Monday, January 25, 2010

Heroes for Sale...


A 1933 Warner Bros film produced by Hal Wallis and Directed by the great William "Wild Bill" Wellman, "Heroes For Sale" is quintessential pre-code "depression era" drama! Starring the sadly underappreciated Richard Barthelmess, and co-starring Loretta Young, Aline MacMahon, Charlie Grapewin and the always excellent Robert Barrat. I had only seen this film once before about 15 years ago but watched it again tonight. I wouldn't dream of giving away plot details or anything else but suffice it to say that a LOT happens to the people in this film in a little over an hour's time! I LOVE these early 30's Warner Bros films! Their pacing, gritty production values and excellent array of stars and character actors always make for interesting viewing and Wellman made some of the best of that studio's output during that time. This film definitely ranks as one if his better efforts and gets my highest recommendation! It's on a double DVD with another great Wellman picture, "Wild Boys of the Road", so check 'em out if you can....at the very least you will NOT be bored!

4 comments:

Marble River said...

Added to the Netflix queue. Thanks for the review, Artman!

Seleus said...

OMG I have this on my dvdr..I saw the film description awhile back. I wanted to see it caused it sounded really good, so I taped it. Now Im going to try and see it before the weekend. Thanks :D

PS Love the new banner!

Ginger Ingenue said...

Sounds good!

Of course ANYTHING by Warner Brothers in the 1930s is up my alley.

And William Wellman...

Well that just seals it. :)

Anonymous said...

This is my all-time favorite William Wellman movie!

And isn't Richard Barthelmess amazing? I wish he had had a more successful post-silent career, he was such a treasure.