Murder-mystery GIRL MISSING (1933) ignores its murder and telegraphs its mystery, but Glenda Farrell manages to carry the day anyway. An excellent pre-Code showcase for the actress. Good support from Guy Kibbee, Helen Ware, and Ferdinand Gottschalk.
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.
Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932), Universal Horror With Bela Lugosi
Universal’s 1932 horror adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue made quite a few changes, the best of which was inclusion of Dr. Mirakle, the villain played by Bela Lugosi. Lugosi covered extensively, plus comparisons of the story to the film, and an overall positive appraisal of the movie as it was made. Except for the ape.
Don’t Bet on Blondes (1935) Starring Warren William and Claire Dodd
Warner Brothers Don’t Bet on Blondes (1935) features solid work by Warren William as bookmaker turned freak insurance man, Claire Dodd cast against type as his love interest and Guy Kibbee giving the strongest performance of the bunch as Dodd’s father, who takes out a policy against his daughter’s marriage. It is also Errol Flynn’s second Hollywood movie and Flynn’s early career is detailed within the post.
Going Highbrow (1935) With Guy Kibbee, ZaSu Pitts, Edward Everett Horton
A look at the 1935 Warner Brothers comedy Going Highbrow includes a June Martel biographical aside. Plus how Guy Kibbee was discovered and Gordon Westcott’s untimely death later that same year.
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.
Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) starring Bela Lugosi and Sidney Fox
A brief look at 1932 Universal horror film Murders in the Rue Morgue based upon the Edgar Allan Poe work and starring Bela Lugosi, Sidney Fox and Erik the Ape.