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Buzz Feed
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
17 Old Hollywood Movies That Were Almost Banned For Being Gay
Old Hollywood movies had to follow strict guidelines throughout the 1930s–1960s, known as the Hays Code. This basically prevented all US films from featuring anything that was overtly sexual or "inappropriate," which forced a lot of filmmakers to get creative about how they could navigate potential censorship. I have running lists on Letterboxd of every Old Hollywood and LGBTQ+ movie that I watch, so I sifted through them to find a bunch from the Hays Code era that are subtly (and not so subtly) suuuuuper gay. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy! Rebel Without a Cause (1955) stars James Dean as a bisexual hottie, so you really can't ask for much more. The original script had his character kissing Plato, who was one of the first gay teen characters on screen, but the Hays Code quickly squashed that from happening. Still, this movie is edgy and dramatic and romantic, and the whole cast is just so fun to look at. Who's in it: James Dean, Sal Mineo, Natalie Wood, and Dennis Hopper Here's the trailer: All About Eve (1950) is a witty and toxic drama about an aging actress who befriends a fan who ultimately tries to usurp her. This movie shares the record for the most Oscar nominations ever, with 14, and it briefly features Marilyn Monroe in one of her first roles ever. There are so many queer undertones and characters throughout, and they're all so delicious. Also, I personally think this is the best film ever made, so I'm basically begging you to watch it. Who's in it: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Thelma Ritter, Celeste Holm, George Sanders, and Gary Merrill Here's the trailer: Homicidal (1961) was made towards the end of the Hays Code and sort of pushed the boundaries of what was allowed. You'll see why when the big twist in this horror-thriller is revealed, so I won't spoil anything for you now. Just know that this film was deemed so scary that it literally included a 45-second "fright break" that appeared on screen before the climax, which told viewers they could request a full refund from the movie theater if they were too scared to finish watching. Who's in it: Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Joan Marshall, and Eugenie Leontovich Here's the trailer: Tea and Sympathy (1956) follows a "sensitive" prep school teen who's bullied by the other students and teachers. He finds solace in an older woman, played by Deborah Kerr, and the whole thing is just sooooo pretty to look at. Who's in it: Deborah Kerr, Leif Erickson, John Kerr, and Edward Andrews Here's the trailer: Compulsion (1959) follows two hot, wealthy, and secretly queer college boys who commit a murder and think they're too smart to get away with it. It's loosely based on the real-life Leopold and Loeb murder trial, so just trust me on this one. Who's in it: Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, Diane Varsi, and Richard Anderson Here's the trailer: Rope (1948) is Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of a play that was ~also~ inspired by the Leopold and Loeb murder trial. This one focuses on two young (and queer) killers who host a dinner party after hiding the dead body in their apartment. The movie was shot to look like it was filmed in a single take, which heightens its suspense and helps to keep the characters (and viewers) on edge. Who's in it: Farley Granger, John Dall, and James Stewart Here's the trailer: Edge of the City (1957) is a gritty drama about the friendship between John Cassavetes and Sidney Poitier's characters. It's rough and tough and has a lotttt of queer subtext. Ruby Dee is also in this movie, and she's especially fantastic. Who's in it: Sidney Poitier, John Cassavetes, Ruby Dee, and Jack Warden Here's the trailer: The Children's Hour (1961) stars Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine as two women who run a boarding school for girls in 1930s New England. One of the students is a troublemaking little b*tch who starts a rumor that they're in a lesbian relationship, and all hell breaks loose. The movie is based on Lillian Hellman's famous play of the same name, and it's a must-watch. Who's in it: Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, Fay Bainter, and Miriam Hopkins Here's the trailer: Purple Noon (1960) is actually adapted from the book The Talented Mr. Ripley. This French film is just so freaking hot, and if you're into suspenseful dramas or even remotely liked the 1999 version with Jude Law and Matt Damon then you absolutely need to check this out. Who's in it: Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet, Marie Laforêt, and Billy Kearns Here's the trailer: Strangers on a Train (1951) is a psychological thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. It's about two strangers who both want someone murdered, so they swap victims to prevent anyone from getting suspicious of them. It's a super fun watch, and Farley Granger is so handsome that he'll kinda take your breath away. Who's in it: Farley Granger, Robert Walker, and Ruth Roman Here's the trailer: Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) is centered around a wealthy widow who tries to get her niece lobotomized to cover up the truth about her secretly queer (and now deceased) son. This one is a little out there, but Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor both received Best Actress Oscar nominations