EPISODE · Sep 5, 2025 · 1H 59M
Mae West: I’m No Angel (But the Catholic Censors Might Think Otherwise)
from Morally Offensive · host Morally Offensive
Mae West struts into the spotlight in I’m No Angel (1933), the pre-Code sensation that saved Paramount and scandalized the censors. Co-hosts Bill and Jess welcome Sara Shea of Shea Cinema to talk about Mae’s wit, sexuality, and the double entendres that made Catholic watchdogs sweat. Along the way we meet Joseph Breen and Will Hays, the moral gatekeepers who tried to rein her in, and discover how Cary Grant was launched into stardom with her assistance. From her Broadway scandal Sex (and a stint in jail) all the way to her campy swan song Sextette, we trace Mae’s career of outsmarting the men, proving why her comedy still feels dangerous today.
What this episode covers
Mae West struts into the spotlight in I’m No Angel (1933), the pre-Code sensation that saved Paramount and scandalized the censors. Co-hosts Bill and Jess welcome Sara Shea of Shea Cinema to talk about Mae’s wit, sexuality, and the double entendres that made Catholic watchdogs sweat. Along the way we meet Joseph Breen and Will Hays, the moral gatekeepers who tried to rein her in, and discover how Cary Grant was launched into stardom with her assistance. From her Broadway scandal Sex (and a stint in jail) all the way to her campy swan song Sextette, we trace Mae’s career of outsmarting the men, proving why her comedy still feels dangerous today.
NOW PLAYING
Mae West: I’m No Angel (But the Catholic Censors Might Think Otherwise)
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 19, 2026 ·36m
Jun 18, 2026 ·34m
Jun 15, 2026 ·56m
Jun 15, 2026 ·31m
Jun 15, 2026 ·109m