Movies and TvShows featuring "pre-code" theme.
Lily Powers, a young woman from a small town, uses her beauty and charm to manipulate men in order to climb the social ladder. Starting as a secretary, Lily seduces her way to the top, becoming a mistress and using her newfound power to exact revenge on those who wronged her.
Mary Stevens, M.D. is a drama film released in 1933. It follows the story of a female physician navigating the challenges of her profession in the pre-Code era. The plot revolves around pregnancy, friendship, romance, and professional obstacles. Mary Stevens finds herself caught in a web of unrequited love, embezzlement schemes, and an unexpected pregnancy out of wedlock. Will she be able to overcome these obstacles and find happiness in her personal and professional life?
Molly Louvain's life is turned upside down when she falls for a charming but dangerous man. As their relationship progresses, Molly finds herself caught up in a web of crime, love, and deceit. She must navigate the dangerous world she has become a part of while trying to protect herself and those she cares about.
In this classic adventure film, a film crew goes to a tropical island in search of the legendary giant ape, King Kong. They capture the creature and bring it back to New York City, where it is exhibited as the Eighth Wonder of the World. However, Kong escapes and wreaks havoc in the city, ultimately climbing the Empire State Building before meeting his tragic end.
In the movie Dracula (1931), Count Dracula moves from Transylvania to England to spread the undead curse. He preys upon unsuspecting victims, including his love interest, Mina Murray. Professor Van Helsing and a group of vampire hunters try to stop him, leading to a thrilling climax in Dracula's castle.
In the classic horror film Frankenstein, a scientist named Dr. Frankenstein creates a monster by reanimating dead body parts. As the monster comes to life, Dr. Frankenstein realizes the grave mistakes he has made and must face the consequences. The film explores themes of playing god, the dangers of scientific experimentation, and the ethics of creating life. It is set in a gothic horror atmosphere, with iconic scenes including the monster's creation and the famous line 'It's alive!'.
Scarface (1932) follows the rise and fall of Tony Camonte, a ruthless gangster in Chicago during the prohibition era. The film explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and organized crime as Tony rises to power, but ultimately faces his own downfall.
In a German city, the police are unable to catch a child-murderer. Concerned parents and criminals join in the manhunt. The police investigation leads them to Hans Beckert, the killer. Underworld bosses decide to monitor all children using beggars. A blind balloon peddler helps the beggars mark Beckert. The police find evidence in Beckert's apartment and lay in wait for him. Beckert is caught by gangsters and taken to a kangaroo court. It is decided to eliminate him. Beckert's real trial results in a guilty verdict, leaving the mothers of the slain children to reflect on the need for closer watch.
A rich heiress escapes her father's yacht and buys a bus ticket to New York. She meets a reporter who offers to help her in exchange for exclusive rights to her story. They pretend to be husband and wife to avoid suspicion and encounter various obstacles along the way. Ultimately, they fall in love and overcome the challenges to be together.
All Quiet on the Western Front follows the journey of a young German soldier as he experiences the brutality and disillusionment of war on the Western Front during World War I. The film explores themes of patriotism, friendship, and the traumatic effects of war.
The Front Page is a 1931 comedy-drama film about newspaper reporters on the backfield beat, written by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, and directed by Lewis Milestone.
In the midst of the Great Depression, a group of talented chorus girls in New York City face challenges and adventures while trying to make it in show business. With hidden identities, mistaken identities, and a touch of romance, they navigate through tough times and find a way to rise above adversity.
After a wealthy inventor goes missing, a husband and wife detective team are hired to solve the case. As they investigate, they encounter a host of eccentric characters and uncover a web of deceit and murder. Set during Christmas, the couple navigates their way through a festive party, a dinner with suspects, and a train ride with a corpse.
The Blue Angel is a tragic drama about a straight-laced professor who becomes infatuated with a seductive cabaret performer named Lola Lola. As his obsession grows, it leads to his downfall and ultimate destruction. Set in Weimar Germany, this film explores themes of love, jealousy, and self-destructiveness.
In Freaks, a group of circus sideshow performers seek revenge on a trapeze artist who plots to murder one of their own. The film explores themes of disability, bigotry, and betrayal as the characters navigate a world of human deformity and societal prejudice.
Their Own Desire is a film that takes place in 1929 and revolves around the complex relationships and societal expectations of the characters. It explores themes of love, dysfunction, manipulation, and loyalty.
In the midst of the Great Depression, a young chorus girl named Peggy Sawyer gets a chance to audition for a new Broadway musical. She must navigate through the challenges of show business, including rivalry, deception, and financial problems, in order to succeed and fulfill her dreams.
Rasputin and the Empress (1932) is a captivating historical drama that delves into the life and influence of Grigori Rasputin, a controversial figure in imperial Russia. The film follows the manipulative and charismatic Rasputin as he gains the trust of the Russian royal family, particularly Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra. Rasputin's ability to seemingly heal their son's hemophilia creates a deep bond of dependency, but his questionable methods and growing influence lead to political unrest, revolution, and ultimately the downfall of the imperial family.
During a stormy night, a group of strangers find themselves seeking refuge at the isolated and creepy Old Dark House. As they spend the night in the house, they uncover family secrets, face their fears, and experience strange occurrences.
William Poster writes a gossip column for the Morning Gazette. He will write about anyone and everyone as long as he gets the credit. He gets most of his information from his showgirl gal-pal, Peggy. Eventually Bill's reckless tattling gets him in deep trouble with friends and enemies, putting his career and life in jeopardy.