Film Ratings Born: MPAA Creates G Through X System
Jack Valenti killed the Hays Code on November 1, 1968, replacing 38 years of content restrictions with a rating system that gave parents information instead of giving censors power. The original four categories were G (General Audiences), M (Mature), R (Restricted), and X (No one under 17). The problem was the X rating: the MPAA never trademarked it, so pornography distributors adopted it freely. Within years, 'X-rated' meant only one thing, and legitimate films like Midnight Cowboy wore the label reluctantly. The industry replaced X with NC-17 in 1990 after Henry and June became the first film to receive the new designation. The system has been modified repeatedly since, with M becoming GP and then PG, and PG-13 added in 1984 after Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom disturbed parents.
October 7, 1968
58 years ago
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