Girls, this was Pre-Code, and I am telling you, if you were able to steal your eyes away from the art direction that brilliantly replicates German Expressionist cinema, you might have noticed sexism, buttock slapping, chauvanistic comments, and an ending that was pure corn.
Yes, Lionel Atwill's performance had pathos, but Glenda Farrell, as Florence, the gum chewing fast talking reporter just about steals the movie, until she falls into the marriage trap!
Which makes one wonder what will become of her roommate, Charlotte, played by Fay Wray? Are they roommates? Lesbians? And dig that art deco bedroom, and Farrell's blue pajamas. And how about Fay doing those leg exercises? Just how does she support herself? A waitress? A chorus girl....or a lady of the evening?????????????
For 1933, this film abounds with innuendoes.
Things aren't better over at the precinct, where the cops read porn mags--hence "Naughty Stories"-- off their beat! Who knew this movie had so much to take in?
This could not possibly have been done in today's PC era. But what a lot of fun would have been missed. Hell, even the 1953 remake, "House Of Wax" could not be made.
And, girls, get this--most of the wax figures were real actors!!!!!!!!!!!
What a bunch of stiffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not naming names, but I can think of a few actors who could be confused with wax figures!!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
Absolutely, But what a challenging
role--to play a wax figrure. If you
look carefully, you can see the Queen
Victoria blink her eyes!
I know!!
ReplyDeleteSuch self-control!
My sons learned that in the military; do not smile, twitch, itch, or react in any way!
They call it “Bearing”.
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
Well, that is inteesting. I
never would have thought one
could learn acting technique
in the military.
I am sure Patty Duke had to
do something of the same when
performing "The Miracle Worker."
Especially on stage