Changes

Motion pictures were a [[United States]] invention and were primarily, though not solely, a United States product. Therefore anything that happened in or to "the movies" in the United States affected motion-picture projects throughout the world, ''except'' in certain totalitarian nation-states. In those states--chiefly Nazi [[Germany]] and the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]]--motion pictures were purely a tool of [[propaganda]] in support of the ruling regime or its ideals.

Motion pictures were a [[United States]] invention and were primarily, though not solely, a United States product. Therefore anything that happened in or to "the movies" in the United States affected motion-picture projects throughout the world, ''except'' in certain totalitarian nation-states. In those states--chiefly Nazi [[Germany]] and the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]]--motion pictures were purely a tool of [[propaganda]] in support of the ruling regime or its ideals.

In 1932, the trade association of motion-picture producers in the United States established the [[Motion Picture Production Code]], in an effort to convince the viewing public that they were sensitive to their concerns. They probably intended to honor this code more in the breach than otherwise. But then former United States Representative [[William Hays]] became President of the Motion Picture Production and Distribution Association, and in that capacity he made sure that the Production Code Administration, or "[[Hays office]]", would enforce the code in fact, rather than with lip service only.

In 1930, the trade association of motion-picture producers in the United States established the [[Motion Picture Production Code]], in an effort to convince the viewing public that they were sensitive to their concerns. For about four years, they honored this code more in the breach than otherwise. But then former United States Representative [[William Hays]] became President of the Motion Picture Production and Distribution Association, and in that capacity he made sure that the Production Code Administration, or "[[Hays office]]", would enforce the code in fact, rather than with lip service only.

The contrast between "pre-Code" and "post-Code" films was striking. With Hays' trusted friends in charge, salacious plots, plot themes, and plot devices were strictly forbidden--as was the use of obscene language, or any violation of the Third Commandment. No character could commit a criminal act and escape punishment for that act--not even if it were an act of understandable (by human ways of thinking) vengeance. Neither could any character disrobe on camera, nor commit adultery or fornication with impunity.

The contrast between "pre-Code" and "post-Code" films was striking. With Hays' trusted friends in charge, salacious plots, plot themes, and plot devices were strictly forbidden--as was the use of obscene language, or any violation of the Third Commandment. No character could commit a criminal act and escape punishment for that act--not even if it were an act of understandable (by human ways of thinking) vengeance. Neither could any character disrobe on camera, nor commit adultery or fornication with impunity.