Motion Picture Association of America clippings and radio transcripts, 1934-1976

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Motion Picture Association of America clippings and radio transcripts
Dates:
1934-1976
Creators:
Motion Picture Association of America
Extent:
7 linear feet of papers. 1 linear feet of photographs.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Motion Picture Association of America clippings and radio transcripts, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The Motion Picture Association of America clippings and radio transcripts span the years 1934-1976 and encompass 8 linear feet. The collection consists of clippings on the Production Code Administration, censorship, SMPTE conferences, and legal opinions on California Proposition 18 concerning obscenity legislation. There are also press releases from 1961 to 1971, clippings of columns by Bosley Crowther and Jimmie Fidler, and transcripts for radio programs with Fidler, Sheilah Graham, and Will Tusher. Finally, there are photographs of foreign dignitaries in the United States.

Biographical / historical:

The Motion Picture Association of America is an American film self-censorship organization. In 1922, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) was formed with Will Hays as president, primarily to defend the film industry against censorship. In 1930, Hays introduced the Production Code, a document designed to help the industry regulate itself by following certain moral principles and guidelines. Hays chose Joseph Breen to oversee the administration of the Code in 1934. Under Breen, the studios were required to submit all screenplays for approval. In 1946, the organization changed its name to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Hays was succeeded by Eric Johnston. The Production Code remained in force until 1968, when it was superseded by the MPAA ratings system, which is still in use today.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the Motion Picture Association of America, 1979
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series: Not arranged in series.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Special Collections
Date Prepared:
© 2014
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from Inmagic. Date of source: April 22, 2014

Access and use

Restrictions:

Available by appointment only.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.

Preferred citation:

Motion Picture Association of America clippings and radio transcripts, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Location of this collection:
333 S. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211, US
Contact:
(310) 247-3036 extension 2226