1932
The Sign of the Cross (1932) Review, with Fredric March and Claudette Colbert
One of the wildest orgies of all time hits the screen in Cecil B. DeMille’s The Sign of the Cross.
1933
Berekeley Square (1933) Review, with Leslie Howard and Heather Angel
Peter Standish Leslie Howard Helen Pettigrew Heather Angel Major Clinton Alan Mowbray Released by Fox Film | Directed by Frank Lloyd Proof That It’s Pre-Code Look, a guy travels through time to bone his great something-or-other’s cousin. It raises questions, certainly. Berkeley Square: Romance Through the Ages “Time– real time– Read more…
1934
I Sell Anything (1934) Review, with Pat O’Brien and Ann Dvorak
Cutler Pat O’Brien Barbara Ann Dvorak Millicent Claire Dodd Released by Warner Bros./First National | Directed by Robert Florey Proof That It’s Pre-Code-ish Our main character, “Spot Cash” Cutler, pretty much pushes and prods rubes out of their money by way of selling them junk that’s been falsely made to Read more…
1933
Parole Girl (1933) Review, with Mae Clarke and Ralph Bellamy
Sylvia Day Mae Clarke Joseph B. Smith Ralph Bellamy Jeanie Vance Marie Prevost Released by Columbia Pictures | Directed By Edward F. Cline Proof That It’s Pre-Code Sylvia (Clarke) and Tony (Hale Hamilton) run a con that involves a fake pick pocketing and extortion from dopey department stores. Tony becomes Read more…
1934
Gambling Lady (1934) Review, with Barbara Stanwyck
Lady Lee … Barbara Stanwyck Garry Madison … Joel McCrea Charlie Lang… Pat O’Brien Sheila Aiken … Claire Dodd Pete Madison … C. Aubrey Smith Directed by Archie Mayo Proof That It’s Pre-Code A note on this one: the only copy I could find had the Production Code seal on Read more…
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…
1932
Grand Hotel (1932) Review
Proof That It’s Pre-Code All the usual hotel nighttime activities. There’s an extended subplot about an industrialist negotiating with a stenographer about what she will give him in exchange for an all-expense paid trip through Europe. It includes this wonderful line: “I don’t suppose you’d take some… dictation from me Read more…
1933
Female (1933) Review, with Ruth Chatterton and George Brent
Review: Ruth Chatterton in Female goes from fascinating to frustrating in a few short scenes. From Danny