The Movie Code of the Great DepressionDuring the times of the Great Depression, movies were seen as a thing of great importance to people. Cinema during this difficult period contributed to the maintenance of American national morale. During this time Hollywood played an important role, convincing over eighty million Americans to attend movie theaters, but it would soon become much more difficult as America continued to live in the Great Depression. Everyone in America, even the most alarmingly poor families, went to the movies. With a movie to watch, Americans sought refuge in a fantasy world. Movies during this time were a perfect distraction. Not only for the public but also for the artist who creates his own work. It was hugely successful in accessing a world different from ours, but unfortunately due to the Depression, films were too expensive to pay for. Even the most successful Hollywood production companies were not depression-proof. Just like the local restaurant in your town, they are not immune to success and poverty. Studios began to triple in debt, and by 1933 movie attendance dropped by forty percent. The industry began cutting wages and production costs and closed the doors to a third of movie theaters in America. They began lowering admission prices by 25 cents. One of the most successful marketing tools, theaters began creating prizes for attending audiences. In some theaters prizes were awarded to the public who participated in the lottery. Nightly prizes at the bank where the winner of the lucky number went home with a cash prize. People during this time appreciated the escapist film provided. But above all, the films maintained the social reality of the time. The movies were realistic of… middle of paper… action code as if depression were a thing of the past. Ratings like NC-17, R, PG-13, and PG have become the new regulatory code for production companies. From the description of both of these codes, it appears that they are only used as censorship for films. A regulatory code goes against the political and personal freedom of an artist. Whether during the Great Depression or in our current era, movies should not adhere to the rules and regulation of a code. Films are made to express the times we live in. It doesn't matter if it's an outlet to access a world different from our own, films should function as a source of expression and imagination. More than ever films should be allowed to comfort their audiences rather than follow a code, both for our current age and during the depression, films should still be one of the most valuable sources of comfort and information..