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# The Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC) After World War I, people in America felt a renewed sense of freedom. This was reflected in the types of movies being made, which started to include content like prostitution, drugs, and murder. ## Regulating Movies The Supreme Court tried to regulate t...

# The Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC) After World War I, people in America felt a renewed sense of freedom. This was reflected in the types of movies being made, which started to include content like prostitution, drugs, and murder. ## Regulating Movies The Supreme Court tried to regulate the content of movies in **1919**. But many directors objected to government oversight. As a result, the **Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association (MPPDA)** was formed in **1922** as a self-regulatory body. In **1934**, the MPPDA established the **Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC)**. The MPPC was meant to ensure movies were appropriate for all audiences. ## Restrictions of the MPPC The code restricted a number of elements, including: - **Language:** Banned certain words associated with sex like "broad", "hot", "whore", and "fairy". - **Sex:** Scenes required to be between married couples and fully clothed. - **Kisses:** Long kisses were banned. - **Violence:** Highly restricted. Any director who violated this code was fined **$25,000**. Examples of famous movies made under these rules include Citizen Kane and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. ## The Influence of the MPPC The MPPC is believed to have had a significant impact on the American film industry. It coincided with the Great Depression, which made movies an accessible form of entertainment for everyone. By the 1950s, however, Hollywood began to push back against the MPPC due to competition from television. ## The MPA Rating System In **1966**, the **Motion Picture Association (MPA)** was formed and introduced the **MPA rating system**. It replaced the MPPC and focused on informing audiences of a movie's content rather than dictating what could be made. The rating system allows for movies with a range of content but warns viewers ahead of time about the content, such as violence or sexual content. Viewers have the freedom to choose whether they want to see the movie based on the rating.