for their roles, so there's that. Who's in it: Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, and Gary Raymond Here's the trailer: The Hitch-Hiker (1953) is about two male friends who are basically taken hostage after picking up a hitchhiker while on their way to a fishing trip. The film is based on the 1950 killing spree of Billy Cook, and it examines homosexual panic, masculinity, and traditional gender roles. Who's in it: Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy, and William Talman Here's the trailer: The Servant (1963) deals with unspoken desires, homoerotic tensions, and the ultimate dom-sub power dynamic. In it, a wealthy, young Londoner hires a man to be his servant. The servant slowly takes control and manipulates his "master," and it's a wilddddd ride. Who's in it: James Fox, Dirk Bogarde, Sarah Miles, and Wendy Craig Here's the trailer: Victim (1961) is centered around a closeted lawyer in London who's blackmailed for being gay, which was illegal in England until 1967. This is a groundbreaking piece of movie history because it was the first British film to explicitly mention homosexuality, and it should be required viewing for everyone. Who's in it: Dirk Bogarde, Dennis Price, Anthony Nicholls, and Sylvia Syms Here's the trailer: Advise & Consent (1962) is a political drama that was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name. It's centered around the confirmation of a nominee for Secretary of State, who just so happens to be a married US senator who's being blackmailed for secretly having past relations with a man. Who's in it: Henry Fonda, Don Murray, Gene Tierney, Walter Pidgeon, and Charles Laughton Here's the trailer: The Haunting (1963) is a revolutionary horror movie that features one of the only lesbian characters of its time to be feminine and not predatory. The film is based on the book The Haunting of Hill House, which was ultimately turned into a hugely popular Netflix series, so if you like either of them then you should watch this too. Who's in it: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn Here's the trailer: Finally, Rebecca (1940) is the only Alfred Hitchcock film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. It features one of the most famous ~coded~ queer characters from Old Hollywood: Mrs. Danvers. Throughout the film, her obsession with Rebecca becomes more and more prevalent, though under the Hays Code her queerness had to be implied rather than stated outright. Who's in it: Joan Fontaine, Laurence Olivier, George Sanders, and Judith Anderson Here's the trailer: Looking for more LGBTQ+ content? Check out all of BuzzFeed's Pride 2025 posts here!
Metro
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
54 years of groundbreaking LGBT TV that shaped what we watch today
In 2025, LGBT+ representation on TV still isn't perfect – but a lot of hard work has been done over the years to make sure things are better than they were. To celebrate the work done to make TV more accessible for everyone in the LGBT+ world, Metro has compiled seven examples of storylines that made things that little bit better each time (with some honourable mentions). From one of the first-ever LGBT+ characters on TV to groundbreaking British dramas of the 2000s, all the way through to a flagship 2010s Netflix series. The storylines chosen for consideration all fall between 1968, when the Hays Code was abolished, and 2015, when same-sex marriage was finally legalised across the United States. Implemented in 1934, the Hays Code rigidly enforced what was acceptable (and unacceptable) to be shown on TV in America, and it had far-reaching consequences in the UK as well. In the days since the disgraceful and dated guidelines were finally repealed, TV has come a long way – here are some milestone episodes that got us here. Across its eight years on TV between 1971 and 1979, American comedy series All in the Family gained a reputation for tackling tough subjects sensitively (for the era anyway). With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! The series is credited with allowing the sitcom format to introduce more dramatic moments into episodic storylines while also dealing with serious topics in a lighthearted manner. It didn't waste any time, with its fifth episode – titled Judging Books by Covers – examining LGBT+ themes and introducing somebody who is widely believed to be one of the first openly gay characters on TV. In the episode, protagonist Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) makes disparaging remarks about an effeminate man named Roger and presumes he must be gay. However, later in the episode, Archie finds out that one of his old college football buddies, Steve (Phil Carey), is gay and learns a valuable lesson about how to treat other people. The brave episode was controversial from the get-go, with sitting US President Richard Nixon accusing the series of 'glorifying homosexuality' with its content. For its time, The Golden Girls had a subversive attitude from the beginning, focusing on four single, mature women sharing a house together in Miami, Florida. It wasn't afraid to tackle weighty subjects either, and often deftly handled tricky topics for the 1980s, with the writers facing sensitive plotlines fearlessly and head-on. In the season 2 episode Isn't It Romantic? – aired in 1986 – Dorothy (Bea Arthur) invites her friend Jean to stay at the house that she shares with Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), and Sophia (Estelle Getty). Soon it's revealed that Jean is