The Production Code

1. The Production Code 1915 - 1922: Public outcry against immorality of Holly-wood and movie industry reached a zenith. 1922: Formation of Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors Assoc. (precursor of MPAA) Will H. Hays appointed as head of MPPDA. Ineffective for 8 years. 1915: US Supreme Court rules movies not covered by 1st Amendment.

2. The Production Code 1930-1934: Enforcement begins. 1934: Hays forms the Production Code Administration. MPPDA becomes MPAA in 1945. 1934-1964: All films must pass approval from PCA/MPAA before release. 1930: Hays forms the Production Code.

3. Ending of the Production Code 1952: US Supreme Court overturned its ruling: 1st amendment protection afforded to movies. Late 1950s: Television and foreign films introduced to America competed with Hollywood 1960s: Some Like it Hot and Psycho released without MPAA approval. MPAA rating system installed 1968. 1950s: The Golden Age of Hollywood began to decline as the culture and politics changed.

4. The Production Code PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 1927 BY THE MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF AMERICA Resolved, That those things which are included in the following list shall not appear in pictures produced by the members of this Association, irrespective of the manner in which they are treated: Pointed profanity--by either title or lip--this includes the words "God," "Lord," "Jesus" "Christ" (unless they be used reverently in connection with proper religious    ceremonies), "hell," "damn," "Gawd," and every other profane and vulgar expression however it may be spelled;

5. Don’ts Any licentious or suggestive nudity--in fact or in silhouette; and any lecherous or licentious notice thereof by other characters in the picture; The illegal traffic in drugs; Any inference of sex perversion; White slavery; Miscegenation (sex relationship between the white and black races); Sex hygiene and venereal diseases; Scenes of actual childbirth--in fact or in silhouette; Children's sex organs; Ridicule of the clergy; Willful offence to any nation, race or creed;

6. Be Careful And it be further resolved, That special care be exercised in the manner in which the following subjects are treated, to the end that vulgarity and suggestiveness may be eliminated and that good taste may be emphasized: The use of the flag; International relations (avoiding picturizing in an unfavorable light another country's religion, history, institutions, prominent people and citizenry); Arson; The use of firearms;

7. Be Careful Theft, robbery, safe-cracking, and dynamiting of trains, mines, buildings, etc. (having in mind the effect which a too-detailed description of these may have upon the moron); Brutality and possible gruesomeness; Technique of committing murder by whatever method; Methods of smuggling; Third-degree methods Actual hangings or electrocutions as legal punishment for crime; Sympathy for criminals; Attitude toward public characters and institutions;

8. Be Careful Sedition; Apparent cruelty to children and animals; Branding of people or animals; The sale of women, or of a woman selling her virtue; Rape or attempted rape; First-night scenes; Man and woman in bed together; Deliberate seduction of girls; The institution of marriage; Surgical operations; The use of drugs;

9. Be Careful Titles or scenes having to do with law enforcement or law-enforcing officers; Excessive or lustful kissing, particularly when one character or the other is a "heavy". Cited from Gerald Mast (ed.), The Movies in our Midst: Documents in the Cultural History of Film in America, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1982, pp.213-214.