March Movie Madness!

Another month's worth of movies in the can! First I caught up from February, revisiting 6 more films I hadnt seen in many years, then on to "new-to-me" films for the rest of the month. I fell short again only viewing 22 more films so I have to play catch up again in April (9 films), then its back to stuff I haven't seen in a long time...

Artman's rating system:
**** = awesome!
*** = solid!
** = watchable!
* = lame!
BOMB = sucked!

an *asterisk after the year and studio indicates "new-to-me"

March 3^rd

“Bullets or Ballots” 1936 WB

Edward G Robinson plays a down on his luck policeman who is enlisted by a special squad to go undercover and expose “the rackets” run by Barton MacLane. Humphrey Bogart as MacLane’s number one man and Joan Blondell as Eddie G.’s sort-of-girlfriend round out the supporting cast. Nicely made, tough and fast-moving little picture. ** ½

“Back in Circulation” 1937 WB

Joan Blondell and Pat O’Brien make the most of this newspaper reporter’s tale. Very fast pacing, rapid-fire dialogue and a great cast make the most of it. This is the kind of film that was done better in the pre-code era buts its still decent entertainment. Joanie looks fantastic! ** ½

March 4^th

“Off the Record” 1939 WB

Joan Blondell and Pat O’Brien team up once again for another newspaper reporter type story. This time they’re married and take in a young hood well-played by Bobby Jordan. Fun picture moves right along and once again Joanie is a doll! ** ½

Vintage still from my collection

March 5^th

“The Kid from Kokomo” 1939 WB

Joan Blondell is relegated to third billing in her last film with Pat O’Brien at WB (maybe her last at WB, period!). Pat plays a fast (and LOUD!) talking boxing manager who cajoles hayseed Wayne Morris to let him make him the world’s champion, this time by promising to find his long-lost mother! What transpires is ridiculous to say the least but awfully funny at times thanks to the three leads as well as May Robson, Stanley Fields and Sidney Toler. **

March 6^th

“Broadway Gondolier” 1935 WB

Dick Powell and Joan Blondell team up again for a silly and fun excuse to let him sing a lot of songs and for her to crack wise and run around looking fantastic! Adolph Menjou is a hoot as a washed up Italian Opera singer. Excellent Art Deco sets throughout! ** ½

“Stand-In” 1937 WW

A Solid, entertaining film wherein Leslie Howard, playing a brilliant but very straight-laced bank accountant, goes out to Hollywood to find out why the studio his firm owns is losing money. Joan Blondell plays his secretary. Humphrey Bogart is a boozing cynical producer. C Henry Gordon, Jack Carson, Tully Marshall and Alan Mowbray round out the supporting cast. Shows plenty of the backstage, behind the scenes goings on in Hollywood. I enjoyed this much more than I did the first and only time I saw it many years ago on AMC. ***

ok I'm all caught up from February...onto the new-to-me titles now!

“East Side of Heaven” 1939 Universal *

Mildly entertaining vehicle for Der Bingle with able support from Joan Blondell, C Aubrey Smith, Jerome Cowan and the hilarious Mischa Auer. As with all Bing flicks, there are too many songs and he is a rather bland sort besides. A cute enough picture but just not my style I guess. **

“The Corpse Came C.O.D.” 1947 Columbia *

Mildly amusing murder mystery/comedy with Joan Blondell teamed up with her old WB alumni George Brent. They play two rival reporters after the same story (of course!) Moves right along and Joanie is adorable! **

March 7^th

“Cry Havoc” 1943 MGM *

Hard-boiled WWII drama of military nurses and volunteer civilians in a camp in the Philippines. Based on a play, much of the film takes place in the nurse’s bunker where we see the trials and hardships endured in those months leading to the fall of Bataan. Margaret Sullavan, Ann Sothern, Fay Bainter, Ella Raines, Marsha Hunt, Frances Gifford and Joan Blondell make up a very sturdy cast. Grittier and better than I expected. ** ½

March 10th

“Dames” 1934 WB *

Yet another “We’re gonna put on the greatest show ever!” type film to showcase more Busby Berkeley insanity! The plot of this one is thinner than most but Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Guy Kibbee, Hugh Herbert and Zazu Pitts keep it interesting! Once again Joanie is just a dazzling knockout in Orry-Kelly fashions! Her first scene with Kibbee is hilarious! ** ½

