1932
Blessed Event (1932) Review, with Lee Tracy and Dick Powell
It’s Picture Snatcher again, only crappy.
1932
The Mummy (1932) Review, with Boris Karloff and David Manners
Imhotep/Ardeth Bay Boris Karloff Helen Grosvenor Zita Johann Frank Whemple David Manners Released by Universal Studios | Directed By Karl Freund Proof That It’s Pre-Code Several fairly gruesome deaths, on camera and off. Helen gets put in some Egyptian garb, and apparently Ancient Egyptians were big fans of bare midriffs Read more
1933
The Man From Monterey (1933) Review, with John Wayne
Capt. John Holmes John Wayne Felipe Verranca Louis Alberni Dolores Castanares Ruth Hall Don Luis Gonzalez Donald Reed Jake Morgan Slim Whitaker Duke Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By Mack V. Wright Proof That It’s Pre-Code “Aww, stick those cards in your–” “Senor!” “In your pocket. Come on!” The Read more
1934
We’re Not Dressing (1934) with Carole Lombard and Bing Crosby
Stephen Jones Bing Crosby Doris Worthington Carole Lombard Edith Ethel Merman Hubert Leon Errol George George Burns Gracie Gracie Allen Released by Paramount | Directed By Norman Taurog Proof That It’s Pre-Code No one in the film actually declares whether or not they’re dressing (I imagine whoever pitched the title Read more
1934
The House of Rothschild (1934) Review, with George Arliss, Boris Karloff and Loretta Young
Nathan Rothschild George Arliss Count Ledrantz Boris Karloff Julie Rothschild Loretta Young Captain Fitzroy Robert Taylor Duke of Wellington C. Aubrey Smith Hannah Rothschild Florence Arliss Released by 20th Century Fox | Directed By Alfred L. Werker Proof That It’s Pre-Code The Duke of Wellington doesn’t swear, but injects the Read more
1934
The Lost Patrol (1934) Review, with Victor McLaglen and Boris Karloff
The Sergeant Victor McLaglen Sanders Boris Karloff Morelli Wallace Ford Brown Reginald Denny Hale Billy Bevan Cook Alan Hale Released by RKO | Directed By John Ford The Lost Patrol: An Oasis of Death “We’re gravediggers now.” “Out here? But where are we going to bury him?” “Doesn’t make much Read more
1934
Twentieth Century (1934) Review, with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard
Oscar Jaffe John Barrymore Lily Garland Carole Lombard Oliver Webb Walter Connolly Owen O’Malley Roscoe Karns George Smith Ralph Forbes Matthew J. Clark Etienne Girardot Released by Columbia | Directed By Howard Hawks Proof That It’s Pre-Code A couple lives together despite not being married. They share a bed shaped Read more
1932
Arsène Lupin (1932) Review, with John and Lionel Barrymore
Duke of Charmerace John Barrymore Guarechard Lionel Barrymore Sonia Karen Morley Released by MGM | Directed By Jack Conway Proof That It’s Pre-Code This film has more euphemisms and double entendres than you could shake even possibly three or four sticks at. The Duke of Charmerace first makes the acquaintance Read more
1931
Sporting Blood (1931) Review, with Clark Gable and Madge Evans
Rid Riddell Clark Gable Jim Rellence Ernest Torrence Ruby Madge Evans Angela Marie Prevost Tip Scanlon Lew Cody Tommy Boy Released by MGM | Directed By Charles Brabin Proof That It’s Pre-Code Heavy narcotics use. Well, by horses, but still. Sporting Blood: A Legacy of Tragedy “Since the beginning of Read more
1934
Manhattan Melodrama (1934) Review, with Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy
Blacky Gallagher Clark Gable Jim Wade William Powell Eleanor Packer Myrna Loy Proof That It’s Pre-Code We get to see a kid, along with many other people, die. It’s fairly gruesome. The gangster dies a noble death, notable even if it is to help out his law abiding friend. Manhattan Read more