Standard Changes In
Moviemaking
By Kerry Duke
Do you believe that America has
changed-for the worse? Consider the following excerpts from the
production code formerly used by moviemakers in Hollywood.
CRIMES AGAINST THE LAW
The techniques of murder must be presented in a way that will not
inspire imitation.
Illegal drug traffic must never be presented.
The use of liquor in American life, when not required by the plot
or for proper characterization, will not be shown
The sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall be
upheld.
Pictures shall nor infer that low forms of sex relationship are
the accepted or common thing.
Adultery, sometimes necessary plot material, must not be
explicitly treated or justified, or presented attractively.
Scenes of passion should not be introduced when not essential to
the plot
In general, passion should so be treated that these scenes do not
stimulate the lower and baser elements.
Sex perversion or any inference of it is forbidden.
VULGARITY
The treatment of low, disgusting, though not necessarily evil
subjects, should be subject to the dictates of good taste and
regard for the sensibilities of the audience
OBSCENITY
Obscenity in words, gestures, reference, song, joke or by
suggestion is forbidden
DANCES
Dances which emphasize indecent movements are to be regarded as
obscene
PROFANITY
Pointed vulgarity or vulgar expression, however used, are
forbidden
COSTUME
Complete nudity is never permitted. This includes nudity in fact
or in silhouette, or any lecherous of licentious notice thereof
by other characters in the picture
Dancing costumes intended to permit undue exposure or indecent
movements in dance are forbidden.
RELIGION
No film or episode may throw ridicule on any religious faith.
Ministers of religion, in their character as such, should not be
used as comic characters or as villains.
NATIONAL FEELINGS
The use of the flag shall be consistently respectful.
What happened to this code? It was trashed in the rebellion of the sixties. A mindset with virtually no restraint took its place. The evils previously restricted by this code, which reflected our national conscience at the time it was in use, quickly became common screen entertainment during the sexual revolution of the seventies. When this production code met its demise, Jack Warner, owner of Warner Brothers Studios said. "The studios now have clean toilets and dirty pictures"
Today, decades later, we are reaping this corrupt fruit in full measure. Moviemakers and television producers with few exceptions are without conscience. Respect and decency have disappeared from the tube and screen, and about the only effective way to curb what is shown is to use thew on/off button or to be extremely selective at theaters.
How suddenly and drastically a society change! And even sadder is the fact that once such a shift has occurred it is often impossible to reverse it.
The only hope for society is the salt that preserves it(Matt. 5:13). How that salt operates in individual lives is especially clear in two passages. One is Ephesians 5:11: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them." The other is Isaiah 33:15, where the prophet describes a righteous man as one who "shutteth his eyes from seeing evil." The production code no longer exists, but the last verse is the viewing code of the Christian.
Kerry