The Full Story of Norma Shearer’s Sexual Liberation

Are you a fan of Norma Shearer’s films? If so, did you know that she was considered to be one of Hollywood’s first sexually liberated actresses?
▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Ferocious from the Beginning
03:41 - Remaining A Star Was No Easy Task
04:35 - She Reinvented Herself As A Bad Girl
06:11 - Outro
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Norma Shearer’s name hardly comes up in discussion of Old Hollywood these days, but we think that’s a crying shame. We tend to forget about the groundbreaking roles of Norma Shearer in the Pre-Code era of Hollywood. These revolutionary roles are typically buried under Shearer’s later well-known roles in films such as The Women and Romeo and Juliet.
We should never forget that it was Shearer who broke down the barrier forbidding the portrayal of everyday, middle-class women on screen who had sex simply because she felt like it. Nor should we forget about her fantastic performance in the 1930s The Divorcee.
Like Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, and Barbara Stanwyck, there are plenty of other names that come up whenever we’re discussing women’s sexual liberation in early Hollywood, but Norma Shearer’s story is one that is well worth telling. Join Facts Verse as we discuss how Norma Shearer came to be one of the most defining female figures in the early Pre-Code Hollywood era.
The Full Story of Norma Shearer’s Sexual Liberation

[@FactsVerse]

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[@akrenwinkle]

I don't know how many times "cross-eyed" was said here. I've long been aware that she had what was called a "lazy eye" but I've never really noticed it. I think it's over-hyped. I think she was beautiful.

[@Curiamacabre]

She’s not even cross eyed, just had some asymmetry to the eyes and they are slightly close together, which makes her unique!! She’s cool!!

[@akrenwinkle]

@@Curiamacabre Any search about Norma will turn up "cross-eyed." Just look up "Marilyn Monroe Six Toes" and see another example of how a silly rumor takes on a life of its own.

[@jacquelinemamahiggzhiggins2951]

Uuuummm 3🤷🏻‍♀️

[@akrenwinkle]

@@jacquelinemamahiggzhiggins2951 Secret language of dolphins?

[@cadeevans4623]

Norma was great interesting story on her thanks for sharing great video

[@FactsVerse]

You're very much welcome and thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@kimmieandrews2491]

Norms had class, beauty and a strong will to be the best in her career. I put her to the top with Bette Davis. Both were strong women.

[@FactsVerse]

Beautiful words, thank you for your message for Norma! We bet she'll be smiling right now while reading your message.

[@kimmieandrews2491]

@@FactsVerse I hope she is! She deserves it. I only know of her from watching her old movies. What a star she will always be.

[@dennisbraulick3727]

Norma...just a beautiful Actress prayers and love 4 you..🙏🙏❤

[@FactsVerse]

Absolutely, we feel the same way! Thank you for sharing your sentiments and for watching our content. Which role of Norma appealed to you the most?

[@greatday5404]

The Women-a classic gem

[@thetruthisthelight0910]

One of my favorite movies. I own a copy and watch it often

[@notanotherdrama]

Norma Shearer in The Women is the reason I sought out black and white films. I hadn't heard of her until that film and I realized Norma was likely in the top 5 Hollywood stars of all time. Her ability to act without even speaking drew me in. I now believe movies of the 1930's and 1940's are superior to anything else. Norma Shearer, the cast of the women, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Carole Lombard, Paulette Goddard & Katherine Hepburn... When Hollywood had class and style.

[@Moonewitch]

I adore Norma! Thank you for the video! 😊☮

[@FactsVerse]

You're very much welcome and Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. Which of her roles appealed to you the most?

[@MrBruce5437]

@@FactsVerse yes indeed, Norma Shearer was one of the most beautiful diva actresses of the Golden Age Hollywood. Thanks for the facts

[@geraldgarduna2225]

I was just looking at pictures of Noma Shear’s I think she was beautiful.. I really enjoy watching movies from that era.😊👍💯

[@Stickerromantevan]

Thank you for the video glamorous gloria

[@FactsVerse]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@Stickerromantevan]

Any of them

[@Stickerromantevan]

@@FactsVerse any

[@roccosophie6498]

Have only seen "Marie Antoinette." It was easy to see why she succeeded the way she did. Not all film legends were magnificent beauties. But their beauty still shinned. Some were just meant to be legends. Some, like Norma, simply wouldn't have had it any other way.

[@dnw9181]

What a delightful video to come across today. She had that "It factor" On screen she was always captivating and a true talent. Oh those days when we truly did have great actors and great actresses and they truly were all stars from that generation. And I miss when that illusion of stardom of the gods and goddesses on the silver screen how they were once revered. Nowadays not so much as every action and hiccup and bump in their private life is for public consumption. My all time favorite film of hers is "The Women" , Such An iconic film with the all female cast, it is truly a classic. The recent remake or attempt to remake of this film a few years ago was a huge bust. No pun intended. She was a beautiful woman on the screen and an incredibly kind lady.

