The Hays Code Research

Our next FTV task is to create a Film Noir Short film, and because Film Noir movies were to follow the Hays Code, we, as students, must know the guidelines of the code to follow in our tasks.

(all research from Wikipedia)

The Hays Code, AKA Motion Picture Production Code, was the set of industry moral guidelines that was applied to most United States motion pictures released by major studios from 1930 to 1968.

Things that weren't allowed:

1. Pointed profanity – by either title or lip – this includes the words "God," "Lord," "Jesus," "Christ" (unless they be used reverently in connection with proper religious ceremonies), "hell," "damn," "Gawd," and every other profane and vulgar expression however it may be spelled;
2. Any licentious or suggestive nudity – in fact or in silhouette; and any lecherous or licentious notice thereof by other characters in the picture;
3. The illegal traffic in drugs
4. Any inference of sex perversion
5. White slavery
6. Miscegenation (sex relationships between the white and black races)
7. Sex hygiene and venereal diseases
8. Scenes of actual childbirth – in fact or in silhouette
9. Children's sex organs
10. Ridicule of the clergy
11. Willful offense to any nation, race or creed

Production Code abandoned:

By the late 1960s, enforcement had become impossible and the Production Code was abandoned entirely. The MPAA began working on a rating system, under which film restrictions would lessen. The MPAA film rating system went into effect on November 1, 1968, with four ratings: G for general audiences, M for mature content, R for restricted (under 17 not admitted without an adult), and X for sexually explicit content. By the end of 1968, Geoffrey Shurlock stepped down from his post.