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Classic Movies & Movie Collectibles

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Classic Movie Reviews by Cliff Aliperti

Spoiler-free reviews of movies from Hollywood's Golden Age, especially the 1930s. Most reviews also include research into background of the film and, when relevant, the history surrounding the subject of the movie.

Richard Dix Reckons Himself The Public Defender (RKO, 1931)

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Richard Dix is a harmless playboy until trouble calls and with the assistance of Boris Karloff and Paul Hurst he becomes The Reckoner in RKO’s The Public Defender (1931).

Tyrone Power and Alice Faye – In Old Chicago (1937), Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938) and Rose of Washington Square (1939)

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Tyrone Power and Alice Faye shared a May 5 birthday and shared early fame in hit movies In Old Chicago (1937), Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938) and Rose of Washington Square (1939). This post looks at the hit Twentieth Century-Fox team and each of their three movies together.

More Jessie Matthews – There Goes the Bride (1932), The Good Companions (1933), First A Girl (1935) and Gangway (1937)

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After covering Evergreen (1934) last year I craved more Jessie Matthews. VCI Entertainment has complied with several DVD releases. This post takes a look at four of them: There Goes the Bride (1932), The Good Companions (1933), First a Girl (1935) and Gangway (1937).

His Greatest Gamble (1934) Starring Richard Dix

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RKO’s His Greatest Gamble (1934) successfully offers Richard Dix one of his most dramatic roles as the carefree father of a girl whose mother keeps her under the strictest control. Also starring Dorothy Wilson, Erin O’Brien-Moore, Bruce Cabot and Edith Fellows.

Vivacious Lady (1938) Starring Ginger Rogers and James Stewart

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RKO’s Vivacious Lady doesn’t have much of a story, but Ginger Rogers and James Stewart are in love, so who cares? A look at the comedy classic directed by George Stevens for the James Stewart Blogathon.

Our Blushing Brides (1930) Caps Joan Crawford Trilogy

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No longer the wild Jazz Baby, Joan Crawford is cautious to the point of being a drag in Our Blushing Brides (1930), third movie of a loose MGM trilogy starring Crawford. Also starring Robert Montgomery, Anita Page and Dorothy Sebastian.

Gentleman’s Fate (1931) Starring John Gilbert and Louis Wolheim as Unlikely Brothers

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Gentleman’s Fate (1931) is an MGM gangster effort overshadowed by the relationship between the John Gilbert and Louis Wolheim characters. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy with good work from Anita Page as well.

Winner Take All (1932) from Warner Archive’s Latest Wave of James Cagney

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James Cagney stars as boxer Jimmy Kane in Winner Take All, a 1932 Warner Bros. release. This post takes a look at the Rocky II-like double knockdown from the film in order to revisit its inspiration, a real-life 1912 lightweight title fight. Also starring Marian Nixon and Virginia Bruce.

I Married a Doctor (1936) Attempts to Update Main Street

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Main Street by Sinclair Lewis was published in 1920. In 1936 Warner Bros. attempted to update the Lewis story with I Married a Doctor, starring Josephine Hutchinson and Pat O’Brien. The movie is entertaining but it is no Main Street choosing to focus more on the love angle than it does Carol’s battle against the small town.