Tag Archive
American Madness (1932)
On the audio commentary track, it is stated that “a run on a bank couldn’t happen today because our money is protected”. That was recorded in 2005; how times change — and how things remain the same! In the midst of our own century’s most traumatic financial crisis, where not just 25% of banks but… »
Dead End (1937)
Dead End (1937), although nominated for four Oscars including Best Picture, won nothing. Although it’s a fine picutre, and stands up remarkably well for its time, this was hardly an example of “Oscar getting it wrong”; it’s memorable as a break-through role for Humphrey Bogart, third in billing, as the gangster… »
Waterloo Bridge (1931)
Movie archaeologists who might have believed the long suppressed 1931 version of Universal’s Waterloo Bridge was lost were delighted when it was unearthed in the 1970s; it is now, happily, available to the rest of us as part of TCM Archive’s Forbidden Hollywood releases of pre-code talkies (1929-July 1934). Without question, the film is a… »
Morning Glory (1933)
Morning Glory (1933) is a touching, well paced story of a young woman vying for success in the glamourous world of New York’s theatre. Premiered a year before the enforcement of the notorious production code, it was only Hepburn’s third film, but it won her her first of 12 Oscar nominations, and her first win…. »
The Old Dark House (1932)
If ever an early talkie deserved the opening line narration “It was a dark and stormy night …”, this is it. This rain-soaked early horror, freshly churned out by the director and studio which gave us Frankenstein, features five travellers who stumble upon the Femm estate in Wales during a horrendous rain storm. The residents,… »
Dark Victory (1939)
Justly celebrated since its original release, Dark Victory (1939) continues to delight fully 70 years later. Though Bette Davis is in virtually every scene – this is not exactly an ensemble picture – she never outstays her welcome as her moods swing from… »
The Old Maid (1939)
The Old Maid isn’t just remarkable for being made in 1939 — the year of Gone With The Wind and The Wizard of Oz — but also for being the same year Bette Davis also starred in Dark Victory, one of her most indelibly famous films. Edmund Goulding, who would turn 50 during the filming… »
Search for Beauty (1934)
In Search for Beauty (1934), a trio of scam artists decide that sex sells magazines better than anything else, and get the idea to populate a magazine and resort with ex-Olympic athletes from around the world to titilate, tantalize and beat into shape the readers and wealthy patrons… »
Murder at the Vanities (1934)
If nothing else, Murder at the Vanities (1934) offers some great musical numbers, including a fabulous star turn by Duke Ellington and his band. You’ll also be entertained and amused by “Cocktails for Two” and astonished by the full spectacle of “Marajuana”… »
Torch Singer (1933)
In Torch Singer (1933), pregant and alone in the world, Sally Trent (Claudette Colbert) spends a few months in a Catholic woman’s home having her baby. Later, she finds she has no choice but to give up her daughter for adoption. Heart-broken, Sally returns to her singing career and transforms herself into a very successful… »