USA movie about regulations and classification system

Some essential knowledge

 

[America] Jon Lewis

Translator: Li Xiaogang

 

"Combined" case

 

    As is often the case, be handed down from age to age of USA standard -- Christian Civilization -- against dubbed the "modern", "free" or "pagan" alien customs. Large numbers of Americans to keep their own idea, strongly resisted the invasion of foreign culture.

                   -- Will Hays, American filmmakers and put the first chairman pedestrians Association

 

   As early as 1915, in the "milepost committee" v. Ohio Industrial Union film company a case like the Federal Supreme Court ruling, American entertainment and artistic distinction, refused to give free speech protection literature published in equal scale application and film. "The case" has been proved essential things. In nearly half a century in the movie in the court, there was not viewed as works of art, and the only businesses industrial products to treat.

"Combined" cases across the nation have been further encouraged by the review committee. These institutions to continue to exert influence on the video content, until the emergence of MPAA in 1968.

   To the end of the Second World War, people began to consider the contrary to movie free speech award again consider the 1915 court. Defense judge William Douglas explicitly as "pure commercial behavior" of the film: the first amendment other commercial media already enjoys giving and protection, should also be the same and film. "We have no doubt," Douglas concludes, "like the newspaper radio, film is also the first amendment guarantees freedom within the range of media."

 

The scandal, star, review

     

   There are many I have done in the arena, the censor did not allow me in the film. They don't even allow me sitting on the man's lap, and I sat on the knee is more than the restaurant napkin cloth. --

 

   In three big scandal in the early 20's -- "fat man" Roscoe Arbuckle was raped and murdered just budding actress Virginia Rabe, film director William Desmond Taylor unsolved murders and male star Wallace Reid has died of a drug overdose -- was widely reported in newspapers and national.

   Stars scandal suggests that, Hollywood is somewhat out of control; the movie business people earn a lot of money, have independence and privileges too much. Logically speaking, the studio should be formulated effective measures to control its star, re established control of the celebrities of the labor force. As early as in 1922, the studio began with the famous actor signing additional moral restraint clause. These terms to play such a role, that is, if there is a self destruct scandal stars, producers can no longer pay the reward to them. These Provisions also makes the studios can more fully control the stars' private life and public image, standard star discourse, if necessary, improper words and deeds of disciplinary star or sudden performance decline caused by the public's favorite degree.

   Following the "Akbar and John Rabe case" editions, the reformists launched on the comedy movie is organizing a boycott. Facing such pressure, paramount withdrew all propaganda film about Akbar, indefinitely will star hang up.

The film industry to make public self regulatory commitment has become a hot topic in Akbar incident response. The implementation of this autonomic MPPDA (American producers and Distributors Association) starting review film only from the membership interests of the company. When the Akbar scandal raise a Babel of criticism of the occasion, the legislature in 36 states are discussed in the film censorship act. Quickly blocked on Akbar movie industry action, successfully prevented independent exhibitors held Virginia Rabe retrospective film exhibition publicity, the film industry to make in support of Will Hays's self-discipline commitment succeeded in lightening the widespread threat from the state legislature and censorship. By 1925, 36 states had 35 abandoned the film censorship scheme, the proposed clearly, they think it's best to this task to Hayes and MPPDA.

   The Hays go to take office coincided with the first disclosure Akbar scandal at the same time, but also because of the first few weeks he became convinced paramount to ban on the comedy movie in the past, people generally get an impression, Hayes first appeared as a film industry police and censor.

 

"Miracle"

     

   In my opinion, "miracle" is a Christian work. -- Roberto Rossellini

                      

   By the end of the Second World War, the box office revenue decline, the studios backing on whether or not to tolerate censorship have so great right question.

   In 1952, the studio to seize an opportunity. In the "miracle" in the case, the Supreme Court weakened the authority of the state review committee. Because of this, the court gave the studio to establish new discipline policy opportunity.

   Directed by Roberto Rossellini's "miracle", in the view of state and local review committee, the problem is particularly serious. The story is about a simple minded woman fell in love with a mysterious stranger, who seduced woman is claimed to be the St. joseph. The woman is pregnant, pregnant women on the stranger disappeared, everyone said, her children in the stomach is no miracle product dipped tire. Because of her mouth full of obscene word of God, by the town people cast aside. Homeless, feel alarmed, the heart is full of confusion, she delivered in an abandoned church. At the end of the movie, she folded the baby in the bosom, feel blessed.

    When the "miracle" was introduced America before, it has origin in Italy set off a great disturbance, critic, journalist, there are good, have to be given, the Vatican condemned, but never be banned.

   On January 7th, cardinal Francis Spelman, the famous Catholic priest, in public the "miracle" portrayed as the "subversion" divine discourse and the "Italy female viciously slander."

