As we've progressed through the decades, there has been a drastic change in what is considered to be acceptable for one to say or do in movies. Things like racism, chauvinism, and sexual deviance were focal points in the cinematic world for years. However, times have changed, as have the films that people are willing to expose their children to. Here's a look at some films from the past century that, due to their controversial scenes or messages, would have a tough time being made today.
"The World's An Imperfect Place"
Throughout "The Breakfast Club" (1985), Bender, the "Criminal", gives the rest of the breakfast club a hard time while they're in detention together, but he really lays into the "Princess", Claire. In one scene, in particular, when Bender is under a desk hiding from Vice Principal Vernon, he puts his face between Claire's legs. Claire, in turn, gives a look of shock and is horribly disgusted by what Bender has done...or is she?
Bender would be tried for sexual assault nowadays but, in "The Breakfast Club", he receives no punishment. In fact, he ends up with the girl, sending the message that sexual misconduct has greater benefits than it does disadvantages.
"What's Going On Here?"
One of the biggest films of 1961 was "Breakfast at Tiffany's". From the get-go, the film was destined to be a hit. The Academy Award-nominated script is an adaption of Truman Capote's 1958 novella and, for the most part, the cast was brilliant. There is no denying that the choice to cast Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly was a brilliant one, however, Mickey Rooney's performance as Mr. Yunioshi was nothing short of racially insensitive.
These days, if someone isn't the same race as an animated character they are auditioning for, they aren't even considered for the role. So, for a live-action film, they may as well not even audition.
"That Poor Unfortunate Soul"
When the Disney adaptation of "The Little Mermaid" was released, in 1989, the world fell in love with an underwater world, that few had ever thought of before. What was found "under the sea" was a musical world full of hope, love, and deception that were all portrayed in ways that would not be considered acceptable nowadays.
Considering the strong female image that Ursula the sea witch personifies, it's rather disappointing to see her objectifying Ariel the way she does. Come on, Ursula, there's more to a person than their looks and talent.
"I'm A Little Too Traumatised To Have A Scone"
In 2005's "Wedding Crashers", Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) and John (Owen Wilson) are friends who spend a few months every year crashing weddings and sleeping with random women, almost, at will. Eventually, love catches up to both of them, but not quite in the same way. John falls for Claire (Rachel McAdams) so hard that he's pretty much stalking her through half of the film...
...While John was busy chasing the woman of his dreams, Jeremy was hoping that being raped by Claire's sister, Gloria, was just a nightmare. Audiences might have been laughing but male rape is no laughing matter.
"When You Wish Upon A Star"
"Pinocchio" is a wonderful tale of a woodcarver, a wooden boy, and the possibility of dreams coming true. In 1940, Walt Disney took the story of Pinocchio and put it on the big screen, and although the film was a great conduit to help teach children the importance of telling the truth, it also showed the underbelly of society.
The days of animated films about children being transported in cages and sold to the highest bidder are probably over. As are the days of scaring children into doing the right thing.
"If You're A Bird, I'm A Bird"
Almost everyone who saw the 2004 film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's "The Notebook" fell in love with love through the retelling of Noah and Allie's courtship. Sadly, most of the things that we see people do, in order to help them win the hearts of those they are smitten with, are not seen in quite the same light in real life as they are when portrayed on the big screen. The Ferris wheel scene when Noah convinces Allie to go out with him is an excellent example of this.
Allie finally caves in and accepts Noah's offer for a date when he threatens to let himself plummet to his own demise, young men everywhere were shown that by threatening self-harm, the object of their desire will fall for them.
"My, Oh My, I Got A Wonderful Slave"
In 1987, Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn starred in the romantic comedy, "Overboard". It's about a snobby woman who gets amnesia after following over the side of her yacht and is rescued by a widowed carpenter whom she offends greatly earlier in the film. As payback, he tricks her into believing that she is his wife and gets his revenge by making her take care of his 4 boys and take care of their home. Understandably, calamity ensues.
When we think about it, the film promotes kidnapping and human trafficking that would get someone locked up for years in a number of different countries.
