The Production CodeBy: Alesa McGregor

Historical Context Great Depression

• Hoover’s Public Works Programs• Building of Hoover Dam• Internationally felt

World War II• Nazi/Hitler’s rise to power in Germany• Rise of Mussolini as dictator in Italy

Film Scandals of the 1920s Mary Pickford divorces husband to

marry Douglas Fairbanks Fatty Arbuckle throws outrageous

parties• Alcohol during Prohibition• Pays off District Attorney• Party guest dies afterward in hotel room

Rumors of Sex, Drugs, and Alcoholism kill careers of actors and directors

Fatima (1897)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIsYpNED838

De’Mille’s The Sign of the Cross (1932)

Scarface (1932)

An Intervention 1922-1945: MPPDA (Motion Picture

Producers & Distributers of America)

Will H. Hays: President• Campaign manager for President Harding• US Postmaster General• Presbyterian church leader

To Reshape/Re-Moralize Film

The Production Code• 1930-First draft adopted: Martin Quigley &

Daniel Lord• 1933-Reinforced by boycott threats from the

Catholic Legion of Decency• 1934-strict enforcement of Code rulings

Seal of Approval

Seal of Approval All films must be approved and

sealed before distribution• $25,000 fine for violating producers or

distributors• Major studios were all MPPDA members

Post-production films edited by MPPDA Scripts submitted before filming began

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zUaNKBQ04c

Consequences for Violators

Fines of $1,000-$5,000 for infractions• Actual film as well as publicity material

David O’Selznick’s best spent $5,000http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnTWxpTQt4

Claudette ColbertTHE SIGN OF THE CROSS (1932)

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)

Faded Careers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0qSzEZFs1chttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJS670okmZc

Lasting Legacy MPAA (1966-2004: Jack Valenti)

• G- suitable for all audiences• M (GP, PG)- mature audiences• PG-13 (1984)- age 13+ • R- restricted to 17+ or accompanied by

adult• X (NC-17)- restricted to18+ (17+)