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Censoring Classic Movies

Before the current rating system was implemented, the motion picture industry abided by the Hays Code, which restricted suggestive or controversial content in films. Writer Gerald Garder's new book, The Censorship Papers, collects memoranda dispatched by the Hays Office, which outlined grievances against specific movies.

09:26
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Other segments from the episode on July 1, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, July 1, 1988: Interview with Eric Hansen; Review of Witold Lutoslawski's album "Lutoslawski Conducts Lutoslawski"; Interview with Gerald Garner; Commentary on sofas.
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26:52

A "Stranger in the Forest"

In 1982, travel writer Eric Hansen traveled to Borneo, sought out local guides, and walked through the rain forest. His new book documents the adventure and what he learned about Western attitudes toward indigenous cultures.

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The Beauty, Textures and Humor of Witold Lutoslawski

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD of the composer conducting three of his own works. Schwartz is surprised by how nuanced the pieces are, compared to the clanging aesthetic of music by other contemporary Eastern European composers.

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Censorship in Film.

Television writer Gerald Gardner. His new book, The Censorship Papers, is a collection of memos from the Hays Commission, which was the censorship arm of Hollywood's production studios from 1930 to 1968. The dossiers were released last year and Gardner covers those concerning 70 of Hollywood's best known films, including "The Maltese Falcon," "Pal Joey" and "Notorious."

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