A second look at pre-Code classic Three on a Match (1932) includes an appraisal of early Humphrey Bogart movies, contemporary reaction, and a checklist of stars. Plus Warren William.
No Man of Her Own (1932) Starring Clark Gable and Carole Lombard
Noted for pairing Clark Gable and Carole Lombard a few years before they began their romance, Paramount’s No Man of Her Own (1932) is entertaining beyond their unsurprising screen chemistry. Post features several background notes about film’s complicated pre-production.
Wild Boys of the Road (1933) Meets “Boy And Girl Tramps of America”
Contemporary reaction to William A. Wellman’s Wild Boys of the Road (1933), plus writer Danny Ahearn, and a peek at Thomas Minehan’s study “Boy and Girl Tramps of America.”
Grant Mitchell – WHAT A CHARACTER! – Broadway to Hollywood, 1902-1948
Biography of prolific Hollywood character actor Grant Mitchell. His great-uncle was a US President and his father a famed Civil War General. Mitchell tried careers in law and the military, but eventually took to the stage where he began a slow rise to stardom in 1902.
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.
Big City Blues (1932), Pre-Code Party in Depression-Era New York
Eric Linden finds fun, trouble and Joan Blondell in Depression-era New York in Warner Bros.’ Big City Blues (1932). Directed by Mervyn LeRoy with an unbilled supporting appearance by Humphrey Bogart along with several others.
The Penalty (1941) Starring Gene Reynolds and Edward Arnold
Roosty worships gangster dad “Stuff” Nelson in MGM’s The Penalty (1941). When the G-men send Roosty to the farm he has to adjust to life amongst the hicks. Starring Edward Arnold as Stuff, Lionel Barrymore and Gene Reynolds as Roosty.
The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947) and the Hollywood Gossip Columnists
Columbia’s The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947) was the most interesting of my blizzard viewing, though not because of stars George Brent and Joan Blondell but the quick flashes of Hollywood Gossip Columnists which helped put faces to a few more names.
The Devil Is a Sissy (1936) Starring Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper, Mickey Rooney
A somewhat bizarre gem released by MGM in 1936 The Devil Is a Sissy features Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney hitting their teens and finding trouble on the East Side.
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.
