Commentary
Are you bothered when Americans show disrespect for the flag, anthem, and heritage of our country? True patriots feel pride when the United States is honored in movies, TV shows, and plays, but unfortunately, many current forms of entertainment do the opposite. During Hollywood’s Golden Era, the Production Code Administration (PCA) oversaw American movies to ensure they followed the Motion Picture Production Code (commonly known as the Hays Code) from 1934 to 1954 under the leadership of Joseph I. Breen.
Most people know the Code for restricting immorality, profanity, and violence. But it also included guidelines on national respect, patriotism, and sympathy towards the law. The section titled “National Feelings” in Article X of the Code emphasized the importance of respecting the flag and fairly representing the history and people of all nations.
Filmmakers had to remember their duty to America, as well. While the Code mainly applied to foreign countries, there were standards to uphold for American content. Properly representing the United States, especially its officials, was crucial to avoid unpatriotic themes in films. The Code aimed to prevent films from creating suspicion or distrust towards the American system of government.
Code films didn’t promote suspicion or dissatisfaction with the government. Instead, they encouraged patriotism and instilled pride in being American. They emphasized the importance of contributing to the country and upheld correct standards of living, which included patriotism. The Code didn’t mandate films to be patriotic, but it required them to uphold correct standards, which included respect for the nation.
During the 1930s and early 40s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was frequently represented in films, showcasing his leadership during significant periods like the Great Depression and World War II. Not supporting the President wasn’t an option under the Code, as it emphasized respect for the office. Films had to be careful not to throw sympathy towards crime or wrongdoing and had to maintain a sense of loyalty to the United States.
