1932
The Night of June 13 (1932) Review, with Clive Brook and Frances Dee
Is a quiet suburban street the scene of A MURDER? No, no it’s not.
1931
A Connecticut Yankee (1931) Review, with Will Rogers and Myrna Loy
Hank Martin/Sir Boss Will Rogers King Arthur William Farnum Morgan le Fay Myrna Loy Released by Fox Directed by David Butler Run time: 95 minutes A Connecticut Yankee: A Good Knight “Canst thou tellest me where the hellest I am?” Electrician Hank Martin (Rogers) is tasked with visiting a creepy 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
1932
False Faces (1932) Review, with Lowell Sherman
Dr. Silas BrentonLowell Sherman Dr. John ParkerBenton Churchill Georgia RandLila Lee Directed by Lowell ShermanReleased by World Wide PicturesRuntime: 73 minutes Proof That It’s Pre-Code Dr. Brenton (Sherman) assails himself with a bevy of women. We see one arrive in his apartment and we cut to a short while later Read more
1932
Hell’s House (1932) Review, with Bette Davis and Pat O’Brien
Jimmy Mason Junior Durkin Matt Kelly Pat O’Brien Peggy Gardner Bette Davis Released by Allied Artists (?) Directed by Howard Higgin Run time: 72 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film One early scene has Jimmy Mason (Durkin) trying to pick the right door to knock on, and he plays Read more
1932
The Roadhouse Murder (1932) Review, with Dorothy Jordan and Eric Linden
Chick Brian Eric Linden Mary Agnew Dorothy Jordan Jeff Dale Roscoe Karns Released by RKO Directed by J. Walter Ruben Run time: 72 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Opens with a man inflating his hemorrhoid pillow. This shot is quickly followed by a drunk, disgruntled reporter typing this Read more
1931
The Star Witness (1931) Review, with Walter Huston
Whitlock Walter Huston Ma Leeds Frances Starr ‘Pa’ Charles ‘Chic’ Sale Released by Warner Bros. Directed by William A. Wellman Run time: 67 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Gangsters and murders and that particular snarl we all know and love. A kid gets kicked across the room at Read more
1932
Night Court (1932) Review, with Phillips Holmes, Walter Huston, Anita Page and Lewis Stone
Mike Thomas Phillips Holmes Judge Moffett Walter Huston Mary Thomas Anita Page Released by MGM Directed by W.S. Van Dyke Run time: 92 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Based on a true story, this is a film about a corrupt judge who forces women into prostitution, frames and Read more
1931
Dishonored (1931) Review, with Marlene Dietrich
Marie / X-27 Marlene Dietrich Colonel Kranau Victor McLaglen Chief Gustav von Seyffertitz Released by Paramount Directed by Josef von Sternberg Run time: 91 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The opening shot is of Marlene Dietrich adjusting her stockings. It’s called an attention-getter. The opening also involves a Read more
1931
The Last Flight (1931) Review, with Richard Barthelmess, David Manners, & Helen Chandler
Cary Lockwood Richard Barthelmess Shep Lambert David Manners Nikki Helen Chandler Released by Warner Bros. | Directed by William Dieterle Run time: 76 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Nikki is, “just an old hussy we found scattered around.” A friend named Frink is “a member of the wandering Read more