Hays Code's Impact On Movies During The Golden Age Of Hollywood

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Hays' code impacted many movies in the 20th century. Hays code made movies back then seem more watered down compared to movies nowadays. Movies back then prohibited profanity, suggestive nudity, graphic or realistic violence, sexual persuasions, and rape, making them less r rated than movies today. These guidelines on movies back then made movies more surface-level. Even with these guidelines, movies used these to their advantage. An example of a movie impacted by Hays code is Woman on the Run, this movie could have been so much more in-depth but because of these guidelines the filmmakers had to be careful not to depict the woman's behavior as immoral or criminal, They changed her fear to a desire to protect herself, and more. Woman on the …show more content…

The Woman on the Run is a prime example of how the Code influenced the content of movies. The movie is set in San Francisco, which was notorious for its dangerous areas at the time. However, due to the Code's guidelines, the film did not show the dangerous parts of the city as realistically as it could have. This led to a less immersive and less authentic experience for the viewer. Additionally, the Code's emphasis on moral moderation affected the film's portrayal of violence and graphic scenes. For example, when the killer is caught in the movie, there is no violence or graphic depiction of the capture. In real life, there most likely would have been some type of violence or struggle. However, due to the Code's guidelines, the film had to be watered down and not as in-depth as it could have been. This restriction on content prevented the film from showing the reality of the situation and made it feel less authentic. As a result of these guidelines, many movies from that era lacked the realism and depth that they could have had. If the Code had not been in place, movies like The Woman on the Run could have been more immersive and realistic, with scenes that included profanity, violence, and graphic content. Overall, the Hays Code had a significant impact on the Golden Age of Hollywood, and it is fascinating to consider how …show more content…

It had rules around the use of crime, costume, dance, religion, national sentiment, and morality. These guidelines affected many movies and made them more surface-level, with one example being “Woman on the Run.” The filmmakers had to change characters’ emotions and dull them down to follow the rules, along with leaving out dangerous situations that in real life probably would happen in these situations and much more. The Hays rules definitely affected many movies including Woman on the Rub but Despite the Hays code restrictions, despite these restrictions, "Woman on the Run" was still able to tell a gripping and suspenseful story that resonated with audiences at the time. Today, the film is regarded as a classic example of film noir, a genre that flourished in the 1940s and 1950s and often dealt with themes of crime, betrayal, and moral