a lesbian and that she has a crush on Rose, which instantly rubs Blanche up the wrong way – not because Jean is gay, but because Jean fancies Rose instead of her. The rest of the episode pokes fun at the scenario, but not at Jean's sexuality. Instead the script gets several big laughs out of how self-involved Blanche becomes. It wouldn't be the last time The Golden Girls took a glance at LGBT+ themes, with future storylines analysing the topic from different perspectives. To this day, The Golden Girls remains popular with the community, with one Reddit fan explaining: '[The girls] were confident, secure, and loved themselves for who they were. LGBT+ people who felt alienated with society identified with these outsiders.' In 2023, IndieWire reporter Wilson Chapman said that TV show Frasier's queerness went far deeper than many viewers realised during its 11-year run between 1993 and 2004. Originally conceived as a spin-off from Cheers, Frasier soon took on a life of its own and became a hugely successful and acclaimed comedy in its own right. That process was helped along by episodes like season 2's The Matchmaker, which was originally broadcast in October 1994. In the episode, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) invites a man named Tom for dinner at his home, unaware that Tom thinks the dinner is an official date between the pair. Over the course of the episode, stereotypes about gay men are thoroughly deconstructed – the show's writers received a GLAAD Media Award for the show's portrayal of LGBT characters. In 2022, Reddit user Barbourwhat explained: 'TV never really depicted [gay men] as what they are – ordinary people. Tom wasn't a cartoon version of gay people and Frasier didn't treat him differently. He was just another person.' By its fourth season, TV executives for The Ellen Show were growing frustrated with its reluctance to depict Ellen Morgan's (Ellen DeGeneres) dating life. To remedy this, they suggested to show writer Johnathan Stark that Ellen should buy a puppy in order to focus the show's plot and boost falling ratings. Instead, Stark had another idea: sticking with the title The Puppy Episode, the writers began negotiating with Disney to have Ellen Morgan come out as a lesbian that week. At the same time, Ellen DeGeneres came out in real life. The buzz around the upcoming Puppy Episode was huge – major TV star Oprah Winfrey applied to be a guest actress on the show and, in 1997, said she would 'go to Hell' to defend Ellen's rights. In an emotional scene from The Puppy Episode, Ellen confesses her sexuality to her new friend Susan (played by Jurassic Park star Laura Dern) and later reveals the truth to her friends and neighbours. The episode was watched by 42million people (a series high) and was initially well received. But the backlash from some quarters was swift and horrible: The Ellen Show was slapped with a parental advisory warning and was cancelled a few months later. Ellen and Laura Dern's careers also suffered in the aftermath – while Ellen was briefly blacklisted from TV, Laura was out of work for 18 months as a result of her association. The backlash arguably proved the episode's point – that coming out can be tough to confront, hard to navigate, and unbelievably risky. Section 28 – which prohibited the 'promotion of homosexuality' in British schools – might have been repealed in 2003, but its legacy deeply impacted kids in classrooms up and down the UK for years afterwards. Not to mention that the 2000s saw a widespread increase in Islamophobia across the country, sparked by the War on Terror and further fueled by the news media. Which is why it was vitally important for E4 youth drama Skins to focus on the story of openly gay teenager Maxxie Oliver (Mitch Hewer) and his Muslim best friend Anwar Kharral (Dev Patel). Close friends for many years, Maxxie's sexuality doesn't appear to matter to Anwar at all. However, after finding out that Maxxie has secretly drawn intimate portraits of Anwar, the two fall out over Maxxie's sexuality conflicting with Anwar's religious beliefs. Things come to a head in the season finale, when Maxxie refuses to attend Anwar's 17th birthday party unless Anwar tells his conservative dad, Istiak (Inder Monocha), the truth about Maxxie's sexuality. When Istiak finds out, the two kids expect the worst… only for Istiak to comfort Maxxie. Istiak tells Maxxie that, while his beliefs have prevented him from understanding homosexuality so far, it won't always be that way. The two friends make up and remain close until the first generation of the cast leaves college and starts their lives by heading off to different universities. On Reddit in 2024, Jytsma said: 'The way the story was done was perfect. They are best friends, their beliefs should in theory oppose each other – but they love each other nonetheless.' The Love Boat (1982) An early 80s episode of The Love Boat titled Gopher's Roommate has been celebrated for its sensitive portrayal of transgender character Rachel, played by cisgender woman Mackenzie Phillips. One Life to Live (1992) Long-running soap opera One Life to Live introduced Billy Douglas in 1992, who became the first openly gay teenage character on American TV. