Pre-Code Essentials Authors Kim Luperi and Danny Reid
There is no period in film history quite like theso-called pre-Code era, where the new production code put in place to keep thefilm industry in line didn’t quite do what it was intended to do for a few years. Kim Luperi of I See a Dark Theater and the Pre-Code Instagram account and Danny Reid of Pre-Code.com have studied and written about this cinematicperiod for several years. We talked about their new book from TCM, Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood's Untamed Era, 1930-1934, unpacked some of the most intriguing films from their selections, and mulled over why Pre-Codes are endlessly fascinating and popular with classic film fans
Buy a signed book from Larry Edmunds:
https://www.larryedmunds.com/product-page/pre-code-essentials-must-see-cinemafrom-hollywood-s-untamed-era-1930-1934 (https://www.larryedmunds.com/product-page/pre-code-essentials-must-see-cinemafrom-hollywood-s-untamed-era-1930-1934)
Book event information:
https://linktr.ee/precodehollywood
Keep up with Kim:
https://www.iseeadarktheater.com/ (https://www.iseeadarktheater.com/)
https://www.instagram.com/precodedotcom/
Keep up with Danny:
https://pre-code.com/ (https://pre-code.com/)
7 Nov 2025
Esther Bley of Queer Animation
My guest is Esther Bley, creator of the beautifully-curated Queer Animation database and writer for Cartoon Research. We talked about queer images in animation from the pre-Code era to the present day, how cartoon representation differs from live action, and the animation they find most interesting from each era.
Queer Animation
https://queeranimation.omeka.net/ (https://queeranimation.omeka.net/)
Esther’s Work at Cartoon Research
https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/category/the-cartoon-closet/
More links for Esther:
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/queeranimation (https://www.patreon.com/queeranimation)
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/queeranimation/ (https://www.instagram.com/queeranimation/)
Tiktok
https://www.tiktok.com/@queeranimation (https://www.tiktok.com/@queeranimation)
Tumblr
https://queeranimations.tumblr.com/ (https://queeranimations.tumblr.com/)
Queer Animation Playlist
(includes titles discussed in this episode)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUZBEz-FrZM&list=PLj3-hIKmvt6Xnqq3XbNA7HOtmvKJZlyan
31 Oct 2025
Bogart and Huston Author Nat Segaloff
The six films that Humphrey Bogart and director John Huston made together are some of the best of Hollywood’s golden age. These men are also complex and endlessly fascinating. I spoke with author Nat Segaloffabout their shared legacy and his new book, Bogart and Huston: Their Lives,Their Adventures, and the Classic Movies They Made Together.
Check out Nat Segaloff’s many books, and see a cute pic of his Italian Greyhound Louie at his official site:
http://www.natsegaloff.com/ (http://www.natsegaloff.com/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
3,299,668
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 72 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
76
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
85
Contact Watching Classic Movies
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Watching Classic Movies?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine