Comedy & Censorship By T. Snow

Trouble In HollyWood From virtually the earliest years of their existence, movies were regarded by many people as a negative influence on public behavior, and morality. In the United States, censorship was exercised pretty much on a local option basis. Many states and individual cities had their own censorship boards that often ordered the deletion of shots, scenes, and/or title shots before a film could be exhibited in its theatres, many times just banning films they saw as " to provocative". Interestingly enough though the fact that a film was banned somewhere was very often turned into a marketing ploy to gain publicity in other, more receptive/less likely to ban cities.

The Hays Codes Introduced…. By 1922, however, amidst the climate of several scandals; including the murder of writer, producer, and director William Desmond Taylor, and the alleged rape, and murder of model, and silent film actress Virginia Rappe by movie star Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle murders, plus a slew of additional high-profile crime allegations centered around very influential actors, writers, and directors of the time; led to public outcry for some type of federal intervention were on the rise. Before such measures could be taken, motion picture producers; in an attempt to police themselves; passed a succession of moral rules, or “codes” meant to guide the content of motion pictures. This was overseen by former postmaster general, and Republican National Committee head Will Hays, and are often referred to as the “Hays Code.”

William Hays Info   Hays was born in Sullivan, Indiana, on November 5, 1879, and attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He was the manager of Warren G. Harding's successful campaign for the Presidency of the United States in the 1920 election and was subsequently appointed Postmaster General.

Film-Makers Fight the Change Although most producers followed these voluntary rules, after a few years the guidelines started to relax and by the coming of sound in the late 1920s the treatment of crime, violence, sexual infidelity, profanity and even nudity became alarming to some people. It is possible that the advent of synchronized sound, with gunshots and swear words suddenly audible, added to their impact on sensitive ears, and increasing use of color photography left less to the imagination with suggestive costumes.

Hollywood’s Production Code More calls came for public censorship. In 1930, therefore, a new code—which came to be known as the Hollywood Production Code—was written. The industry accepted it overall, but many movies stretched it to its limits or simply ignored it, prompting more public outcry. Movies made between 1930-34 are thus often referred to as “pre-code,” even though the Production Code was theoretically in effect. Many filmmakers during this period tried to stretch the code to its limits, if not defying it outright, especially in their use of sexual innuendo, revealing character costumes, and immoral characters.  

In 1934, due in no small part to public response to films like Baby Face, Gold Diggers of 1933, She Done Him Wrong, I’m No Angel, The Original Scarface, Other Men's Women, Island of Lost Souls, and many others, a mechanism was set up to enforce the code. For the next thirty years, virtually every film produced or exhibited in the United States had to receive a seal of approval from the office of Joseph Breen, the head of the Production Code Administration. Films were not rated for different ages by the Production Code Administration. They were either approved by the Code for release or not, and the major studios would not release a film without the Code’s seal of approval. In the 1950s a few filmmakers and distributors started to defy the code (especially with foreign imports), and by the 1960s many of the code’s restrictions were loosened if a film’s advertising carried a notice recommending it for mature audiences. The Production Code of 1930  

Enter the MPAA The current system of Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) letter ratings was first established in 1968 (and later slightly modified), freeing filmmakers to include whatever content they desired and submit it for an official rating.

New Rating System Explained…. These ratings, however, were not based upon moral values or attitudes (as the Production Code’s guidelines had emphasized), but simply upon the content itself. Somewhat vague quotas for levels of violence, sexual activity or discussions, nudity, and profanity were used to divide films into groups, with a letter assigned to give viewers a rough idea of what it might or might not contain. Gravity MPAA rating info >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

These ratings, however, were not based upon moral values or attitudes (as the Production Code’s guidelines had emphasized), but simply upon the content itself. Somewhat vague quotas for levels of violence, sexual activity or discussions, nudity, and profanity were used to divide films into groups, with a letter assigned to give viewers a rough idea of what it might or might not contain.

Star Vs The Forces of Evil Rating….

MPAA details cont… Ratings were G for general audiences, M for mature audiences (later changed to GP and then to PG, with “parental guidance” suggested, since some theatre owners complained the “mature” rating kept away family audiences), R for restricted audiences (under 17 required an adult guardian or parent), and X for no children under 17 admitted even with a parent (later changed to NC-17). After a number of years, producers again stretched the limits of various ratings, and another public outcry led to the creation of the “PG-13” rating between the PG and R ratings. Under the original 1930 Production Code, all films were designed to be suitable for viewers of all ages, even if adults were their primary target audiences.

BRINGING UP BABY Bringing Up Baby is a 1938 American screwball comedy { a genre of comedy popularized during the Great Depression, starting in the early 1930s and thriving until the early 1940s. It's noted for it's use of a female lead that dominates the relationship with the male Protagonist character. The two engage in a humorous battle of the sexes, which was a new theme for Hollywood and audiences at the time. and usually have plot lines involving courtship and marriage} comedy film directed by Howard Hawks, starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, and released by RKO Radio Pictures {One of the 5 Big Studios of Hollywood's "Golden Age" : The others being MGM & United Artist { which eventually merged}, 20th Century Fox . Warner, and Paramount} …  

Bringing Up Baby Synopsis: The film tells the story of a paleontologist in a series of wild adventures involving a light-hearted heiress, and a leopard named Baby. The script was written specifically for Hepburn, and was tailored to her personality. Filming began in September 1937 and wrapped in January 1938; it was over schedule and over budget. Production was frequently delayed due to uncontrollable laughing fits between Hepburn and Grant. A tame leopard was used during the shooting; its trainer was off-screen with a whip for all its scenes. Leopard was played by Nissa the professionally trained acting animal. Although it has a reputation as a flop upon its release, Bringing up Baby was moderately successful in many cities and eventually made a small profit after its re-release in the early 1940s.,and the film's reputation really took a positive turn during the 1950s, when it was shown on television. Since then, the film has received acclaim from both critics and audience for its zany antics and pratfalls, absurd situations and misunderstandings, perfect sense of comic timing, completely screwball cast, series of lunatic and hare-brained misadventures, disasters, light-hearted surprises and romantic comedy.[2] Nowadays, it is considered one of the greatest films ever made.