TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 1 (Waterloo Bridge [1931] / Baby Face / Red-Headed Woman)

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Here are three films that couldn't and wouldn't have been made at any other time. Contrary to popular belief, the history of Hollywood permissiveness, what filmmakers could "get away with" on screen, is not a steadily rising graph from puritanical early days to the party-hearty present. In the early 1930s, a national mood of shock over the stock market crash and impatience with Prohibition licensed a relaxation of the movie industry's self-censorship policies. Sexuality--always a driving force in movie plots and characterizations, even when repressed--became a more explicit presence, with costuming that sometimes pushed the envelope for exposure of epidermis and dialogue that could be shockingly blunt.

Baby Face (1933) was made at Warner Bros., the golden-age studio with the grittiest style and the most street cred. The gutsy Barbara Stanwyck stars as a young woman from a factory town who hops a boxcar to the big city and sleeps her way to the top--a progress famously indexed by a camera ascending floor by floor outside a Gotham office building as she trades up, one corporate suitor after another. No other major-studio film was more explicit about sex as a tool and a commodity, yetBaby Face is curiously less sexy than any number of movies that weren't so outspoken about it. This TCM collection features both the theatrical-release version familiar for decades and a recently rediscovered preview version that is markedly superior, runs five minutes longer, and includes more sexual liaisons. It also happily lacks an absurd final scene that got tacked onto the release version to explain how the heroine learned to be content with a modest lifestyle.

Red-Headed Woman (1932) is arguably the raunchiest movie Jean Harlow made at MGM (though not as raunchy as her scenes in Howard Hughes' 1930 Hell's Angels). Unlike Stanwyck in Baby Face--a proletarian heroine grimly selling herself to beat capitalism and the patriarchy at their own game--Harlow's character brazenly relishes both the sex and the posh life it wins for her. The lion's share of this sardonic comedy, scripted by Anita Loos and an uncredited F. Scott Fitzgerald, focuses on Harlow's seduction of her married boss (Chester Morris) and the havoc she wreaks in his upper-crust world. Charles Boyer has a role (his first Hollywood credit) as a French chauffeur who knows how to give satisfaction, and the film's air of breezy ribaldry even allows the star a casual flash of bare breast.

The rarest item in the collection, the 1931 Universal version of Waterloo Bridge, has long been unseen because MGM bought the film in order to do a 1940 remake (starring Vivien Leigh) and locked the original away in the vault. Directed by James Whale the same year he did Frankenstein (1931), the picture charts the romance of a chorus-girl-turned-streetwalker (Mae Clarke) and a well-born young soldier (Kent Douglass) on brief furlough from the trenches during WWI. Apart from a zesty prelude in a London music hall and two scenes on the titular bridge, the film remains yoked to its talky theatrical source, a Robert E. Sherwood play flogging the hoary conceit that no fallen woman, however pure of heart, could be permitted to marry into a good family. Unlike the Hays Code-compliant remake, the film leaves no doubt how the heroine makes her living. --Richard T. Jameson

Product description

Includes: Waterloo Bridge (1931), Baby Face (1933), and Red-Headed Woman (1932).

Customer Reviews:

Excellent collection of its kind........2007-06-27

The three films in this collection are fine examples of pre-code Hollywood. In this edition the prints are at release quality. It's wonderful to be able to travel back to the period and experience the movie industry back then. Of the three Baby Face is the superior film, perhaps so because Barbara Stanwyck was so outstanding even back then in her mid-20s.

Three great movies and three great performances.......2007-06-11

These movies are outstanding in many ways, but in two especially. First they let us know that our grandparents and parents had just as many conflicts with romance, love and sexual congress as we do. Second, they may help to bring recognition to two largely forgotten actresses, Jean Harlow and Mae Clarke.
A few days ago, after watching China Seas with a friend he asked me, "what is the whole Harlow Legend about" I told him to watch Red Dust, or better still Red Headed Woman. In her early movies Jean was young healthy and full of sass. In her later films as illness overtook her the light was gone. Miss Harlow was always best in comedy. The dramatic roles assigned to her were generally so one dimensional that no actress could have made anything of them. Red Headed Woman is a comedy and Jean sparkles. The movie was a 'succes de scandale' in 1932 and audiences were laughing despite themselves. The kind of raw-naked ambition Jean gives Lill has now become so familiar to us that some people may not get the point. Please bear in mind that in 1932 girls like Lill could not have careers in Law or Politics. Remember, this is a comedy.
Mention Mae Clark and if people know who you are talking about they will probably recall Jimmy Cagney and the grapefruit. There was so much more and Waterloo Bridge will introduce you to it. Miss Clarke as Myra Deauville is always genuine in a role that could easily become maudlin, cloying and artificial. James Whale created a movie that was sixty or seventy years ahead of it's time. And yes, that is Bette Davis before the wiggling, grimacing and scene-stealing took over.

Forbidden Pleasures !.......2007-05-31

Oh man ! What a treat to have these movies together. And the knockout punch was having BOTH versions of "Baby Face". The quality was excellent and I am thrilled with my purchase. I am looking forward to Volume 2.

