Spencer Tracy arrives at MGM and embarks on a run of films that grow in critical and popular success. Inspired by the biography by James Curtis with partial review.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Una Merkel – Biographical Notes and Quotes
A critique of the 2012 TCM Una Merkel birthday schedule along with highlights of her biography and several quotes attributed to her throughout her career.
Ann Sheridan Biography
A biography of actress Ann Sheridan, best known from her days as Warner Brothers’ Oomph Girl from films such as They Drive by Night and Kings Row.
Alan Dinehart Biography, Hollywood Talkies Claim Another from Broadway
A look at the life of Hollywood character actor Alan Dinehart headlines the Immortal Archives for October 3. Also includes TCM Picks for the day and more.
Paul Cavanagh – Case No. 9840 Fills in Actor’s Early Biography
Paul Cavanagh was an actor from 1926 until 1960 including time as a Hollywood featured player from 1930 onward. But who was he before 1926? U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Case No. 9840 fills in those details.
Ralf Harolde, Expert Portrayer of Lowlifes and Junkies
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.
Movie Reviews & Articles
King Vidor’s Our Daily Bread (1934) more than just a big finish
King Vidor’s self-produced “Our Daily Bread” (1934) is a Depression-era tale of collectivism starring Tom Keene and Karen Morley. We follow the city-dwelling couple …
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #3 – Judge Hardy’s Children (1938)
The third entry of the Hardy Family series, Judge Hardy’s Children (1938), finds Judge Hardy called to Washington DC. Andy is interested in a French diplomat’s daughter, while Marian falls in with the wrong crowd.
James Dunn and Claire Dodd star in The Payoff (1935)
A fast paced tale of a sportswriter taking on a gambler with his wife coming in between his ethics and his loyalties. The Payoff (1935) stars James Dunn, Claire Dodd, Alan Dinehart, Patricia Ellis and Frankie Darro.
Call Her Savage (1932) Stars Clara Bow as Pre-Code Dynamite
Celebrating my favorite movie starring the ‘It Girl’ Clara Bow, the talkie Call Her Savage, a 1932 pre-code release from Fox. With Gilbert Roland, Monroe Owsley, Thelma Todd, and Estelle Taylor among others.
Born to Be Bad (1934) Starring Loretta Young, Cary Grant
A pre-Code entry released so late into the period that it was boycotted and even banned. Loretta Young plays another customer’s girl in Born to Be Bad, co-starring Cary Grant and Jackie Kelk. One of fewer than two dozen 20th Century Pictures entries before they merged with Fox Films.
The Story of Temple Drake (1933) – Paramount Adapts Faulkner’s Sanctuary
A review plus background information about Paramount pre-Code The Story of Temple Drake (1933), adapted from Sanctuary by William Faulkner. Book and adaptation are compared and contrasted. Casting and path to screen are covered, including George Raft’s refusal to appear in the film. Biographical information about stars Miriam Hopkins and Jack La Rue. Lengthy article, over 5,500 words, first appeared in Classic Movie Monthly #5.