National Feelings in Film: Patriotism, Presidential Respect, and the Code

American Serviceman stand while the National Anthem is played during the Salute to Heroes ceremony during the BNP Parisbas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 13, 2015. Harry How/Getty Images

Commentary

Does it offend you when Americans have no respect for our country’s flag, national anthem, and heritage? Any patriot will feel a swell of pride when the United States is honored and glorified in a film, television show, or play, but the opposite is unfortunately true in many current forms of entertainment. During the Golden Era of Hollywood, the Production Code Administration (PCA) oversaw the content of American movies, ensuring that they met the guidelines of the Motion Picture Production Code (commonly misnomered the Hays Code) from 1934 to 1954 under the strong leadership of Joseph I. Breen.