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42-659: In 1996, She Done Him Wrong was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The story is set in New York City in the 1890s . A bawdy singer, Lady Lou, works in the Bowery barroom saloon of her boss and benefactor, Gus Jordan, who has given her many diamonds. But Lou

84-560: A diamond pin belonging to Rita, Rita starts a fight with Lou, who accidentally stabs her to death. Lou calmly combs the dead woman's long hair to hide the fact Rita is dead while the police search the room for Chick Clark. She has her bodyguard Spider, who "would do anything for you, Lou" dispose of Rita's body. She then tells Spider to bring Chick, who's hiding in an alley, back to her room upstairs. Then, while she sings " Frankie and Johnny ", she silently signals to Dan Flynn that he should go to her room to wait for her, even though she knows Chick

126-492: A film preservation bill in order to avoid commercial modifications (such as pan and scan and editing for TV) of classic films, which they saw as negative. In response to the controversy over the colorization of originally black and white films in the decade specifically, Representatives Robert J. Mrazek and Sidney R. Yates introduced the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, which established

168-542: A main character (played by Wallace Beery) in The Bowery and a smaller role (played by Tammany Young ) in She Done Him Wrong . The animated cartoon short She Done Him Right followed in 1933 as a parody spinoff of She Done Him Wrong . Universal Pictures , through its EMKA division, currently handles distribution of the film. National Film Registry The National Film Registry ( NFR )

210-415: A statement against antisemitism until July 1939, which said, in part, "In my judgement there is nothing more important for us Catholics to do at the present moment than to use our energies in stemming the tide of racial bigotry and hostility." This followed statements in late 1938 by Pope Pius XI denouncing antisemitism , stating that "it is not possible for Christians to take part in antisemitism" as well as

252-448: A stint as the general manager of RKO Pictures , but returned to the PCA in 1942. By the mid-1950s, Breen's power over Hollywood was diminishing. For instance, Samuel Goldwyn publicly insisted that the production code be revised. Around the same time, Howard Hughes , owner of RKO, released The French Line , featuring revealing images of actress Jane Russell in a bathing suit, despite

294-613: A wounded war veteran. Renoir was not aware at the time that Thomas was Joseph Breen's son. After his retirement, Breen moved to Phoenix, Arizona , with his wife Mary. He suffered from poor health in his later years and eventually lost the use of his legs. He died at the age of 77 on December 5, 1965, at the Brentwood Convalescent Home in Los Angeles and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City . After Breen's death, Variety magazine wrote that Breen

336-501: A year for the NFPB and Librarian to consider, with an August submission deadline. The NFR includes films ranging from Hollywood classics to orphan films . A film is not required to be feature-length , nor is it required to have been theatrically released in the traditional sense. The Registry contains newsreels , silent films , student films, experimental films , short films , music videos , films out of copyright protection or in

378-434: Is "Why don't you come up some time and see me?" in She Done Him Wrong . She changed it to "Come up and see me sometime" in her next movie I'm No Angel , released the same year and co-starring Grant. She Done Him Wrong bears some resemblances to The Bowery , a film released later the same year by United Artists starring Noah Beery 's brother Wallace . The two films each include a saloon owner named Chuck Conners as

420-450: Is a lady with more men friends than anyone might imagine. What she does not know is that Gus traffics in prostitution and runs a counterfeiting ring to help finance her expensive diamonds. He also sends young women to San Francisco to be pickpockets. Gus works with two other crooked entertainer-assistants, Russian Rita and Rita's lover, the suave Sergei Stanieff. One of Gus's rivals and former "friend" of Lou's, named Dan Flynn, spends most of

462-472: Is in there with a gun. Chick shoots Dan dead and the gunfire draws a police raid. Cummings shows his badge and reveals himself as "The Hawk", a well-known Federal agent, as he arrests Gus and Sergei. Chick, still lurking in Lou's room, is about to kill Lou for double-crossing him, when Cummings also apprehends him. Cummings then takes Lou away in an open horse-drawn carriage instead of the paddywagon into which all

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504-629: Is the United States National Film Preservation Board 's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation , each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB's inception in 1988. Throughout the 1980s, several prominent filmmakers and industry personalities in the United States, such as Frank Capra and Martin Scorsese , advocated for Congress to enact

546-537: The public domain , film serials , home movies , documentaries, animation and independent films . As of the 2023 listing, there are 875 films in the Registry. As of the 2023 induction there are 875 total films. For purposes of this list, multi-year serials are counted only once (as they are in the Registry) by year of completion. The oldest film in the registry, Newark Athlete , was released in 1891, while

588-724: The "tough Irish Catholic" Breen to head the Production Code Administration (PCA), a newly created department of the MPPDA, created to administer the Motion Picture Production Code . Unlike previous attempts at self-censorship, PCA decisions became binding — no film could be exhibited in an American theater without a stamp of approval from the PCA. Any producer attempting to do so faced a fine of $ 25,000. After ten years of unsuccessful voluntary codes and expanding local censorship boards,

