Author: U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Special Small Business Problems

Publication Year: 1977

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Report on the voluntary rating code of the film industry and whether it discriminates against independent producers. This allegedly was being accomplished by the awarding of more restrictive ratings to independent producers, while the nine major studios would be given softer ratings for the same type of film. Thus, the rating code was supposedly being used to the economic benefit of the major studios and the economic detriment of the smaller independents. In fact, the findings were that no such discrimination existed. Includes a review film industry regulation and censorship over the years. Includes testimony and statements at various hearings before the Subcommittee in Los Angeles, California and Washington, D.C. during 1977.

Abstract:

Report on the voluntary rating code of the film industry and whether it discriminates against independent producers. This allegedly was being accomplished by the awarding of more restrictive ratings to independent producers, while the nine major studios would be given softer ratings for the same type of film. Thus, the rating code was supposedly being used to the economic benefit of the major studios and the economic detriment of the smaller independents. In fact, the findings were that no such discrimination existed. Includes a review film industry regulation and censorship over the years. Includes testimony and statements at various hearings before the Subcommittee in Los Angeles, California and Washington, D.C. during 1977.

CONTENTS
I. Introduction.

II. The motion picture industry: an overview.

III. The advent of ratings--includes:

A. Introduction.
B. Why industry self-regulation?
C. Chicago and New York: Municipal censorship.
D. State laws.
E. Federal regulation.
F. The industry reacts.
G. Enter Will Hays.
H. MPPDA in action.
I. Self-regulation: Formula to production code.
J. Conclusion.

IV. Subcommittee hearings.

A. March 24, 1977 in Washington, D.C.
B. April 14, 1977, in Los Angeles, Calif.
C. May 12, 1977, in Washington, D.C.
D. June 15, 1977 in Washington, D.C.
E. July 21, 1977, in Washington, D.C.

V. Findings, conclusions and recommendations. 

A. Discrimination in the rating system.
B. How a film is rated. 
C. The value of the ratings. 
D. What the ratings tell us.
E. The status of small film entrepreneur. 
F. Availability of Information about the system. 
G. Recommendations.

Appendixes. 
     1. Film classification fee schedule.
     2. Membership of the Classification and Rating Administration.
     3. Examples of various recent film advertising.
     4. Rules and regulations of the Classification and Rating Administration.
              G. Ginsberg v. New York, 390 U.S. 629 (1967).
              Tropic Film Corp. v. Paramount Pictures Corp., 319 F. Supp. 1247 (1970).

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Legal Issues, Censorship