Forbidden Hollywood!

Turner Classic Movies Explores Pre-Code Hollywood with Primetime Marathon Five Pre-Code Classics and an All-New Documentary Fill Out March 3 Marathon, Presented in Conjunction with the DVD Release of Warner Home Video’s TCM Archives: Forbidden Hollywood Collection Volume 2


Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is heading back in time to the heyday of pre-Production Code Hollywood, when filmmakers were able to push the boundaries of the morality of the day. In conjunction with the March 4 DVD release of TCM Archives: Forbidden Hollywood Collection Volume 2 from Warner Home Video, TCM is presenting an all-night marathon of pre-Code classics, along with an all-new documentary entitled Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood.

TCM’s Forbidden Hollywood marathon kicks of Monday, March 3, at 8 p.m. (ET) with The Divorcee (1930), starring Norma Shearer in an Oscar®-winning performance. The night continues with the premiere of Thou Shalt Not, followed by Night Nurse (1931), starring Barbara Stanwyck; Three on a Match (1932), with Bette Davis; Female (1933), starring Ruth Chatterton; and A Free Soul (1931), starring Oscar-winner Lionel Barrymore. All of the films in the marathon and DVD set have been digitally re-mastered from newly restored film elements. TCM will present them uncut and commercial free.

Film industry censorship began in 1922, following a trio of scandals that rocked Hollywood: the Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle rape/murder trial, the never-solved murder of director William Desmond Taylor and the drug-related death of matinee idol Wallace Reid. In 1930, a new version of the Production Code was drafted to standardize the censorship requirements of various states, since the inception of talking films made it difficult to arbitrarily cut offending scenes.

For the first several years, the studios merely paid lip-service to the Code, since they were more interested in finding ways to lure dwindling Depression-era audiences into theatres. During this time, many films allowed for extraordinary frankness, including nudity, adultery, premarital sex and prostitution.

The Pre-Code era kicked off with the 1929 release of The Divorcee. The phenomenal critical and financial success of the picture led other studios to try topping it, and soon almost every actress in Hollywood was required to sin and repent. The sensational series of films that emerged helped Hollywood survive its economic crisis and moviegoers enjoy the vicarious thrills the films provided.

The era came to an abrupt close beginning July 1, 1934, when Catholic watchdog groups threatened boycotts of all films and the Church established the Legion of Decency to monitor movies. Studio heads bowed to the pressure and the era of censorship began, lasting until the establishment of the industry’s rating system in 1968.

Turner Classic Movies, currently seen in more than 75 million homes, is a 24-hour cable network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. TCM presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from the largest film library in the world, the combined Time Warner and Turner film libraries, from the 1920s through the 1990s, uncut and commercial-free. The network also offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials, including the Martin Scorsese Presents: Val Lewton—The Man in the Shadows, the Emmy®-winning Stardust: The Bette Davis Story and the Emmy-nominated Brando. More information is available at tcm.com.

Forbidden Hollywood on TCM
Monday, 3 March 2008



8 p.m. The Divorcee (1930) – Based on Ursula Parrott’s spicy 1929 novel “Ex-wife,” this highly controversial film was nominated for four Academy Awards® including Best Picture. Norma Shearer won for Best Actress as a woman who decides to match her cheating husband tryst for tryst after catching him husband in a compromising position.



9:30 p.m. Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008) – This never-before seen documentary examines the unique collision of events that resulted in one of the most dynamic – and most delicious – periods in Hollywood history. It’s a fascinating mix of scandal, big business and social history.



10:45 p.m. Night Nurse (1931) – This film from famed director William Wellman is a sassy, unsentimental comedy about a private pediatric nurse named Lora Hart (Barbara Stanwyck). After she applies as an apprentice in a family home, she discovers there is a plot afoot to starve her two rich, fat, young charges to death. The culprit is the family’s chauffeur, Nick (Clark Gable), a villain who plans to marry the kids’ dissolute mother and make off with their trust fund.



