Back in October 18 2023, I made a post about the most infamous yet highly influential censorship bureau that shaped the Golden age of Hollywood from 1930 until 1968.
Back then, I had little info from what I know from my past studies.
That as well as I was still fuming over the Sag-Aftra strike of 2023.
Now that I'm wiser than 25 year old me was from back then, I read some more articles and now present this recycled, yet extended version of that original 2023 post with a more calm and professional look through the history of the infamous Censorship Policy.
From 1930 until 1968, there was something magical to marvel at when watching an Old film from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
However, that era was mired by the most infamous Censorship code that would make many of my readers CRINGE & FROTH because us Modern Viewers have a severe distaste for censorship.
And I'm sure It's bound to bring back bad memories for many old-timers who are still alive.
So what was the HAYS CODE?
It was a Censorship Mandate Policy that was enforced by Hollywood from 1930 until 1968 and it dictates what can or what cannot be allowed in a film that was released at the time.
If you think the rise of WOKE has damaged Hollywood, take a moment to stop and think about what the HAYS OFFICE was doing to movies from 1930 to 1968 because if you were alive at the time, let me tell you YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LIKE HAVING TO ADHERE TO A STRICT CODE.
BUT THAT'S THE TRUTH.
The Hays Code was created in the wake of the emergence of TALKIE films starting with the Success of the 1927 film THE JAZZ SINGER by Warner Bros.
As a result, Movie Studios across the United States were looking for talent from the New York Stage to write the dialogue and musical numbers.
But then several problems came aboard.
First was the controversy surrounding Roscoe
Fatty Arbuckle.
What was the controversy?
Why none other than him being a defendant for the alleged RAPE and MURDER of actress Virginia Rappe.
Although Fatty was acquitted, it sent shockwaves across the continental United States because such a behavior can permanently destroy your career.
HMM.... I wonder what Modern Comparison does this refer too?
Anyway, after FATTY ARBUCKLE's trials, there came an increase of Backlash towards ribald content.
You have to understand that the United States is notorious for their obsession with religion so it's a given that the U.S states, especially the south, would complain to congress about all the ribaldry that permeated Motion Pictures.
When HOLLYWOOD noticed backlash from State Censor Boards as well as religious organizations like the CATHOLIC CHURCH, they decided to clean up their act themselves in a bid attempt to prevent the U.S Government from censoring films without filmmakers consent.
And thus was born in February 1930,
THE MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION CODE.
But most commonly, the code is often referred to as THE HAYS CODE because of it's association with Presbyterian Elder WILLIAM HARRISON HAYS.
But a common misconception about the HAYS CODE, is that even though it was named after it's founder WILL H. HAYS, he was not the Chief Censor of the code itself.
That honor goes to Catholic Journalist JOSEPH BREEN.
Really, the code should have been referred to as the BREEN CODE.
As a matter of fact, it was often the Secondary Name for the CODE but the public, especially studio personnel preferred the name HAYS CODE because it was far more appealing to the tongue and Will H HAYS was a better PUNCHING BAG for both Executives and Writers.
Like I said, the code was created in February 1930 but it wasn't seriously enforced until July 1st 1934.
So as a result, there were ribald content from 1930 until 1934 that slipped unscathed.
This was an era referred to as the PRE-CODE ERA.
And even Cartoons were made during that pre-code era too.
For Example,
Ub Iwerks' FLIP THE FROG series frequently had characters muttering softly
DAMN in several of the cartoons whenever the characters are frustrated.
Though there is this Joke where Flip the Frog reprimands his Horse for cussing.
"What the hell do we care!"
"Mustn't say the naughty word!!!"
Just Imagine yourself being told by the HAYS OFFICE that you're not allowed to show gratuitous violence
Let alone blood and gore.
Also the Code Prohibited Sexual Explicit Content.
Even if the Sexual Innuendo is kept to the absolute minimum.
Swearing was not allowed during that time...
so your characters had to resort to word swaps or minced oaths.
One Such minced oath from a Laurel & Hardy film would result in the creation of Homer Simpson's D'OH many years later after the dissolution of the Hays Office.
If you think today's rise of LGBTQIA+ has become controversial for today's Conservatives?
Well guess what, under the HAYS CODE, GAY Characters were prohibited from appearing in films regardless if they're open or closeted.
To quote: "Your majesty, as I was saying, Something must be done."
Drug and Alcohol abuse was also forbidden in movies too.
Criminal Activity was forbidden in movies, something that Howard Hawks did not take a liking to since it was a theme in many of his movies.
