1934
The Woman Condemned (1934) Review, with Claudia Dell
Richard Arlen is a cowboy chasing Mary Brian while typical Western plotting unfolds.
1933
Crime of the Century (1933) Review, with Wynne Gibson and Stuart Erwin
Can anyone stop Jean Hersholt from committing the perfect murder– or will they commit it themselves?!
1932
70,000 Witnesses (1932) Review, with Phillips Holmes
“Buck” Buchan Phillips Holmes Dan McKenna David Landau Johnny Moran Charlie Ruggles Released by Paramount Directed by Ralph Murphy Run time: 71 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Bootlegging plays a big part of the film, from the college kid who peddles booze to the constantly-sauced reporter Johnny Moran Read more…
1933
Blind Adventure (1933), with Robert Armstrong and Helen Mack
Richard Bruce Robert Armstrong Rose Thorn Helen Mack Holmes Roland Young Released by RKO Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack Run time: 65 minutes Blind Adventure: Foggy Bottoms “Who’s that?” “It’s the dead man.” “He isn’t dead!” “You’re telling me!” On a foggy London night– a real pea-souper, as they note– Read more…
1933
Twin Husbands (1933) Review, with John Miljan and Shirley Gray
Jerry John Miljan Chloe Shirley Gray Colton Monroe Owsley Released by Invincible Pictures Directed by Frank R. Strayer Run time: 68 minutes Twin Husbands: Twisted Misters “I can’t pretend to be the victim of amnesia for more than a few hours at a time. My ego won’t permit it!” On Read more…
1932
The King Murder (1932) Review, with Conway Tearle and Natalie Moorhead
Henry Barton Conway Tearle Elizabeth Hawtorn Natalie Moorhead Pearl Hope Marceline Day Released by Chesterfield Pictures Directed by Richard Thorpe Run time: 67 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film One of those films with breach of promise suits galore and mistresses on the side. The King Murder: Checkmate “What Read more…
1932
The Phantom of Crestwood (1932) Review, with Ricardo Cortez and Karen Morley
Gary Curtis Ricardo Cortez Jenny Wren Karen Morley Herbert Walcott Robert McWade Released by RKO | Directed by J. Walter Ruben Run time: 76 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Karen Morley plays a high class woman who has plenty of blackmail material and isn’t afraid to use it. Read more…
1932
Secrets of the French Police (1932) Review, with Gwili Andre and Gregory Ratoff
Eugenie Dorain Gwili Andre Han Moloff Gregory Ratoff Francois St. Cyr Frank Morgan Released by RKO | Directed by A. Edward Sutherland Run time: 57 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Men keep darling photo souvenirs in their watches, apparently often scantily dressed. A father begs his daughter, “Come Read more…
1934
Murder in the Private Car (1934) Review, with Charlie Ruggles and Una Merkel
Scott Charlie Ruggles Georgia Una Merkel Ruth Mary Carlisle Released by MGM | Directed by Harry Beaumont Run time: 65 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Released barely two days before the enforcement of the Production Code began in 1934, the filmmakers do manage to get the lead actresses Read more…
1933
Man Hunt (1933) Review, with Junior Durkin and Charlotte Henry
Junior Junior Durkin Josie Charlotte Henry Abraham Carl Gross Released by RKO | Directed by Irving Cummings Run time: 65 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Racially, there’s some pretty awful stuff here. Junior’s housekeeper’s son, Abraham, is every bad cliche of African-Americans you can picture. Besides constantly being Read more…