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Barbara Stanwyck as seen in “Night Nurse” (1931) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Blondell as seen in “Night Nurse” (1931) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
Barbara Stanwyck as seen in “Baby Face” (1933) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
Barbara Stanwyck as seen in “Baby Face” (1933) Copyright Turner Entertainment Co Used under fair use
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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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Ginger Rogers Singing “We’re in the Money” in “Gold Diggers of 1933” Credit: Turner Entertainment Co. Used under fair use.
Joan Blondell Singing “Remember My Forgotten Man.” in “Gold Diggers of 1933” Credit: Turner Entertainment Co. 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. 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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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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