What everyone should know about the Motion Picture Code and Ratings. ‘The motion picture industty announces a valuntary file rating system which will guide the publie in their selection of movies Under this system certain films will be restricted for children. This reflects a spacial concer for young people, ‘as well a5 a serious offort to be of direct help to parents in the fulfllmont of their responsibilities “The Motion Picture Association of America, the National Association of Thestre Ownots and the International Film Importers and Distributors of America fully endorse and are cooperating with this plan. Here are the Rating Symbols easily recognized . Suggested for MATURE audionces (parental retion advised), ® ‘These ratings aly to Fine released alter Nov, 1, 1968 with their meanings: RESTRICTED — Persons under 16 not admitted, unless accompanied by parent or adult guardi ted, This age restriction . Check theater or And, here are the answers to expected questions, explaining how these symbols serve today’s movie-goer in the USA. EXACTLY WHAT DO THESE RATINGS MEAN? All ratings given by the Code and Rating Administration represent the considered opinions of a competent and experienced staff with broad and lengthy backgrounds in ‘im appraisal The fim rating symbols indicate the tolowing TB) suggested for GENERAL audiones, These movies are considered to be eitablo for patrone Oral ages [a] suggested for MATURE audiences (parental disore- tion advised). Films rated [Bi] are considered to be suitable for adults snd mature young people. Each parent should obtain informa- tion regarding the content of (a films, and then guide ‘members of his own family according to each one’s maturity fexporionce, stability ar special interests. No one undar- stands each child's capacities and needs better than a parent! Fi] RESTRICTED — Parsons under 16 not admitted, unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian, ‘Again, the parent must decide whether the young members of his family should patconize a film which deals with an adult subject in an adult way. This too requires that he ‘obtain information regarding the content of the film, and then determine whether or not it is one to which he wishes to take his child ar children. By attending [A] films together, parents and young people can discuss tham together @ Persons under 16 A rating of @on a film indicates that because of the subject ‘matter of treatmant of the subject matter, persons under 16 will not be admitted. This rating will be enforced st the ox office of exch theatre. (In certain areas this age restric- tion may be highex) Film companies that do not choose to voluntarily submit a film for rating by tee Code and Rating Administration self-apply an@ rating to that film. admitted, HOW CAN ONE FIND OUT WHAT RATING A FILM HAS BEEN GIVEN? The quickest and easiest way to locate the rating of a movie is to look in the movie advertisement in your local newspaper. Or, you ean obtain this information by phoning the theatre box office. These symbols can also bs noted in previews of coming attractions, in the box office window, and on posters in theatre labaies. IF PARENTS WISH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONTENT OF MOVIES SO AS TO MAKE WISE DECISIONS FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN, WHERE CAN THEY FIND THIS INFORMATION? Movie advertising is only one of many sources which describe the nature of a movie With @ little effort, parents can easily locate film commen tary in newspapers (reviews by film critics and in movie columns); in certain family magazines which discuss motion pictures (Inciuding the "PTA Magazine" and “Parents! Mag- fatine"); in the free monthly film infermation service pro- vided by the Film Board of National Orgenizations (FILM REPORTS), made available through movie theates, public ibraries and mary daily newspapers; in the ratings of the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures posted in all Roman Catholic churches and printed in most Catholic Diocesan newspapers; in the reviews in other religious ‘magazines; and in the information on movies which appears jn most popular magazines. Or... phone the theatre and inquire. Thealte personnel ‘bun provide the descriptive information contained in FILM REPORTS, WHY WAS 16 CHOSEN AS THE BASIC AGE FOR RATINGS [R] AND (X)? There are a nuinber of reasons why 18 Is the best of several alternatives as the age st which ratings apply. Though chronological age is anly one of many measures of maturity, the vast majority of educators and parents agree that today'syoung people have, by age 16, an abundance of factual information and an’ understanding of life previously con- sidered possible only at an alder age. Most slates require. school attendance only up to age 18; most states grant ‘work permits at ape 18, In most states drivers’ licenses are granted at age 16 One of the oldest film classification systems is British which uses age 18.for similar catagories. All’of these factors and athers ware considered carefully in making this. decision WHO WILL ENFORCE THE RATINGS [R] AND®? The ralings are enforced, voluntarily, by the manager in each motion picture theatre, HOW CAN THE PUBLIC BENEFIT MOST FROM THIS SYSTEM OF FILM RATINGS? Because the public ie ultimately responsible for the success or failure of this system, here ste some tips a. Learn to identify the rating symbols and what they mean. ', Lear the sources of film cantent information, and use them. ¢. Holp your children to understand what the symbols mean and why they aro important, (Parents are ultimately respon- sible for theit own eh en's movie-going practice: 4. Urge the young members of yous family 40 respeet the ratings in their movie solections, making it unnecessary for ‘theatre manager to tura them away at the box off ®. Urge the eéiters of your local newspapers {0 publish the symbols and their meanings along with mavia advertise ments, (The Motion Picture Association of Amotica has provided every daily and weekly newspaper in the country with this information) f. Support in your theaties the types of films you say you ‘want, and you will thereby encourage the production of more of thom, DOES THIS NEW VOLUNTARY FILM RATING SYSTEM MEAN THAT THE MOTION PICTURE CODE OF SELF-REGULATION NO LONGER FUNCTIONS? Not at all. In fact, mest movie-gowrs see films which carry the Code Seal@ids. The Seal indicates that the film has beon submitted voluntarily by the producer ac dlstefoutor to the Code and Rating Administration, and that it has com- plied with all cequicements set forth in the Code Standards fer Production, Advertising and Titles. Pictures rated [@) {i orfR) may cary the Code Seal, if the producer or dis- Irbutor s0 desires: Pictures rated @ danat receive the Seal WHAT ARE THE “STANDARDS FOR PRODUCTION"? The Standards for Production are a set of principles based fon standards common (0 most communities in the USA These standatds serve ab goidelines by which to measure the accoptability of films for American audiences. Although the standards aré stated in broad terms, thay are applied thoughtFully to each film, DOES A CODE SEAL OR RATING INDICATE THE QUALITY OF A MOvIE?. No, It is not the responsibilty of the Code and Rating. Administration to judge the artistic, aesthatle, or entertain: ment quality of a movie. Their cesponsibilisies are limited te judging whether or not films meet the requirements of the Standaxds for Production, and to applying fil ratings, CAN MOVIES BE DISTRIBUTED AND EXMIBITED IN THE USA... without a Code Seal? Yes, this is 2 voluntary system. But, the great majority of mavie-goers view films which have been grantad & Gade Seal without a film eating? Vos. Howeves, is estimated that well over 85% of the films exhibited in this country, Both acastic and forign, will now carty a rating, applied ether by the Code and Rating Administration, or a selt-applieg ‘ating of ®. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THE FILM IN- DUSTRY VOLUNTARILY PROVIDE FILM RATINGS, FOR MOTION PICTURES, AND ALSO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A PRODUCTION CODE? Jo vital ina democracy that the media regulate them= solves and assume responsibilty far informing the public, The only altomativa wauld be to abandon this responsibilty to goverment, a practice most thought citizens would oppese. The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States is a guarantee that freedom of speech and artistic expression will be protected. WILL EVERY GIVEN BY TI ADMINISTRE No, of tourse not. 7 will disagree with th In the USA we er peoples! respons cultural, celigious ar personal opinions te narinas For further information and/or copies of tho Code and Rating Program Regulations, write to: Rel Commun ions Department MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10035