A critically acclaimed movie that had received a number of awards opened in a small town. The film had graphic portrayals of nudity and scenes involving sexuality. However, its advertising was very tasteful and concentrated on its critical acclaim and its receipt of seven Academy Award nominations. Nevertheless, when the movie opened in a small town, there was a public outcry against it, including picketing. The town, which had been founded in the late nineteenth century by a fundamentalist religious group, remained very conservative and highly religious, and was the only community in the state where a consensus of the community would find the movie to be obscene because it appeals to a prurient interest. The town prosecutor went to the local court seeking an injunction to halt the showing of the movie. The theater owner refused to voluntarily stop showing the film and appeared in court to defend against the proposed injunction.

What is the owner’s best defense?

A. The proper “community standards” should be those of the entire state rather than of the town.
B. The film has some redeeming social value.
C. Prior restraints are always invalid.
D. The film has proven artistic merit.