Sky Room Talk with Film Historian Philip Harwood
The Women Of Pre-Code at MGM: The Naughty Lion
Three Tuesdays, July 2nd, 9th, and 16th at 7:30 PM
Members $40 | Public $50
Visit our Calendar page to purcahse a pro-rated ticket for the final film in this series: RED HEADED WOMAN.
The Sky Room Cafe will be closing at 5 PM the evening of these events.
During the four year period (1930-1934) before the Hays code was enforced, Hollywood released many very risque films. Film Historian Philip Harwood will explore women in the pre-code era: how women were presented, and the types of subject matter displayed. We will now focus on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. We will view and discuss three films produced at the studio, including films starring MGM notables as Norma Shearer, Jean Harlow, and Clark Gable. Even a rare Cecil B. DeMille musical is part of the mix!
Madam Satan (1930, Dir. Cecil B. DeMille, 116 min.)-July 2nd
Wealthy couple Angela (Kay Johnson) and Bob (Regniald Denny) are a wealthy couple with relationship issues. Bob is having an affair with Trixie (Lillian Roth). Angela plans on winning her husband back: by attending a masquerade ball aboard a dirigible, disguised as a mysterious vamp, which she hopes will teach her husband a lesson. One of three films DeMille would direct at MGM.
A Free Soul (1931, Dir. Clarence Brown, 93 min.)-July 9th
Stephen Ashe (Lionel Barrymore), an upper class alcoholic defense attorney, successfully defends local mobster Ace Wilfong (Clark Gable) in a murder case. After his daughter Jan (Norma Sheaer) breaks her engagement to polo player Dwight Winthrop (Leslie Howard) and begins an affair with Wilfong.
Red Headed Woman (1932, Dir. Jack Conway, 79min.)-July 16th
Based on the novel by Katherine Brush, with a screenplay by Anita Loos, Jean Harlow is a woman who uses sex to advance her social position. Some of her activities include: breaking up a marriage, has multiple affairs and pre-marital sex, and even attempts to kill a man. Also stars Chester Morris and Una Merkel.
