1931-1940

  • Paul Sloane – The Woman Accused (1933)

    1931-1940DramaPaul SloaneUSA

    Synopsis:
    Jeffrey and Glenda are two lovers about to embark on a three-day cruise to nowhere. Their plan is to be married on board by the ship’s captain. As Glenda is packing to leave, she receives a threatening phone call from her obsessed, former lover Leo. Glenda confronts Leo and tells him that it’s over. Leo, a high-powered attorney calls a hit man to have Jeffrey eliminated. Glenda knocks Leo over the head before he can give the hit man a name. Leo is dead. Glenda sneaks back into her apartment, goes off on the cruise with Jeffrey and pretends that all is swell. Leo’s partner, Stephen Bessemer, suspects Glenda and follows her to the ship. Read More »

  • Alfred Hitchcock – Foreign Correspondent (1940)

    USA1931-1940Alfred HitchcockThriller

    Synopsis:
    Johnny Jones is an action reporter on a New York newspaper. The editor appoints him European correspondent because he is fed up with the dry, reports he currently gets. Jones’ first assignment is to get the inside story on a secret treaty agreed between two European countries by the famous diplomat, Mr. Van Meer. However things don’t go to plan and Jones enlists the help of a young woman to help track down a group of spies.Read More »

  • Leo McCarey – The Awful Truth (1937)

    USA1931-1940ClassicsComedyLeo McCareyScrewball Comedy

    Synopsis:
    Before their divorce becomes final, Jerry and Lucy Warriner both do their best to ruin each other’s plans for remarriage, Jerry to haughty socialite Barbara Vance, she to oil-rich bumpkin Daniel Leeson. Among their strategies: Jerry’s court-decreed visitation rights with Mr. Smith, their pet fox terrier, and Lucy doing her most flamboyant Dixie Belle Lee impersonation as Jerry’s brassy “sister” before his prospective bride’s scandalized family.Read More »

  • Mikio Naruse – Uwasa no musume aka The Girl in the Rumor (1935)

    1931-1940DramaJapanMikio Naruse

    Quote:
    A story of two sisters, the older being more traditional, the younger a “moga” (“modern girl”). Their widowed father runs the family sake shop — but is running into financial trouble (causing him to make some bad decisions). Meanwhile, his long-time mistress’s little business is also on the rocks. Amidst this, the older sister is introduced to a well-off suitor (a university boy who is much more intrigued by the less traditional “little sister”). Add a dotty grandfather, an officious uncle and busy body neighbors.Read More »

  • Robert N. Bradbury – Westward Ho (1935)

    1931-1940Robert N. BradburyUSAWestern

    Westward Ho begins as hero John Wyatt (John Wayne) vows to avenge the death of his parents at the hands of cattle rustlers. Years later, Wyatt is put in charge of a band of vigilantes, bent on rounding up a gang of outlaws. He discovers to his chagrin that one of the bandits is his own long-lost brother (Frank McGlynn Jr.) This revelation eventually leads our hero to the men responsible for the slaughter of his family. Gorgeous location photography by Archie J. Stout is the film’s main asset. Though released by Republic, Westward Ho is closer in spirit to John Wayne’s previous “Lone Star” series for Monogram — and small wonder, since it was originally intended to be part of that series.Read More »

  • Mitchell Leisen – Death Takes a Holiday (1934) (HD)

    1931-1940DramaFantasyMitchell LeisenUSA

    The Grim Reaper (Frederic March) takes the form of a Prince in an attempt to relate to humans and, along the way, also learns what it is to love.Read More »

  • Juan Bustillo Oro & Fernando de Fuentes – El compadre Mendoza AKA Godfather Mendoza (1934)

    1931-1940ClassicsDramaFernando de FuentesJuan Bustillo OroMexico

    Synopsis:
    During Mexican Revolution, Rosalio Mendoza (Del Diestro) survives by making and winning favors from both factions, the governmental forces and Zapata’s Army. His hacienda welcomes everybody, and Mendoza is considered a good friend of his guests. Eventually, the situation becomes unsustainable and he has to take sides. Betrayal and deception overcome and Mendoza’s dark side surfaces.Read More »

  • Nyrki Tapiovaara – Varastettu kuolema AKA Stolen Death [Director’s Cut] (1938)

    1931-1940DramaFinlandNyrki TapiovaaraThriller

    A thriller set in turn-of-the-century Helsinki, Stolen Death uses elements of German expressionism to tell the story of Finnish resistance fighters smuggling arms to overthrow the Tsarist occupiers of Finland. Tapiovaara stresses the divided loyalties of the Finnish bourgeoisie, torn between preserving their privileged economic position and taking a risky stand for an independent Finland.Read More »

  • Sam Wood & William Wyler – Raffles (1939)

    1931-1940ComedyCrimeSam WoodUSAWilliam Wyler

    Synopsis:
    Man about town and First Class cricketer A.J. Raffles keeps himself solvent with daring robberies. Meeting Gwen from his schooldays and falling in love all over again, he spends the weekend with her parents, Lord and Lady Melrose. A necklace presents an irresistible temptation, but also in attendance is Scotland Yard’s finest, finally on the trail.Read More »

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