Millard Robert E. Theodore Baehr (born 1946) is an American media critic and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, a division of Good News Communications, Inc. He is publisher and editor-in-chief of ''Movieguide'', a website and biweekly journal that evaluates motion pictures and other entertainment products from a conservative Christian perspective on suitability for family consumption. He also hosts nationally and internationally syndicated ''Movieguide'' radio and television programs.
Personal life
Born in 1946, Baehr is the son of
Irvine E. Theodore Baehr, an actor who worked as Robert (Tex) Allen, and actress
Evelyn Peirce. He was raised in
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
, gaining experience acting in commercials, motion pictures, television and on stage. During his twenties, Baehr met and began dating Lili, whom he would later marry. The couple has four children and resides in Southern California. Baehr is an
evangelical Christian
Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that affirms the centrality of being " born again", in which an individual exper ...
.
Education and career
After studying at several universities in Europe, Baehr graduated summa cum laude in comparative literature and as a Rufus Choate Scholar from
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College (; ) is a private research university in Hanover, New Hampshire. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, it is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Although founded to educate Native A ...
. He then received a
Juris Doctor
The Juris Doctor (J.D. or JD), also known as Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D., JD, D.Jur., or DJur), is a graduate-entry professional degree in law
and one of several Doctor of Law degrees. The J.D. is the standard degree obtained to practice law ...
degree from the
New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin.
In 1832, the ...
School of Law, where he served as Editor of the NYU Law School newspaper.
In 1975, at the encouragement of a friend, Baehr read the
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
, which changed the direction of his life and career. He applied to the Institute of Theology at the
Cathedral of St. John the Divine and received his Doctor of Humanities degree from
Belhaven College. He became the Director of the Television Center at the
City University of New York
The City University of New York ( CUNY; , ) is the Public university, public university system of Education in New York City, New York City. It is the largest urban university system in the United States, comprising 25 campuses: eleven Upper divis ...
. While there researching the impact of media in education, he also launched his first ministry, the Good News Communications, Inc. ministry.
In 1979 he was elected President of the Episcopal Radio and Television Foundation and began conceptualizing the Christian Film & Television Commission. He also served on the Communications Board of the
National Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, usually identified as the National Council of Churches (NCC), is the largest ecumenical body in the United States. NCC is an ecumenical partnership of 38 Christian faith groups in the Uni ...
. It was during this time that he met the former director of the Protestant Film Office, George Heimrich and was inspired to resurrect the activities of that group, which, until it was closed in 1966, had participated heavily in "approving" scripts of the major Hollywood studios for compliance with the
MPAA
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is an American trade association representing the five major film studios of the United States, as well as the video streaming service Netflix. Founded in 1922 as the Motion Picture Producers and Distribu ...
's self-imposed
Production Code
The Motion Picture Production Code was a set of industry guidelines for the self-censorship of content that was applied to most motion pictures released by major studios in the United States from 1934 to 1968. It is also popularly known as the ...
.
Ted has been featured on shows such as ''Oprah'', ''Hannity & Colmes'', CNN, ABC, Fox News, AMC Specials, ''Entertainment Tonight'', and ''The 700 Club''. His opinions have been featured in major newspapers and magazines, including the ''Wall Street Journal'', ''The New York Times'', ''Time'', ''USA Today'', the ''Los Angeles Times'', ''The Washington Post'', ''The Hollywood Reporter'', and ''U.S. News & World Report''.
He has given lectures at the European Parliament, Parliament of the UK, the Parliament of Norway, the Parliament of the Philippines, as well as at Oxford, Dartmouth College, University of Virginia, Yale University, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. He taught at the Bombay Communication Institute. Ordained as a bishop in the Independent Christian Churches International and in the International Ministerial Fellowship, Baehr has preached throughout the world.
''Movieguide'' and CFTVC
In 1985 Baehr began publishing ''Movieguide'' as a biweekly magazine of movie reviews, which has now expanded to an online database of movie reviews. ''Movieguide'' reviews use a "Biblical perspective" and are aimed at helping parents use informed judgment when deciding what entertainment products are suitable for their families' enjoyment.
In 1986 Baehr founded The Christian Film & Television Commission (CFTVC), which encourages the major media companies to produce "wholesome, family entertainment." By cross-indexing ''Movieguide'' moral criteria with box office statistics, Baehr's commission produces an annual ''Report To The Entertainment Industry'' which attempts to prove that the American public prefers "wholesome, worthwhile, moral movies." The ''Report'' also includes a listing of the ten best "family friendly films" and ten best "morally edifying mature audience films" of the year, all of which are awarded plaques at ''Movieguide'' annual award show.
