The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-24
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OLLI WOOD, Cdl, req. Z4-lne Clby
l. Il Hall" of Hollywood is located on the
fourth floor of an office building. It's more
Familiarity known as Hays Office"
The Hays Office" is the legislative, adj
ministrative and judicial departments of
Hollywood government all in one Nothing
is sent out of the movie capital without its
okay. It's stamp is the movie mark of pur-
ity. Yet, the public knows less about the
Hays Office" than any other branch of
the motion picture industry
To start on the road of information it
isn't the Hays Office" but the Association
of Motion Picture Producers and Distrib-
utors of America, Inc.
The title has been shortened by news
paper writer's who refer to the association
in the name Of Will H. Hays, president of
the organization. In his capacity as the
head of the organization, Hays has been
termed movie car, passing out thou
shafts" and shalt notS" as he sees fit. But
the organization and its management is
much more than just Will Hays
1t was organized in 1921 by the motion
picture producers who felt growing need
for the Improvement of screen standards
production code was drawn up and Hays
was called in cat over 100000 a YEAR, to
enforce it. Two years ago an advertising
code was added and now the association
rules over the advertising and publicity of
movies as well as the screen productions.
TINE association is not a "blue-nose"
Il outfit, but rather a blue nose" pre-
ventive. 1t is an attempt by the producers
to enforce their own censorship rather
than have it thrust upon them by outside
groups unfamiliar with all of the ramifi-
cations of the business
Offices are maintained here and in
New York. The local division is known
as the Association of Motion Picture Pro-
ducers, Inc. It's membership is made up of
Paramount, Columbia, Educational, First
National-Fox Harold Lloyd Productions
M-G-M, R-K-O, Warner Bros, Universal,
Hal Roach Productions and United Artists.
Local producers who do not belong
come under the jurisdiction of the organ
ration through the distributors division
in New York
Violations of the production and adver-
Using codes entail heavy fines. A produc-
ton violation costs the offender $4,000,
while an advertising misdemeanor is taxed
$4,000. Those figures keep the producers
we'll in line. And when the association
says NO" it's mo"
THE general principle set down in the
Il production code is that no picture
shall BE produced which lowers the moral
standards of those who see it. Sympathy
toward crime, evil or sin is out Ridicul-
ing of natural or human laws is also ia
boo. The advertising code is based on the
principles of good taste.
Joseph /. Breen, former newspaper
man. is in charge of p1,forciro t1,a y,ro
duction code. Assisting him are Jeofrey
Shurlock. former director Carl lishka,
former educator, who speaks six Ian
guages; Arthur Houghton, an old Broadway
Snowman; Douglas MacKinnon. former
production man; Iselian Auster, also an
ex-producer, and Charles Metzger. an
Indiana lawyer.
They do their checking in private
screening room at the Roosevelt Hotel. If
they find something in the picture which is
Objectionable, they suggest to the produc-
ing company that it be stricken
II the producer feels that their decision
is unjust. he can forward the matter to
Hays and have a hearing. However. few
producers do They take the boards sug-
gestlons with nothing more than private
murmur.
In aooltlon to watching out for sex an
giles and snappy lines in a picture. the
productlon board also has to keep it's eyes
open for things of a more general moral
nature.
For example, all villains have to be
American, white and Christian to avoid
protests from various groups. If the bad
man in movie is a Mexican, a protest
comes from the Mexican consulate While
theyre not rigid about restricting villains
10 americans, they keep close eye on
ME advertising code enforcement group
Il Is headed by j. j. Mccarthy. former
road-show movie publicity man who han