Code Hays

The code Hays is a code of Censure governing the production of the Film S, established by the senator William Hays, president of Association off Motion Picture Producers and The Motion Picture Producers and Distributers off America, in March 1930 and applied starting from 1934. This text, which makes following the business Fatty Arbuckle, will remain in force until in 1966. It should be noted that they are the studios themselves which were essential this censure, in order to avoid a censure coming from outside and to give a more moral image near the public.

General principles

1. No film will be product which would undermine the values Morale S of the spectators. The sympathy of the spectator should never be thrown side of the crime, misdeeds, evil or sin.

2. Only correct standards of life subjected to the requirements of the drama and entertainment will be presented.

3. The Law, natural or human, will not be ridiculed and no sympathy will be granted to those which violate it.

Particular applications

I. Crime S

They will never be presented in a way which would create sympathy to the criminal or to inspire to the spectator a desire of imitation.

1. Murder:

A. the technique of the murder must be presented so as not to encourage the imitation.
B. Brutal murders should not be presented in detail.
C. revenge is not justified in a film where the action occurs in the current time (modern).

2. The criminal methods should not be explicitly presented.

A. the techniques for the flight, the burgling and the dynamiting of trains, mines, buildings, etc, should not be presented in detail.
B. The case of arson must be subjected to the same safeguards.
C. the use of firearms must be limited.
D. the methods used in smuggling should not be presented.

3. The traffic of the Drogue should never be presented.

4. One will not show the spirit consumption in the American life, except whenever that formed integral part of the scenario or the characteristics of a character.

II. Sex

The institution of the marriage and the importance of the family are paramount.

1. Adultery, sometimes necessary in the narrative context of a film, should not be presented explicitly, or justified, or presented in an attractive way.

2. Scenes of passion:

A. They should not be presented except if they are essential with the scenario;
B. Excessive kisses or lascifs, sensual caresses, suggestive positions and gestures should not be shown.

3. Seduction and rape:

A. the suggestion is allowed (nothing more) and only when it is about an essential component of the scenario.
B. They are never a suitable subject for the comedy.

4. Any reference to the Sexual perversion is formally prohibited.

5. The Traite white should not be represented.

6. The presentation of sexual relations between the people of white race and those of black race is prohibited.

7. Sexual hygiene and the venereal diseases are not subjects appropriate to the cinema.

8. The birth of a child (even in silhouette) should never be presented.

9. The sexual organs of a newborn must never be visible with the screen.

III. Coarseness

The presentation of vulgar, feeling reluctant and unpleasant subjects must be subjected to the respect of the sensitivities of the spectators and the precepts of the good taste in general.

IV. Obscenity

The obscenity in the word, the gesture, the song, the joke, or even simply suggested is prohibited.

V. Blasphemy

The blasphemy (including the words “God”, “Lord”, “Jesus”, “Christ”, “Hell”, “S.O.B”, “damn”, “Gawd”) is strictly prohibited.

VI. Costume

1. Nudity (real or suggested) is prohibited as well as the comments of a character on this subject (allusions to…).

2. The scenes of stripping are to be avoided except when it is about an essential component of the scenario.

3. Indecency is prohibited.

4. The lascives dances and the too revealing costumes are prohibited.

VII. Dances

1. The dances which suggest or represent sexual relationships are prohibited.

2. The dances which comprise indecent movements must be regarded as obscenes.

VIII. Religion

  1. No film must make fun of the religion in all its forms and all the beliefs.
  2. the ministers of religion cannot be depicted like comic characters or gangsters.
  3. the ceremonies of any definite religion must be presented with much respect.

IX. Sites

The presentation of rooms to be slept must be directed by the good taste and delicacy.

X. national Pride

  1. the presentation of the flag will always be done in a respectful way.
  2. the history of the institutions, known people and the population in general of other nations will be presented with impartiality.

XI. Titles

Licencieux, indecent titles or obscenes will not be employed.

XII. Feeling reluctant subjects

The following subjects must be treated with much prudence and good taste:

  1. the Hanging S and the legal electrocution S (punishment of a criminal).
  2. brutality and horror.
  3. tattooing (to mark with iron) animals and human beings.
  4. cruelty towards the children or the animals.
  5. the sale of the women and the Prostitution.
  6. surgical operations.

Reference

Jean Pierre Coursodon/Bertrand Tavernier: Evolution of the censure in 50 years of American cinema . Paris: Natahan 1995, pp. 154-161

External bond

  • text of the code

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