Forbidden Hollywood: The Pre-Code Era (1930-1934): When Sin Ruled the Movies (Turner Classic Movies)

$15.99
Disclosure

Forbidden Hollywood: The Pre-Code Era (1930-1934) offers an insightful exploration into a bold period of American cinema when filmmakers pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms. Published by Running Press and featuring Turner Classic Movies, this book provides a captivating look at the provocative films that defined an era before censorship reshaped Hollywood.

Filled with rare images and untold stories from filmmakers, exhibitors, and moviegoers, Forbidden Hollywood is the ultimate guide to a gloriously entertaining era when a lax code of censorship let sin rule the movies. Forbidden Hollywood is a history of “pre-Code” like none other: you will eavesdrop on production conferences, read nervous telegrams from executives to censors, and hear Americans argue about “immoral” movies. You will see decisions artfully wrought, so as to fool some of the people long enough to get films into theaters. You will read what theater managers thought of such craftiness, and hear from fans as they applauded creativity or condemned crassness. You will see how these films caused a grass-roots movement to gain control of Hollywood-and why they were “forbidden” for fifty years. The book spotlights the twenty-two films that led to the strict new Code of 1934, including Red-Headed Woman, Call Her Savage, and She Done Him Wrong. You’ll see Paul Muni shoot a path to power in the original Scarface; Barbara Stanwyck climb the corporate ladder on her own terms in Baby Face; and misfits seek revenge in Freaks. More than 200 newly restored (and some never-before-published) photographs illustrate pivotal moments in the careers of Clara Bow, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, and Greta Garbo; and the pre-Code stardom of Claudette Colbert, Cary Grant, Marlene Dietrich, James Cagney, and Mae West. This is the definitive portrait of an unforgettable era in filmmaking.

Read more

Forbidden Hollywood: The Pre-Code Era (1930-1934): When Sin Ruled the Movies offers an immersive exploration into one of the most fascinating periods in cinematic history. Published by Running Press and presented through the lens of Turner Classic Movies, this book delves into the bold and provocative films produced before the strict enforcement of the Hollywood Production Code. It reveals how filmmakers of the early 1930s pushed boundaries with daring themes and complex characters that challenged social norms and censorship. This meticulously researched volume provides readers with a rich understanding of the cultural and artistic significance of Pre-Code Hollywood. It highlights the era’s unique blend of glamour, rebellion, and creativity, showcasing classic films that dared to depict controversial subjects such as crime, sexuality, and moral ambiguity. Through captivating narratives and insightful commentary, the book invites readers to appreciate the fearless storytelling that shaped the foundation of modern cinema. Forbidden Hollywood is an essential addition for film enthusiasts, historians, and anyone intrigued by the intersection of art and society. It enhances everyday reading experiences by offering a compelling journey into a bygone era where the silver screen reflected both the allure and the complexities of human nature. This book not only entertains but also enriches the reader’s perspective on the evolution of film and cultural expression.

AttributesValue
Publisher

Running Press