Warren William
Also Known As: Warren William Krech, Warren Krech, King of Pre-Code
Biography: Warren William (born Warren William Krech; 2 December 1894 - 24 September 1948) was an American stage, screen, and radio actor, popular as a film leading man during the early 1930s, and later nicknamed the "King of Pre-Code". He is best remembered for portraying amoral businessmen, lawyers, and other heartless types.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Aitkin, Minnesota, USA
Birthday: December 02, 1894
Deathday: September 24, 1948
Adult: No
Gender: Male
Popularity:
Known For:
The Wolf Man
Overview: An abbreviated 8 minute version of the 1941 Universal Monsters classic, released on 8mm film in the 1960s.
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-01-01
Popularity:
Fear
Overview: B-movie film noir take on Crime and Punishment. A college student gets deeper and deeper in trouble when he takes a loan from a shady college professor.
Genres: Crime Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1946-03-02
Popularity:
Gold Diggers of 1933
Overview: During the Great Depression, all Broadway shows are closed down. A group of desperate unemployed showgirls find hope when a wealthy songwriter invests in a musical starring them, against the wishes of his high society brother. Thus start Carol, Trixie and Polly's schemes to bilk his money and keep the show going.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-05-27
Popularity:
Satan Met a Lady
Overview: In the second screen version of The Maltese Falcon, a detective is caught between a lying seductress and a lady jewel thief.
Genres: Comedy Mystery Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-07-22
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The Wolf Man
Overview: After his brother's death, Larry Talbot returns home to his father and the family estate. Events soon take a turn for the worse when Larry is bitten by a werewolf.
Genres: Horror Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-12-12
Popularity:
Arizona
Overview: Phoebe Titus is a tough, swaggering pioneer woman, but her ways become decidedly more feminine when she falls for California bound Peter Muncie. But Peter won't be distracted from his journey and Phoebe is left alone and plenty busy with villains Jefferson Carteret and Lazarus Ward plotting at every turn to destroy her freighting company. She has not seen the last of Peter, however.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-12-25
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Strange Illusion
Overview: An adolescent believes that his widowed mother's suitor may have murdered his father.
Genres: Thriller Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1945-03-31
Popularity:
Three on a Match
Overview: Although Vivian Revere is seemingly the most successful of a trio of reunited schoolmates, she throws it away by descending into a life of debauchery and drugs.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-10-29
Popularity:
Lady for a Day
Overview: Never-wed, poor, rough around the edges Apple Annie has always written to her daughter, Louise, in Spain that she is married and a member of New York's high society. Upon receiving unexpected word from Louise (who hasn't seen Annie since infancy) that she is en route to America with her new fiancé and his father, a count, so the three of them can meet her, Annie panics, despairing that her beloved daughter will be destroyed by the deception.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-09-13
Popularity:
Employees' Entrance
Overview: Kurt Anderson is the tyrannical manager of a New York department store in financial straits. He thinks nothing of firing an employee of more than 20 years or of toying with the affections of every woman he meets. One such victim is Madeline, a beautiful young woman in need of a job. Anderson hires her as a salesgirl, but not before the two spend the night together. Madeline is ashamed, especially after she falls for Martin West, a rising young star at the store. Her biggest fear is that Martin finds out the truth about her "career move."
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-02-11
Popularity:
The Man in the Iron Mask
Overview: Tyrannical King Louis XIV learns that he has an identical twin brother, Philippe, who was raised from birth by his late father's trusted friend D'Artagnan and his faithful musketeers, Porthos, Athos and Aramis. After Philippe falls for the king's betrothed, Spanish Princess Maria Theresa, Louis imprisons him, forcing his brother to don an iron mask that will slowly suffocate him -- and it's up to D'Artagnan to rescue him.
Genres: Adventure History Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-07-13
Popularity:
Madame X
Overview: An alcoholic woman was charged and tried for murder and a young defense attorney, unaware that she is his mother, takes the assignment to defend her in court.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-10-01
Popularity:
The Firefly
Overview: Nina Maria Azara is the beautiful and alluring singing spy for Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. Her mission is to seduce French officers, in order for them to reveal Napoleon's intentions toward Spain. She is sent to Bayonne, France to gather military secrets. Prior to this, she meets Don Diego while performing at a club. Unknown to her, Don Diego is actually Captain Andre, who is sent to Spain to spy on her. While in France, Nina discovers Diego's true identity, only after she has fallen in love with him. Nina Maria outwits her potential captors, returns to Spain and goes into hiding. Napoleon's troops invade Spain, resulting in Nina's capture. In a strange twist of fate, Nina and Captain Andre are reunited, but the 2 nations are now at war...
Genres: History Music Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-11-05
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Cleopatra
Overview: The queen of Egypt barges the Nile and flirts with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar.
Genres: History Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-10-05
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Imitation of Life
Overview: A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fair-skinned daughter. The two women start a successful business but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-11-23
Popularity:
The Dragon Murder Case
Overview: Wonderful idea to give a party with people who dislike each other. Late at night, everyone decides to go into the pool, except Stamm, who is drunk. Montague dives in as does Greeff and Leland, but only Greeff and Leland come out. Montague is no where to be found so Leland suspects foul play and calls the cops. Luckily, Philo is with the D.A. and comes along, but they do not find Montague. When they drain the pool the next day, they find nothing except what looks like dragon prints. Philo has his suspicions and tries to piece the clues together to find out what has happened.
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-08-25
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The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Overview: The zany plot follows nitwit Gracie Allen trying to help master sleuth Philo Vance solve a murder.
Genres: Comedy Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-06-02
Popularity:
Go West Young Man
Overview: Mavis Arden is a sensational movie star. Her following spans the world and her personal appearance tours prove her popularity. On her way home from one such appearance, Arden's car breaks down. She orders her publicity man to find her a place to stay, suspicious that he planned the break down to keep her away from a man. However, she soon finds herself mooning over an attractive repairman in town and listening to his ideas about inventing equipment for film.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-11-18
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Hollywood on Parade No. A-12
Overview: A Hollywood on Parade short....
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-06-29
Popularity:
Day-time Wife
Overview: When a young wife discovers her husband of two years is involved with his beautiful secretary, she applies for a job as secretary to a business rival.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-11-24
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Skyscraper Souls
Overview: After bank president David Dwight makes a vast loan to himself to build a remarkable skyscraper, his board questions the propriety of the loan. Despite the devotion of longtime mistress Sarah, the ruthless David, while seeking bank mergers to protect his building, tries to seduce Sarah's secretary, Lynn. David then agrees to a plot by a bank board member to inflate his bank's stock and sell short — just before the market crashes.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-07-16
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Expensive Women
Overview: A wealthy young woman struggles to find love while surrounded by possible suitors.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-10-24
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Times Square Playboy
Overview: A stock broker's small-town best friend thinks the bride-to-be and her family are gold-diggers so he does everything he can to prevent the wedding.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-05-09
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Don't Bet on Blondes
Overview: Owen, a small time bookie, decides to open an insurance business as it involves lesser risk. His first client is Colonel Youngblood who insures his daughter, Marilyn, against marriage.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-07-13
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The Case of the Curious Bride
Overview: After giving the District Attorney another stinging defeat, Perry plans to take a vacation in China. That is, he was, until Rhoda, his old flame, meets him at a restaurant. It seems that her husband Moxley, who had been allegedly dead for four years, is alive and demanding money as she has married into wealth. The case escalates when the police find the body of Moxley and charge her with the murder.
Genres: Comedy Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-04-13
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The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance
Overview: A reformed jewel thief fights to clear his name when he's framed for murder.
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-03-06
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The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady
Overview: A hardworking secretary for a rich woman finds herself engaged to the woman's son and accused of a murder she didn't commit.
Genres: Mystery Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-05-30
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The Lone Wolf Strikes
Overview: Delia Jordan's father is murdered and some very valuable jewelry stolen. She hires The Lone Wolf.
Genres: Comedy Thriller Romance Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-01-26
Popularity:
The Dark Horse
Overview: The Progressive Party convention is deadlocked for governor, so both sides nominate the dark horse Zachary Hicks. Kay Russell suggests they hire Hal Blake as campaign manager; but first they have to get him out of jail for not paying alimony. Blake organizes the office and coaches Hicks to answer every question by pausing and then saying, "Well yes, but then again no." Blake will sell Hicks as dumb but honest. Russell refuses to marry Blake, while Joe keeps people away from Blake's office. Blake teaches Hicks a speech by Lincoln. At the debate when the conservative candidate Underwood recites the same speech, Blake exposes him as a plagiarist. Hicks is presented for photo opportunities and gives his yes-and-no answer to any question, including whether he expects to win.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-06-16
Popularity:
Counter-Espionage
Overview: The Lone Wolf tracks down Nazi spies in London during the German bombing.
Genres: Comedy Mystery Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-09-03
Popularity:
Under Eighteen
Overview: Working girl Margie Evans has decided there are two kinds of opportunities for a slum kid during the Depression: Those you make and those you take. Determined to help her family out of its financial bind, she is ready to do both after she shows up at the penthouse pool bash of a wealthy playboy.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-01-02
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Wild Bill Hickok Rides
Overview: The Western hero takes on a ruthless land baron whose henchmen killed his best friend.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-01-31
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The Mind Reader
Overview: Con-man Chandler and his partner Frank decide to start a clairvoyant act. Chandler falls for Sylvia, one of their marks, but their relationship is challenged when his deception impacts others' lives and Sylvia urges him to reform.
