In one of the Hollywood vs Christian Culture audio CDs from Vision Forum, Geoff Botkin refers to the "Hays Code," an early attempt at self-censorship by Hollywood studios that was implemented to avoid possible government censorship and fight Hollywood's reputation as "Sin City."
The links below will take you to the full text of one iteration of the code and a Wikipedia entry outlining the Code's history. A very interesting read when you consider the content of current films. What I find particularly compelling is that so many films that we consider "classics" were produced while the code was in effect. I have long contended that Christians producing films have no need to include coarse language, graphic violence, inappropriate sexuality or other questionable content. Just as Hollywood writers, directors and producers were forced to find creative ways to tell a strong story under the limitations of the Hays Code, so Christian filmmakers can find creative ways to do the same under self-imposed restrictions.
The Motion Picture Production Code of 1930 (Hays Code)
Production Code - Wikipedia
