The Use of Production Codes in Motion Pictures

1248 Words3 Pages

The Production Code, or the Hays Code, was created in order to provide a sense of censorship in the United States for motion pictures. Former Postmaster General William Hays oversaw the creation of The Production Code or the Hays Code. The Hays Code was adopted in March 1930, though it was not truly enforced until four years later in 1934. The Hays Code was based on the ethics and norms during that time. The code was created in order to remove offensive material in films. The producers of motion pictures were meant to follow the censorship provided by the Hays Code. The Hays Code restricted audiences from coming up with their own interpretation of the films and did not give the option for people to reject suggestions made by the films and directors. The main goal of the creators of the Hays Code was to use the power of social influence to provide a common morality for society as a whole, in turn reaching a mass amount of individuals.
There were three main principles of the Hays Code. The first principle stated that no picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it. What this means is that crimes, wrongdoings, evil or sins should not be something to be sympathized with. The second stated that only a correct standard of living could be presented that is only subject to the requirements of drama and entertainment. Lastly, was that the law could not be ridiculed whether it be natural or human and if so it should not create sympathy in spite of it. In addition to the general principles there were twelve particular applications of the code. Aside from the three main principles there were twelve more particular principles in the code that dealt with the censorship of sensitive subjects such as crimes ...

... middle of paper ...

...violence. In the murder scenes, the non-diegetic sound provides a more dramatic effect making up for the violence of the crimes making them scenes that went around the Hays Code.
Many filmmakers used several methods in order to get around the Hays Code. Although the Hays Code seemed necessary in order to protect the audience, they audience itself has the freedom to choose not to watch films that were inappropriate. After all, the filmmakers did manage to drop settle hints and at the same time not technically violate the Hays Code. Nowadays, filmmakers have more freedom to express their work. They can put more gore scenes and drop not so settle hints of inappropriate behavior with out being censored. Now the audience has the choice whether or not they want to see more violent films, rated R, to a small amount of violence, rated PG 13, or just none at all, rated PG.

Open Document