And a nice warm July greetings to you!
As I noted before, I am moving this summer to Germany, with it looking like the flight is happening in mid-August. I am juggling a lot between moving houses, shipping my dog Harpo, and all of the other fun stuff that comes from intercontinental moves during a pandemic, so I apologize if updates these next two months are spotty. I have been updating some old reviews with new images, such as Goodbye Again and Wild Boys of the Road, for you to enjoy in the meantime.
Pre-Code on TCM for this month includes some great Barbara Stanwyck features and a chunk of William Powell movies. Also, Elvis is the network’s star of the month, which means everyone has yet another reason to watch the latter day works of Joan Blondell, Barbara Stanwyck, Una Merkel and more as they pop up randomly in his films.
One last shoutout: my friend Christina Rice’s biography of Jane Russell arrived this month, so be sure to check it out!
Unfortunately, last month I’d mentioned doing a drawing on Patreon, but it looks like their rules no longer allow it. But I do appreciate any support that comes my way if you become a Patron over at Patreon. Thank you!
Pre-Code Movies on TCM in July 2021
- All times listed here are Eastern Standard. This schedule is subject to change.
- Plot descriptions and casts lists below come from TCM. See the full listings for the month here.
7/2, 3:15 PM – Finishing School (1934)
A boarding-school girl has to cope with family problems and puppy love.
Dir: Wanda Tuchock Actors: Frances Dee,Billie Burke,Ginger Rogers Runtime: 73 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/5, 7:30 AM – Rafter Romance (1933)
A salesgirl falls for a night worker without realizing they share the same apartment.
Dir: William Seiter Actors: Ginger Rogers,Norman Foster,George Sidney
Runtime: 72 mins .. Genre: Comedy .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/9, 8:00 AM – Sunny (1930)
A showgirl falls for a society boy but has to win over his family.
Dir: William Seiter Actors: Marilyn Miller,Lawrence Gray,Joe Donahue
Runtime: 77 mins .. Genre: Musical .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/11, 4:45 AM – Midnight Mary (1933)
An abused orphan sinks into a life of crime.
Dir: William Wellman Actors: Loretta Young,Ricardo Cortez,Franchot Tone
Runtime: 71 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/11, 6:15 AM – Sadie McKee (1934)
A working girl suffers through three troubled relationships on her road to prosperity.
Dir: Clarence Brown Actors: Joan Crawford,Gene Raymond,Franchot Tone
Runtime: 90 mins .. Genre: Romance .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/12, 7:30 AM – Flesh (1932)
A simple-minded wrestler falls for a woman with a dark secret.
Dir: John Ford Actors: Wallace Beery,Karen Morley,Ricardo Cortez
Runtime: 95 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/12, 9:30 AM – The Prizefighter and the Lady (1933)
A boxing champion falls for a gangster’s moll.
Dir: W. S. Van Dyke Actors: Myrna Loy,Max Baer,Primo Carnera
Runtime: 102 mins .. Genre: Romance .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/12, 8:00 PM – The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
A big game hunter decides to stalk human prey.
Dir: Ernest B. Schoedsack Actors: Joel McCrea,Fay Wray,Robert Armstrong
Runtime: 63 mins .. Genre: Horror/Science-Fiction .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/12, 9:15 PM – King Kong (1933)
A film crew discovers the “eighth wonder of the world,” a giant prehistoric ape, and brings him back to New York where he wreaks havoc.
Dir: Merian C. Cooper Actors: Fay Wray,Robert Armstrong,Bruce Cabot
Runtime: 100 mins .. Genre: Horror/Science-Fiction .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/13, 3:15 AM – Of Human Bondage (1934)
A medical student falls prey to a waitress.
Dir: John Cromwell Actors: Leslie Howard,Bette Davis,Frances Dee
Runtime: 77 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/13, 10:30 PM – Grand Hotel (1932)
Guests at a posh Berlin hotel struggle through scandal and heartache.
Dir: Edmund Goulding Actors: Greta Garbo,John Barrymore,Joan Crawford
Runtime: null mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/16, 8:45 AM – Gambling Lady (1934)
Two gamblers fall in love but one is already married to a possible murderer.
Dir: Archie Mayo Actors: Barbara Stanwyck,Joel Mccrea,Pat O’brien
Runtime: 66 mins .. Genre: Suspense/Mystery .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/16, 5:00 PM – Illicit (1931)
Young free-thinkers turn conventionally jealous when they marry.