Midnight Three on a Match (1932) – This gangster melodrama stars Bette Davis, Joan Blondell and Ann Dvorak as a trio of school chums – Mary, Ruth and Vivian – meeting for a reunion 10 years after high school. This film from director Mervyn LeRoy follows each of the women’s lives. Mary is now a chorus girl after a stint in reform school; level-headed Ruth has a job as a secretary; and sexy Vivian is on the verge of deserting her wealthy husband in favor of a glamorous gangster. The film is noteworthy for the number of future stars making brief appearances, including Humphrey Bogart as “The Mug.”



1:15 a.m. Female (1933) – In director Michael Curtiz’s romantic comedy, Ruth Chatterton (seen in image above) plays Alison Drake, the iron-fisted president of a motorcar company. She oversees the daily operations of her male employees with a predatory gaze, but she meets her match in an equally strong-minded new employee, Jim Thorne (George Brent), and the two engage in a smoldering, contentious, sexually charged duel. The action of the film – one of the first to depict a female character turning a man’s world to her advantage – feeds on the novelty of presenting a woman as a corporate shark and bedroom hound.



2:30 a.m. Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008) – encore.



3:45 a.m. A Free Soul (1931) – Lionel Barrymore captured an Oscar for his portrayal of a brilliant alcoholic lawyer who successfully defends a dashing gangster (Clark Gable) on a murder charge, only to find that his headstrong daughter (Norma Shearer) has fallen in love with his client (image above is from A Free Soul). Shearer and director Clarence Brown also received nominations for their work in this powerful and moving film.

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Through May 1st, 2008, fans of the celebrity-favorite Sonya Dakar Skin care products will have the opportunity to experience a taste of star treatment by entering in the company’s “Body by Sonya Dakar Red Carpet Weekend” contest. With the purchase of any of the line’s new body collection at www.sonyadakar.com (debuts in February 2008), customers will automatically be entered to win a premium package which includes:

* Two round-trip tickets to Los Angeles
* A two-night stay at the seaside Viceroy Hotel
* Dinner for two at the famed eatery and hot spot, Dolce co-owned by Ashton Kutcher
* Customized treatments at the Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic in Beverly Hills where Hollywood elites Drew Barrymore, Jessica Biel, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas and many others are frequent visitors
* A visit with celebrity hairdresser Kim Vo who is responsible for the perfect tresses on Terri Hatcher, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson and Pamela Anderson

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Body by Sonya Dakar is an expansion of the high-end Sonya Dakar line of skin care products, and the line’s first-ever face-grade line of products for the body. Sonya, who has been treating Hollywood’s biggest names for years created this line out of her strong belief of taking great care of every part of the body. “In essence, I don’t just treat the face. I treat the skin,” explains Sonya Dakar. “Because every part of the body gives away age, taking care of the entire body and making it part of your skin care program is key.”

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Enjoy our Oscar Fashion Photos and Scoop, but don't forget to enter BeansTalk's St. Paddy's Day Giveaway from Anonymous Venice! Scroll down several entries for more information.

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Oscar Fashion Highlights

Helen Mirren

Oscar winner, Helen Mirren, chose a custom-made Georges Chakra garnet duchess satin gown for her red carpet appearance for the film industry’s most important evening of the year. The Georges Chakra gown was especially designed for the evening and has Swarovski crystal drop sleeves and back. Couture fashion designer Georges Chakra shows his collection in Paris. Mirren also wore Platinum and diamond drop earrings, stackable bracelets and a cocktail ring by Kwiat.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl looked stunning in a red silk georgette ESCADA column gown for the film industry’s most important evening, The 80th Annual Academy Awards. The custom made one-shoulder gown has a small ring on her left shoulder with a draped pleated fabric bodice and a gathered draped back.

Platinum Perfect

Old Hollywood Glamour is back! Sunday, the world’s hottest film stars sparkled in millions of dollars worth of pure Platinum bling at the 80th Annual Academy Awards. Jewelry and style expert Michael O’Connor notes that “stacked cuff bracelets, bold cluster earrings and candy-colored cocktail rings set in Platinum are in vogue this season for women, while men will be sporting unique Platinum watches and tie accents.” O’Connor adds that “A-listers choose Platinum jewelry because it holds their gemstones more securely than any other metal and makes their jewelry sparkle from afar, which is very important on the red carpet and on stage.”



