Tay Garnett’s Her Man from Pathe is an overlooked pre-Code classic starring Helen Twelvetrees in the first screen adaptation of the Frankie and Johnny ballad. With Phillips Holmes, Ricardo Cortez and Marjorie Rambeau.
The Sin Ship (1931) – Astor’s Frisco Kitty Makes for Holy Wolheim
Written for The Mary Astor Blogathon, The Sin Ship (1931) stars Astor with Louis Wolheim, who also directed what would be his final film prior to his tragic death in 1931. Also starring Ian Keith and Hugh Herbert.
Panama Flo (1932) With Brief Biography of Star Helen Twelvetrees
RKO Pathe’s 1932 Helen Twelvetrees vehicle Panama Flo with Charles Bickford. A Helen Twelvetrees biography tucked in the middle of this lengthy post.
The Phantom of Crestwood (1932) with Ricardo Cortez and Karen Morley
America wondered “Who Killed Jenny Wren?” and RKO’s The Phantom of Crestwood revealed the answer in the first movie-radio tie-in. Starring Ricardo Cortez and Karen Morley with a large cast of familiar character actors and former silent stars in support.
RKO’s Hell’s Highway (1932) Beats Other Chain Gang Movie to Theaters
It’s tempting to call RKO’s Hell’s Highway (1932) a knockoff on I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang. However the Richard Dix movie came first. A long essay looking at Hell’s Highway, Dix, the Etude Ethiopian Chorus and that other Chain Gang movie.
First Impressions: Little Women (1933) Starring Katharine Hepburn
RKO’s classic Little Women (1933) starring Katharine Hepburn as Jo Marsh with Joan Bennett, Frances Dee and Jean Parker as her sisters. Some notes based on the first time I watched the movie.
First Impressions: Little Men (1940) Starring Kay Francis
The RKO released Little Men (1940) starring Kay Francis as Jo is inferior sequel to Little Women (1933) but enjoyable tale of swindlers George Bancroft and Jack Oakie.
RKO’s Jalna (1935) Inspires Craving for More Mazo de la Roche
Jessie Ralph plays 99 year old Gran in RKO’s 1935 movie adaptation of Jalna, the first of the Mazo de la Roche Whiteoaks novels. Also starring Kay Johnson, Ian Hunter and David Manners. Directed by John Cromwell.
Government Girl (1943) Starring Olivia de Havilland and Sonny Tufts
Olivia de Havilland is Smokey Allard in RKO’s Government Girl (1943). Far from perfect and suffering greatly in comparison to other home front titles such as The More the Merrier, Government Girl is still an interesting slice of history.
The Richest Girl in the World (1934) Starring Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea
Miriam Hopkins plays “The Richest Girl in the World” (1934) with hopes of landing a husband on her own merits and despite her money. Joel McCrea is her prospect. With a look at then currently celebrated heiresses Barbara Hutton and Doris Duke.