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Crime

Smart Money (1931)
1931

Smart Money (1931) with Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney

Nick … Edward G. Robinson Jack … James Cagney Marie … Noel Francis Proof That It’s Pre-Code Nick has a bevy of ladies who catch his eye. One earlier in the picture needs $100 for something, but who knows what she needs that cash for. Wink. “I’ll win so much Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsNovember 22, 2013 ago
1931

The Finger Points (1931) Review, with Richard Barthelmess and Fay Wray

Breckenridge Lee Richard Barthelmess Marcia Fay Wray Breezy Reegis Toomey Proof That It’s Pre-Code Sweet drinkin’. Sweet, sweet premarital sex. The Finger Points: It Points for Thee “You can’t kill a reporter.” That’s the mantra of The Finger Points, a pre-Code drama that’s one of the earliest of Warner’s ‘ripped Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsNovember 18, 2013 ago
The Unholy Three (1930)
1930

The Unholy Three (1930) Review, with Lon Chaney and Lila Lee

Professor Echo … Lon Chaney Harry Earles … Twiddledee Hercules … Ivan Linow Rosie … Lila Lee Hector … Elliot Nugent The Prosecutor … John Miljan Proof That It’s Pre-Code The film opens with a dancer who “broke the sultan’s thermometer!” The fat lady has not seen her “… feet!” Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsNovember 15, 2013 ago
Beast of the City (1932)
1932

The Beast of the City (1932) Review, with Walter Huston and Jean Harlow

Jim Fitzpatrick … Walter Huston Ed Fitzpatrick … Wallace Ford Daisy … Jean Harlow Sam Belmonte … Jean Hersholt Michaels … Tully Marshall Mac … Sandy Roth Proof That It’s Pre-Code The police have tough calls to take care of, like that nude woman running around. When not bothering with Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsSeptember 6, 2013 ago
1931

The Secret Six (1931) Review

Scorpio … Wallace Beery Newton … Lewis Stone Carl … Clark Gable Anne … Jean Harlow Johnny … Ralph Bellamy Peaches … Marjorie Rambeau Proof That It’s Pre-Code It’s a gangster pic with plenty of guns, booze, and broads. Murder is the name of the game, as well as paid Read more…

By Danny, 13 yearsJune 28, 2013 ago
Upperworld (1934)
1934

Upperworld (1934) Review, with Warren William, Ginger Rogers, and Mary Astor

Alexander Stream … Warren William Hettie Stream … Mary Astor Lilly Linda … Ginger Rogers Oscar … Andy Devine Lou … J. Carrol Naish Moran … Sidney Toler Upperworld: Taking It From the Top I’ve watched a number of movies from 1934 now, but it still surprises me how completely Read more…

By Danny, 13 yearsMay 10, 2013 ago
1933

The Mayor of Hell (1933) Review

The Particulars of the Picture Jimmy … Frankie Darro Patsy … James Cagney Thompson … Dudley Digges Dorothy … Madge Evans Judge Gilbert … Arthur Byron Directed by Archie Mayo The Mayor of Hell: Reforming the Reformers Reeducation or punishment? As I’ll go into moreso next week with The Big Read more…

By Danny, 13 yearsApril 12, 2013 ago
Blondie Johnson (1933)
1933

Blondie Johnson (1933) Review

Proof That It’s Pre-Code It’s about a lady gangster who takes over a mob through her wits rather than with her body– which is pretty rare for a Pre-Code. She’s vicious, cunning, and makes suckers out of her enemies. Blondie goes into the hospital to visit her gangster cohort who Read more…

By Danny, 13 yearsJanuary 4, 2013 ago
1930

Doorway to Hell (1930) Review

The precursor to a boatload of gangster films, The Doorway to Hell isn’t quite up to snuff but it’s an interesting diversion.

By Danny, 13 yearsAugust 7, 2012 ago
1932

Scarface: Shame of a Nation (1932) Review

The Pre-Code Follies: No, it’s not the one that’s on all of the t-shirts and dorm room walls. It’s the original Scarface. You know, the really fucking good one. From Danny.

By Danny, 14 yearsSeptember 20, 2011 ago

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Pre-Code.Com celebrates Hollywood films made from 1930 to 34, when the talkies were new and censorship was lax. Learn more about the era here, or browse our many reviews.

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Top Posts & Pages
List of Pre-Code Hollywood Films
Belle of the Nineties (1934) Review, with Mae West
Pre-Code.Com Site Index
Famous Actresses of Pre-Code Hollywood
What is Pre-Code Hollywood?
Pre-Code Movies on TCM in May 2025
The Sign of the Cross (1932) Review, with Fredric March and Claudette Colbert
My List of Essential Pre-Code Hollywood Films
Night After Night (1932) Review, with George Raft, Roscoe Karns, and Mae West
Doctor X (1932) Review, with Lee Tracy and Fay Wray
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