pre code hollywood pre code hollywood refers brief era american film industry introduction sound pictures enforcement censorship guidelines usually labeled albeit code code adopted oversight poor enforced july establishment date movie content restricted local laws negotiations major studios popular opinion strict adherence code ignored hollywood filmmakers result films late 1920s early 1930s included sexual profanity illegal drug use prostitution infidelity abortion intense violence homosexuality strong female characters films female films like public enemy little seen heroic evil featuring stronger female characters films examined female subject matters revisited decades later american films characters seen profit deeds cases significant repercussions drug use topic films hollywood biggest stars got start era stars excelled period like england called king pre code died wind essentially forgotten general public generation beginning late escalating half american roman catholics launched campaign deemed american cinema plus potential government takeover film censorship social research indicate movies seen immoral promote bad behavior pressure force studios greater oversight origins code films series screen scandals involving hollywood stars studios enlisted beacon presbyterian elder hollywood image later nicknamed motion picture paid lavish sum year equivalent million dollars general head served years president defended industry attacks recited negotiated treaties cease hostilities hollywood decision major_league_baseball hiring judge league commissioner previous year quell questions integrity baseball wake world series gambling scandal new_york_times called screen introduced set recommendations dubbed formula studios advised asked filmmakers describe office plots pictures planning supreme_court decided unanimously ohio free speech extend motion pictures token attempts clean movies studios formed little come efforts creation code contents american roman catholic editor prominent trade paper father jesuit priest created code standards liked immensely submitted studios lord concerns centered effects sound film children considered especially susceptible studio heads including metro mayer mgm met lord february revisions agreed code main factors adopting code avoid direct government intervention responsibility headed colonel supervise film production advise studios changes cuts required code divided parts set general principles concerned morality second set particular applications list items depicted restrictions ban homosexuality use specific curse words directly mentioned assumed understood clear mixing races forbidden stated notion adults policy dubious ineffective strategy difficult enforce allow minds easily understand accept harm subject matter plots younger people positive harm children supervised events implied code allowed cultural historian called possibility inspired thought crime code sought determine portrayed screen promote traditional values sexual relations outside marriage portrayed attractive beautiful presented way passion right criminal action punished crime criminal sympathy audience authority figures treated clergy portrayed comic characters villains circumstances politicians police officers judges villains long clear exception rule entire document contained catholic stated art handled carefully morally evil effects deep moral significance catholic influence code initially kept secret recurring theme audience feels sure evil wrong good right code contained commonly referred advertising code regulated film advertising copy imagery enforcement february variety published entire contents code predicted state film censorship boards soon obsolete men enforce code head committee successor generally ineffective film office reviewed blue angel passed joy revision considered california censor instances joy negotiated cuts films definite albeit loose constraints significant material screen joy review films year small staff little power office authority order studios remove material film instead worked reasoning pleading matters appeals process ultimately responsibility making final decision hands studios factor ignoring code fact found censorship period victorian era ridiculed backward code announced nation liberal periodical attacked publication stated crime presented sympathetic light taken literally law justice events portrayed clergy presented positively examined outlook agreed unlike variety predicted beginning code difficult enforce additionally great depression 1930s led studios seek income way possible films containing violent content resulted high ticket sales reasonable continue producing films soon code open secret hollywood reporter mocked code variety followed suit year variety article noted screenwriter stated moral code joke memory early sound film era sexuality american film increased 1920s pre code era dated start sound film era generally march code written protests new_york state advantage supreme_court decision ohio censorship board virginia followed suit following year individual states board advent sound film boards 1920s new_york stage frequent source subsequent screen material shows performances filled curse words mature subject matter sexually suggestive dialogue early sound system conversion process apparent acceptable new_york kansas suggested studio executives form committee discuss film censorship metro mayer mgm fox paramount responded collaborating list called don based items challenged local censor boards consisted subjects best avoided handled carefully approved list created oversee implementation way enforce controversy surrounding film standards came head director responsible increasing discussion sex cinema 1920s starting male female series films examined sex highly successful films featuring hollywood original girl saturday night kid released days october market crash highlighted bow sexual 1920s stars bow freely displayed sexuality straightforward fashion hollywood great depression great depression presented unique time film making united_states economic disaster brought stock market crash changed american