Claudette Colbert starred as Empress Poppaea in Cecille B. DeMille's The Sign of the Cross, 1932. The costumes were designed by Mitchell Liesen, who was also the Art Director for the film. As you can see, this film was released before the Motion Picture Production Code, or censorship, was enforced beginning in 1934. Colbert's costume has a low decolletage, bare midriff, and cut outs at the hips. In this scene from the film, you'll see her cavorting in a milk bath and another suggestive costume worn by Vivian Tobin as Dacia.