Yes, somehow, inexplicably, it really is May.
The good news: May 2020 sees none other than Eddie G. Robinson as the TCM Star of the Month, with many of his best pre-Code roles making an apperance on the network. There’s also a showing of 1933’s The Silver Cord, a fun underseen drama, in primetime on the 3rd, followed by the underseen and fantastic Sin of Nora Moran.
On the other hand, everything is awful. I hope you and yours are well.
For my patrons over on Patreon, the last of the Pre-Code Pals pins went out. (Why it took so long is an exciting tale of envelopes, hours the post office is open, my wife’s lunch breaks and– well, whatever.) A friendly reminder: if you want to support my site, you can become a Patron over at Patreon. Cheers!
Pre-Code Movies on TCM in [MONTH]
Please note:
- All times listed here are Eastern Standard. This schedule is subject to change (like if someone dies or the world ends– you know how it is).
- Plot descriptions and casts lists below come from TCM. See the full listings for the month here.
| Date & Time | Film |
|
2nd |
The Public Enemy (1931) |
|
An Irish-American street punk tries to make it big in the world of organized crime. Dir: William A. Wellman Cast: James Cagney , Jean Harlow , Edward Woods . BW- 84 mins, CC, |
|
|
3rd |
Horse Feathers (1932) |
|
In an effort to beef up his school’s football team, a college president mistakenly recruits two loonies. Dir: Norman McLeod Cast: Groucho Marx , Harpo Marx , Chico Marx . BW- 67 mins, CC, |
|
|
3rd |
The Silver Cord (1933) |
| A mother manages her sons a little too closely.
Dir: John Cromwell Cast: Irene Dunne , Joel McCrea , Laura Hope Crews . BW- 76 mins, CC, |
|
|
3rd |
The Sin of Nora Moran (1933) |
| Dir: Phil Goldstone Cast: Cora Sue Collins , Zita Johann , Alan Dinehart .
BW- 65 mins, CC, |
|
|
3rd |
Once to Every Woman (1934) |
|
An able nurse clashes with a new doctor at her hospital. Dir: Lambert Hillyer Cast: Ralph Bellamy , Fay Wray , Walter Connolly . BW- 64 mins, CC, |
|
|
5th |
Viva Villa! (1934) |
|
Rousing biography of the bandit chief who led the battle for Mexican independence. Dir: Jack Conway Cast: Wallace Beery , Leo Carrillo , Fay Wray . BW- 112 mins, CC, |
|
|
5th |
The Scarlet Empress (1934) |
|
A young innocent masters the decadent ways of Imperial Russia in order to reign as Catherine the Great. Dir: Josef von Sternberg Cast: Marlene Dietrich , John Lodge , Sam Jaffe . BW- 105 mins, CC, |
|
|
7th |
Little Caesar (1930) |
|
A small-time hood shoots his way to the top, but how long can he stay there? Dir: Mervyn LeRoy Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Douglas Fairbanks , Glenda Farrell . BW- 78 mins, CC, |
|
|
7th |
Tiger Shark (1932) |
|
A tuna fisherman marries a woman in love with another man. Dir: Howard Hawks Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Richard Arlen , Zita Johann . BW- 77 mins, CC, |
|
|
8th |
The Little Giant (1933) |
|
When Prohibition ends, a bootlegger tries to break into high society. Dir: Roy Del Ruth Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Mary Astor , Helen Vinson . BW- 76 mins, CC, |
|
|
8th |
Two Seconds (1932) |
|
In the last moments of his life, a criminal reviews the circumstances that led him to death row. Dir: Mervyn LeRoy Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Vivienne Osborne , Guy Kibbee . BW- 67 mins, CC, |
|
|
8th |
The Hatchet Man (1932) |
|
When he’s forced to kill his best friend, a Chinese hit man adopts the man’s daughter. Dir: William A. Wellman Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Loretta Young , Dudley Digges . BW- 73 mins, CC, |
|
|
9th |
The Front Page (1931) |
|
A crusading newspaper editor tricks his retiring star reporter into covering one last case. Dir: Lewis Milestone Cast: Adolph Menjou , Pat O’Brien , Mary Brian . BW- 101 mins, CC, |
