Lester Cohen adapted his own novel Sweepings for RKO in 1933. It was remade as Three Sons in 1939. The story is about a retail king and his family, but the focus of this article turns to Helen Mack’s explosive Christmas Eve scene with additional details about her character filled in from Cohen’s novel.
How Green Was My Valley (1941) and the Black Slag of Time
Like Roddy McDowall I find myself focused on Donald Crisp throughout the Academy Award winning How Green Was My Valley (1941). Labor unrest invades the valley and Crisp’s once stable world changes.
First Impressions: Little Women (1933) Starring Katharine Hepburn
RKO’s classic Little Women (1933) starring Katharine Hepburn as Jo Marsh with Joan Bennett, Frances Dee and Jean Parker as her sisters. Some notes based on the first time I watched the movie.
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.
RKO’s Jalna (1935) Inspires Craving for More Mazo de la Roche
Jessie Ralph plays 99 year old Gran in RKO’s 1935 movie adaptation of Jalna, the first of the Mazo de la Roche Whiteoaks novels. Also starring Kay Johnson, Ian Hunter and David Manners. Directed by John Cromwell.
Kings Row (1942) with Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan and Ann Sheridan
A look at the darker side of Kings Row (1942) starring Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan and Ann Sheridan. Some think it’s not dark enough
Freddie Bartholomew is Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936)
A look at Selznick International’s faithful 1936 screen adaptation of Little Lord Fauntleroy starring Freddie Bartholomew and C. Aubrey Smith.
Piccadilly Jim (1936) Starring Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans
Looking at MGM’s 1936 adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s Piccadilly Jim starring Robert Montgomery and directed by Robert Z. Leonard. With Madge Evans, Frank Morgan and Eric Blore.
The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger (1935)
A look at MGM’s 1935 production of the Charles Dickens classic David Copperfield starring Freddie Bartholomew and WC Fields. Includes notes and quotes from David O. Selznick and George Cukor about production and casting, a brief outline of the film and its many characters, the latter highlighted by a biography of of the obscure Lennox Pawle, who played Mr. Dick.
More on That Forsyte Woman (1949), Especially an Altogether Different Errol Flynn
A quick look at That Forsyte Woman (1949), a Greer Garson MGM feature where Errol Flynn steals the show playing against type with more skill than I would have expected.