Emily Kilbourne (Billie Burke) is a society lady with a spirited family. The Kilbournes have a lot of fun together, but one thing threatens to come between them: Emily's penchant for taking in drifters and ex-cons to work on the house staff. Just after having the family's silver stolen by the latest of Emily's "adoptees," … Continue reading Merrily We Live (1938)
Today on TMP, all of the hot gossip from Picturegoer magazine, 1938! "WE ARE FACING A FILM FAMINE" There was apparently a film famine in 1938, but if you were to ask Picturegoer mag's staff about the tragedy, they'd probably respond with a simple shrug. "Film famine? Eh, just another year in the life." The … Continue reading Picturegoer magazine, 1938: “We are facing a film famine”
Margot Weston (Barbara Stanwyck) is waiting for her fiance in the park, where they plan to meet up and head to the courthouse to wed. Though she makes small talk with another waiting bride about the prospect of being stood up, Margot is sure her man will arrive any minute. They're truly in love. But fate … Continue reading Always Goodbye (1938)
Malcolm Niles (Robert Montgomery) is a New York writer who should have no problem drawing inspiration from life, thanks to his latest romantic troubles. Excited for a romance with actress Vivian Herford (Claire Dodd), the fire is extinguished when Vivian's mother (Cora Witherspoon) shows up and immediately starts talking about weddings. Malcolm has no interest … Continue reading Three Loves Has Nancy (1938)
The favorite film: Midnight, a 1939 screwball comedy directed by Mitchell Leisen The synopsis: Arriving in Paris with no money and no place to stay, Eve Peabody tries to get a job as a club singer with the help of taxi driver Tibor Czerny. When none of the clubs will hire her, she sneaks into a … Continue reading Favorite things about… Midnight (1939)
Rudi Pal (Robert Young) is at a casino with his friend Count Armalia (George Zucco), discussing the differences between the rich and the poor. Armalia is convinced that the only difference between the two is luck. Rudi is not persuaded, but later, after Rudi has left, Armalia decides to prove his point by plucking club … Continue reading Early Women Filmmakers: Dorothy Arzner’s The Bride Wore Red (1937)
A nun is giving a tour of Arlington Cemetery when a child asks her why Lt. Richard Perry (Robert Taylor), whose headstone they pass, is not listed in the guidebook. The nun gives a generic response about how surely he performed some "unusual service" for the country. The child may never know the answer, but … Continue reading This Is My Affair (1937)
Tom Cardigan (John Barrymore) is a prominent attorney handling the case of June Perry (Helen Twelvetrees), a pretty young woman arrested for tapping on mobster Valentine Powers' window in a suggestive manner. Luckily for June, Tom's not just a prominent attorney but one with a high rate of success. After winning her case, the two … Continue reading State’s Attorney (1932)
Skip Davis (Walter Catlett) is a boxing manager hoping to discover the "next big thing" in the sport. When he happens upon the scene of singing waiter Steve Nelson (John Payne) engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a few hecklers, Skip thinks he may have found his star. Steve isn't too interested in making his name … Continue reading Kid Nightingale (1939)
Hector Stribling (Henry Stephenson) is an English lawyer in Paris, married to a woman named Jewel (Vivian Tobin). One night, he invites his friend Gordon (Clive Brook), his friend Tono (Nils Asther), and Tono's wife Sarah (Irene Dunne) to dinner. Gordon is preparing to get divorced, and Hector hopes the dinner will give him an … Continue reading If I Were Free (1933)
