Appraisal of Ralf Harolde’s talents as ultimate pre-Code lowlife with biographical bits assembled where possible. Busy character actor of the 1930s-40s, who made his mark in films such as Night Nurse, Safe in Hell, and Picture Snatcher.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Gladys George Is Madame X (1937), Plus Brief Biography
A history of Madame X concentrates on the 1937 film version starring Gladys George. Includes a biography of Gladys George with comparison to Ruth Chatterton’s 1929 performance.
Alan Mowbray Book Review: Up from Central Park: Scenes From an Actor’s Life
Over 40 years after his death the memoirs of character actor Alan Mowbray have been published by his son, Alan, Jr. A look at Mowbray’s life and the memories he left us.
Louis Wolheim – Biography of the All Quiet on the Western Front Star
A look at the life and career of Louis Wolheim, star of the All Quiet on the Western Front on screen, and the originator of key roles in The Hairy Ape and What Price Glory? on stage.
Marguerite Courtot – Biography of a Beauty of the Silent Screen
A long biography of silent film beauty Marguerite Courtot. She rose to fame as as teenager in the mid-1910’s and later married Down to the Sea in Ships co-star Raymond McKee. Mckee’s biographical details are covered as well.
Earle Williams in the Newspapers
Learning about Earle Williams from original newspaper articles between 1908-1931. Once the most popular movie star, Earle Williams faded in the 1920s. His story ends tragically in 1931, four years after his death.
Movie Reviews & Articles
The Conquerors (1932) Starring Richard Dix and Ann Harding
I watched a pair of Richard Dix films this week, the Oscar winning Cimarron from 1931 and The Conquerors released the following year. This review focuses on the film I liked better.
Government Girl (1943) Starring Olivia de Havilland and Sonny Tufts
Olivia de Havilland is Smokey Allard in RKO’s Government Girl (1943). Far from perfect and suffering greatly in comparison to other home front titles such as The More the Merrier, Government Girl is still an interesting slice of history.
The Solitaire Man (1933) Starring Herbert Marshall and Lionel Atwill
MGM tries to capitalize upon Herbert Marshall’s success in Trouble in Paradise with The Solitaire Main (1933). With Lionel Atwill, Elizabeth Allan, May Robson and Mary Boland.
Blood Money (1933) Starring George Bancroft, Frances Dee
One of three pre-Code titles directed by temperamental Rowland Brown, Blood Money (1933) stars George Bancroft as a bail bondsman to the underworld with Frances Dee as a young kleptomaniac with an “underworld mania” and a desire for a strong man to dominate her. Feature debut for Judith Anderson.
The Films of Helen Twelvetrees – Capsule Reviews of 20 Movies
The films of Helen Twelvetrees. A page providing capsule reviews of 20–and counting–Helen Twelvetrees movies. Pre-Code stardom through late 1930s decline.
The Constant Nymph (1943) Starring Joan Fontaine and Charles Boyer
Concentrating on Joan Fontaine’s wonderful performance as teenage Tessa in The Constant Nymph (1943) with a look at the literary origins of the story and resulting complications in making the title available for public consumption.