Following is a list of Platinum baubles that celebrities wore on the red carpet and at parties this Sunday (retail prices are provided when available):



Cameron Diaz: Platinum earrings by Bvlgari.

Cate Blanchett: Blackened Platinum earrings ($800,000) and multiple blackened Platinum bangles ($250,000) by Lorraine Schwartz.

Jennifer Hudson: Platinum bangles, earrings, rings and a hair pin by Neil Lane (total over $2 million).

Laura Linney: Platinum earrings, pendant necklace and cuff bracelet by Cathy Waterman.

Demi Moore: Platinum and diamond bracelets, earrings and a cocktail ring by Neil Lane (total over $5 million).

Madonna: Platinum and diamond stacked bracelets, rings, chains and a pair of earrings designed by Neil Lane especially for her (total over $5 million).

Ali Landry: Platinum earrings and bracelets by Neil Lane.

Forest Whitaker: Platinum, diamond and onyx cufflinks by Kwiat. Platinum stud earrings, and a Platinum and diamond “Aire Traveler” watch by Chris Aire (total more than $125,000).

Johnny Depp: Accents his heirloom cufflinks from Heath Ledger with Platinum shirt studs by Kwiat. Or, platinum and rough diamond cufflinks by Neil Lane.

George Clooney: Platinum cufflinks by Kwiat.

Patrick Dempsey: Platinum cufflinks by Kwiat.

Steve Carrel: Platinum cufflinks by Kwiat.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Platinum cufflinks by Neil Lane. Or, cufflinks by Kwiat.

Summer Phoenix: Platinum dress clips, bracelets and rings by Neil Lane.

Kristen Chenoworth: Platinum and diamond earrings and a cuff bracelet by Kwiat.

Maya Rudolph: Platinum earrings and bangles by Neil Lane.

Saorise Ronan: Platinum bracelet by Kwiat or Neil Lane.

Madison Michelle: Platinum, diamond and tanzanite necklace and drop earrings, and Platinum and diamond stackable rings by Erica Courtney (total over $156,000).

Oscar Trophy Presenters: Platinum jewelry by Rafinity, including a Platinum and 85 carat diamond necklace (total $1.2 million).

Minnie Driver

Actress Minnie Driver arrives at the 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Party to celebrate the Academy Awards, the Oscars, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, February 24, 2008.

British actress Driver completed her red carpet look for the Elton John Oscar party with Rickard Shah’s black satin JULIETTE heels with looped bow, ankle strap and sexy five inch heels.

Could she be hiding her rumored baby bump in her choice of dress? Her dress was by Pamella Roland, a black silk chiffon strapless gown with jet beaded and velvet flower empire waist. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum’s Oscar Look

Dress – John Galliano couture red gown to raise awareness for Diet Coke's Red Dress Campaign. The gown will be given away on mycokerewards.com to benefit women's heart health.

Jewelry – Earrings, rings and cuff from the Heidi Klum Collection for Mouawad featuring rubies, kunzites and pink diamonds set in 18k rose gold. The set is valued at approximately $250,000.

Shoes – Gloexstrap by Stuart Weitzman

Hair and make-up – Hairstylist Helena Faccenda and Victoria’s Secret make-up artist Linda Hay used Victoria’s Secret So Sexy hair products and Very Sexy Make-up to complete Heidi’s look.

Helena created a soft mod updo inspired by Faye Dunaway, circa 1968 Thomas Crown Affair. To get the this updo, Helena backcombed Heidi’s roots to give the hair a little lift. Hair was smoothed over with a soft tooth brush. To finish the look, hair was tied into a couture shaped ball at the crown of her head. “To complement Heidi’s amazing couture gown, I channeled Elegant Horst’s 60's Vogue cover”.

As for the makeup, Heidi’s look, distinctly Mod, is initially inspired by her gown. Linda focused on the eyes, the absence of color and a neutral lip.