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1995) Groundbreaking season 4 episode Rejoined became famous for depicting one of the first ever lesbian kisses seen on American TV. Friends (1996) Friends was never great for LGBT representation, but season 2 episode The One With the Lesbian Wedding is credited by fans with finally treating Carol and Susan like a loving, genuine couple. The Simpsons (1997) In season 8 of The Simpsons, Homer's homophobia is exposed and his ways are changed thanks to loveable new friend John, played by none other than John Waters. Coronation Street (1998) Hayley Cropper was the first transgender character to appear on a British soap. She was played by cisgender actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who later accepted she wouldn't be able to play the role these days. Queer as Folk (1999) Russell T. Davies' influential short-lived series about three gay men living in Manchester spawned a majorly successful American remake. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1999) Hush, a mostly silent episode of Buffy, has been called 'an elegy for its gays' as fan-favourite characters Willow and Tara begin what would become one of the first long-term lesbian relationships on TV. The Wire (2002) Michael K. Williams' iconic stick-up man Omar Little was described as 'the most important queer character of the century' by TV critic Razvan Ion in 2023. The Sopranos (2006) Season 6 episode Johnny Cakes, which depicted the love and romance in Vito's relationship with Jim, brought up the ugly resentment and homophobia of Tony Soprano and his crew and exposed them as being unable to adapt to the modern world. Ugly Betty (2007) Season 1 episode Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a heartbreaking outing for Ugly Betty, as 'love to hate him' character Marc St. James unexpectedly comes out to his conservative mother. Glee (2009) Adorable Kurt Hummel was one of the most recognisable faces on TV during Glee's early days, which is why his father's touching acceptance of his coming out warmed so many hearts 16 years ago. Modern Family (2013) The season 5 premiere sees main characters Mitchell and Cameron celebrate the legalisation of same-sex marriage in California by proposing to one another. Syed Masood (Marc Elliot) made his first appearance on EastEnders in 2009, a year after Christian Clarke (John Partridge) had come to Albert Square. After initially marrying Amira Shah (Preeya Kalidas), Syed comes to terms with his sexuality and enters a relationship with Christian, despite the pressure from his family and his Muslim faith. Wanting to avoid stereotypical storylines about homosexuality, writer Diederick Santer said Syed and Christian's story was 'more about the inner turmoil and conflict [they] endure'. The storyline had a major impact on TV viewers, with Inside Soap readers voting Syed as their favourite member of EastEnders' Masood family in 2011. Christian and Syed ultimately resolved their 'inner turmoil and conflict', marrying each other during a 2012 storyline and eventually moving to America to start their life together. EastEnders producer Lorraine Newman thanked Marc and John and said: 'Their characters have been a huge success. Their storylines have broken boundaries that have not been seen in a soap before.' In 2024, a Reddit user commented on the storyline, saying: '[Syed and Christian] got me into the show, so I've got a lot of love for them, particularly as I was a closeted gay teen at the time.' While great strides were made with some queer storylines on TV in the 2000s, transgender representation in media was still a mixed bag (to say the least – and, honestly, it still is!). 2013 was a landmark year, though, thanks to the third episode of Netflix's flagship series Orange Is the New Black – titled Lesbian Request Denied and starring Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset. OITNB initially told the story of Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), a privileged middle-class woman sentenced to time in prison for drug running. Once there, she met an incredible ensemble of diverse characters who slowly but surely surpassed Piper – while Piper became just another inmate at Litchfield Women's Penitentiary, the stories of everyone else became far more important. Among them was Sophia, a transgender hairdresser in the prison's salon, who had been jailed for using fake credit cards to pay for her medication and gender reassignment surgery. More Trending Flashbacks show Sophia's life before prison – when she was a firefighter dealing with gender dysphoria, the subsequent collapse of her marriage, and estrangement from her son Michael. Writing for The AV Club in 2013, Myles McNutt said of the episode: 'Sophia is elevated above Piper for a week as we learn Sophia's own story of becoming.' The role of Sophia turned Laverne Cox into a star, eventually winning a Daytime Emmy Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for her work on the show. View More » In 2014, Laverne became the first ever trans actress to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and the first transgender person to be featured on the cover of Time Magazine, for an interview titled 'The Transgender Tipping Point'. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Iconic 90s BBC drama is now free to watch on UK streaming service MORE: I'm a man and I don't let myself climax during sex MORE: Chris Tarrant reveals heartbreaking reason he left TV career after 52 years
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Jaws at 50': How Spielberg made one of the most influential horror films of all time
