Breaking the Rules: Great Women of the Pre-Code Era Movie Series

Produced for Proctors by Paul Kazee, and curated for Union College by Professor Jenelle Troxell, “Breaking the Rules: Great Women of the Pre-Code Era” features conversations with Union College Professors Michele Chilcoat, Çigdem Çidam, Megan M. Ferry, Lori J. Marso, Erika M. Nelson Mukherjee, and Krisanna Scheiter.

“Breaking the Rules” celebrates the audacious women who lent their genius to the cinema before the enforcement of the proscriptive Hays Code. During this era (1930-1934), Hollywood had a much racier imagination than in subsequent years, and smart, complex women openly expressed their ambitions and desires—without compunction. And audiences, Depression-worn and Prohibition-weary, were waiting!

Schedule

Thursday, March 2, 2023, 7:00pm - Addy Theatre @ Proctors

“Baby Face,” Q&A with Union College’s Lori J. Marso, Doris Zemurray Stone Professor of Modern Literary and Historical Studies/Director of American Studies

Thursday, March 23, 2023, 7:00pm - GE Theatre @ Proctors

“Red-Headed Woman,” Q&A with Union College’s Krisanna Scheiter, Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy

Thursday, April 6, 2023, 7:00pm - GE Theatre @ Proctors

“Shanghai Express,” Q&A with Union College’s Q&A with Union College’s Megan M. Ferry, Professor of Chinese

Thursday, April 20, 2023, 7:00pm - GE Theatre @ Proctors

“Blonde Venus,” Q&A with Union College’s Erika Nelson Mukherjee, Professor of German/Director of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies

Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:00pm - GE Theatre @ Proctors

“Dance, Girl, Dance,” Q&A with Union College’s Çigdem Çidam, Associate Professor of Political Science

Thursday, June 1, 2023, 7:00pm - Addy Theatre @ Proctors

“Zouzou,” Q&A with Union College’s Michelle Chilcoat, Associate Professor of French/Co-Director of Film Studies