values beliefs ways themes american traditional concepts personal achievement self reliance overcoming odds lost great currency constant economic politicians early years depression american public developed increasingly attitude challenging traditional beliefs political controversy hollywood films period mirrored attitudes patrons gone adventurous lifestyle 1920s years jazz age far away days war commented sense noted understanding moral climate early 1930s complex films experienced unprecedented level freedom portray things kept hidden decades america looked stock market crash product previous decade looking 1920s events increasingly seen occurring prelude market crash dance dance party scenes featuring 1920s played excess ultimately reforms ways saved fortunate continues path leads ultimate self destruction rain shine composed happy days song repeated characters films years comical picture future presented heroes sale year looks depressing night end america heroes sale directed prolific pre code director featured silent film star world war veteran cast streets addiction hospital stay wild boys road young man played leads group juvenile frequently brawl police gangs common youths traveled country trains search better economic circumstances early 1930s matters studios advent sound film required immense expenditure sound stages recording cameras movie theater sound systems mention new found artistic complications producing radically altered medium studios difficult financial position market crash sound conversion process risky purchases theater chains pushed finances near breaking point economic circumstances led loss nearly half weekly attendance numbers closure country theaters years depression million americans went cinema weekly apart economic realities conversion sound artistic considerations early sound films noted criticized wall wall sound pictures director wondered camera intended characters going onscreen action film industry competition home radio characters films went great lengths medium film industry new medium broadcast commercials projects occasionally turned radio stars short feature performers advantage built following beneath surface american life depression fear angry mob portrayed panicked films white_house mayor hell massive wide shots angry comprising hundreds men rush action efficient groups agitated men standing camps marching streets protest prevalent sight great depression protests world war veterans capital washington brutal crackdown prompted hollywood depictions social issues examined directly pre code era hollywood largely ignored great depression films sought patrons remarked function motion pictures entertain times realize constantly fatality permitting concern social values lead realm propaganda american motion picture owes civic obligation greater honest clean entertainment maintains supplying effective entertainment free propaganda serve high self purpose social problem films obviously felt motion pictures presented form served effect american coined famous want send message pre code era took opposite stance questioned certain called message films congress claiming audiences desire realism led certain social legal political issues portrayed film length pre code films usually comparatively short running time required material affect impact message films employees entrance received following review attack ruthless capitalism goes lot recent efforts wall street amazing plot character minutes film featured pre code later dubbed king pre code magnetic worst playing particularly department store manager example terminates jobs long standing male employees commits suicide result threatens fire young character pretends single stay employed sleeps attempts ruin husband learning married films stated position social issue usually labeled propaganda films contrast mgm definitively republican stance social issue films led new deal advocate prominent maker types pictures preferred called stories historian written recurring elements marked called preface second jazz age prelude preface essentially version intended calm audience disagreed film message jazz age prelude cast shame behavior 1920s cabin cotton message film capitalism film takes place unspecified southern state workers given barely survive taken advantage charged interest rates high prices landowners film decidedly anti capitalist preface claims parts south today exists endless dispute rich land owners known poor cotton known supply tenants simple requirements everyday life return tenants work land year year volumes written rights parties object producers cabin cotton sides concerned effort picture conditions end admit wrongdoing agree distribution capital businessman remained recurring character pre code cinema played industrialist based real life swedish entrepreneur nicknamed match king attempts corner global market matches william character commits robbery fraud murder way captain industry market collapses crash ruined commits suicide avoid imprisonment william played businessman wealthy banker owns building named larger tricks knows poverty appropriate wealth ultimately shot secretary ends film life walking roof skyscraper americans dislike lawyers frequent topic social problem films state attorney films paid legal system turns innocent characters criminals life character ruined romantic interest executed live free innocent crime district attorney wants convict religious addressed films starring directed portrayed nurse initially reluctant heroine manages save unorthodox means young children danger characters including night nurse countless films dealt economic realities country struggling find meal blonde venus character resorts prostitution feed child character happened night gets throwing food floor later finding food financial resources character reflects chorus girl regularly received diamonds gifts content beef sandwich puts meal order business coming money political releases given social circumstances politically oriented social problem films ridiculed politicians portrayed incompetent dark horse enlisted time accidentally running governor elected