The Hays Code was a set of guidelines that regulated what could and could not be shown in movies during the 1930s to the late 1960s. It was also called the Motion Picture Production Code, named after Will H. Hays, who was the president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. The code was created to ensure that films were morally acceptable and didn't offend audiences. However, there were some filmmakers who challenged the code and included scenes that broke the rules. This article will explore some of the most notable Hays Code breaking scenes in movie history.
The Kiss (1929)
The Kiss was a silent film that caused controversy because of a passionate kiss between the two main characters. The Hays Code had strict rules about physical contact between actors, and kissing scenes had to be brief and not too intense. However, in The Kiss, the kiss lasted for over three minutes and was considered scandalous at the time.
Psycho (1960)
Psycho is a classic horror film that broke many Hays Code rules. One scene that stands out is the shower scene, where the main character, Marion Crane, is brutally stabbed to death in the shower. The scene was considered too violent and graphic for audiences, but director Alfred Hitchcock included it anyway.
The Outlaw (1943)
The Outlaw was a western film that caused controversy because of its sexual content. One scene that broke the Hays Code was when actress Jane Russell is shown lying on a bed while wearing a low-cut blouse. The scene was considered too provocative and had to be edited before it could be released.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
Gone with the Wind is a classic movie that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of slavery and racial stereotypes. One scene that caused controversy was when Scarlett O'Hara slaps her maid, Prissy. The scene was considered racially insensitive and had to be edited before it could be released.
The Moon is Blue (1953)
The Moon is Blue is a romantic comedy that broke the Hays Code rules because of its sexual content. One scene that caused controversy was when actress Maggie McNamara is shown in her underwear. The scene was considered too risqué and had to be edited before it could be released.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Bonnie and Clyde is a crime film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its graphic violence. One scene that caused controversy was when the main characters, Bonnie and Clyde, are shown being riddled with bullets in slow motion. The scene was considered too violent and had to be edited before it could be released.
The Wild One (1953)
The Wild One is a drama film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of motorcycle gangs. One scene that caused controversy was when actor Marlon Brando is shown sexually harassing a woman. The scene was considered too offensive and had to be edited before it could be released.
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
The Man with the Golden Arm is a drama film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of drug addiction. One scene that caused controversy was when actor Frank Sinatra is shown injecting himself with heroin. The scene was considered too graphic and had to be edited before it could be released.
The Pawnbroker (1964)
The Pawnbroker is a drama film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of Holocaust survivors. One scene that caused controversy was when actor Rod Steiger is shown having a flashback to his time in a concentration camp. The scene was considered too disturbing and had to be edited before it could be released.
The Miracle (1959)
The Miracle is a drama film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of religion. One scene that caused controversy was when actress Anna Magnani is shown having a sexual encounter with a man who claims to be Saint Joseph. The scene was considered too sacrilegious and had to be edited before it could be released.
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is a horror film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of demonic possession. One scene that caused controversy was when the main character, Regan, is shown masturbating with a crucifix. The scene was considered too blasphemous and had to be edited before it could be released.
Baby Face (1933)
Baby Face is a drama film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of prostitution. One scene that caused controversy was when actress Barbara Stanwyck is shown sleeping her way to the top of a company. The scene was considered too sexually explicit and had to be edited before it could be released.
The Public Enemy (1931)
The Public Enemy is a crime film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of gangsters. One scene that caused controversy was when actor James Cagney is shown shoving a grapefruit in his girlfriend's face. The scene was considered too violent and had to be edited before it could be released.
Salt of the Earth (1954)
Salt of the Earth is a drama film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of labor unions. One scene that caused controversy was when a group of striking miners are shown walking towards the camera with their fists raised. The scene was considered too radical and had to be edited before it could be released.
Blood Feast (1963)
Blood Feast is a horror film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its graphic violence. One scene that caused controversy was when the main character, Fuad Ramses, is shown preparing a meal made from human body parts. The scene was considered too gruesome and had to be edited before it could be released.
Reefer Madness (1936)
Reefer Madness is a propaganda film that broke the Hays Code rules because of its portrayal of marijuana use. One scene that caused controversy was when a group of teenagers are shown smoking marijuana and engaging in immoral behavior. The scene was considered too sensationalized and had to be edited before it could be released.
Conclusion
The Hays Code breaking scenes discussed in this article represent a challenge to the status quo of Hollywood censorship. These filmmakers pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in films and paved the way for future filmmakers to do the same. While the Hays Code is no longer in use, we can still appreciate these films for their willingness to challenge the norms of their time.