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
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
The Keyhole (1933) Review, with Kay Francis and George Brent
Kay Francis and George Brent do their best to lift this One Way Passage ripoff.
1930
Burning Up (1930) Review, with Richard Arlen and Mary Brian
Lou Larrigan Richard Arlen Ruth Morgan Mary Brian Windy Wallace Sam Hardy Released by Paramount Directed by A. Edward Sutherland Run time: 60 minutes Burning Up: Pedal to the Metal “The only things I get a kick out of are good food, smooth liquor, and easy money!” “You passed Read more
1932
Forgotten Commandments (1932) Review, with Sari Maritza and Gene Raymond
Paul Ossipoff Gene Raymond Anya Sorina Sari Maritza Prof. Marinoff Irving Pichel Released by Paramount Directed by Louis Gasnier and William Schorr Run time: 75 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film This is a film set in godless Communist Russia, so it’s kind of iffy what you could have Read more
TCM Schedules
Pre-Code Movies on TCM in March 2021
It’s March. Again. Somehow. Lots of good stuff coming up on TCM this month, including some nice obscurities. The night of the 14th even includes a tribute to Kay Francis. Watch some movies, stay safe out there. A few friendly reminders: you can follow me on Letterboxd or, if you Read more
1930
The Woman Racket (1930) Review, with Tom Moore and Blanche Sweet
Tom Tom Moore Julia Blanche Sweet Chris John Miljan Released by MGM Directed by Albert H. Kelley, Robert Ober, and Paul Bern Run time: 70 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Julia is a sweet gal who leaves her husband and has a few love affairs without ever ending Read more
1933
East of Fifth Avenue (1933) Review, with Wallace Ford and Mary Carlisle
Vic Howard Wallace Ford Edna Howard Mary Carlisle Kitty Green Dorothy Tree Released by Columbia Directed by Albert S. Rogell Run time: 72 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film There are two plot lines here that would be on the bad side of the censors. The first is Dorothy’s Read more
1932
Pack Up Your Troubles (1932) Review, with Laurel and Hardy
Laurel Hardy Eddie’s Little Girl Jacquie Lyn Released by Hal Roach Studios Directed by George Marshall, Harry Black, Ray McCarey and Lloyd French Run time: 68 minutes Proof That It’s Pre-Code In this lighthearted, rollicking Laurel & Hardy picture, we are treated to a scene where ‘Eddie’s Little Girl’ is Read more
1932
The World and The Flesh (1932) Review, with Miriam Hopkins and George Bancroft
Kylenko George Bancroft Maria Miriam Hopkins Dmitri Alan Mowbray Released by Paramount Directed by John Cromwell Run time: 72 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The plot hinges on a single night of lovemaking where Maria must seduce and distract Kylenko from his duties as a sailor. When he Read more