Note the general laughter that follows the remark.
Now, if Chesterton had been alive today and said that sort of thing he could have had his publishing contract dropped and the rest of his lecture tour cancelled. He might have been banned from entering (or re-entering) the UK. Or, since the speech was uploaded to YouTube, it's possible he would have been charged with a hate crime violation.
Of course, even in 1931, Chesterton and his Catholic and Christian friends were somewhat out of step with the Zeitgeist. But the film shows just how far we have come. Chesterton was being made an honorary member of the Holy Cross Crusaders, after all. What would Bishop Barron think of that?
By the way, I too first thought he was holding a microphone. But in fact it's a walking stick, or rather, one of two walking sticks.
Enjoy!
