Hays Code

2. Pointofdiscussion
- What would be the strengths and
weaknesses of the following censorship systems:
•a system of self-regulation
•an external censorship body

3. Hays Production Code (Preamble)
As the power of the medium of moving pictures skyrocketed, a number of
scandals rocked Hollywood during the 1920s including the infamous murder of
Virginia Rappe by Fatty Arbuckle.
There was public outcry over the perceived indecency of movie makers and
movies themselves. In an attempt to cultivate a positive view of the movie
industry and to prove that it was an upright and responsible business.
Virginia Rappe Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle

4. Hays Production Code: History
The Production Code was introduced in 1930 by the Motion Picture Producers
and Distributors of America (MPPDA), an industry association created to avoid
government censorship and to satisfy public demand for morally acceptable
movies.
After creating the association, the heads of the major Hollywood studios hired
William H. Hays, the former U.S. postmaster general under President Harding
and past chairman of the Republican National Committee, to head the new
group.
Billy Hays Warren Harding

5. Hays Production Code: History
Hays wielded such power that the MPPDA came to be called the "Hays Office," and
the Production Code adopted in 1930 was commonly referred to as the "Hays Code."
The Hays Code was enforced from 1934 to 1967 and was a method through which
the content of movies was controlled so that only that which was deemed suitable for
audiences would make it to the silver screen. The studios adopted by quite
willingly.
Public Enemy Disclaimer
Hays Code
Booklet for
studios

6. The Code
The Code required that no film should "lower the standards of those who see it.
Hence, the sympathy of the audience should never be thrown to the side of crime,
wrongdoing, evil, or sin.
The Code specifically prohibited the portrayal of illegal drug trafficking, "sex
perversion," and profanity. It also prohibited the portrayal of clergy members as
comic characters or villains, and the portrayal of interracial relationships.

7. The Code: Origins
Hays learned about a proposed film based on the life of a true "Public Enemy" John
Dillinger, he had seen enough. Hays quickly sent a telegram to the heads of the
major studios that germinated into "The Hays Code". The letter stated,
“No picture on the life or exploits of John Dillinger will be produced,
distributed, or exhibited by any member (of the MPPDA). This
decision is based on the belief that the production, distribution, or exhibition
would be detrimental to the best public interest .”

John Dillinger
was a bank robber in the United States during
the 1930s. Some considered him a dangerous criminal, while
others idolized him as a present-day Robin Hood. He gained
this latter reputation (and the nickname "Jackrabbit") for his
graceful movements during heists, such as leaping over the
counter (a movement he supposedly copied from the movies)
and many narrow getaways from police. His exploits, along
with those of other criminals of the Great Depression, such as
Bonnie and Clyde dominated the attention of the press and its
readers during what is sometimes referred to as the public
enemy era (1931-1935).

8. The Code: Origins
Hays saw that he could only maintain his role in charge of policing the film industry
by forging an alliance with the increasingly powerful Catholic 'Legion of Decency'.
The Legion, created in reaction to Pope Pius XI's demand for "Catholic Action",
sought to work within the motion picture industry to regulate immorality on film
instead of legislating from above as the Protestant reformers had done.

9. The Code: What happened?
In the 1950’s, the rise of television took the focus off of the movies. Mores began to
shift and foreign films began to hit our shores that were quite a bit racier than
Americans were used to – and the Code didn’t apply to foreign films. The Code
became less and less effective; the influx of foreign films and movies made outside
of the studio system created a system that was rapidly eroding.
Also social changes made society more liberal, the Code began to thaw, starting with
the changes in 1956. A decade later, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf became the first
movie to use profanity on screen.

10. The Code: Replaced?
In 1968, the Code was replaced by the movie ratings system, which greatly
expanded the range of permissible subjects for film. The first ratings system
included categories G (for general audience), MGP (all ages admitted but parental
guidance suggested), and R (no one under 16 admitted). In 1970, MGP was replaced
by PG (parental guidance suggested) and R movies (no one under 17 admitted
without a parent or guardian). In 1984, the PG-13 rating was added, and the X rating
was phased out in 1990 in favor of NC-17.