The Motion Picture Production Code

The Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code, was a set of industry guidelines in Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1960s. It aimed to regulate film content by restricting scenes involving nudity, drug use, crime, and immorality, promoting moral standards and ensuring films aligned with societal values of the time. The code was enforced through censorship practices, shaping the depiction of characters and storylines to avoid offending audiences and advertisers. While it limited certain artistic freedoms, it played a significant role in shaping the tone and style of classic American cinema during its enforcement period.