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Mark A. Vieira
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Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood Hardcover – October 1, 1999

by Mark A. Vieira (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 35 ratings
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Looks at motion picture history during the decade before the Hollywood production code was established
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harry N. Abrams
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 1999
  5. Grade level
    8 and up
  6. Reading age
    13 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    9.25 x 1 x 12.25 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0810944758
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0810944756
  10. See all details
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Prudes and the faint-of-heart shield your eyes! The stunning Sin in Soft Focus contains some of the most breathtaking black-and-white stills ever taken, all from the debaucherous decade before the Hollywood production code was established. With chapters devoted to "The Warners Grit," "The MGM Gloss," and "The Paramount Glow," and to horror films, gangster movies, and the sexy scandal of Mae West, Mark A. Vieira illustrates the story of classic Hollywood's most delightfully lascivious period--brought to a stop when Joseph Breen began enforcing the puritanical production code of 1934.

The text of this book is fascinating even for those familiar with the films of the era, but the mesmerizing photographs are what will keep readers glued to the pages. Oversized and abundant stills capture stars like Clara Bow, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, William Powell, Mae West, Joan Blondell, James Cagney, and Greta Garbo in striking clarity, dashing poses, and of course, shockingly revealing outfits. Voyeurs seeking more on this naughty era will also want to read Thomas Doherty's Pre-Code Hollywood. --Raphael Shargel

From Library Journal

Emboldened by a 1930 Production Code that required only voluntary compliance, film studios lured Depression-hardened audiences with bullet-riddled gangster sagas; hot jungle tales; horror films; sexy, sophisticated dramas; and lurid depictions of drug abuse, fallen women, and "white slavery." Eventually, challenged by state film boards and decency groups, Hollywood finally agreed to a 1934 Code (with enforcement powers) that endured until finally crumbling in the late 1960s. Vieira (Hurrell's Hollywood Portraits) is good at showing how the 1934 Code was part of a general return to order; though Mae West was too flamboyant to change her image, Claudette Colbert and Myrna Loy quickly went from playing on-screen vixens to playing housewives and mothers. In the end, precode films weren't better or worse than the films that came later, just different. This timely, informative look at a little-known period in American film history covers much the same ground as Thomas Doherty's Pre-Code Hollywood (LJ 7/99)Awhose main attractions are the many creamy film stills, which may surprise readers with their frank treatment of sex, nudity, and violence. This fascinating look at an important though brief period in Hollywood history is highly recommended.AStephen Rees, Levittown Regional Lib., PA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams; First Edition (October 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810944758
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810944756
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.25 x 1 x 12.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

About the author

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Mark A. Vieira

Mark A. Vieira

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Mark A. Vieira was born in Oakland, California on October 28, 1950. He is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer specializing in Hollywood history. He makes glamour portraits with George Hurrell's camera in the historic Granada Buildings, where Hurrell had his original studio.

In October 2009 Mark celebrated his fortieth anniversary as a professional photographer. In October 2010 the University of Southern California’s ONE Archives Gallery and Museum presented a retrospective of his work entitled “The Glamorous Gaze.”

Mark has lectured at USC, UCLA, at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Universal Studios, the Hollywood Heritage Museum, the Palm Springs Film Festival, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

He has appeared on camera in Photoplay Productions’ "Garbo," in Turner Classic Movies’ "Moguls and Movie Stars," Playboy’s "Sex at 24 Frames per Second," in Universal’s "Forbidden Film," and on "CBS Sunday Morning." In the 2011 BBC documentary "Shooting the Stars," he photographed Leslie Mann and interviewed Jane Russell.

In 2009 Mark guest-curated the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences exhibition: “Irving Thalberg: Creating the Hollywood Studio System, 1920-1936.” In 2011 he co-curated “Harlow at 100” for the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building.

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4.7 out of 5 stars
35 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • H.D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Star Photos and 5 Star Text
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I've read a lot of books on the movie industry and most of the beautiful photos in the book are not familiar to me. The text explains in very readable detail why and how the code came about and highlights the movies that brought the wrath of the reformers down on Hollywood. Since this book was first published in 1999 many of the films are now available on DVD. Keep a pencil and paper handy so you can jot down your list of "must see movies", my own list is very long.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • John B Castro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book and the look back at the great ...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Love this book and the look back at the great movies from pre-code Hollywood. It made me go back and watch some really great movies I have never seen before.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Beautiful photos
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great book! Beautiful photos, interesting tidbits about a fascinating era in film. I would recommend this book to anyone with a interest in Old Hollywood
    4 people found this helpful
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  • wrbtu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book of pre-code movie photos
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2001
    Verified Purchase
    The quality & the quantity of photos in this book is terrific! It covers the pre-code (1930-1934) era of Hollywood films. It should be used in conjunction with Mick Lasalle's "Complicated Women" (or less interestingly, with Thomas Doherty's "Pre-Code Hollywood") for best results. You can look at the great pictures in his book while reading the text of the other two (which also include great photos, but not nearly to the extent contained here).
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Tassenbär
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2017
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    very nice business - thank you
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  • E.G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2017
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    Excellent reading and photos.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Vicki L Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2016
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    Excellent historical perspective.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • A. Whitney
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining look at a formidable time in film history
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2002
    Verified Purchase
    This book offers a great collection of photographs and an insightful look at the early days of Hollywood when religious groups, politicians and self-important studio execs were grappling with Hollywood's role and responsibilities. Many nearly forgotten films are discussed. Like McCarthyism, this issues deserves this look so that we don't forget where society has been. A great book for film buffs.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • colin Hyde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent service
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2021
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    I chose this seller because there were some photos of the ware on the dust sheet of the book. The book was dispatched the same day I ordered it and was delivered well within the time stated. The book was as described and in very good condition. A hand written thank you from Jane on the delivery note is a nice personal touch.
    It is the first time I have used Janes Rare Books and I would happily buy from her again given quality of the service.
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  • Perry J. Benton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2016
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    The book is really awesome thanks very much wonderful seller
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