Pre-Code Hollywood

[Bounci]

Do you remember Helen Mack, who I posted in a clip from the film Kiss and Make Up (1934) on here in that rather see through swimsuit? (The link to the video to jog memories can be found here: https://forum.oneclickchicks.com/sho...9&postcount=50). Well, it turns out the lovely Miss Mack actually dispensed with the swimsuit in a Pre Code film 2 years previously called While Paris Sleeps (1932), which involved the innocent Helen wandering around Paris trying to make an honest living, unaware there are people somewhat eager to get her into a life of prostitution. (Who'd of thought it?) As it turns out, her father (Victor McLaglen) - the man she believes died in WW1 - has actually escaped from prison to look for her and save her from her fate. (Spoilsport!)

This particular scene involves Helen getting undressed to have a wash behind a see through screen and just a basin after being given accommodation by a girl friend. However, as she is washing, the girl's boyfriend comes in and sees her, sneaking in & taunting her when she realizes by stealing her towel while she stands naked, unable to do much at all. The scene is only interrupted by the girl returning to catch boyfriend in the act and walloping him, but despite the film's age you do get to glimpse brief breast shots and a nude Helen behind the screen. I have naturally slowed down the scene at the end of the video for you to see for yourself, but it was a nice surprise to see Helen out of that swimsuit. As for further interest in the fair Helen's breasts, check out her top in the film She (1935). I've only seen stills, but that top she is wearing is wonderfully snug!

[krashcdm]

From the silent film era, circa 1928-1930. Found this on the Internet Archive, heard about it a long time ago but finally managed to see it. Not bad at all, nice classic "stolen clothes" ENF scenario.

Sally is a woman who has been reading about the healthful benefits of naturism. She decides to disrobe and let the sun's rays sink into her body. What she doesn't know is that an absolute nutball named Percy Popeye is in the same area. Another goof named Gurlock Moans -- who is studying to be a detective -- spots Sally's clothes hanging on a tree. He assumes a murder or other crime has taken place and of course he takes her clothing as a clue. By now, Sally and Percy have noticed one another, and Sally soon notices that her clothes are missing. She and Percy must work together to retrieve them.

Enjoy.

[crispus]

3 more of those oldies Bounci and krashcdm were posting; these just went up at yt (along with ones already posted in this thread): youtube.com/channel/UCvyS5jPNj_PuL3JxXF0SqQQ/videos

[Bounci]

A short but sweet clip from the days of Pre-Code, this is from The Smiling Lieutenant (1931) and features Miriam Hopkins in only her 3rd film in Hollywood. She plays a Princess who mistakes a wink Maurice Chevalier makes at his girlfriend Claudette Colbert for her and falls in love with him - meaning Chevalier has to marry her! Colbert realizes the situation is hopeless for her, so teaches Miriam how to dress sexily before bidding her goodbye - and giving her a full girl on girl kiss on the lips! That scene is included, as is the scene of Miriam in her negligee, which when she turns round to go to bed seems somewhat see through and gives us a glimpse of Miriam's cheeky features. Naturally I've slowed this for a better look. I do wish I'd had something better for you for Christmas, but I'm sure some of you will like seeing this - and of course of two girls locking lips together!

As for Miriam Hopkins, this was the start of a successful Pre Code career, and she gained a reputation for risqué roles, such as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1931) (as a prostitute), Trouble in Paradise (1932), Design For Living (1933) (involving a menage a trois) and the highly controversial The Story of Temple Blake (1933), which hastened the Hayes code. Ironically, this code - along with her famous temper - eventually curtailed Hopkins' career, despite roles in Becky Sharp (1935) and The Old Maid (1939), and by the 1950's she was mainly in television. Her last film was in 1970 and she died of a heart attack two years later, aged 69.

[gwm]

Don't the girls also sing a song called something like "Hooray for Lingerie"?

[Bounci]

Originally Posted by gwm

Don't the girls also sing a song called something like "Hooray for Lingerie"?

I think the song you are referring to is "Jazz Up Your Lingerie", which Claudette Colbert plays to Miriam Hopkins on the piano in order for her to sex up her underwear to entice Maurice Chevalier. Though, let's face it, with these two looking as they are, they wouldn't need sexy underwear to look hot!

[lonmol]

There are two pre-code Marx Brothers films that contain EUF scenes. One's in Duck Soup, during Harpo's "Paul Revere" ride, and the other is in A Night at the Opera. The Night at the Opera scene is quite risque as Harpo tears the skirts off three women during a musical number. The main actress is very attractive, and is wearing surprisingly modern looking panties (which Harpo actually attempts to rip off at one point!). I could only find one still from the Duck Soup scene. Anyone have the clips?

[Heisuke]

Originally Posted by lonmol

There are two pre-code Marx Brothers films that contain EUF scenes. One's in Duck Soup, during Harpo's "Paul Revere" ride, and the other is in A Night at the Opera. The Night at the Opera scene is quite risque as Harpo tears the skirts off three women during a musical number. The main actress is very attractive, and is wearing surprisingly modern looking panties (which Harpo actually attempts to rip off at one point!). I could only find one still from the Duck Soup scene. Anyone have the clips?

There was apparently supposed to be a more risque scene in Duck Soup where Chico is interviewing girls to become spies for Freedonia after war is declared. Eventually they decide to make Harpo the spy and give him a "spyglass" to get started, which he uses to peep on a woman getting undressed, and eventually ends up chasing her down the street Benny Hill-style. I don't know if this was an unfilmed scene (it's in the script, but doesn't appear in the movie) or if it was filmed and taken out when the movie was re-issued. There don't seem to be any production stills of it appearing in any of the usual publications like Film Fun magazine, so I suspect it might have been cut to appease the Hays Office.

[jblackmon]

Here a couple of low-res clips of the Marx Brothers movies lonmol mentioned.

[Bounci]

This little curio comes from a short starring Milton Berle and was released in 1933 just months after the end of prohibition. This film clearly calls for the relaxing of rules, and in this dance sequence involving Mary Cole that seems to extend to the costume she is wearing. Starting out in a dress while showgirls dance about behind her as cocktail glasses, she then strips off to reveal just a slip underneath. And what becomes apparent is that she seems to of abandoned her underwear underneath it also, as not only is it clear she isn't wearing a bra, but when she turns round to dance about, you get to see her bare bottom as well! I've slowed that piece of footage for you at the end of the video (naturally), but as I hadn't seen this before I thought you might all like to see this cheeky little number too. As for Mary, this was her debut appearance, and she only appeared in 3 other films in the 1930's before disappearing from the screen. She died aged only 61 in 1975 - but what memories she leaves behind here!