scottman1932

Too bad that THE BRIDGE AT SAN LUIS REY (1929) is missing a few reels. I have a couple of Ross post cards with scenes from this film. It looks like it might have been pretty good.

That happened to me the last time I saw RUNNING WILD (1927) starring W.C. Fields.

It would indeed be nice to see authorized releases of Raymond Griffith's films, but since most are owned by Paramount, I doubt that will happen any time soon. HANDS UP! is a very funny film, and it would be nice to see a nice restored 35mm print of it instead of the contrasty 16 mm versions that pop up now and then.

As far as I know REDEMPTION was made first, but not released first. As for the status of THE BIG PARADE I know of no other issues to hold it up.

At last report, HIS GLORIOUS NIGHT was still held up in rights issues, so I wouldn't expect it to be shown on TCM any time soon.

This is a real tough one, as I like so many of his films. So I guess I would say for 1930's, the Cagney film would be BLONDE CRAZY (1931) his acting in this is very natural and "modern", plus the chemistry he has with Joan Blondell is great! For 1940's Cagney film, I like THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE (1941). Cagney's Biff Grimes is a loveable lout (that's the kind of hairpin he is!). This was a tough call, as I also like his portrayal as Cody Jarrett in WHITE HEAT as well. For 1950's Cagney, I like him in MISTER ROBERTS (1955) Captain Morton is a real piece of work.

Time Warner could "restore" THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1929) back to its two color Technicolor glory, by colorizing it, since no known color print exists any more. they could also do this to a few of the Warner Bros. early 1930's talkies that were once in color and only survive in black and white prints.

It would be nice if the set incluede a silent title or two like ACROSS TO SINGAPORE (1928), WEST POINT (1928), OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS (1928), or OUR MODERN MAIDENS (1929). Any of these would be nice.

The same thing happened to me at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art when they had an F.W. Murnau retrospective a few years back. They were going to screen CITY GIRL (1929), and were told by 20th Century Fox that the print that would be provided, had a movietone soundtrack. Turns out it did not, and they did not think to check before show time. So they ended up showing the film without any music to accompany the film. It was an interesting experience, and the film was still fantastic even without a score.

I agree, HOLIDAY INN is a far superior film to WHITE CHRISTMAS. I always liked the idea of an Inn that was only open during the holidays, but could never understand how he was able to afford to put on such lavish shows when they were only open around 15 days a year (give or take a holiday!).

I don't think that TCM has ever shown BAD COMPANY. I have been a viewer since 1995, and I don;'t recall it ever being shown. Some of the other titles you menitoned haven't been shown in at least several years. I think THE SON-DAUGHTER was shown last year though. Have JOURNAL OF CRIME, THE FIREBIRD or THE MAN WITH TWO FACES ever been shown on TCM? I don't recall those titles ever being shown.

I copied it from a Critic's Choice VHS tape.

I like to see BROKEN LULLABY (1932), THIS IS THE NIGHT (1932), MERRILY WE GO TO HELL (1932). I'm sure I'll think of some others.

Atiwll was also fun as the blustery Rawitch in TO BE OR NOT TO BE.

I recrded it on my DVR, and hope to see it shortly. It sounds like a winner.

Hi Thelma, Generally speaking, a pre-code film would refer to any film (mostly sound) made from 1929 to 1934, when the Breen office seriously enforced the the porduction code that was origially written in 1929. As much of a silent film and pre-code film fan that I am, silent films are not (as a rule) considered pre-code films. That being said, there are many pre-code films from Unversal, Paramount, Fox Film, and Columbia that have yet to make it to TV. Maybe TCM will be able to air some of the Paramount and Universal films soon. I hear that TCM is in the process of negotiating with Universal to run some of ther stuff and they own the pre-code Paramount film catalogue as well, so with any luck, there may be a few more undiscoverd gems to be seen.

LOVE IN THE ROUGH seems to be similar to FOLLOW THRU, which is an even better film, and survives in a beautiful two color Technicolor print.

WAXWORKS (1924) is another interesting film to see. Conrad shows up in the story segment that deals with Ivan the Terrible. This one is also available on dvd.

Elliasgood, Keep an eye on the TCM program schedules as they have also been airing a few rarely shown pre-codes from the Columbia films library as well!

Hi AvaG, Have you seen A WOMAN OF CHANCE (1928) OLD HEIDELBERG (1927) or HE WHO GETS SLAPPED (1924)? All three have Norma in them. A WOMAN OF CHANCE was Norma's last silent, OLD HEIDELBERG, is a touching romantic film that also features Ramon Novarro. HE WHO GETS SLAPPED was a the first film released by the newly formed MGM, and were breakthrough roles for both Norma and John Gilbert (and it stars Lon Chaney too!). TCM shows these movies once in a while.

Yes indeed there are several excellent Kay Francis films to be on the lookout for; GUILTY HANDS (1931) -Off beat film w/ Lionel Barrymore ONE WAY PASSAGE (1932) - w/ William Powell and excellent "weepie" JEWEL ROBBERY (1932) -w/ William Powell and some funny cigarettes! TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932) - One of my all time favorites! THE KEYHOLE (1933) -nice pre-code stuff. HOUSE ON 56TH STREET (1933) - Interesting story. All but TROUBLE IN PARADISE have been shown on TCM at one time or another. TOUBLE IN PARADISE is available on dvd from Criterion (and well worth it too!)

1. SUNRISE (1927) 2. FIVE STAR FINAL (1931) 3. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP (1943)

Teddy Grace was a woman Teddy was a nickname she picked up when she was a child. Her real name was Stella Gloria Crowson. She was born in Arcadia, Louisiana on June 26, 1905. She did not care for her given name of Stella and preferred to use her nickname. She married George E.Grace in 1924, the divorced in 1934. Her first records were made in 1937 for Decca. She recorded for only three years, making her last records in 1940. While working a heavy schedule of organizing bond rallies and other war effort related singing and speaking appearances, she completely lost her voice. While she was able to get her voice back after six months,it was considerably weaker and she was unable to sing professionally after that. She died in La Mirada, California on January 4, 1992. Hope that helps you some....

Well done video, Angie! Ted Weems was not, however, a singer. He played trombone in his band until mid 1926 and then only directed his band afterwards. The vocalist on "He's Tall Dark And Handsome" is alto sax player, Parker Gibbs. I love the Ted Weems band and have quite a few of their Victor 78s from the mid 1920s through the early 1930s.

Love the video! I do have a slight correction, however. Yes that is the Ted Weems Orchestra, but the vocalist is alto sax player Parker Gibbs and not Ted Weems.