"Just Think Happy Thoughts"
Disney's 1953 rendition of the classic children's story "Peter Pan" is full of magic, mystery, and adventure. For more than half a century, parents have joined their children on the trip to the second star on the right, and they even followed it "straight on till morning". "Peter Pan" takes people back to a time when they actually let their imaginations run wild. It was a time of innocence, or was it?
It turns out "Peter Pan" didn't have the best lessons for children. Not only was Peter himself quite selfish, but he started smoking at much too young an age. And let's not even get started on the offensive depiction of the natives. Wow!
"Can I Borrow Your Underpants for Ten Minutes?"
John Hughes' 1984 film, "16 Candles", is one of the most influential "coming of age" stories to come out of the cinematic world. Part of the film's charm is the realistic perspective one gets on the '80s high school experience. Sadly, there was one part of the experience that was taken a little bit too lightly.
In a scene towards the end of the film, Jake passes his drunken and passed-out date off to Ted to "have a good time with her". An offer Ted is quick to accept. Unconscious = no consent. Remember that.
"I Know Who I Am. I'm The Dude, Playing A Dude, Disguised As Another Dude"
The 2008 satirical comedy "Tropic Thunder" is a film, about a film, that's based on a book that a character in the film wrote about his experiences at war. In the film, Robert Downey Jr. plays Academy Award-winning actor, Kirk Lazarus, who teams up with an all-star cast that includes Tugg Speedman from "Simple Jack". Kirk, a white Australian, gets cast in the role of an African American.
"Tropic Thunder" was made at the perfect time in cinematic history. Had it been made just a few years later there's no telling how poorly the blackface aspect of the film would have been taken.
"There May Be Something There That Wasn't There Before"
"Beauty and the Beast" (1991) is another one of Disney's films that's focused on teaching the importance of looking past appearances and getting to know an individual for who they truly are. Through music, and what was considered at the time to be breathtaking animations, viewers can't help but empathize with both the beauty and the beast. Although the two end up together (sorry for the spoiler), the foundation of their relationship is far from healthy.
In "Beauty and the Beast" we see Belle exchange herself to be a prisoner in her father's stead and fall in love with her captor...but only after she changes him into her ideal man. I guess "being yourself" doesn't work all the time.
"You Might Consider A Tic-Tac"
"Miss Congeniality" (2000) is a film about Gracie (Sandra Bullock), an undercover cop who infiltrates a beauty pageant in order to catch a criminal. In one scene, Gracie shows up with pizza and beer and offers the other women in the pageant some as well. They decline the offer and look disgusted at the thought of eating calories.
The topics of body shaming and eating disorders are something that should be spoken about a lot more often than they are. There are more people who deal with these problems on a daily basis than those who don't.
"Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder"
In 2001, Jack Black and Gweneth Paltrow starred in, what was at that time, a romantic comedy called "Shallow Hal". The film is about a superficial man who, for supernatural reasons, is only able to see inner beauty. While the moral of the story itself has some sticking points (inner beauty is really what matters), the film essentially pokes fun at those who don't fit the "traditional" Hollywood mold for beauty.
"Shallow Hal" (2001) was not received very well when it initially came out, and, due to the excess of body-shaming in the film, probably, wouldn't even have been made today.
"You Can't Run Away From Trouble"
Most people who visit Disney World have no idea that the ride "Splash Mountain" is actually derived from one of the most racist films that Disney has ever made. Disney has presented its viewers with a wide range of controversial messages over the years, but few have been more blatantly racist than 1946's "Song of the South", a film about an African American man who seems all too pleased about the conditions of his slavery.
There is no such thing as good conditions when it comes to slavery and the Walt Disney company was beyond foolish to believe that they could put an upbeat spin on such a dark time in American history.
"You Mm Make Me Happy"
A fine line is being walked anytime someone decides to make a film about someone with a mental disability, and Tugg Speedman found that out the hard way. "Simple Jack" was a film about a young man with a severe disability and was played by Speedman as such. The film had very few redeeming qualities and ended up being more of a detriment to mental health awareness than anything.
Of course, "Simple Jack" was never a real film. It was a fictitious film that appeared in "Tropic Thunder" (2008) and starred a fictitious actor (played by Ben Stiller), whose career suffered greatly because the film should never have been made in the first place.