March 11^th

“Crooner” 1932 WB *

Silly, predictable but still mildly entertaining film stars David Manners as a bandleader-turned-crooner whose swelled head leads to his downfall. The most redeeming aspect of this picture is the presence of Ann Dvorak, sadly underused but still manages to give the film some punch, especially in one dramatic scene where she lets manners know where to get off! She looks great too! **

 My vintage Lobby Card for "Crooner" 1932

March 12^th

“Friends of Mr. Sweeney” 1934 WB *

Funny, at times hilarious, film about a milquetoast newspaper editor, played perfectly by Charlie Ruggles, who at the badgering of his old college chum Eugene Pallette, decides to stop being a “Gimpus”! Ann Dvorak plays his sweet, beautiful secretary who of course is in love with him. Episodic and not all together coherent but its too much fun to care! ** ½

“Gentlemen Are Born” 1934 WB *

Interesting drama of four college chums who go out into the real “Depression Era” world after graduation, determined to take on the world, but finding out its not as easy as they thought! The cast is first-rate, with Franchot Tone, Dick Foran, Ross Alexander, Jean Muir, Ann Dvorak and Margaret Lindsay all giving out with fine performances. Sadly Ann’s character was phased out of the story far too soon but she made the most of it. ** ½

Franchot Tone and Margaret Lindsay

“Girls of the Road” 1939 Columbia *

Ann Dvorak takes center stage for a change in this interesting low budget quickie about the problems of women living on the road. Helen Mack and especially Lola Lane match Ann’s performance. Fairly gritty although one cant help but laugh that no matter what happens they always seem to have lipstick and mascara handy! ** ½

Ann Dvorak and Marjorie King

March 16^th

“The Lash” 1930 WB *

Richard Barthelmess stars as a Mexican returning home to California after four years to find a much different world from what it was when he left. He ends up as outlaw “El Puma”, hunted by whites and eventually shunned by his own people for bringing more hatred and bigotry to them. Interesting film, never really hits the mark but Barthelmess and also Mary Astor are always worth seeing regardless. ** 1/2

Marion Nixon and Richard Barthelmess

March 20^th

“Weary River” 1929 WB *

Fascinating silent/talkie hybrid with a great performance by Richard Barthelmess as a big shot gangster sent to the pen where he changes he ways by exploring his love of music. Betty Compson is wonderful as his very devoted and loving girlfriend and Robert Emmett O’Connor has a great scene as, of course…a cop! The way the film switched from silent to talking and back again was really interesting and served the film well! Nice work by director Frank Lloyd. ***

Betty Compson

March 23^rd

“Mary Stevens, M.D.” 1933 WB *

Typical pre-code Kay Francis tear-jerker with Lyle Talbot playing a typical charismatic weakling jerk but its played well and is pretty racy and hard-hitting despite being extremely far-fetched. Thelma Todd has a few scenes and looked dynamite! ** ½

March 25^th

“The Cheat” 1931 Paramount *

Silly excuse to have Tallulah Bankhead chew the scenery, which she did in an intense pull-out-all-the-stops courtroom conclusion. **

Tallulah Daaaaahling!

March 26^th

“Merrily We Go To Hell” 1932 Paramount *

Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney elevate this tale of a sweet rich young woman marrying a drunken reporter turned playwright who cant seem to let go of his past involvement with an actress. For most of the picture I really hated March’s character’s guts, he was so inconsiderate and weak, but the resolution, brilliantly played out by him as always, saved the whole film for me. At this point in her career Sylvia had to be one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood but she also had a fiery talent and was extremely good in this. The two leads really sparred well but also showed convincing tenderness in the sweeter scenes. Cary Grant was amusing in a small role. ***

Sylvia Sidney

March 28^th

“Hot Saturday” 1932 Paramount *

Interesting little film about small town girl Nancy Carol’s life getting turned upside down because of rampant gossip. Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, Jane Darwell, Eddie Woods, Lillian Bond and Grady Sutton round out the cast. Its easy to see why Paramount was promoting cutie Carol as the “New” Clara Bow but her screen presence is no where near the level of the “It” girl! **

