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TCM Friday Night Spotlight Pre-Code Hollywood, Part III

9/18/2014

3 Comments

 
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Jean Harlow as seen in "Three Wise Girls" (1932).
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Jimmy Cagney as a Warner Brothers Theater Usher in "Lady Killer" (1933).
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Mae Clarke gets dragged across the floor by Jimmy Cagney in "Lady Killer" (1933).
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Joan Crawford in "Possessed" (1931)
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Clark Gable and Joan Crawford in "Possessed" (1931)
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Warren William and some Pre-Code gals in "The Mind Reader" (1933)
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David Manners, Marian Marsh and, Warren William in "Beauty and the Boss" (1932)
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Marian Marsh and Warren William in " Beauty and the Boss" (1932).

Hot Saturday (1932)

Nancy Carroll and Cary Grant in "Hot Saturday" (1932)
Nancy Carroll and Rose Coghlan in "Hot Saturday" (1932)
“Bottoms up Mrs. Vanastorbilt” Says Ruth (Nancy Carroll) to her sister Annie (Rose Coghlan) in "Hot Saturday' (1932)
“A brief pull and then silence". Says Ruth (Nancy Carroll) to her sister Annie (Rose Coghlan) in "Hot Saturday' (1932)
Nancy Carroll in "Hot Saturday" (1932)
Nancy Carroll and Randolph Scott in "Hot Saturday" (1932)
The Beautiful Lilian Bond in “Hot Saturday” (1932)
The Beautiful Lilian Bond in “Hot Saturday” (1932)
This month Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Friday Night Spotlight Series will feature Classic Pre-Code. Pre-Code is the term used for films made between the late 1920’s and early 1934, when studios made titillating and so-called scandalous movies, even when a Production Code had been in place since 1930.  After many protests from civic groups, women groups, and some religious groups, Hollywood producers and studios were forced to implement the Production Code with several morals clauses; such as, “You cannot have a film that would lower the moral standards of someone that would see it.” “You cannot show a criminal getting away with something, there must be payment or retribution for his crime.”  “No sympathy for criminals.”  “You cannot present adultery or scenes of passion attractively.”  “No lustful kissing.”  “No man or woman in bed together.” The list goes on and on. 



In my humble opinion as a film historian, I find the pre-code films are for adults and tastefully done for the most part.  It is not like porn, the way some reviewers react.  They giggle at hearing a bad word or seeing woman undress. I do not see that at all.

If you want to find out more may I recommend Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood by Mark A. Vieira. I consider it to be the best resourced book on the subject. Mark Vieira is its foremost authority, and it is packed with tons of photographs.

Three Wise Girls (1932). Starring Jean Harlow, Mae Clarke, Marie Prevost.  Three girls look for rich husbands. A simple storyline; I saw this movie a while ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I especially like the soda fountain scenes, something that was once so prevalent in America, sadly missing today.

Lady Killer (1933) Starring James Cagney, Mae Clarke, and Margaret Lindsay.  A comedy about a gangster who gets mixed up in Hollywood.  In the movie, Cagney’s character starts out as a theater usher and we get to see the actual uniform the usher would wear at Warner Brothers own theater. Also, Cagney mistreats poor Mae Clarke again.

Possessed (1931) Starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable.  Joan is a shop girl who falls in love with a politician. This movie is most known for the chemistry between Gable and Crawford, which was 100% real! She was married in real life to Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Gable was married to Ria Langham.  They were both unhappy in these marriages and had a torrid love affair.

The Mind Reader (1933) Starring Warren William, Constance Cummings, and Allen Jenkins.   I have not seen this film, and it is very rare.  Warren William is con artist who tries to goes straight after he falls in love.

Beauty and the Boss (1932) Starring Warren William, Marian Marsh, Charles Butterworth and David Manners  A banker tired of being attracted to his secretaries hires a frumpy girl.

Waterloo Bridge (1931) Starring Mae Clarke, Kent Douglass, and Bette Davis. A prostitute falls in love with a soldier in France during World War ll.  Mae Clarke is superb in this movie struggling through poverty and the shame in what she has to do to keep herself alive. However, poor Kent Douglass who plays the soldier she falls in love with is really out of place here.  The director, James Whale, worked with him intensely, but he still cannot act.