The skin was sun-kissed with a beige/bronzy look from head to toe using a mix of Bare Bronze Gleaming Self Tan Tint and Daily Glow Moisturizer to her whole body and a light sweep of Ooh La La Shimmer Powder to line her legs, arms, and shoulders. For her face, Linda used tinted moisturizer to even out her complexion and a little concealer around the eyes and nose. A light dusting of translucent powder and Goddess Bronzer to shape and contour her face.
For the eyes, Linda used Black Velvet Eye Pencil to draw a very thin line on the top lash line. Then using the 2 lighter Charcoal colors in the Satisfied Eye Very Sexy Mosaic palette, she lightly smudged the pencil and drew in the crease. Linda used the white shadow in the Mosaic palette to highlight right under the brow line and a dot at the inside corner of the eye. Underneath, she also added a thin sweep of the lightest silver to gently define the eye. Next, she applied individual lashes to the top and bottom lashes and about four or five applications of Very Voluptuous Black Mascara for supreme definition. To make the eye pop even more, she used Sparkling White Eye Pencil. The lips were kept matte. Linda used Ginger Spice to line her lips and filled them with a combination of Whisper and Spontaneous to finish the look.

Tilda Swinton

Best Supporting Actress winner Tilda Swinton (for her role in the Oscar nominated film Michael Clayton), wore a beautiful black washed silk satin draped evening gown by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi arrives at the 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Party to celebrate the Academy Awards, the Oscars, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, February 24, 2008. One of the hosts of the In Style Elton John Oscar Party, Portia de Rossi accessorized her nude tulle dress with Rickard Shah’s RACHELLE pearlized leather clutch. She also wore Lanvin’s sand-colored powder satin sleeveless dress with elastic belt from the Spring 2008 collection. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)

Faye Dunaway

Actress Faye Dunaway arrives at the 80th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. Dunaway wore a gold sequin long sleeve scoop-neck sheath gown by Pamella Roland. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Diane Lane

Diane Lane accompanied her husband actor/presenter Josh Brolin to the Academy Awards in David Meister’s chocolate brown draped jersey goddess gown with beaded trim detail. Platinum earrings and ring by Neil Lane.

Sarah Polley

Canadian Screenwriter Sarah Polley, left, an Oscar nominee for best adapted screenplay for his work on 'Away from Her,' and British actress Julie Christie, nominated for an Oscar for best actress in a leading role for her work in 'Away from Her,' arrive for the 80th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, in Los Angeles. Polley wore David Meister’s midnight blue jersey gown with silver empire beaded waist. She carried Mary Norton’s Wales – a brushed silver oval shaped minaudière with Swarovski crystal décor. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Screenwriter Nancy Oliver

Nominated for Best Original Screenplay for the film Lars and the Real Girl, Nancy Oliver wore David Meister’s mocha metallic jersey gown with twisted asymmetrical straps. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Jennifer Garner

Frederic Fekkai's Adir Abergel styled presenter Jennifer Garner's locks.

To get the look, Adir started by applying from root to ends Fekkai Coiff Shape and Set Mist. Adir then parted hair for a severe side part, hiding all of Jen’s short bangs. He blow-dried small sections of the hair with a round brush and pinned each section back. Set the hair for about 10 minutes, Adir took a 1" curling iron and curled her entire head. He then sprayed some Sheer Hold hairspray by Fekkai and pinned all her hair back into a low de-constructed bun. Making sure to leave the severe side bang and a few random pieces out to frame her face.

The products all by Fekkai:
Coiff Shape and Set Mist
Coiff Fini Sheer Hold Hairspray

Marion Cotillard




Marion Cotillard, best actress Oscar nominee for "La Vie en Rose," arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood February 24, 2008.

Robert Vetica, a Frederic Fekkai hair designer tended to the tresses of nominee, Cotillard

The Look: A modern day Veronica Lake scooped off to the side and accented with a low side-part.

The products all by Fekkai:
Coiff Shape and Set Mist
Coiff Magnifique Finishing Cream
Coiff Fini Sheer Hold Hairspray

REUTERS/Lucas Jackson and (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Griffin Vegas Bound


Kathy Griffin Heads to Las Vegas to Host All-New Special for TBS,
World’s Funniest Commercials: Hilarious Liaisons
Relationship-Themed Special Featuring More than 50 Comedic Ads
To Premiere Sunday, March 16, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)



Emmy®-winning comedian Kathy Griffin is set to host the latest edition of TBS’s popular Funniest Commercials franchise when she heads to Las Vegas for World’s Funniest Commercials: Hilarious Liaisons. The one-hour special, featuring more than 50 comedic ads centered on relationships, is set to premiere Sunday, March 16, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). It is being produced by Robert Dalrymple Productions in conjunction with TWI. Dalrymple and Steve Mayer serve as executive producers, with Paul Miller directing.

