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Banned Books Information and Resources: Banned Films

Activity Description and Instructions

Banned Films

In addition to censoring books, creative works (art, music, lyrics, and stage plays), films have also been banned for similar reasons: nudity, violence, politically and other culturally objectionable content.  The creators of such works were often executed by political powers, exiled, imprisoned, tortured, or otherwise threatened when they continued producing such works.   

History of the MPAA

In 1922, the presidents of the major motion picture studios, including Samuel Goldwyn, Louis B. Mayer, Jesse Lasky and Joseph Schenck, formed the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association of America to resist mounting calls for government censorship of American films. In addition, the founders of the organization wanted to foster a more favorable public image for the motion picture industry and to safeguard the role of then-silent films’ place in mainstream America.  [Read the complete article]

Corrected Blacklist Credits (WGA)

The Writers Guild of America creatred list of works created by bl;acklisted writers but credited to current owners. 

http://www.wga.org/subpage_writersresources.aspx?id=1958

Movie Censorship in the United States (A Brief History)

Essay by Ken Robichaux

Beginning with some of the earliest exhibitions of motion pictures, there was public debate about the question of whether the motion picture industry was morally fit to control the content of its own products... [Read the complete essay here]

 

Film Censorship (Digital History)

Hollywood has shaped our most vivid images of the historical past. Our collection of film trailers allows users to see how the film studios promoted the films that are most deeply impressed in our collective imagination. (Digital History: Hollywood's America)

The History of American Film: Primary Sources

Film Censorship

 

"The Hollywood Blacklist"--by Dan Georgakas

from: Buhle, Buhle, and Georgakas, ed., Encyclopedia of the American Left (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1992)

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/mccarthy/blacklist.html

Banned Films of the 20th Century

Top 10 Banned Films in the World

This Youtube video lists the banned films from around the world.