WHEN TOILETS WERE TABOO The Rise and Fall of the Hays Code
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 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.
KEEP YOUR EYES ROAD-READY A CLEAR VIEW AHEAD
Those with impaired vision can grow accustomed to not seeing things clearly, which can cause further difficulties when driving. While glasses or contacts can help your eyesight, you may still see halos or streaks when you look at headlights or street lights. You could have difficulty seeing street signs or debris in the road. Worse yet, you may not even notice when your vision worsens, opening up the potential for accidents or traffic tickets. One of the first things I realized after having eye surgery was that I probably was not as good a driver as I thought I was. I couldn’t see street or traffic signs until I was right in front of them. When I talked with my eye doctor about it, he informed me that the state of Kentucky was trying to address the potential problems that arise when someone with poor vision gets behind the wheel. They recently passed legislation that requires everyone to take a vision test whenever they renew their driver’s license. If you’ve had to
renew your driver’s license in the last year, you probably experienced this firsthand.
While this vision test is certainly a step in the right direction, it may not be as effective as one would hope. Reading a few letters off a monitor is not equivalent to driving at night or trying to make out what a street sign reads. Instead, you should consider seeing an optometrist for an eye exam before renewing your license. Not only will they give you paperwork that can bypass the vision test requirement, but their efforts will help improve your eyesight so you can be the best driver possible. An eye doctor will ensure you have the right prescription, and they’ll also look for issues with your eyes. I’ve heard multiple stories of people attending their annual checkup, only to learn they have a hole in their retina, or their retina is starting to detach. Because they went in for their
appointment, they were able to get immediate help with a budding emergency.
Your eyes play a significant role while driving. Go to your regular vision appointments, wear corrective lenses if necessary, and take extra precautions if you have trouble seeing at night or are dealing with astigmatism.
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