The old movies that would never get past today’s PC police

As a Baby Boomers, chances are you’ve seen a large number of movies in your time.

While blockbusters today focus on high-tech visual effects, crude humour and as many star-studded celebrities a Hollywood studio can squeeze into a film, controversy has always attracted movie-goers to the big screen.

As times have changed, some of the things people once found entertaining would never get past the PC police of today. Starts at 60 is looking back at some films that entertained audiences over the years, but probably wouldn’t make it to cinemas if they were made today.

Pretty Baby

In 1978 at the start of her movie career, a 12-year-old Brooke Shields caused a stir when she appeared in Pretty Baby. She played Violet, a pre-teen who lived with her prostitute mother in a brothel. Although based on a real place and real stories, many branded the film as “child porn” when an adult man fell in love with Shields’ character.

Because of its sexual nature and nudity, the film was banned from Canada, rated X in the UK and R in both Australia and the United States. Censored versions of the film, which cut out Shields’ nude scenes, were distributed in other parts of the world.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Back in 1961, romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s became a cult classic, starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. While the film continues to be adored by audiences decades after its release, many claim is was extremely racist.

Who could forget Mickey Rooney wearing fake teeth and playing a Japanese man in the film? Not only is the hapless neighbour the only non-white character in the film, he’s also played by a white man. These days, the character would be deemed offensive and unnecessary, particularly given he lived up to every Japanese stereotype imaginable.

Blazing Saddles

To this day, Blazing Saddles remains one of Gene Wilder’s and Mel Brooks’ most beloved films, but it hasn’t come without controversy. The film was about a black sheriff in a racist town. In addition to featuring numerous racial slurs, it came under fire for portraying small-town people as dumb and close-minded. There’s also a scene where Mongo knocked out a horse which would be considered animal cruelty by today’s standards. Brooks himself said the film would never be made in today’s era.

“It’s OK not to hurt the feelings of various tribes and groups,” he said. “However, it’s not good for comedy. Comedy has to walk a thin line, take risks. It’s the lecherous little elf whispering in the king’s ear, telling the truth about human behaviour.”

James Bond

His name is Bond, James Bond, yet the women the famous British spy falls for always had sexually promiscuous names.

Who could forget the likes of Pussy Galore, Holly Goodhead, Octopussy, Miss Goodthighs or Plenty O’Toole? Of course, the modern Bond girls don’t have as catchy names. In Spectre, Bond’s sidekick was Dr. Medeleine Swann. Skyfall had Eve Moneypenny, while Camille Montes was the sidekick in Quantum of Solace. Graham Norton took Daniel Craig to task over the revamped names in a 2012 episode of his hit chat show.

Airplane

In 1980, spoof disaster movie Airplane quickly cemented itself in history as one of the comedy classics. Still, there are many gags considered outdated and offensive by today’s standards. For one, two African men needed a white lady who could “speak jive” to translate their incomprehensible conversation to audiences. There were also subtitles that clearly didn’t translate what the men were saying in the first place.

There’s a scene where a captain appears to groom a young boy by encouraging him to watch gladiator movies, not to mention another scene where a child asks a girl how she likes her coffee and she replies with “black, like my men”. There were also jokes about drug-use and many others that would certainly offend some movie-goers.

What do you think? What was your favourite non-PC movie from when you were growing up?