1930
The Arizona Kid (1930) Review, with Warner Baxter and Carole Lombard
The Cisco Kid is the Arizona Kid who develops a romance with Carole Lombard in the Olllllld West.
1932
Street of Women (1932) Review, with Kay Francis and Roland Young
This week, a man loves a woman whose brother loves his daughter while his wife is chatting with their architect who is also in love with a woman and… why is everyone drooling over that skyscraper?
1930
King of Jazz (1930) Review, with Paul Whiteman
Paul Whiteman John Boles Laura La Plante Released by Universal Directed by John Murray Anderson Run time: 99 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film There are a few mildly racy sketches, like one where an adulterer hides in the closet when the husband returns home. King of Jazz: Happy Read more…
1930
Alias French Gertie (1930) Review, with Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon
Gertie Bebe Daniels Jimmy Hartigan Ben Lyon Kelsey Robert Emmett O’Connor Released by RKO Directed by George Archainbaud Run time: 68 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film A frantic Jimmy reaches down the front of Gertie’s dress to retrieve a stolen necklace. We follow a pair of career criminals Read more…
1933
Air Hostess (1933) Review, with Evelyn Knapp, James Murray, and Thelma Todd
Kitty King Evelyn Knapp Ted Hunter James Murray Sylvia Carleton Thelma Todd Released by Columbia Directed by Albert Rogell Run time: 67 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film By now I am very used to the cringe in old movies when the husband sticks his wife over his knee Read more…
1933
International House (1933) Review, with W.C. Fields
How did W.C. Fields get his ‘pussy’ past the censors? Join a real life gold digger and read all about the unhinged pre-Code comedy International House.
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.
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…
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…