PG-13 is the most common rating for films today, and it’s not hard to see why. These films attract movie-goers of all ages. They’re generally clean enough for children, but they’re also edgy and mature enough to appeal toparents and young teenagers, who need something to do on a Saturday evening when family movie night is no longer a socially acceptable option.
Although it’s wildly popular now, there was a time when the PG-13 rating didn’t exist. It was first introduced in 1984, forty years ago.But what took so long for such a seemingly logical rating to come about? And what existed before that? Let’s take a look at the history of American film ratings that eventually led us to the PG-13 rating, from 1930 to 1984.
3The Hays Code and the MPAA Ratings
Before 1968, we had the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) and its controversial Motion Picture Production Code. Most people knew it asthe Hays Code, named after the organization’s first chairman, William Hays.
The Hays Code was introduced in 1930 (films released beforehand are considered Pre-Code), and by 1934, all films were expected to adhere to its regulations. The Hays Code wasn’t really a rating system. It was more of a mandatory set of rules and limitations to keep American films, and also American values, squeaky clean. For instance, nudity, drugs, and sex were all forbidden on-screen.
Although the Hays Code dominated classic Hollywood, many filmmakers didn’t like it. They felt that it censored artistic expression and encroached upon their freedom of speech. By 1968, the MPPDA had become theMotion Picture Association of America(MPAA), and had fallen under new leadership.
Related:20 Most Iconic F-Bombs in a PG-13 Rated Movie, Ranked
The MPAA’s president, Jack Valenti, wanted to give filmmakers more artistic freedom and establish a new rating sytem — more modernand accurate — that would provide guidance on a film’s age-appropriateness. 1968 ushered in the MPAA rating system. This included the brand new R-rating, which restricted attendance for persons under the age of 16 unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
The Splitbecame the first movie to ever receive an R-rating. Other new ratings included G for general audiences, M for mature audiences, and X, which prohibited attendance from anyone under the age of 16. The M rating only lasted two years. In 1972, it evolved into the PG rating for parental guidance. For 14 years, these movie ratings became the Hollywood standard: G, PG, R, and X — until two little films came along and disrupted the system once again.
2The Temple of Doom and Gremlins Controversies
Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom
1984 wasn’t just a revolutionary book by George Orwell. It was a year that revolutionized the film industry — and it was also a particularly big year forlegendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg. In 1984, Spielberg released the highly anticipated sequel (which is really a prequel) toRaiders of the Lost Ark,Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Then just two weeks later, he released the holiday classicGremlins,which he executive produced rather than directed. Both films were box office hits and have since become beloved classics. And they both came under fire at the time of their release. Some audiences complained about the level of violence and gore, and questioned where these films were appropriate for children. The PG rating, they claimed, just didn’t cut it for young audiences.
Related:The Best PG-13 Horror Movies, Ranked
As the big man on campus, Spielberg received the brunt of this criticism. He responded by rightfully deflecting the matter to the MPAA and casually suggesting that the organization change its rating system to address these concerns. And shockingly, they listened. Within two months, the MPAA introduced a new rating:PG-13, which suggested parental guidance to children under the age of 13. This rating also mandated that only one F-bomb could be used in a PG-13 film.
1Red Dawn vs The Flamingo Kid
Red Dawn (1984)
With the PG-13 rating now established, the MPAA was ready to start slapping the label on any films that qualified. As the story goes, the first film to receive a PG-13 rating from the MPAA was probably a movie you’ve never heard of:The Flamingo Kid.
Starring Matt Dillon, it’s a romantic comedy that follows a recent and lost high-school graduate, who lands a summer job at the Flamingo beach club. AlthoughThe Flamingo Kidwas technically the first movie to receive the rating, it wasRed Dawn,another PG-13 movie, that opened in theaters first.
Starring a young Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen,Red Dawnimagines a gang of teenagers banding together to protect themselves from invading Soviet forces duringa fictional World War III. For some people,Red Dawnis regarded as the first PG-13 film, since it came out first.It also helps that it’s more well known thanThe Flamingo Kidand was remade into the critically panned 2012 film of the same name.
So, it’s still up for debate: What do you think? IsThe Flamingo Kidthe first PG-13 movie, or does the distinction really belong toRed Dawn?
