All Reviews
Wonder Bar (1934) Review, with Al Jolson, Kay Francis and Dolores Del Rio
Hate life? Learn about 1934’s WONDER BAR with Al Jolson.
1931
The Cuban Love Song (1931) Review, with Lawrence Tibbett and Lupe Velez
Terry Lawrence Tibbett Nenita Lupe Velez Romance Ernest Torrence O.O. Jones Jimmy Durante Crystal Karen Morley Elvira Louise Fazenda Released by MGM Directed by W.S. Van Dyke Run time: 86 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The film starts with a pack of rowdy Marines down at the tattoo Read more…
1931
Never the Twain Shall Meet (1931) Review, with Leslie Howard and Karen Morley
Dan Pritchard Leslie Howard Tamea Conchita Montenegro Maisie Karen Morley Released by MGM Directed by W.S. Van Dyke Run time: 79 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “You make one big mistake in not watching me dress!” “She’s a very delightful little savage.” “You like wine?” “Oh yes. It Read more…
1933
So This Is Africa (1933) Review, with Wheeler & Woolsey and Raquel Torres
Wilber Bert Wheeler Tarzana Raquel Torres Alexander Robert Woolsey Released by Columbia | Directed by Edward F. Cline Run time: 61 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “Hey! Come back here, you jackass!” “Oh see those Afri-cans.” “Virgin trees? Huh! They look pretty wild to me.” A swarm of Read more…
1930
The Green Goddess (1930) Review, with George Arliss and Ralph Forbes
The Raja George Arliss Dr. Traherne Ralph Forbes Lucilla Alice Joyce Released by Warner Bros. | Directed by Alfred E. Green Run time: 73 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Look, there’s an evil Indian king and he really wants to nail this (married) white lady. There are no Read more…
1932
Bird of Paradise (1932) Review, with Joel McCrea and Dolores del Rio
Johnny Joel McCrea Luana Dolores del Rio Mac John Halliday Released by RKO | Directed by King Vidor Run time: 82 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “What is this place?” “Probably one of the Virgin Islands.” “I hope not!” There are a couple of South Seas orgies. Ya Read more…
1933
Ann Carver’s Profession (1933) Review, with Fay Wray, Gene Raymond, and Claire Dodd
Ann Carver Fay Wray Bill Graham Gene Raymond Carole Rodgers Claire Dodd Released by Columbia | Directed by Edward Buzzell Run time: 68 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film A woman… with a college degree! And… and she doesn’t want to sit around the house! It’s madness I tell Read more…
1932
Shanghai Express (1932) Review, with Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong and Colin Brook
Madeline / Shanghai Lily Marlene Dietrich Doctor Harvey Clive Brook Hui Fei Anna May Wong Henry Chang Warner Oland Sam Salt Eugene Pallatte Mr. Carmichael Lawrence Grant Released by Paramount Pictures | Directed by Josef Von Sternberg Run time: 83 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film This film’s most Read more…
1932
Chandu the Magician (1932) Review, with Bela Lugosi, Irene Ware and Edmund Lowe
Chandu Edmund Lowe Princess Nadji Irene Ware Roxor Bela Lugosi Released by Fox Film | Directed by William Cameron Menzies & Marcel Varnel Proof That It’s Pre-Code Death rays! … wait, that’s not exclusive to the early 1930s? Lots of mysticism and indulging in the mystics. One not particularly effective Read more…
1934
Chloe, Love is Calling You (1934) Review, with Olive Borden and Reed Howes
Released by Pinnacle | Directed by Marshall Neilan Chloe, Love is Calling You: Hang Up, Dear. “Give me two bits and I’ll tell your fortune. […] High water… sticks and stones… about a mad gal with a great big home. Find a room in the swamp… the roots of evil. Read more…