies at the box of - children and fami - fice these days are faith-friendly. For example, in 2014, the lies. science fiction movie DIVERGENT and its 2015 sequel IN - This doesn’t SURGENT, which led the box office the weekend it opened, mean of were written by a Christian and featured Christian themes. course that Also, in the recent Captain America movie, THE WINTER the studios SOLDIER, Christian themes show the hero risking his life to aren’t doing save a lost sheep and undergoing a symbolic baptism, itself bad or hor - a metaphor for death and resurrection. rible

10 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide Producers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson accept the $1000,000 Epiphany Prize for THE BLIND SIDE as Most Inspiring Movie of the Year movies any more, but it does mean • The prestigious $200,000 there are fewer and fewer bad Epiphany Prizes for the Most Inspir - movies, and an increasing number of ing Movie and TV Program that helps good ones. It’s our prayer that the people know God and understand movie industry will make more and Him better (supported by a grant from more commendable movies, and re - the John Templeton Foundation); move all offensive elements from them. • The Faith & Freedom Awards All along the way, we’ve been help - for Promoting Positive Faith & Values; ing and encouraging Christian film - makers and even non-Christian • The $50,000 Kairos Prizes for filmmakers to put faith-based, family- Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays by First- friendly content in their scripts, Time and Beginning Screenwriters movies, and television shows, and im - (supported by a grant from the John prove their storytelling abilities so they Templeton Foundation); can reach and influence as many people as possible. • The $50,000 Chronos Prize for Part of our outreach was a Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays by result of an unexpected and Es tablished Screenwriters (supported by miraculous telephone conver - a grant from the John Templeton Foun - sation with Sir John Temple - dation); ton in 1988. In response the Christian Film & Television • The Annual Grace Awards for the Commission ® ministry ini - Most Inspiring Performances in Movies tiated the Annual & TV, given to the two actors whose per - MOVIEGUIDE ® Faith & formances best display God’s grace Values Awards Gala and and mercy toward us as human beings; Report to the Entertain - ment Industry in 1992 in • The MOVIEGUIDE ® Teddy “The Los Angeles. The Gala Good News” Bear Awards for the now features: Ten Best Movies for Families; and

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 11 Movieguide To add glamour to the event, actors and actresses are in - vited to emcee and present the awards. Music and enter - tainment are also added to make it a memorable event. We also give our guests Bibles and other redemptive materials to carry out our mission to reach Holly wood for Christ. Within the context of this elegant affair, Dr. Baehr presents Movieguide ®’s “Report to the Entertainment Industry.” Through careful analysis of box office figures and MOVIEGUIDE ® criteria on all the major movies released (nearly 300 a year) by the six studios controlling the indus - try, He presents valuable and unique information to the highest-level Hollywood leaders through this high-impact report. The success of faith-based and faith- friendly movies and television shows like SON OF GOD, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, GOD’S NOT DEAD, THE BIBLE, DUCK DY - Dr. Baehr gives the Report to The NASTY, WAR ROOM, FROZEN, CAPTAIN Entertainment Industry AMERICA: THE WINTER SODIER, UNBRO - KEN, DESPICABLE ME 2, and THE BLIND SIDE • The Papa Bear Awards for the Ten is no fluke. It’s a miracle from God. Best Movies for Ma ture Audiences. When Christians abandon the mass media, In the Movieguide® Awards we seek to they abandon their culture and their fellow man. acknowledge those movies, TV programs When Christians get involved in the mass media, ® and actors truly deserving of praise, and those persons re - as we have done at MOVIEGUIDE , God honors sponsible for bringing them to the screen. that commitment with success.

Dr. Baehr looks on as Mark Burnett and Roma Downey accept the Epiphany Prize for the THE BIBLE television series

12 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide The purpose of the Gala and the Report to the Entertainment Industry is:

I To encourage filmmakers to con- tinue to make movies with moral and spiritually uplifting values;

I To share the concerns of the ma- jority of the American public in regards to the negative influences of today’s movies; and, Jim Caviezel accepts the Epiphany Prize for THE PASSION OF THE I To present an in-depth study of CHRIST as Dr. Ted Baehr and Dr. Jack Templeton look on the annual movie box office and not only dispel myths that ex- treme sex, violence, and nudity Your Gifts and Prayers Help Us sells, but also to show that family movies and movies with morally MOVIEGUIDE ® ’s uplifting, Christian values and long-term strategy to positive Christian content make redeem the values of Bill Engvall, the most money by far. the entertainment in - comedian and dustry is working. emcee for the God has blessed our Faith & Values Awards Gala efforts tremendously, (2014-2015) as recent history has shown.

