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Sin and Vice in Black & White: 15 Classic Pre-Code Movies
"These early gems do not shy away from sex, corruption, sex,violence, sex, bawdy humor and behavior, and also sex." Sex! Sin! Scandal! Ah, the Golden Age of Hollywood Just as film noir gained popularity (and notoriety) in the 1940s and 1950s, the early 1930s saw the period in Hollywood history known as the pre-Code era. Films weren't subject to the same kind of moral scrutiny that would be given later in the decade after the establishment of the Production Code Association and the strict enforcement of the already existing Hollywood Production Code. Stars like Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford and others thrived during this period and risque and racy subject matter appeared often. Movies displayed a much more realistic and gritty tone in pre-Code films. Pushing the envelope meant higher ticket sales in Depression era America. It also meant an interesting take by Hollywood on the sometimes unpleasant, sometimes naughty world that it tried to reflect. Sin and Vice in Black & 15 Classic Pre-Code Movies explains what a pre-Code movie is and takes a dip with a sampling of 15 movies that were produced and exhibited during this brief but powerful time in American cinema.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 5, 2026
This was short. I was surprised at how few I had seen.
A little disappointed. He goes on and on about the lives of some of the actors involved but not about others. Like the ones I seemed to have some interest in, but not enough that I have actually looked for a book about them for.
A little disappointed. He goes on and on about the lives of some of the actors involved but not about others. Like the ones I seemed to have some interest in, but not enough that I have actually looked for a book about them for.
September 2, 2015
I have to admit that I knew nothing about "pre-code" movies.
Sin and Vice in black & White: 15 Classic Pre-Code Movies by
Rupert Alistair enlightened me in a most delightful way! I am looking
forward to seeing as many of the listed movies as possible, especially
those starring Jean Harlow and Barabara Stanwyck!
Sin and Vice in black & White: 15 Classic Pre-Code Movies by
Rupert Alistair enlightened me in a most delightful way! I am looking
forward to seeing as many of the listed movies as possible, especially
those starring Jean Harlow and Barabara Stanwyck!
January 20, 2018
This is a decent, readable introduction to the wonderful world of Pre-Codes that will please those who are totally new to the era, concept and field.
If you want to dig deeper, there are better, more satisfying options (see under Mark LaSalle and Danny Reid).
If you want to dig deeper, there are better, more satisfying options (see under Mark LaSalle and Danny Reid).
December 26, 2019
Great fun
An enjoyable book by someone who really knows (and loves) movies. I just wish it were longer and had pictures.
An enjoyable book by someone who really knows (and loves) movies. I just wish it were longer and had pictures.
February 28, 2024
Intriguing topic but some missed opportunity
In the Golden Era of Hollywood in the mid-1930s movies were censored for moral content. The time before this was referred to as the pre-code era. Some of the movies were racy and a bit shocking, which is what led to censorship of all movies starting in the mid-‘30s.
Recently, I read a book about the history of flappers in the 1920s. Flappers were young women who threw off the yoke of society to engage in smoking, drinking, and partying. Of course women weren’t doing this alone, as young men were their willing companions. They were rebelling against the stifling moral values of the pre-World War 1 days. So the raciness of pre-code films doesn’t surprise me. It was an extension of the times. The new medium of talking movies was a perfect way to showcase the new morality of the era.
This book highlights 15 pre-code movies — sunmarizing their storylines and telling a little about the main actors in it. I haven’t watched any of these films though I knew of a few. Some were totally obscure to me.
This book was ok. But it missed opportunities. First off, not photos, which for a book about movies was hugely disappointing. Especially for the more obscure actors I didn’t know, I looked them up online to see photos. Additionally, I think this book could have delved a little more into the general history of the pre-code era. There was a little but mostly it was about summarizing the plot lines of the movies. A more in-depth generalized history would have brought more depth to the understanding of the films in context of the times.
I do enjoy Rupert Alistair’s books about the classic era of Hollywood history, but this one could have been improved.
In the Golden Era of Hollywood in the mid-1930s movies were censored for moral content. The time before this was referred to as the pre-code era. Some of the movies were racy and a bit shocking, which is what led to censorship of all movies starting in the mid-‘30s.
Recently, I read a book about the history of flappers in the 1920s. Flappers were young women who threw off the yoke of society to engage in smoking, drinking, and partying. Of course women weren’t doing this alone, as young men were their willing companions. They were rebelling against the stifling moral values of the pre-World War 1 days. So the raciness of pre-code films doesn’t surprise me. It was an extension of the times. The new medium of talking movies was a perfect way to showcase the new morality of the era.
This book highlights 15 pre-code movies — sunmarizing their storylines and telling a little about the main actors in it. I haven’t watched any of these films though I knew of a few. Some were totally obscure to me.
This book was ok. But it missed opportunities. First off, not photos, which for a book about movies was hugely disappointing. Especially for the more obscure actors I didn’t know, I looked them up online to see photos. Additionally, I think this book could have delved a little more into the general history of the pre-code era. There was a little but mostly it was about summarizing the plot lines of the movies. A more in-depth generalized history would have brought more depth to the understanding of the films in context of the times.
I do enjoy Rupert Alistair’s books about the classic era of Hollywood history, but this one could have been improved.
January 9, 2018
Pre-Code Delight!
If you're a fan, as I am, of Pre-Code films, this book has some behind the scenes secrets that will delight you. If you've never seen one of the racy, so much fun movies made before the 1934 Production Code, this book will definitely tempt you into seeking them out, pronto!
If you're a fan, as I am, of Pre-Code films, this book has some behind the scenes secrets that will delight you. If you've never seen one of the racy, so much fun movies made before the 1934 Production Code, this book will definitely tempt you into seeking them out, pronto!
March 13, 2019
Excellent look
This is a brilliant look at Pre-Code films. My only disagreement is with the Helen character in “Blond Venus”. Up until she takes Johnny, I had sympathy for her. She gave of herself to help her husband live.
And really, no mention of Taxi McClain?
This is a brilliant look at Pre-Code films. My only disagreement is with the Helen character in “Blond Venus”. Up until she takes Johnny, I had sympathy for her. She gave of herself to help her husband live.
And really, no mention of Taxi McClain?
August 17, 2023
Good overview of 15 pre-code films. I think I would of like to see the code written out. Another quibble, I understand Hays was not very optimistic about the long-term success of his code.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews