Production Code

Definition

The Production Code, officially known as the Motion Picture Production Code, was a set of industry guidelines for the self-censorship of content in films, implemented in Hollywood from the 1930s until the late 1960s. It aimed to ensure that movies adhered to moral standards and societal norms, influencing how stories were told and what themes could be explored on screen. The Production Code established strict rules around topics like violence, sexuality, and substance use, significantly shaping the landscape of classical Hollywood cinema.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Production Code was adopted in 1930 but wasn't strictly enforced until 1934, leading to a significant change in film content during this era.
2. Films had to be submitted to the Production Code Administration (PCA) for approval before release, which often resulted in filmmakers making compromises in their storytelling.
3. The Code banned any depictions of explicit sexual content, nudity, or even suggestive dialogue, which pushed filmmakers to find creative ways to imply these themes without showing them directly.
4. The decline of the Production Code began in the 1960s as social norms evolved and filmmakers began to push back against censorship, ultimately leading to the establishment of the MPAA rating system in 1968.
5. Iconic films from the Golden Age of Hollywood had to navigate the restrictions of the Production Code, which influenced how characters were portrayed and how narratives were constructed.

Review Questions

• How did the Production Code influence the storytelling techniques used by filmmakers during the classical Hollywood era?
  • The Production Code heavily influenced storytelling techniques by enforcing strict guidelines that restricted certain themes and content. Filmmakers had to become creative in their approaches, often using subtext and innuendo to convey messages about sex and violence while adhering to moral standards. This led to a unique style of filmmaking where much was left to audience interpretation rather than explicit depiction.
• Discuss the impact of the Production Code on film content and societal perceptions during its enforcement period.
  • The Production Code significantly shaped film content by imposing strict moral guidelines that filmmakers had to follow. This created a sanitized version of reality that often reflected idealized societal norms rather than genuine human experiences. As a result, audiences may have developed skewed perceptions of morality and behavior based on what was portrayed in films, as complex issues were often simplified or omitted entirely.
• Evaluate how the eventual decline of the Production Code reflects broader societal changes in America during the 1960s.
  • The decline of the Production Code in the 1960s reflects broader societal changes characterized by a push for greater freedom of expression and challenges to traditional moral values. The counterculture movement and rising civil rights activism prompted shifts in public attitudes towards censorship and acceptable content. Filmmakers began to embrace more realistic portrayals of life, leading to the establishment of a new rating system that allowed for greater artistic freedom and representation of diverse experiences on screen.

Related terms

Hays Code: Another name for the Production Code, named after Will H. Hays, who was instrumental in its creation and enforcement.

Censorship: The suppression or prohibition of speech or writing that is considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.

Golden Age of Hollywood: A period from the late 1920s to the early 1960s marked by the dominance of major studios and the production of iconic films.