Willie and Korie Robertson accept the Faith and Freedom Award for DUCK DYNASTY

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 13 Movieguide Even so, we need the faith and support from Chris - tians all over the globe. Your faith and financial sup - port are vital, especially if we are to continue the never-ending struggle to transform our culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the benefit of future gener - ations. By lending MOVIEGUIDE ® your faith and support, you help and protect the weakest among us. By help - ing and protecting them through MOVIEGUIDE ®, you honor God and His Word, the Holy Bible, by promoting His love (1 Corinthians 13:1-6), commending “those who do right” (1 Peter 2:14), exposing “the fruitless deeds of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11), and focusing on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

Mike Knoblock accepts the 2012 Epiphany award for LES MISERABLES

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8). It only took Jesus Christ 11 apostles – 12 if you count the Apostle Paul – to change the world and create the liberty, righteousness, and prosperity that Western Civ - ilization produced under Jesus and His Church. Imag - ine what 2.38 billion Christians could do with the mass media, applying biblical principles through MOVIEGUIDE ® and the Christian Film & Television Producer David Zelon accepts the Crystal Teddy Bear Commission ®! Award for SOUL SURFER as one of the Ten Best 2011 Movies for Families. Later in the evening, SOUL SURFER was named the Best 2011 Movie for Families

14 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide 30 YEARS OF INFLUENCE Whether it’s through Dr. Baehr teaching Media-Wise workshops or being interviewed on the leading news programs around the world or the TV show, radio show and magazine of MOVIEGUIDE ®, God has given Good News Communications a voice of influence in today’s culture .

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 15 Movieguide 30 th Anniversary Edition 2015 16 Moviguide FJausti rfo rR ae mpomreenst, etryn ttoa imtiaogine tohe f RHeollliygwoiood nha si na gMreaot rvesipeons sibility to unimaginable: Sylvester Stallone portraying bolster the moral fiber of the country, and a priest selling raffle tickets for the Easter it’s time the producers in this town woke up carnival. Harrison Ford as a kindly rabbi or - to that fact. ganizing a food bank for the community. Religion has been a light to the nations for Ridiculous? Yes, it’s hard to picture today’s thousands of years, and stars as men of the cloth. Usually, the cloth long after the debunkers they wear is torn and tattered, just like an of today are gone, peo - image of religion in film today. The on- ple will still gather to - screen depiction of religion is less than flat - gether in worship. I wish tering, and, as a Christian, I pray the era of Hollywood would reflect denigrating religion comes to a screeching that kind of spirit. 1990 halt. And soon….. Mickey Rooney reprint Volume 5, No 10, 1990

TTOheY fir sSt tTotaOlly RcoYm pRuteer vaniimeaw ted The movie is overflowing with heroism, movie is TOY STORY. It answers the virtues and moral messages, not the question "What happens to my toys least of which is that while envy can only when I leave the room?" in a wonderful, destroy, friendship can overcome. The moral, fantastic way. In the movie, double entendre in the film will make it Woody is a cowboy doll, voiced by Tom just as appealing to teenagers and Hanks, who envies the new favorite toy adults as it is to younger children. TOY in town, Buzz Lightyear, space ranger, STORY has a heart of gold. It is funny, voiced by Tim Allen. When their fighting clean, wholesome, and virtuous. It is a gets Woody and Buzz left behind at a classic beginning to a new genre -- a gas station, they have to start working masterpiece which is sure to capture the together to get home. imaginations of young and old alike. 1995 reprint November B, 1995