candidate wins election despite embarrassing washington portrayed state political system stuck neutral nearly released film scene public execution politician climax deciding cut released day age stands stark contrast films period filmed shortly completed month tour soviet_union day age takes place america features children gangster got away murder popular local seen lowering gangster rats police arrive response encourage youths continue film ends taking gangster local judge forcing magistrate conduct trial outcome doubt need strong leaders charge steer america crisis seen white_house dictator takes control united_states stars weak president likely modeled inhabited knocked unconscious spirit behavior similar abraham_lincoln president nation unemployment crisis type criminal continually law fiction columbia minute fascist leader narrated nbc radio commentator showing progress italy year reign thomas time dictator comes film viewed people weeks albany new_york election public affection country increasingly featured countless exhibited desire alternative forms government hollywood films reflected new optimism heroes sale despite bleak times anti american film ends positive note new deal appears sign optimism wild boys road directed reaches conclusion juvenile court expecting jail sentence judge lets boy free revealing symbol new deal desk tells going better new_york country box office casualty white_house entered production era sought capitalize time film released march election produced level america rendered film message obsolete adolf hitler rise power germany regime anti semitic policies significantly affected american pre code filmmaking hitler unpopular parts united_states germany american films studios wanted german government ban jews negative portrayals germany led significant reduction work jews hollywood end world war result social problem films released independent film companies addressed germany pre code era hitler reign terror producer announced working picture titled mad dog europe intended scale attack hitler quit job film summoned pair office told cease production causing studios germany threatened seize properties hollywood producers germany ban import future american films crime films early 1900s united_states primarily rural country especially self identity pig alley earliest american films feature urban organized crime prohibition arrival created environment wanted drink consort criminals especially urban areas nonetheless urban crime genre ignored underworld recognized gangster movie surprise hit according encyclopedia hollywood entry underworld film established fundamental elements gangster movie hero ominous night city streets finale cut protagonist gangster films doorway hell released capitalize underworld popularity described virtual remake film late 1920s crime films investigated connection broadway productions movies broadway officially recommended banning violence form 1920s unlike profanity drug trade prostitution advised handled carefully new_york censor board thorough state missing country annual releases violent scenes removed gun pointed camera instances guns pointed body character shots machine guns featured scenes criminals shot law enforcement officers scenes involving stabbing knife audiences considered disturbing involving torture scenes considered educational depiction crime methods violence reaction shots showing faces individuals receiving end violence considered especially sensitive areas code later recommended scenes showing robbery theft safe cracking arson use firearms trains machines buildings brutal killings basis rejected local birth hollywood gangster motion picture genre pre code era gangster film vice films outraged moral guardians city fathers high caliber scenarios screen heroes stone killers early 1930s real life criminals celebrities particular captured american imagination like transformed perception entire cities gave chicago reputation american bullet proof running boards state street flower shop windows competition blood appeared cover time magazine offered figure sums major hollywood studios appear film declined national celebrity bank arrest escaped confinement times celebrated public outlaw father appeared popular series giving police advice catch son popularity rose quickly variety joked remains large longer interviews obtained petitions circulated president wrote studios march portrayed motion picture genre entered new level following release featured gangster public enemy starring featuring standards time incredibly violent films created new type anti hero gangster films released genre popularity began end prohibition backlash gangster films swift announced studio stop making allowed year old son generally considered grandfather gangster films robinson close friend chicago joe wants straight meets woman seeks life crime joins gang rises rank boss crime family concerned friend threatens point joe girlfriend goes police unable bring kill joe eliminate witness goes hiding police publish press killed blaze gunfire words mother mercy end robinson initially cast small role persuaded film producer let play lead headed new_york censorship board told flooded complaints people saw kids theaters nationwide gang leader hero success inspired fox secret paramount big hollywood gangster come released features career defining performance time film similar template set follows powers rise eventual fall world crime film partially based real life chicago gangster character contrasted brother wants straight mother center conflict ruthless extremely violent best remembered scene picture referred scene girlfriend breakfast half face instead scenes film trailer contained warning picture intensity showed gun fired directly camera violent women gangster film picture scene knocks woman feelings violently throws car april month release recruited police chief august conduct study effect gangster pictures children finished work stated gangster films overly favorable depicting police results defend film industry censorship board impressed removed crime scenes pictures critics named pre code gangster film directed starring film partially based life incorporates details biography storyline film begins paul working dissatisfied subordinate attracted girlfriend poppy controlling relationship sister remain critics described warns leave north controlled rival mob ignores warning launches series executions result war north gang takes gang tries unsuccessfully kill attempt kill successful poppy happily girl finds hotel room closest friend coin gangster kills rage afterward learns couple wanted surprise news gotten married production troubled start office warned producer film completed late office demanded numerous changes including conclusion captured tried convicted hanged film carry subtitle shame nation hughes sent film numerous state censorship boards saying hoped film combat gangster menace unable film past censor board headed changes hughes sued new_york board won allowing release film version close intended form local refused release edited version sent assure cycle gangster films nature ending provoked outrage mainly unprecedented violence shifts tone comedic writing stated film blends comedy horror manner suggests let loose live machine gun scene inside cafe machine gun fire car rival gang headed way barrage picks newly released tommy guns dropped exhibits wonder excitement new toy civic leaders furious like blatant inspiration applauded movie houses america screenplay adapted journalist chicago contained biographical details character obviously taken detail close impossible draw parallels factors gangster pictures subversive difficult economic times depression existed viewpoint way financial success crime argued adults particularly affected films misleading children youth problem cinema theater owners advertised gangster pictures singular real life murders tied promotions theater displayed tommy guns situation reached studios ask tone promotions prison films prison films pre code era involved men women incarcerated films set prisons north tended portray solidarity social system great depression sparked real life ohio fire april guards refused release prisoners cells causing deaths films depicted conditions inside prisons early 1930s genre composed prison film chain gang film prison film large men identical uniforms resigned fate live defined code chain gang film southern prisoners subjected system discipline outdoor heat treated terribly ruthless captors prototype prison genre plays sentenced years committing influence cell mates murderer played played picture features future staples prison genre solitary confinement riots escape codes prison life protagonist montgomery ends character sell prison early release film banned ohio site deadly prison riots inspired criminal code shadow law convict code seven studios followed prison films mainly appealed men weak box office performances result studios produced children prison films addressed juvenile problems america depression mayor hell instance featured kids killing abusive reform school retribution chain gang films criticism american prison system reserved depiction southern chain gangs fugitive far influential fugitive based true story robert far famous early 1930s chain gang films half true detective mysteries magazine published burns work issues released book january decorated veteran paul returns world war changed man seeks alternative tedious job left travels country looking construction work ultimate goal involved construction planning allen follows met homeless shelter cafe taking offer free meal attempts rob allen charged convicted stealing dollars sentenced years chain gang men transported quarry break rocks day remain times allen convinces large black prisoner particularly good aim hit bend removes feet bent famous sequence escapes woods chased outside develops new identity respected developer chicago marriage woman love finds secret threatens leave young woman fallen love turns case cause agrees turn agreement serve days released tricked freed agreed time forces escape seeks young woman telling hunted film ends asking survives ominous reply darkness steal based reality changes facts slightly appeal depression era audiences making allen return home country struggling economically burns returned twenties film bleak anti establishment ending shocked audiences laughter hell film directed starring inspired fugitive brien plays railroad engineer kills wife lover jealous rage sent prison dead man brother ends warden prison brien character brien revolt killing warden escaping new lover film rediscovered drew controversy scene black men hanged reports vary blacks hanged alongside white men african american weekly newspaper film critic praised filmmakers courageous depict atrocities occurring southern states sex films promotion films featuring elements performed box office crackdown crime films hollywood increased production pictures featuring seven deadly sins formed official policy stories hot nearly films benefit adding having filmmakers began putting overly suggestive material knew reach theaters hopes lesser offenses survive cutting room floor mgm screenwriter said joy wouldn want things satisfy away murder left films safe hell devil driving hell laughter hell road ruin provocative mere titles studios marketed films suggestive tag lines titles going far hold house contests thinking provocative titles commonly labeled sex films pictures offended taste categories sexuality according variety analysis pictures produced sex slant possessing questionable sequences critically sexual variety summarized world chief picture output flavored bedroom essence attempts create films adults dubbed wound bringing large audiences ages cinemas posters publicity photos women appeared poses films cases actresses small parts films case publicity common law appeared clad outraged pictures circulating newspapers country original code contained ignored note advertising imagery wrote entirely new advertising style contained set seven addressed imagery prohibited women women raising skirts suggestive poses kissing suggestive material concerned advertising copy prohibited film contents copy word studios found way