This handsome man on the left is Paul Muni (in case you weren’t aware), and his picture is adorning this page because today I’ve decided we need a little digression into classic film history. By the by, I’m crazy about classic films and if you are too, you might want to check out the TCM classic movies site. It’s packed with information, photos, clips and more—really great stuff! (Do I sound like a commercial?)
Okay, enough of that. Let’s chat a little about Paul Muni, shall we? He is one of my absolutely favorite actors—ever. He didn’t make too many films, but those he did were consistently excellent. I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang and Scarface (both 1932) are probably his best known films. If you’ve never seen this “original” Scarface, directed by Howard Hawks (who we’ll have to chat about sometime too), you really should try to track down a copy of it. Other Muni films not to miss: The Life of Emil Zola (1937) and Juarez (1939).
Juarez also has Bette Davis in it; she gives an amazing performance. It’s interesting though, that she and Paul Muni have no scenes together in this movie. Too bad. They were really great together in Bordertown (1935); kind of a lost gem of a movie. I don’t want to give the plot away—so I won’t, but a huge chunk of this movie was incorporated five years later into the (also very good) movie, They Drive by Night (1940), with Ida Lupino, who very handily steals the show from Humphrey Bogart and George Raft. (This sentence is way too long; I hope you paused to take a breath if you were reading aloud.) If you ever have the chance, compare the performances of Ida Lupino in this movie and Bette Davis in Bordertown. Very interesting!
Have you ever seen any of the Ruby Keeler films?
Yes! I think Gold Diggers of 1933 is my favorite one with her. Of course, it has Joan Blondell, too (who I’ve always liked). I thought it was very funny, and how about those Busby Berkeley musical numbers – pretty outrageous stuff!
I adore Busby Berkeley and The Gold Diggers of 1933. I couldn’t get into The Gold Diggers of 1935, though. Ruddy Hays Code. Sigh.
Yes, the Hays Code certainly put a damper on things. Have you seen the Jean Harlow movie, Red Headed Woman? Code violator’s delight.