11 Best Pre-Code Movies You Can Still Watch Today (Movieweb)

[ificandream]

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These pre-Code era films show us how far films have evolved in confronting social taboos and representation.

BY ODYSSEY GOHAIN
PUBLISHED MAY 23, 2023

Pre-Code Hollywood was the era between 1927 and 1934 when the Hays Code was enforced in the American film industry. It was a campaign by American Roman Catholics who found American cinema promoting immoral values which were considered to create a negative impact in the society.

As a result, several films were subjected to censorship for including the themes of implied sexual innuendo, romantic and sexual relationships between white and black people, mild profanity, illegal drug use, promiscuity, prostitution, infidelity, abortion, intense violence, and homosexuality.

Several of these films also involved the themes of women engaging in taboo relationships and deviant behaviors, the portrayal of which was considered inappropriate in the 1930s. These 11 pre-Code era films show us how far films have evolved in confronting social taboos and representation.

(Link: https://movieweb.com/best-pre-code-movies-you-can-still-watch-today/)

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Comment: I love Pre-code movies. I admit some of those listed here were new to me. But they left off "Baby Face," which is one of my favorites. That should be on everyone's list. At least "Red-Headed Woman" is there. Jean Harlow is fantastic in that one.)

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. The first movie that came to my mind when I saw your post title was "Baby Face"! That one is a doozy.

Looks like I've seen four of the movies on that list (mostly on TCM). Some I'd heard of but never watched because I wasn't a fan of the actors, in them and some I wasn't familiar with at all.

[mucifer]

2. My favorite Pre Code movie didn't make that list. It's "Night Nurse" with Barbara Stanwick,

Joan Blondell and Clark Gable as "Nick the Chauffeur".

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I am a pediatric nurse who did work the night shift before. This movie is so funny. I don't think it's really supposed to be funny. But, it sure is.

[choie]

3. I LOVE pre-code movies!

I’ve seen a number of those on the list, but there are a few I’ve never heard of - thank you for sharing, ificandream!!

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. There are so many

The Horror genre alone could keep you busy for weeks - Frankenstein, Freaks, King Kong, Island of Lost Souls…

Plenty of other dramas and musicals - The Story of Temple Drake, Goldiggers of 1933 (for the “Pettin’ in the Park” number alone), Hot Saturday, Madam Satan, and on and on…

[CBHagman]

5. Bookmarking.

Thank you!

And I have massive catching-up to do with Pre-Code films.