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@dnw9181]

You do an excellent job with your channel and the episodes you create. We love the series of where are they now former cast members from television series. But how about some little extra from movies of a more recent decades as well. Myself personally I love the old "Hey Day" of Hollywood movies and actors. I grew up with family in the industry so I knew a number of them in my life journey. And had the incredible honor of being introduced or knowing them personally as well. And a few of the biggest names in the industry we're personal friends of my family. So I must say I'm a little biased. This is not meant to be as a negative, but it always Saddens me a bit when your episodes are a little short, Because I wish they were longer so I could continue enjoying them little bit longer as much as I already do.Thank you 👏👏👏👏👏👍🏆

[@lindauribe6872]

Women could associate with her and she was not a blonde bombshell thank goodness ❤️🤗

[@tammyevans7333]

Interesting info thanks

[@FactsVerse]

You're very much welcome! Which role of Norma appealed to you the most?

[@liannapfister8255]

The title makes it sound like this is about her personal life, when it’s about the characters she played.

[@pierre-yveslebel1390]

A great actress for a girl from Montreal Canada it's rare I come from there/ A Great Destiny A Beautiful classic woman!!❤❤ Thanks a lot young man for your tabloid you r always interesting well done and you have a beautiful radio phonic voice thanks

[@annaquinn4810]

A very big fan!!!!!

[@avejoe]

Norma was a incredible actress. She was very beautiful with amazing talent. She's a true star and legend.

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@tahaduri13]

Her eyes are her more stunning feature..... never cross-eyed but dreamy and simply beautiful !!!!

[@arthurgearheard4701]

Joan Crawford was supposed to be in " The Divorcee, " but Shearer got it because she was married to Irving Thalberg!

[@carriedillmann4455]

Norma was a unique looking beauty

[@FactsVerse]

We absolutely agree! Thank you for your watching our video. Be on the lookout for the next one!

[@Rustyrc83]

I'm a bit naive, can someone please explain what "pre- coded" means? "Coded" was mentioned several times in this video, however, I don't know what that's referring to.

[@beverlylewis9654]

Pre code was more sexy and didnt hold much back in sexuality after the morality code was enforced certain dialogue, clothing, and overt sexuality charged themes were outlawed...hope this helps a little

[@jacquelinehorne8471]

Pre-code refers to films made before 1934 when the Hays Code was put in place, which, as mentioned in the comment, imposed moral restrictions on what could be said and done and worn on screen, required punishment for any crime depicted and consequences for immoral behaviour. Films during this period are often noticeably different in tone from the ones that followed.

[@cocoaorange1]

If someone called me a dog, I would have a few choice words for them too.

[@susanhustwick3772]

I really love and enjoy her films. Especially, "The Women" 1939...

[@FactsVerse]

Us too! Thank you for sharing your favorite film of Norma. Which comes in at second place?

[@susanhustwick3772]

@@FactsVerse well, my 3rd favorite would be Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor,

[@susanhustwick3772]

Second would be Gone With the Wind 1939

[@hcombs0104]

It has to be said, no one in Hollywood had Norma Shearer's profile. She was also a better actress than she was often given credit for. Her best work is probably in the last part of Marie Antoinette, imprisoned, separated from her children, awaiting execution. The last moments have a sardonic bite!

[@marie-louisesegerlov8625]

Never heard of her so thanks

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you got the chance to know Norma! Who is your favorite actress?

[@paulwarner2231]

No ones as good as she

[@sergiochavez3769]

Yes I am a fan.

[@FactsVerse]

Fun stuff, thanks for sharing! What other types of video would you like to see?

[@antonfarquar8799]

you failed to mention her affairs with George Raft & Mickey Rooney.

[@alg11297]

Good thing she was married to the head of the studio. She was even in Romeo and Juliet although she was 38 at the time. Oh, and she converted to Judaism when she married Thalberg.

[@derrickjones6398]

beautiful ❤️ lady,

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@rosemaryfranzese317]

I am not a great Norma fan. I really admire her determination and her ability to disguise the physical flaws that could have stopped from having a successful film career. I think though due to the Thalberg connection, she was overrated as an actress back in the day. Then sadly her career was unjustly rubbished by critics like Pauline Kael from sixties onwards. Recently she has been reassessed again.

[@jhsorbi9514]

I respectfully disagree with you. Film Historian Leonard Moltern and Helen Hayes both praised her acting skills. It is true that Kael rubbished her, but Shearer was only one of many who felt the sting of Ms Kaels sharp nails.

[@imcnagpc2]

It's pronounced ZiegFELD. Would you say Jerry SeinFIELD? Amazing how many narrators of old timey videos get this wrong.

[@juanv8758]

She was an attractive woman but not classically beautiful like a lot of starlets of that time. Still quite attractive though.

[@FactsVerse]

We absolutely agree! Thank you for your watching our video. Be on the lookout for the next one!

[@tiredlawdog]

Sorry, I never heard the name.

[@thetruthisthelight0910]

So, research. Quite famous in old time Hollywood. You're proud to be ignorant?!