Released by MGM | Directed By George Marshall The Soilers: Working Their Way Through “The Soilers” is a bit of a letdown. This one finds Zasu and Thelma out in the suburbs trying to sell magazine subscriptions to help themselves “work their way through college.” This is patently unsuccessful since Read more…
Released by MGM | Directed By George Marshall Alum and Eve: Tripping the Light Fantastic “And I suppose when the doctor comes in he’ll take out my other appendix!” “Alum and Eve” is one of the most surreal of the non-Betty Boop shorts I’ve sat through, a short where a Read more…
Released by Paramount | Directed By Mort Blumenstock A Broadway Romeo: Smarm City “But I hardly know you!” “Baby, that’s my only chance.” I knew a girl growing up who was obsessed with Jack Benny. I suppose many of my older readers will find nothing strange about this, but in Read more…
Katrin Greta Garbo Walter Herbert Marshall Jack George Brent Released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer | Directed By Richard Boleslawski Proof That It’s Pre-Code-ish The film opens with Katrin’s sister’s wedding, and she gives her sister a neglige for a wedding present. “But don’t tell mother, she’ll think it’s wicked.” “But Read more…
Lisbeth Norma Shearer Alan Neil Hamilton Steve Robert Montgomery Released by MGM | Directed By George Fitzmaurice Proof That It’s Pre-Code A kiss so hot and passionate that it almost crashes a couple into the ground. Never kiss an airline pilot while they’re flying is what I’m saying here. The Read more…
Captain Ivan Orloff Ivan Lebedeff Countess Diana Dorchy Genevieve Tobin Baroness Alma Corri Betty Compson Released by RKO | Directed By Richard Boleslawski Proof That It’s Pre-Code Plenty of suggestive hints to the effectiveness of Captain Orloff’s campaign with the ladies. “He made me tell him things I wouldn’t tell Read more…
Bradshaw Paul Muni Gerry Glenda Farrell Shammy Ned Sparks Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By Mervyn LeRoy Proof That It’s Pre-Code “You can take that contract AND–“ Uh, there are gangsters? Hi, Nellie!: Heartache at the Fourth Estate “You’re the editor.” “You’re telling me?” I love Paul Muni. When Read more…
Grandpa Store Lionel Barrymore Louise Store Miriam Hopkins Guy Franchot Tone Released by MGM | Directed By King Vidor Proof That It’s Pre-Code Louise has a strong arm from “lifting highballs.” “Tell the story about the Turk and his harem. That should give you an idea…” A woman is separated Read more…
June Betty Compson Russell Courtney John Darrow Sir Gerald Courtney Gilbert Emery Released by RKO | Directed By George Archainbaud Proof That It’s Pre-Code Our heroine is a poor street walker. “Don’t be so Victorian, Dobbs. Cocktails, Dobbs. We must have cocktails!” A bartender from Chicago is called, “one of Read more…
Jim Turner Edward G. Robinson Marge Mayhew Genevieve Tobin Val Wilson Glenda Farrell Released by Warner Brothers/First National | Directed By Alfred E. Green Proof That It’s Pre-Code Marge protests after her husband starts kissing her on the front lawn. “Jim, stop that! The neighbors will think we’re not married!” Read more…