Released by MGM | Directed By George Marshall Alum and Eve: Tripping the Light Fantastic “And I suppose when the doctor comes in he’ll take out my other appendix!” “Alum and Eve” is one of the most surreal of the non-Betty Boop shorts I’ve sat through, a short where a Read more
Released by MGM | Directed By Charley Chase Bargain of the Century: Hell. Yes. “Say, is that palooka is trying to flirt with me?” There are a lot of reasons I wish time travel was possible. I’m sure this doesn’t surprise you (I run a damn classic movie blog, after Read more
Released by Paramount | Directed By Ray Cozine 100% Service: Neigh “You won’t get any trouble out of me. I’m a pauper.” “A what?” “A pauper!” “Well, congratulations! Is it a boy or a girl?” George Burns and Gracie Allen’s comedic schtick, for those of you not in the know, Read more
Released by Paramount | Directed By Mort Blumenstock A Broadway Romeo: Smarm City “But I hardly know you!” “Baby, that’s my only chance.” I knew a girl growing up who was obsessed with Jack Benny. I suppose many of my older readers will find nothing strange about this, but in Read more
Windy Riley Jack Shutta Betty Grey Louise Brooks Released by Educational Films | Directed By Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle Windy Riley Goes Hollywood: Hot Air After taking a wrong turn during his cross country trek, Windy Riley ends up working in a Hollywood studio in the worst job they’ve got. That Read more
Captain Ivan Orloff Ivan Lebedeff Countess Diana Dorchy Genevieve Tobin Baroness Alma Corri Betty Compson Released by RKO | Directed By Richard Boleslawski Proof That It’s Pre-Code Plenty of suggestive hints to the effectiveness of Captain Orloff’s campaign with the ladies. “He made me tell him things I wouldn’t tell Read more
Bradshaw Paul Muni Gerry Glenda Farrell Shammy Ned Sparks Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By Mervyn LeRoy Proof That It’s Pre-Code “You can take that contract AND–“ Uh, there are gangsters? Hi, Nellie!: Heartache at the Fourth Estate “You’re the editor.” “You’re telling me?” I love Paul Muni. When Read more
June Betty Compson Russell Courtney John Darrow Sir Gerald Courtney Gilbert Emery Released by RKO | Directed By George Archainbaud Proof That It’s Pre-Code Our heroine is a poor street walker. “Don’t be so Victorian, Dobbs. Cocktails, Dobbs. We must have cocktails!” A bartender from Chicago is called, “one of Read more
Claire McIntyre Loretta Young Robert J. Clayton Ricardo Cortez Johnny Saunders Frank Albertson Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By William A. Seiter Proof That It’s Pre-Code A college party sees one couple heading outside to be alone. “Will I be safe with you out there in the dark?” “Safe? Read more
Mabel Joan Blondell Barbara Hemmingway Ruby Keeler Jimmy Higgins Dick Powell Mathilda Hemmingway Zasu Pitts Horace P. Hemmingway Guy Kibbee Ezra Ounce Hugh Herbert Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By Ray Enright and Busby Berkeley Proof That It’s Pre-Code-ish Leading romantic couple Barbara and Jimmy are 13th cousins, or Read more