 

Hot Saturday (1932) Starring Nancy Carroll, Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, Lilian Bond, Jane Darwell, and Rose Coghlan. This is a film which I am very excited to tell you about because I am completely obsessed with it! I cannot remember how many times I have watched it!  In it your typical American “Flapper” Ruth Brock (Carroll) works as a bank clerk in a small town that according to the opening titles:  “Marysville boasted of one bank, two fire engines, four street cars, and a busy telephone exchange. Everyone knew on Sunday what everyone else did on Saturday... and the rest of the week.” Although Ruth is a “good girl” it seems no matter what she does her mother (Darwell) disapproves. When lies spread about her after she attends a party at Willow Springs (a lake) things change for her. will she end up with an old friend of the family (Scott) or the newly arrived playboy in town (Grant?) This movie was Cary Grant’s first lead role and it is very easy to see why he rapidly ascended to stardom.  Lillian Bond is SO beautiful that you wonder why she was not more popular.  The real treat of this film is of course its star, Nancy Carroll.  It is a shame that she is not more remembered today. She was one of Paramount’s biggest stars of the 1930’s. Though I have seen very little of her performances from what I have seen, I consider her one of the finest actresses to ever grace the screen.  A very strange “Pre-Code Element” of this film is a scene where Ruth comes home to change clothes and finds out her sister is wearing her “unmentionables”. Let’s just say it is one of the strangest sister confrontations I have ever seen! The scene in the Willow Springs dance hall with the song I'm Burning for You by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow is one of those things that make me think I was born in the wrong time! With the music, clothes and excellent cinematography it just personifies the late 1920’s early 1930’s era for me!



Blonde Crazy  (1932)  Starring James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Louis Calhern, Guy Kibbee, and Ray Milland.  Cagney and Blondell work at a hotel and con people out of their money.  Of course, with those two aboard, watch for fast talking and wisecracks!  Joan Blondell with poor, unassuming Guy Kibbee is also a riot.  This movie also became famous for another Cagney line, “That dirty double-crossin’ rat!”  For years Cagney impressionists used the line as “Mmmm, you dirty rat!”

Skyscraper Souls (1932)  Starring Warren William, Maureen O’Sullivan, Verree Teasdale, and Anita Page.  A man obsessed (William) with his new 100 story building in New York will do anything to control every aspect of the building and the lives of everyone in it. I don’t know how anyone could not love this film.  What’s not to love.  Between the beautiful art deco set and Warren William’s ramblings about “the building,” (which he also has an apartment in)! This film to me has one of the greatest Pre-Code casts ever. And although I love Grand Hotel, I feel this film is a hundred times better. William plays a perfect scoundrel as usual. He’s rotten, but you can’t help but like him.  Maureen O’Sullivan is so young and delicate here, just coming off her role as Jane in Tarzan.  I always feel that she is overlooked for her other roles because of that. She has so much more to offer. But the real reason I am writing about this is I finally get to put a plug in for my first movie crush, Miss Anita Page!  She is not in this film much, so if you don’t know her, it’s probably not the best film to introduce her in.  However, she steals any scene she is in.

For the other films listed for TCM, please check your local listings for the times.

Hope you watch and enjoy!!!



Note: Due to technical difficulties Images from the rest of the films listed will appear in the photo galleries below.


Waterloo Bridge (1931) 

Blonde Crazy  (1932)

Skyscraper Souls (1932)  

3 Comments

TCM Friday Night Spotlight Pre-Code Hollywood, Part II

9/11/2014

3 Comments

 
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Credit: TCM.com
PictureCredit: Toronto Film Society Used under fair use.
This month Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Friday Night Spotlight Series will feature Classic Pre-Code. Pre-Code is the term used for films made between the late 1920’s and early 1934, when studios made titillating and so-called scandalous movies, even when a Production Code had been in place since 1930.  After many protests from civic groups, women groups, and some religious groups, Hollywood producers and studios were forced to implement the Production Code with several morals clauses; such as, “You cannot have a film that would lower the moral standards of someone that would see it.” “You cannot show a criminal getting away with something, there must be payment or retribution for his crime.”  “No sympathy for criminals.”  “You cannot present adultery or scenes of passion attractively.”  “No lustful kissing.”  “No man or woman in bed together.” The list goes on and on. 

