Limitation : The Hayes Code (re - edit)

Limitation To Movies -The Hayes CodeLast weekend ,we were required to read and write the summary about THE HAYES CODE.
Therefore ,i did a little bit research about that via the Internet . I was FREAKED OUT as there are so many RULESand RESTRICTIONS .
[Image]The Hayes code was created by Will H .Hays and governed the production of the majority of USMP releases.
Basically there are three general concepts about the rules(information from wikipedia )No picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence, the sympathy of the audience should never be thrown to the side of crime, wrongdoing, evil or sin. Correct standards of life, subject only to the requirements of drama and entertainment, shall be presented. Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation.This poster was banned under the code in 1932 .  

For example ,more specifically,scenes of passion were not to be introduced when not essential to the plot. Excessive and lustful kissing was to be avoided, along with any other treatment that might stimulate the lower and baser element.

From my perspective, the Hayes code had its both advantages and disadvantages.No doubt,the rules are set strictly and aim not to transmit wrong message to the Society. For example ,Murder scenes had to be filmed in a way that would discourage imitations in real life, and brutal killings could not be shown in detail. Revenge in modern times was not to be justified. Sometimes, glancing over the newspaper ,we can find people imitate the characters inside the movie blindly and cause unexpected tragedies.Setting the rules of the Hayes code can lower this  possibility.Nevertheless,rule does limits the creativity..It also doesn't show the real side of the society.So ,personally, I prefer the Picture Association America film rating system better and that makes more sense to me .For example,people underage have to show their ID when buying tickets for PG movies. Audience should have choice to choose what they want to watch instead of limit the development of the story. With the PAAFRS , directors are allowed to make good movies instead of worrying to break the Hayes code.

(pic from :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Motion_Picture_Production_Code.gif/200px-Motion_Picture_Production_Code.gif http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/81/Joan_blondell_2.jpg/200px-Joan_blondell_2.jpg )

Race Movie ( Re -edit )

Reading the chapter 4 of America On Film, I know about the race movies .
(from AOF, Race movies are independently produced black - cast films which were distributed to black movie theaters from the late 1910s to the 1950.)



There are some of the popular race movie such as Within Our Gates (1919) and Body and Soul (1925)

Indeed,it's very disappointing to read African Americans were not allowed to enter trade unions to learn skills such as editing or cinematography . That's why they were usually inferior technically.
Approximately five hundred race films were produced. Of these, fewer than one hundred remain. Because race films were produced outside the Hollywood studio system, they have been largely forgotten by mainstream film historians.( Information from Wikipedia )

I would start thinking its difficult for black film makers to raise money to produce their films. Typically, they made less money in the movie industry which made it harder to finance the next movie.Try to imagine,they don't have the advantages of the white movies. They may have less money for investments such as making props,hiring actors or making films.How can they make a good movie? I mean it's not impossible but it does increases the difficulty.


So,under that kind unfair situation , they  can lose the competition with white movies easily.I feel like it was completely unfair.I think everyone should get the equal opportunity to learn if they are talented or get the passion. The right to learn should not be decided by the race which is nothing more than a color.

Bollywood ?

Before checking the link that teacher attached in the blackbroad, I have no ideas what is bollywood.I thought it was a misspelling of Hollywood.Shame on me!

What is bollywood ?Actually,Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.And now ,it has become the world largest movie industry which is no longer Hollywood but Bollywood.I can't even believe that.But who knows, Indians are so in love with movies,music and dance.Probably, that is why the movie industry in Indian grows so fast.
I bet I have never watched any movies produced in India before and I am curious about that .
Bollywood films are mostly musicals, and are expected to contain catchy music in the form of song-and-dance numbers woven into the script. A film's success often depends on the quality of such musical numbers. Indeed, a film's music is often released before the movie itself and helps increase the audience. (from wikipedia)The first Indian sound film, Ardeshir Irani's Alam Ara (1931)
Since it is a huge success and then more and more sound films have been produced since then.

I watch part of the Indian movie (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak)
from youtube

However, I feel pretty sad as I cant understand the lyrics while reading all the nice comments from people in YouTube.Yeah,but still I think its a good try though.But it definitely reflects the culture in India even though it is just a short video.But I guess I still pefer the movies from the Hollywood.:)

(Dis)ability

In this week, we learned about disability in films .Reading the chapter16 of the “America on Film”, disables individuals were regarded as freaks or curiosities in early American Film.

The unknown (1927)  is one of the typical examples.It is a 1927 American silent horror film directed by Tod Browning and featuring Lon Chaney as carnival knife thrower Alonzo the Armless and Joan Crawford as the scantily clad carnival girl he hopes to marry. (From Wikipedia)I think its pretty much like a discrimination though some may complain its nothing more about a creation.I doubt .Why he has to be armless ? It can have an influence on how people think about disables.

In some cases, even worse,some "Creative" directors make disables like a horrifying monster like Mystery of the wax Museum (1933) and A nightmare on Elm Street (1984) . Oh well, I mean it's can be fun for us to watch maybe.But I started imagining what about if disables with the same problems as the characters watch the movies,How would they think about movies ? How people think about the dsaibles?

However, it has been improved as time goes by. And there is a new stereotype –Sweet Innocent which tries to invite audience to feel pity about their situation.I definitely like that kind of movies because I think they can increase peoples’ awareness towards disables in a compassionate and warm way.Children of a lesser god (1986 )

In the society nowadays, sadly,discrimination against disables still exists.They are not being treated equally .They are not inferior in fact and should deserve equal chance.Sometimes,in my opinion,movies can affect peoples' mind and attitude towards life.I feel like more warm movies about disables should be produced in order to catch peoples' attention and concern.Hopefully,they can melt their hearts and lend a helping hands so that they can blend into a society with tons of love.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/Posterunknownusx.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/Mysteryofthewaxmuseum.jpg/220px-Mysteryofthewaxmuseum.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9f/Childrenofalessergodfilm.jpg/220px-Childrenofalessergodfilm.jpg