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.
The Walking Dead (1936) – Lindbergh Heart Resurrects Boris Karloff
Warner Brothers mixes crime and horror in THE WALKING DEAD where mobsters put down Boris Karloff but Edmund Gwenn brings him back to life with a Lindbergh Heart. Karloff’s fine performance highlighted along with some background information about Lindbergh’s “robot heart.”
Ann Dvorak Biographer Christina Rice on Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel
An interview with Ann Dvorak biographer Christina Rice, who answers 11 questions about her book Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel. Packed with info about classic film star Dvorak and Rice’s long journey to completed biography.
Blondie Johnson (1933) Starring Joan Blondell and Chester Morris
Blondie Johnson (1933) stars Joan Blondell as Warner Brothers and First National’s “lady gangster” opposite Chester Morris. Directed by Ray Enright with a deep cast including Sterling Holloway, Allen Jenkins, Mae Busch, Toshia Mori, Arthur Vinton and Claire Dodd.
Big City Blues (1932), Pre-Code Party in Depression-Era New York
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.
Public Enemy’s Wife (1936) and Bullets for O’Hara (1941)
Continuing the G-man cycle with Warner Brother’s Public Enemy’s Wife (1936) and its 1941 remake, Bullets for O’Hara. Reuniting Robert Armstrong and Margaret Lindsay from G Men with Pat O’Brien, Public Enemy’s Wife is a worthwhile Warner’s crime film, while the low budget O’Hara is worth a try for fans of the original.
G Men (1935) Starring James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, and Ann Dvorak
A look at Warner Brothers’ G MEN (1935) starring James Cagney, this time as the good guy. Based on several real incidents and infamous names, it’s the movie that began the G-Men cycle of films.
Dr. Monica (1934) Starring Kay Francis, Warren William and Jean Muir
A look at Dr. Monica (1934), a pre-code Kay Francis film featuring a strong performance by Jean Muir. Also starring Verree Teasdale and Warren William.
The Adventures of Mark Twain (1944) Starring Fredric March
A review of Warner Brothers 1944 biopic The Adventures of Mark Twain starring Fredric March whose performance rises above an uneven though interesting story.
Researching The Adventures of Mark Twain – I Wish They All Had Sources Like This
Some notes taken from letters written during the making of the 1944 film The Adventures of Mark Twain helping to explain the delayed release of the film. With a link to the free source!
