1932
Okay America! (1932) Review, with Lew Ayres
Lew Ayres is a tough-talking gossip columnist out to save the nation in Okay America! (32).
1930
The Woman Racket (1930) Review, with Tom Moore and Blanche Sweet
Tom Tom Moore Julia Blanche Sweet Chris John Miljan Released by MGM Directed by Albert H. Kelley, Robert Ober, and Paul Bern Run time: 70 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Julia is a sweet gal who leaves her husband and has a few love affairs without ever ending Read more…
1933
Gambling Ship (1933) Review, with Cary Grant
Ace Corbin Cary Grant Eleanor Benita Hume Manning Jack La Rue Released by Paramount Directed by Louis J. Gasnier and Max Marcin Run time: 72 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Benita Hume pops out of the shower at one point and (it’s difficult to capture in a screenshot) Read more…
1931
Millie (1931) Review, with Helen Twelvetrees and Lilyan Tashman
Millie Helen Twelvetrees Helen Lilyan Tashman Angie Joan Blondell Released by RKO Directed by John Francis Dillon Run time: 85 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film We’re introduced to Blondell and Tashman’s characters shacked up in bed together. Frank McHugh has a musical number (yes) about being a beautiful Read more…
1931
Never the Twain Shall Meet (1931) Review, with Leslie Howard and Karen Morley
Dan Pritchard Leslie Howard Tamea Conchita Montenegro Maisie Karen Morley Released by MGM Directed by W.S. Van Dyke Run time: 79 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “You make one big mistake in not watching me dress!” “She’s a very delightful little savage.” “You like wine?” “Oh yes. It Read more…
1932
Two Seconds (1932) Review, with Edward G. Robinson and Vivienne Osborne
John Allen Edward G. Robinson Shirley Day Vivienne Osborne Bud Clark Preston Foster Released by Warner Bros. | Directed by Mervyn LeRoy Run time: 68 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film There’s a surprisingly detailed discussion of electrocution death. “I ain’t gonna live with no lily!” When Bud gets Read more…
1931
Gentleman’s Fate (1931) Review, with John Gilbert and Louis Wolheim
Jack Thomas John Gilbert Frank Louis Wolheim Marjorie Leila Hyams Ruth Anita Page Mabel Marie Prevost Florio John Miljan Released by MGM | Directed by Mervyn LeRoy Run time: 90 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film A bootlegger tells his skeptical brother, who’s sniffing a bottle, “That stuff ain’t Read more…
1931
Dance, Fools, Dance (1931) Review, with Joan Crawford and Clark Gable
Bonnie Jordan Joan Crawford Rodney Jordan William Bakewell Jake Luva Clark Gable Released by MGM | Directed by Harry Beaumont Run time: 80 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film How to tell this one comes from the flapper era– a dull party is made lively again by someone suggesting: Read more…
1930
Playing Around (1930) Review, with Alice White and Chester Morris
Sheba Miller Alice White Nickey Solomon Chester Morris Jack William Bakewell Released by Warner Bros./First National | Directed by Mervyn LeRoy Run time: 66 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “How does she rate? Y’know, yes, no, or maybe?” Alice White undresses for a shower on camera– at least Read more…
1930
The Widow from Chicago (1930) Review, with Alice White and Edward G. Robinson
Polly Alice White Dominic Edward G. Robinson Swifty Neil Hamilton Released by Warner Bros./First National | Directed by Edward F. Cline Run time: 64 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “I don’t talk business in my bedroom?” “Yeah?” “You’re a cute little trick, aren’t you?” “A dumb cluck like Read more…