Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

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TEXT OF REVISED PRODUCTION CODE (Continued from preceding page) inals. unless such scenes are absolutely necessary to the plot. 7. Pictures dealing with criminal activities in which minors participate, or to which minors are related, shall not be approved if they tend to incite demoralizing imitation on the part of youth. 8. Murder: (a) The technique of murder must not be presented in a way that will inspire imitation. (b) Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail. (c) Revenge in modern times shall not be justified. (d) Mercy killing shall never be made to seem right or permissible. 9. Drug addiction or the illicit traffic in addiction-producing drugs shall not be shown if the portrayal: (a) Tends in any manner to encourage, stimulate or justify the use of such drugs; or (b) Stresses, visually or by dialogue, their temporarily attractive effects; or (c) Suggests that the drug habit may be quickly or easily broken; or (d) Shows details of drug procurement or of the taking of drugs in any manner; or (e) Emphasizes the profits of the drug traffic; or (f) Involves children who are shown knowingly to use or traffic in drugs. 10. Stories on the kidnapping or illegal abduction of children are acceptable under the Code only (1) when the subject is handled with restraint and discretion and avoids details, gruesomeness and undue horror, and (2) the child is returned unharmed. D. BRUTALITY: Excessive and inhumane acts of cruelty and brutality shall not be presented. This includes all detailed and protracted presentation of physical violence, torture and abuse. ni. SEX: The sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall be upheld. No film shall infer that casual or promiscuous sex relationships are the accepted or common thing. 1. Adultery and illicit sex, sometimes necessary plot material, shall not be explicitly treated, nor shall they be justified or made to seem right and permissible. 2. Scenes of passion: fa) These should not be introduced except where they are definitely essential to the plot. (b) Lustful and open-mouth kissing, lustful embraces, suggestive posture and gestures are not to be shown. (c) In general, passion should be treated in such manner as not to stimulate the baser emotions. 3. Seduction or rape: (a) These should never be more than suggested, and then only when essential to the plot. They should never be shown explicitly. (b) They are never acceptable subject matter for comedy. (c) They should never be made to seem right and permissible. 4. The subject of abortion shall be discouraged, shall never be more than suggested, and when referred to shall be condemned. It must never be treated lightly or made the subject of comedy. Abortion shall never be shown explicitly or by inference, and a story must not indicate that an abortion has been performed. The word “abortion” shall not be used. 5. The methods and techniques of prostitution and white slavery shall never be presented in detail, nor shall the subjects be presented unless shown in contrast to right standards of behavior. Brothels in any clear identification as such may not be shown. 6. Sex perversion or any inference of it is forbidden. 7. Sex hygiene and venereal diseases are not acceptable subject matter for theatrical motion pictures. 8. Children’s sex organs are never to be exposed. This provision shall not apply to infants. IV. VULGARITY: Vulgar expressions and double meanings having the same effect are forbidden. This shall include but not be limited to such words and expressions as chippie, fairy, goose, nuts, pansy, S.O.B., son-of-a. The treatment of low, disgusting, unpleasant, though not necessarily evil, subjects should be guided always by the dictates of good taste and a proper regard for the sensibilities of the audience. V. OBSCENITY: 1. Dances suggesting or representing sexual actions or emphasizing indecent movements are to be regarded as obscene. 2. Obscenity in words, gesture, reference, song, joke or by suggestion, even when likely to be understood by only part of the audience, is forbidden. VI. BLASPHEMY AND PROFANITY: 1. Blasphemy is forbidden. References to the Deity, God, Lord, Jesus, Christ, shall not be irreverent. 2. Profanity is forbidden. The words “hell” and “damn,” while sometimes dramatically valid, will if used without moderation be considered offensive by many members of the audience. Their use shall be governed by the discretion and prudent advice of the Code Administration. Vn. COSTUMES: 1. Complete nudity, in fact or in sil houette, is never permitted, nor shall there be any licentious notice by characters in the film of suggested nudity. 2. Indecent or undue exposure is forbidden. (a) The foregoing shall not be interpreted to exclude actual scenes photographed in a foreign land of the natives of that land, showing native life, provided: (1) Such scenes are included in a documentary film or travelogue depicting exclusively such land, its customs and civilization; and (2) Such scenes are not in themselves intrinsically objectionable. VIII. RELIGION: 1. No film or episode shall throw ridicule on any religious faith. 2. Ministers of religion, or persons posing as such, shall not be portrayed as comic characters or as villains so as to cast disrespect on religion. 3. Ceremonies of any definite religion shall be carefully and respectfully handled. IX. SPECIAL SUBJECTS: The following subjects must be treated with discretion, restraint and within the careful limits of good taste: 1. Bedroom scenes. 2. Hangings and electrocutions. 3. Liquor and drinking. 4. Surgical operations and childbirth. 5. Third degree methods. X. NATIONAL FEELINGS: 1. The use of the flag shall be consistently respectful. 2. The history, institutions, prominent people and citizenry of all nations shall be represented fairly. 3. No picture shall be produced that tends to incite bigotry or hatred among peoples of differing races, religious or national origins. The use of such offensive words as Chink, Dago, Frog, Greaser, Hunkie, Kike, Nigger, Spig, Wop, Yid, should be avoided. XI. TITLES: The following titles shall not be used: 1. Titles which are salacious, indecent, obscene, profane or vulgar. 2. Titles which violate any other clause of this Code. XII. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: In the production of motion pictures involving animals the producer shall consult with the authorized representative of the American Humane Association, and invite him to be present during the staging of such animal action. There shall be no use of any contrivance or apparatus for tripping or otherwise treating animals in any unacceptably harsh manner. 14 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 15, 1956