Ripped from the headlines: New York’s Vice Squad scandal in Paramount pre-Code The Vice Squad (1931), starring Paul Lukas in a part inspired by Chile Acuna, with Kay Francis and Judith Wood. Directed by John Cromwell.
Man Wanted (1932) – Charles Kenyon Updates The Office Wife (1930)
A look at the similarities between Man Wanted (1932) and The Office Wife (1930) with a brief focus on Charles Kenyon who wrote each screenplay. Man Wanted stars Kay Francis and David Manners.
Paramount’s 24 Hours (1931) with Clive Brook, Kay Francis, Miriam Hopkins
Paramount’s Marion Gering gives us Louis Bromfield’s 24 Hours (1931) in just 66 minutes. Featuring an alcoholic Clive Brook, fashionable Kay Francis and Miriam Hopkins belting out a pair of songs in a pre-Code drama ripe for rediscovery.
First Impressions: Little Men (1940) Starring Kay Francis
The RKO released Little Men (1940) starring Kay Francis as Jo is inferior sequel to Little Women (1933) but enjoyable tale of swindlers George Bancroft and Jack Oakie.
August 21 – Kay Francis TCM Summer Under the Stars with Picto-Sked
TCM Summer Under the Stars Kay Francis schedule along with a Picto-Sked version of the schedule. Old period newspaper ads of Kay’s movies.
Dr. Monica (1934) Starring Kay Francis, Warren William and Jean Muir
A look at Dr. Monica (1934), a pre-code Kay Francis film featuring a strong performance by Jean Muir. Also starring Verree Teasdale and Warren William.
Jewel Robbery (1932) – Kay Francis and William Powell for a Sixth Time
A look at Jewel Robbery (1932), a unique heist-romance from Warner Brothers starring William Powell and Kay Francis. It’s a sophisticated yet often silly and almost always sinful pre-code classic.
One Way Passage (1932) – Glass Stems & Spoilers: The Final Minute
A look at the final scene of One Way Passage (1932) starring William Powell and Kay Francis. How did those crossed glass stems get there anyway?
One Way Passage (1932) Starring William Powell and Kay Francis
One Way Passage (1932) focuses on a shipboard romance between the equally doomed William Powell and Kay Francis characters. Frank McHugh is also on the scene and never allows the movie to get too sentimental. Aline MacMahon shines as well.
Video Review – Kay Francis: I Can’t Wait to Be Forgotten by Scott O’Brien
A video review of Scott O’Brien’s 2007 Kay Francis biography, I Can’t Wait to Be Forgotten. Plus the entire Kay Francis birthday schedule of films airing on TCM, January 13, 2011.