PRE-CODE DIVAS
There was a long period of time when movie producers had to follow a ridiculous “moral” code (1930 to 1968) that was totally sexist. Before the code actresses were free. 50% of all movies were written or directed by women. These are the women and movies the code discriminated against.
FEATURE
HEDDY LAMARR'S ECSTACY
Ecstasy was highly controversial in its time because of scenes in which Lamarr swims in the nude and runs through the countryside naked. It is also perhaps the first non-pornographic movie to portray sexual intercourse and female orgasm, although never showing more than the actors' faces. The film was celebrated as the first motion picture to include a nude scene, rather than the first to show sexual intercourse, for which it has a better claim.
More Pre-Code Hollywood
African explorer Jim Franklin is hired by eccentric millionaire, Amos P. Stitch, to capture animals for his private Westchester estate zoo. Stitch, who is perpetual drunk, provides much of the comic relief. He also wants to know if elephants in the wild are afraid of mice. Their expedition is secretly observed by The White Goddess, a white jungle girl, aka The Savage Girl. Having grown up with the animals, she warns the animals of the dangers of being captured. She, of course, releases the animals they do capture. The expedition eventually catches her by luring her with a shiny hand mirror. Naturally, complications ensue.
BETTY BLYTHE. Strong. Independent. Courageous. Trendsetter. A model for us all! She performed in 63 silent films and 56 talking pictures. She is renowned for being one of the first actresses to appear nude in a film. She said, "A director is the only man besides your husband who can tell you how much of your clothes to take off."
One of the few remaining Betty Blythe films. It is presented here with new color tinting with a great music sound track on the best film print available. The title cards have been replaced, making them easier to read. On the margin you will be given insight into the movie, Betty Blythe's life, Jungle Queen comic book and movie history. Also a homage to Betty Blythe's The Queen of Sheba (1921) a lost film which was the biggest spectacular of it's time. This video does contain PG-13 type nudity. Femme Centric has placed this video into the Public Domain.
Commentary by David the Bruce focusing on actress Olive Thomas and writer Frances Marion.
A selection of Betty Boop cartoons before and after the Hays Code took place in Hollywood.
An unhappy bride returns to her father and meets an engineer who sees her nude chasing her horse.