The medievalist
Sarah-Jane Murray is among those who have written for ''Movieguide''.
''Movieguide'' ratings
''Movieguide'' rates movies for both quality and acceptability. Quality ratings (1 to 4 stars) cover production value, entertainment quality, and technical or narrative accomplishment. Acceptability ratings (range from +4 to −4, or exemplary to abhorrent) include evaluation of moral and theological issues, based on a "traditional view of the Bible and Christianity." The content of a movie is evaluated for acceptability based on its "dominant worldview" (biblical, Christian, environmentalist, humanist, romantic, socialist, homosexual, false religion, New Age / Pagan, etc.) and on secondary elements, (hints of worldview, foul language, violence, sex, nudity, alcohol, smoking/drugs, miscellaneous immorality, or miscellaneous philosophical or theological problems).
The ''Movieguide'' Awards
Every year since 1993, ''Movieguide'' hosts an "Annual Faith and Values Awards Gala" in Beverly Hills, California. According to ''Movieguide'' the purpose of the Gala is to "
ncouragefilmmakers and television producers to bring the brightest, most uplifting and inspirational movies and television to audiences world-wide." The gala includes the presentation of:
* 10 Best Films for Family Audiences
* 10 Best Films for Mature Audiences
* The Faith and Freedom Awards (for promoting positive American values)
* The Grace Awards (for outstanding performances exemplifying God's grace and mercy)
* The Kairos Prize ($50,000 prize for spiritually uplifting screenplays by beginning or first-time screenwriters)
* The Epiphany Prizes ($100,000 prizes for the most inspiring film and television program)
* Special Faith & Values Crystal Teddy Bear Awards
The $100,000 Epiphany Prizes and the $50,000 Kairos Prizes are supported by grants from the
John Templeton Foundation
The John Templeton Foundation (Templeton Foundation) is a philanthropic organization that reflects the ideas of its founder, John Templeton, who became wealthy via a career as a contrarian investor, and wanted to support progress in religious an ...
founded by the late Sir John Templeton, who personally discussed the creation of the Annual Movieguide Awards and the Epiphany Prizes with Baehr.
In addition to the awards, Baehr presents the "Report to the Entertainment Industry", an annual analysis of the past year's movies and their gross financial earnings in North America, internationally and in home video sales. The report includes articles about each of the Gala's award winners, an analysis of the Top 25 movies at the box office in North America during the previous calendar year, the top movies overseas earning $100 million or more during the calendar year, and an analysis of the top DVD sales for the previous calendar year. It analyzes these movies based on the various categories and letter codes of the ''Movieguide'' rating system. The report then presents statistics on various cultural topics including: Hollywood demographics, world religions, faith in America, charity in America, the family, children and media, internet, and media wisdom. The report concludes with the "Twenty Most Unbearable Movies" of the past year. ''Movieguide'' uses this analysis and statistics in the report to attempt to convince studio executives and filmmakers that producing "family-friendly" and "spiritually uplifting", "redemptive" and even positive Christian content can significantly increase the earnings of their movies.
The Movieguide Awards now air on the
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is an American television channel owned by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., which in turn is owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc. The channel's programming is primarily targeted at families, and features a mix of television movies and ...
annually.
Highlights of the ''Report to the Entertainment Industry''
All major movies released each year on the big screen in the United States, usually the top 250 to top 275 depending on how many movies the major studios in Hollywood and the major independents release, are included in the annual ''Report to the Entertainment Industry''. The results are presented to industry executives at a Hollywood awards gala one week or so before the
Academy Awards
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
.
According to the annual report for 2010 movies, "Movies that fit Movieguide's high Christian, moral, biblical, theological, spiritual, production, aesthetic, and entertainment principles, values, and standards do much better than those movies consistently violating those principles, values, and standards."
[''2011 Movieguide Report to the Entertainment Industry'' (Camarillo, Calif.: Christian Film & Television Commission, 2011), page 26.]
Alleged conflict of interest
A March 2004 article by Marshall Allen in ''
Christianity Today
''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "evange ...
'' claimed that Baehr's public relations company "Kairos Marketing" accepted payment for consulting and promotional activities on behalf of six movies that were positively reviewed in ''Movieguide''. Though Kairos is not part of Good News Communications, the non-profit that supports the CFTVC and publishes ''Movieguide'', Kairos does donate to Good News Communications. The article quotes
David P. Gushee
David P. Gushee is a Christian ethicist and public intellectual.
