MovieChat Forums > The Black Cat (1934) Discussion > Pre-Code Movies and 'The Black Cat'

Pre-Code Movies and 'The Black Cat'

posted 17 years ago by Van-9
9 replies | jump to latest

Everybody who studies film history by now should know about the 2 beds rule in Hollywood movies back when the Production Code ruled movies. Married couples always slept in separate beds. The way that I have heard it from examining some of the Production Code files is that the British were supposed to have originated the rule and Joseph Breen, PCA chief, warned filmmakers about the possibility that the Brits would cut scenes involving couples coupling in the same bed. "The Black Cat" is a Pre-Code movie that it not only has Borish Karloff sleeping side by side in the same bed with a woman, but also you can see the woman's navel in the shot--something else that was forbidden in most old Hollywood movies, and especially in early TV. This is the only Pre-Code movie where I have seen the two-bed rule violated. Has anybody else seen or heard of any movies before 1935 that contained a violation of the two bed rule?

[–] mikeybare 17 years ago

Yes, the other night "Ex-Lady" was on TCM here in Australia. In it you see Bette Davis and Gene Raymond in bed together! Also in the Cuban nightclub scene the female dancer's costume is very revealing - showing off her navel and her very firm and well-toned stomach muscles.

[–] ed_metal_head 15 years ago

I can't recall any others that violate the bed rule, but I have seen a lot of pre-code movies that are a lot more risque (quite a few feature nudity).

Adversus solem ne loquitor.

[–] dalldorfw 13 years ago

'Maniac (1934)' has full breast shots.

[–] joan_freyer 11 years ago

1926 Ben Hur shots done in Italy boast a parade of Italian husseys bare breasted. No close up alas. But Later the galley is set on real fire and hysterical men are hysterically jumping off to not burn alive. What a clever way to inspire method acting in 1826!

But seriously, The Black Cat is totally pre code and even today totally cool!
JEF

[–] garp-26 11 years ago

I read an article on The Black Cat that suggested Karloff himself was unhappy about doing this scene, evidently it offended his sense of propriety. If I recall correctly it seems director Ulmer had to use his powers of persuasion to keep Karloff on board.

"What would Alain de Botton do? An evil Alain de Botton?"

[–] MrsBuckyBarnes 8 years ago

i didn't realise the black cat was pre-code until i starting watching it. there were quite a few suggestive scenes with the newly married couple which would not have been allowed just a year later.

[–] Beau_Buffet (324) 5 years ago

You said it, it was "pre-code"... meaning the code was yet to be enforced.

[–] TheArgentinian (6421) 3 years ago

no shit, Sherlock

[–] Beau_Buffet (324) 3 years ago

Are you as stupid as the original post?

Of course you will often see, in pre-code movies, things that would be censored in the following years. I don't understand the relevance of this post.