|
|
11th |
42nd Street (1933) |
|
The definitive backstage musical, complete with the dazzling newcomer who goes on for the injured star. Dir: Lloyd Bacon Cast: Warner Baxter , Bebe Daniels , George Brent . BW- 89 mins, CC, |
|
|
11th |
Footlight Parade (1933) |
|
A producer fights labor problems, financiers and his greedy ex-wife to put on a show. Dir: Lloyd Bacon Cast: James Cagney , Joan Blondell , Ruby Keeler . BW- 103 mins, CC, |
|
|
12th |
Spitfire (1934) |
|
A backwoods faith healer falls for a married man from the big city. Dir: John Cromwell Cast: Katharine Hepburn , Robert Young , Ralph Bellamy . BW- 86 mins, CC, |
|
|
13th |
Dinner at Eight (1933) |
|
A high-society dinner party masks a hotbed of scandal and intrigue. Dir: George Cukor Cast: Marie Dressler , John Barrymore , Wallace Beery . BW- 111 mins, CC, |
|
|
13th |
The Expert (1932) |
|
An elderly man complicates his married son’s life when he moves in. Dir: Archie Mayo Cast: Charles “Chic” Sale , Dickie Moore , Lois Wilson . BW- 67 mins, CC, |
|
|
15th |
The Man With Two Faces (1934) |
|
An actor uses his skills to protect his sister from her sinister husband. Dir: Archie Mayo Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Mary Astor , Ricardo Cortez . BW- 73 mins, CC, |
|
|
18th |
Doctor X (1932) |
|
A reporter investigates a series of cannibalistic murders at a medical college. Dir: Michael Curtiz Cast: Lionel Atwill , Fay Wray , Lee Tracy . C- 76 mins, CC, |
|
|
18th |
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932) |
|
Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of a scientist who unleashes the beast within. Dir: Rouben Mamoulian Cast: Fredric March , Miriam Hopkins , Rose Hobart . BW- 96 mins, CC, |
|
|
19th |
The Mad Genius (1931) |
|
A deranged ballet teacher will stop at nothing to keep control of his protegee. Dir: Michael Curtiz Cast: John Barrymore , Marian Marsh , Charles Butterworth . BW- 81 mins, CC, |
|
| 20th 12:00 PM |
A Notorious Affair (1930) |
|
A beautiful noblewoman gives up wealth and society for love of a two-timing musician. Dir: Lloyd Bacon Cast: Billie Dove , Basil Rathbone , Kay Francis . BW- 67 mins, CC, |
|
|
20th |
Sadie McKee (1934) |
|
A working girl suffers through three troubled relationships on her road to prosperity. Dir: Clarence Brown Cast: Joan Crawford , Gene Raymond , Franchot Tone . BW- 93 mins, CC, |
|
|
21st |
Fugitive Lovers (1934) |
|
A cross-country bus trip brings together a chorus girl and an escaped convict. Dir: Richard Boleslavsky Cast: Robert Montgomery , Madge Evans , Ted Healy . BW- 82 mins, CC, |
|
|
21st |
Smart Money (1931) |
|
A barber’s good luck turns him into a big-time gambling boss. Dir: Alfred E. Green Cast: Edward G. Robinson , James Cagney , Evalyn Knapp . BW- 81 mins, CC, |
|
|
22nd |
Morning Glory (1933) |
|
A stage struck girl travels to New York determined to make it on Broadway. Dir: Lowell Sherman Cast: Katharine Hepburn , Douglas Fairbanks , Adolphe Menjou . BW- 74 mins, CC, |
|
| 28th 1:45 AM |
Five Star Final (1931) |
|
An unscrupulous newspaper editor searches for headlines at any cost. Dir: Mervyn LeRoy Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Marian Marsh , H. B. Warner . BW- 89 mins, CC, |
|
|
28th |
Silver Dollar (1932) |
|
A farmer strikes it rich out West, then leaves his wife for a young beauty. Dir: Alfred E. Green Cast: Edward G. Robinson , Bebe Daniels , Aline MacMahon . BW- 83 mins, CC, |
|
|
31st |
Duck Soup (1933) |
|
When he’s named dictator of Freedonia, a con artist declares war on the neighboring kingdom. Dir: Leo McCarey Cast: Groucho Marx , Harpo Marx , Chico Marx . BW- 69 mins, CC, |
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