Ancient Movies

nobody@vox.com(ArtyFarty) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:43:56 -0800

I remember when I was 20 or so, a younger guy from my college says, "Have you seen, like, every ancient movie ever made before 1965?" Well, I haven't of course. But it is scary that I recognize and know the names of actors from before 1945 all too often. I even know who else they've co-starred with, what directors, who they hated, who they slept with and any possible scandals as well. Maybe I should have been a guide at the Max Factor Hollywood Museum afterall? Anyways, here some "Ancient" movies I dig, and maybe you will too.

She runs a car company, yells a lot at board meetings, sleeps with all her hot male employees and has a kick ass pad to boot. This movie is worth it alone for the art deco set design. As for the message that women should act like women and be soft and cuddly and not in any sort of power position that would make her husband feel inferior? Eh.

Warren William likes to play bad guy workaholics who do business any way they can. In this he plays a very driven Department Store manager; I've noticed men who have seen this movie just love his character. It is also very interesting to see how department stores used to operate, and all the jobs that no longer exist. Of course there's drama and suicide too. At one point Warren even gets Loretta Young drunk on champaigne and bangs her while she's unconcious. Again, worth it for the costumes and sets.

Are there any Warren William movies during this period where he didn't play a ruthless business man gone bad, who enjoys getting young girls drunk on champagine and banging them while they are unconcious? Well, I suppose "Imitation of Life", but that's gotta be some strong champaigne indeed! Anyways, here is a lovely pre-code film with all sorts of drama and suicide...again.

How can you look at this picture and NOT want to see it!? And mind you, Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer really did hate eachother that much -- they aren't acting! This movie is "all about men". There are no men in the movie actually, but you get enough catty one-liners and ridiculous costumes that they would look out of place. Joan Crawford and her bath tub are a hoot, and the movie actually goes into color for one segment: the fashion show. Again, I'm not too crazy about former playwright/congresswoman/ambassador Clare Boothe Luce and her message in all of this. Keep the husband at any cost, even if he is a lying, cheating, deserting son of a bitch.

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Arty Farty

Ancient Movies