1932
A Passport to Hell (1932) Review, with Elissa Landi
Elissa Landi is a woman with a past who seduces a dolt in colonial Africa on the eve of World War I. And it gets more complex from there.
1932
No One Man (1932) Review, with Carole Lombard and Ricardo Cortez
Penelope ‘Nep’ Newbold Carole Lombard Bill Hanaway Ricardo Cortez Dr. Karl Bemis Paul Lukas Released by Paramount Directed by Lloyd Corrigan Run time: 71 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “It’s pretty dull here in Palm Beach– unless you’re interested in marriage or divorce.” Penelope (Lombard) is a 22-year-old Read more…
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).
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…
1934
Once to Every Woman (1934) Review, with Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy
Mary Fanshawne Fay Wray Dr. Barclay Ralph Bellamy Dr. Selby Walter Connolly Released by Columbia Directed by Lambert Hillyer Run time: 70 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The movie opens with a having gotten acid in her face by a jilted lover. It’s certainly an attention-getter. A woman Read more…
1932
Sinners in the Sun (1932) Review, with Carole Lombard and Chester Morris
Doris Blake Carole Lombard Jimmie Martin Chester Morris Ridgeway Cary Grant Released by Paramount Directed by Alexander Hall Run time: 69 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Lombard plays a clothing model who frequently strips down and hangs out in the dressing room. Doris Blake (Lombard) becomes a kept Read more…
1932
Madame Butterfly (1932) Review, with Sylvia Sidney and Cary Grant
Cho-Cho-san Sylvia Sidney Lt. Pinkerton Cary Grant Lt. Barton Charlie Ruggles Released by Paramount Directed by Marion Gering Run time: 86 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film A man marries two different women. Sure, it’s bigamy. It’s big of them too! (ugh) Madame Butterfly: Yuck Yuck Yuck “Before kiss, Read more…
1933
Beauty for Sale (1933) Review, with Madge Evans and Alice Brady
Letty Madge Evans Mrs. Sherwood Alice Brady Sherwood Otto Kruger Carol Una Merkel Mrs. Merrick May Robson Burt Barton Phillips Holmes Released by MGM Directed by Richard Boleslavsky Run time: 86 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “You know how divorces are.” “I’ve never been married.” “Not even once?!” Read more…
1932
Young Bride (1932) Review, with Helen Twelvetrees and Eric Linden
Allie Riggs Helen Twelvetrees Charlie Eric Linden Maisie Arlene Judge Released by RKO Pathe Directed by William A. Seiter Run time: 76 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film At the library: “Where can I get an illustrated copy of Aphrodite?” “If you go out with that guy, you’ve got Read more…
1931
Dishonored (1931) Review, with Marlene Dietrich
Marie / X-27 Marlene Dietrich Colonel Kranau Victor McLaglen Chief Gustav von Seyffertitz Released by Paramount Directed by Josef von Sternberg Run time: 91 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The opening shot is of Marlene Dietrich adjusting her stockings. It’s called an attention-getter. The opening also involves a Read more…