Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant and Funny, Too
Review: I bought this book after reading the review in the NY Times, but even that recommendation didn't prepare me for how wonderful this book turned out to be. The story of the pre-Code women -- triumphing in the days before censorship -- is inspiring. But it's also, in the hands of this skillful writer, a story of great humor and delight. I also appreciate the appendix, in which the author lists where we can find all the movies mentioned in the book. Not only would I recommend it to anybody, but I'm buying the book as a Christmas present for several of my friends.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE GREAT NOVELS, IF IT WERE A NOVEL
Review: I cried three times while reading this wonderful story of the great pre-Code women -- and laughed out loud a few times, too. This was my first pre-Code book. A friend of mine, who knew I liked old movies, gave it to me in January, and I thought, OK, well, maybe . . . and then I started reading it -- and fell in love. The women: Hopkins! Shearer! Dietrich! Harding! Francis! Do you know those names? Get the book. Do you not know the names? Then you really need this book. It's like never hearing of Mozart. Or the Beatles. Or ice cream. These are some of the great women of the twentieth century: Loretta Young! Stanwyck! Blondell! Colbert! You need to know them, because, in a way, they invented us. And don't think they had an easy time of it, either. LaSalle documents it all. The personalities, the struggles -- and the villains, who did everything they could to prevent the modern woman from being born -- but she got born -- and then did everything they could to suppress her. Before they succeeded, these women created a golden age of film that people are just discovering now -- but that women and men 100 years from now will still be talking about. My friend said to me, "Cameron, you NEED to read this book," and I thought, OK, well, maybe -- but it turned out she was right. In that spirit, of friendship, I say the same to you.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK, A GREAT DISTRACTION
Review: I got COMPLICATED WOMEN as a birthday gift and found it was the only thing that successfully distracted me from all the election recount coverage on TV. This is a masterful book, an important book, a work of insight and contagious enthusiasm. It's also enormous fun. When I finished the book, the election was still going on -- I hadn't really missed anything. Even better, now I'm going out and systematically watching all the pre-Code women's films that LaSalle lists in the appendix. (He lists all of them!) I also loved the photos -- they're about fifty of them, mostly full page.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK ON PRE-CODE, BY FAR
Review: I got this as a Chanukah gift, read it immediately, read it religiously, read it everywhere, counted the pages and wished there were more. I didn't know about pre-Code when I got it, though I've always loved old movies, but after this book, I went on to read every other pre-Code book out there. But you know what? This is the best one -- by far. In one book, LaSalle gives you everything -- the history, the times, the movies, and the women. It's smart criticism, and it's a terrific story, and not only that, it's good writing. If you're getting interested in this subject, or think you might want to become interested in this subject -- I'm 35, and I wonder what took me so long -- THIS is the book to read. I'm reading it again, now that I've seen some of the movies. It holds up.
Rating:
Summary: DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, AND WHAT DID I DO?
Review: I got this book for Christmas and spent all day reading it, and what a pleasure -- and how incredibly informative and useful. Leftist propaganda? Uh, no, unless pointing out the truth about the right-wing conspiracy to censor the movies -- and quoting Joseph Breen's reactionary correspondence -- now qualifies as leftist. How about honest? How about the truth? And forget politics -- this is about something much more transcendent and glorious. A great film book, and a treasured gift.
Rating:
Summary: DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, AND WHAT DID I DO?
Review: I got this book for Christmas and spent all day reading it, and what a pleasure -- and how incredibly informative and useful. Leftist propaganda? Uh, no, unless pointing out the truth about the right-wing conspiracy to censor the movies -- and quoting Joseph Breen's reactionary correspondence -- now qualifies as leftist. How about honest? How about the truth? And forget politics -- this is about something much more transcendent and glorious. A great film book, and a treasured gift.
Rating:
Summary: FASCINATING AND INFORMATIVE
Review: I have been a movie goer since I was a child. I grew up in the 40s. Most of the stars Mr. LaSalle talks about in his book are favorites of mine. I found Mr. LaSalle's book fascinating and informative. It deals with certain members of societies efforts to keep women subserviant to men and not give women the freedom we are all guaranteed.
Rating:
Summary: Great for film experts and novices alike
Review: I loved this book. It got me hooked on a whole new film style and opened my eyes to another era's sociology in film. What makes this book work is it's readability and intelligence. The text is not overly academic, nor does it descend to the level of reporting Hollywood gossip. In fact, this book prompted me to read a whole series of books on film history, sociology and sexual issues.
Rating:
Summary: Great for film experts and novices alike
Review: I loved this book. It got me hooked on a whole new film style and opened my eyes to another era's sociology in film. What makes this book work is it's readability and intelligence. The text is not overly academic, nor does it descend to the level of reporting Hollywood gossip. In fact, this book prompted me to read a whole series of books on film history, sociology and sexual issues.
Rating:
Summary: Superb writing, detailed research, long-overdue...
Review: I must admit I bought this book first because of the fact that Norma Shearer was on the cover. I am a big fan of hers and always felt extremely frustrated that she is practically forgotten today even though she had such an impact on our movie culture from the silent days until her retirement in 1942. When I saw that book on the shelves, I didn't even hesitate and bought it right away, not knowing anything about it or the author. I always buy any book related to actresses from old movies anyway. But as I started to read, I became completely engrossed in the story, the drama, the lives of these pioneer women. These actresses were literally strangled in their creative flow by those stupid, rigid and close-minded officials who in 1934, decided to put a stop to what they felt were abominations, destroying a brilliant path the movies could have gone for if given the chance. This book is simply superb. There are no words strong enough to express just how much I love it. I had never heard of the author and was amazed at how much he knew about his subjects. His comments are often funny, touching and always right on target. I devoured this book while being on a business trip out of the country and it became my companion on those long hours on the plane. I recommend this book to everyone. I have read the other reviews and agree with all those who are highly praising. One of them was written by a woman who, saying that it was a must for all women, was wondering how men might feel about this book. Well, I can tell you right now that as a man, I would very strongly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about our movie history. I have read the book at least 10 times by now and always enjoy it immensely. I only wish there were other extremely good books like this one about that period in film culture which is probably the most fascinating ever, even to this day. And in closing, I really have to say that I was SHOCKED when I realized, like many other reviewers, that many of those pre-code movies wouldn't even be made today. I mean, this is mind-boggling when you think about it! We are in 2002 after all! An absolute MUST!!!
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