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Complicated Women Poster

Complicated Women

"Before Hollywood had boundaries, they weren't afraid to push the limits."

Looks at the stereotype-breaking films of the period from 1929, when movies entered the sound era, until 1934 when the Hays Code virtually neutered film content. No longer portrayed as virgins or vamps, the liberated female of the pre-code films had dimensions. Good girls had lovers and babies and held down jobs, while the bad girls were cast in a sympathetic light. And they did it all without apology.

Top Cast

  • Jane Fonda

    Jane Fonda

    Self - Narrator (voice)

  • Frances Dee

    Frances Dee

    Self - Interviewee

  • Karen Morley

    Karen Morley

    Self - Interviewee

  • Kitty Carlisle

    Kitty Carlisle

    Self - Interviewee

  • Mae Madison

    Mae Madison

    Self - Interviewee

  • Mark Vieira

    Mark Vieira

    Self - Interviewee

  • Mick LaSalle

    Mick LaSalle

    Self - Interviewee

  • Molly Haskell

    Molly Haskell

    Self - Interviewee

  • Barbara Stanwyck

    Barbara Stanwyck

    Self (archive footage)

Overview

Looks at the stereotype-breaking films of the period from 1929, when movies entered the sound era, until 1934 when the Hays Code virtually neutered film content. No longer portrayed as virgins or vamps, the liberated female of the pre-code films had dimensions. Good girls had lovers and babies and held down jobs, while the bad girls were cast in a sympathetic light. And they did it all without apology.

Rating

6.9 / 10
12 Reviews
1 Popular

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