Author Wants Hollywood to Clean Up Its Act If people refused to purchase tickets to watch such an orgy of violence as NAT - Editor’s Note: John Grisham is the URAL BORN KILLERS, then similar novelist behind such bestsellers as A movies wouldn’t be made. Hollywood is TIME TO KILL, THE FIRM, THE CHAM - pious, but only to a point. It will defend BER, THE PELICAN BRIEF, THE RAIN - its crassest movies on the grounds that MAKER, and SYCAMORE ROAD. A they are necessary for social introspec - Christian, Grisham has been active in tion, or that they need to test the limits speaking out against Oliver Stone’s of artistic expression, or that they can ig - movie NATURAL BORN KILLERS. This ar - nore the bounds of decency as long as ticle first appeared in 1996 and was these movies label themselves as satire. printed in Movieguide® with permission. This all works fine if the box office is busy, but let the red ink flow, and Holly - 1996 wood suddenly has a keen interest in re - discovering what’s mainstream. reprint June B, 1996 John Grisham

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 17 Movieguide The Golden Age Passes Away: Peter Ford on the Death of James Stewart The leading men America admired on tor, as they always have been, and they screen throughout the ’40s, ‘50s and ‘60s are the very people whom Jimmy Stewart, were my heroes in real life, frequent visi - Henry Fonda, Glen Ford, and the other tors to our (Glenn Ford and Eleanor Pow - leading men, portrayed in the movies. ell) home while I was growing up, and I They are the dads and moms who love had the unique privilege of getting to their children and show them how to love know many of them on a personal level… God and country…In short, the heroes of While the passing of our vulnerable Silver today in this nation are those men and Screen luminaries has left a void in the women who still live by the principles, writ - heart of America, that doesn’t mean our ten and understood, which made this 1997 nation is left without any heroes or role country great. They are true Americans. models. They are there, in the private sec - Peter Ford reprint February A, 1997

Animated Movie PRINCE OF EGYPT Is a Roaring Success GLENDALE, CA (July 30, 1999) -- being honored by a Christian group Dr. Ted Baehr, founder and publisher in this way, Katzenberg said, “It’s the of MOVIEGUIDE, the family guide to movie that’s being honored, and the movies and entertainment, presented movie’s message is everybody’s. So it Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of the belongs to the world and all the peo - founders of DreamWorks SKG, the ple of the world. And so I think [this John Templeton Foundation’s award] is a privilege and an honor for $25,000 Epiphany Prize for the Most the movie and a tribute to the artists - Inspiring Movie of 1998 for THE - almost 450 of them -- who spent PRINCE OF EGYPT, the animated epic four years making it.” about the life of Moses. The idea for the film about the man Speaking in Jeffrey Katzenberg’s of - who was born a slave, raised by a fice at DreamWorks SKG Animation king and then chosen by God to lead Studios in Glendale, California, on His people out of slavery, is based on Wednesday, July 28, Dr. Baehr told the biblical book of Exodus. It came Mr. Katzenberg that the Epiphany about some four years ago at the for - Prize “has a lot of meaning and is mation of DreamWorks Pictures, when given by Sir John Templeton and the the three partners, Steven Spielberg, Templeton Foundation for those Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, movies that help people know God 1998 were meeting in Spielberg’s living and understand God better.” room. Dr. Baehr added, “In all the years reprint December A, 1998 In a previous interview, Katzenberg that we’ve presented this prize, there the movie. It’s a better movie for your recalled that fateful day when they has never been a movie like PRINCE efforts.” were discussing why they would want OF EGYPT that so effectively fulfilled Ted Baehr then said, “It’s going to to start a studio and what kind of films the Templeton criteria. So I want to be a timeless classic. It’s going to they would make. thank you for doing just that.” grow to be one of the great classic “When we came to animation, I said Jeffrey Katzenberg replied to Dr. movie experiences of all time, because to them that, having become a student Baehr, who was a consultant during the quality of it is incredible.” of animation and having watched it the making of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, Katzenberg responded, “You wish it, evolve over the years, I thought we “You have been incredibly helpful to and I believe it.” were at a crossroads at which there us and I hope you take some pride in When asked how he felt about was an extraordinary opportunity,