Cary Grant, Nancy Carol and Eddie Woods

March 29^th

“A Notorious Affair” 1930 WB *

Beautiful Billie Dove made her talking film debut in this turgid melodrama. Basil Rathbone plays a rather unlikable violinist and Kay Francis pretty much steals the show as a woman with many dalliances. Both of the women look gorgeous and that is the chief reason to sit through this film. **

“Thirty Day Princess” 1934 Paramount *

Delightful romantic comedy with standout performances from Sylvia Sidney as a princess and an amateur actress who bear an uncanny resemblance to each other! Cary Grant, Edward Arnold, Henry Stephenson and Vince Barnett all do fine work as well. Has the added benefit of a sharp screenplay by the great Preston Sturges. Sylvia is drop dead beautiful and shows she is as adept at light comedy as she is with heavy drama. ***

 Sylvia Sidney

“Passion Flower” 1930 MGM *

Interesting but flawed love-triangle story with first-rate performances by Kay Johnson, Charles Bickford and Kay Francis. ** ½

The great Charles Bickford with Kay Francis

“Three Who Loved” 1931 RKO *

Another love-triangle tale with Betty Compson, Conrad Nagel and Robert Ames. A few interesting story ideas and a nice turn by Robert Emmet O’Connor as a cop (again) make it worthwhile. **

“Street of Women” 1932 WB *

Enjoyable Kay Francis vehicle has her playing the “inspiration” to an unhappily married big city architect. Plot takes some interesting turns and despite how far-fetched it is, its still quite enjoyable. Alan Dinehart, Gloria Stuart and Roland Young give able support. The star of this film however is Anton Grots mind-boggling set for Kay’s apartment. It is Deco heaven brought to an orgasmic level! ** ½

“Day of Reckoning” 1933 MGM *

Richard Dix, Madge Evans, Una Merkel and Conway Tearle elevate this rather meandering melodrama. Has a few interesting plot twists but seems like a film that can’t figure out what story it wants to tell. A rare chance to see Madge play an unsympathetic character, but regardless she is dazzling to look at! ** ½

Madge Evans photographed by George Hurrell

March 30^th

“Thoroughbred” 1935 Ravina Studios *

 Toby Wing, in a rare top-billed performance, is the whole show in this fun little Canadian cheapie B-film about an ex-horse track reporter who wins a racehorse while shooting dice.**

(Thank you Robert McKay for making it possible for me to see this film!)

The glorious Toby Wing

“British Agent” 1934 WB *

Well-made but ridiculously far-fetched tale made eminently watchable by good performances from Leslie Howard and Kay Francis and the polished production directed by Michael Curtiz. ** ½

I never did get around to my Esther Williams festival...It's been such a dreary, cold spring so far that the last thing I was in the mood to see were people swimming and cavorting about in the sunshine!

A Month of Movies: January...

I thought it would be fun to keep a film journal this year. Then I thought it might be fun to post it at the end of each month. So here it is, 31 films for 31 days...

Artman's rating system:
**** = awesome!
*** = solid!
** = watchable!
* = lame!
BOMB = sucked!
an * asterisk after the title and studio indicates a "new to me" picture

January 3rd

“Laughing Lady” 1929 Paramount *

Decent drama of wife played by Ruth Chatterton who unknowingly becomes embroiled in a scandal that wrecks her marriage. Clive Brook plays her husbands lawyer who destroys her in court. She plots revenge on him but they end up falling for one another. Brook is stiff as a board but I like him and Ruth is fantastic. Not a great film but well worth a look. ** ½

Ruth Chatterton

January 4th

"Design for Scandal"  1941 MGM *

Fairly limp comedy with newspaperman Walter Pidgeon trying to dig up dirt on judge Rosalind Russell. Of course they fall for each other. Guy Kibbee has precious little screen time but totally steals the show. Edward Arnold is also highly amusing as Pidgeon’s employer. **

"Sarah and Son" 1930 Paramount *

Fairly static soaper is very much redeemed by Ruth Chatterton and Fredric March’s performances. Directed by Dorothy Arzner. ** ½

Fredric March and Ruth Chatterton

January 5th

“Playing Around” 1930 WB *

Typical Alice White vehicle is fun, moves right along and she is, as always, cute as the proverbial button. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy. ** ½

