Rating: 
Summary: I owe it all to Mick LaSalle. . .
Review: I owe my old-movie-star obsession to Mr. Mick LaSalle, author of this wonderful book. Believe it or not, I hadn't heard of women like Norma Shearer or Miriam Hopkins before I read it; Jean Harlow, Mae West, and Greta Garbo were just images, not real human beings. But after reading Complicated Women, I have to admit I went a little crazy, reading every biography of these celebrities that I could. I was fascinated especially with Harlow, who is treated so fairly in this book. (Usually, film historians write her off as a bit of a tramp.) Thanks to you, Mr. LaSalle, Norma, Claudette, Miriam, Garbo, Jean, Mae, and the rest are now a permanent part of my world!
Rating:
Summary: I owe it all to Mick LaSalle. . .
Review: I owe my old-movie-star obsession to Mr. Mick LaSalle, author of this wonderful book. Believe it or not, I hadn't heard of women like Norma Shearer or Miriam Hopkins before I read it; Jean Harlow, Mae West, and Greta Garbo were just images, not real human beings. But after reading Complicated Women, I have to admit I went a little crazy, reading every biography of these celebrities that I could. I was fascinated especially with Harlow, who is treated so fairly in this book. (Usually, film historians write her off as a bit of a tramp.) Thanks to you, Mr. LaSalle, Norma, Claudette, Miriam, Garbo, Jean, Mae, and the rest are now a permanent part of my world!
Rating:
Summary: Pre-Code Intrigue
Review: I remember watching movies from the 30s on cable tv and thinking to myself, "Wow, that's pretty racy stuff for the time." Little did I know that these gems had such snappy adult dialogue and innuendo because they were what is commonly referred to as "pre-Code". Before Hollywood laid down the restrictive Production Code in 1934, women on-screen showed skin, had babies out of wedlock, had affairs, conned and murdered lovers, were sold into white slavery, had abortions and even had dalliances with members of their own sex...all in movies that the general public loved! Mick LaSalle's book does a very good job of highlighting the power of women in Pre-Code movies and explaining why certain stars embodied the heart and soul of the modern woman. Mr. LaSalle should be commended on his attention to Norma Shearer's contribution to the film industry. She is all but forgotten today, forgotten in the modern fascination with the Garbos and Harlows of early Hollywood...and this is a shame. Mr. LaSalle makes me wonder if there had been no Production Code imposed in 1934, would women have better roles and more clout in modern cinema? It's an interesting concept. The photos in the book are beautiful and highlight some stars that all but forgotten today, except for a few film buffs, such as Ann Dvorak, Constance Bennett, Dorothy Mackaill and Miriam Hopkins.
Rating:
Summary: ONE WORD -- FABULOUS!
Review: I've been waiting for this book for years. I was waiting for it before I knew I was waiting for it, and here it is. The art, the dirt, the glamour . . . and the pictures, too. This is the whole story of the pre-Code women -- you name them, they're in here. When I got this book, no one heard from me for days. Well, now I'm back! And I'm not lending it to anybody, so you'll just have to buy your own!
Rating:
Summary: A liberatingly fresh and personal Hollywood history
Review: I've read a ridiculous number of books about '30s Hollywood but none have the tone and attitude of Mick LaSalle's. He's as tough and funny and savagely honest as the best of the Precode movies themselves. This is the book I'd recommend to start a study of that startling passage in American culture, and one that no such study could be complete without.
Rating:
Summary: WHERE HAS THIS BOOK BEEN ALL MY LIFE!
Review: Ladies and gentleman, this is the book. Before the forces of oppression, repression and hatred-of-all-self-expression took control of movies, there was a little period of time, this camelot-like period where freedom reigned. COMPLICATED WOMEN tells the story of that period and the women who made it amazing -- and those ladies are still relevant to us today. I mean, they're not just still good today, still entertaining. The movies they made are still relevant; they have things to say to us. Those movies are wilder than anything out there NOW. I also liked the pictures in this book. They're about 50 or so, and they're lovely.
Rating: 
Summary: Leftist propaganda? Are you kidding me?
Review: LaSalle's book is easily the best you'll find on Pre-Code film, and bravo to him for casting a new light on dismissed stars like Ann Dvorak, Norma Shearer, and Miriam Hopkins, and revealing what disservice was done to the industry with the Code. To the reviewer who blasted this as "leftist propaganda," a few things: 1. LaSalle does not praise the "immoral" (spare me) actions in the films, he bemoans that Breen decided movies could no longer address these issues THAT HAPPEN TO REAL PEOPLE IN EVERYDAY LIFE, issues that made for great drama and allowed actresses the chance to do something besides portray historical figures, engenues, or maiden aunts. 2. Breen & his gang of self-righteous thumpers made anti-semetic comments about studio heads. period. You have some reading to do. 3. Where did you find the bizarre statistic that "90%" of Americans wanted "immoral" tales off the screen? Norma Shearer, Mae West, and others had huge followings, and many of these films were immensely popular. Letter-writing campaigns and boycotts from the sticks in 1934 does not equal "90%" of the U.S. The Code was supported right up to 1955? Says WHO?
Rating: 
Summary: Johnny One Note
Review: Mick LaSalle's COMPLICATED WOMEN is a fantastic film history that reads like a page-turner novel. From this era and these marvelous women, he has fashioned a compelling story that makes you long for more -- and more is available -- more being the films themselves -- for which this book is the most extraordinary and helpful introduction. Not just an introduction, because an introduction introduces and then walks away. Make that, a guide. Read it first, and then keep it by the television.
Rating:
Summary: DAZZLING -- IT READS LIKE A PAGE-TURNER
Review: Mick LaSalle's COMPLICATED WOMEN is a fantastic film history that reads like a page-turner novel. From this era and these marvelous women, he has fashioned a compelling story that makes you long for more -- and more is available -- more being the films themselves -- for which this book is the most extraordinary and helpful introduction. Not just an introduction, because an introduction introduces and then walks away. Make that, a guide. Read it first, and then keep it by the television.
Rating:
Summary: REDISCOVER SOME EXCELLENT FILM GEMS!
Review: Mick LaSalle's COMPLICATED WOMEN showcases the development of an exciting genre of films (1929-July 1934) that should really be seen by anyone interested in good films and film history. LaSalle writes with a sharp, informed intelligence and wit. He capsulates the careers of the era's most significant stars: Harlow, Francis, Crawford, Harding, Hopkins, Chatterton -- and reminds us of the strong, sexual, intelligent roles they were able to play before the Production Code. Garbo and Norma Shearer provided the foundation in 1929-30 for what followed. His emphasis on these two makes perfect sense -- they had the most prestige, fan appeal and power during this time to shift the gears of how women were to be seen in the movies. This book is also a great reference of film titles to go out and seek or watch for on Turner Classic Movies. It certainly made me redefine my own outlook on women's roles in old movies. What I saw growing up in the 50's and 60's at the movies was a gigantic technicolor bore compared to some of these films. This book is a must for every film library.
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