Complicated Women: Sex and Power in Pre-Code Hollywood

I must admit I bought this book first because of the fact that Norma Shearer was on the cover. I am a big fan of hers and always felt extremely frustrated that she is practically forgotten today even though she had such an impact on our movie culture from the silent days until her retirement in 1942. When I saw that book on the shelves, I didn't even hesitate and bought it right away, not knowing anything about it or the author. I always buy any book related to actresses from old movies anyway. But as I started to read, I became completely engrossed in the story, the drama, the lives of these pioneer women. These actresses were literally strangled in their creative flow by those stupid, rigid and close-minded officials who in 1934, decided to put a stop to what they felt were abominations, destroying a brilliant path the movies could have gone for if given the chance. This book is simply superb. There are no words strong enough to express just how much I love it. I had never heard of the author and was amazed at how much he knew about his subjects. His comments are often funny, touching and always right on target. I devoured this book while being on a business trip out of the country and it became my companion on those long hours on the plane. I recommend this book to everyone. I have read the other reviews and agree with all those who are highly praising. One of them was written by a woman who, saying that it was a must for all women, was wondering how men might feel about this book. Well, I can tell you right now that as a man, I would very strongly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about our movie history. I have read the book at least 10 times by now and always enjoy it immensely. I only wish there were other extremely good books like this one about that period in film culture which is probably the most fascinating ever, even to this day. And in closing, I really have to say that I was SHOCKED when I realized, like many other reviewers, that many of those pre-code movies wouldn't even be made today. I mean, this is mind-boggling when you think about it! We are in 2002 after all! An absolute MUST!!!

Before the Hollywood infrastructure got its meat hooks into the fledgling talkie medium, there was a grace period when women spoke freely. The vamp, the seducer, even that most threatening of feminine archetypes - the socially empowered ingénue - were allowed to roam the parlors and nightclubs like a wild tonic in grayscale. For anyone who appreciates unfettered female expression and all its intricacies, Mick La Salle's book, Complicated Women: Sex and Power in Pre-Code Hollywood, is an inspired revelation. La Salle prods us to explore the concept of morality in 20th century America and its representation on film which, contrary to popular belief, does not plummet through decades of ignorance as one looks back from the 60s. In fact, he depicts an age (1929-1934) prior to the censorship of Production Code figurehead Will Hays and its chief architect Joseph Breen in which women were not burning their bras so much as simply not wearing them. With the focus primarily on the legendary Greta Garbo and the tragically forgotten Norma Shearer, Complicated Women lends insight into the burgeoning sexuality of the liberated heroine whose modern attitudes went without apology and, more importantly, without punishment.

While reading LaSalle's Complicated Women, I found myself lusting to see the movies he describes. Luckily many of them belong to Turner Classic movies. I just taped and watched four of them: Stanwyck's Baby Face; Kay Francis' Mary Stevens, MD; Tallulah Bankhead in Faithless; and Dorothy Mackaill's Safe in Hell. I couldn't believe my eyes! Stanwyck as a women prostituted by her own father who sleeps her way to the top of the corporation? Francis as a woman doctor who has an illegitimate child? Bankhead as a former rich girl who hits the street to make money for her injured husband's medical bills? And Mackaill as a call girl hiding out from the cops in Tortuga? And none of them had to die for their sins, even though they may have repented their behavior? I was born in 1932 and grew up with the movies of the late 30's and 1940's. I was familiar with some of those women stars, but I never saw such stories in post-Code films. The modernity of the pre-Code movies is astounding; the strong women who are their protagonists were lost for 30 years. I can't help feeling cheated by what the post-Code movies taught me about women and men and their "proper" relationships. Hooray for Mick!

Mick LaSalle's COMPLICATED WOMEN showcases the development of an exciting genre of films (1929-July 1934) that should really be seen by anyone interested in good films and film history. LaSalle writes with a sharp, informed intelligence and wit. He capsulates the careers of the era's most significant stars: Harlow, Francis, Crawford, Harding, Hopkins, Chatterton -- and reminds us of the strong, sexual, intelligent roles they were able to play before the Production Code. Garbo and Norma Shearer provided the foundation in 1929-30 for what followed. His emphasis on these two makes perfect sense -- they had the most prestige, fan appeal and power during this time to shift the gears of how women were to be seen in the movies. This book is also a great reference of film titles to go out and seek or watch for on Turner Classic Movies. It certainly made me redefine my own outlook on women's roles in old movies. What I saw growing up in the 50's and 60's at the movies was a gigantic technicolor bore compared to some of these films. This book is a must for every film library.

What an exciting story -- and what an amazing thing: In the early thirties, American actresses were making incredibly modern movies that would be considered daring even by TODAY'S standards. LaSalle's book is witty, funny, a total page-turner, passionate and well-documented. I usually read in order to doze off at night, but this kept me turning pages -- I did not want to put it down. And I wasn't even familiar with this era of film. What an enlightenment, and what a pleasure to read. I'd recommend this as a gift to anyone, but especially to women, because they need to know this story!