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Crime

1930

The Widow from Chicago (1930) Review, with Alice White and Edward G. Robinson

Polly Alice White Dominic Edward G. Robinson Swifty Neil Hamilton Released by Warner Bros./First National | Directed by Edward F. Cline Run time: 64 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “I don’t talk business in my bedroom?” “Yeah?” “You’re a cute little trick, aren’t you?” “A dumb cluck like Read more…

By Danny, 8 yearsMarch 3, 2017 ago
1931

The Guilty Generation (1931) Review, with Leo Carrillo, Constance Cummings, Robert Young, and Boris Karloff

Mike Palmero Leo Carillo Maria Palmero Constance Cummings Marco Ricca Robert Young Released by Columbia | Directed by Rowland V. Lee Run time: 81 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film “Are you really honorable?” “Nope!” “I’m so relieved!” Bootleggers and speakeasies. “Why don’t you go out and meet some Read more…

By Danny, 9 yearsNovember 18, 2016 ago
1933

Broadway Thru a Keyhole (1933) Review, with Constance Cummings, Paul Kelly, and Russ Columbo

Joan Constance Cummings Frank Paul Kelly Clark Russ Columbo Sybil Smith Blossom Seeley Hugh O’Connell Chuck Haskins Tex Kaley Texas Guinan Released by 20th Century Pictures | Directed by Lowell Sherman Run time: 91 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film One character, Sybil, is a former burlesque queen, and Read more…

By Danny, 9 yearsNovember 14, 2016 ago
1932

The Last Mile (1932) Review, with Howard Phillips and Preston Foster

Dick Walters Howard Phillip John ‘ Killer’ Mears Preston Foster Joe Berg George E. Stone Released by Astor Pictures | Directed by Sam Bischoff Run time: 69 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Several people are killed in cold blood. The hero’s final action could be interpreted as immoral, Read more…

By Danny, 9 yearsOctober 6, 2016 ago
Hell's Highway 1932 Richard Dix Tom Brown
1932

Hell’s Highway (1932) Review, with Richard Dix and Tom Brown

Duke Ellis Richard Dix Johnny Ellis Tom Brown C. Henry Gordon Skinner Released by RKO | Directed by Rowland Brown Proof That It’s Pre-Code One convict had been married– to three wives at the same time. The cook is a homosexual. One guard’s wife is having an affair– and pays Read more…

By Danny, 9 yearsJanuary 22, 2016 ago
Bad Company 1931 Helen Twevetrees Ricardo Cortez
1931

Bad Company (1931) Review, with Helen Twelvetrees and Ricardo Cortez

Helen Helen Twelvetrees Goldie Gorio Ricardo Cortez Steve John Garrick Released by RKO Pathe | Directed by Tay Garnett Proof That It’s Pre-Code Plenty of drinking and gambling. To tell a person to get lost, they’re simply ordered to “Screw.” A butler has had multiple wives A nasty gangster lures Read more…

By Danny, 10 yearsDecember 18, 2015 ago
Little Giant 1933 Edward G Robinson
1933

The Little Giant (1933) Review, with Edward G. Robinson and Mary Astor

Bugs Alhern Edward G. Robinson Al Daniels Russell Hopton Polly Cass Helen Vinson Ruth Wayburn Mary Astor Donald Cass Berton Churchill Edith Merriam Shirley Grey Released by Warner Brothers | Directed by Roy Del Ruth Proof That It’s Pre-Code Robinson’s Bugs Ahern is known as a mad gangster who murders Read more…

By Danny, 10 yearsOctober 5, 2015 ago
1930

The Fall Guy (1930) Review, with Jack Mulhall, Mae Clarke, and Ned Sparks

Johnny Quinlan Jack Mulhall Bertha Quinlan Mae Clarke Danny Walsh Ned Sparks Released by RKO | Directed By Leslie Pearce Proof That It’s Pre-Code Our louse in the lead, Johnny, is chasing around ladies other than his wife. The gangster boss Nifty has a network of men carrying high end Read more…

By Danny, 10 yearsAugust 17, 2015 ago
Penthouse 1933 pre-code hollywood Myrna Loy Warner Baxter
1933

Penthouse (1933) Review, with Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy

Jackson Durant Warner Baxter Gertie Waxted Myrna Loy Tony Gazotti Nat Pendleton  Jim Crelliman C. Henry Gordon Sue Leonard  Martha Sleeper Mimi Mae Clarke Released by MGM | Directed By W.S. Van Dyke Proof That It’s Pre-Code “Mouthpiece” Jackson Durant is more than happy to defend bootleggers and chorus girls– Read more…

By Danny, 10 yearsJuly 31, 2015 ago
Sinners' Holiday 1930 james cagney joan blondell pre-code
1930

Sinners’ Holiday (1930) Review, with Grant Withers, James Cagney and Joan Blondell

Angel Grant Withers Mrs. Delano Lucille La Verne Mitch Warren Hymer Jennie Evalyn Knapp Harry James Cagney Myrtle Joan Blondell Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By John G. Adolfi Proof That It’s Pre-Code The dancing ladies are happy to show their stuff. Mitch runs a speakeasy and gambling joint. Read more…

By Danny, 10 yearsJuly 10, 2015 ago

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Pre-Code.Com celebrates Hollywood films made from 1930 to 34, when the talkies were new and censorship was lax. Learn more about the era here, or browse our many reviews.

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The Sign of the Cross (1932) Review, with Fredric March and Claudette Colbert
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