Pre-Code
Hollywoods Musical Experiments Before the Hays Code
The early phase of Hollywood’s sound era was not yet subject to the censorship regulations of the mandatory Hays Code, which did not go into effect until 1934. The freedoms enjoyed and even envied in the pre-Code era were evident in only a few genres, including the musical genre. In addition to impeccably crafted examples like “42ND STREET”, the pre-Code era also saw the creation of some lesser-known productions that played with the boundaries of the genre itself. Through unusual combinations with other genres, they explored new cinematic possibilities. Most of these films lacked the elaborate choreography of Busby Berkeley’s films and were not huge box-office successes, but in retrospect they are remarkable for their uniqueness.
All films will be introduced by series curator Felix Mende.
The series begins on Saturday, September 30, with “MADAM SATAN” (US 1930, dir. Cecil B. DeMille) and “I AM SUZANNE!” (US 1933, dir. Rowland V. Lee).
In collaboration with:
Sunday 01.10.2023
13:00 Uhr
IT'S GREAT TO BE ALIVE
USA 1933. R: Alfred L. Werker. D: Raul Roulien, Gloria Stuart, Edna May Oliver. 70 Min. 35mm. OF (Preserved by The Museum of Modern Art with support from the Celeste Bartos Fund for Film Preservation)
English Original version
Vorfilm: UMPA (USA 1933. R: Archie Gottler. 16 Min. DCP. OF)
Filmreihe: Pre-Code – Hollywoods Musical-Experimente
In IT'S GREAT TO BE ALIVE, einem Remake des Stummfilms THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (1924), lässt die Krankheit „masculitis“ alle Männer vom Erdboden verschwinden. Mit einer Ausnahme: Der Pilot Carlos, der die Pandemie auf einer einsamen Insel überlebt hat, ist plötzlich heißbegehrtes Unikat in einer vollständig von Frauen dominierten Welt. Er wird von Gangsterinnen entführt, zur Auktion freigegeben und bei einem Tanzwettbewerb zwischen den Nationen aufgeteilt.
Unfortunately it is not possible to buy tickets for this event online.
The staff at the counter of the DFF is available for questions regarding tickets for this event.
18:00 Uhr
MURDER AT THE VANITIES
USA 1934. R: Mitchell Leisen. D: Victor McLaglen, Carl Brisson, Jack Oakie. 89 Min. 35mm. OF (35mm preservation print courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive)
English Original version
Vorfilm: BLACK AND TAN (USA 1929. R: Dudley Murphy. 19 Min. 16mm. OF)
Filmreihe: Pre-Code – Hollywoods Musical-Experimente
MURDER AT THE VANITIES erschien nur wenige Wochen, bevor die rigorose Durchsetzung des Hays Code begann, und schöpft noch einmal aus dem Vollen: Mit hauchdünnen Kostümen, gewagten musikalischen Darbietungen (wie einer Ode ans „Sweet Marihuana“), und einer unbekümmerten Haltung zu Kriminalität. Denn Mitchell Leisens Backstage-Musical ist gleichzeitig eine murder mystery, und mit leichter Hand verzahnt er die beiden Genres zu einer bizarren Feier des Exzesses.
Unfortunately it is not possible to buy tickets for this event online.
The staff at the counter of the DFF is available for questions regarding tickets for this event.
