Hays code

artsreformation ^ | 1930

[ChessExpert]

The Motion Picture Production Code of 1930 (Hays Code)

If motion pictures present stories that will affect lives for the better, they can become the most powerful force for the improvement of mankind

A Code to Govern the Making of Talking, Synchronized and Silent Motion Pictures. Formulated and formally adopted by The Association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc. and The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. in March 1930. Motion picture producers recognize the high trust and confidence which have been placed in them by the people of the world and which have made motion pictures a universal form of entertainment.

They recognize their responsibility to the public because of this trust and because entertainment and art are important influences in the life of a nation.

Hence, though regarding motion pictures primarily as entertainment without any explicit purpose of teaching or propaganda, they know that the motion picture within its own field of entertainment may be directly responsible for spiritual or moral progress, for higher types of social life, and for much correct thinking.

[ChessExpert]

I couldn't see that this had been posted before.

This was an effort from a much earlier era. It becomes more specific, while leaving room for judgment.

[discostu]

The Hays Code was a joke. It took no time at all for movie makers to realize that they could completely circumvent Hays by putting a "message" in the movie. This spawned the whole road show movie industry, often with plots about drugs and the "depravity" they cause, the whole point of the road show movie was really to show nudity and general laciviousness, but because the story had all that stuff being the "result" of using "evil drugs" the Hays Code allowed it. One of the old time distributors of those movies did a commentary track on a DVD of Cocaine Devils Powder where he talks all about why "morality" movies, he worked almost every level of the business, it was pure hypocrisy.

[ansel12]

It sure reflects my standards, for instance not showing detail in how to commit a crime or murder, I cringe when I see a writer study on how to do something criminal, and then they reveal that technique in unnecessary detail on the screen.