"Man I Thought You Were An Amateur, But You A Real Pro"
Throughout the '70s and '80s, Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder made a handful of comedies together that crossed a lot of lines that only they were able to get away with crossing. One scene from "Silver Streak" (1976) specifically comes to mind. In order to hide from the people chasing them, Gene Wilder paints his face black and Pryor teaches him how to walk like an African American.
As outrageously hilarious as this scene was, it's become an unwritten rule that black-face is not acceptable.
"What Makes A Monster And What Makes A Man?"
Disney's 1996 retelling of Victor Hugo's classic novel, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", is an inspirational tale of the power of love and what it can do in order to lift someone's spirit. In many ways "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is like any other love story, however, there is one thing that varies drastically from the happy-go-lucky, feel-good love stories that we all know and love. There is no happy ending for the film's hero.
In the end, apparently, love does not conquer all. No matter what Quasimodo does for Esmerelda, she rejects him because of his deformities. Another case of Disney teaching children that, perhaps, looks do matter.
"You're The One That I Want"
The 1978 film adaptation of the musical "Grease" is one of the most popular musicals of our time. It tells the love story of Danny and Sandy while taking viewers on a wild "will they, won't they" musical journey through the late-1950's high school experience.
In "Grease" both Danny and Sandy change everything about themselves in order to woo each other, teaching people that when being themselves doesn't work, try being someone else. That's not the most positive message to be sending about self-worth.
"Whoever Said Orange Is The New Pink Was Seriously Disturbed"
"Legally Blonde" (2001) is a film about Elle Woods, a woman who goes to extreme lengths in order to win back her ex-boyfriend, who broke up with her because he said she wasn't smart enough for him. Throughout the course of the film, Elle goes above and beyond what any sane person would do, especially for someone who has insulted their intelligence and besmirched their character.
Elle's gung-ho attitude towards changing for a man who, clearly, doesn't think she's good enough for him is a shot in the foot for women's rights. Not the greatest example for young ladies but, fortunately, Elle redeems herself by the end of the film.
"MUFASA"
"The Lion King" (1994) is arguably one of the greatest Disney films ever made. The story is told in such a way that it has a little bit of something for everyone. There is only one problem with the film. It isn't quite as sensitive as it should have been in regards to the mentally disabled community.
Clearly, Ed has a disability, but instead of finding a way to send a positive message about what one can accomplish in spite of the disability. Ed is essentially the "Simple Jack" of the Disney Animated Cinematic Universe (DACU).
"Le Who Ze Hur"
"Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" (1994) is an outlandish comedy about a man who tracks down lost (or stolen) pets. In other words, it's Jim Carrey at his best. With all of the twists and turns throughout the film, viewers are taken on quite the wild ride, however, the biggest twist of all would have to be handled much differently nowadays, as the trans community is not depicted very well.
The villain of the film is a former NFL player who transitions after escaping from a psychiatric hospital and only in order to commit a crime.
"The World Ain't All Sunshine and Rainbows"
When it comes to problematic movie scenes, Rocky's courtship of Adrian in "Rocky" is quite the knockout. In the scene, Adrian looks terrified as Rocky prevents her from leaving his apartment by blocking her exit and then proceeds to kiss her. Usually, the character who forces themselves upon someone else is considered the villain of a film but, for some reason, that's not the case for Rocky Balboa.
Rocky and Adrian end up getting married and living happily ever after, thus teaching cinemagoers everywhere that it's okay to intimidate someone into a relationship because, who knows, maybe it will turn into a "Beauty and the Beast" situation.
"You Really Did Quite Well For A Beginner"
Disney's 1970 film "The Aristocats" is a great case study on how to inappropriately stereotype as many nationalities as possible in one film. Although each cat has its own unique background and story to go along with them, there is one cat, in particular, who would probably be cut out of a future remake due to racial insensitivity.
Shun Gon, the Chinese cat, was given squinty eyes and large front teeth. It looks like the animation was based on Mickey Rooney's portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi in "Breakfast at Tiffany's".
