Juvenile delinquency (1955)

JUVENILE DELESTQUENCY 207 ///. Vulgarity; IV. Ohscenity; V. Profanity Hardly need further explanation than is contained in the code. VI. Costumes General principles.—1. The effect of nudity or seminudity upon the normal man or woman, and much more upon the young and upon immature persons, has been honestly recognized by all lawmakers and moralists. 2. Hence the fact that the nude or seminude body may be beautiful does not make its use in the films moral. For, in addition to its beauty, the effect of the nude or seminude body on the normal individual must be taken into consideration. 3. Nudity or seminudity used simply to put a "punch" into a picture comes under the head of immoral actions. It is immoral in its effect on the average audience. 4. Nudity can never be permitted as being necessary for the plot. Seminudity must not result in undue or indecent exposures. 5. Transparent or translucent materials and silhouette are frequently more suggestive than actual exposure. VII. Dances Dancing in general is recognized as an art and as a beautiful form of expressing human emotions. But dances which suggest or represent sexual actions, whether performed solo or with two or more; dances intended to excite the emotional reaction of an audience: dances with movement of the breasts, excessive body movements while the feet are stationary, violate decency and are wrong. VIII. Religion The reason why ministers of religion may not be comic characters or villains is simply because the attitude taken toward them may easily become the attitude taken toward religion in general. Religion is lowered in the minds of the audience because of the lowering of the audience's respect for a minister. IX. Locations Certain places are so closely and thoroughly associated with sexual life or with sexual sin that their use must be carefully limited. X. National feelings The just rights, history, and feelings of any nation are entitled to most care- ful consideration and respectful treatment. XI. Titles As the title of a picture is the brand on that particular type of goods, it must conform to the ethical practices of all such honest business. XII. Special subjects Such subjects are occasionally necessary for the plot. Their treatment must never offend good taste nor injure the sensibilities of an audience. The use of liquor should never be excessively presented. In scenes from American life, the necessities of plot and proper characterization alone justify its use. And in this case, it should be shown with moderation. KESOLUTION FOB UNIFORM INTERPRETATION As amended June 13, 1934 1. When requested by production managers, the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., shall secure any facts, information or suggestions concerning the probable reception of stories or the manner in which in its opinion they may best be treated. 2. Bach production manager shall submit in confidence a copy of each or any script to the production code administration of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (and of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc., California). The production code administration will give the production man- ager for his guidance such confidential advice and suggestions as experience, research, and information indicate, designating wherein in its judgment the script departs from the provisions of the code, or wherein from experience or knowledge it is believed that exception will be taken to the story or treatment.