18 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide both creatively and also as a business “My dream was to go back and take said, ‘I’d like to do a story like INDI - and as entertainment.” the technique of animation and tell a ANA JONES or TERMINATOR 2.’” Katzenberg had previously served very different kind of story. Now, 60 or Katzenberg recalled that Spielberg as Chairman of The Walt Disney Stu - 70 years later, when you say anima - looked at him for two seconds and dios for ten years from 1984 to 1994, tion, it means a fairytale cartoon for said, “Good, you ought to do the Ten where he supervised the creation of toddlers,” said Katzenberg. “Anima - Commandments.” such family-friendly hits as THE LITTLE tion isn’t a technique; it’s a genre. “That’s literally how the idea of MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST That vision has been passed on from doing this movie came to me,” and THE LION KING. generation to generation and it’s so Katzenberg said. “Sitting there with us, “I talked about Walt Disney taking strong, that Walt Disney’s vision of the David [Geffen] said, ‘You know what. this technique of cartooning and mak - genre is all we know. But animation to It’s a fantastic idea, and a great story ing this unbelievable leap from mak - me is a technique, and I said to Steven to tell, but let’s be quite clear. It’s not ing Mickey Mouse cartoons, which and David that day, sitting in Steven’s a fairytale, and it’s not yours, and if were very simple graphic, primary de - living room, that as for me, I wanted you are going to do it, then under - signs, very exaggerated motions, to to tell a story like INDIANA JONES, stand that you are taking on a re - the making of SNOW WHITE AND using the technique of animation, be - sponsibility that is going to be unique THE SEVEN DWARFS, which to this cause animation is about exaggera - and demanding, and you are going to day is still the most beautiful animated tion, so to tell a bigger than life story, have to go very aggressively into the movie ever made. He made this quan - with bigger than life characters and world.’ And, that’s how it came tum leap from cartooning to story - bigger than life drama, that is what about.” telling. you can accomplish with animation. I Dan Wooding

THE PASSION OFM eTl HGibEso nC’s HTHRE PIASSSTIO NR OeF vTHieE w point, the brutal treatment of the Messiah CHRIST covers the time period from the is shown in stark detail. Garden of Gethsemane to the Cross and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is a beyond. Going beyond most Passion must-see movie, beautifully directed, Plays, it highlights in stark, dark, intense powerfully acted, and with terrific sound. terms the spiritual warfare raging around Filmed in Latin and Aramaic, THE PAS - Jesus Christ during His Passion. The first SION OF THE CHRIST has a foreign sen - scene has Jesus weeping in the Garden sibility. The violence and the glee of the of Gethsemane, as Satan, an androgy - Romans who were scourging Jesus high - nous figure accompanied by a snake, light the demonic quality of the battle tries to tempt Jesus away from his destiny Jesus was fighting. Those who see it will on the cross. When Jesus arises, he understand, perhaps for the first time, the stomps on the head of the serpent. price that Jesus paid to forgive us our Quickly, Judas leads the temple guards sins. This is real grace, not cheap grace. 2004 into the garden to arrest Jesus. From that reprint February A/B, 2004

MIno rercen t Fmoantihtsh, th-eB praessenece d aMge oovf iCehsris tiWan ilstlo rCyteollinmg, e! of a social backlash has been where are all the Christian pro - undeniable. While some believe ducers who will stand up to make that it began with the televised the films, and how can Christian exposure of Janet Jackson’s writers find them? Dr. Ted Baehr 2004 breast during a halftime show at insists that the buyers for Chris - reprint the Super Bowl, most agree that tian product are out there. November A/B, 2004 this was just the final moment in a trend that has been building Catherine Clinch , Editor of since 9/11. If Mel Gibson has Creative Screenwriting Magazine paved the way for the golden

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 19 Movieguide “One of the best things that happened to me at Paramount was meeting you...”

~ Brandon Tartikoff , Former Chairman Paramount Pictures

There is a man who has been in show business for more than 40 years, fighting to hold a line on decency, respect and moral boundaries in movies and on television. His name is Dr. Ted Baehr. Ted and his wife, Lili, are dear friends of my wife, Gena, and me.

~ Chuck Norris WALKER, TEXAS RANGER

I’m delighted to know that your ministry is having such an impact on Hollywood and the television indus - try... it’s proof that miracles are still possible--even the jaded world of film and TV! Perhaps there’s reason to hope! Blessings to you, friend!

~ James C. Dobson, Ph.D. Family Talk

As you know we have talked many times over the course of making this movie and, beside being a great adventure, I think it was, in many ways, a very emo - tional, rewarding and spiritual ex - perience for all the people involved in making it. You have been incredibly helpful to us and I hope you take some pride in the movie. Prince of Egypt is a better movie for your efforts.

~ Jeffrey Katzenberg CEO of DreamWorks Animation

20 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide Ted Baehr and staff through MOVIEGUIDE ® and re - lated books bring an alternative viewpoint to what is of - I’m so grateful for the outstanding fered to the public through TV and movies. Always work you’re doing on behalf of pre - seeking higher standards, Ted challenges the viewing serving decency and responsibility in public not to settle for less in story, production values a culture hostile towards morality. and acting.Keep up the good work, Ted. ~ Jesse Helms ~ Ron Husband United State Senate Animator at Walt Disney Productions, THE LION KING, ALADDIN and HERCULES

"We love

Mo~v Roiemag Duowidneey a!n"d Mark Burnett THE BIBLE, SON OF GOD, A.D.

I agree 100% with everything the Christian Film and Television Well, I finally met an impor - Commission stands for. I tant person. I met Ted Baehr. fought my studio constantly as When I met Ted, I realized the old code was broken and here is a man who is really David against Goliath. "You got a guy like Ted I’m appalled at what I see on Baehr stepping outside of the screen today. My 13-year- While I dance with the devil, every day he, his wife, his the box. You don't have old grandson lived with us for a many rebels like that. year and it was brought home children, and his employees march into studios and influ - Everybody just goes with in spades how inappropriate the flow or they don't worry nearly everything is today for ence them to make movies and television with faith- about their fellow man. children – even commercials. What he's doing is great. I Let’s put the writers back to based content. Movies that have characteristics and val - hope he continues to do it work on stories and cut out and I hope more people today’s substitute of sex and vi - ues of Christian living. olence. follow his lead." God Bless, ~ Larry Thompson ~ Michael Clarke Duncan ~ Jane Russell Film Producer and Former Personal THE GREEN MILE, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES Manager for Joan Rivers and ARMAGEDDON and and HIS KIND OF WOMAN William Shatner KUNG FU PANDA

30 th Anniversary EditioN ® 21 Movieguide I want to commend you on the out - industry redeem itself by creating I met Ted in 1980 when Ted had standing work you have done morally redemptive, uplifting enter - just started Good News Communica - through the years to help educate tainment. tions. At the time, there were very few America about movies and television This was a miracle to me, and I media groups dedicated to serving programs coming forth from the en - began to correspond with Ted, and I Christ and spreading the Gospel. Ted tertainment industry. You have greatly soon discovered he was a very wise had the vision to use cable TV in New sharpened the discernment of all of man. He gave very freely of his time York City as a new vehicle for the us. and his counsel, and I went on shortly Christian message. Time Warner You are also to be commended for afterward to make the movie GRACE Cable was required by local law to your work to help make positive UNPLUGGED. For that success I want provide a channel for community changes within the industry by work - to thank the writer, director, and my groups. At the time, this was an ing within it, establishing a rapport partners. under-utilized resource. Ted convinced with industry leaders and persuading Last, but in no way least, I’ve got to Trinity Church on Wall Street to start a many that morality is not only the thank Ted. Because without the pio - television ministry. Good News man - right thing to do, but it makes better neering and selfless work that he’s aged this project for nearly a decade. business sense. done as an overnight success in 30 I joined Ted in 1980 and served as Your movie reviews are outstanding years, it would have been impossible Good News President while Ted went and are a great aid to everyone, in - to make a movie like GRACE UN - to Atlanta to supervise the distribution cluding both parents and children. PLUGGED. So Ted, I just want to of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. They are well-written, thorough and thank you very, very much.” Good News Communications built a are an excellent guide to decision ~ Chris Zarpas, Producer, TV studio for Trinity Church and pro - making about what to see and what GRACE UNPLUGGED duced a talk show called Searching, to avoid. which provided theological discussion At a time in our history when film Congratulations on the anniver - to the New York viewing public. and television seem to have reached sary of MOVIEGUIDE®. It’s amaz - After these adventures, Ted felt the depths of depravity, your efforts ing to think about what you and God had a slightly different focus for have been a light in the darkness and your team have accomplished over the next phase of Good News. Ted have made a difference. I thank God these years. moved his family to California and for you and all your work. May God I remember when I was just get - began MOVIEGUIDE ®. I moved in continue to bless and use you. ting into the business, and trying to a different direction, directing live TV Yours for fulfilling the Great Com - understand how it all worked; you news for Fox News. mission in this generation, were there, a seasoned veteran with While MOVIEGUIDE ® grew, Ted ~ Bill Bright, Founder incredible experience and a treasure continued his passion for teaching. Campus Crusade for Christ chest of data and research. Your As Ted traveled the world teaching work has been – and continues to about the media and the Gospel, he One day, shortly after receiving a be – a foundation that the of the rest met Russian Orthodox Christians Golden Globe for work I had done of us can build upon. with Ridley Scott, I was more miser - Thank you for answering God’s who wanted to start a TV news sta - able than ever, and I went to the call to highlight and encourage tion in Russia with a Christian edito - bookstore, and I bought the first Bible good, wholesome, inspirational en - rial policy. Ted set up the meeting I ever had that didn’t have pictures to tertainment. You’ve helped us see and pushed the project forward with color in it. In a very short amount of that this type of entertainment is not me as the director of the build out time I came to discover what it was only better for our body, mind, and and programming. Today, this 80 that I was missing. soul, but also better for business. million Euro to build station was cre - I stumbled across a website called Because of your work, more projects ated without government funding Movieguide.org. I was amazed at the have gone down the right path, and and provides a Christian perspective quality of the site and the information millions of people’s lives have been on current events. It is seen in 65 there and so inspired by the idea that enriched. I am proud to call you million homes across eight time someone would dedicate his life to a friend, and honored to work “in the zones. ministry that would help people vineyard” alongside you. ~ Jack Hanick, spread the Gospel through motion ~ Paul Lauer, CEO Former Director at Fox News pictures and help the motion picture Motive Entertainment

