1933
International House (1933) Review, with W.C. Fields
How did W.C. Fields get his ‘pussy’ past the censors? Join a real life gold digger and read all about the unhinged pre-Code comedy International House.
1930
The Woman Racket (1930) Review, with Tom Moore and Blanche Sweet
Tom Tom Moore Julia Blanche Sweet Chris John Miljan Released by MGM Directed by Albert H. Kelley, Robert Ober, and Paul Bern Run time: 70 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film Julia is a sweet gal who leaves her husband and has a few love affairs without ever ending Read more…
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…
1932
Pack Up Your Troubles (1932) Review, with Laurel and Hardy
Laurel Hardy Eddie’s Little Girl Jacquie Lyn Released by Hal Roach Studios Directed by George Marshall, Harry Black, Ray McCarey and Lloyd French Run time: 68 minutes Proof That It’s Pre-Code In this lighthearted, rollicking Laurel & Hardy picture, we are treated to a scene where ‘Eddie’s Little Girl’ is Read more…
1931
City Streets (1931), with Sylvia Sydney and Gary Cooper
“Kid”Gary Cooper NanSylvia Sydney “The Big Fella”Paul Lukas Directed by Rouben MamoullianReleased by Paramount PicturesRuntime: 82 minutes Proof That It’s Pre-Code Concerns bootleggers and beer barons. City Streets: Wrong Ways “Good kid. You’ll never tell nobody nothing.” Rouben Mamoullian’s City Streets is a particularly stylish entry in the early-30s gangster Read more…
1933
A Study in Scarlet (1933) Review
Sherlock HolmesReginald Owen Mrs. PykeAnna May Wong Eileen ForresterJune Clyde Released by: Tiffany PicturesDirected by: Edwin L. MarinRunning time: 72 minutes A Study in Scarlet: No Shit? “Come, Watson. The game is afoot.” Earlier this week I decided to write an essay about Billy Wilder’s The Private Life of Sherlock Read more…
1932
Symphony of Six Million (1932) Review, with Ricardo Cortez and Irene Dunne
Felix Ricardo Cortez Jessica Irene Dunne Magnus Noel Madison Released by RKO Directed by Gregory La Cava Run time: 94 minutes Proof That It’s a Pre-Code Film One lady waves Felix over and whispers a dirty story in his ear. As it concerns the medical profession, several people don’t make 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…