In my humble opinion as a film historian, I find the pre-code films are for adults and tastefully done for the most part.  It is not like porn, the way some reviewers react.  They giggle at hearing a bad word or seeing woman undress. I do not see that at all.

If you want to find out more may I recommend Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood by Mark A. Vieira. I consider it to be the best resourced book on the subject. Mark Vieira is its foremost authority, and it is packed with tons of photographs.

Unlike last week, there are many films I am looking forward to seeing that I have not seen before. 

The Naughty Flirt (1931) is one I have not seen.  Starring Alice White, Paul Page, and Myrna Loy.   Alice White is one of my favorite actresses and she is much underrated.  Unfortunately, she was involved in a tabloid sex scandal that ruined her career. (More about that in a future blog!)  A romantic comedy about an heiress in love with the man who works at her father’s law firm, and a brother and sister who try to screw things up.  If you love Clara Bow, so too will you love Alice White.

Ten Cents A Dance (1931) Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Ricardo Cortez, Sally Blane and directed by Lionel Barrymore.  If you loved Barbara in Pre-Code movies last week, get ready for more! This happens to be the very first Stanwyck picture I ever saw!  The title comes from a song at the time that was popularized by Ruth Etting. In it Miss Stanwyck plays a married taxi dancer; (where a male patron pays to dance with her and she makes a commission.) This was a common occupation for young ladies during The Depression.  Barbara although married falls in love with one of her customers. Sally Blane who is also in the movie as Molly is actress Loretta Young’s older sister.

Union Depot (1932) Starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joan Blondell, Alan Hale, and Guy Kibbee. Another movie I have not seen. It is the story of a group of people down on their luck when Fairbanks finds a suitcase full of money. From what I have read about Joan Blondell’s performance in this film, this is a must see!

Bombshell (1933) Starring Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy, Franchot Tone, Una Merkel, and Frank Morgan.   This movie is said to have been a parody of Clara Bow’s life as publicized in the press. However, it can also be said to be a parody of Jean Harlow’s own image, considering she is shown filming a scene from Red Dust, and the studio controlling her life.  Watching this movie makes you wonder if this is how Harlow really felt.  If you are unfamiliar with Jean Harlow, and think she is the Marilyn Monroe type “dumb blonde” as she is often portrayed in biopics and “certain” books, just know that her acting was good as she was gorgeous! The fact that Lee Tracy’s character was somewhat based on MGM’S publicity agent Howard Strickling, makes it seem as though it was actually taken out of Jean Harlow’s life. Lee Tracy’s performance is so fast and annoying that you have to pay attention, because he is always up to something.  I never thought another actor could be louder than Pat O’Brien!

Red Headed Woman (1932) Starring Jean Harlow, Chester Morris, and Una Merkel.  Jean Harlow was known for her platinum blonde hair, Irving Thalberg cast her in her first film at MGM as a red-head.  The script was written by Anita Loos, famous for writing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  According to the book “Sin in Soft Focus Pre-Code Hollywood,” by Mark Vieira, when they saw the script and film, the censors had a fit!  I have not seen this movie yet but according to TCM’s synopsis, it is about “an ambitious secretary who tries to sleep her way into high society.” I am looking forward to it!

Red Dust (1932) Starring Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and Mary Astor.  Gable is a plantation owner in Indochina. He fools around with a married woman, Mary Astor, and a prostitute, Jean Harlow.  Usually laid-back Clark Gable even thought some of the scenes were vulgar. There were some delays behind the scenes because as the movie was filming, Jean Harlow’s husband, Paul Bern either committed suicide or was murdered by his first wife who had some mental issues; it was never determined.  If you feel this movie looks familiar to you, it was remade in 1953 as Mogambo, again starring Clark Gable, but this time with Grace Kelly and Ava Gardner.

