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[[Image:Sinsoftfocus.jpg|frame|Clara Bow on the cover of ''[[Sin in Soft Focus]]'', a book by [[Mark A. Vieira]] about pre-Code Hollywood.]]
[[Image:Sinsoftfocus.jpg|frame|Clara Bow on the cover of ''[[Sin in Soft Focus]]'', a book by [[Mark A. Vieira]] about pre-Code Hollywood.]]


'''Pre-Code films''' were created [[1930]]-[[1934]], before the [[Motion Picture Production Code]] or [[Hays Code]] was put into effect. Although there was an existing code of conduct for the [[film industry]], many ignored it. Films from this period are very [[risque]] for the [[1930s]] and could include [[sexual innuendo|sexual innuendos]], references to [[homosexuality]] and [[illegal drug]] use, as well as women in their [[undergarments]] — which all were quite [[taboo]] at the time. Popular character roles include tough-talking, assertive women, [[gangsters]], and [[prostitute|prostitutes]].
'''Pre-Code films''' were created [[1930]]-[[1934]], before the [[Motion Picture Production Code]] or '''Breen Code''' (mistakenly called the [[Hayes Code]]) was put into effect, spearheaded by the Roman Catholic church under threat of boycott. Although there was an existing code of conduct for the [[film industry]], many ignored it. Films from this period are very [[risque]] for the 1930s and could include [[sexual innuendo|sexual innuendos]], references to [[homosexuality]] and [[illegal drug]] use, as well as women in their [[undergarments]] and men and women in bed at the same time — which all ceased in mid-1934 following the Draconian Breen Code. Popular character roles include tough-talking, assertive women, [[gangsters]], and [[prostitute|prostitutes]].

Female sexuality rather than violence was the offending characteristic for the Church and its censors (especially Catholic laymen Joseph I. Breen and Martin Quigley).


Many fans of [[Classical Hollywood cinema]] today prefer these pre-Code films for their audacious attitude toward conventional [[morality]].
Many fans of [[Classical Hollywood cinema]] today prefer these pre-Code films for their audacious attitude toward conventional [[morality]].


==Popular pre-Code stars==
==Popular pre-Code stars, many of whom continued successfully, in one form or another after 1934==

* [[Joan Blondell]]
* [[Joan Blondell]]
* [[Ann Dvorak]]
* [[Ann Dvorak]]
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* [[Helen Twelvetrees]]
* [[Helen Twelvetrees]]
* [[Nancy Carroll]]
* [[Nancy Carroll]]
* [[Bette Davis]]
* [[Clark Gable]]
* [[Clark Gable]]
* [[Greta Garbo]]
* [[Greta Garbo]]
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==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*{{Book reference | Author=Vieira, Mark A. | Title=Sin in Soft Focus | Publisher=New York: Harry N Abrams | Year=2003 | ID=ISBN 0810982285}}
*{{Book reference | Author=Vieira, Mark A. | Title=Sin in Soft Focus | Publisher=New York: Harry N. Abrams | Year=2003 | ID=ISBN 0810982285}}

Revision as of 00:47, 27 November 2005

File:Sinsoftfocus.jpg
Clara Bow on the cover of Sin in Soft Focus, a book by Mark A. Vieira about pre-Code Hollywood.

Pre-Code films were created 1930-1934, before the Motion Picture Production Code or Breen Code (mistakenly called the Hayes Code) was put into effect, spearheaded by the Roman Catholic church under threat of boycott. Although there was an existing code of conduct for the film industry, many ignored it. Films from this period are very risque for the 1930s and could include sexual innuendos, references to homosexuality and illegal drug use, as well as women in their undergarments and men and women in bed at the same time — which all ceased in mid-1934 following the Draconian Breen Code. Popular character roles include tough-talking, assertive women, gangsters, and prostitutes.

Female sexuality rather than violence was the offending characteristic for the Church and its censors (especially Catholic laymen Joseph I. Breen and Martin Quigley).

Many fans of Classical Hollywood cinema today prefer these pre-Code films for their audacious attitude toward conventional morality.

Notable pre-Code films


Further reading

  • . ISBN 0810982285. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
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