Katrin Greta Garbo Walter Herbert Marshall Jack George Brent Released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer | Directed By Richard Boleslawski Proof That It’s Pre-Code-ish The film opens with Katrin’s sister’s wedding, and she gives her sister a neglige for a wedding present. “But don’t tell mother, she’ll think it’s wicked.” “But Read more…
Lisbeth Norma Shearer Alan Neil Hamilton Steve Robert Montgomery Released by MGM | Directed By George Fitzmaurice Proof That It’s Pre-Code A kiss so hot and passionate that it almost crashes a couple into the ground. Never kiss an airline pilot while they’re flying is what I’m saying here. The Read more…
Bradshaw Paul Muni Gerry Glenda Farrell Shammy Ned Sparks Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By Mervyn LeRoy Proof That It’s Pre-Code “You can take that contract AND–“ Uh, there are gangsters? Hi, Nellie!: Heartache at the Fourth Estate “You’re the editor.” “You’re telling me?” I love Paul Muni. When Read more…
Grandpa Store Lionel Barrymore Louise Store Miriam Hopkins Guy Franchot Tone Released by MGM | Directed By King Vidor Proof That It’s Pre-Code Louise has a strong arm from “lifting highballs.” “Tell the story about the Turk and his harem. That should give you an idea…” A woman is separated Read more…
June Betty Compson Russell Courtney John Darrow Sir Gerald Courtney Gilbert Emery Released by RKO | Directed By George Archainbaud Proof That It’s Pre-Code Our heroine is a poor street walker. “Don’t be so Victorian, Dobbs. Cocktails, Dobbs. We must have cocktails!” A bartender from Chicago is called, “one of Read more…
Jim Turner Edward G. Robinson Marge Mayhew Genevieve Tobin Val Wilson Glenda Farrell Released by Warner Brothers/First National | Directed By Alfred E. Green Proof That It’s Pre-Code Marge protests after her husband starts kissing her on the front lawn. “Jim, stop that! The neighbors will think we’re not married!” Read more…
Flint Walter Huston Kingsland Conrad Nagel Ann Whitehall Virginia Bruce Tula Lupe Velez Hogan Mitchell Lewis Gregg C. Henry Gordon Released by MGM | Directed By William J. Cowen Proof That It’s Pre-Code Lupe Velez enters the movie in thin strips of cloth. Flint likes calling the Read more…
Claire McIntyre Loretta Young Robert J. Clayton Ricardo Cortez Johnny Saunders Frank Albertson Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By William A. Seiter Proof That It’s Pre-Code A college party sees one couple heading outside to be alone. “Will I be safe with you out there in the dark?” “Safe? Read more…
Arlene Bette Davis Val Margaret Lindsay Tony Donald Woods Spencer Lyle Talbot Izzy Hugh Herbert Chief O’Malley Alan Hale Bradford Arthur Byron Jake Bello Irving Pichel Maynard Douglas Dumbrille Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By William Dieterle Proof That It’s Pre-Code Notably, the night club at the beginning of Read more…
Sam Spade Ricardo Cortez Ruth Wonderly Bebe Daniels Casper Gutman Dudley Digges Effie Perine Una Merkel Iva Archer Thelma Todd Dr. Joel Cairo Otto Matieson Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By Roy Del Ruth Proof That It’s Pre-Code Sam Spade likes the ladies. More on that below. Homosexual subtext Read more…