Alice White

January 7th

“Man of the World” 1931 Paramount *

William Powell, Carole Lombard, Guy Kibbee and Wynn Gibson make the most of this story of a professional blackmailer falling in love with his latest prey. Hard-boiled ending was a downer but rang true. Reminded me a bit of “Nobody Lives Forever”. ** ½

Lobby card for "Man of the World"

January 10th

“We’re Not Dressing” 1934 Paramount *

This reminds me of the SNL skit “The Nude House of Wacky People” because they even had a bear! An insipid tale wasted on a good cast. Carole Lombard looked great though! Too many songs! * ½ January

January 11^th

“Hands Across the Table” 1935 Paramount *

Highly enjoyable romantic comedy brought engagingly to life by Carole Lombard, Fred MacMurray, Ralph Bellamy and Marie Prevost. Well-directed by Mitchell Leisen who seems to have a deft touch with this type of film. ***

Carole Lombard

“Love for Breakfast” 1936 Universal *

Carole Lombard and Preston Foster play great sparring partners in another highly enjoyable romantic comedy. Fine support from Cesar Romero, Janet Beecher, Betty Lawford and Richard Carle. Directed by Walter Lang who helmed two of Loretta Young’s best films at Fox, both in 1937. ** ½

“The Princess Comes Across” 1936 Paramount *

Off beat murder mystery with Carole Lombard masquerading as a Swedish Princess on her way to Hollywood via steam ship. There she meets concertina playing band leader Fred MacMurray and his sidekick William Frawley. Things get really interesting when its discovered an escaped murderer is on board. Carole does a marvelous take on Garbo and the entire supporting cast is first rate. Not a great film but very watchable! ** ½

Carole Lombard

“True Confession” 1937 Paramount *

A strange hodgepodge of drama and screwball comedy enlivened by Carole Lombard and Una Merkel. Fred MacMurray…I don’t know, I definitely seem to have a problem with him most times. John Barrymore hammed it up nicely but his character served absolutely no purpose to the story at all. All in all I would say this is a misfire. On the other hand Toby Wing makes an appearance in the courtroom scene and that alone is worth the price of admission as far as I’m concerned! **

“No Man of Her Own” 1932 Paramount *

Gable and Lombard definitely sizzle in far-fetched but enjoyable romantic drama. Grant Mitchell and Dorothy Mackaill head a fine supporting cast. Nicely paced and a very attractive production. Lombard is gloriously shown in various states of undress throughout! Glad I finally saw this one! ** ½

Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, and Dorothy Mackaill

January 14^th

“No More Orchids” 1932 Columbia *

Routine pre-code programmer elevated by the efforts of Carole Lombard, Lyle Talbot, Louise Closser Hale, C. Aubrey Smith and especially Walter Connolly who gives a wonderful heartfelt performance. Carole is absolutely dazzling and there’s plenty of zesty pre-code dialogue! And seriously that woman had just about the best ass in Hollywood! Another fine job of directing by Walter Lang. ** ½

 Walter Connolly, Carole Lombard, and Lyle Talbot

January 16th

“Virtue” 1932 Columbia *

Solid pre-code melodrama with a first rate performance from Carole Lombard as a reformed prostitute who marries cabbie Pat O’Brien. Ward Bond, Mayo Methot and Jack LaRue make up a fine supporting cast. Moves right along with plenty of sordid subjects and Lombard is simply gorgeous. ***

Carole Lombard

“Lady By Choice” 1934 Columbia *

Off-Beat story of down in the gutter May Robson getting “adopted” by fan dancer Carole Lombard to be her mother! Moves in some interesting directions and has a fine supporting cast. Sadly the ending is cut off my recording and I couldn’t see the finale, though it’s certainly not hard to figure out how it ends! Once again Carole is just unbelievably beautiful throughout. ** ½

January 17th

“While the Patient Slept” 1935 WB *

The Warner Bros stock company – Aline MacMahon, Guy Kibbee, Patricia Ellis, Allen Jenkins, Lyle Talbot, Robert Baratt and Henry O’Neil add much zip to silly and fun murder mystery. Pat is especially fetching in several very flattering Orry-Kelly gowns! ** ½

