Motion Picture Association of America clippings and radio transcripts, 1934-1976
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Motion Picture Association of America
- Extent:
- 7 linear feet of papers. 1 linear feet of photographs.
- Language:
- English
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 The Production Code remained in force until 1968, when it was superseded by the MPAA ratings system, which is still in use today.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
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
333 S. La Cienega BlvdBeverly Hills, CA 90211, US
- Contact:
- (310) 247-3036 extension 2226