Nov 14, 2025

Watching Classic Movies Podcast: Pre-Code Essentials Authors Kim Luperi and Danny Reid



There is no period in film history quite like the so-called pre-Code era, where the new production code put in place to keep the film industry in line didn’t quite do what it was intended to do for a few years. Kim Luperi of I See a Dark Theater and the Pre-Code Instagram account and Danny Reid of Pre-Code.com have studied and written about this cinematic period for several years. We talked about their new book from TCM, Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood's Untamed Era, 1930-1934, unpacked some of the most intriguing films from their selections, and mulled over why Pre-Codes are endlessly fascinating and popular with classic film fans Buy a signed book from Larry Edmunds: https://www.larryedmunds.com/product-page/pre-code-essentials-must-see-cinemafrom-hollywood-s-untamed-era-1930-1934 Book event information: https://linktr.ee/precodehollywood Keep up with Kim: https://www.iseeadarktheater.com/ https://www.instagram.com/precodedotcom/ Keep up with Danny: https://pre-code.com/

Nov 12, 2025

On YouTube: Saucy Pre-Code Moments Part 9, Skeletons in Classic Movies and Cats in Classic Movies

 

Hard to believe it, but here is the NINTH installment of Saucy Pre-Code Moments!

   

From fearful, to playful, skeletons make some of the most memorable moments in classic movies and cartoons.

   

This Classic Movie Cat Video stars a kind of kitty different from the pampered pets you see on social media. Far from the world of cat trees and fancy water fountains, they are often strays, frequently ill-tempered, feared by grown men, and even in some cases are the tiny, furry creatures who bring everything crashing down.

Nov 7, 2025

Watching Classic Movies Podcast: Esther Bley of Queer Animation


 

My guest is Esther Bley, creator of the beautifully-curated Queer Animation database and writer for Cartoon Research. We talked about queer images in animation from the pre-Code era to the present day, how cartoon representation differs from live action, and the animation they find most interesting from each era. 
 







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