Helen/Raquel Constance Bennett Doug Franchot Tone Vicky Tullio Carminati Released by 20th Century Pictures | Directed By Sidney Lanfield Proof That It’s Pre-Code Doug needs to compose his newest musical number in the lady’s room since everywhere else is taken. One of the film’s musical numbers revolves around a woman’s Read more…
Released by RKO | Directed By George Archainbaud Murder on the Blackboard: One Note We’re going to do something a little differently this week. Instead of my usual review, instead, here’s the second full chapter from my new eBook, Murder on Celluloid: A Companion to the Hildegarde Withers Film Series. Read more…
Elizabeth Barrett Norma Shearer Robert Browning Fredric March Edward Moulton-Barrett Charles Laughton Released by MGM | Directed By Sidney Franklin Proof That It’s Pre-Code-ish Aspects of the incestuous feelings Edward Barrett felt towards his daughter Elizabeth are present, though diminished from what was portrayed in the original stage play. However, Read more…
Mary Rexford Norma Shearer Lord Phillip Rexford Herbert Marshall Tommy Trent Robert Montgomery Released by MGM | Directed By Edmund Goulding Proof That It’s Pre-Code A man agrees to marry a woman even though he knows that she was a party girl who got around. She even gets around with Read more…
Katrin Greta Garbo Walter Herbert Marshall Jack George Brent Released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer | Directed By Richard Boleslawski Proof That It’s Pre-Code-ish The film opens with Katrin’s sister’s wedding, and she gives her sister a neglige for a wedding present. “But don’t tell mother, she’ll think it’s wicked.” “But 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…
Jim Turner Edward G. Robinson Marge Mayhew Genevieve Tobin Val Wilson Glenda Farrell Released by Warner Brothers/First National | Directed By Alfred E. Green Proof That It’s Pre-Code Marge protests after her husband starts kissing her on the front lawn. “Jim, stop that! The neighbors will think we’re not married!” 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…
Arlene Bette Davis Val Margaret Lindsay Tony Donald Woods Spencer Lyle Talbot Izzy Hugh Herbert Chief O’Malley Alan Hale Bradford Arthur Byron Jake Bello Irving Pichel Maynard Douglas Dumbrille Released by Warner Brothers | Directed By William Dieterle Proof That It’s Pre-Code Notably, the night club at the beginning of Read more…
Eadie Jean Harlow Tom Paige Jr. Franchot Tone Tom Paige Sr. Lionel Barrymore Released by MGM | Directed By Jack Conway Proof That It’s Pre-Code-ish Eadie on her home life: “Since you came here, there’s only one way for a girl to end up in this place and you know Read more…