Warner Brothers Don’t Bet on Blondes (1935) features solid work by Warren William as bookmaker turned freak insurance man, Claire Dodd cast against type as his love interest and Guy Kibbee giving the strongest performance of the bunch as Dodd’s father, who takes out a policy against his daughter’s marriage. It is also Errol Flynn’s second Hollywood movie and Flynn’s early career is detailed within the post.
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.
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.
Laughing Sinners (1931) With Joan Crawford, Neil Hamilton, Clark Gable
Laughing Sinners (1931) allows Joan Crawford to dance twice, stars her with Neil Hamilton, tries to give Clark Gable a break,and sees Guy Kibbee reprise his breakthrough Broadway role on screen.
Going Highbrow (1935) With Guy Kibbee, ZaSu Pitts, Edward Everett Horton
A look at the 1935 Warner Brothers comedy Going Highbrow includes a June Martel biographical aside. Plus how Guy Kibbee was discovered and Gordon Westcott’s untimely death later that same year.
The World Changes (1933) Starring the Many Faces of Paul Muni
Paul Muni stars in First National’s 1933 multigenerational film The World Changes. Also starring Mary Astor. Muni earns a fortune in the meat-packing industry but is led too far from his roots and watches his children stray even further from what he considers a good life.
The Conquerors (1932) Starring Richard Dix and Ann Harding
I watched a pair of Richard Dix films this week, the Oscar winning Cimarron from 1931 and The Conquerors released the following year. This review focuses on the film I liked better.
Captain Blood (1935) Action Energized by Errol Flynn and Korngold’s Score
A look at my own favorite action adventure movie of all time, Captain Blood starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, both in breakout roles. A tale of piracy, slavery, patriotism and romance, Korngold’s score keeps you cheering for Blood throughout.
Union Depot (1932) starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Joan Blondell
Douglas Fairbanks Jr is a hobo playing Gentleman for a Day in 1932’s Union Depot co-starring Joan Blondell and Guy Kibbee. A sweeping view of all classes during the Great Depression.