Written by Jared Bahir Browsh A half century after Jaws convinced people to stay out of the water, it still maintains its place as one of the greatest films of all time, but it is often overlooked as a groundbreaking horror film. When Jaws was released on June 20, 1975, Hollywood was in the midst of a major shift as 'New Hollywood' brought in a new generation of directors who were students of film. These auteurs were given more freedom to pursue their vision, the abandonment of the Hays Code allowing for the exploration of a greater range of themes and narratives rooted in realism. Steven Spielberg is a student of film, and even though many consider Jaws a thriller, it also draws inspiration from several genres, including science fiction, suspense and, particularly, horror. Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest influences on Spielberg's career, and you see the influence of Hitchcock's works, like Psycho and The Birds, throughout Jaws. Similar to how Hitchcock's films forced audiences to be fearful of showers and birds, Jaws convinced people to avoid the ocean and led to misunderstandings about the prevalence of shark attacks. In addition to the influence of Hitchcock, the 'Master of Suspense', Jaws also reflects the cinematic approach of past monster and horror films. Both man's dangerous contempt for nature and the use of the musical score to reflect the main antagonist are reflected in monster films, particularly King Kong. Film scholars see these 1930s horror films as both escapist and reflective of the struggles of the Great Depression. A similar argument has been made regarding the popularity of disaster movies in light of the economic downturns and recessions of the late 1960s and 1970s. Films like The Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake, and The Towering Inferno not only build suspense as a disparate cast of characters tries to survive different extreme — but not entirely unrealistic — disasters, they also reflect larger societal frustrations as politicians and leaders place their own ambitions above the safety of innocent people. Jaws also reflects this as the mayor in the film keeps the beaches open during a holiday weekend in spite of the attacks. Cinematically, the film also draws inspiration from 1950s Universal horror films like Creature from the Black Lagoon, including underwater point of view shots, and It Came from Outer Space, in which suspense is built throughout the film in spite of the aliens remaining off-screen for much of the film. This approach in Jaws is not completely intentional, as the malfunctioning animatronic shark led to changes in how Spielberg approached filming. This created suspense, increasing fear among the audience through John Williams' legendary score, only showing the early attacks either from the surface of the water as the victim is taken under, turning the water red, or from the shark's point of view with the full shark not appearing until well into the second half of the film. The success of Jaws and later Star Wars fortified the summer as the prime season for 'high-concept' films that could easily be described and marketed for wide release. Several films utilised the Jaws template, like Grizzly and Piranha. However, the influence of Jaws went far beyond animal attack films, directly influencing the horror and suspense genres over the next 50 years. Ridley Scott's science fiction horror film Alien was pitched as 'Jaws in space' and we see the use of emotional manipulation and the threat of the antagonist even when they are offscreen in subsequent horror franchises like Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Tremors, which features a poster that is an homage to Jaws. Jaws also reflects a two-pronged approach where the first part of the film is a monster horror film where the entire public is threatened by the inhuman antagonist, and the second half features a trapped-in-a-house (or boat) horror approach. like in Night of the Living Dead. Although Quint is not killed by the shark until near the end, as Chief Martin Brody and Matt Hooper survive, the death of one of the few characters who understood the danger the shark posed reinforces the fact that no one would be safe until the shark was destroyed. Directors continue to cite Jaws as one of the most influential films of all time, including Quentin Tarantino, who said that it is one of the greatest movies of all time. Recent movies, like the 2021 adaptation of Dune, Nope (2022), and the 2023 film Godzilla Minus One, continue to draw inspiration directly from Jaws. Most do not describe Jaws as a horror film, in spite of the elements it shares with the horror films that preceded it and those it inspired since its release 50 years ago. That may be because many earlier horror films were low-budget 'B' movies, whereas Jaws was backed by a major studio and its deep pockets. This, along with the vision of the now legendary filmmaker who throughout his career has been able to balance complex cinematic techniques with high-budget entertainment, led to Jaws becoming the groundbreaking, genre-spanning film that forever changed the movie industry. The writer is an Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Critical Sports Studies Program in the Department of Ethnic Studies
Epoch Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Trump Says US Will Impose 100 Percent Tariff on Foreign-Made Movies
