1950's

• End of rationing.
• Emergence of 'youth' as a group with a defined identity and as a target for consumer goods.
• New 'X' category, introduced in 1951.
• Incorporated the former advisory 'H' category given to horror films. 
• As the growth of television ownership eroded the adult/family cinema audience, films like Rock Around The Clock (1956) drew teenage audiences. 
• Cut for U, this film caused rioting in cinemas and fueled increasing concern about teenage criminality, although there was in fact no evidence of a teenage crime wave as suggested by the popular Press.
• New 'X' category, which excluded children under 16.
• Concerns about 'juvenile delinquents' - delayed classification of The Wild One (1954) for 13 years due to unbridled hooliganism. 
• Rebel Without a Clause (1955) caused problems due to content including anti-social behaviour and teen violence. Film finally got an 'X' rating due to substantial cuts. 
• The Blackboard Jungle (1955) - first reaction was to reject it. "if shown in this country, provoke the strongest criticism from parents...and would have the most damaging and harmful effect on...young people" - BBFC's secretary: Arthur Watkins. Cuts were made. Given an 'X' rating finally. 
• The Garden of Eden (1955) - film about a mother and daughter who become nudists. BBFC had a long-standing policy against screen nudity, due to the fact that it encouraged nudity on screen, it would be inviting sexual exploitation. Large number of local authorities overturned the BBFC's decision. Resulted in the film being given an 'A' rating in 1958. 
• The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) - story about a recovering drug addict who has a relapse. Home Office had no objection to the issue of the subject, which was dealing with addiction as long as drug-taking was not glamorized and that the profits from dealing were not emphasized. Was given an 'X' rating in 1956 with cuts to details of drug-preparation. Code was amended in 1956 to allow for the treatment of narcotics as a theme. Film later classified as a '15'.