Essay #1: The
Production Code Administration
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Margaret
Herrick Library houses the archival records of the Production Code Administration,
many of which have been digitized. For this essay, you will go to: http://digitalcollections.oscars.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15759coll30
Using these papers as your primary source material, you will
trace the censorship history of one of the following films:
·
Top Hat (RKO, 1935)
·
Fury (MGM, 1936)
·
My Man Godfrey (Universal, 1936)
·
The Plainsman (Paramount, 1937)
·
The Philadelphia Story (MGM, 1940)
·
High Sierra (Warner Bros., 1941)
·
Cabin in the Sky (MGM, 1943)
·
The Razor’s Edge (20th Century Fox,
1946)
·
Raw Deal (Eagle-Lion, 1948)
·
On Dangerous Ground (RKO, 1952)
In reading these Production Code files, pay close attention
to the correspondence between the Breen Office and the studio. What seem to be
the PCA’s main causes for concern? What types of changes does the PCA request?
How does the Studio address the PCA’s concerns? How do the PCA’s comments
relate to the historical and/or social context of the film’s production? What
conclusions can you draw about the role of the PCA in the film production
process?
As part of this assignment, you will also need to watch the
film under consideration. How were the PCA’s suggestions ultimately realized in
the final film?
Finally, you will read at least one review of the film,
written contemporaneous to its release. To what extent does the review of the
film address any of the matters that were of concern to the Breen Office? How
does the critic’s approach to reading the film differ from the censor’s?
Final essays should be 7-8 pages in length and should
include proper citation of your sources.
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