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So to Speak podcast: Alfred Hitchcock and Hollywood’s Production Code


Hollywood’s Motion Picture Production Code, popularly referred to as the Hays Code, loomed over films in every stage of movie production from 1934 to 1968. Scripts were reviewed and altered. Actors and filmmakers were forced to redo entire scenes. Editors were asked to cut dialogue and scenes from films. Music was changed. Ultimately, directors had to be cognizant of the censors at all times.
In this episode of So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast, we interview three prominent guests to track the history of film censorship and the eventual demise of the Hays Code.
, author of “,” explains Alfred Hitchcock’s unique methods for dealing with controversial subject matter.
is a professor in the History department at the University at Albany and author of several books on film censorship, including “” and “.”
Bob Corn-Revere, partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, is a frequent guest on the show. His forthcoming book “,” is due out in October.
Show notes:
- Transcript
- Mutual Film Corp. v. Industrial Comm’n of Ohio
- Joseph Burstyn v. Wilson
- United States v. Paramount Pictures
- by John Billheimer
- by Laura Wittern-Keller
- by Laura Wittern-Keller and Raymond J. Haberski, Jr.
- by Bob Corn-Revere
- by Thomas Doherty
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