The Hayes Code was a joke which made for all sorts of incoherent narrative elements in the films of the day.
RE Joke:
Well, those were different days. People were different, and it worked for the sensibilities of the day, I suppose.
I still enjoy the old films. All of Cagney and Bogies’ stuff. “Little Ceaser” is one of my favorites. “Key Largo” and Casablanca” too.