TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 1 (1933)

Women's power

Three movies in that box, but only one theme. To quote Margo Channing - or Bette Davis - or Jo Mankiewicz - in 'All about Eve' : ''Funny business, a woman's career". If you are born female - and poor - you have two handicaps and you have to fight for life. But you're said to have power on men. So use it or they will use you.
Here we have three really different women, and three different lives.
In "Waterloo Bridge" (1931 directed by James Whales the woman is a victim of poverty, loneliness and war. Mae Clarke plays an ex- chorus girl who became a prostitute to survive. Kent Douglas is a young soldier who falls in love with her without knowing her profession. She loves him too but she can't accept to marry him. None of these actors had big career but they gave great performances and the supporting cast - including Bette Davis as the soldier sister - is excellent too.
In "The Red Headed Woman" (1932 directed by Jack Conway) she is the devil. Jean Harlow uses her beauty to break her boss's marriage, and marry him, then cheat on him and on every man she meets. But why are the men so weak in front of a woman's leg ? Great performances of Jean Harlow (who else could have be so evil ?) and Una Merkel.
In "Baby face" (1933 directed by Alfred E. Green) The victim take revenge. "Life is an exploitation so exploit yourself". Barbara Stanwyck is an ambitious girl who has been used by her father (he "sold" her to protect his bar). Then she decides to use men as staircases to make her way, literally floor by floor, to the top of a New York office building. And on the top floor, she finds love. Fabulous performance of Barbara Stanwyck who carries the all movie almost alone - with the beautiful St Louis Blues music
July 4, 2008

When things were risque

There are many gripes about older movies that I consider rather lame: they aren't in color, the special effects are not that great, etc. There is, however, one complaint that is somewhat legitimate, and that is how some movies were watered down due to the Production Code. At its peak, the Code would keep films as far away from reality as possible: violence would be bloodless, husbands and wives would sleep in separate beds and authority figures (such as policemen) were beyond corruption (except for the occasional politician). Of course, the best directors and writers knew how to cleverly dance around the Code, but many other movies were utterly tame when depicting crime or romance.

Forbidden Hollywood Volume One is a collection of three movies made before the Production Code was in full force. Although mild by today's standards, they were much grittier than anything that would come out just a few years later. In addition, they happen to be good movies.

Jean Harlow is the title character in Red-Headed Woman, a secretary with ambitions to seduce her boss. She eventually succeeds in ruining his marriage, but she still aspires to loftier stations in life. It's something of a commentary on class, with the lesson being that when a woman comes from the wrong side of the tracks, no amount of jewels or furs can redeem her. Not the most politically correct message, but the movie is decent enough.

Waterloo Bridge is actually a remake that would be remade again in later years. The star here is Mae Clarke, most well-known for being Elizabeth in Frankenstein (the Karloff version) and having a grapefruit shoved in her face by James Cagney in The Public Enemy. In this movie, she is a showgirl turned prostitute who falls for an American soldier while living in WWI London. In a reversal of Red-Headed Woman, she keeps pushing the man away because she doesn't consider herself worthy of his attentions. This film was directed by James Whale (who did such films as Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man) and is pretty good until the last scene which seems tacked on and provides an unnecessary twist.

Finally, Baby Face has Barbara Stanwyck as the daughter of a speakeasy owner who sleeps her way (actually, there isn't much sleeping involved) to New York and to great wealth, using men along the way (including a young John Wayne as an accountant!). The DVD for this movie has two versions: the original theatrical release and a recently discovered earlier version with additional scenes that were obviously too risque even for the pre-Code era.

There aren't much extras with this set, but based on the quality of the movies themselves, this set merits four stars. If you think that all old movies are as daring as tepid water, this is a good opportunity to see that there was a time when movies took a bit of a chance.
June 17, 2008

Classic Gems!

This first set from the TCM Archives and Warner Home Video features restored prints and audio - beautiful job! Thank you. Wonderful movies, all three but my favorite has to be "Red-Headed Woman" with Jean Harlow and Chester Morris -- "well, he's a man isn't he!". Saucy, sometimes trashy, pre-code frankness. Baby Face features two different tracks and it's interesting to watch, and listen, to the differences. Mae Clark, "Waterloo Bridge", will break your heart. Sadly, no commentaries, but perhaps those in charge were just testing the waters. For myself, I will be waiting for as many Volumes as they are willing to release! Solid entertainment! April 18, 2008

classic

a great collection, a period in history
that is extremely important to share.
i wish they would make more collections
of this nature.
December 12, 2007

Great collection

I always trust and enjoy TCM - my favorite TV station -and this film package is no exception. I especially like Baby Face. The price is good and the films are fun! November 21, 2007

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