Dir: Archie Mayo Actors: Barbara Stanwyck,James Rennie,Charles Butterworth
Runtime: 81 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/16, 6:30 PM – Baby Face (1933)
Unmoved by her father’s death, Lily, along with friend Chico, jumps on a freight train and uses her beauty and sexual prowess to seduce a string of successful men as she works her way to the top.
Dir: Alfred E. Green Actors: Barbara Stanwyck,George Brent,Donald Cook
Runtime: 76 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/21, 6:00 AM – Five and Ten (1931)
A dime-store heiress elopes with a married man.
Dir: Robert Z. Leonard Actors: Marion Davies,Leslie Howard,Richard Bennett
Runtime: 88 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/21, 3:00 PM – Big City Blues (1932)
A country boy finds love and heartache in New York City.
Dir: Mervyn Leroy Actors: Joan Blondell,Eric Linden,Jobyna Howland
Run
7/21, 6:30 PM – The Millionaire (1931)
A bored millionaire retires from big business to open a garage.
Dir: John G. Adolfi Actors: George Arliss,Florence Arliss,David Manners
Runtime: 82 mins .. Genre: Comedy .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Ytime: 65 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/22, 4:15 PM – This Man Is Mine (1934)
A woman fights to keep her husband from cheating.
Dir: John Cromwell Actors: Irene Dunne,Constance Cummings,Ralph Bellamy
Runtime: 76 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: N
7/22, 5:45 PM – Thirteen Women (1932)
A mysterious Eurasian tries to murder the 12 boarding school roommates who treated her like an outsider.
Dir: George Archainbaud Actors: Irene Dunne,Ricardo Cortez,Jill Esmond
Runtime: 74 mins .. Genre: Suspense/Mystery .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: Y
7/22, 7:00 PM – No Other Woman (1933)
A newly rich couple finds wealth drives them apart.
Dir: J. Walter Ruben Actors: Irene Dunne,Charles Bickford,Gwili Andre
Runtime: 56 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/26, 6:00 AM – Heat Lightning (1934)
A lady gas station attendant gets mixed up with escaped murderers.
Dir: Mervyn Leroy Actors: Aline Macmahon,Ann Dvorak,Preston Foster
Runtime: 63 mins .. Genre: Crime .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: N
7/27, 6:30 AM – The Man Who Played God (1932)
After losing his hearing, a musician uses lip-reading to help others.
Dir: John G. Adolfi Actors: George Arliss,Violet Heming,Bette Davis
Runtime: 81 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/27, 10:00 PM – The Gay Divorcee (1934)
An unhappily married woman mistakes a suitor for the gigolo hired to end her marriage.
Dir: Mark Sandrich Actors: Fred Astaire,Ginger Rogers,Alice Brady
Runtime: 107 mins .. Genre: Musical .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/28, 6:00 AM – As the Earth Turns (1934)
A young couple face the hardships of farm life in Maine.
Dir: Alfred Green Actors: Jean Muir,Donald Woods,Russell Hardie
Runtime: 73 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/29, 6:30 AM – Private Detective 62 (1933)
A private eye in Paris falls for the beautiful gambling lady he’s investigating.
Dir: Michael Curtiz Actors: William Powell,Margaret Lindsay,Ruth Donnelly
Runtime: 67 mins .. Genre: Suspense/Mystery .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/29, 9:15 AM – Lawyer Man (1933)
Success corrupts a smooth-talking lawyer.
Dir: William Dieterle Actors: William Powell,Joan Blondell,David Landau
Runtime: 72 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/29, 3:30 PM – High Pressure (1932)
A scheming promoter tries to get rich selling artificial rubber.
Dir: Mervyn Leroy Actors: William Powell,Evelyn Brent,George Sidney
Runtime: 74 mins .. Genre: Comedy .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/29, 5:00 PM – Fashions of 1934 (1934)
A con artist and his beautiful assistant take on the fashion world.
Dir: William Dieterle Actors: William Powell,Bette Davis,Frank Mchugh
Runtime: 78 mins .. Genre: Musical .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/30, 6:00 AM – British Agent (1934)
An Englishman falls in love with a Russian spy.
Dir: Michael Curtiz Actors: Leslie Howard,Kay Francis,William Gargan
Runtime: 81 mins .. Genre: Suspense/Mystery .. Rating: TV-G .. CC: Y
7/30, 7:30 AM – After Tonight (1933)
A female Russian spy falls for the enemy during WWI.
Dir: George Archainbaud Actors: Constance Bennett,Gilbert Roland,Edward Ellis
Runtime: 71 mins .. Genre: Drama .. Rating: TV-PG .. CC: N
Questions? Comments? Or do you just want to bug me? Leave a comment below!
