MovieChat Forums > The Thin Man (1934) Discussion > Sex? Could they really say that?

Sex? Could they really say that?

posted 16 years ago by ThePublicEnemy
10 replies | jump to latest

When Gilbert is talking to the newspaper reporter the dialogue goes:

Gilbert: You see, my father was a sexagenarian.
Reporter: He was?
G: Yes, he admitted it.
R: A sexagenarian? But we can't put that in the paper.
G: Why not?

Now, I thought that was going to be it. Fairly saucy for its time, and all that. But theeeeen:

Reporter: You know how they are. Sex?

I was almost certain that they weren't allowed to say 'sex' on film then, part of the Hayes code etc. Is this the earliest use of it in American film?

[–] spiritalecto 16 years ago

Since it was made in 1934, the year the Hayes code started really being enforced, it's entirely possible that this film slipped in just before the stricter guidelines. That would be my guess.
I don't know if it was the first - many pre-codes were pretty racy. I can't think of a specific example where it was used, but it would definitely be interesting to find out.

[–] Phillip Marlowe 15 years ago

The Thin Man was released in June, 1934, so it appeared to just beat enforcement of the Hays Code (which was adopted in 1930, but not strictly enforced until July 1, 1934). However, I think it's likely that most of the film (even including the bulk of the gag you quote) could have made it past the Hays office with only small alterations. BTW, if you think this was an usually risque reference, you are not familiar with the wonderful world of pre-Code pictures--the term for talkies made between 1929 and mid-1934. Sex, drug addiction, corruption, violence (and scanty costumes) were common. The two Forbidden Hollywood collections are a good introduction. The Warner Bros Gangsters collections (particularly one and three) contain some good examples also. Three of the films in the Busby Berkeley are pre-Codes as well, and they all great. Although the best remembered line of 42nd Street is the director telling Ruby Keeler that she's "going out there a youngster, but you've to come back a star, " my favorite line is one characters description of Anytime Annie (a very young Ginger Rogers): "She only said no once, and that time she didn;t hear the question."

[–] perfectjazz78 15 years ago

In the 1929 operetta 'The Desert Song' Louise Fazenda's and Johnny Arthur's character use "sex" at least once. It is up on youtube if you want to check it out.

[–] kellykoop 15 years ago

A sexagenarian is someone who is in his/her 60s. There's no reason that the word couldn't be in, even after the Hays Code was enforced...however, the double entendre would not have been allowed.

Spiritalecto is correct...the Hays Code wasn't strictly enforced until July of 1934. Since The Thin Man came out in June of '34, it just slipped in there as a pre-code film.

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[–] bsantosu 15 years ago

But, they are sleeping in separate beds. Probably because Hays was in some effect then.

[–] doowop14 9 years ago

Actually, separate beds were a sign of affluence back in the early twentieth century. I'm not really sure when the cutoff would be considered the norm as opposed to a sign of wealth. However, poor people had to share beds with other family members because they lived in small, crowded apartments, shacks and cottages. Because of their size, furniture was limited. On the other hand, those of wealth had large homes with large rooms and lots of furniture. Everyone having their own bed was a sign of privilege. Again, I don't know if the timing is correct but the practice was genuine.

[–] jashobeam5 11 years ago

Sex meant gender then to a majority of the population. It could have gotten past the censors.

[–] kingogondo-556-938187 10 years ago

You need to see more pre-Code films. Start with Lubitsch's Design For Living (1933), with Gary Cooper, Frederic March and Miriam Hopkins, for which the key plot point is a "gentleman's agreement" of "no sex". Later in the film, Miriam famously says (while reclining back and recalling the agreement): "Unfortunately, I am no gentleman."

You can see these scenes towards the end of this trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi339584025/

But even after the Production Code was enforced (about six weeks after The Thin Man was released), the term got used. Two I can think of offhand are from Preston Sturges, The Palm Beach Story (1942)(here's the quote: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035169/quotes?item=qt0432643) and Sullivan's Travels (1941) (here's the quote: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034240/quotes?item=qt0300112). Also The Bad And The Beautiful (1952) is one I recall (here's the quote: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044391/quotes?item=qt0340822).

[–] Godfrey2 9 years ago

Another tip that it came out just before the Code was enforced was Ms. Loy going braless in the last scene. There is no way that would have gotten through had it been in 1935, 1940, etc...

[–] marckymarc71 9 years ago

The word "sex" was not forbidden even after the Hays code went into effect. Geez, haven't any of you guys seen SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS?

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