1933
After Tonight (1933) Review, with Constance Bennett
Contance Bennett is a Russian spy and really what else do you need to know
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
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
1933
Men Must Fight (1933) Review, with Diana Wynyard, Lewis Stone, and Phillips Holmes
Laura Diana Wynyard Edward Seward Lewis Stone Bob Seward Phillips Holmes Released by MGM Directed by Edgar Selwyn Run time: 61 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The film opens with a nurse and flyer getting dressed in a secluded room. As a result, an unmarried woman gets pregnant. Read more
1932
The Lost Squadron (1932) Review, with Richard Dix, Mary Astor, and Erich Von Stroheim
Gibson Richard Dix Follette Mary Astor Von Furst Erich von Stroheim Red Joel McCrea Woody Robert Armstrong Fritz Hugh Herbert Released by RKO Directed by George Archainbaud Run time: 79 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Our leads not only enjoy each other’s company, but they enjoy fighting in Read more
1933
Captured! (1933) Review, with Leslie Howard and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Capt. Fred Allison Leslie Howard Lt. Jack ‘Dig’ Digby Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Col. Carl Ehlrich Paul Lukas Released by Warner Bros. Directed by Roy Del Ruth Run time: 69 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Early in the film, a cadre of captured soldiers are stripped naked and forced Read more
1933
The Eagle and the Hawk (1933) Review, with Fredric March and Cary Grant
Jerry Young Fredric March Henry Crocker Cary Grant Mike Richards Jack Oakie Released by Paramount | Directed by Stuart Walker Run time: 72 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film There are plenty of awful moments of combat, including a hand covered in blood and plenty of other bullet- riddled Read more
1931
The Last Flight (1931) Review, with Richard Barthelmess, David Manners, & Helen Chandler
Cary Lockwood Richard Barthelmess Shep Lambert David Manners Nikki Helen Chandler Released by Warner Bros. | Directed by William Dieterle Run time: 76 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Nikki is, “just an old hussy we found scattered around.” A friend named Frink is “a member of the wandering Read more
1933
Hell Below (1933) Review, with Robert Montgomery, Walter Huston and Madge Evans
Thomas Knowlton Robert Montgomery T.J. Toler Walter Huston Joan Madge Evans Ship’s Cook Jimmy Durante Mac Dougal Eugene Pallette Brick Walters Robert Young Released by MGM | Directed by Jack Conway Run time: 101 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “Your first duty is to establish a base of Read more
1934
Viva Villa! (1934) Review, with Wallace Beery, Leo Carrillo and Fay Wray
Pancho Villa Wallace Beery Rodolfo Leo Carrillo Teresa Fay Wray Jonny Sykes Stuart Erwin General Pascal Joseph Schildkraut Francisco Madero Henry B. Walthall Released by MGM | Directed by Jack Conway Run time: 115 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film People are murdered pretty indiscriminately– this is a revolution, Read more