Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

Overview

Before the G, PG and R ratings system there was the Production Code, and before that there was, well, nothing. This eye-opening documentary examines the rampant sexuality of early Hollywood through movie clips and reminiscences by stars of the era. Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, Marlene Dietrich and others relate tales of the artistic freedom that led to the draconian Production Code, which governed content from 1934 to 1968. Diane Lane narrates.

Directed by Elaina Archer

Top cast

Diane Lane

Narrator (voice)

C

Chris Basinger

Self

Jeanine Basinger

Self

C

Cari Beauchamp

Self

Leatrice Joy Gilbert

Self

A.C. Lyles

Self

B

Bob Mitchell

Self

B

Barry Paris

Self

Maria Riva

Self

M

Michael Schlesinger

Self

Budd Schulberg

Self

K

Kevin Thomas

Self

Mark Viera

Self

Marc Wanamaker

Self

William Wellman Jr.

Self

Michael Westmore

Self

Holly Madison

Model: Special Shoot

Betsy Moore

Silent Movie Theatre Actor

P

Paul Tucci

Silent Movie Theatre Actor

Roscoe Arbuckle

Self (archive footage)

Details