What we really lost when we lost the Hayes Code

When people complain of one-denominational Chick flicks, I can’t help but rationalize that most fans of this type of film have become so based on the process of elimination. In other words, for those of us who don’t like blatant displays of violence, those of us who consider full-blown love-scenes much less impactful than romantic scenarios, those of us who would rather leave some things to the imagination…it is this audience who is left with nothing but fluff.

However, there was a time not so very long ago, when this same audience would have enjoyed horror, crime, thrillers, and romance. But, not now that everything is so brash and spelled out. It’s a pity that we’ve gone this unfortunate direction, thanks to the abolition of the Hayes code in 1968. The very move that was meant to increase our options has inadvertently decreased them, by reducing our opportunity and ability to read between-the-lines, a consequence that is irrefutably connected to what is commonly referred to as the “dumbing down of society”. Yes, in a very curious way, when we uncensored the movies, we censored our minds.