 

The Story of Temple Drake (1933) Starring Miriam Hopkins, William Gargan, and Jack La Rue.  Of all the films I have not seen, this is the film I have most been looking forward to. A southern flirt gets more than she bargains for when she gets involved with a gangster. It involves very disturbing subject matter such as rape and violence.

Freaks (1932) Starring Wallace Ford, Olga Baclanova, Harry Earles, and the Hilton Twins. I have never seen this yet, I have always wanted to.  It is about a carnival with freaks and scandals. Directed by Tod Browning (who made "Dracula" the previous year) A very good friend of mine out Hollywood way calls this movie one of her “cinematic obsessions!”  So, this should be very interesting for me.

 
For the other films listed for TCM, please check your local listings for the times.

Hope you watch and enjoy!!!



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Alice White and Paul Page in "The Naughty Flirt" (1931) Credit: Toronto Film Society Used under fair use.
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Credit: immortalephemera.com. Used under fair use.
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Joan Blondell and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in “Union Depot” Credit: acertaincinema.com. Used under Fair Use.
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Joan Blondell in "Union Depot" (1932) Credit: immortalephemera.com. Used under fair use.
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Mary Astor and Clark Gable in "Red Dust" (1932)
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Too vulgar for you Mr. Gable?
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Miriam Hopkins in The Story of Temple Drake (1933) Credit: MoMa Used under fair use
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Credit: immortalephemera.com. Used under fair use.
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Daisy and Violet Hilton in "Freaks" (1932)
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Barbara Stanwyck in "Ten Cents A Dance" (1931) Copyright: Columbia Pictures. Used under fair use.
3 Comments

TCM Friday Night Spotlight Pre-Code Hollywood Part 1

9/2/2014

4 Comments

 
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Credit: TCM.com
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Credit:Amazon.com
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Barbara Stanwyck as seen in “Night Nurse” (1931) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
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Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Blondell as seen in “Night Nurse” (1931) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
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Barbara Stanwyck as seen in “Baby Face” (1933) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
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Barbara Stanwyck as seen in “Baby Face” (1933) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
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Amazon.com
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Norma Shearer holding the Oscar she won for best actress for “The Divorcee” (1930) Credit: Los Angeles Times Used under Fair Use.
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Ebay.com
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Ginger Rogers Singing “We’re in the Money” in “Gold Diggers of 1933” Credit: Turner Entertainment Co. Used under fair use.
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Joan Blondell Singing “Remember My Forgotten Man.” in “Gold Diggers of 1933” Credit: Turner Entertainment Co. Used under fair use.
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This month Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Friday Night Spotlight Series will feature Classic Pre-Code. Pre-Code is the term used for films made between the late 1920’s and early 1934, when studios made titillating and so-called scandalous movies, even when a Production Code had been in place since 1930.  After many protests from civic groups, women groups, and some religious groups, Hollywood producers and studios were forced to implement the Production Code with several morals clauses; such as, “You cannot have a film that would lower the moral standards of someone that would see it.” “You cannot show a criminal getting away with something, there must be payment or retribution for his crime.”  “No sympathy for criminals.”  “You cannot present adultery or scenes of passion attractively.”  “No lustful kissing.”  “No man or woman in bed together.” The list goes on and on. 


In my humble opinion as a film historian, I find the pre-code films are for adults and tastefully done for the most part.  It is not like porn, the way some reviewers react.  They giggle at hearing a bad word or seeing woman undress. I do not see that at all.

If you want to find out more may I recommend Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood by Mark A. Vieira. I consider it to be the best resourced book on the subject. Mark Vieira is its foremost authority, and it is packed with tons of photographs.

One of my favorites on the first day September 5th is Barbara Stanwyck.  If you only know her from her later years or for her role on The Big Valley, then you are in for a “reel” treat! 

Illicit (1931) is a good one to start with, because you will fall in love with her right away. Starring Barbara Stanwyck, James Rennie, Ricardo Cortez, Natalie Moorhead, Charles Butterworth and Joan Blondell.  Barbara stars as a free spirit who would rather live with her boyfriend then marry him to keep the relationship fresh. 