restrictions published increasingly imagery ultimately billboard philadelphia placed outside home severely offended took revenge helping launch motion picture boycott later facilitate enforcement code commonly repeated theme supporting censorship mentioned code notion common people needed saved refined cultural elite despite obvious attempts appeal red american males patrons sex pictures female variety blamed women increase vice pictures women responsible increasing public taste sexy stuff women bulk picture audiences majority reader scandal sheets magazines erotic books mind average man comparison women love dirt pre code female audiences liked lifestyles time taking joy usually inevitable downfall closing scenes picture gangster films claimed corrupt morals young boys vice films blamed threatening purity adolescent women content pre code hollywood sex film synonymous women pictures told ordered new_york corporate office reserve studio output women pictures inevitably means sex pictures vice films typically endings sin filled characters punished films explored code subjects manner premise end reel moment gone concept marriage tested films woman having affair character later falls love brother law mother law steps end film encourage son grant wife divorce marry brother obviously love older woman message film line near end twentieth century world happiness madame adultery explicitly sign wife needs act way maintain husband interest secrets husband admits serial adultery time marriage saved films took aim damaged institution great depression relations deteriorated financial strain marriages husbands abandoned families increased numbers marriage rates continually declined early 1930s finally rising final year pre code era divorce rates lowered likely likely method separation consequently female characters female live lifestyles control financial destiny auto factory regret prominent examples punishment immoral vice film seen story temple drake based novel sanctuary drake title character cold party girl daughter judge raped forced prostitution character according pre code scholar film implies deeds later court confesses killed man raped kept confession lawyer carries leading happy ending film plays aviator pregnant affair married man commits suicide flying plane directly upwards breaks world altitude record point takes oxygen mask earth strong female characters ended films reformed women experiencing situations progressive outlook proved faulty female protagonists aggressively sexual vice films usually general kinds bad girl fallen woman called bad girl pictures female characters immoral behavior actress reports kind person frequently played bad girl characters dubbed sex prominent examples bad girl films featured plays secretary determined sleep way luxurious lifestyle baby face abused runaway determined use sex advance financially moves new_york sleeps way progress illustrated recurring visual metaphor movie camera upward skyscraper men driven mad lust commit murder attempt suicide ruined financially ways final reel departure post code films sole companion duration picture black woman named harris took ran away home age begins boss intentionally breaking marriage tries resist point looks says like eventually marry wealthy aged industrialist business husband new_york plan succeeds cast aside discovered having affair essence cheating shoots nearly killing seen film france seat elderly wealthy gentleman driven film career described trash masterpiece cinema classified fallen woman films inspired real life hardships women endured early depression era workplace men power pictures frequently sexually harassed women working remaining employed question woman virtue yes starring struggling department store offers dates female incentive customers employees entrance marketed tag line work girls days joy complained genre kept woman film presented adultery alternative unhappy marriage portrayed pre code films parade yesterday sailor luck topic dealt openly decades followed gay lesbian characters usually gay male characters portrayed high voices existing merely supporting characters films like portrayed rough characters sign cross female christian slave brought roman dance lesbian dancer fox nearly american studio use word gay refer homosexuality studio word soundtrack reached theaters bisexual actress cultivated cross gender fan base started trend began wearing men suits caused appeared premiere sign cross complete hat cane appearance homosexual characters height year declared gay male characters removed pictures paramount took advantage negative publicity generated signing largely meaningless agreement stating portray women male attire comedy harsh economic times early depression films performers featured alienated cynical socially dangerous comic style political films comedy election optimism new deal characters pre code era frequently engaged comedic escalating sexual employee entrance woman enters office boss remarks didn recognize clothes racial stereotypes usually employed ethnic characters appeared blacks particular usually butt author acknowledged black comedian slow comedic character meant successful manner new_york stage filled humor sexually offensive comedy movie producers started sound pictures sought new_york performers popular comics got start broadway live audiences complained jokes pictures early 1930s designed heads comic early sound films rapid fire non stop frequently exhausting audience final reel established comedic performer broadway sex national headlines tried convicted new_york_city district attorney served days prison west carefully constructed stage persona carried interviews personal appearances despite physique appeal lay suggestive manner art come seductive line despite obvious appeal male audiences popular women cries west got start film night night starred texas esque supporting character agreed appear film producers agreed let write lines west line film hat check girl remarks goodness beautiful diamonds west replies goodness wanted role went west later wrote picture stole cameras went wrong huge box office hit grossing million