- TitleMotion Picture Association of America certificate books, 1934 - 1965 (inclusive)
- Collector
- Date(s)1934 - 1965 (inclusive)
- Related names
- Description
6.7 linear ft. of papers
Not arranged in series.
- Summary
The collection contains 140 Production Code certificate books from the California office of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. Each 10-inch by 10 3/4-inch book once contained 150 certificates, numbered sequentially, with three certificates per page. These are the original books from which the certificates were detached and given to the producers, once a film had been approved, leaving the stub behind. The stub includes the certificate number, stamped approval date, film title, release and production company, and the length, given in number of reels. Since certificate numbers were assigned prior to actual approval, the stamped approval dates do not follow a strict chronology. The books, with certificate numbers 1 through 21,002, are arranged sequentially by certificate number.
- BiographyThe Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) was formed in 1922, primarily to defend the film industry against censorship. The first president was Will Hays, who embarked on a vigorous campaign to improve the image of the motion picture industry. In 1930, Hays introduced the Production Code, a document designed to help the industry regulate itself by following certain moral principles and guidelines. There was no enforcement mechanism in place, however, and the studios often chose to ignore the Production Code staff’s advice and admonitions, leading to the release of many films that raised the ire of local censors and moral watchdogs. In 1934, after the newly formed Legion of Decency threatened to lead a boycott against Hollywood movies, Hays chose Joseph Breen to oversee the administration of the Code. Under Breen, the studios were required to submit all screenplays for approval and the Code was much more strictly enforced. In addition, all of the major motion picture exhibitors agreed that they would only screen films that had received a Production Code seal of approval from the MPPDA, making it much more difficult to release a film that had not been scrutinized by Breen and his staff. In 1946, the organization changed its name to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Hays retired and was succeeded by Eric Johnston. Although the Production Code went through several challenges and revisions over the years, it remained in force until November 1, 1968, when it was superseded by the MPAA ratings system, which is still in use today.
- Subjects
- Acquisitions InformationGift of the Motion Picture Association of America, 1989
- Preferred citationMotion Picture Association of America certificate books, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- DepartmentLibrary
- 1643
- AvailabilityFor information on the contents and availability of this collection please contact the Reference and Public Services department at ref@oscars.org.
- Moving Image Items
- Library Holdings