Forbidden Hollywood: Vol. 3: DVD Review (2009)

Forbidden? There was a time when some wanted them to be, but those people likely now are dead and these hardboiled movies live on, proving just as necessary as ever.

The six films comprised in the third volume of Warner’s blue collection all came before the Hays Code began its corrupt squeeze of censorship. As such, these films, all directed by William A. Willman, are more racy, free and entertaining than many that came after it.

Included are Mary Astor and James Cagney in 1931’s “Other Men's Women,” which involves love triangles and (yes!) threats via ketchup bottles; 1932’s “The Purchase Price,” with Barbara Stanwyck selling it to the back row as a mail order bride; 1932’s “Frisco Jenny,” with Ruth Chatterton cast as the owner of a brothel who gives up her son for adoption, only to become prosecuted by him years later when he becomes a district attorney; 1933’s harrowing “Wild Boys of the Road,” which is just dark and satisfying enough to forgive its weirdly cheerful ending; and 1933’s terrific “Heroes for Sale,” in which Richard Barthemless battles morphine addiction, overcomes it, and then sinks into ruin due to his possible association with the Communist Party.

Rounding out the set is 1933’s “Midnight Mary,” with Loretta Young, of all people, playing a woman fresh from a brothel who falls for a wealthy man--and then is faced with all of the ugly complications that ensue because of her past.

It's a fine collection. Commentaries, shorts, trailers and cartoons abound.

Grade: B+

Features:
Bonus Disc 4 With 2 Insightful Documentary Profiles: Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick And The Men Who Mad The Movies: William A. Wellman
Expert Commentaries On 3 Movies
Vintage Era Shorts And Cartoons
Theatrical Trailers On All 6 Movies