February Movie Mania...

This month I spent revisiting films I havent seen in a few years to upwards of more than a decade! It wasnt my initial intention but it ended up basically being "Joan Blondell Month" as all but ONE of the 22 films viewed had her in the cast!

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

February 3^rd

“I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang” 1932 WB

The great Paul Muni gives the performance of his career as James Allen, a decorated WWI veteran, falsely accused of robbery and sentenced to hard labor on a chain gang. The harrowing and tragic true story of Robert Burns is taken as a base and fashioned into one of the most potent and unforgettable Hollywood films ever made. First rate direction, editing, screenplay, cast and performances and a knockout finale that will leave you stunned! ****

Paul Muni received an Oscar nomination for his incredible performance but lost out to Charles Laughton for "The Private Lives of King Henry the VIII"

February 7^th

“Sinner’s Holiday” 1930 WB

Interesting early talkie about carnival life was the screen debut of James Cagney. He is quite good even though he did go a bit over the top in the more emotional scenes. This was also the first pairing of Cagney with Joan Blondell and she is totally perfect as a bottom of the barrel floozy. Evalyn Knapp is fine but Grant Withers goes a bit overboard with the Eddie Cantor style bug eyes. I like the carnival atmosphere and quirky characters. Good little film. ** ½

February 8^th

“Other Men’s Women” 1931 WB

James Cagney’s first film with Wild Bill Wellman is an engaging and fast moving little drama. Star Grant Withers gives a much better performance in this than “Sinner’s Holiday” and with people like Mary Astor, Reegis Toomey and of course, Cagney and Joan Blondell in the cast you really can’t miss! Joan and Withers did a great drunk scene together. As always Wellman added those special visual touches that set him apart from all other film makers. ***

“The Public Enemy” 1931 WB

James Cagney deservedly became a star with his powerhouse performance in William Wellman’s tough, fast moving gangster classic. Top-notch support from Joan Blondell, Mae Clark, Eddie Woods, Leslie “Nails Nathan” Fenton and Robert Emmett O’Connor. The only off note is Jean Harlow, she just does not fit in this picture at all in my opinion but she can't bring it down! For a 1931 production Wellman’s camera was amazingly mobile and the overall energy and toughness of the picture remains potent to this day. ****

February 10^th

“Blonde Crazy” 1931 WB

Fast-moving, fast talking pre-coder with James Cagney and Joan Blondell hooking up as a team of con-artists working their way from small town to big city and getting into all sorts of money and trouble along the way! Flirty, sexy and highly enjoyable! This picture is one of the best showcases for Joanie and Jimmy’s wonderful chemistry! *** ½

February 11^th

“The Crowd Roars” 1932 WB

Fast-paced Howard Hawks film set amidst the sport of car racing. First-rate cast with James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Eric Linden and especially Ann Dvorak all giving out with fine performances. The story is nothing new but its well-done and entertaining. Blondell and Dvorak are both so fucking easy on the eyes! **1/2

February 12^th

“Footlight Parade” 1933 WB

The apex of the 1930’s musical is this near manic-paced masterpiece about the ups and downs of a Prologue production company, run by James Cagney and his ever so devoted secretary Joan Blondell. Many of the best of WB stock company fill out the cast including Frank McHugh, Guy Kibbee, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Claire Dodd, Ruth Donnelly, Hugh Herbert and on and on it goes! Three show-stopping Busby Berkley numbers finish off the film in grand style! Masterfully directed by the great Lloyd Bacon! It just doesn’t get any better than this! **** 

Joan Blondell, James Cagney and Ruby Keeler in "Footlight Parade"

Joan Blondell behind the scenes during the making of "Footlight Parade"

February 16^th
“He Was Her Man” 1934 WB
James Cagney and Joan Blondell team up for the very last time in this odd downbeat melodrama about a safecracker looking to get back at the guys who let him take a rap for something he didn’t do. A chance meeting with down-on-her luck Joan Blondell complicates things. A good cast makes the most of the material. It is rather leisurely paced, especially considering that it was directed by Lloyd Bacon, but I enjoyed it much more this time than when I first saw it many years ago. ** ½

A Lobby Card I WISH I Owned!

“Havana Widows” 1933 WB
Highly entertaining, over the top tale of two Gold Diggers, played by Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell, high-tailing it down to Cuba to hook a millionaire or two. Silly, fast-paced and a whole lot of fun and Joan is shown in some of Orry Kelly’s most revealing and outrageous fashions. She’s pure sex on a stick! ***

Frank McHugh, Joan Blondell, Guy Kibbee, Lyle Talbot, Ruth Donnelly and Glenda Farrell in "Havana Widows" 1933

February 17^th
“Were In The Money” 1935 WB
Silly, light-hearted fluff with Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell getting into all kinds of mischief as process servers. Hugh Herbert gets a bit tough to take after a while with his over the top hoo-hoo antics but it’s all in fun and the gals look fantastic! **

Joan Blondell with Ross Alexander in "We're in the Money" 1935

“Three On A Match” 1932 WB
Ann Dvorak gives a tour de force performance in one of Warner Bros. most quintessentially “WB” films of the 1930’s. The remaining cast – Joan Blondell, Bette Davis, Warren William, Lyle Talbot, Humphrey Bogart, Allen Jenkins, Jack LaRue and Edward Arnold are all superb as well but this was Ann’s moment to shine and she is utterly compelling. The film itself is a marvel of economic storytelling showing the lives of three women from childhood to adult and what happens when their paths cross. A fantastic picture on every level. Should be required viewing for any classic film fan! ****

Joan Blondell and Bette Davis out on location while filming "Three on a Match" 1932

February 18^th
“Night Nurse” 1931 WB
Ultra-hard boiled William Wellman picture with the always excellent Barbara Stanwyck playing a night shift nurse. Joan Blondell is her gum-smacking sidekick, Ben Lyon a bootlegger with the hots for her and Clark Gable, in a rare “Heavy” role, really lets her have it on the chin! Off-beat picture has plenty of Wellman visual touches and humor, plus Babs and Joanie spend a good percentage of the picture in their shreddies! And on top of everything else my coveted Art Deco “DESK” makes an appearance! ***

Ben Lyons, Joan Blondell and Barbara Stanwyck in "Night Nurse" 1931

I think Joan Blondell spent more time on-screen in her underwear than any other actress of her era!