Also, religion should not be mocked according to the code.
Also, the code demanded that the UNITED STATES FLAG should be treated with UPMOST RESPECT,
NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS!!!!
I had to use this image of Porky Pig waving the flag since 2025 is his 90th birthday when he first appeared in I HAVEN'T GOT A HAT which featured him reciting
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL REVERE.
Ok so if you think this was damaging to Hollywood back in the day, let me tell you instances of changes that were enforced and some that managed to slip past the censors back in the day.
First was the violence.
At most, the highest you could achieve for violence was slapstick.
Such as it is since SLAPSTICK is pretty much a staple of LOONEY TUNES.
As for the Sexual Content,
yes it was prohibited, right down to even famous NUDE renaissance artwork.
So that meant that workarounds had to be made to prevent Nudity from appearing on artwork but sometimes there's a scenery censor joke such as in this Classic 1945 Tex Avery cartoon THE SHOOTING OF DAN MCGOO where a Bartender refuses to move past a reclining nude painting.
"You might as well move on Doc, I don't move from here all through the picture."
The NO NUDITY rule also meant that Literary works which often had Nude Protagonists like Mowgli in THE JUNGLE BOOK or Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID meant that changes had to happen to said characters.
Mowgli started out in the original Novels as a NUDE Feral Child
But when it came time for the 1942 film starring Indian Actor SABU, this created a problem.
Because of the HAYS OFFICE's strict NO NUDITY RULE and because of the then recent CHILD BRIDE controversy in 1938,
Mowgli was required to at least wear a minor article of clothing beneath his lower abdomen so that his Junk does not show on screen.
That's why all future adaptations, including the 1967 Disney Film required Mowgli to wear a Loincloth
Though he does suffer two wedgies.
As for mermaids,
Well, we all know how Ariel turned out
"But my movie wasn't released until November 1989..."
And no this has nothing to do with the Mermaids from Peter Pan which I have photos but don't want to share because of how brief the Sequence was.
Tex Avery got into a lot of trouble with the HAYS OFFICE for his 1943 film RED HOT RIDING HOOD not just because of a Sexually Suggestive Dance that our heroine was performing
But rather for the reactions of Mr. Big Bad Wolf himself because according to the code, Bestiality was and still to this day PROHIBITED.
These scenes were cut from General Release but were reinstated for American Soldiers fighting overseas during WWII.
"Looks like Mr. Wolf didn't learn a thing from Betty Boop's relationship with BIMBO"
Why thank you Miss Red. I was about to mention that.
The HAYS OFFICE damaged Betty Boop's career starting in 1934.
The reason is because Betty Boop's main appeal was her risqué innuendos and her job as a flapper girl
But the things that the HAYS OFFICE did not appreciate were many things.
One of them was of course Betty's original relationship with her former Boyfriend BIMBO
Her relationship with BIMBO was justified as Betty herself was originally designed to be a dog
But when Grim Natwick redesigned Betty to be a human girl,
this caused problems to the point that BIMBO would be replaced with various figures.
Ranging from KOKO the Clown in SNOW WHITE,
To the Prince Charming in POOR CINDERELLA
But then 1934 happened and the HAYS OFFICE demanded that either Betty Boop adhere to the strict changes in both her wardrobe and demeanor or she can kiss her career goodbye.
So her skirt was lengthened down to her knees, her shoulders were covered, all that JAZZ.
Nobody liked the newer Betty Boops because her main appeal was her being a flapper girl and the HAYS CODE destroyed it all for her.
But it probably didn't matter because she got overshadowed by POPEYE by 1934.
Warner Bros, having learnt from Tex Avery's controversy with Red Hot Riding Hood, decided to make their own version of the tale only this time, it's Bugs Bunny having had enough of Red who in the cartoon was portrayed as a BOBBY SOXER, probably Friz Freleng's attempt to mock the HAYS CODE as well as to....
'GET BACK AT TEX AVERY FOR DESERTING TERMITE TERRACE IN THE EARLY 40'S.'
Anyway, back into topic.
Swear Words were out of the question when under the strict rule and conduct by the HAYS OFFICE.
But I commend what was done to get Clark Gable's Famous Line to Scarlett O'Hara uttered uncensored even for 1939's GONE WITH THE WIND.
"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."
As for Criminal Activity, this did represent a problem for Disney's Ichabod and Mr. Toad when the time came for adapting THE WIND AND THE WILLOWS.
In the original Novel, Mr. Toad actually did steal a motorcar.
