Which organization oversaw film content until the current rating system was created in 1968?

The Production Code Administration (PCA) was the organization responsible for overseeing film content until the current rating system was instituted in 1968. The PCA enforced the Hays Code, formally known as the Motion Picture Production Code, which established a set of guidelines governing the portrayal of morality and decency in films. This code was effective from the early 1930s until the late 1960s and played a crucial role in determining what was considered acceptable for public viewing, influencing the types of storylines, character actions, and even dialogue that filmmakers could use.

The PCA's stringent rules reflected societal norms and moral values of the time, attempting to prevent the depiction of anything that might be deemed inappropriate or harmful. Its enforcement led to self-censorship among filmmakers, as they sought approval for their films before release. The eventual decline of the Hays Code and its replacement with the modern rating system allowed for a broader range of thematic exploration and representation in cinema, moving towards a system that aimed to inform rather than restrict.

In contrast, organizations like the American Film Institute, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Visual Effects Society focus on different aspects of the film industry, such as film preservation, actors' rights, and visual effects collaboration, rather than