1932
Blondie of the Follies (1932) Review, with Marion Davies, Billie Dove and Robert Montgomery
Marion Davies learns a lesson about love and friendship… well, no, she doesn’t, but she *does* crossdress.
1932
The Final Edition (1932) Review, with Mae Clarke and Pat O’Brien
An ace newspaper reporter hunts down a murderer in order to take down a crime syndicate– and she’s a woman?! Bless my stars and garters.
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
Kept Husbands (1931) Review, with Dorothy Mackaill and Joel McCrea
Dot Dorothy Mackaill Dick Joel McCrea The Ned Sparks part Ned Sparks Released by RKO Directed by Lloyd Bacon Run time: 76 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film The best I’ve got is that there’s a dog named ‘Pansy’. Kept Husbands: All Lost “Easy things aren’t much good.” Have 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…
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…
1930
The Office Wife (1930) Review, with Dorothy Mackaill and Lewis Stone
Anne Murdock Dorothy Mackaill Lawrence Fellowes Lewis Stone Katherine Joan Blondell Released by Warner Bros. Directed by Lloyd Bacon & Michael Curtiz Run time: 59 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Katherine is an author who dresses in suits and chomps on strong cigars. She’s clearly coded as a Read more…
1933
The Silver Cord (1933) Review, with Irene Dunne, Joel McCrea and Frances Dee
Christina Irene Dunne David Joel McCrea Mother Laura Hope Crews Robert Eric Linden Hester Frances Dee The Doctor Gustav von Seyffertitz Released by RKO Directed by John Cromwell Run time: 74 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Irene Dunne plays a lady scientist. Her mentor praises her, saying, “You Read more…
1930
One Night at Susie’s (1930) review, with Billie Dove and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Mary Martin Billie Dove Susie Helen Ware Dick Rollins Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Released by Warner Bros./First National Directed by John Francis Dillon Run time: 62 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Susie takes care of down-on-their-luck gangsters. When they come to her, she always proffers them her butler’s clothing. Read more…
1933
Stage Mother (1933) Review, with Alice Brady and Maureen O’Sullivan
Kitty Lorraine Alice Brady Shirley Lorraine Maureen O’Sullivan Warren Foster Franchot Tone Released by MGM | Directed by Charles Brabin Run time: 84 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film In one of the most unique scenes of the entire pre-Code era, the titular ‘stage mother’ offers to hook her Read more…