A look at Lee Tracy as the Walter Winchell inspired star of pre-Code classic Blessed Event (1932). Includes back story about the stage adaptation, movie casting and speedy film production, plus a bit about Walter Winchell himself, circa 1932.
Classic Movie History Project: 1931 – Stars Emerge
As part of the Classic Film History Project Blogathon a look at the brand new stars and popular film cycles that dominated Hollywood in 1931. Gangsters and newspapermen, horrors and fallen women abound. With list of major studio releases for 1931.
Five Star Final (1931) Starring Edward G. Robinson
Mervyn LeRoy’s Five Star Final (1931) stars Edward G. Robinson as the managing editor of a trashy New York newspaper that resurrects a 20-year-old murder case for circulation. A Warner Bros.-First National production adapted from the play by Louis Weitzenkorn. Also starring Marian Marsh, H.B. Warner, Frances Starr, Boris Karloff and Aline MacMahon.
Clear All Wires! (1933) – Journalism in Classic Film Blogathon
MGM’s Clear All Wires! (1933) finds foreign correspondent Lee Tracy butting heads with the Soviet secret police in Russia, 1932. Una Merkel and Benita Hume co-star.
James Dunn and Claire Dodd star in The Payoff (1935)
A fast paced tale of a sportswriter taking on a gambler with his wife coming in between his ethics and his loyalties. The Payoff (1935) stars James Dunn, Claire Dodd, Alan Dinehart, Patricia Ellis and Frankie Darro.
