Drawing the line

FILMMAKER Kirby Dick laments the lack of “standards” or “written guidelines” for film ratings [“A Filmmaker Tries to Rate the MPAA,” July 2]. The old Production Code of the Will Hays Office provided film production guidelines, which fell out of favor following World War II.

The present rating system was established to meet criticisms of the code. A Community Service Department provided parents, women’s clubs, PTA groups, etc., with film reviews, which is what the current rating system does. Setting written standards in today’s morality milieu would bring back the criticisms of the old Production Code.

RICHARD L. OLSEN

Pine Mountain, Calif.

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Olsen worked for the Hayes Office and the Producers Assn. in 1939-42.