Lots of Depression-era slang tossed about in Paramount’s Good Dame (1934). Carny hustler Fredric March falls for chorine nice girl Sylvia Sidney in this rarely seen pre-Code.
Secret of the Chateau (1934) Universal Murder Mystery Starring Claire Dodd
Universal murder mystery with an excellent ensemble cast revolves around a Gutenberg Bible. Bonus material about the U.S. Library of Congress 1930 purchase of a Gutenberg Bible with funds that ultimately filled the coffers of a Nazi propagandist.
Dark Hazard (1934) Starring Edward G. Robinson and Genevieve Tobin
Edward G. Robinson stars as a flawed yet likeable gambler who takes a shine to a champion greyhound in Dark Hazard, a 1934 pre-Code release from First National.
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.
Lady by Choice (1934) Starring Carole Lombard and May Robson
Columbia attempts to repeat May Robson’s success in Lady for a Day the following year in Lady by Choice with Carole Lombard. Without Frank Capra or Damon Runyon it’s not as colorful. Production Code enforcement pales it a bit more. Well acted and worth catching despite its flaws.
James Cagney is Jimmy the Gent (1934)
James Cagney stars in Warner Bros. fast-paced Jimmy the Gent (1934), made all the faster by Cagney’s own frenzied performance. Bette Davis co-stars in an underwhelming role while Alan Dinehart excels in his part as rival “Heir Chaser.” Directed by Michael Curtiz and also featuring Allen Jenkins and Alice White.
Frank Capra’s Broadway Bill (1934) Starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy
A look at Frank Capra’s follow-up to It Happened One Night, the 1934 holiday release Broadway Bill starring Warner Baxter, Myrna Loy and a horse named Broadway Bill. With comparison to 1950 remake Riding High and explanation of why Bill wound up out of circulation until 1992.
His Greatest Gamble (1934) Starring Richard Dix
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.
Shirley Temple in 1934, Part 2: The Movies
A brief look at each of Shirley Temple’s five major feature film appearances during her breakthrough year of 1934: Stand Up and Cheer!, Little Miss Marker, Baby Take a Bow, Now and Forever and Bright Eyes.
Brief Impressions: King for a Night (1933) – Big Hearted Herbert (1934) and Father Is a Prince (1941) – Confessions of Boston Blackie (1941)
Enjoying a key scene between Chester Morris and Grant Mitchell in King for a Night (1933) leads to more Morris in a Boston Blackie entry plus Mitchell’s own starring vehicle, Father Is a Prince (1941), itself a remake of Big Hearted Herbert (1934), which is also discussed.