Night Nurse (1931) is what I call an essential pre-code film.  Directed by William Wellman it features an all-star cast. Besides Stanwyck there is Ben Lyon, Joan Blondell, along with child star Marcia Mae Jones, and a very young Clark Gable (without mustache) just before he made it big.  Nurse Lora Hart (Stanwyck) finds more than she bargained for when she is hired to care for two young children.

Baby Face (1933) Starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, and John Wayne. Barbara always plays the down-trodden working class girl. It is the story of a woman who grows up in a steel mill town, where her father forces her to be abused and used by men.  She finally escapes to the big city and gets even with men in high positions with her sex and power (including a young John Wayne) to exploit them! Incidentally, the steel mill town she is said to be from is my hometown of Erie, PA! It did not look as bad in 1933 as they portray it in the movie. But boy can I relate to her wanting to get out!

The Divorcee (1930) Starring Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery, and Chester Morris.  When Norma Shearer finds out her husband has been cheating, she does the same. In real life, Norma was married to the Production Chief of MGM, Irving Thalberg. Strangely enough, Thalberg did not think this role was appropriate for his wife, and was going to give it to Joan Crawford. However, Norma went to a new photographer George Hurrell, who took some provocative pictures of her thus proving to her husband, Thalberg, that she was made for this role.

Footlight Parade (1933) Starring James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, and Guy Kibbee.  Warner Brothers in 1933 had two major musical hits, 42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933.One of their biggest stars of the time was James Cagney who shot to fame in 1931’s The Public Enemy. This led to Cagney being type casted in similar gangster roles.  However, Jimmy was unhappy for this is not how he wanted to be known. In fact he said in 1931, “I'm sick of guns and beating up women. Movies should be entertaining, not bloodbaths.”  When Jimmy heard that Warner’s was doing a follow-up musical, he pushed hard to get a role. After all Cagney’s start was in vaudeville and that was his first love. He said, “Once a song and dance man, always a song and dance man. Those few words tell as much about me professionally as there is to tell.” Also in Footlight Parade is Joan Blondell, who incidentally was discovered with Cagney.  (More about that in another blog.)  To me, Joan Blondell, is the perfect pre-code actress; blonde, beautiful, and sexy! And she has quick, clever comebacks! Cagney is the producer of “prologues”; short, live stage shows before movies are shown.  He works with crooked people who steal his ideas and has the devotion of his secretary, Joan Blondell.  Spectacular music and dance numbers directed by Busby Berkeley. 

Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) Starring Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon, Ruby Keeler, Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks, and Ginger Rogers. This was the movie preceding Footlight Parade. TCM is showing it out of order.  However, it is one of the most entertaining musicals you will ever watch! It opens with Ginger Rogers (before Astaire) singing, “We’re in the Money!” She even sings part of it in pig latin. The Gold Diggers are the Joan, Aline, and Ruby, and Ginger has a smaller part.  The girls work in a show that keeps getting foreclosed on and they also work on finding rich husbands.  Aline goes after Guy Kibbee who plays Faneuil H. Peabody, a delightful old coot who thinks he is not being used by women.  Joan goes after the dashing Warren William and they deliver one of my favorite pre-code quotes,

“Every time you say 'Cheap and Vulgar' I'm going to kiss you.”

“Cheap and Vulgar!”

 [kiss]

“Cheap and Vulgar!”

[long kiss].

Considered a risqué song was “Petting in the Park.” One of the most moving numbers sung by Joan Blondell, was “Remember My Forgotten Man.” It’s about the downtrodden World War 1 veterans now suffering because of the Depression. This movie has everything!

Search For Beauty (1934) Starring Buster Crabbe, Ida Lupino, Robert Armstrong, and James Gleason.  This movie does not have much of a plot, so I am not going to bother to tell you.  It is just worth to see a very sexy, and blonde Ida Lupino in her pre-code attire.  Also, for the ladies, Buster Crabbe in the shower. These were considered risqué.

For the other films listed for TCM, please check your local listings for the times.

Hope you watch and enjoy!!!


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Credit: ioffer.com
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Ida Lupino with Toby Wing (in back) as seen in “Search For Beauty” (1934) Credit: Universal Studios Used under Fair Use.
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