Patricia Ellis

“Melody For Two” 1937 WB *
Fairly lackluster musical type film with Patricia Ellis once again teamed with singer James Melton. Melton has a good voice but he’s no actor and so the film really suffers when he has to emote. The supporting cast is pretty good though and we get a nice little diddy with Eddie Anderson doing a swing dance and then Charlie Foy jumps in and joins him. Good fun! The best part of this film is Patricia! She is a platinum blonde vision in Milo Anderson gowns and possibly never looked better on film! She sings a couple of tunes as well. I like her voice. Pleasant enough tripe and just over an hour running time but Pat deserves much better material than this. **

Charlie Foy, James Melton, and Patricia Ellis

“The Racketeer” 1929 Pathe’ *

Stiff early-talkie suffers from weak dialogue and an immobile camera but Robert Armstrong and Carole Lombard manage to make it interesting regardless. **

 Carole Lombard

“Held For Murder” 1932 Cliff Boughton Productions *

Interesting and, at times, pretty intense melodrama with a rare starring role for Irene Rich. Conway Tearle as her fiance’ and Kenneth Thomson as her slime bag former flame do good work but more memorable is Mary Carlisle. For a brief second I thought she was Toby Wing! Moves rather slowly and is a bit far-fetched but still entertaining. **

Mary Carlisle

 “Success at Any Price” 1934 RKO *

Solid pre-code melodrama about a ruthlessly ambitious businessman, well-played by Douglas Fairbanks Jr., stopping at nothing to get what he wants. An interesting look at the dark side of the “American Dream” with a first rate supporting cast including Frank Morgan, Edward Everett Horton, a very glamorous Genevieve Tobin and Colleen Moore in one of her last film appearances. Well-directed by J. Walter Ruben, with some nice Deco style art direction as well. Despite a weak ending, I am puzzled as to why this film doesn’t get more recognition?! ***

Douglas Fairbanks jr.

“Party Girl 1930” Victor Halpern Productions *

Fast moving little B programmer busting open the sordid world of “Party Girls”! Douglas Fairbanks Jr is effective but Marie Prevost steals the show as a bottom of the barrel floozie. I love when these kinds of films open with a “disclaimer” type of prologue to excuse the sex and/or violence we are about to be entertained with! ** ½

Marie Prevost

“The Lost Zeppelin” 1929 Tiffany-Stahl Productions *

A creaky but fascinating tale of a doomed airship expedition to the South Pole. Early talking picture has remarkably good special effects and interesting (though ultimately annoying) sound effects. Conway Tearle, Ricardo Cortez and Virginia Valli make up the love triangle subplot. A much more polished production than expected! ** ½

“Flight” 1929 Columbia *

Early Frank Capra talkie is definitely a cut above most regarding performances and action but still creaks in spots. Jack Holt is simply impossible not to like in this film! ** ½

Jack Holt and Lila Lee

“I’ve Got Your Number” 1934 WB *

Pat O’Brien plays a hotshot phone company troubleshooter who seems to find lots and lots of trouble! His life really gets interesting when he meets ungodly sexy hotel switchboard operator Joan Blondell. First-rate WB entertainment moves along like a locomotive, has an awesome supporting cast including Allen Jenkins, Eugene Pallette, Gordon Westcott, Henry O’Neil and Glenda Farrell, its funny, exciting and Joan is utterly stunning throughout! Seriously just watching her walk across a room has become a near-orgasmic experience! ***

Joan Blondell and Pat O'Brien

January 20^th

“Dirigible” 1931 Columbia *

Jack Holt and Ralph Graves team up again with director Frank Capra for this taut, exciting and at times harrowing action adventure film! Solid performances and first-rate special effects elevate the story of a doomed trip to the South Pole. Fay Wray plays Graves’ long-suffering wife. She had some nicely played scenes with both Graves and Holt. By this time Capra had a sure hand making talking pictures and it shows. Quite similar in story to “The Lost Zeppelin” but the two years between them and the man in charge made all the difference in the world! Good stuff! ***

