Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema (2007)

Director: Elaina Archer

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.

Cast

Diane Lane

Narrator (voice)

Chris Basinger

Self

Jeanine Basinger

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Cari Beauchamp

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Leatrice Joy Gilbert

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A.C. Lyles

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Bob Mitchell

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Barry Paris

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Maria Riva

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Michael Schlesinger

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