Drugs for Laughs: Jewel Robbery (1932)

Jewel Robbery 1932 is another one of those amazing Precode films that is unabashedly full of sin - from, sex, drugs, crime and adultery – but never seems to cross the line into unwatchable salaciousness or exploitation. I suppose it is probably due to the incredibly personas and acting of Kay Francis and William Powell along with a light, witty script, beautiful costumes and art deco sets. But Jewel Robbery stands up above all other Precodes for its hilarious treatment of drugs, used to drive a comedic sub-plot. William Powell plays an impeccably mannered robber in Vienna who, during a jewel heist, meets bored, married aristocrat Baroness Teri von Horhenfels (Francis). He tries to subdue her both with threats and subtle persuasion but he can’t seem to detach himself from her. She instantly becomes infatuated with the robber whose manners, “bad boy” appeal and wit is irresistible. They play through the scenes of the robber’s near misses with the law and tempting trysts in the Baronesses rooms and darkened alleys with surprising serenity, charm and steady emotions.

Powell’s character, to the probable shock of modern audiences, uses an unorthodox method to keep the authorities at bay – marijuana. To every witness, policeman and official he offers a harmless “herbal” cigarette and all (except the Baroness) eagerly accept without anticipating the consequences. The result is a hilarious group of scenes with distinguished men howling with laughter and making almost imperceptible jokes, letting the robber slip easily through their clutches. Although it is not mentioned by name, there is no doubt the type of substance that is causing all this amusement, but if you don’t believe take a look at this video I created with all the best bits:

  

This Week in Precode History: 8th - 14th June

Check out this week’s goings-on in the history of Precode:

• Clark Gable’s mysterious illness is reported to perhaps keep him off the screen for as much as three to four months. The condition was said to be, “a toxic condition that has settle on his legs, and physicians now advise that he go to Hot Springs, in Arkansas, or Virginia, for the baths and a long course of treatment.” The newspaper also reporter that Gable was, therefore, unable to appear in this next contracted film Dancing Lady with Joan Crawford. I am not sure what he must have been suffering but he was indeed well enough to perform (even in shorts) in the film.

• There must have been an epidemic in Hollywood during this week because it was reported that the legendary Cary Grant was also suffering a mysterious illness. He apparently withdrew from role in Big Executive which was released in October 1933 with Ricardo Cortez as the lead. His illness also held up retakes on Gambling Ship and delayed the start of shooting on Ladies Should Listen, released mid-1934. Paramount later said Grant had been suffering a “heavy cold”.
• After the release of Gold Diggers of 1933 in 1933 last week, the reviews and box office figures are released with the film being a huge success. The film apparently drew full houses at the Strand on it second day and was popular with both the public and critics. A couple of newspaper reviews highlighted its popularity:

“Another shiny, expensive musical show which portrays considerable ingenuity in its musical sequences.” Sun.

“The film as a whole is gay, spontaneous and altogether amusing.” Herald-Tribune.

“Four stars. It is lively, it is funny, it is stirring and in its unreeling the picture continues to gain in interest, speed and beauty until the very end.” News.

“Packed with lavish sets, decorative chorus girls, tuneful song numbers and trick dance formations all of which spell good summer entertainment.” Journal.

• Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was announced as the second male lead in an upcoming film Design for Living alongside Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins. The contract was apparently drawn up by M. C. Levee with Doug to sign in two weeks upon his return from Europe. I don’t know what eventually occurred, but Gary Cooper was rushed into the part instead of Doug.
• Sam Jaffe long term production executive and assistant has resigned his position at Columbia. He announced no further employment plans and decided to take a long vacation in Europe.  

This Week in Precode History: 2nd - 7th June

Hopefully a regular addition to my website, ‘This Week in Precode History’ will include all the exciting goings-on and new that occurred this week in the years 1929 to 1934. All the information is gathered from contemporary film and Hollywood weeklies, mostly from publication The Hollywood Reporter. These newspapers were all accessed from the wonderful Media History Project website.   

