Last week Pam Grady wrote about women flouting social norms in Pre-Code Hollywood.

Her article was a perfect teaser for Elliot Lavine’s latest festival of classics from the era when movies were racy, raunchy and raw. Check out the schedule of consecutive Wednesdays at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre.

We could not resist offering you a selection of posters, trailers and clips from some of the films you will see there.

March 2- Sinsational Triple Feature

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI2EfT99W-4
A scene from the 1932 film Three on a Match with Joan Blondell, Bette Davis, Ann Dvorak, Lyle Talbot and Warren William.

Listen to Claudette Colbert singing Give Me Liberty or Give Me Love from Torch Singer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1zBFgOyI5I

March 9: Undeniable Eroticism

You look like nice girls … or not!

Gilda (Dorothy Mackaill) checks into an hourly hotel with a “friend.”

Gilda lets loose and Nina Mae McKinney sings the sultry blues, Sleepytime Down South.

Watch the original trailer and more clips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu8sOh0YyJQDorothy Mackaill is ready for discovery in Safe in Hell.

March 16: On The Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QvF2FZZftY

March 23: Breaking Hollywood Taboos

Barbara Stanwyck has a most frightening dream that even you will want to wake up from — but can’t.

John Gilbert gives a brilliant performance as the lecherous chauffer, Karl – a devious and malicious scoundrel who uses sex and blackmail to get ahead in life and, by doing so, turns a household upside down with his arrogance and charm. Based on Gilbert’s original story.

March 30: Bizarre Horror Triple Bill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QniXxRNIQY

Frederic March terrorizes Miriam Hopkins.

Frederic March’s astonishing transformation into his darker side.

After these films you may feel like taking a bath – Joan Blondell did.