alix1929

What about the following: The Women (1939) It Happened One Night (1934) Trouble in Paradise (1932) Jewel Robbery (1932)--an obscure title, but this one is great! William Powell robs jewelry stores by giving everyone a joint! He gets them all high and splits! Design for Living (1933)--menage a trois, Hollywood style. Hard to believe it was even filmed in 1933!!!!

Bbloverac, HEROES FOR SALE has been shown at least once (because I caught it on video). It's an excellent, depressing depression drama which is watchable because of the main stars, Richard Barthlemess & Aline McMahon. It covers about every topic you can think of--prison, capitalism, socialism, riots, red scares, death, soup kitchens...and love.

It looks like TCM will show Bert Lahr's 1931 movie FLYING HIGH, costarring Charlotte Greenwood and Pat O'Brien. Anyone seen this? Does anyone know if Lahr made many movies? Besides WIZ OF OZ, of course? I know he was a vaudvillian, but didn't think he'd done many movies. Any info on Charlotte Greenwood? I've seen her in SO LONG LETTY and I think she was very funny. Was she a vaudvillian also?

Does it look like there is a Jackie Cooper film fest on Monday, Sept. 15? TCM's showing THE CHAMP (1931), DIVORCE IN THE FAMILY (1932), BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD (1933), and a whole bunch more that are not pre-Codes. Are these by chance Fox films?? I thought Cooper worked at Fox in the early 30's. Anyone know the studios who brought these films to the theatres? Also, has anyone seen DIVORCE or BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them. I think THE CHAMP has been shown many, many times.

I have to agree with you about Jolson. I understand he was quite electric on-stage, but his personality really doesn't translate well on film, in my opinion. Or perhaps I just haven't seen the films where he does electrify onscreen. I've only seen THE JAZZ SINGER and WONDER BAR. I just finished an excellent bio on Jolson, called "Jolson" and it contained lots of interesting info on his life. It doesn't have much about the Ruby Keeler years, and I was hoping it would. Anyway, it was a good read.

I'd love to see more Paramounts & Universals. Clara Bow, some obscure William Powell, Nancy Carroll, and that gorgeous Cary Grant. Ah,if only....

I enjoyed YOUNG BRIDE but missed NAUGHTY FLIRT. Just my luck! Both the stars of BRIDE were excellent.

You make a very good point about MGM dropping the ball with their fabulous stable of established stars. I also am surprised by other studios who put little effort into helping their silent stars succeed. I was re-reading David Stenn's bio of Clara Bow, and I was shocked all over again by the way her studio treated her. With her topsy-turvy life and with her pronounced Brooklyn accent, I am amazed that she was just rushed into a talkie without much (if any) vocal training, and then asked to sing (hmmm, was that a skill she posessed?) on screen! This book states that Schulberg basically had jettisoned poor Clara in favor of Sylvia Sydney and just let things take their course. I wonder if Clara would have been actively seeking retirement, if the studio had handled her situation differently?

Slappy, I laughed out loud at your definiton! Way to go...

I also like her, but don't think she qualifies for the "It" girl crown.

Question: What is normal? (Just kidding! I couldn't resist!!)

Must agree--the 1932 SCARFACE is vastly superior to the Pacino version. Glad to hear it's going to be released to DVD.

Years ago on TNT, there was a documentary called "The Making of GWTW." It showed footage of many actors & actresses screen tests for parts in GWTW. I found it very interesting to see other actresses doing a "fiddle-dee-dee" scene. In one of Goddard's tests, you can hear George Cukor's voice giving her direction as she modeled a southern bell wig and dress. I thought it was fun to look at the B&W screen tests and wonder...hmm. I wonder whether Selznick enjoyed the search, or if it caused him an ulcer (looking for that perfect woman). Maybe a little of both. Just for the record, I'd have chosen Vivien Leigh over Paulette Goddard. (probably hindsight!)

Linda, you can also try "searching the schedule" on the TCM toolbar, although I generally agree that the film was from a leased library and may not be shown again.

Hmmm...PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO is about a family who attempts to survive after LA is nuked. It stars & I think might have been directed by Ray Milland. There are many reviews of this movie on the imdb.com (internet movie data base)and all seem to be rather positive. As far as your other film, you may have luck searching for it on imdb.com. You can search by topic, go to the possible movies, and read their synopsis. I didn't have the time to do that for you, but you just might find it helpful. Good luck to you. Alix

Thanks Ed, for the correction on Jannings! Is there someone named Emil Janney? For some reason that sounds soooo familar, but you are correct...the silent star was Jannings. I read somewhere that Renee Adoree stayed here in the states, but died in the early 30's. Anyone know anything regarding that? I always thought she'd gone home to France. Paty, usually we agree, but I'm sorry, I can't see Gilbert in GRAND HOTEL. I'm not a fan of John Barrymore (although I am a fan of Lionel) but I thought he delivered an excellent performance as "the Baron." Understated, elegant and enjoyable to watch. Besides, I sort of think Gilbert, in his early to mid thirties, was too young to play the jaded Baron. Just my opinion, though! It makes for good conversation.

Well, let's don't forget America's heart throb, John Gilbert from the list. And be sure to add Ramon Novarro. Wasn't he a great "student prince," and "Ben Hur?" I also think Doug Fairbanks, Sr. is worthy of a mention. Who could swing from ropes and jump from windows better than Doug? I always found it sad that all of these men floundered in the talkie era. Judging only for myself (lest others think I speak with some authority) I found all three men to still be very attractive into the thirties, and to have had no voice problems. Novarro did have a Mexican accent, and that would have unfortunately left him stuck with the "latin lover" or "foreigner" type of roles in 1930's Hollywood which would have definitely limited his choice of talking pictures. I'm not sure how accepting people were in the 1930's of foreign sounding actors. So many high-tailed it back home when the sound revolution hit--Emil Janney, Vilma Banky, Renee Adoree just to name a few.

You are soooooo right. The 1920's men were gorgeous!

Thanks, Feaito.

Oh goody! We only have to wait 3 more months!

Nope...never have seen any of them!

Fearito, I like your list! DESIGN FOR LIVING did air on TCM a month or two ago, I think. You picked some awesome pre-Codes. I too would like to see TEMPLE DRAKE on the lineup.

Very nice tribute, Mongo. He will certainly be missed.

How about this one from GWTW. "Askin' ain't getting!" I believe Pork says this to Scarlett when she tells him she's going to ask Ashley for $300 to pay the taxes on Tara.

Count me as another who was saddened to hear of Ebsen's passing. He kept me entertained for years as Jed Clampitt. "Weeeelllll, doggies!" He will certainly be missed!