A scene from the shooting of A Free Soul

·         Two famous Precode films premiered this week with A Free Soul in 1931 and Gold Diggers of 1933 later proving both financial and critical successes. A Free Soul continued the rise of Norma Shearer whose career had captured public interest since her appearance in the controversial film The Divorcee the year before as well as her subsequent Oscar win. The Hollywood Reporter said of the film,

o   “It’s got a title designed to drag ‘em in and probably will. Shearer, dressed and undressed, acting and posturing. A yarn, that often stretches logic thin, but a combination of ingredients that, in toto, undeniably is swell box-office.”  

·         While Shearer’s picture debuted at the Astor in New York, Gold Diggers of 1933 premiered at the renowned Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with tickets costing $5. Starring a bevy of stars including Joan Blondell, Warren William, Ruby Keeler, Aline MacMahon and Dick Powell it was also another crowd favourite.

An advertisement for the world premiere of Gold Diggers of 1933

·         This week in 1934, announced the death of prominent silent actor, Lew Cody. He death aged only 47 was attributed to a heart attack but it was reported that Cody had had a breakdown four years earlier. Reports comment that the actor was found at 3pm, “had been dead several hours, but his house staff thought he was still sleeping”. Cody until his death had appeared in at least 99 films and, other than his film credits, was also notable the last husband of acclaimed comedian Mabel Normand.

·         The filming of Greta Garbo’s triumph Queen Christina was reportedly held up from starting shooting. Although, the project and leading lady had been set for some time, the casting of Garbo’s male lead was left open. Apparently, all male stars were tested but known at that time had filled the expectations. The role would later be performed by Garbo’s ex-lover John Gilbert.

·         Paramount announced plans for the beginning of a new campaign – to find a young actress with the skill, charm and looks to bring the role of Alice in Alice in Wonderland to the big screen. The search – it was reported – was even extended to overseas countries.

A scene from Alice in Wonderland

·         Similarly, Warner Bros. also announced exciting plans, with Joan Blondell pronounced as the female star in a new musical production called Footlight Parade. Both James Cagney, Allen Jenkins and Arthur Hohl had already been named to feature in the new film.

 

·         Both Dr Monica and Dames were also new releases in 1934:

 

Gif Me a Whisky: Precode Named Cocktails

Anyone who is even slightly familiar with Precode films can definitely attest that they are filled with alcohol. In nearly every picture, most the characters are either drunk, talking about getting drunk or experiences hangovers for some portion of the film. Words like ‘bootlegger’, ‘plastered’, ‘blotto’, ‘soused’, ‘sauced’ and ‘speakeasy’ are common Precode terms in an era – unbelievably – ruled by Prohibition. Who could forget Greta Garbo’s first piece of dialogue spoken on screen in Anna Christie (1930), “Gif me a visky, ginger ale on the side, and don' be stingy, baby”. A line which is unequivocally speaking to the culture of 1930’s society which – if the films are anything to go by – was overrun with liquor. Take a look at some more lines from popular Precodes: 

“Most of the girls around here like to compete to see who can get blotto first!” Three Wise Girls (1932)

“You just sell some creamy beers to the working man. With some murders on the side to keep him entertained!” Doorway to Hell (1930)

“God gives us heartache, and the devil gives us whiskey.” Five Star Final (1931)

“I could do some thinking on gin, if I had some.” Bed of Roses (1933)

Also poking fun at alcohol and drunkenness. So since the great majority of Precode films are focused on the topic, it’s not surprising that this obsession has transferred into the 21^st Century. Nowadays even long dead stars are getting into the action with a handful of popular Precode actors and actresses having cocktails and concoctions named after them. I recommend trying a couple if you have a spare weekend or a lazy afternoon.    

 

Marlene Dietrich Cocktail

Ingredients

3/4 wineglass of Rye or Canadian whisky

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

2 dashes Curaçao

Method

Shake well and strain into a wineglass. Squeeze orange and lemon peel on top.

 

Jimmy 'Schnozzle' Durante Cocktail

Ingredients

1 teaspoon Curaçao

2 glasses gin

2 glasses sherry

2 glasses French Vermouth

Method

Mix the ingredients in a shaker filled with cracked ice. Stir thoroughly with a spoon, shake, strain and serve. Add an olive and two dashes of Absinthe to each glass.

 

Douglas Fairbanks Cocktail

Ingredients

2/3 Plymouth gin

1/3 French Vermouth

Method

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange and lemon peel.