"Those Nerds Are A Threat To Our Way Of Life"
1984's "Revenge of the Nerds" is a classic coming-of-age story of a group of nerdy college-aged friends who, as the title reveals, get revenge on those who have made their lives less than bearable. As was the tradition in films about the college experience, the heroes of the film went above and beyond what was needed in order to make their point, most of which wouldn't be considered "kosher" nowadays.
At the end of the film, Lewis tricks Betty into sleeping with him by pretending to be her boyfriend. While Lewis considered it the ultimate revenge, a court would call it sex under false pretenses and, most likely, charge him with rape.
"One Jump Ahead"
In the '80s and '90s, Disney's animated films captured viewers' hearts with heartwarming stories and outstanding soundtracks to back them up. In 1992, Jasmine wasn't the only one swept away by Prince Ali and his magic carpet, the world went "over, sideways, and under" along with them. In the end, love prevailed and societal class didn't matter, but the path our young hero took to get there wasn't all that honest.
When children, or individuals with no morals, watch Aladdin, they see that it's ok to lie to people about who they are in order to get what they want. Especially, if it's for love and they don't expect the person to find out the truth.
"Before We Go Any Further, There's Something I Need To Tell You"
1978's "Animal House" was a pioneer in the world of fraternity comedies. It brought the little-known world of what went on in 'frat' houses to the forefront and showed the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all. In one scene, in particular, one of the frat boys is faced with a rather tough decision, as to whether or not he should take advantage of a drunken girl. After listening to what his angel and devil had to say, Pinto makes his decision.
In the following scene, Pinto is seen wheeling an unconscious woman away in a shopping cart. If that were to happen in a film these days, Pinto would probably find himself arrested by the end of the movie.
"Seriously? It's Like You're Photoshopped"
The 2011 romantic comedy "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a film about a 17-year-old who finds herself babysitting a 13-year-old boy. Things get complicated when she finds out that the boy has fallen just as hard for her as she has for his father. When the boy finds out about her feelings for his father, she decides to give him some fairly explicit photos of herself to help ease his heartbreak.
Giving an eighth-grade kid nude photos is bad enough as it is, but when the person giving the child the photos is their babysitter - an infinite number of lines are being crossed.
"Don't Just Fly, Soar!"
Disney's 1941 animated film, "Dumbo", is a film that is close to the hearts of anyone who has ever been picked on, or teased, by others. Little Dumbo is much like all other baby elephants except for the fact that his ears are, let's just say, a little bit larger than average. Although Dumbo does have an uplifting message of accepting others despite their differences, it's not quite the family-friendly film that most people think it is.
Jim and his fellow wisecracking, "jive-talking" crows embody many of the racial stereotypes of African Americans at the time. To make matters worse, in a clear acknowledgment of the "Jim Crow laws" of racial segregation that plagued America until 1965, Jim's last name is even Crow.
"Did You Get Very Far?"
Unlike Biff's goons from "Back to the Future", the secondary members of the T-Birds from "Grease" (1978) are just a bunch of quirky and goofy guys who don't really mean to hurt anyone. However, not all of the T-Birds are as wholesome as the cast would have us believe. During the song "Summer Nights", Danny Zuko's right-hand man, Kenickie, says something that leaves people questioning his integrity.
When Danny is singing to the guys about the great summer he had just experienced and the young lady he had met while away, Kenickie asks if she "put up a fight", and he does so with a smug smile that indicates that he would think that it's okay to proceed if she did try to "put up a fight".
"In Fairness, He Couldn't Stop By During The Day"
When it comes to creepy ways to scare someone off, one would think that sneaking into their bedroom and watching them sleep would be right near the top of the list. That's not the case in "Twilight" (2008), however, when Bella wakes up to Edward standing in her room and watching her sleep. Instead of screaming for help or trying to get the heck out of there, Bella is taken by Edward's "romantic" act.
Running off with someone who has been watching her sleep for "the past few months" isn't the greatest message for Bella to be sending to younger viewers.
"I'm Awfully Sorry. I Didn't Mean To Frighten You"
Out of the many mixed messages that Disney films tend to promote, one of the most prominent ones is that it's okay to make a move on someone who is unresponsive. The romanticism of "Sleeping Beauty" (1959) has become rather vague these days. On the one hand, Prince Phillip kisses life back into Princess Aurora, but on the other hand, it's just a little bit rapey of him to make a move on an incapacitated woman.