Genres: Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-04-01
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Passport to Suez
Overview: The Lone Wolf goes undercover in Egypt to foil a Nazi plot to bomb and disable the Suez canal, which is vital to England's war effort.
Genres: Comedy Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-08-19
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Dr. Monica
Overview: A prominent New York doctor, unable to have a child, discovers her philandering husband has impregnated her best friend.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-06-23
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The Mouthpiece
Overview: A prosecutor quits his job and becomes a defense attorney when he finds out that a man he got convicted and executed was actually innocent.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-03-21
Popularity:
Arsène Lupin Returns
Overview: A woman and a man vying for a woman's affection: the usual love trio? Not quite so since the belle in question is Lorraine de Grissac, a very wealthy and alluring society woman, while one of the two rivals is none other than Arsène Lupin, the notorious jewel thief everybody thought dead, now living under the assumed name of René Farrand. As for the other suitor he is an American, a former F.B.I. sleuth turned private eye by the name of Steve Emerson. Steve not only suspects Farrand of being Lupin but when someone attempts to steal a precious emerald necklace from Lorraine's uncle, Count de Brissac, he is persuaded Lupin is the culprit. Is Emerson right or wrong? Which of the two men will win over Lorraine's heart?
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-02-25
Popularity:
The Match King
Overview: Unscrupulous Chicago janitor Paul Kroll uses deceit to fund a return trip to his homeland of Sweden. There, via ongoing continuing deceit and manipulation, he gradually attains a monopoly on the matchstick market in several countries and becomes an influential international figure. Based on the true story of Ivar Kreuger.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-12-31
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Bedside
Overview: Bob Brown uses his bedside manner to charm his patients while his partner makes the actual diagnoses.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-01-27
Popularity:
The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date
Overview: Complicated plot involving missing stamp collection and kidnapped businessman, with the Lone Wolf keeping one step ahead of the police in Havana trying to solve the crime and make a profit.
Genres: Comedy Mystery Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-11-02
Popularity:
The Case of the Howling Dog
Overview: A very nervous man named Cartwright comes into Perry's office to have the neighbor arrested for his howling dog. He states that the howling is a sign that there is a death in the neighborhood. He also wants a will written giving his estate to the lady living at the neighbors house. It is all very mysterious and by the next day, his will is changed and Cartwright is missing, as is the lady of the house next door. Perry has a will and a retainer and must find out whether he has a client or a beneficiary.
Genres: Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-09-22
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Wives Under Suspicion
Overview: A merciless district attorney prosecutes a case that mirrors his own life.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-06-03
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The Case of the Lucky Legs
Overview: A con man who stages phony "lucky legs" beauty contests and leaves town with the money is found with a surgical knife in his heart by Mason.
Genres: Comedy Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-10-05
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Beauty and the Boss
Overview: An ultra-efficient Plain Jane secretary blossoms when she accompanies her boss on a business trip to Paris.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-04-09
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The Private Affairs of Bel Ami
Overview: A self-serving journalist uses influential women in late-1800s Paris and denies the one who truly loves him.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-04-25
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One Dangerous Night
Overview: Reformed jewel thief the Lone Wolf investigates the murder of a playboy who was blackmailing three socialites.
Genres: Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-01-22
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The Secret Bride
Overview: Before Ruth Vincent, daughter of a state governor, and state attorney general Robert Sheldon can announce their marriage, the governor is accused of bribe-taking. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, they decide to keep their marriage secret. The political intrigue becomes more involved, and no one is quite what they seem. Soon Sheldon and Ruth must decide between saving the governor's career and an innocent person's life.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-12-22
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The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt
Overview: Spies force former jewel thief Michael Lanyard to steal defense secrets in Washington.
Genres: Mystery Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-01-27
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The Case of the Velvet Claws
Overview: Perry and Della are finally married by his old friend, Judge Mary. They plan to go on a honeymoon, but before it can start, Perry is retained by a woman with a gun and $5000.
Genres: Mystery Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-07-03
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Secrets of the Lone Wolf
Overview: Michael Lanyard's faithful butler Jamison is mistaken for his boss by a gang of jewel robbers.
Genres: Crime Mystery Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-11-13
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Trail of the Vigilantes
Overview: A reporter goes undercover to break up an outlaw gang.
Genres: Comedy Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-12-13
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Lillian Russell
Overview: Alice Faye plays the title role in this 1940 film biography of the early-20th-century stage star.
