Why Be Good? Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

Directed by Elaina Archer
2007    70mDocumentary, History
6.345%
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.

Where to Watch Why Be Good? Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

Cast of Why Be Good? Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

  • Diane LaneNarrator (voice)
  • Chris BasingerSelf
  • Jeanine BasingerSelf
  • Cari BeauchampSelf
  • Leatrice Joy GilbertSelf
  • A.C. LylesSelf
  • Bob MitchellSelf
  • Barry ParisSelf
  • Maria RivaSelf
  • Michael SchlesingerSelf
  • Budd SchulbergSelf
  • Kevin ThomasSelf
  • Mark VieraSelf
  • Marc WanamakerSelf
  • William Wellman Jr.Self
  • Michael WestmoreSelf
  • Holly MadisonModel: Special Shoot
  • Betsy MooreSilent Movie Theatre Actor
  • Paul TucciSilent Movie Theatre Actor
  • Roscoe 'Fatty' ArbuckleSelf (archive footage)
  • Theda BaraSelf (archive footage)
  • Clara BowSelf (archive footage)
  • Louise BrooksSelf (archive footage)
  • Charlie ChaplinSelf (archive footage)
  • Joan CrawfordSelf (archive footage)
  • Bebe DanielsSelf (archive footage)
  • Bette DavisSelf (archive footage)
  • Cecil B. DeMilleSelf (archive footage)
  • Marlene DietrichSelf (archive footage)
  • Douglas FairbanksSelf (archive footage)
  • Greta GarboSelf (archive footage)
  • John GilbertSelf (archive footage)
  • Cary GrantSelf (archive footage)
  • D.W. GriffithSelf (archive footage)
  • Texas GuinanSelf (archive footage)
  • Ann HardingSelf (archive footage)
  • Jean HarlowSelf (archive footage)
  • Sessue HayakawaSelf (archive footage)
  • William H. HaysSelf (archive footage)
  • William Randolph HearstSelf (archive footage)
  • Leslie HowardSelf (archive footage)
  • Myrna LoySelf (archive footage)
  • Mary Miles MinterSelf (archive footage)
  • Colleen MooreSelf (archive footage)
  • Owen MooreSelf (archive footage)
  • Pola NegriSelf (archive footage)
  • Mabel NormandSelf (archive footage)
  • Mary PickfordSelf (voice) (archive footage)
  • Edna PurvianceSelf (archive footage)
  • Virginia RappeSelf (archive footage)
  • Theodore RooseveltSelf (archive footage)
  • Barbara StanwyckSelf (archive footage)
  • Gloria SwansonSelf (voice) (archive footage)
  • Rudolph ValentinoSelf (archive footage)
  • Fannie WardSelf (archive footage)
  • Mae WestSelf (archive footage)
  • Woodrow WilsonSelf (archive footage)
  • Elaina ArcherDirector / Writer / Producer
  • Scott EymanWriter
  • Todd FriedrichsenProducer

 

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