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You are here: Home / Archives for Lightning Reviews

Lightning reviews are first impressions of movies I've yet to research for more detailed articles. Unlike my more polished full reviews there is little to no research here; sparse images and links; a more relaxed writing style. These are movies I'd love to eventually cover with more fully developed articles, but until time permits, here are the short versions:

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A Bedtime Story (1933) Starring Maurice Chevalier, Helen Twelvetrees

September 3, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti 1 Comment

Helen Twelvetrees and Maurice Chevalier in A Bedtime Story

Paramount pre-Code sex farce turned romantic-comedy A Bedtime Story (1933) stars Maurice Chevalier and Helen Twelvetrees, and introduces the world to Baby LeRoy.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1933, Adrienne Ames, Baby LeRoy, Betty Lorraine, Earle Foxe, Edward Everett Horton, Ernest Wood, Gertrude Michael, Helen Twelvetrees, Henry Kolker, Leah Ray, Maurice Chevalier, Norman Taurog, Paramount, Paul Panzer, pre-Code, Rating: 7/10

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Bad Company (1931) Starring Ricardo Cortez

August 27, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti 1 Comment

Helen Twelvetrees and Ricardo Cortez in Bad Company

RKO-Pathe pre-Code gangster film Bad Company (1931) stars Ricardo Cortez with Helen Twelvetrees and John Garrick. Directed by Tay Garnett.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1931, Edgar Kennedy, Emma Dunn, Frank Conroy, Frank McHugh, Gangsters, Harry Carey, Helen Twelvetrees, John Garrick, Paul Hurst, pre-Code, Rating: 8/10, Ricardo Cortez, RKO (Pathe), Tay Garnett, William V. Mong

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There Goes My Heart (1938) Starring Fredric March, Virginia Bruce

August 25, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti Leave a Comment

Virginia Bruce and Fredric March in There Goes My Heart

Romantic comedy There Goes My Heart (1938) from Hal Roach Studios stars Fredric March and Virginia Bruce. Patsy Kelly in support with Alan Mowbray, Eugene Pallette, Claude Gillingwater. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1938, Alan Mowbray, Arthur Lake, Claude Gillingwater, Eugene Pallette, Fredric March, Hal Roach Studios, Marjorie Main, Nancy Carroll, norman z mcleod, Patsy Kelly, Rating: 7/10, United Artists, Virginia Bruce

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Turn Back the Clock (1933) Starring Lee Tracy, Mae Clarke

August 20, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti Leave a Comment

Lee Tracy and Mae Clarke in Turn Back the Clock

MGM pre-Code Turn Back the Clock (1933) stars Lee Tracy, who goes back in time, hoping to get rich this time. With Mae Clarke. Directed by Edgar Selwyn.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1933, Ben Hecht, C. Henry Gordon, Clara Blandick, Edgar Selwyn, George Barbier, Lee Tracy, Mae Clarke, MGM, Otto Kruger, Peggy Shannon, pre-Code, Rating: 8/10, Warner Archive

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Success at Any Price (1934) Starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

August 17, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti 1 Comment

Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Genevieve Tobin in Success at Any Price

Brief look at RKO pre-Code Success at Any Price (1934) starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as an angry young man looking to make good in the business world. With Genevieve Tobin, Frank Morgan, and Colleen Moore. Directed by J. Walter Ruben.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1934, Allen Vincent, Business, Colleen Moore, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Edward Everett Horton, Frank Morgan, Genevieve Tobin, Henry Kolker, J. Walter Ruben, Nydia Westman, pre-Code, Rating: 7/10, RKO (Pathe)

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Now I’ll Tell (1934) Starring Spencer Tracy and Helen Twelvetrees

August 13, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti Leave a Comment

Spencer Tracy and Helen Twelvetrees

Brief look at Fox Film’s Now I’ll Tell (1934), an adaptation of Mrs. Arnold Rothstein’s book about her husband with Spencer Tracy starring. Helen Twelvetrees and Alice Faye are the women in his life. Directed by Edwin J. Burke.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1934, Alice Faye, Arnold Rothstein, Edwin J. Burke, Fox Films, G.P. Huntley, gamblers, Helen Twelvetrees, Henry O'Neill, Hobart Cavanaugh, pre-Code, Rating: 7/10, Robert Gleckler, Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy

