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Slapping Women Around

Sadie McKee (1934)
1934

Sadie McKee (1934) Review, with Joan Crawford

Sadie McKee Joan Crawford Michael Alderson Franchot Tone Tommy Wallace Gene Raymond Jack Brennan Edward Arnold Opal Jean Dixon Dolly Merrick Esther Ralston Released by MGM | Directed By Clarence Brown Proof That It’s Pre-Code Sadie and Tommy move into a one room apartment where it’s noted that the landlord Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsMarch 10, 2014 ago
1934

Manhattan Melodrama (1934) Review, with Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy

Blacky Gallagher Clark Gable Jim Wade William Powell Eleanor Packer Myrna Loy Proof That It’s Pre-Code We get to see a kid, along with many other people, die. It’s fairly gruesome. The gangster dies a noble death, notable even if it is to help out his law abiding friend. Manhattan Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsFebruary 21, 2014 ago
1934

The Thin Man (1934) Review, with William Powell and Myrna Loy

Nick Charles William Powell Nora Charles Myrna Loy Asta Skippy Released by MGM | Directed By W.S. Van Dyke Proof That It’s Pre-Code Well, Nick Charles punches Nora Charles in the face. There are a large number of jokes about dogs peeing. The police just punch a dude in the Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsFebruary 14, 2014 ago
Flying Down to Rio Ginger and Fred
1933

Flying Down to Rio (1933) Review, with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire

Belinha … Delores Del Rio Roger … Gene Raymond Julio … Raul Roulien Honey … Ginger Rogers Freddy … Fred Astaire The Aunt … Blanche Frederici Proof That It’s Pre-Code This thing has more bare legs than a Rockettes review. The film opens with a manager inspecting all of the Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsDecember 16, 2013 ago
Belle Nineties Mae West
1934

Belle of the Nineties (1934) Review, with Mae West

Ruby Carter … Mae West The Tiger Kid … Roger Pryor Ace Lamont … Jon Miljan Proof That It’s Pre-Code I feel bad for listing all the best parts of the movie up front, but here we go. Some choice quotes: “Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder.” “I always liked Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsDecember 13, 2013 ago
Smart Money (1931)
1931

Smart Money (1931) with Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney

Nick … Edward G. Robinson Jack … James Cagney Marie … Noel Francis Proof That It’s Pre-Code Nick has a bevy of ladies who catch his eye. One earlier in the picture needs $100 for something, but who knows what she needs that cash for. Wink. “I’ll win so much Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsNovember 22, 2013 ago
The Unholy Three (1930)
1930

The Unholy Three (1930) Review, with Lon Chaney and Lila Lee

Professor Echo … Lon Chaney Harry Earles … Twiddledee Hercules … Ivan Linow Rosie … Lila Lee Hector … Elliot Nugent The Prosecutor … John Miljan Proof That It’s Pre-Code The film opens with a dancer who “broke the sultan’s thermometer!” The fat lady has not seen her “… feet!” Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsNovember 15, 2013 ago
1932

Virtue (1932) Review, with Carole Lombard

May … Carole Lombard Jimmy … Pat O’Brien Lil … Mayo Methot Proof That It’s Pre-Code It’s all about prostitutes! Women get smacked around and/or killed! In a nice switch around, we get to see a dude get dressed. Drinking galore! Everyone gambles all the time! “A gentleman don’t talk Read more…

By Danny, 12 yearsNovember 11, 2013 ago
1933

Murders in the Zoo (1933) Review, with Lionel Atwill

Dr. Eric Gorman … Lionel Atwill Evelyn Gorman … Kathleen Burke Charles Ruggles … Peter Yates Dr. Jack Woodford … Randolph Scott Jerry Evans … Gail Patrick Roger Hewett … John Lodge Proof That It’s Pre-Code Several extremely gruesome murders involving mauling and human embroidery. A husband likes making love Read more…

By Danny, 13 yearsOctober 22, 2013 ago
1931

Blonde Crazy (1931) Review, with James Cagney and Joan Blondell

Bert … James Cagney Ann … Joan Blondell Dan … Louis Calhern Rupert … Guy Kibbee Helen … Noel Francis Reynolds … Ray Milland Proof That It’s Pre-Code This may take a while to load, but I think you’ll understand:   Also, more robbery, cheating, lying, ogling and eyebrow waggles Read more…

By Danny, 13 yearsSeptember 20, 2013 ago

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Pre-Code.Com celebrates Hollywood films made from 1930 to 34, when the talkies were new and censorship was lax. Learn more about the era here, or browse our many reviews.

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List of Pre-Code Hollywood Films
Belle of the Nineties (1934) Review, with Mae West
Pre-Code.Com Site Index
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The Sign of the Cross (1932) Review, with Fredric March and Claudette Colbert
My List of Essential Pre-Code Hollywood Films
Night After Night (1932) Review, with George Raft, Roscoe Karns, and Mae West
Doctor X (1932) Review, with Lee Tracy and Fay Wray
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