The Hays Code, which became strictly enforced in 1934, likely helped Joan Crawford's career by encouraging a shift towards more dramatic, less overtly scandalous roles that allowed her to showcase resilience and emotional depth. While her early "pre-Code" films featured a more risqué and modern portrayal of women, the enforced limitations of the new code ultimately limited this style, leading to a more conventional, albeit still glamorous, image that became her trademark. This shift allowed her