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Lightning Review: One Hour Late (1934) Starring Helen Twelvetrees

August 12, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti Leave a Comment

Conrad Nagel and Helen Twelvetrees in One Hour Late

Brief look at Paramount’s One Hour Late, a late 1934 release starring Joe Morrison and Helen Twelvetrees. Action takes place over single day at an office. Directed by Ralph Murphy.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1934, Arline Judge, Charles Sellon, Comedies, Conrad Nagel, Eddie Craven, Gail Patrick, George E. Stone, Helen Twelvetrees, Joe Morrison, Musicals, Paramount, Ray Milland, Ray Walker, Toby Wing

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Lightning Review: Sadie McKee (1934) Starring Joan Crawford

August 10, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti 2 Comments

Joan Crawford and Edward Arnold in Sadie McKee

Brief look at MGM pre-Code Sadie McKee (1934) starring Joan Crawford and the three men in her life, played by Gene Raymond, Franchot Tone, and Edward Arnold. Strong Crawford pre-Code with good work from Arnold as alcoholic millionaire. Directed by Clarence Brown.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1934, Akim Tamiroff, Clarence Brown, Edward Arnold, Esther Ralston, Franchot Tone, gene raymond, Helen Ware, Jean Dixon, Joan Crawford, MGM, pre-Code, Warner Archive

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Lightning Review: The Shining Hour (1938) Starring Joan Crawford

August 10, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti Leave a Comment

Joan Crawford and Robert Young in The Shining Hour

Brief look at MGM’s The Shining Hour (1938) starring Joan Crawford. Melvyn Douglas marries her; brother Robert Young loves her, but is married to Margaret Sullavan. Fay Bainter as Douglas and Young’s suspicious sister. Directed by Frank Borzage.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1938, Allyn Joslyn, fay bainter, Frank Albertson, Hattie McDaniel, Joan Crawford, Margaret Sullavan, Melvyn Douglas, MGM, Robert Young, Romance

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Lightning Review: The Girl in 419 (1933) Starring James Dunn

August 6, 2015 By Cliff Aliperti Leave a Comment

Gloria Stuart and James Dunn

Brief look at Paramount pre-Code THE GIRL IN 419 (1933), gangster movie and hospital drama starring James Dunn with Gloria Stuart, David Manners, and William Harrigan. Directed by Alexander Hall and George Somnes.

Filed Under: Lightning Reviews Tagged With: 1933, Alexander Hall, David Manners, Edward Gargan, Gangsters, George Somnes, Gloria Stuart, Jack La Rue, James Dunn, Johnny Hines, Kitty Kelly, medical drama, Paramount, pre-Code, Shirley Grey, Vince Barnett, William Harrigan

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About Cliff

I write about old movies and movie stars from the 1920s to the 1950s. I also sell movie cards, still photos and other ephemera. Immortal Ephemera connects the stories with the collectibles. Read More…

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Helen Twelvetrees Perfect Ingenue by Cliff Aliperti

Helen Twelvetrees, Perfect Ingenue

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Praise for Helen Twelvetrees, Perfect Ingenue

Recommended BooksJames L. Neibaur of Examiner.com calls it: "One of the most interesting and important film books of the young year," adding, "the documentation is original and significant." Full review.

Recommended BooksJacqueline T. Lynch, author of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer.Star., says: "A prime example of a classic film fan taking the reins to produce a scholarly study of a neglected figure from the Golden Age of classic films in a way that I feel is refreshing, infinitely helpful to fans and students of old movies." Full review.

Recommended BooksSilver Screenings says: "A fascinating account of an ambitious and hard-working woman ... Aliperti’s book is well written and incredibly well researched." Full review.

Recommended BooksSpeakeasy says: "Despite her decline, this is not a sad or bleak book but an enjoyable history ... Any fan of the collectible Citadel “Films of” book series will appreciate the modern twist on that format, a full biography followed by an expanded filmography." Full review.

Recommended BooksA Classic Movie Blog says: "I think this is a good format for performers with short lives and brief careers ... I went into it with only mild curiosity about Twelvetrees and now I find my self pining for copies of unavailable, but intriguing films." Full review.

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