Films up to about 1927 were silent. Starting 1927 (with the release of "The Jazz Singer") larger and larger percentages had sound. From 1927 until about 1934 is the so-called pre-code era that ended with broad enforcement of the motion picture (censorship) code. During this interval a remarkable range of relatively explicit sexually-oriented and horror films were released, some of which are considered classics, and some that are startling even by today's standards.