1932
Okay America! (1932) Review, with Lew Ayres
Lew Ayres is a tough-talking gossip columnist out to save the nation in Okay America! (32).
1932
The Trial of Vivienne Ware (1932) Review, with Joan Bennett and Donald Cook
Vivienne Ware Joan Bennett John Sutherland Donald Cook Dolores Divine Lilian Bond Released by Fox Directed by William K. Howard Run time: 56 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “What I sucker I was. I thought that sugar daddy meant he was going to take me abroad for a Read more
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
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
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
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
1934
Madame Du Barry (1934) Review, with Dolores Del Rio
Madame Du BarryDolores del Rio King Louis XVReginald Owen Armand d’AiguillonVictor Jory Directed by: William DieterleReleased by: Warner Bros.Run time: 79 minutes Proof That It’s (Almost) Pre-Code “Madam, what are you trying to do to France?”“Oh, just what it’s doing to me.” We’re introduced to Du Barry (del Rio) in 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
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
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