The competent state censorship dispute New York Council (NYSBR), under Spelman, behavior standards institute, the Catholic War Veterans Association pressure, withdrew screening license.

    When Bo Stein in 1952 May will be his petition for American Supreme Court, he basically consider or as a publisher he deserved interests. Who would have thought, this trial will prove to be the last film review history important events. After much trial, judge Tom Clark overthrew the New York Government Affairs Committee banned "miracle" decision. Incidentally, Clark also withdrew a series of precedent, including the United Nations in 1915 "". These are perhaps the most important sentence, judge Clark stated that the film should be, and art and other publications as the right to the protection of the first amendment to the.

 

 

The collapse of code

 

   Two idiot, watching a movie. One asked, "what do you think?" Another said, "I have to check in the book."

                                                -- the old Hollywood a joke

 

    When the independent producer and director Otto Preminger F. from Hugh Herbert got the stage play "the moon is blue" screen shot right, the first successful challenge to the production code of things happened, it is a certain obscene content of Broadway. Lianyi company decided to develop the project, and with the most sincere attitude that they spent filming a production code enforcement bureau will oppose the film.

    Preminger signed contracts deprive producer forced him to cut the film rights. The producer and the MPAA agreement is also very clear; if the producers did not get approval conditions to distribute the film, fine will be fined $25000. Production manufacturers can afford the risk fines, but can take up MPAA refused to accept and did not support? Not a big studio with a big budget, know in advance will be a great box office profits film, defy laws, therefore, United Artists also not sure how many cinemas to show "the moon is blue". The studio also is expected to, once the MPAA is not willing to say yes, review the organization of local and grassroots will take what action. The film was shot, code of conduct to give a "should be condemned" -- the assessment of fruit such as Boolean expected -- and, in combination with other grassroots organizations, are threatening to boycott the moon is not only "the film blue", also includes other controversial film artists. The group also threatened to boycott the film screened in local theaters.

   "The moon is blue" is just a movie. To make so much trouble? United Artists executives judgment, worth.

    It is the principle of competition, but rather throw the helve after the hatchet for possible box office issued "harvest, as the moon is blue", United Artists to exit MPAA. After United Artists from MPAA, PCA also evade all responsibility. In the new anomie cinema market, deletion of MPAA signature stamped indeed be of little to a surprising degree. Two large-scale, the newly independent cinema chain, United paramount and Stanley Wanner, the film make the dead come back to life. When two affiliated theater decided to disobedience to MPAA, the smaller the influential business also follow.

   Promo teaser, various news and features with Preminger centered, and United Artists resist code decision, help the film onto the box office top 20. Despite the local review board completely banned, but the film score was no harm. Take Memphis city as an example, when "the moon is blue" there was a movie theater in Hawley springs, many interested audience would drive the 30 miles to Mississippi, to see it.

   The film's box office success makes Preminger frequent contact with the press entertainment reporters, he is the person who can seize the opportunity. In the covert support of United Artists, Preminger put up a pageantry for modifying the production code, making a production "is only suitable for adults" film classification system. Preminger and UA's proposal has attracted the support throughout the film critics and writers.

   When Jeffrey Shulock was in the position of PCA at the top of its rise, the box office decline also began to emerge. 1951 to 1953 film has much to do with the PCA old rules and crash -- "A Streetcar Named Desire", "Africa empress", "from here to eternity", and "the moon is blue" -- but the box office record is very good. Schrock knew, a very important market is looking forward to more adult themed film, can't expect studios in compliance with a bound producers and the production code at the same time, in the development of adult audience and make. Schrock made according to the specific circumstances of evaluation of different film commitments, the MPAA and PCA in the production of more than adult film to increase the profits of the industry on the idea of unity.

   In 1954, television has begun to wedge film market, accelerate the deterioration of the box office status.

   Specific movie Schrock made specific commitments immediately to face the test, the test is the familiar combination: Preminger and United artists. The dispute in the project is a proposed adaptation, adaptation object is Nelson Ahlgren seriously about the drug problem and Hollywood lofty ideals and high aspirations of literary works "the man with the golden arm".

    Shulock on the United Artists and Preminger short direct answer seems to indicate that, PCA does not change much. But in fact, Schrock situation also very puzzled. United and Preminger has said, without his sight to shoot this film. With a few days ago adult themes of the success of the film, too much intervention PCA will seek to draw further apart to movie audiences back to theater efforts and MPAA. Although the "man with the Golden Arm" direct violation of law clearly stipulates crime and drugs, but if the critical acclaim, its success will win support, increased from MPAA members, entertainment publishing and audience's pressure, promote the update and modify the production code.