budget months later wrote starred angel success career saved paramount financial ruin arrival sound film created new job market writers screen dialogue newspaper journalists moved california studio employed resulted series fast talking comedy pictures featuring page later cynical sentimental post code girl friday adapted broadway play chicago hollywood based experiences working reporter stage performers early 1900s 1930s act consisted leader silent overly ethnic strangely normal plot seminal comedy convoluted character named king fictional pursued spies played plays typically normal secretary con artist character leads war neighboring plot essentially exists provide framework comedic bits long sketches film unsuccessful box office subversive nature comedy film brothers post code work cartoons theatrical cartoons covered production code according early georgia theater owner wrote film daily worst kicks cartoons primarily kid draw parents frequently object incidentally helping comedy ones invariably funny underwent dramatic changes code imposed gone short skirt horror science fiction unlike silent era sex crime pictures silent horror movies despite produced hundreds major concern civic leaders sound horror films released quickly caused controversy sound provided atmospheric music sound effects creepy voiced dialogue liberal dose blood screams intensified effects audiences consequently moral code mention filmmakers took advantage oversight state boards usually set guidelines object material found films caused controversy released cut comply comprising nascent motion picture genres horror science fiction nightmare picture provoked individual psychological terror horror incarnations group terror science fiction main types pre code horror pictures single monster movie films masses rose attacked exemplified genres pre code horror cycle similar pre code cycles boom motivated financial necessity universal particular production horror hits followed successes murders major studios responded productions like crime film cycle intense boom horror cycle fallen box office end pre code era joy declared satisfactory standpoint code released film little trouble reaching theaters different story new_york pennsylvania massachusetts removed scene monster unintentionally little girl lines referenced god complex kansas particular objected film state censor board requested cutting scenes removed length film paramount played theories popular audience time march played split personality title character represented composed super ego prostitute sexually early film displaying parts legs joy felt scene dragged simply audience threat violence beats attempts stop seeing contrasted fiancée nature march alter ego film considered honored pre code horror films graphic scenes ivy cut local sex tied horror pre code horror movies murders adaptation classic tale little common source material plays mad scientist kills women trying mix human blood blood experiments prized experiment intelligent named breaks woman second floor apartment window director fame picture depicts traveling circus populated group deformed carnival populated movie actual carnival performers including twins awful man billed living group depicted fortunate mentally capable understand disgust people truly characters villains circus hercules beautiful high wire artist intends marry poison heir dinner celebrating union dances table chant accept accept disgusted insults makes hercules discover plot exact revenge freak circus common early 1930s film depiction screen took care shots deformed disabled performers long takes including living lighting match cigarette mouth film accompanied sensational marketing campaign asked sexual questions love sex half man half woman grown woman truly love surprisingly given reaction state kansas objected states georgia repulsed film shown film later cult classic spurred midnight movie box office bomb original release island lost souls adaptation science fiction novel island doctor plays mad scientist god complex creates mad scientist island paradise haven free create race man beast woman wants mate normal human male lands island providing opportunity far science experiment barely clothed attractive come discovers beast men attempts leave island runs camp man beats whip film ends dead rescued man chanting men attack film described rich man source material wells despised movie rejected local censor boards united_states considered nature great_britain banned exotic adventure films pre code films contained continual recurring theme white racism early 1930s studios filmed series pictures aimed provide viewers sense exotic exploration unknown forbidden pictures sex according pre code historian psychic core genre sexual attraction threat promise films directly marketed referencing sex received small labeled secrets contained pictures naked black women portrayals historic conditions movies little educational value artifacts hollywood attitude race foreign cultures central point interest film depicted blonde woman abducted savage tribe australians kidnapped enjoys living tribe lack black characters films highlights status bird paradise white american man enjoys affair princess del film created scandal released scene featuring del swimming naked said represented highest erotic ideal performance film white protagonist man king african jungle half naked jungle creature derived physical prowess movie saves jane sullivan danger arms jane father warns like responds white evidence contrary sequel mate word meaning status biological function men come fancy bra barely clothed jane played sullivan hoping lure away savage clothing tears film included scene extensive nudity body double standing sullivan head objected scene mgm movie producer decided case appeals review board board consisted heads fox universal watching scene times board sided scene removed mgm allowed uncut trailers stay circulation mgm marketed film primarily women girls live like eve found right adam modern marriages learn plenty drama primitive jungle mating marriages based primitive mating instinct better world ethnic characters portrayed