Scandalized by Hollywood’s lack of decorum in matters of sex, violence and general taste, Washington threatened to wield more control over content. Instead, Tinseltown decided to police itself with the Hays Code beginning in 1930 (although the crackdown didn’t begin until 1934).

It’s difficult to imagine the level of censorship that went on, but when you compare pre- and post-code movies the distinctions become clearer. Luckily, Turner Classic Movies has made this prospect simple with boxed sets like Forbidden Hollywood, Vol. 2.

Packed with five envelope-pushing movies like The Divorcee and A Free Soul, the volume also features the terrific documentary Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood.

Grade: A

Forbidden Hollywood, Vol. 2 is currently available.