    Shulock to United Artists memo just short of a few words: "we have watched your movie" man with the golden arm ". As we have advised you, the violation of the production code fundamentally." Although no PCA approved by the chapter, the film was released, and "a grey coat Wanlv feeling" tied together with the surface is quite wide, issued in 1956, the highest grossing charts, accounted for thirteenth.

    In 1956, MPAA chairman Eric Johnson support, Schrock took the first step of a series of reform to the old civil code.

   As Valenti pointed out in the autumn of 1968, various studios in the mid 50's to rewrite code idea, and freedom of speech or resist censorship of political tricks and not much relationship. On the contrary, the studio continued with adult themed product promotion code updates, is completely conform to the trend of the market reaction. The cinema audience decreased sharply in the early 50's.. Adult themed film studios to make money, to help out, also make the entire industry to realize mass culture, competition is increasingly fierce market. Great changes have taken place in 1950's USA. And changes the society reflected in the studio where it becomes a single: only to the box office revenue as a measure of scale.

   Market survey, 1950 time metaphase movie audiences are a development group -- those who are still interested to spend money on people buying movie tickets -- their interests focus on adult themes. Once the film tycoon who accept this reality, they no longer serve all people shooting, study and formulate a set of classification and not censorship system becomes brook no delay.

 

Jacob Bayless v. Ohio case

                     

   Around "the moon is blue" debate indicates that the decline in the influence of the PCA on film production. The high court could undo Ying decided to state level organization, not to say so, review the organization's work can not be carried out, at least to lose a lot of effectiveness. The formal legal, professional, and micro examination institution state leads to significant growth momentum of grassroots activism.

   The film is mainly, the re emergence of local review power, obviously not what good news. From these basic restrictions and fetters is unpredictable, is outside the law, but also efficient.

   Think about the pay every time and local censorship against price, theater owners have to consider such a possibility, if it wins in a court case, next time the controversial film, does not have the shield. But, like all the business place, the cinema is also on the community relations. To counter the local censorship forces and scored in the law, the establishment of the local good reputation, is not a good strategy.

   The lack of MPAA financial and public relations support, exhibitors and their managers, the projectionist, usually to local activists. The yield model to November 13, 1956 is broken, or interrupted, Niko Asia Bayless, high art theater manager and the projectionist, regardless of local police command, show Louis Mahler without MPAA recommend the French film "lovers".

    After that, the show has become a turning point America movie review history. Because the film shaft really moved, and the Bayless was arrested by local law enforcement. He was taken to the police station, according to the fingerprint, and shown to have obscene film charges registration, self $100 was released on bail.

   In 1959, Bayless was arrested in Asia and for showing "lovers" guilty, theater owner Luis Schell, Daniel Frankel of president of vertex International Film (Muller film issuer) decided to dispute in the local obscene act. This hall is 5 years, today it seems clear, not only in the standard film history, film censorship is from the general history, which is also one of the key of the case.

  Shell and Cleveland local these activists truer decision, not only expressed his informal censorship despair, also to a change of film market upcoming timely prediction.

   Similar with the shell case, Fraenkel in the Cleveland heights suppressed his film, lose not much, but the harvest is likely not small. "Lovers" is a French art film, in America box office expectations is not large. He just wait for influence in court gave him the benefit of the line. But, with all the measure down, "lovers" and obscene do not touch, place of its banned, instead of legitimacy, and it is absurd.

   Cher and Fraenkel paid for playing the lawsuit, sub Bayless overnight. In addition to his famous trouble and nothing else, which give the National Theater employees a negative experience. The police searched his home several times, hoping to find contraband. In an anonymous informant led by the raid, the police found a manuscript, entitled, "the people, is the". They suspect it is the Communist Party's propaganda material, but the result is disappointing, but that was the poet Karl Sandberg to read their own poems record book.

   The case was so slow -- slow until 1964 by the Supreme Court's ruling, "lovers" no debauch people and turn them into gangsters make, also did not release. Asia Bayless finally acquitted; for he has shown films and obscene crime also undo. A fine of $2500, the county jail 6 days in jail, return the refund, exempt the exemption. As the sub Bayless defended the cost is $70000, this number by today's standards is not too small, an independent publisher and in 1964, a theater, or even a cinema manager.

   For a long time, restricting the film industry standard, perhaps for protecting the heart out, citing Hayes as saying, "the inviolability of things, a child's heart...... A virgin pure without a word white, "" the most outstanding clergy or by most teachers are divine inspiration be of one heart and one mind, assume joint responsibility, consider how the above." Film production code formed in the early 1930's, its original intention is to let each movie can be suitable for each age paragraph the person.