stereotype massacre protagonist native american performs indian slips suit speaks american slang black butler intelligent character merely plays dumb slipping stereotypical slow negro character suits genuinely films mask bitter tea general explored far_east white actors lead roles white actors frequently looked absurd yellow face makeup genuine studios cast asian parts white plays mad scientist wants find sword mask power control countless battle versus west sexual engages ritual torture powers scene cut film shows man image daughter violating good characters eventually conquered temporarily lays hand sword men like wives conquer breed kill white man women bitter tea general type film plays missionary goes civil war torn china meets titular general played car kills driver knocked unconscious riot takes train car horror themed symbolic dreams general repulsed film breaks precedent developing love story army ends ruins kills film conclusion drinking poisoned tea captured killed script disregarded risk making film broke california states laws concerning portrayal tested new technique created dubbed variable filming picture rendered entire picture soft focus documentaries television finally killed preceded films early sound film era lasted minutes featured highlights clips world biggest stories updated twice week major studios highly profitable enterprise total box office million million sound film era created narrator provided clips delivering jokes screen action sound interviews featured famous subjects new medium clips changed public perception important historical figures depending sound previously voices camera theaters soon created united_states successful broadway embassy seat facility presented fourteen minute programs day running morning midnight noted intellectual audience attend motion picture theaters gripping news story pre code era kidnapping baby evening march child enormously famous kidnapping event created media circus news coverage intense world war featuring family photos child time private pictures public service asked spectators report sight child body found miles home covered important topics day presented human interest stories immensely popular coverage entertainment news times greater detail pressing political social matters images impact historical accuracy nearly ceremonies public events filmed early sound era staged cases instance signed important bill member cabinet called away staged began video shows absent time signing present staged hide caused caught desire present accurate hard hitting news stories need audience mood upcoming entertainment soft difficulties americans faced early years great depression particular received favorable treatment hollywood major studios producing shorts late shorts featured studios lesser contract talent virtues created government social programs roosevelt natural camera instrumental success initial campaign enduring popularity office described variety capital taking advantage existence years archives filmmakers early sound era documentaries world war popular topic pictures spawned following documentaries big drive world revolt america hell holiday pre code world war documentary called world war critically commercially successful documentary era filmmakers feature length documentaries covered dark globe including amazon native american settlements pacific islands taking advantage audiences aided nudity tribal documentaries filming lands untouched presentation filmed movies depression era american audiences showing lifestyles difficult captured arctic expeditions films south deepest africa films martin exploitation style documentaries purported actual events instead staged elaborate prominent film claimed ritual african women given sex slaves instead filmed los_angeles local blacks place natives mocked pre code documentaries parody world minutes scene filmed wrestling stuffed tiger doll tiger skin opposing films shown features served short form cinematic tourism end era pre code films began draw religious groups protestant contingent roman catholic delegate catholic_church united_states called roman catholics united_states unite films result headed reverend later renamed established control enforce standards boycott films deemed offensive created rating system films started harmless ended condemned denoting film sin watch wish join moving pictures unite protest grave menace youth home life country religion condemn absolutely motion pictures agencies public morals promoting sex land considering promise remain away motion pictures christian morality legion spurred million roman catholics sign boycott allowing local religious leaders determine films protest conservative tended support crackdown particularly south relating state race relations portrayed joined protest uneasy alliance christian groups occurred studio executives jewish opposed direct censorship considering american stated films working filmmakers better direct oversight overall films harmful children blamed films difficult economic times exerted tremendous commercial pressure studios code catholic groups enraged early july demanding resign position influence waned took control created support study influence fiction children series books published detailed years research aimed specifically cinema effects children gaining publicity time great concern said certain pictures alter sacred thing mind child clean virgin thing unmarked state responsibility care thing best clergyman inspired teacher despite initial reception main findings study largely found cinema effect individuals varied age social position pictures reinforced audiences existing beliefs led honorary vice president mother executive director funded study pleased summary study results written appeared leading women magazine time book movie children best seller publicized results emphasizing negative aspects social environment created publicity religious protests reached fever pitch member described state war newspapers including cleveland new_york daily_news daily_mirror studies discussing supreme_court decision film historian argues efforts filmmakers willing produce films specialized audiences adults family children industry wanted needed largest possible market provocative pictures profitable motion picture industry output sensational supporting cleaner increasing movement government control called catholic boycott films privately preparing congressional bill supported democrats republicans introduce government oversight studios decided organized enforcement procedures giving recently appointed devout roman catholic head new production code administration greater control censorship studios agreed appeals committee impose fine producing distributing exhibiting film approval originally hired worked public relations handle production code publicity popular catholics joy began working solely bypassed favor december handled business films anti quoted stating jews probably earth died trade magazine variety stated single individual shaped moral stature american motion picture legion impact effective enforcement code influence general populace harder gauge study code finally fully implemented found audiences exact opposite legion recommended time legion protested film meant increased ticket sales kept results revealed years later contrast big cities smaller towns effective theater owners complained harassment received exhibited films actors actresses continued careers code enforced excelled period forgotten today pre code era like understood private industry code strictly enforced effective government censorship means imposing religious secret thing operating pre production stage audience knows trimmed cut revised written uniform subject hundreds different licensing standards finally important private censorship sweeping demands bound constitutional process free expression rules general apply government command church state separation question american cinema today far code blue pencil present boycott threat combined assure films adhered catholic_church doctrine termed moral value maxim theme contain sufficient good story compensate counteract evil relates hollywood present evil behavior end film guilty punished scholar summarized practical effects moral guardians dedication film censorship tricky business images cut dialogue overdubbed deleted explicit messages subtle implications film criticism calls simply world film universe inhabited characters existing landscape cinema elements experienced characters film spectator elements spectator job motion picture censor patrol keeping eye ear images languages meanings banished world film easiest assignment connect dots connect visually verbally forbidden challenging work analysis narrative rehabilitation hidden lessons moral meanings expanded jurisdiction seen implied spectator mind office wife maneuvers strictly forbidden implied image actress naked screen deemed suggestive relied audience post code releases film scenes blurred rendered indistinct allowed following july decision studios power film censorship hands appeared series clips promoting new order business assuring americans motion picture industry vulgar cheap pictures vital entertainment scripts went films playing theaters ordered withdrawn film censored production stage film independent film producers vowed thought represents stance month making major studios owned successful theaters country studio heads agreed stop making films large cities audiences production seal appeared films catholic_church pleased pope stated film industry recognized accepts responsibility society legion condemned zero films produced fortunes studios publicly explained code proponents proof positive code working fortunate coincidence code supporters famous criminals clyde killed police shortly took power corpses shown country alongside clips machine gun kelly positive aspects code enforced money saved studios having edit cut alter films approval state boards money saved millions annually family films featuring performers took stars images played series patriots gangster angels dirty faces acts like executed children looked cease admiration essence removing jokes directly referenced sex sexual references slipped unnoticed pictures political realm films washington tries change american system core values stand stark contrast white_house dictator needed cure america movies suffered damage censorship studios attempted issue films 1920s early 1930s forced extensive cuts films farewell arms exist censored versions films survived intact controversial released remade decade later master edited case allow released form entire film remains missing rumored prints ordered destroyed late research shows negative late home video screenings 1980s new_york city film forum programmer held film festivals featuring pre code films credited san_francisco film critic person bring term pre code general use 1990s mgm released pre code films laserdisc vhs included baby face beauty boss dance dance employees entrance lady female heroes sale illicit got number ladies talk night nurse dancing daughters purchase price strange love sin match turner released pre code films doctor free soul mystery possessed public enemy red dust remade 1950s labels ucla ran series pre code films 2000s showcasing films seen decades available home media released pre code dvd collections pre code hollywood years featuring human hollywood featuring lady refuses released number pre code films dvd forbidden hollywood banner date volumes released volume released december includes baby face red headed woman volume released march includes free soul match female night nurse volume released march featured films men women purchase price midnight mary heroes sale wild boys road volume released august includes man wanted sin volume released august includes mind reader volume released april includes wet parade massacre volume released april includes man skyscraper souls employees entrance lady volume released october includes strangers kiss dark hazard volume released october includes hell highway cabin cotton ladies meet sell universal home video followed suit universal series released april box set includes cheat hell hot saturday murder search beauty copy entire code
Pre-Code Hollywood