630-400: The 1930s. Hence he applauded the fact that Breen had assumed the power to censor Hollywood. Breen, who also expressed antisemitic views, was deeply worried that Jewish filmmakers would try to use Nazi mistreatment of Jews during the 1930s as a vehicle for propaganda. He was concerned that Germans would be offended by harsh depiction of Nazis. He specifically warned Hollywood producers to avoid

672-591: The Broadway version, was cast on West's recommendation in the same role, which led to work with West throughout her career. Louise Beavers was the only African-American actress to be brought onto the film by West personally. She wanted a black woman to appear with her. When she did stage and screen work, West made it a point to act with black American actors and actresses, helping to break racial discrimination in entertainment. West's stage shows resulted in her arrest for saucy material and her having black actors on stage

714-611: The Legion along with a number of Protestant and women's groups launched plans to boycott films that they deemed immoral. The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) had, up until then, enforced the motion picture industry's own self-censorship standards, albeit not very seriously. Hays, who had been in charge of enforcing this voluntary code since 1927, worried that the NLD's efforts could weaken his own power and that of his office, and hurt industry profits. Hays appointed

756-545: The Motion Picture Production Code". In February 1914, Breen married Mary Dervin, with whom he had six children, three boys and three girls. Their son Joseph Breen, Jr. was a writer and director. One of their other children, Thomas, whose right leg was amputated due to a combat injury on Guam during World War II, was cast in a feature role in Jean Renoir 's 1950 film The River , playing

798-570: The National Film Registry, its purpose, and the criteria for selecting films for preservation. The Act was passed and the NFR's mission was subsequently reauthorized by further acts of Congress in 1992, 1996, 2005, 2008, and 2016. The National Film Preservation Board's mission, to which the NFR contributes, is to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America's film heritage. The 1996 law also created

840-618: The United States on December 19, 1980, and inducted in October 1990, holds the record for the shortest delay, having been inducted slightly shy of the 10-year minimum. Only nine films have been inducted at the 10-year mark: Raging Bull , Do the Right Thing , Goodfellas , Toy Story , Fargo , 13 Lakes , Freedom Riders , 12 Years a Slave and 20 Feet from Stardom . Joseph Breen Joseph Ignatius Breen (October 14, 1888 – December 5, 1965)

882-689: The eighth grade. He then attended Boys Catholic High School . He attended Saint Joseph's College but dropped out after two years, after which he worked as a newspaper reporter for fourteen years in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. , and Chicago . After working as a reporter, Breen worked for the United States Foreign Service for four years, serving in Kingston , Jamaica , and in Toronto , Canada. In 1926, he served as

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924-411: The events of the past 10 months — The French Line , The Moon Is Blue and Goldwyn — the code is more entrenched than ever before. Those events brought tremendous support from groups all over the country." Breen retired from the PCA and was replaced by Geoffrey Shurlock . On his retirement he was presented with an honorary Academy Award for "his conscientious, open-minded and dignified management of

966-423: The fact that Breen had refused to approve the picture for release. In 1951, Breen's office refused to approve Otto Preminger 's film The Moon Is Blue because of objections to the dialogue. United Artists backed Preminger in his decision to release the movie without Breen's approval. In 1954, the same year he retired, in responding to these events in an interview with Aline Mosby, Breen claimed that "after

1008-545: The film was not very good without known actors and an entertaining story, despite the presence of extremely well-known actors Noah Beery Sr. and Owen Moore , not to mention up-and-comer Cary Grant . She Done Him Wrong was nominated for the Academy Award for Outstanding Production , now known as Best Picture. At 66 minutes, it is the shortest film to be so honored. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: West's famous line to Cary Grant

1050-498: The first selection in 1989, the public nominated almost 1,000 films for consideration. Members of the NFPB then developed individual ballots of possible films for inclusion. The ballots were tabulated into a list of 25 films that was then modified by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and his staff at the Library for the final selection. Since 1997, members of the public have been able to nominate up to 50 films

1092-426: The illegal activities in the bar. Gus suspects nothing; he worries only that Cummings will reform his bar and scare away his customers. Lou's former boyfriend, Chick Clark, is a vicious criminal who was convicted of robbery and sent to prison for trying to steal diamonds for her. In his absence, she becomes attracted to the handsome young psalm-singing reformer. Warned that Chick thinks she's betrayed him, she goes to

1134-469: The most recent, 12 Years a Slave and 20 Feet from Stardom , were each released in 2013. Released in 1898, and selected in December 2022, Mardi Gras Carnival experienced the longest wait, at 124 years (considering the fact that the film was already almost a century old before the Registry was even established, the "wait" was technically only 33 years), while Raging Bull , released theatrically in

1176-486: The movie dropping hints to Lou that Gus is up to no good, promising to look after her once Gus is in jail. Lou leads him on, hinting at times that she will return to him, but eventually he loses patience and implies he'll see her jailed if she doesn't submit to him. A city mission is located next door to the bar. Its young director, Captain Cummings, is in reality an undercover federal agent working to infiltrate and expose

