Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood by Mark A. Vieira

First Edition. Signed and inscribed to Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner by his friend, noted literary agent William Shepard. Inscribed at the half-title: “Hef - Enjoy Pre-Code Hollywood, Bill Shepard, 4-9-05”. Hugh Hefner’s copy with his bookplate affixed to the front pastedown and a letter of provenance from the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation. Lavishly illustrated throughout with 273 black & white film stills. Oversize, 9 1/4” x 12 1/4”, 240 pages. Hint of shelf wear to the bottom edge, else fine in a fine dust jacket. An essential reference guide to the pre-1930’s genre of pre-Production Code films which enjoyed being able to depict themes, characters, and story lines with greater creative freedom. Some examples of which include Blonde Venus, Morocco, The Devil Is a Woman, The Sign of the Cross with Claudette Colbert, The Public Enemy with James Cagney and Jean Harlow, and Scarface with Paul Muni. Hugh Hefner was an avid book and art collector, movie aficionado and print lover. Unknown to many, Hugh Hefner gave a massive amount of money toward the work of film restorations. …