Genres: Drama Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-05-24
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Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Overview: Out-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas, wardrobe tests, documentary material, and archival footage make up this star-studded voyeuristic look at the Golden age of Hollywood during the 30s, 40, and 50.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-02-25
Popularity:
Upperworld
Overview: A railroad tycoon, disillusioned with his marriage, starts seeing a showgirl. Things go agreeably until the woman's manager decides to blackmail the millionaire.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-04-28
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Stage Struck
Overview: A Broadway show is forced to bow to the whims of a talentless, whacky, but rich, Broadway actress with a contract.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-09-12
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Just Around the Corner
Overview: Promotional short produced by General Electric for release through Warner Bros. to advertise GE's home appliances.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-01-17
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Living on Velvet
Overview: A lay-about falls for his best friend's fiancee. The two of them run away from a life of privilege to one of middle-class normalcy. When an influx of money enters their life, their differences come to light.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-03-02
Popularity:
Smarty
Overview: Vicki Wallace takes great pleasure in teasing her husband Tony who takes no pleasure at all in being teased and it isn't long before he ups and clips her on the chin. Vicki's friend and attorney Vernon Thorpe secures a divorce for her, and Vicki and Vernon are soon married. Vicki's yen for wearing revealing clothes and a penchant for inviting ex-husband to dinner soon provokes the easily-provoked Vernon into belting one on her himself. She goes to Tony's apartment, where Tony is entertaining Bonnie, who is not all that entertained by the presence of Vicki, especially after Vicki shows every intent of moving in and staying.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-05-19
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Goodbye Again
Overview: Flirtatious mix-ups abound when a celebrated novelist tangles with an old flame and her suspicious husband. Will the author's savvy secretary, who's secretly in love with him, save his neck?
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-09-09
Popularity:
The First Hundred Years
Overview: David and Lynn are a happily married couple. When David gets his dream job in another state, Lynn, a high-powered executive, doesn't want to leave NYC and her job
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-03-12
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The Widow from Monte Carlo
Overview: In this romantic comedy, an aspiring socialite heads for a vacation in Monte Carlo where she befriends a wealthy widowed duchess and then begins blackmailing her after she steals a scandalous letter.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-12-19
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The Woman from Monte Carlo
Overview: On the eve of WW-I the French Navy ship Lafayette returns to its Toulon base for one night. There is no shore leave, although wives are permitted to come to a party. The strain of command on the older captain and his new, young wife is very great.
Genres: Romance Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-01-09
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Wild Geese Calling
Overview: In the 1890s lumberjack John leaves Seattle for Alaska to look for gold. After he marries dancehall girl Sally, he finds she used to be in love with his best friend Blackie.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-08-15
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Midnight Madonna
Overview: A habitual gambler comes to the aid of a desperate woman after her daughter inherits a fortune and is underhandedly taken by her estranged father.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-07-01
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Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
Overview: As the first "blonde bombshell," Mae West reigned supreme and changed the nation's view of women, sex and race — on stage, in films, on radio and television.
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-08-09
Popularity:
Breakdowns of 1936
Overview: Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1936.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-12-30
Popularity:
Plunder
Overview: Various groups of people, both well-intentioned and otherwise, search for a buried treasure that is buried underneath a skyscraper.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1923-01-28
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A Trip Thru a Hollywood Studio
Overview: This short shows the entrances of the various Hollywood studios, then specifically visits Warner Bros. / First National Studios. We start at the casting office, then see Busby Berkeley and choreographer Bobby Connolly working with chorus girls on production numbers. Then come some candid shots of several contract stars. Finally we see comedian Hugh Herbert filming a scene for an upcoming release, then the various behind the scenes steps that transition the raw film in the camera into the finished product.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-02-02
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How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 7: 'The Spoon'
Overview: Bobby Jones instructs a husband and the judge in his divorce proceedings on proper use of the Spoon.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-07-19
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Outcast
Overview: A physician in a small town suddenly finds himself the object of vilification and persecution when one of his patients commits suicide.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-02-05
Popularity:
Things You Never See on the Screen
Overview: Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1935.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-12-01
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Hollywood on Parade No. B-1
Overview: Short film in which Frankie Darro as a Telegram delivery boy visits various Hollywood locations to make deliveries. He visits the Los Angeles Pier and a Gala Hollywood Premiere.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-03-02
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Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
Overview: A look at the forces that shaped Pre-Code Hollywood and brought about the strict enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-03-03
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Honor of the Family
Overview: Intrigue and greed come between an immoral woman and the man who loves her. This film is believed lost.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-10-17
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A Dream Comes True
Overview: A promotional short to hype the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935).
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-12-31
Popularity: