On 16 December 1956 Francis Cardinal Spellman instructed American Catholics not to see the racy film Baby Doll. The steamy movie starring Carroll Baker was masterfully suggestive. Not even a kiss was exchanged in the film adapted from "27 Wagons full of Cotton" by Tennessee Williams. Cardinal Spellman decreed:

In the performance of my duty as Archbishop of New York, in solicitude for the welfare of souls entrusted to my care and the welfare of my country, I exhort Catholic people to refrain from patronizing this film under pain of sin.

It has been suggested that this action on my part will induce many people to view this picture and thus make it a material success. If this be the case, it will be a indictment of those who defy God's laws and contribute to corruption in America.

The effect was controversial. Critics...