Pre-Code Hollywood: The Risqué Years #1 (Of Human Bondage/Millie/Kept
Husbands) + #3 Behind Office Doors
Picture: C
Sound: C Extras: D Films: B-
One of The Roan Group’s most sought after series is of
Hollywood productions before the “production Code” censorship kicked in. Pre-Code Hollywood: The Risqué Years
has had several volumes and we will look at two of them here. #1 features three RKO releases that
dealt with adultery (Of Human Bondage/Millie/Kept Husbands)
and #3 has the RKO release Behind Office Doors all to itself.
Bondage (a 1934 classic) has the
classic pairing of Bette Davis and Leslie Howard with amazing chemistry that
endures today, Millie (1931) has then star Helen Twelvetrees with an
early performance by the great character actress Joan Blondell, Kept
Husbands (1931) has Joel McCrea in an early role and Behind Office Doors
(1931) has Mary Astor as a secretary quietly manipulating and controlling her
boss. These were not outright graphic
films, but their explicit innuendo, as mature as it was, shocked in their time
and seem on time and much classier than the equivalent today.
Though the latter three films are not as discussed, to see
such talent and production value as the backdrop for such still-mature
storytelling and themes proves once again how great the early Hollywood sound
era really was. They are able to be
racy and classy at the same time. As a
matter of fact, more than ever before, reminds us of a quality that has been
left behind as we see a media with people who act like they invented
obscenity. All are gems worth seeing at
least once.
Each was issued in 1999 and 2000 respectively, so the 1.33
X 1 transfers do not do the best job of capturing the picture quality of the
prints, which are in decent condition.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 mono on each is not bad, but they all show their
age. Behind Office Doors has
text notes, but the first set has no extras whatsoever. We recommend all the titles in the series.
- Nicholas Sheffo