22 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide

Lili Baehr Discusses the Inspiration for the

New Movieguide ® Headquarters

Everything is in a flurry over at doesn’t like to mention this, but she was Where did you Movieguide® today as we pack boxes actually the only woman in her class to get your inspiration and move desks, but thankfully Lili finish the five-year degree, graduating for the new building? Baehr was able to find a few minutes to alongside 25 men.) After college I share her story and talk about the vi - worked in New York for Joseph Pell sion for Movieguide’s new home. Lombardi, interned in Paris, and spent As I said, I’ve always loved architec - a summer working in Barcelona. ture and I think my experience working Where did the When Ted and I founded in New York with Lombardi inspired Movieguide® in 1985 we started some of the design for my new build - passion for this ing. Loft buildings were just becoming project originate? out with a typewriter in a base - ment, and I couldn’t have popular when I started working in New dreamed we would be where York, and we would take these old cast I’ve wanted to be an architect we are today, bursting at the iron buildings and turn them into these since I was a little girl. I decided seams in our rented office space! grand loft spaces. I think that brought to pursue a degree in architec - I’ve loved this opportunity to re - some of the sensibility to my design. ture when I attended Rice search and design a new Our new office building is such an ex - University and when state of the art citing space. It is high tech but low cost, I finished in space that I feel with an industrial aesthetic. Think of ’71. I was one will take us into polished concrete floors and open of the first the next era of rafter ceilings. Large windows wrap the women to the ministry. perimeter of the building and add complete beautiful natural light to the open floor the pro - plan style. We have an open flex space, gram. a collaboration pit, and unique com - (Lili munal work spaces all to generate syn - ergy between employees.

What are you most thankful for in this process?

God has taken me on an incredible journey through the years. Throughout the life of our ministry, angel donors

Lili Milani Baehr, wife, mother, and architect

24 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide have appeared at exactly the right time Are there to move us forward any to the next step. We highlights started out in the basement of our that spring house in Atlanta, to mind then an angel when you donor appeared to reflect back say “you need com - on the puters” and pro - vided them for us. construction? Later on when we Well, our most were still in Atlanta, recent script class another angel attended a picnic donor noticed our in what was then need for a proper our empty building office space and and they wrote provided the funds their favorite scrip - for a rented space. tures on the walls. Many years later, Those will stay when we moved to The new MOVIEGUIDE® offices located at 4073 Mission Oaks Blvd. in ebedded in the California, we were Camarillo, California building as a re - once again working minder of the foun - in our house, and another angel came along with a check dation and security we have in Christ Jesus. to cover rented space. This building project has been no dif - This is truly a transformational moment for our ministry ferent. My theme throughout the project has been “walking here at Movieguide®. This new building will give us the on the water,” and God has provided every step of the way, space to hold more classes and accommodate more stu - from an incredibly generous supporter who helped us pur - dents. We’re so excited to pursue new opportunities in radio chase the building in cash, to many, many other friends who and television with our new state of the art studios, and we have helped us with other major milestones. We still have a are already making plans with universities and students (the ways to go, but I am trusting God for His provision and future filmmakers) to come be equipped to make an impact thanking Him for His grace thus far! for Christ in the media.