Fay Wray

January 24^th

“Unashamed” 1932 MGM *

Interesting but ultimately not very good tale of a woman, played by Helen Twelvetrees, in love with a no good cad played to the hilt by Monroe Owsley. He wants to marry her for her daddy’s money. Daddy refuses to permit it. Robert Young plays her trigger-happy overly protective younger brother who spends way too much time in this movie kissing her on the mouth! Lewis Stone, Jean Hersholt, Robert Warwick, and John Miljan round out a fine supporting cast. Never hits the bulls-eye but touches on many pre-code subjects and has stunning sets by Cedric Gibbons. **

“Are You Listening?” 1932 MGM *

William Haines does well in a rare straight role as a radio show writer who ends up accidentally killing his awful mentally abusive wife, played to the nines by Karen Morley. The always beautiful and sincere Madge Evans plays Haines’ devoted love interest. An interesting sub plot involving Anita Page, Joan Marsh, Jean Hersholt and Neil Hamilton carried some heavy pre-code subject matter. Also in the cast were the great Wallace Ford, slimy John Miljan, Hattie McDaniel and Charley Grapewin. Well-directed by Harry Beaumont, with solid pacing and a great touches of Radio atmosphere throughout. A no-nonsense no cop-out, but optimistic ending was also a big plus! Not a great film but definitely a good one! ***

 Madge Evans by George Hurrell

“Huddle” 1932 MGM *

Ramon Navarro stars as an Italian mill worker who goes to college and becomes a football hero. Along the way he meets Madge Evans and of course falls for her! But she’s the sister of the Captain of the football team who detests Navarro and it goes from there. Nice poor boy/rich girl story amidst the backdrop of Yale. Well-made picture moves right long (despite being nearly 2 hours long) and has a fine cast. Ralph Graves is a standout as their coach but Henry Armetta steals the show as Navarro’s hot-tempered father! Madge is absolutely radiant throughout! ** ½

Madge Evans and Ramon Navarro

January 29^th

“High Voltage” 1929 Pathe’ Exchange *

Stiff early talkie, interesting chiefly for the casting of Carole Lombard and William Boyd. Some really far-fetched story elements didn’t help. Carole and Boyd had one tender scene near the end that was done very, very well, worth the price of admission just for that. **

William Boyd, Carole Lombard, and Owen Moore January 30^th

“A Gentleman’s Fate” 1931 MGM *

Fascinating tale of orphan well-to-do gentleman of leisure John Gilbert finding out he actually has a father and a brother in the bootlegging business! His father is on his deathbed and wants to see him….what transpires from there is off-beat and interesting. Louis Wolheim as always is first-rate as his brother. Leila Hyams, Anita Page and potato chip munching Marie Prevost are excellent in supporting roles. John Miljan shows up again in another slimeball role that he is just so adept at playing! A well-told story with some great cinematic flourishes! Easily one of Gilbert’s best talkies! ***

Louis Wolheim and John Gilbert

January 31^st 
“Murder at the Vanities” 1934 Paramount *

Highly entertaining backstage musical murder mystery that certainly represents the apex of precodery! Jack Oakie stars as a producer on opening night trying to put on his show, meanwhile backstage all kinds of antics are occurring! Victor McLaglen plays a police detective who seems much more interested in investigating the girls more than the murders! Very fast moving and frantic, with some really outrageous musical numbers including one called “Sweet Marijuana”!!! The showgirls are practically nude for the entire film and there are some really cool Art Deco sets and costumes. Toby Wing makes several appearances, all giggles, smiles and sex on a stick! ***

Victor McLaglen, Toby Wing, and Jack Oakie

“Search For Beauty” 1934 Paramount *

Silly and entertaining film with Robert Armstrong in fine form as a fast-talking con man looking to dupe two Olympic athletes into serving as editors on his new “Health Magazine”. James Gleason is his partner, Ida Lupino, sporting the worst penciled in eyebrows ever, and Buster Crabbe, play the Dupe-ees. Toby Wing plays…oh for gods sake it doesn’t matter what she plays, she steals the whole film just by showing up! I caught Ann Sheridan, in her film debut, in two quick shots as “The Winner from Texas”. ** ½

Toby Wing strutting her abundant stuff

31 films, all in glorious black and white and all new to me! Not a bad start to 2014 as far as classic films go!

February has been designated the month to revisit classics I haven't seen in many years or just really want to see again!