When Toilets Were Taboo The Rise and Fall of the Hays Code
in with forbidden words like “lousy” and “cripes.” Even the famous Clark Gable line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” from “Gone With the Wind” nearly didn’t make it past censors. Religion was another topic of strict censorship. Priests, ministers, and nuns could be stern or gentle but never the butt of a joke or the villain of a story. That’s why Bing Crosby’s Father O’Malley in “Going My Way” was always portrayed with a mix of effortless charm and reverence that kept him safe from censors. Childbirth was also considered improper. Labor scenes were banned outright, and even a shadow on the wall was too much. “Gone With the Wind” managed to slip in a
softened moment with Olivia de Havilland’s character, but only after lengthy arguments with the Code’s enforcers. But bathrooms held the most absurd taboo of all. Toilets and the humor around them simply didn’t exist on screen. Then, Alfred Hitchcock released “Psycho” in 1960 and showed a toilet and a flush. Audiences had never seen anything like it, and the Code’s hold began to crumble. By the end of the 1960s, the system had collapsed, and the rating system we still use today replaced it. Looking back, it’s hard not to believe censors wasted their energy. What once seemed scandalous now feels tame, and the real surprise is just how many everyday things were once off-limits on screen.
In old Hollywood, even the simplest things could cause trouble. A silly sound effect, a bathroom door, or a joke at the wrong person’s expense might get a film pulled before audiences ever saw it. From the 1930s through the 1960s, studios followed the Hays Code, a list of rules meant to keep movies “clean” after scandals in the 1920s made Hollywood look like a bad influence. What began as an attempt to save the industry from outside censorship quickly turned into decades of odd restrictions. One of the strangest bans was the raspberry, or “Bronx cheer.” The harmless noise, created by placing one’s tongue between the lips and blowing, was labeled vulgar and lumped
Homeowners Insurance to the Rescue
Help After an Unexpected Injury
Most people only think about homeowners insurance when a storm blows through and tears up a roof or a pipe bursts and floods a basement. However, the same policy can also apply to other situations. It can come into play when someone outside the household is injured on the property. That might be due to a fall, a bite, or an accident. Often, people don’t discover this until they’re dealing with the stress of an injury. In my practice, I’ve seen numerous claims that are covered under a homeowner’s policy. Dog bites are one group, but there are many others. I even handled a case involving a snowmobile ride that went sideways. One thing I like about these cases is that they usually protect both sides. If someone gets hurt on your property, there’s a good chance your policy will step in. And if you get injured at the neighbor’s house,
the same idea applies. You are not “suing” your neighbor or starting a fight. You’re letting the insurance company do the job they’re getting paid to do, and the process is usually very civil. In the snowmobile case, I sent a polite letter requesting that the homeowner forward it to their insurance company. They made a phone call, and the insurer handled everything. No arguing. No threats. No long meetings. It was straightforward for both sides, and the process worked as intended. If you are ever in a situation like this, you don’t need to guess what might apply. We can examine what happened and determine whether a homeowners policy is involved, without turning it into a circus. These claims are usually easier than people expect, and they can save you from paying
for an accident out of your own pocket. If something happens and you’re unsure what to do, please give us a call. We can assess the situation, guide you in the right direction, and help you keep things simple.
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