“The Famous Ferguson Case” 1932 WB
Hard-boiled look at sensationalistic journalism pulls no punches right to the end! A fantastic performance by Joan Blondell and an ace supporting cast with ever the slimeball Kenneth Thomson, Leslie Fenton, Grant Mitchell, Adrienne Dore, Vivienne Osborne, Leon Ames and Tom Brown. Unflinchingly shows what can happen when newspapermen start “making” the news instead of reporting it! I like to call this the small town version of “Five Star Final” ***

Joan Blondell, Kenneth Thomson and Adrienne Dore in "The Famous Ferguson Case" 1932

“Miss Pinkerton” 1933 WB
Fun little comedy-mystery film with Joan Blondell as a nurse working in a house full of odd people and even odder goings on! George Brent is a detective investigating a murder/suicide that occurred in the house. I get the distinct impression this was meant to be a series but never made it past the first film. **

“Union Depot” 1931 WB
Joan Blondell, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Guy Kibbee excel in this fast-moving drama that takes place during one day at a train depot. When a drunken Frank McHugh accidentally leaves his suitcase in the men’s room, hobo Doug gets to play “Gentleman for a day”.  Excellent performances, gritty atmosphere and no cop-out at the finish make this a winner. ***

February 19^th
“Kansas City Princess” 1934 WB
Silly, fast-moving nonsense with Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell up to their gold digging antics again. Robert Armstrong, Hugh Herbert and Vince Barnett all give broad performances as various types of dim wits. Once again, Joan is dressed by Orry-Kelly and looks killer! ** ½

February 20^th
“God’s Gift To Women” 1931 WB
Fairly limp Frank Fay comedy vehicle is of interest mainly for the rare talking film appearance of Louise Brooks. She looks great but still, Joan Blondell takes top honors in the looks department and has a really funny scene with Fay about midway through the picture. There’s also a nice catfight with Joan, Louise and Yola D’Avril! Of other interest is the stunning Deco art direction by Robert M Haas, including my beloved “DESK”!!! **

February 21^st
“Lawyer Man” 1932 WB
The one and only teaming of Joan Blondell with William Powell is this fun, fast-moving little film about a, you guessed it…Lawyer! Joanie is his faithful, devoted and of course ever-loving secretary that he is, of course, completely clueless about. Supporting cast includes Claire Dodd, David Landau and an uncredited (and unlisted at IMDB!) appearance by Patricia Ellis as one of Powell’s other secretaries. This info is now in the process of being added to the IMDB Database! ***

February 23^rd
“Gold Diggers of 1933” 1933 WB
Joan Blondell, Warren William, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee star in this spectacular depression era musical extravaganza. Three showgirls trying to find work stumble into all sorts of interesting situations while producer Ned Sparks tries to “put on the show”! Several Busby Berkeley numbers throughout, including the opener “We’re in the Money”, where Ginger Rogers spouts pig-latin and the absolutely jaw-dropping, show-stopping, unforgettable finale “My Forgotten Man”. A first-rate job by director Mervyn LeRoy! ****

February 24^th
“Smarty” 1934 WB
Joan Blondell and Warren William team up for the last of their four films together and its one of the most whacked and bizarre of the entire pre-code era! I wouldn’t think of giving away the plot (if you can call it that) but it’s certainly a unique picture with a great supporting cast including Edward Everett Horton, Frank McHugh and Claire Dodd. Joan’s anatomy is generously and gloriously on display for pretty much the entire film! ** ½

A publicity pic I own for the TV release of "Smarty" in the 1950's signed by Joan.

“Goodbye Again” 1933 WB
Silly, sexy, fast-moving fun with Warren William as an author being reunited with the woman, wonderfully played by Genevieve Tobin, who thinks she is the inspiration for his novels. Joan Blondell is of course his devoted, loving and under appreciated secretary. Great supporting cast with Wallace Ford, Hugh Herbert, Helen Chandler and Hobart Cavanaugh. Despite this being a comedy, the dramatic scene where Joan gives Willy a piece of her mind (and two slaps in the face!) is the best part of the film! ** ½

Helen Chandler, Wallace Ford, Genevieve Tobin, Hugh Herbert, Warren William and Joan Blondell in "Goodbye Again" 1933

February 26^th
“Blondie Johnson” 1933 WB
An ace cast including Joan Blondell, Chester Morris and Allen Jenkins makes the most of the uneven story of a down on her luck dame getting wise and going for the dough at all costs! This could have and should have been a better film but its still decently entertaining and of course Joan looks fantastic! ** ½

To date this is my one and only Joan Blondell Lobby card. I've had it for about 15 years now.

In March its back to "New to Me" films including a slew of Esther Williams films I have on deck! I figure if Esther cant get me ready for spring NO one can! But I'm 6 films behind for February so first up is to play catch up on a few more films I havent seen in a while!

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!