Recommend some pre-code films for us?
How did you guess I was working on a post like this? Pre-code Hollywood is probably my favorite era of film; so queer and unafraid and hilarious.
Must-Sees (quintessential pre-code films)
Baby Face (1933) - Probably “the” pre-code film to most people. Barbara Stanwyck sleeps her way to the top of the food chain; also the origin of Tumblr’s favorite gif.
Morocco (1930) - Iconic. Classic. Marlene wears a tux and steals our hearts.
Public Enemy (1931) - Along with Little Caesar (1931) one of the ur-gangster talkies. Plus you get James Cagney, Jean Harlow and a little dash of Joan Blondell.
Trouble in Paradise (1932) - Lubitsch perfection and full of sexy visual metaphors.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) - An oh-so-eerily-relevant drama about a man that gets screwed over by circumstance and society time and time again. The end always kills me.
42nd Street (1933) - Really, any of the show-biz musicals will fit the bill, but this one has all the best bit actors you didn’t know you knew.
The Thin Man (1934) - I hated the book, but damn is William Powell and Myrna Loy aren’t absolute perfection. One of the sassiest movie couples of all time.
More Obscure (if you’ve already seen all of the above)
Design for Living (1933) - So glad tumblr seems to have embraced this movie because it’s GREAT. Never let anyone tell you the ‘throuple’ is a modern idea!
Merrily We Go to Hell (1932) - I have a horrible crush on Fredric March and this movie is why. He’s not nice in it, but whatever. Directed by Dorothy Arzner, the only woman director employed by a major studio during Hollywood’s “Golden Years”.
Anna Christie (1930) - Prostitution, poverty, alcoholism, this movie doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. Starring Greta Garbo and the great Marie Dressler.
Min & Bill (1930) - Can I just recommend every movie Marie Dressler was in? Because she was an incredible, refreshingly sincere actress. This is the film that won her the Oscar.
The Divorcee (1930) - Norma Shearer was so talented! Surprised she isn’t better remembered. See her here get revenge on her ex the usual way: by having numerous, salacious affairs!
Platinum Blonde (1931) - Probably my favorite Jean Harlow film. Impulsive heiress marries spunky reporter–what could go wrong! Frank Capra at his least preachy, imho.
I Sell Anything (1934) - Pat O’Brien plays a hustler who tries to trade his 3rd Ave scams for Park Ave swindles.
Man Wanted (1932) - Kay Francis needs a man… as her secretary. And for other reasons. If you can look past how obviously gay David Manners is, a very saucy little picture (and great supporting cast!).
Night Nurse (1931) - Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Blondell spend a lot of time in their undies for a drama about child abuse. Also you get evil!Clark Gable!
Imitation of Life (1934) - Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers stars as two single mothers, trying to navigate living in a white man’s world. Deals with misogynoir, white-passing privilege, and is surprisingly un-cringe-y despite its age. (not completely unproblematic, as all of the above are in some way).
Possessed (1931) - Another oft-gif’d film. Joan Crawford is a factory girl who becomes a kept woman. But can she keep her independence?
Lonesome (1928) - Not really a ‘pre-code movie’ stylistically, but a beautiful, haunting, semi-silent film about a weekend romance at Coney Island.
Night World (1932) - Boris Karloff plays against type as an… Irish Gangster?
The Old Dark House (1932) - Another Karloff feature, every on-type. Dark and stormy night, isolated manor house, etc.
Safe in Hell (1931) - I haven’t seen this yet, but it’s supposed to be just absolutely buck-wild.
Dames (1934) - Is this movie good? No. Does it feature the most terrifyingly surreal Busby Berkley number? Yes. Skip the movie and watch “I Only Have Eyes for You” on youtube and share in this uncanny horror with me.
Torch Singer (1933) - Is this movie overly maudlin? Yes. Is Claudette Colbert terrific? Also yes.
International House (1933) - Not so much a movie as a variety show, feat. (among many others) Cab Calloway and his orchestra, singing about ganga.
Midnight (1939) - NOT pre-code, but so laugh-out-loud funny, I’d be remiss not to recommend it. This film gave me a crush on Don Ameche.
This is just a small dose of my favorites, because, honestly, the 30′s is my favorite era of film! If y’all give me a genre, then I can really get into some recommendations.
