Though postwar film noir is de rigueur for Noirvember, the Criterion Channel prepared a nifty bit of counterprogramming with a program dedicated to Pre-Code Divas. Going back before 1934, when the second coming of the Hays Code went into effect, one finds that time when sound was new and moral standards were, if not low, more libertine than they'd become. It was a time for sex comedies and sad stories about fallen women, moralist shockers and amoral delights, starring a cadre of starlets who became synonymous with the era. Some would go on to thrive within the Code, while others fell to obscurity when their vehicles dried up under new norms.
Since we all had so much fun with the last readers' poll, let's do another one. This time, you'll be voting on your favorite Pre-Code Diva. After the jump, discover our contenders and their Criterion-selected titles…
TALLULAH BANKHEAD
On the Channel: The Cheat (1931)
JOAN BLONDELL
On the Channel: Night Nurse (1931), Three on a Match (1932)
LILY DAMITA
On the Channel: This Is the Night (1932)
MARLENE DIETRICH
On the Channel: Dishonored (1931)
IRENE DUNNE
On the Channel: Back Street (1932)
ANN DVORAK
On the Channel: Scarface (1932), Three on a Match (1932)
JEAN HARLOW
On the Channel: Hell's Angels (1930)
MIRIAM HOPKINS
On the Channel: Design for Living (1933)
CAROLE LOMBARD
On the Channel: No Man of Her Own (1932)
DOROTHY MACKAILL
On the Channel: Safe in Hell (1931), No Man of Her Own (1932)
NORMA SHEARER
On the Channel: The Divorcee (1930)
BARBARA STANWYCK
On the Channel: Night Nurse (1931), Baby Face (1933)
MAE WEST
On the Channel: I'm No Angel (1933), She Done Him Wrong (1933)
ANNA MAY WONG
On the Channel: Daughter of the Dragon (1931)
So, dear reader, who gets your vote? Campaign for your favorite in the comments, and may the best diva win.