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City Streets (1931) Starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney

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A look at the most stylized of the 1931 gangster movies, Rouben Mamoulian’s City Streets (1931) from Paramount, starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney.

Helen Twelvetrees is Millie (1931) – With Joan Blondell and Lilyan Tashman

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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?

Sweepings (1933) and Mamie’s Christmas Counter Freak-Out

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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.

Secret of the Blue Room (1933) With Lionel Atwill and Gloria Stuart

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Secret of the Blue Room (1933) may not be Universal horror, but it’s a strong murder mystery that acquired the tinge as part of the late ’50s Shock Theater package on television. Here’s a bit about what it was and what it wasn’t.

The Witching Hour (1934), Hypnotized by John Halliday

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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.

Gambling Lady (1934) for the Barbara Stanwyck Blogathon

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Barbara Stanwyck plays honestly in Gambling Lady (1934), even when she has to overcome her husband’s former flame, Claire Dodd. With Joel McCrea and Pat O’Brien. Directed by Archie Mayo for Warner Brothers, 1934.

Big City Blues (1932), Pre-Code Party in Depression-Era New York

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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.

Man Wanted (1932) – Charles Kenyon Updates The Office Wife (1930)

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A look at the similarities between Man Wanted (1932) and The Office Wife (1930) with a brief focus on Charles Kenyon who wrote each screenplay. Man Wanted stars Kay Francis and David Manners.

The Office Wife (1930) Starring Dorothy Mackaill and Lewis Stone

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Publisher Lewis Stone needs a new secretary and Dorothy Mackaill gets the job in The Office Wife (1930). Great dialogue in this pre-Code hit, with many of the best lines coming from Joan Blondell.