50 Days Until Pre-Code Essentials!
September 8, 2025
Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood’s Untamed Era, 1930-1934, the book I co-wrote with Danny Reid, debuts in 50 days, on October 28! I recently received my first copy, and it’s surreal to see it in print. (I also got to show it to family and friends during two east coast trips in August, which was very special.)
​
​I’ve been posting more about the book on the @precodedotcom Instagram account, including an unboxing video and a sneak peek of the 50 titles we cover. Give me a follow, if you don’t already. I’ll be sharing more from the book there as we get closer to publication.
My first copy of Pre-Code Essentials toured northern New Jersey with me!
In the meantime, here’s a snapshot I haven’t posted anywhere yet! When in northern New Jersey recently, I stopped by my hometown library, which is where I worked as a teenager and checked out all those classic film books that fueled my obsession with the era.
​
In anticipation of the book's release, Danny and I will be doing some promotion soon. For starters, next Sunday, September 14 at 10am PST we'll be on our pal Karie Bible's Hollywood Kitchen series to whip up some pre-Code star recipes and chat all about the book and the era. You can watch it live on her Facebook page HERE. I'm making a chocolate cake recipe from Glenda Farrell, and I'm not a baker, so we'll see how that goes! We’ll also be announcing the book launch in Los Angeles as well as some events in early November soon, so stay tuned. ​
Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered the book; we appreciate the support! If you’d like to pre-order, there are various links to do so HERE. (Note: These links are for the US only. If you’re outside the US, please check out your local Amazon site; I know the book is available in several other countries, including Mexico, the UK, Spain, Ireland, Italy India, Korea, Australia, and many more.) Oh, and Pre-Code Essentials will also be available as an e-book AND an audiobook. So many choices! I can’t wait to share it with you this October.
thanks for stopping by!
I See a Dark Theater is a website dedicated to classic movie-going—and loving—in the City of Angels. Whether it's coverage on screenings, special presentations, or Q&As around Los Angeles that you're looking for, or commentary on the wonderful and sometimes wacky world of classic cinema, you've come to the right place for a variety of pieces written with zeal, awe, and (occasionally) wit. Enjoy.
