🎞️American Cinema – Before 1960 Unit 11 – Censorship and the Hays Code in Hollywood

Historical Context

• Motion pictures emerged as a popular form of entertainment in the early 20th century
• Concerns arose about the potential moral influence of films on audiences, particularly children and immigrants
• Religious groups, women's organizations, and civic leaders pressured the film industry to address perceived immorality in movies
• Threats of government censorship and regulation loomed over Hollywood in the 1920s and early 1930s
• The film industry sought to self-regulate to avoid external censorship and maintain creative control
  • Established the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) in 1922 to oversee content
  • Hired former Postmaster General Will H. Hays as president of the MPPDA to improve the industry's public image

What Was the Hays Code?

• The Hays Code, also known as the Motion Picture Production Code, was a set of moral guidelines for American filmmaking
• Adopted in 1930 and enforced from 1934 to the late 1960s
• Aimed to promote wholesome entertainment and uphold traditional values in motion pictures
• Prohibited the explicit portrayal of various topics, including:
  • Sexual content and nudity
  • Violence and crime
  • Profanity and vulgarity
  • Disrespect for authority and religion
• Required films to depict moral consequences for wrongdoing and promote virtuous behavior
• Administered by the Production Code Administration (PCA), which reviewed scripts and films for compliance

Key Figures and Organizations

• Will H. Hays: President of the MPPDA from 1922 to 1945, oversaw the development and implementation of the Hays Code
• Joseph I. Breen: Director of the Production Code Administration (PCA) from 1934 to 1954, strictly enforced the Hays Code
• Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA): Trade association representing the major Hollywood studios, later renamed the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
• Catholic Legion of Decency: Influential religious organization that pressured Hollywood to adhere to the Hays Code, threatened boycotts of films deemed immoral
• Studio heads: Powerful executives who agreed to enforce the Hays Code to protect their business interests and avoid government intervention
  • Louis B. Mayer (MGM)
  • Jack Warner (Warner Bros.)
  • Adolph Zukor (Paramount)

Impact on Film Content

• The Hays Code significantly shaped the content and style of American films from the 1930s to the 1960s
• Filmmakers had to find creative ways to imply or suggest mature themes without explicitly showing them
  • Innuendo, symbolism, and subtle visual cues were used to convey sexual tension or violence
  • Fade-to-black techniques were employed to suggest intimate moments without depicting them
• Moral messages and lessons were often incorporated into storylines to satisfy the Code's requirements
• Controversial subjects such as adultery, prostitution, and drug use were either avoided or portrayed with caution
• Films generally reinforced traditional gender roles, family values, and respect for authority
• The Hays Code led to the development of distinct film genres that could navigate the restrictions
  • Screwball comedies, musicals, and family dramas flourished under the Code

Censorship Techniques and Workarounds

• Script review: The PCA examined screenplays and demanded changes to comply with the Hays Code before production began
• Cutting and editing: Filmmakers were required to remove objectionable scenes or dialogue from the final cut of their movies
• Visual metaphors: Directors used symbolic imagery to suggest mature themes without explicitly showing them (train entering a tunnel to imply sexual intercourse)
• Innuendo and double entendres: Clever wordplay and suggestive dialogue were employed to hint at adult content without being overt
• Compensating moral values: Films often included redemptive storylines or characters to counterbalance any questionable elements
• Exploiting loopholes: Some filmmakers pushed the boundaries of the Code by finding creative ways to circumvent the rules without technically violating them

Notable Films and Examples

• "Gone with the Wind" (1939): Faced censorship challenges due to its depiction of the Civil War, slavery, and sexual content; the famous line "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" was controversial
• "Casablanca" (1942): Navigated the Hays Code with subtle sexual tension and political themes; the film's moral ambiguity and anti-Nazi sentiment were carefully crafted
• "The Maltese Falcon" (1941): Exemplified the film noir genre, which often pushed the boundaries of the Code with its dark themes and morally complex characters
• "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955): Challenged traditional family values and explored teenage rebellion, but faced censorship for its depiction of violence and delinquency
• "Some Like It Hot" (1959): Pushed the limits of the Code with its sexual humor, cross-dressing, and suggestive dialogue; the film's success signaled changing attitudes towards censorship

Decline of the Code

• Changing social norms and cultural attitudes in the 1950s and 1960s led to growing dissatisfaction with the Hays Code's restrictions
• The rise of television, foreign films, and independent producers provided audiences with alternative entertainment options that were not subject to the Code
• Court decisions weakened the Code's legal authority, including the Supreme Court's ruling in "Burstyn v. Wilson" (1952) that extended First Amendment protection to motion pictures
• Directors and producers increasingly challenged the Code's limitations, releasing films that pushed boundaries and tested the PCA's resolve
• The Hays Code was revised and liberalized in the 1950s and 1960s, allowing for more mature content and adult themes
• The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) introduced a new rating system in 1968, replacing the Hays Code with age-based classifications (G, PG, R, X)

Legacy and Modern Implications

• The Hays Code had a lasting impact on American cinema, shaping the content and style of films for over three decades
• Many of the creative techniques and genres developed under the Code's restrictions continue to influence filmmaking today
• The Code's demise paved the way for greater artistic freedom and the exploration of more diverse and mature themes in American movies
• The MPAA rating system, which replaced the Hays Code, still plays a significant role in informing audiences about film content and guiding industry standards
• Debates about censorship, artistic expression, and the role of media in shaping societal values continue to resonate in the modern era
• The legacy of the Hays Code serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between art, commerce, and moral regulation in popular culture