EMAIL [email protected] TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON THE NEW BUILDING

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 25 Movieguide What’s Next for Movieguide ®

By Robert Baehr When my father and mother heard the Lord’s voice 30 years ago calling them to redeem the mass media of the Hollywood Entertainment In - dustry, we could never have imagined what He had in store. We have had the privilege to advocate on your behalf, leading the charge to bring Christian values back to Hollywood. When we began, only 3% of movies had positive Christian content, but in the past 30 years, that percentage has grown to more than 60%. We know that media has a tremendous impact on culture and we are thankful to God for the influence He has allowed us to have. In addition to advocacy efforts, our work to train families in media wisdom currently reaches over 21 million men, women, and children every month for the gospel. Looking back over where we’ve been leads me to ask , where has God called us to go from here? Just a few weeks ago, we moved to our new world headquarters, which has opened up exciting new possibilities. Build - ing on our current How to Succeed in Hol - lywood Without Losing Your Soul filmmaking course, we are looking to

26 ® 30 th Anniversary Edition Movieguide partner with a Christian univer - sity to establish the Movie- guide ® Institute, which will equip the next generation of filmmakers with the tools they need to bring God honoring stories to the big screen. Our new headquarters has also increased our capacity to permeate culture with the tools families need to make wise media choices. With the new studio we are able to produce more content and at a higher quality than ever before. We are looking forward to in - creased opportunities in televi - sion and radio, so be on the lookout for even more inter - views, reviews, and culture-wise training segments. Dream - principles for media discernment. We see this as an impor - ing big, we’re hoping to launch a thirty-minute program to tant step to actively equip the Church to stand firm in a so - air on one of the major cable networks. ciety that is increasingly void of a moral compass. Over the top content providers like Netflix and Hulu have In addition to equipping families with tools to filter through opened up a whole new realm of poten - the endless barrage of content, we are tial for Movieguide ® to reach the culture continuing to press studios and film - for Christ. We are working to become the makers to create more positive Chris - trusted review provider for these type serv - tian content. I can only dream of a day ices. We are looking forward to the value when the studios realize that America this will add to families looking for some - doesn’t want most of the content they thing edifying to watch. Along these same are producing! lines, be on the lookout for new features The Movieguide ® Annual Faith & on our website and mobile apps. We are Values Awards Gala & Report to the working to launch features that will ac - Entertainment Industry is about to cel - tively recommend content for date nights, ebrate its 24th year. What began as a sleepovers, and family time. We also have luncheon to honor the good, true, and a vision and plan to provide parents with the beautiful in Hollywood has grown the basic tools they need to pass media to one of the most sought after events discernment on to their children. in the industry. Last year, the Gala al - You’ve seen it firsthand: children are lowed us the opportunity to share the consuming the media through their smart Gospel with hundreds of top studio ex - phones and tablets, more than ever be - ecutives and leading actors. We are fore. Thankfully, Movieguide ® is right looking forward to continuing to grow there, through apps and many social the event and hope to take it to the media platforms to reach, teach, and dis - next level for millions to see on TV. ciple the next generation. From a new The dream is big: Redeem Holly - podcast, to TV programs and teaching wood and arm families with media material, Movieguide ® is continuing to wisdom, but God is bigger, and by His use new technology and new platforms to grace and your support, the work has reach hearts and minds. just begun. One of the biggest areas where we Thank you for standing with us these would appreciate your prayers is in part - past 30 years as we hold the banner nering with churches to train families in media wisdom. We for faith and freedom in Hollywood. We look forward to are working to launch a training curriculum for churches, partnering with you in this mission field for many years to Bible studies, and Sunday school classes that will share basic come.

30 th Anniversary Edition ® 27 Movieguide 4073 Mission Oaks Blvd. Camarillo, CA 93012 805-383-2000