Dick Barton Rules Of Conduct
- Barton is intelligent as well as well as hard hitting. He relies as much upon brains as upon brawn.
- He only uses force when normal, peaceful means of reaching a legitimate goal have failed.
- Barton never commits an offense in the criminal code, no matter how desirable the means may be argued to justify the end.
- In reasonable circumstances, he may deceive but he never lies.
- Barton's violence is restricted to clean socks on the jaw. The refinements of unarmed combat taught to British Commandos can not be practiced by him or his colleagues. When involved in a brawl which ends in victory for Barton's side, he must be equally matched or out numbered.
- Bartons enemies have more latitude in their behavior but they may not indulge in actually giving any injury or punishment that is basically sadistic.
- Barton and his friends do not wittingly involve innocent members of the public in situations that would cause them to be distressed. For example a motor car may not be requisitioned for the purpose of chasing bandits without the owners permission.
- Barton has now given up drink altogether. No reference must be made to it's existence in the Barton circle. The villains may drink but never to excess. Drunken scenes are barred.
- Sex, in the active sense, plays no part in the Barton adventures. Dick has no flirtations or affairs and his enemies have no 'Molls' or 'Mistresses' (as opposed to partners). This provision does not rule out the possibility of a decent marriage (not involving Dick personally) taking place.
- Horrific effects in general must be closely watched. Supernatural,
or pseudo-supernatural sequences are to be avoided - ghosts, night-prowling,
gorillas, vampires.
- Swearing and bad language generally may not be used by any character. This
ban ranges from 'bloody' through 'God','Damn' and 'hell' to ugly expressions
currently heard in certain conversations but not considered admissible for
child usage in middle class homes.
- Political themes are unpopular as well as being occasionally embarrassing.
The-man-who-wants-to-rule-the-Earth creates little impact and is best left
out of the Barton world.