On February 20, 1922, Mrs. Burton, an Examiner for the Motion Picture Commission of the State of New York, approved "Kingfisher's Roost" for 3 seals, as soon as the following eliminations were made: (Quoting from her handwritten report of February 20, 1922, and the typed report of February 21, 1922, to Commonwealth Film Corporation) "1. Reel 2: Eliminate sub-title: "Thank me! Think I'd stand for a bum like him pawing over a woman I want myself." 2. Reel 4: Eliminate sub-title: "When the restaurant closes tonight get that girl and take her to my shack." 3. In scene "Third degree", eliminate grabbing boy by hair. 4. Eliminate sub-title: "Kingfisher wants me to steal you for him - but you're mine." 5. Eliminate scene of carrying struggling girl upstairs and most of fight in upper hall - espeically the 2 close-ups of blows. 6. Eliminate sub-title: "You bungler! I'll get her and I'll get you." 7. Eliminate scene of hauling girl down stairs. 8. Eliminate the street shot. 9. Eliminate scene of choking Keeler and close-up of gun. 10. Eliminate scene of throwing knife. 11. Eliminate close-up of gun again - aimed at Kingfisher when he is down. 12. Eliminate scene of hitting in face with bottle. 13. Eliminate scene of the struggling lasooed horse dragged into creek. 14. Eliminate scene of dragging lasooed man through creek and over road. The reasons for the above eliminations are that they are "immoral", "inhuman", and "would tend to corrupt morals" and "would tend to incite to crime." [signed] Motion Picture Commission." Cuts were made, and Commonwealth Film Corporation appealed the decision on February 24, 1922. The entire commission reviewed the film, and upheld Mrs. Burton's original findings, plus required an additional elimination be made: (Quoting from the March 2, 1922 letter of the Motion Picture Commission to Commonwealth Film Corporation): "Reel 2: Eliminate actual scene of locking the sheriff in cell. The reason for the above elimination is that it 'would tend to incite to crime.'" A third examination of the film was made on March 6, 1922, and it was finally approved on that date. License was issued March 7, 1922.