But in Disney's Version, he was framed for hijacking.
Blame it not on Disney's writers circa 1949 but rather on the strict rules set by Will H Hays.
After the end of the HAYS CODE, Mr. Toad was allowed to hijack cars again.
Remember that No Nudity Rule?
Well, the HAYS OFFICE was responsible for giving Tweety Bird his feathers as the censors objected to the reality that Birds are born without feathers.
"Screw reality. I must get feathers so that Will Hays doesn't rip my contract."
I think the problem was not because Tweety Bird was realistically portrayed as a featherless baby bird but rather the fact that Tweety was based on an old Baby Photo of Bob Clampett himself.
Remember how I said alcohol and drug abuse was prohibited?
Smoking was allowed.... IN PINNOCHIO?
"How did the HAYS OFFICE not object to me holding a Cuban Cigar?!"
The drug abuse, yes it's prohibited but can anyone explain what's with all the drunk characters I've seen in some Disney Films?
Guess the man behind the MOUSE was able to waiver an exception with Joseph Breen....
Anyway, I can hazard a guess people back in the GOLDEN AGE absolutely hated the HAYS OFFICE for all the rules that were enforced but while they can't do anything to fight the code,
they could at least get away with mocking the code.
For example, A TALE OF TWO KITTIES has a great joke mocking the HAYS OFFICE.
"Give me the Bird!!! Give my the Bird!!!"
"If the Hays Office would only let me, I'd give him the bird alright."
As I said back in 2023,
Bob Clampett and his animators down at TERMITE TERRACE were not happy with the HAYS OFFICE which would explain the joke.
The joke was BABBIT demanding CATSTELLO to give him TWEETY BIRD but CATSTELLO wants to let the audience know that it's all about eating bird, not giving BABBIT the finger.
Back in the mid-30s, Mickey Mouse decided to mock WILL H HAYS by putting the man himself in a robe with a crown doing a weird dance
No. This is not King Charles III.
This is a caricature of the most infamous Censor of the 1930s, WILL H. HAYS himself.
And I have a hunch when ANIMANIACS premiered around 1993, they made jokes about making the FOX CENSORS cry which could hint it was WB back in the 90s wanting to continue WB's tradition of mocking Censors.
Anyway, the code was still enforced even after WILL HAYS stepped down in 1945 which was also the year WWII came to a close.
But the HAYS CODE did start to weaken around 1954 due to things like Joseph Breen stepping down as well as increased competition from Television.
Others included Artsy and Foreign films starting to become popular with American Audiences back in the day that it became clear that continuing with the code had become an act of necromancy.
In an act of defiance, MICHELANGELO ANTONIONI'S 1966 film BLOWUP was not submitted to the code and yet it became a success.
By this point, the writing was on the Wall.
The HAYS CODE was no more.
In it's place is the rating system we now use since 1968.
But while Live-Action films were allowed their R or even X ratings,
Cartoons were not allowed to go the route of the X-Rating... at least to most of the public's eyes.
But that didn't stop Ralph Bakshi from making FRITZ THE CAT in 1972.
The Motion Picture Association Ratings System has had it's few changes in the ensuing years since 1968.
The PG rating was originally called M for Suggested to Mature Audiences until 1971 when it was changed to the GP rating until the G & P were swapped to form the intended abbreviation in 1972.
PG-13 was then created in July 1 1984 after complaints were levied towards the increased violence in both TEMPLE OF DOOM & GREMLINS.
And the original X Rating was abused many times by the porn industry since the X Rating wasn't properly trademarked by MPA so in 1990, the original X Rating was replaced with the infamous NC-17 rating.
This created a new problem because just like how stores like GAMESTOP refuse to stock AO Rated Video Games in their shelves,
Many movie theaters in AMERICA refused to Screen movies with an NC-17 rating and also many video stores also refused to stock films with said ratings in their store shelves.
Also, just like the ESRB's AO Rating, NC-17 was viewed as nothing but a Kiss-of-Death to a film's commercial and critical reception as if the failure of SHOWGIRLS in 1995 was any indication.
And this is also why Trey Parker and Matt Stone had their highly publicized fight with Paramount Pictures and the MPA back in 1999 regarding the age rating for SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER, UNCUT.
And it's also why when a film is released on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K Blu-Ray, etc.
that they forgo an NC-17 rating when they release films with raunchier material.
And now you know the true history of the HAYS CODE, it's damages it done to the film industry, filmmaker's workarounds, etc.
