Torch Singer (1933)
After watching all those movies from the 60s and beyond, it felt really nice to go way back in time for a change. The Claudette Colbert pre-code drama Torch Singer maybe wasn’t the best movie but it was fine and certain aspects of I did find of interest.
Claudette gives up her baby after the baby’s father goes to China. She is singing in a night club (quite awkwardly, in my opinion), being a generally… controversial woman. But one day, she finds herself singing in a radio show for children which brings on painful memories…
The film is very melodramatic, it is SO pre-code, Claudette’s looks are great. As for her performance, I was unsure at first but she got better and better as the film went on. The scenes with little 1930s kids listening to the radio were adorable.
Throughout the film I kept thinking about how uncharismatic all the men in it were. The person I found very interesting, though, was the actress who plays Claudette’s maid. After some googling, I found out her name was Mildred Washington and she seems to have been a very intelligent and talented person. And she tragically died at twenty-eight. I want to learn more about these bit players, especially women of colour who never got their due.
Also watched:
Imitation of Life (1934), dir. John M. Stahl
Several moments made me cringe, I’m still pretty sure the Lana Turner version is wonderful but I think if maybe I’m forgetting things. Should I revisit? Anyway, this one definitely does not come close.
Cleopatra (1934), dir. Cecil B. DeMille
Claudette looks INCREDIBLY hot, but other than that? Really not much to praise about this one.
Swingin' at the Seance 