Pre-Code Essentials by Kim Luperi and Danny Reid

Co-director of South West Silents and Film Noir UK James Harrison checks out the latest TCM book celebrating Hollywood's Pre-Code era (an era which is book shelved by both the silent era and film noir) with Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood’s Untamed Era, 1930-1934

The films of the Pre-code era have always been fun. In fact, even reading about the films and the era itself can be incredibly entertaining. And thanks to this most recent publication, produced by TCM and published by Running Press, it is a perfect case in point. 

From an initial browse, Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood’s Untamed Era, 1930-1934 could well be a standard ‘film list’ book. One of those books which you flick through for a couple of minutes before adding it to a shelve to collect dust. But there is far more going on here than just a list book. What authors Kim Luperi and Danny Reid have been able to put together is very much a detailed guide to a unique moment in the history of Hollywood.

It is a very short moment in Hollywood’s history however. We are told that while many state that the origin of the pre-code era comes in the late 1920s (1927/1929), Kim and Danny’s story actually starts in 1930. We are also reminded that by the time Tarzan and His Mate (1934) was released (April 1934) the wheels were already turning to slap a restriction on what Hollywood was making and releasing to audiences. In fact, after the Tarzan and His Mate entry in the book there are only two other titles to follow, both released in May 1934, before concluding that the Pre-Code era had ended by July 1934.

But between April 1930 and May 1934 there is a great selection of films to watch and to read about thanks to Pre-Code Essentials, and Kim (precodedotcom) and Danny (pre-code.com) are the perfect guides to take us on this adventure. And it’s most certainly an adventure.

There are some well-established pre-code films found within, films that most certainly pushed the envelope when it came to standards in Hollywood; films such as The Public Enemy (1931), Scarface (1932), Baby Face (1933), I’m No Angel (1933) Queen Christina (1933); all ‘essential’ classics of the 1930s. Then there are the odd surprises. The Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup (1933) anyone? Golddiggers of 1933 (1933), So this is Africa (1933) are also here. Maybe

I’ve got my crime hat on here, but I have always connected pre-code films with crime films, most certainly films which slide into the subject of sex and sin at least.

I have never connected ‘Pre-Code’ with comedy films such as Duck Soup, or even a film like King Kong (1933) or even Frankenstein (1931) and yet here they are in the book and both Kim and Danny give good reasons for them to be in here. Both writers have most certainly changed my approach to the sinful 1930s. And that’s the great thing about such a book like Pre-Code Essentials; it takes you to a place which you think you might know and recognise and turns all of it on its head.

The Pre-Code era was very much the playground of Hollywood where nothing was deemed untouchable and Kim and Danny’s book is all part of that fun playground experience. Stars such as James Cganey, Jean Harlow, Paul Muni, Glenda Farrel, Walter Hsuton, William Powell, Kay Francis all appear. There are some great entries about much underrated names as well like Dorothy Arzner, Ann Dvorak, Richard Barthelmess, Nina Mae Mckinney and Clarence Muse and it’s great to see a personal favourite of mine, Clara Bow making an appearance Call Her Savage (1932).

The authors take their guide to the Pre-Code era one step further however by including the actual ‘Motion Picture Production Code in 1930’, or what is to be believed be the most authentic to what it was, in the back of the book, as well as an availability guide to all the films mentioned. You don’t get that too often and both are fascinating extras to a well-produced and beautifully illustrated book.

Excuse the pun, but ‘Pre-code Essentials’ is ‘essential’ for all film fans; it would be a sin if fans didn’t own a copy. And with Christmas just around the corner… well… there’s your hint!

Thanks to the TCM and Running Press teams we have a brand new copy of Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood’s Untamed Era, 1930-1934 up for grabs!

Question: Which 1931 film did James Cagney and Jean Harlow star in together?

Just send us your answer to the question above via our contact page by midnight on Sunday 23rd November to be in with a chance. Good Luck!