1218-624: The newly formed Committee of Catholics to Fight Anti-Semitism . The two authors of the Hays Code , Martin J. Quigley and the Rev. Daniel Lord, SJ , promoted the cause. Quigley asked Breen to help gather statements of support from Catholics in the Hollywood film industry. Breen resigned from the PCA in April 1941, attributing his departure to "overwork and the need of a long rest." He briefly put in

1260-519: The non-profit National Film Preservation Foundation which, although affiliated with the NFPB, raises money from the private sector . "Taken together, the ... films in the National Film Registry represent a stunning range of American filmmaking—including Hollywood features, documentaries, avant-garde and amateur productions, films of regional interest, ethnic, animated, and short film subjects—all deserving recognition, preservation and access by future generations. As we begin this new millennium,

1302-413: The other criminals have been loaded. He tells her she doesn't belong in jail and removes all her other rings and slips a diamond engagement ring onto her left ring finger. The film was directed by Lowell Sherman and produced by William LeBaron . The script was adapted by Harvey F. Thew and John Bright . Original music was composed by Ralph Rainger , John Leipold and Stephan Pasternacki. Charles Lang

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1344-624: The prison to try to reassure him. All the inmates greet her warmly and familiarly as she walks down the cellblock. Chick becomes angry and threatens to kill her if she double-crosses or two-times him before he gets out. She lies and claims she has been true to him. Gus gives counterfeit money to Rita and Sergei to spend. Chick escapes from jail, and police search for him in the bar. He comes into Lou's room and starts to strangle her, breaking off only because he still loves her and cannot harm her. Lou calms him down by promising that she will go with him when she finishes her next number. After Sergei gives Lou

1386-600: The publicity director for the 28th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago. Breen was a journalist and an "influential layperson" in the Catholic community. Breen worked for Will H. Hays as a "troubleshooter" as early as 1931. In 1933, the Roman Catholic National Legion of Decency was founded, and began to rate films independently, putting pressure on the industry. In 1933 and 1934

1428-476: The registry stands among the finest summations of American cinema's wondrous first century." —Doctor James H. Billington , Librarian of Congress . The NFPB adds to the NFR up to 25 "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films" each year in December, showcasing the range and diversity of American film heritage to increase awareness for its preservation. A film becomes eligible for inclusion ten years after its original release. For

1470-534: The screen and repeatedly demanded changes to remove associations with or elements from the play, including suggested titles with the word "diamond". The adaption was finally allowed under the condition that the play not be referred to in publicity or advertising. Joseph Breen , who oversaw the more effectual enforcement of the Code beginning in 1934, blocked She Done Him Wrong from being rereleased in 1935 and again in 1949. Rafaela Ottiano , who portrayed Russian Rita in

1512-591: The scum of the scum of the earth". After 1934, he was "publicly and forthrightly anti-antisemitic." He occasionally collaborated with Georg Gyssling , the Nazi representative in Hollywood. William Dudley Pelley , founder of the antisemitic organization the Silver Legion of America , believed that Jews controlled the movie industry, which he thought to be the "most effective propaganda medium in America", during

1554-456: The studio approved and agreed to enforce the codes, and the nationwide production code was enforced starting on July 1, 1934. Liberty Magazine wrote in 1936 that Breen's appointment gave him "more influence in standardizing world thinking than Mussolini, Hitler, or Stalin." Breen wrote antisemitic letters in the early 1930s including phrases like "Ninety-five percent of these folks are Jews of an Eastern European lineage. They are, probably,

1596-500: The topic altogether, saying that "[t]here is a strong pro-German and antisemitic feeling in this country ... and while those who are likely to approve of an anti-Hitler picture may think well of such an enterprise, they should keep in mind that millions of Americans might think otherwise." Breen claimed that plans to make such pictures were being coordinated through the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League , which he claimed

1638-479: Was "conducted and financed almost entirely by Jews". Breen pressured Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to drop plans to film Sinclair Lewis 's best-selling anti-fascist novel, It Can't Happen Here after insisting on 60 edits with more to follow. He also asked MGM in 1938 to change the villain from Nazis in the adaptation of the anti-Nazi novel Three Comrades in order to "get away from the suggestion that we are dealing with Nazi violence or terrorism." Breen did not issue

1680-594: Was an American film censor with the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America who applied the Hays Code to film production. Breen was the youngest of three sons born to Mary and Hugh A. Breen in Philadelphia . His father had emigrated from Ireland and met his mother Mary in New Jersey. Breen was raised in a strict Roman Catholic home and attended Gesu Parish School until

1722-430: Was extremely controversial. With this film, she and her Paramount bosses called the shots: Black stars appeared in a few of her films after this one. The film was a box-office success, grossing $ 2,000,000 domestically with a budget of $ 200,000. Variety' s "Bige" gave She Done Him Wrong a negative review, stating that Paramount was attempting to rush Mae West to stardom by giving her her own film and top billing, and that

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1764-415: Was responsible for the cinematography, and the costumes were designed by Edith Head . Blonde Venus (with Marlene Dietrich ) and Madame Butterfly (with Sylvia Sidney ), both predate She Done Him Wrong but West always claimed to have discovered Grant for her film, claiming that until then Grant had only made "some tests with starlets". The Hays Code declared the play Diamond Lil banned from

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