The evolution of the "PG" movie rating

[The Burgomaster]

When I was a kid, a lot of movies that were rated "G" would now be rated "PG."

For instance, the first three PLANET OF THE APES movies were rated "G." But they contained shootings, nudity, blood, torture, profanity, etc. Surely, they would NOT be rated "G" by today's standards.

The movie WHAT'S UP DOC? was also rated "G," but had a lot of adult humor and dealt with the theme of infidelity.

As we all know, "G" stands for "General Audiences." But it seems to have evolved quite a bit, and now it REALLY means "kid's movie." In fact, most "PG" movies nowadays are really movies for kids. "PG-13" seems to be the real cut-off point between what is okay for the entire family, and what might shock or offend someone.

What does all of this mean? Probably nothing.

But the next time you watch one of the first few PLANET OF THE APES movies, and you see a naked ass or someone getting shot, ask yourself if something like that would get a "G" rating today.

[Fearless Freep]

IIRC - Lucas had to fight to keep Star Wars from being rated "G", fearing people would think it was only for kids

[Rob Phillips]

I remember a "GP" rating on a lot of horror movies when I was a kid. Anyone know about that?

Rob

[onionhead]

Wikipedia.org has a good rundown on the rating system.


http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPAA_film_rating_system

[Gerry]

MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND only got a "M" rating when it was released ("M" would be come "GP", which would become "PG") in spite of quite a bit of blood and nudity.

Other notable nudity-featuring PG releases that come to mind are LOGAN'S RUN and THE BEASTMASTER.  There were quite a few.

[Chadzilla]

Airplane! and the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers are both PG movies that had nudity.  Dang, the 70s were so cool.  Sex was neat back then, now it's back to being scuzzy and naughty.

[The Burgomaster]

Yes. "M" was the first rating. It basically divided movies into 2 categories: those for mature audiences (rated "M") and everything else (no rating). For instance, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE was rated "M" for violence and adult themes.

"GP" was an early version of "PG." I think it only lasted a year or two before they changed it to "PG." An example is THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES, which was rated "GP."

I can't think of a recent "PG" movie that features nudity, but it was fairly common back in the 1970s. For instance, WALKING TALL, PART 2 was rated "PG," and features a brief shot of a topless woman. Boobs and butts used to be routinely accepted in "PG" flicks back in the good old days.

[Gerry]

Chadzilla wrote:

> Airplane! and the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers are
> both PG movies that had nudity.  Dang, the 70s were so cool.
> Sex was neat back then, now it's back to being scuzzy and
> naughty.

And a surprising amount in the latter film at that!

[raj]

And Midnight Cowboy got an X  due to content about drugs and hints as to exactly what goes on in a Turkish prison.

I think in the 70s, coming out of the 60s, there was the idea that human nudity-- by itself, was no big deal.

Nowadays, directors add in enough cussing & nudity & violence to make sure they don't get a dreaded G or PG, so more folks will go see their movies.

[systemcr4sh]

Also when PG-13 movies came out they allowed a little bit more in. Often containing some nudity and instances of the F word. Nowadays you usually don't get that in PG-13, but some movies (I'm thinking Stealing Harvard, National Security etc) you'll get the f word once or twice.

[JohnL]

Not to mention that many older movies have come down in ratings. Such as Midnight Cowboy and Last Tango in Paris only being rated R now.

It does seem that they were easier on films back then. The most controversial mainstream film I've seen is probably Mandingo, which was rated R. If Showgirls got an NC-17, I don't see any way this movie could get away with just an R today.

As for PG13, I know it's supposed to be a harsher rating than normal PG, but every time I hear it mentioned, I can't help thinking that the '13' means it's suitable for 13 year olds.



Post Edited (07-01-03 06:05)

[Evan3]

> As for PG13, I know it's supposed to be a harsher rating than
> normal PG, but every time I hear it mentioned, I can't help
> thinking that the '13' means it's suitable for 13 year olds.


The question is why does 13 change a person? Is it because they are now a teenager. I think it would be better if things were just G and R, PG is superfluous and I dont see the point of PG 13.

[jmc]

I guess they think teens can handle more than little kids.  

There are also adults that might not want to watch a kids' movie but don't want to see a movie with a lot of violence, cursing, etc....

I think the PG-13 was necessary--there were PG movies that were way too much for younger kids to handle [GREMLINS, INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM, and I remember a big stir over SIXTEEN CANDLES], though some of the problem was lazy parents that though PG was automatically OK for kids.

[Jim H.]

The reason it changed this way (another example is True Grit, rated G and starts with a triple hanging and has people getting shot and bleeding, etc) is because PG-13 was introduced.  As near as I can tell, in the old days G was really modern ratings G AND PG, and PG was the high end of todays PG and PG-13.  That's why there is the difference, IMO.

[Evan3]

I just saw the Italian Job yesterday, chock full of explosions and references most 13 year olds waouldnt get. Another example of the superfluous PG 13.