Whoever raised Prince Phillip forgot to teach him a very valuable lesson, "don't kiss strangers who appear to be sleeping or dead". Let's just hope that young people don't watch this film nowadays and think it's ok to do the same.
"Why Don't You Make Like A Tree And Get Outta Here?"
Every bully has a posse. A group of people who follow them around and support them in everything they do, no matter what. Even Biff from the Back to the Future series had his own entourage of sorts. In all three films the renditions of Biff that the audience sees are accompanied by his 3 sidekicks, and, true to form, they don't shy away from backing up their leader when duty calls. Sadly, this leads to some very questionable decisions on their part.
In the inaugural installment of the Back to the Future Trilogy, Biff's henchman, in 1955, restrain Marty while their "buddy" sexual assaults Lorraine in the car in front of them.
"Holy Sh*t! It's The Mother Lode"
"Porky's" is a 1981 film about a group of high school boys in the 1950s who make a pledge to each other to lose their virginities before the year is up. "Porky's" crossed lines, that no one in mainstream cinema was willing to cross at the time, and got away with it. In one scene the boys are caught peeping at the girls through a hole in the wall of the women's showers.
The boys weren't just peeping through the hole, one of them puts his "thing" through it as well (off-camera, of course). Good luck getting that scene approved of these days.
"We Are Siamese If You Please"
Released in 1955, Disney's "Lady and the Tramp" is a story about a dog that lives with a high-class family (Lady) that eventually falls in love with a homeless dog (Tramp). Along the way, Lady has a run-in with Aunt Sarah's evil and self-serving twin Siamese cats. The cats would have been just as impactful if they would have sounded American, however, the team at Disney went with the decision to give them Asian accents.
Portraying individuals of Asian descent as being sinister in nature was not a new concept in the '50s, however, characters as stereotypically racist as these cats wouldn't be acceptable these days, especially in a children's film.
"It Goes Against Nature"
In a nutshell, "40 Days and 40 Nights" (2002) is a film about a man who decides not to have sex or masturbate for the duration of the 40 days of lent in order to help him get over his ex-girlfriend. Of course, he meets a woman along the way, whom he falls for, but must continue to abstain until the 40 days are over. The film takes a turn when Matt's ex-girlfriend takes advantage of his drunken state towards the end of the film.
This isn't the first time that the issue of male rape has come up on this list. It happens too frequently that this subject matter is looked at in a comedic way instead of what it is...a crime.
"To Me, You Are Perfect"
In the 2003 romantic Christmas-themed comedy "Love Actually", audiences are made privy to the goings-on of 10 different storylines that end up intertwining in one way or another by the end of the film. A few of the storylines were fun and uplifting, others were meant to be, but had, what would now be considered, a bit of controversy.
In "Love Actually", we see an all too familiar scene unfold. One in which one woman body-shames another, instead of creating a united front. Worst of all, she does it behind her back. Shame!
"Perhaps The Greatest Risk Any Of Us Will Ever Take Is To Be Seen As We Really Are"
When Disney released "Cinderella" in 1950, the company was fresh out of its worst decade in the film industry and on the verge of bankruptcy. Luckily, people fell in love all over again with this classic tale that proves good things can, and do, happen to good people. One thing that might be a little bit questionable these days, however, is the superficiality of Prince Charming.
While searching for Cinderella, Prince Charming can't remember anything about her. True beauty, apparently, remains hidden from view unless it's flashing a little leg and wearing something that looks expensive.
"You've Lost That Loving Feeling"
1986's "Top Gun" is a classic. It's about a cocky young pilot (Tom Cruise) who talks a pretty big game and has the skill to back it up. "Maverick" isn't used to not getting what he wants and, as a result, he has a tough time taking no for an answer. This is evident in a scene in which he crosses a line by following the object of his affection in the restroom in hopes of winning her over, which he does, of course.
In the '80s, people might have thought that following a woman into the washroom was bold and romantic, but it's not. It's creepy and grounds for a restraining order.