Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on May 22, 2019

The subversive world of pre-code Hollywood continues to delight.  Each studio had a formula and star that was put into dastardly situations, usually coming out on top or with a new moral fiber.  The pleasure comes from seeing how these  film makers were blatant with their language, actions, and  pre   read more

Carole & Co. Posted by carole_and_co on July 10, 2018

The Carole Lombard of 1929, a recent alumna of the Mack Sennett slapstick academy, had begun graduate study in drama at Pathe. The cost of the courses: The "e" in her first name, as well as a few pounds to erase her formerly curvy self into a lithe lady on...   read more

The Man on the Flying Trapeze Posted by David on July 3, 2013

Purnell Pratt, Pickle Puss Of all the actors and actresses who appeared in 1930s films, Purnell Pratt (It sounds like dancing!) was certainly one of them. Pratt (1885-1941) began on Broadway around the turn of the century, and appeared in two George M. Cohan plays -- "Seven Keys to Baldpate"...   read more

The Man on the Flying Trapeze Posted by David on July 3, 2013

Purnell Pratt, Pickle Puss Of all the actors and actresses who appeared in 1930s films, Purnell Pratt (It sounds like dancing!) was certainly one of them. Pratt (1885-1941) began on Broadway around the turn of the century, and appeared in two George M. Cohan plays -- "Seven Keys to Baldpate"...   read more

Noir and Chick Flicks Posted by Dawn Sample on May 2, 2013

Paid(1930). Drama. Cast: Joan Crawford, Robert Armstrong, and Kent Douglass. Directed and produced by Sam Wood. The lead role was for Norma Shearer but she had to decline because of her pregnancy. Mary Turner, is only a young shop-girl, who is sentenced to a 3-year prison term for a crime...   read more

Hollywood Revue Posted by Angela on November 26, 2011

When Mary Turner (Joan Crawford) is unjustly accused of stealing from her workplace, she’s sentenced to three years in jail.  But she isn’t about to go down without a fight and vows to make her boss Edward Gilder (Purnell Pratt) pay for what he’s done to her.  Mary spends her...   read more