MovieChat Forums > Tension (1949) Discussion > Hayes Code?

Hayes Code?

posted 8 years ago by kgk5-568-553426
3 replies | jump to latest

Thanks to TCM I finally have seen this film. This was a pretty good film. Sure it had a few holes (like the cops didn't see Mary duck into the pharmacy phone booth? I thought they were looking right at her) but overall good.
I was a little surprised the Hayes code let Claire so obviously carry on an affair with Deager, being married - and the Lt. seemed to be playing everybody, but still wouldn't mind getting a little action with Claire before busting her. Or for that matter Warren dating and falling in love with Mary. I don't recall any talk of a divorce happening.

[–] leader-7 8 years ago

the Hays code didn't give a hoot about relationships. It cared only about "perception" of "sex" in a scene. So no nudity, or two people on a bed.... Plus, of course, not sympathizing with evil. You could be a real creep in a movie, so long as the right thing ended up being the ending; and not the gangsters...

http://www.und.edu/instruct/cjacobs/ProductionCode.htm

[–] kgk5-568-553426 8 years ago

I know what you're saying Leader, but it WAS the perception and obvious that Claire was sleeping over at Deager's and that Warren and Mary were doing it. Others Hayes thumbprints on the "Out-of Wedlock sex no nos are too mumerous to mention

[–] leader-7 8 years ago

Out of wedlock sex made Hollywood -- and again, they were concerned more (in terms of sex) with the appearance of it on screen. No two people in bed. By 1949 a lot of that still existed (twin beds) but again, Hays was focused on not siding with the bad guys.