  

Garbo Gargle

Ingredients

1 dash Crème de Menthe

1/4 glass orange juice

1/4 glass Grenadine

1/4 glass French Vermouth

1/4 brandy

Method

Shake well and strain into a medium sized glass. Top with a splash of Port Wine.

 

 

 

 
Jean Harlow Cocktail

Ingredients

1/2 Bacardi Rum

1/2 Italian Vermouth

A peel or wedge of lemon

Method

Shake and strain into a cocktail glass

 

 

 

Mary Pickford Cocktail

Ingredients

1/2 Bacardi Rum

1/2 pineapple juice

1 teaspoon grenadine

6 drops Maraschino 

Method

Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.

 

 

 
Ginger Rogers Cocktail

Ingredients

1/3 French Vermouth
1/3 dry gin
1/3 apricot brandy
4 dashes lemon juice
Method

Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.

 

Will Rogers Cocktail

Ingredients

1/4 orange juice

1/4 French Vermouth

1/2 Plymouth gin

4 dashes Curaçao

Method

Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.

 

Shirley Temple Cocktail

Ingredients

Ginger ale
Dash of grenadine

Method

Mix and serve.

 

 

Lupe Velez Cocktail

Ingredients

3 glasses Jamaica rum
1 glass Kummel
1 glass orange juice
1 dash Pimento Dram

Method

Shake carefully and serve whilst frothing.

 

 

Johnny Weissmuller Cocktail

Ingredients

1/3 gin1/3 Bacardi Rum
1/3 lemon juice
Powdered sugar
1 dash grenadine

Method

Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.

 

Mae West Cocktail

Ingredients

Yolk of 1 egg1 teaspoon powdered sugar
1 glass brandy

Method

Shake well and strain into a medium sized glass. Top with a dash of Cayenne Pepper.

 

 

 

Dorothy Mackaill Dishes the Dirt

Mostly forgotten Precode actress, Dorothy Mackaill, was an excellent source of witty quotes and ponderings on the wonders and eccentricities of her generation during the early 1930’s. If you flip through old movie magazines – mostly ones published in 1930 and 1931 – you will surly find at least one insightful remark from Mackaill. Despite her young age and lack of schooling, she was surprising succinct, perceptive and clever. Below is a few of her best bits:

“The modern girl is like the Lindbergh, built for speed. We have tremendous vitality of body and complete emancipation of mind. None of the old taboos…mean a damn to us. We don’t care.”

“Give the modern girl a job and she’ll all set and all right. Give her nothing to do but smoke cigarettes, loll about the house, play bridge, and think about sex – and no one would dare answer for the results.”  

“In order to be sophisticated, fledgings turn to their primer, the movies. Who has the good times, the swell clothes, the boyfriends, the jewels, the excitements, all the breaks? Why who but the Connie Bennets…the Crawfords, even the Mackaills. And why?...Not because we are portrayed as “nice girls” sitting at home with the old folks or practising the piano. No, because…we are smoking, drinking, dancing, being made love to, getting into and usually out of…passionate situations.”

                              “…to be called a nice girl is to be blasphemed and socially undone.”

Norma Shearer and 'That' Dress

Norma Shearer’s clothes became a sensation in the Precode era similar to the outrage and trends created from Gloria Swanson’s almost obsessive love for fashion. Nothing coursed more of a stir than her famous nearly see-through silken dresses in A Free Soul. Everyone in Hollywood seemed to have an opinion. Check out these quotes on films the original that dress.  

“Damn, the dame doesn’t wear any underwear in her scenes. Is she doing that in the interests of realism or what?”

Clark Gable

“Her clothes are breathtaking in their daring. But you couldn’t get away with them in your drawing room.”

Photoplay

“It was a form-fitting dress of white satin without a stitch on underneath…It out-Harlowed anything Jean ever put on her back.”

Hedda Hopper

Norma Shearer’s Reply:

“Somehow or other I always got myself rigged up in something sensational.”

 

“It is impossible to get anything made or accomplished without stepping on some toes; enemies are inevitable when one is a doer.”

 

“The morals of yesterday are no more. They are as dead as the day they were lived. Economic independence has put woman on exactly the same footing as man.”