Sex & Scandal in Hollywood’s Golden Age

Early Hollywood's "Wild West" atmosphere, characterized by freedom of expression and the involvement of women and queer individuals, is explored, contrasting it with the subsequent imposition of censorship. William Mann, author of "Tinseltown, Murder, Morphine and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood," details how the industry's growth and scandals led to the Hays Code, restricting on-screen content and impacting the personal lives of those in Hollywood. The conversation highlights the code's specific prohibitions, including profanity, sexuality, and homosexuality, and the creative workarounds employed by filmmakers. The discussion further covers the code's gradual decline post-World War II, influenced by societal shifts and challenges to its authority, and its eventual replacement by a rating system.