Rouben Mamoulian’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from 1931 which stars Frederic March in the lead roles to me is the best adaptation and most definitive of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story. While the 1941 edition of the film directed by Victor Fleming with Spencer Tracy as Jekyll and Hyde isn’t bad at all and well-acted,…
Rain (1932 film)
As a fan of the classic black and white films, some of my favorites come from the pre-code era. Rain, a 1932 pre-code film that stars screen icons Joan Crawford and Walter Huston to me is an overlooked gem. Rain is a movie that has been made a few times, including a 1928 silent film…
Little Man, What Now? Blu-ray review
Based on the Hans Fallada novel under the same title, Little Man, What Now? is a pre-code film from 1934 about a couple that is financially struggling, with a baby on the way! Directed by Frank Borzage (Bad Girl, A Farewell to Arms, Desire) the film has a mixture of themes including love, hardship, and…
The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu / The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu double feature Blu-ray review
Just before he starred as Charlie Chan, screen legend Warner Oland played the role of Sax Rohmer’s arch-villain Dr. Fu Manchu in the 1929 feature The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu followed by a sequel, The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu. Both films starred Warner Oland, Neil Hamilton, Jean Arthur and O.P. Heggie and were directed…
The Crime of the Century Blu-ray review
William Beaudine was one of the most versatile and celebrated directors in Hollywood, having directed hundreds of films in various genres over the course of 50 years. Classic movie fans probably own at least one William Beaudine film. He might be mostly known for Billy the Kid vs. Dracula and Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter,…
Double Door Blu-ray review
Double Door is a pre-code film from 1934 that is about a sick family member who will stop at nothing to ruin her brother’s marriage. This film features one of the most despicable characters in cinema! There are also some minor horror elements, think Secret of the Blue Room type of horror. A wealthy, controlling,…
Dinner at Eight Blu-ray review
Dinner at Eight is a 1933 pre-code film directed by George Cukor and features an all-star cast that includes several screen legends in Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Jean Harlow, Wallace Berry, Billie Burke, and Marie Dressler. It’s the story of a dinner party with both the hosts and the guests all having issues! Millicent Jordan…
Torch Singer Blu-ray review
Torch Singer is a pre-code film from 1933 that features a solid cast with screen legend Claudette Colbert, Ricardo Cortez, David Manners and Lyda Robert. The film is based on the short story Mike by Grace Perkin. When Sally Trent (Claudette Colbert, Imitation of Life, It Happened One Night) is unable to support her illegitimate…
Devil and the Deep Blu-ray review
Devil and the Deep is a pre-code film from 1932 starring four screen legends Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, Tallulah Bankhead, and Cary Grant, who at the time was just rising to stardom. The movie is about a jealous husband who goes through great lengths to remove potential lovers. Naval commander Charles Sturm (Charles Laughton, The…
Ladies They Talk About Blu-ray review
Ladies They Talk About is a 1933 pre-code film that stars screen icon Barbara Stanwyck. This film can also be described an early woman in prison film. In this movie, the imprisoned women were actually guilty, as opposed to films where women were being falsely accused of committing a crime and going to jail to…