In 1934, photographer A. L. “Whitey” Schafer staged this photo to violate the Hays Code's censorship decrees in as many ways as possible in a single picture. A short thread: 
The Hays Code (also referred to as the Production Code, later the Production Code Administration, and eventually becming the Motion Picture Alliance of America, or MPAA, in 1968) was Hollywood's internal watchdog and censorship board from 1934 to 1968.
The Hays Code's mission was simple: "No picture shall be produced which will lower the moral standards of those who see it." Some of the standards can be seen here from The Motion Picture Herald, August 11, 1934:
The 10 rules Schafer breaks in this iconic photo are written in the background as commandments from what many creatives saw as the overzealous, prudish, and religious watchdogs in the Hays Office.
Those 10 Commandments are:
Thou Shalt Not [Show]
1. Law Defeated
2. Inside of Thigh
3. Lace Lingerie
4. Dead Man
5. Narcotics
6. Drinking
7. Exposed Bosom
8. Gambling
9. Pointing Gun
10. Tommy Gun
Thou Shalt Not [Show]
1. Law Defeated
2. Inside of Thigh
3. Lace Lingerie
4. Dead Man
5. Narcotics
6. Drinking
7. Exposed Bosom
8. Gambling
9. Pointing Gun
10. Tommy Gun
A. L. Schafer's photograph was a powerful protest against the Hays Code and, while not received extraordinarily well, he did go on to become the principle photographer for Columbia studios in 1935 and later for Paramount before an untimely death in 1951.
@CHANNINGPOSTERS how's this for a classic Hollywood shot?
Since it's #InternationalPodcastDay, for more discussions of Golden Age Hollywood, film, media, and 20th century US politics, you can also check out the show I co-host, @USAimpressions, anywhere you get podcasts!
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