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A to Z of Precode Gays & Lesbians
Despite any inference or inclusion of LGBT people or 'sex perversion' - as it was called - being a fundamental no-no in the 1930 Motion Picture Production Code, Precode films are full of references to...
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When Harlow was just an extra
It's hard to imagine that an actress with such obvious radiance and allure as Jean Harlow, had to battle it out with thousands of other starlets and chorus girls for extra and bit roles. It seems her...
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Jeanette MacDonald: MGM Love Triangle - Part 3 (final)
Finally (as in three years late!) here is the final installment of my trilogy on the tragic love story between Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy and the lengths MGM boss, Louis B. Mayer went to cover...
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Amazing on set stills from the all-black 'Hallelujah' (1929)
One of the first all-black films by a major studio, it is an understatement to say Hallelujah! (1929) is a controversial film. Seen by contemporary audiences and critics as a triumph for race relations...
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How did they get away with it? Advertisements for Footlights Parade (1933)
Hollywood studios during the Precode era were some of the best at promoting films. On some occasions the films publicity posters, advertisements and promotional events were more interesting than the...
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My Essential Precode - part 1
I can’t believe I waited so long to create a list of essential Precodes. Looking at the most grounding breaking and entertaining of the era’s movies are something I think all people interested in...
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My Essential Precode - part 2
Part 2 of my essential Precode films:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1) All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)A groundbreaking film showing a realistic and harrowing depiction of World War 1 from the viewpoint of new...
View ArticlePrecode Hollywood Quiz
This is my first attempt to create a quiz specifically for Precode hollywood lovers. I have tried to make it ‘medium’ difficulty with a few easy ones sprinkled throughout. I’d love any feedback on...
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More amazing images from behind the scenes
Below is another selection of intriguing and revealing behind-the-scene stills from several well-known Precode films. For more images of actors and film-makers interacting when the camera stopped...
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This Week in History - Jan 8 to 14
Carrying on from a few posts I did years ago I am hoping to do a weekly post on interesting news events and gossip from Pre-code Hollywood history. This can include everything from marriages to...
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This Week in History - Jan 15 to 21
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.           - 1929:$15 Daily for Animal Imitators in Sound Films– Dave Allen, head of the Central...
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This Week in History - Jan 22 to 28
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.     - 1929:Hair Colour Control: Since Alice White signed her new contract as a star for First...
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This Week in History - Jan 29 to Feb 4
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Wallie Reid Memorial – Mrs Hal Reid, mother of the late Wallace Reid, is in Hollywood endeavouring...
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18 Precode Bathing Beauties
With Precode films you can expect a little (sometimes a lot) almost-nudity. From suggestive silhouette shots to nude swimming scenes to copious views of undressing leading ladies, Precode directors...
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This Week in History - Feb 5 to 11
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Sound Coquette Made - Having completed the sound version of Coquette, Mary Pickford has gone into...
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This Week in History - Feb 12 to 18
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Lily Langtry Dead - Lady De Bathe, 77, professionally known as Lily Langtry died at Monte Carlo on...
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This Week in History - Feb 19 to 25
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Lupe’s Song and Dance: Lupe Velez will sing and dance at the United Artists, Chicago, and the Riato,...
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This Week in History - Feb 26 to Mar 4
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Nazimova’s Talker - Indications are that Nazimova will return to the screen after an absence of five...
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This Week in History - Mar 5 to 11
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:The Codys still ill - Word received as to Lew Cody’s condition at the Warwick Hotel, New York states...
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This Week in History - Mar 12 to 18
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Booth for Trader: Final section of Edwina Booth to play the lead in Trader Horn was made after many...
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Enchanting images of Edwina Booth in Trader Horn (1931)
Trader Horn (1931) was starlet, Edwina Booth’s big break and first credited role. As Nina Trent, the White Goddess, Booth not only had the opportunity to be the female lead in the picture but be a part...
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This Week in History - Mar 19 to 28
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Increasing Colour Work: Indicating the increasing use of colour at the studios, Technicolour has 12...
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This Week in History - Mar 26 to Apr 1
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Court Limb Exhib in Masseuse Case: Mae Murray will have to shell out $2,000 just because Alice White...
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This Week in History - Apr 2 to 8
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:Parsons’ Chatter Causes Carroll Annoyance: Clipping from the syndicated chatter column of Louella...
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This Week in History - Apr 9 to 15
Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.1929:‘It’ Grows Stale: With the ‘It’ trade mark wearing out its usefulness for Clara Bow, Paramount press...
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