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
Secrets (1933) Review, with Mary Pickford and Leslie Howard
Mary MarloweMary Pickford John CarltonLeslie Howard SunshineNed Sparks Released by United ArtistsDirected by Frank BorzageRun time: 90 minutes Proof that It’s Pre-Code High infant mortality rate. Extramarital sex. Leslie Howard at one point gets doused in petticoats. Secrets: Love Through the Ages “I’m saving a man from drowning tonight.” With Read more…
1931
Expensive Women (1931) Review, with Dolores Costello and Warren William
Connie Newton Dolores Costello Neil Hartley Warren William Melville Raymond H.B. Warner Released by Warner Bros. Directed by Hobart Henley Run time: 60 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Our first shot of our heroine is of her in the bathtub, scrubbing up. Connie gets a call from her Read more…
1933
Gambling Ship (1933) Review, with Cary Grant
Ace Corbin Cary Grant Eleanor Benita Hume Manning Jack La Rue Released by Paramount Directed by Louis J. Gasnier and Max Marcin Run time: 72 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Benita Hume pops out of the shower at one point and (it’s difficult to capture in a screenshot) Read more…
All Reviews
Unashamed (1932) Review, with Helen Twelvetrees
Joan Ogden Helen Twelvetrees Dick Ogden Robert Young Henry Trask Lewis Stone Released by MGM Directed by Harry Beaumont Run time: 76 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Men have their sexual indiscretions, women aren’t supposed to. Ask me if that makes any sense. Just a quick reminder that Read more…
1932
The Conquerors (1932) Review, with Richard Dix and Ann Harding
Roger Standish Richard Dix Caroline Ogden Ann Harding Matilda Blake Edna May Oliver Released by RKO Directed by William Wellman Run time: 86 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film There are a couple of particularly brutal episodes in this one, including a child begging for its life before dying Read more…
1931
Millie (1931) Review, with Helen Twelvetrees and Lilyan Tashman
Millie Helen Twelvetrees Helen Lilyan Tashman Angie Joan Blondell Released by RKO Directed by John Francis Dillon Run time: 85 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film We’re introduced to Blondell and Tashman’s characters shacked up in bed together. Frank McHugh has a musical number (yes) about being a beautiful Read more…
1932
The Lost Squadron (1932) Review, with Richard Dix, Mary Astor, and Erich Von Stroheim
Gibson Richard Dix Follette Mary Astor Von Furst Erich von Stroheim Red Joel McCrea Woody Robert Armstrong Fritz Hugh Herbert Released by RKO Directed by George Archainbaud Run time: 79 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Our leads not only enjoy each other’s company, but they enjoy fighting in Read more…
1930
One Night at Susie’s (1930) review, with Billie Dove and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Mary Martin Billie Dove Susie Helen Ware Dick Rollins Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Released by Warner Bros./First National Directed by John Francis Dillon Run time: 62 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Susie takes care of down-on-their-luck gangsters. When they come to her, she always proffers them her butler’s clothing. Read more…
1931
The Right of Way (1931) Review, with Conrad Nagel and Loretta Young
Charley “Beauty” Steele Conrad Nagel Rosalie Loretta Young Billy William Janney Released by Warner Bros. | Directed by Frank Lloyd Run time: 68 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The old amnesia/remarriage/”General Hospital” hogwash. People keep trying to kill Charley Steele and, frankly, it’s kind of a relief when Read more…