This list is taken from Wikipedia’s list of notable films from the Pre-Code era.
The list spans the years 1929-1934 and is ordered chronologically by year.
The two films Dames (1934) and Belle of the Nineties (1934) were not Pre-code films as they both were inspected, cut, and granted a seal of approval by the Hays Code. Both were also released after the Code went into effect in July 1934. I don’t know if I should remove them, but Wikipedia is wrong in this regard.
You should add the film Strangers May Kiss (1931). I just saw it, and it’s pure, vintage pre-code stuff from start to finish.
I couldn’t find any Pre-Code film lists on this website, so I decided to add one. The lack of Pre-Code lists had me thinking that many might be unaware of what this term means so I thought it might be helpful to include a little info. here.
This is from the Wikipedia article :
“Pre-Code films were created before the Motion Picture Production Code or Hays Code – censorship guidelines – took effect on 1 July 1934 in the United States.”
“Films in the late 1920s and early 30s reflected the liberal attitudes of the day and could include sexual innuendos, references to homosexuality, miscegenation, illegal drug use, infidelity, abortion, and profane language (such as the word “damn”) as well as women in their undergarments."
“Popular character roles include tough-talking, assertive women, gangsters, and prostitutes. Of particular note were both the references to sexual promiscuity, drug use, bloody gangster life, and morally ambiguous endings.”
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