When Hollywood’s Production Code took effect in 1934, the onscreen antics of film characters got decidedly more wholesome. The same rang true for the cartoons of the time. Pre-Code, the animation by major studios was “just as violent, sexy, rude and crude as their live action counterparts. Nudity, naughty words, and outrageous gags involving body parts, toilet paper, voyeurism, ethnic stereotypes and, in particular, booze (remember, this was before prohibition ended) were the order of the day.” Tonight see rare Pre-Code shorts starring Betty Boop, Krazy Kat, Scrappy and Flip The Frog. Animation historian Jerry Beck (of CartoonBrew.com), who will also introduce the program. more ›

Kenneth Turan presents Never Coming to a Theater Near You 7pm @ Studio City Branch Library more ›

THURSDAY more ›

In an admirable show of editorial restraint, Kinsley spiked his very first column for the Times, in which he gave an "ironic reflection" on the decapitation murder of screenwriter Robert Lees. Kinsley's old New Republic buddy Andrew Sullivan offers some friendly comments. more ›