Links and resources for the 5 movies in the Pre-Code Films series I’m giving at DEAR on Tuesdays at noon, starting on May 28, 2024, and then continuing on selected Tuesdays through August 13.
Hays Code Stuff
- 1930 Hays Code – Passed by the MPPDA on March 31, 1930, this is the code that was on the books to start the pre-code era on April 1, 1930 (yup, April 1). Remember that the pre-code era was actually the pre-enforcement era, which ended with the installation of Joe Breen as the head enforcer of the new Production Code Administration on June 15, 1934.
- MPPDA Archive – Excellent collection of primary sources housed at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. This home page includes a great summary of the events leading up to and including the pre-code era.
The Divorcee (1930)
- Irving Thalberg – Link to his Wikipedia page, which I don’t usually provide, but it’s very comprehensive.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
- Two-Faced Treachery: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde – Authoritative article from the American Cinematographer website on the film’s production, focusing on the innovative techniques used to implement the transformation scenes, as well as other notable cinematographic touches.
Red Headed Woman (1932)
- Toronto Film Society – Notes to accompany a 2019 screening of the film. Features pictures, contemporary reviews and commentary on it’s place the pre-code cannon.
- Lengthy Blog Entry – Fan blog with lots of pictures and lots of back story details.
Scarface (1932)
- X Motif – Fan page cataloging thee X’s that appear in the movie whenever someone is going to get whacked.
Baby Face (1933)
- Library of Congress Essay – by film studies professor Gwendolyn Audrey Foster of U of Nebraska, written for the film’s selection for preservation by the LoC.
Al Biles 