   In the 1930's, but also for all studios to shoot a film. But when the 1950's leisure / entertainment industry produced very big change, the studios began to pay attention to for a particular film specific audience shot in the market profit. Increase the educated adult audience, and there are more and more rock youth, let the market positioning of the work done well, but if you continue to comply with the PCA code, it can be difficult. The light in order to meet the various rules and regulations, the studio money has been spent many, this hinder them to explore these have good prospects of gain of the target market.

   Systems and methods of national courts to local censorship continuous veto further encourage MPAA law and the federal government to develop a set of obscene unity. After such an amendment to the film studio, promised to support investment, more properly reflect the needs of different audiences, which both ethnic groups, each area, also considering the different demands of generations.

                            Excerpted from "movie magazine",Http://filmagazine.org/

 

 

Hays code

 

Wen: Luo Zhenning

 

   In 1930, a man named Daniel Caude Catholic priest to claim the film is corrupt American moral value as to the film industry launched an attack. He drafted a film check code, banned the film about crime, robbery, adultery and prostitution. The code was quickly accepted as the film industry, film industry self-regulation norms, and by the chairman American producers and Distributors Association Hayes concrete execution, so the known as "the Hays code".

   The first part of the draft of Civil Code stipulates the film as entertainment and as the art of moral obligation, reflecting the strength of Catholic theology. One of the most spectacular are the characteristics of the film is different from any other entertainment or make a careful and detailed analysis of the means of communication.

   The second part is the principle of restraint on the code producer: such as "should express the noble way of life", "the noble character respect", "respect for the law and the court of justice" etc.. Code recognition is necessary evil drama performance object, but stressed that "not see evil described as attractive or appealing, and good is not attractive", "can't get the sympathy of the audience oriented do evil all kinds of evils, the guilty party", a film "is not in question and non on talk ambiguously"; no "Chao Ji Wei Gua Jing umbrella coin color less of Lai at an MOU tiger River Phi humility but rotating cage into the umbrella Huang convex more guaranteed enthalpy is my fresh island of real g Bao Fu is the" protection of all citizens". If the plot must be manifestations of corruption, it must strictly grasp the sense of Propriety: a judge may be corrupt, but not the judicial system; a policeman may be cruel, but the police force is not. Lauder code wrote: "crime does not have to be punished, but must let the audience know the crime was wrong". In short, Lauder is the requirement of the film unmistakably told the audience that "evil is immoral, goodness is right"? /P>

   The third part of the code of the film "forbidden zone and minefields" made specific provisions, in order to ensure the purity of the film, perform the following 12 prohibitions:

   1, illegal crimes: the method performs no illegal crime teaching crime; don't make would-be criminals have to imitate the idea; don't give criminals is full of heroic spirit and be in the right and self-confident. Under modern conditions, no vengeance for the defense. In the area of low degree of civilization or age, can occasionally show revenge. But it must be in there is no punishment law, in addition to their own revenge of the area have no ambition. To describe the drug cannot in any way, because the consequences. Don't let the audience see the existence of this industry. Can't describe too much drinking, even if the story was dry state. In the description of American life, need to drink out of the plot and scene to portray the character. But must be careful in any case.

   2,: out of the marriage and family of the sanctity of attention, must be careful to love triangle, is married third party love. Cannot enable viewers to the institution of marriage. The normal reaction processing situation of love must be faithful to the human nature and human nature. There are many scenes can not cause dangerous mood in mature, young or criminal tendencies of the human heart, so don't show. Even in the range of pure love, some things are the legislative authorities as not public performance. As far as the pure love, which is seen as unfair and religious regulations prohibit the love, in processing: never put not pure love portrayed as attractive and beautiful; it can't be a comedy or a theme, or is treated as a joke; never can thus arouse passions or morbid curiosity audiences; never to give proper and acceptable impression; in general, the performance and the way should not be.

   3, vulgar

   4, obscene

   5, blasphemy

   6, clothing: not because of the plot need to bare

   7: in general, dance, dance is admitted as a beautiful form a kind of art and expression of human emotions. But on time or performance of the action of the solo or double or multiple dance, intended to provoke the audience mood swing dance, chest, legs do not move and dance as excessive body movements dancing is unsightly and evil.

   8, religion: clergy cannot become a funny role or gangsters, because attitude towards them easily converted to treat the religious attitude. A lack of respect for the audience, religious decline in audience heart.

   Location: 9, some places are closely linked and sex life or sexual crime, in choosing the king must be treated cautiously.

   10, national feelings: must be properly considered and treated with respect to any national party rights, history and feelings.

   11, Title: a film is the name of the specific goods identification, it must abide by the occupation moral rules in this area

   12, disgusting thing: this kind of thing is sometimes necessary to the plot. The treatment which can not be reduced to vulgar nor damage the audience feelings.

 

    Excerpted from "movie magazine",Http://filmagazine.org/