Ten authors spoil the broth in Paramount pre-Code The Woman Accused (1933) starring Nancy Carroll and Cary Grant. Featuring one shocking scene with Grant, Jack La Rue, and a rawhide whip.
Terror Aboard (1933) – Grand Hotel of Murder on the High Seas
One passenger drops after another in Terror Aboard (1933), Paramount’s pre-Code preview of the far-off slasher genre. An all-star cast of B-players is led by John Halliday in this tale of multiple murders at sea.
Lightning Review: Registered Nurse (1934) Starring Bebe Daniels, Lyle Talbot
Brief look at Registered Nurse (1934) a pre-Code hospital drama from Warner Bros.-First National. Directed by Robert Florey. Starring Bebe Daniels, Lyle Talbot, and a host of familiar supporting players.
Elsie Ferguson’s Only Talkie, Scarlet Pages (1930)
Stage legend Elsie Ferguson plays in her final film and only talkie, Scarlet Pages (1930), a courtroom drama offering a view of feminism at that time. Due to its mature content Scarlet Pages was successfully marketed as what was considered a “dirty picture” by 1930 standards.
Helen Twelvetrees is Millie (1931) – With Joan Blondell and Lilyan Tashman
Helen Twelvetrees stars in pre-Code sizzler Millie (1931). Millie leaves her husband after she catches him cheating and she puts monogamy behind her once her boyfriend is caught with another woman too. Can Millie be an independent woman in 1931 and protect her daughter from an even more perilous relationship?
The Witching Hour (1934), Hypnotized by John Halliday
Paramount’s 1934 version of The Witching Hour is light on stars and, despite the title, isn’t even a horror movie. An early Henry Hathaway film based on the 1907 hit play by Augustus Thomas and featuring strong performances from John Halliday and Sir Guy Standing. It’s all covered here.