“For this relationship-oriented special packed with hilarious commercials from around the globe, we are delighted to have the biting wit of the one-and-only Kathy Griffin,” said Ken Schwab, senior vice president of programming for TBS and TNT. “And what better place for her to host from than the marriage capital of the world, Las Vegas.”

World’s Funniest Commercials: Hilarious Liaisons will explore the conflicts that arise in relationships as depicted in comedic commercials from such companies as Amstel Light, Axe, Bacardi Silver, Budweiser, Geico, Diet Dr. Pepper, Levi’s, Motorola, Starburst, Subway and Toyota.

Each year, TBS presents several specials showcasing comedic commercials from around the globe. The Funniest Commercials of the Year specials give viewers the chance to vote on their favorite ads, with the results unveiled in a year-end special. Funniest Commercials of the Year: 2007 delivered more than 5 million viewers for its premiere telecast.

In addition to the Funniest Commercials specials, TBS also offers VeryFunnyAds.com, an extremely popular broadband destination featuring a treasure-trove of comedic ads.

Chicago native Kathy Griffin is probably best known for her critically acclaimed reality show My Life on the D-List, which last year took the Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program. She is also known for her four-year stint on the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan, with Brooke Shields.

Griffin got her start in Hollywood with the famed Los Angeles Groundlings comedy improvisation troupe. She also began building her resume with guest-starring roles on such series as ER, Seinfeld and The X-Files. After various TV guest spots, she began gaining notice as a stand-up comedian, headlining an HBO Half Hour Comedy Special. In 1998, HBO gave Griffin her own one-hour comedy special, A Hot Cup of Talk. She has since taken center stage in four highly successful stand-up specials for Bravo.

An outstanding vocal talent, Griffin has supplied voices for characters on the animated series Dilbert and The Simpsons. She has also co-hosted The Billboard Music Awards three years in a row, appeared on numerous talk shows and co-starred in such feature films as It’s Pat and Four Rooms. In the reality genre, Griffin participated in and won Celebrity Mole, followed by hosting gigs on Average Joe and Kathy’s So-Called Reality.

She also appeared in Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” music video.

Pendant Power

We cannot wear necklaces, they irritate our sensitive neck. We certainly couldn’t wear one now because we are currently in low-key hiding because we have a frightening stress rash on our face and neck. So we wouldn’t be wearing a necklace that would draw attention to that particular area.

However, you, dear BeansTalk reader, have a bevy of choices for classy pendant wear.

Here’s a look at the latest Pretty Pendants we admire (even though we cannot covet them).


• Sun Pendant Necklace: Sun set with diamonds; 0.50 total carat weight.
• Dress Pendant Necklace: Dress set with diamonds; 0.13 total carat weight. Ruby accent. Pendant, 3/4"H x 1/3"W.

Both, 18-karat white gold. Jump ring clasp. 18"L chain. Made in Italy.

About Roberto Coin:
Since founding his own company in 1977, Roberto Coin has rightfully gained fame as a tireless innovator, most notably for pioneering the use of three-color gold in 1978. His jewelry seems to capture the fluidity of his amphibious hometown, Venice forms and shapes meld, creating a sense of wholeness, the distinction between the timeless and the modern ever-blurred. Perpetually reinventing his personal style, Roberto Coin produces more than 600 unique jewelry models annually. Each piece includes a hidden 0.3 carat ruby, a signature of the designer.

Roberto Coin
Sun Pendant Necklace
Price: $1,740.00

Roberto Coin
Dress Pendant Necklace
Price: $640.00

Diamond Crown Necklace

• 14-karat solid white gold.
• Pavé diamond crown pendant, 0.14 total carat weight.
• 1/2"L x 1/2"W.
• 16"L chain with lobster clasp.
• Imported.

KC Designs
Diamond Crown Necklace
Price: $465.00