President Donald Trump announced on May 4 that he was authorizing his administration to impose a 100 percent tariff on movies produced outside of the United States. In a Truth Social Trump said the move was necessary to protect the once globally dominant U.S. movie industry, as he noted that some countries have been offering incentives to attract American filmmakers and studios overseas. He warned that the local industry is 'dying a very fast death,' with Hollywood and many other local entertainment businesses facing devastation. 'This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda,' Trump stated. 'WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!' The U.S. movie industry has already been impacted by Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, after China—the world's second-largest film market—moved to Related Stories 4/11/2025 3/6/2024 The Trump administration has currently imposed a Trump imposed the tariffs to pressure the CCP into addressing the trade deficit with the United States. The White House stated on April 15 that China faces up to 245 percent reciprocal tariffs due to its retaliatory actions. During an NBC interview on May 4, Trump 'At some point, I'm going to lower them because otherwise, you could never do business with them and they want to do business very much,' he said. 'Look, their economy is really doing badly. Their economy is collapsing.' Some analysts believe that China's restrictions on U.S.-made movies will have a limited impact on the industry. Seth Shafer, principal analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan, said the number of domestic films released in China has been declining. 'Only roughly 25 percent of domestic wide-release films are now released in China, and that percentage has dropped steadily over time due to increasing competition from China's local film production industry,' Shafer said. Shafer said that for domestic films that are released in China, 'typically less than 10 percent of the film's global gross box office revenue comes from China.' Earlier this year, Trump Trump said the three envoys will serve as his 'eyes and ears' in Hollywood, advising him on strategies to revitalize the entertainment industry and restore its former glory. According to a March 2024 This reported subversion is contrasted with Hollywood's early days under the Hays Code, which set strict content guidelines until its erosion in the 1950s and replacement by the modern ratings system in 1968, which ushered in a more permissive era. Frank Fang, Tom Ozimek, and Reuters contributed to this report.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7 lesbian-coded characters from Hollywood's pre-Code era
Actress Marlene Dietrich and Paul Porcasi in a scene from the movie Morocco. The landscape of Hollywood underwent a drastic transformation when following the Hays Code became mandatory in 1934. These rules came down hard on anything the conservative enforcers deemed "sexual perversion," which, of course, meant even a whiff of queerness could cause major drama for moviemakers up until we finally ditched the whole thing in 1968. But in the years before the Hays Code, films got away with a lot more. While explicit representation was still off-limits, plenty of characters gave off vibes that LGBTQ+ viewers have been picking up on ever since. From women in tuxedos to emotionally unavailable execs, here are seven pre-Code movie characters who were absolutely lesbian-coded, even if their narratives forced them into heteronormativity for the sake of plot. - YouTube In Baby Face, Barbara Stanwyck plays Lily, a woman who sleeps her way to the top of the corporate world without a second thought. She shares a one-room apartment and a whole lot of chemistry with her best friend Chico (Theresa Harris), and while the movie never says anything outright, the vibe is very much there. - YouTube Marlene Dietrich's Amy shows up in a tux, kisses a woman, and then strolls off like it's no big deal in 1930's Morocco. Sure, there's a male love interest, but perhaps there's an obvious reason why Amy "scorned all men," as the trailer declares. - YouTube In Red-Headed Woman (1932), Jean Harlow stars as Lil, an agent of chaos who will flirt with literally anyone to get what she wants — and we mean anyone. Her scene with a female store clerk is brief, but loaded. And her general disinterest in settling down with a man? Yeah, girl. We know what you are. - YouTube Marlene Dietrich plays Princess Sophia — soon to be Catherine the Great — in a film that's basically wall-to-wall dramatic lighting, corsets, and stone-cold stares. There's a whole lot of power, a whole lot of attitude, and not a man in sight that she seems particularly bothered about. - YouTube Ruth Chatterton plays a no-nonsense auto executive who runs her company, seduces her male employees, and doesn't have time for emotional attachments in the aptly titled Female. She lives alone and makes it very clear she's not interested in being anyone's wife — which, in a 1933 movie, is basically sapphic behavior, even if it never crosses the line. - YouTube It was only a matter of time before Katharine Hepburn showed up on the list. In her second film, Christopher Strong (1933), she dons pants, flies planes, and doesn't seem remotely interested in being anyone's wife. She technically falls for a man, but her whole energy screams 'lesbian aunt who casually vacations with her roommate for 40 years." That would be enough for us, but the fact that this one was directed by Dorothy Arzner? Yeah. She gay. - YouTube Aaaand another one for Dietrich! (Go figure.) This time, she plays a nightclub performer with a persona that feels designed to make straight people nervous. She's technically in love with her husband, but her entire wardrobe, energy, and the way she commands a room of women? Yeah, she knows what she's doing — and she's definitely done it before.
