alix1929

I also was excited to record CALL HER SAVAGE, JUST IMAGINE, DELICIOUS, and ZOO IN BUDAPEST, and hope Fox will show more along those lines. The only problem is that they show their pre-Codes so infrequently that it's hardly worth it. In fact, I upgraded my satellite system to get Fox! If they were smart, they'd get in their vaults, dust off their obscure 1930's movies and let them see the light of day. TCM still is the best.

I caught this one about 15 yrs. ago on our local PBS station! I absolutely loved it and thought Barrymore was incredibly good. This is another reason why 1939 was one awesome year for classic movies.

Which one has Frank Fay as the host? That one is my least favorite, mostly because I don't really appreciate him!!

Thanks, in fact it "premiers" on January 30. I saw the advertisement for it on TCM's homepage this evening. And yes, it is hard to imagine seeing THE KID and not following in love with that little dutch-boy bobbed urchin. What a darlin'. I can't wait to see this movie & hear the score.

I'd love a month of Joan Blondell movies.

By the way...is Jackie Coogan still living?

I know this probably belongs in the silents folder, or the Young Composers Contest folder but people rarely visit there. I saw a "tweener" the other day about the Young Composers Contest, and it looks like the movie that is/was being scored is the 1925 THE RAG MAN, starring Jackie Coogan. Congratulations to Linda Martinez, who won. The print looks very crisp and clean, and I am excited to get a chance to see this movie. Does anyone know when this movie will air? With all the silents in the vaults without scores (presumably, this is why they are not aired) I wonder why TCM doesn't hire young, up-n-coming composers or graduate students to write scores for these films? Even a decent piano score would be nice, if it meant that some new silents could be shown. I imagine that would be like the chance of a lifetime for someone just getting started.

Bizarre is the word to describe SAFE IN HELL! I liked Dorothy's performance, and the atmosphere in this film is one of the seediest I've ever seen! Only in a pre-Code! (Now, if they'd only show more!!)

I liked it! Very nice background music.

As you can tell, I'm a HUGE pre-Code fan! I am constantly amazed at the mature themes that were presented. I also like ANIMAL KINGDOM. Another one sort of along those lines are WHEN LADIES MEET (the early 30's version). If one watches a pre-Code VERY carefully, you won't beleive what you're seeing & hearing! But you have to be on the lookout, or it will slip past you, just like the studios hoped it would the censors.

Ah...I know I've done this before, but just for fun, I'll do it again. These names are in no particular order (too hard to decide!). 1) John Gilbert 2) Cary Grant 3) Gary Cooper 4) Clark Gable 5) TIE: Charles "Buddy" Rogers & James Stewart

No, it wasn't NIGHT NURSE. That wonderful pre-Code starred Barbara Stanwyck & Joan Blondell as "night nurses" on private duty, who are called to nurse two little girls being starved to death by "Nick the chauffeur" (played excellently by Clark Gable) so he can marry their dipsomanic mother & get their large trust fund. Two movies that I know hint (because the censors certainly didn't allow any more than a hint) at abortion were DR. MONICA AND MEN IN WHITE, both from the early 1930's. Dr. Monica's husband gets her friend pregnant, and the friend, in true 1930's fashion, faints at a party where Monica is. Monica rushes to the rescues, makes a diagnosis of pregnancy, and the friend says something in a desperate voice, "You've got to help me." Monica says angrily, "Don't you ever speak of that again!!" Veiled reference, to be sure, but it's there. Another reference to this is made in MEN IN WHITE with Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, & Jean Hersholdt. Clark sleeps with a student nurse at the hospital, gets her pregnant, and she seeks a backstreet abortion without telling him because she knows he has a fiancee. While waiting for surgery afterwards (botched abortion)the nurses question her about "the man." Called into duty is Clark Gable--to operate on his lover! When he realizes what has happened, he makes a comment like, "Why didn't she come to me??" Perhaps it is one of those pre-Codes that you were thinking of. Hope this helps.

I can't imagine him married to beautiful Barbara Stanwyck. He was in vaudeville before the movies, correct?

I also saw this one a few years ago on THAT OTHER CHANNEL, and loved it! It's one of the few films during the pre-Code period that actually hints at abortion. I can't believe it slipped past the censors!

Perhaps what was meant regarding "Silent Sunday Night" was that the same silents seem to be shown over and over and over and over. Although I could be wrong, a great majority of the movies listed in the post below have been shown multiple times. I will cast my vote and say that in the however many years I've been watching, I also feel the programming has changed, with a slant towards movies of the 80's and 90's. DO NOT take this as grinching. Just as an observation.

LET US BE GAY--loved it. I thought Norma was pretty brave to have appeared looking like a 1930's frump in this one. I also want to commend the performance of Marie Dressler--but then when WASN'T she wonderful? LONELY WIVES--a delicious pre-Code. This what I'm talking about when I saw air out those vaults and dig something out that hasn't been seen in years! GOODBYE AGAIN--I am beating myself over the head for missing this one! I forgot to set the VCR, and I can't believe I missed this one. And a William Warren movie, at that! HENRY TRAVERS--Of course! I can't believe I couldn't place him! He was good as "Fuzzy." He sure seemed to love Loretta and her rotten offspring in BORN TO BE BAD.

I also enjoy a "heads up" on movies. Often I have seen them, but every once in awhile, someone recommends a gem! What I like most is the title, date, names of who's starring in it and a brief synopsis. Enough to tantelize me into taping/watching it.

I saw BORN TO BE BAD TOO, and Loretta really was bad! And the one who's really rotten was that brat of hers. Who played the man who owned the bookstore? I really liked his performance. The movie is pretty short, though, barely an hour I think. Come on Fox--more pre-Code releases!!

Buy THE BAT WHISPERS, but not for Una Merkel. She plays more of a straight role, and isn't the funny Una most of us love. However, Catcarson is correct--the camera shots are pretty good for an early 1930's release. Don't expect four-star entertainment, though.

Sorry, I happen to LOVE black & white movies.

I like this short too. I think my favorite part is Norma dropping her fan mail. She looks very cute, young and girlish. It is easy to see the appeal she had for the audience.

Dr Ed, how good it is to chat about pre-Codes with someone again! This board has been virtually forgotten and abandonned. And TCM's even showing some obscure pre-Codes this month! Back to Lowell Sherman...I would love to see more of his work, both his acting and directing. I enjoyed BATCHELOR APARTMENT and I enjoy his wit and easy charm. One thing I always appreciate about TCM is that "forgotten" actors of yesterday can be kept alive. Did he work for RKO? I don't think he was on MGM's salary. Too bad, because if he were, we'd see more of his work.

She was developing into a light comedienne, and might have settled into roles of this type, but generally speaking, sex symbols don't last forever.

Add to your list "tight." That's another older expression for drunk.

Why don't other modern directors get a chance to host "The Essentials?"