A pre-Code set around a dance hall starring Barbara Stanwyck with Monroe Owsley and Ricardo Cortez, and I didn’t like it? Uh uh. Here’s what I didn’t like about Ten Cents a Dance (1931).
Captains Courageous (1937) Starring Freddie Bartholomew and Spencer Tracy
MGM Golden Age classic Captains Courageous is highlighted by a heavily modernized and modified adaptation of Kipling’s novel that provides opportunity for Spencer Tracy and Freddie Bartholomew to shine in the leading roles.
Arsène Lupin (1932) Starring John and Lionel Barrymore
John Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore share the screen together for the first time in MGM’s Arsène Lupin (1932). Excellent mystery also includes strong work from Karen Morley.
Test Pilot (1938) Starring Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy
Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy live up to expectations in MGM’s Test Pilot (1938). One of the most popular films of 1938, the Academy Award-nominated Best Picture directed by Victor Fleming allows all three stars to shine in strong parts that they enliven with strong performances. Time well spent, no matter the length.
Sweepings (1933) and Mamie’s Christmas Counter Freak-Out
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.
Eric Linden Comes of Age in MGM’s Ah, Wilderness! (1935)
Eric Linden loves Cecilia Parker in Ah, Wilderness! (1935), but his passion threatens to take him down the same road that has doomed Wallace Beery with Aline MacMahon. MGM adapts Eugene O’Neill’s “comedy of recollection.” Directed by Clarence Brown.
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.
Summer Under the Stars Progress Report – First Impressions of 5 Movies
First impressions of movies introduced to me by TCM’s Summer Under the Stars: They Won’t Forget (1937); The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1937); Tennessee Johnson (1942); To Sir, With Love (1967) and You Were Never Lovelier (1942).
Lionel Barrymore – “Scion of Famous Family Appears in Pantomime”
Lionel Barrymore in the newspapers beginning with an 1882 mention of four-year-old Lionel and tracing his early stage career, painting hiatus through to coverage of his film debut for Biograph. Plus the 2012 TCM Summer Under the Stars schedule.
Night Flight (1933) with John and Lionel Barrymore, Gable and More
An all-star cast may be advertised but Night Flight (1933) is mostly Barrymore, John with a dash of Lionel. Not much for Clark Gable and the rest with the exception of Robert Montgomery.
