Christopher Strong (1933) Review

The Particulars of the Picture Cynthia Darrington … Katharine Hepburn Christopher Strong … Colin Clive Elaine Strong … Billie Burke Monica Strong … Helen Chandler Henry Rawlinson … Ralph Forbes Directed by Dorothy Arzner Christopher Strong: Making You Weak in the Knees The very first time the viewer sees the Read more

Cavalcade (1933) Review

Proof That It’s Pre-Code One of our white bread heroes goes into a starlet’s changing room to wait for her, and then accidentally watches her strip down. Accidentally. Yeah. There’s a few shots near the end of the movies portraying the 20’s where we get a couple of quick moments Read more

Grand Hotel (1932) Review

Proof That It’s Pre-Code All the usual hotel nighttime activities. There’s an extended subplot about an industrialist negotiating with a stenographer about what she will give him in exchange for an all-expense paid trip through Europe. It includes this wonderful line: “I don’t suppose you’d take some… dictation from me Read more

Baby Face (1933)

Baby Face (1933) Review

Lily Barbara Stanwyck Courtland Trenholm George Brent Mr. Stevens Donald Cook Chico Theresa Harris Mr. Carter Henry Kolker Mr. Sipple Arthur Hohl Proof That It’s Pre-Code The film’s main conceit is that all life is exploitation, and you must simply be the one doing the exploiting. One book thumping scholar Read more

Hard to Handle (1933) Review

Proof That It’s Pre-Code One of those gold digging pictures that we’re all so fond of: “Who said anything about love? I’m talking about money.” Ruth Donnelly, playing a mom, makes a suggestion to her daughter: “Don’t wear this. Wear your blue dress. Shows more of your… girlish laughter.” 😉 Read more