Work and membership
David P. Gushee is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and formerly the Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer Univers ...
, an ethicist then at
Union University
Union University is a private Baptist Christian university in Jackson, Tennessee, with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. The university is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Convention). It is ...
in Tennessee as saying that accepting money to promote movies and publishing reviews of those movies in a magazine that "presents itself as a Hollywood watchdog," is a conflict of interest.
Baehr contends otherwise. He states that the CFTVC primarily functions as an advocacy group, with the end goal of "redeeming the values of the mass-media." Reviewing films in order to advise filmmakers and educate the public is only one aspect of the ministry's overall goal to promote a "redeemed Hollywood." Supporting moral movies through advertising is another.
We've lent our expertise to many movies – gratis, for the sake of helping God's kingdom advance in this industry. In a few cases, after we approve of and review the movie according to our stringent criteria, we have been remunerated for our services through a sister organization set up for this purpose to help underwrite the extra time these promotional efforts required.
Further rebuttal from CFTVC advisory board member Jane Chastain in ''
World Net Daily
''WND'' (formerly ''WorldNetDaily'') is an American far-right fake news website. It is known for promoting falsehoods and conspiracy theories, including the false claim that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States.
T ...
'' countered that the ''Christianity Today'' article was a slanderous "hatchet job", noting that the Protestant Film Office, the ideological predecessor to Baehr's organizations, was routinely paid for consultations by Hollywood Studios that needed its stamp of approval. Other rebuttals followed, including one from
Pat Boone
Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer and actor. He was a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He sold more than 45 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and appeared in mo ...
, published in ''Christianity Today'', lamenting that publication's decision to attack rather than aid a fellow Christian organization in light of a perceived problem. ''Christianity Today'' did not officially retract its criticisms, but it removed the allegedly biased article from its website and published a reply by Baehr about his organization and the allegations against it.
Awards
Baehr has received the Eagle Award by Western National Religious Broadcasters for his positive impact on the secular entertainment industry; the Educational Policy Conference Award; five Angel Awards from Excellence in Media; a Chicago Intercom Silver Plaque; the prestigious Wilbur Award; three awards from the Southern California Motion Picture Council; the President's Award from ICVA/ICCM; the Religious Heritage of America Faith and Freedom Award; the Covenant Award from the Radio Television Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention; the Hollywood Anti-Pornography Coalition Award; and the Knights of Columbus Gold Plaque, "in recognition of continued high standards and commitment to attaining wholesome family values."
Books
* Baehr, Theodore (November 1986) ''Getting the Word Out: How to Communicate the Gospel in Today's World.'' HarperCollins.
* Baehr, Ted (December 1989) ''The Christian Family Guide to Movies and Video''. Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishing.
* Baehr, Theodore & Susan Wales, editors. (January 2003) ''Faith in God and Generals: An Anthology of Faith, Hope, and Love in the American Civil War.'' B&H Publishing Group.
* Baehr, Ted (June 1, 2003) ''What Can We Watch Tonight?'' Zondervan Press.
* Baehr, Ted (January 30, 2005) ''So You Want To Be In Pictures?: A Christian Resource for "Making It" in Hollywood.'' B&H Publishing Group.
* Baehr, Theodore (January 31, 2005) ''The Media-wise Family''. Media-Wise Publishing.
* Baehr, Theodore and James Baehr. (September 23, 2005) ''Narnia Beckons: C. S. Lewis's 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe' and Beyond.'' B&H Publishing Group.
* Baehr, Ted and Tom Snyder (January 30, 2006) ''Frodo & Harry: Understanding Visual Media and Its Impact on Our Lives''. Media-Wise Publishing.
* Baehr, Ted with Ken & Susan Wales. (January 2007) ''The Amazing Grace of Freedom: The Inspiring Faith of William Wilberforce, the Slaves' Champion''. New Leaf Press.
* Baehr, Ted and Pat Boone. (February 2007) ''The Culture-Wise Family''. Regal Books.
* Baehr, Ted (April 2011) ''How to Succeed in Hollywood (Without Losing Your Soul): A Field Guide for Christian Screenwriters, Actors, Producers, Directors, and More''. WND Books.
References
External links
Movieguide website*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baehr, Ted
American film critics
1946 births
Living people
Dartmouth College alumni missing graduation year
New York University School of Law alumni
City University of New York staff
Belhaven University alumni
American evangelicals
Journalists from New York City