An Informative Analysis/Comparison (Babyface, pre- and post-Code).......2007-05-13

Exactly what I was looking for. While taking a law in literature course in law school this past year, the professor directed the class to watch Babyface and observe how it was transgressive in light of the Hays Production Code. Pretty neat that one's able to watch both the pre- and post-Code versions of Babyface and see how the versions essentially reflected the prevailing moral code at the time, and how that moral code differed depending on other related socio-economic factors (e.g. the Great Depression). Anyway, I'd recommend this set for the sole reason stated above. I did also think Babyface pre-Code was an extremely intelligent and witty movie and thoroughly enjoyed watching it although it was required as an assignment. I also enjoyed the other films included in this set.

No virgins here. It's neck & neck .......2007-04-21

between the two tramps most likely to "sleep" their way to the top. There's Jean Harlow as Lil in Red Headed Women & Barbara Stanwyck as Lily in Baby-Face, the movie with the famous song of the same name. Mae Clark as Myra, trolling for men off of Waterloo Bridge, completes this trio of trollops. She is out of the running simply because she's lovable & sympathetic as a World War I hooker in London, trying to keep it together. She actually falls in love with a GI. I give it by a lovely nose to Barbara. The movie is simply better & made better. At this point, she is a better actress that Jean. Lily's been damaged by her barkeep father who pimps her out in steel town. He dies in a fire that burns the saloon down & she heads for NYC. There she selects a high rise bank & goes to work. She has a plan. It's simple. Use sex to work her way up the corporate ladder. She disposes of a young, love-struck John Wayne early on. There is a long list of leading men & I'm sorry I lost count & track. But she works her way thru lots of men discarding each as she moves up the hierarchy. Men die & kill for her. She doesn't appear to like sex that much, only to use it. Rich & notorious, she reaches the top & marries the CEO. But the company is headed for the rocks & her husband is broke & in trouble with the law. She is rich & at first refuses to help. He shoots himself. At this point, she suddenly realizes that she loves this man. That should be the end of the movie, Lily wallowing in the grief she deserves. But the brains at Warner couldn't leave it alone. They tagged another ending on it. Lily's husband recovers from a bullet in the head & they return to poverty & happiness in steeltown. Stanwyck did not appear in that scene. which was obviously shot later. There's a little S&M in Red Headed Women if that's your taste but Baby-Face is still slightly better. You can get all three together, & you should. Together they are *****.

Average customer rating:

Decent remake starring the Redgrave sisters!!

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Starring: Vinny Argiro , Art Chudabala , John Scott Clough , Barry Dennen , and Roy Fegan
Director: David Greene
Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000O785XI
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Customer Reviews:

Decent remake starring the Redgrave sisters!!.......2007-04-21

This was a 1991 made-for-tv remake of the classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Obviously someone realized how popular it was and what a strong fan following it had and so they finally decided to release this one to the public and I'm glad they did! While most originals are always the best, this one is definitely worth watching if you don't sit through the entire movie constantly comparing it to the original. I enjoyed both, this one just has a more modern touch to it. Lynn and Vanessa Redgrave are terrific actors so they make this film their own here. I give the original 5 stars and this one 4 stars! Check it out!

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Very Pleased
Great for brother or sister to-be
Great movie for new big brothers or sisters
Great Movie
I'm sick of it, but my daughter loves it

Arthur: Arthur's Baby
Starring: Arthur
Manufacturer: Sony Wonder (Video)
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00008WJB4
Release Date: 2003-06-10

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Arthur is ambivalent about the new baby coming into his family. After imagining the worst, his new sister arrives and almost seems not to like him. This is a nice episode for kids facing the same dilemma about new siblings, and so is a follow-up on the same tape involving Arthur's lovable little sister, D.W. In "D.W.'s Baby," the tyke copes with all the ruckus that goes with an infant: crying, spitting-up, and such. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Very Pleased.......2006-07-02

My 2 year old loves this video. It is a great DVD for the $$$$. Entertaining and great if you're expecting another child.

Great for brother or sister to-be.......2006-03-21

We got this DVD when our second daugther was coming and my oldest one loved since the first time, and now, two years later, they still sit together and watch it and ejoy every minute from the DVD. The DVD also helps you to show your son that different feelings can come with the new brother or sister, but anyway he are going to love the new member of the family.

Great movie for new big brothers or sisters.......2004-07-18

Even though I could see this episode on tv for free, I bought it after my 3 year old was born when my other kids were having trouble adjusting. I'm glad I did! They love it!

Great Movie.......2000-12-13

In Arthur's Baby,Arthur has another sister,(D.W was bad enough)and D.W thinks she is the best at the subject.In D.Ws Baby,D.W's parents are paying much more attention to the the new baby than to her,so first she tries to make her parents think the baby did something bad,so she said to her mother that the baby destroyed a building,then she put slice of baloney in the CD player,then she put her father's new shoes in the dishwasher.But D.W just got in trouble for that.So she tried to run away,but thought that it was sad to not have every single one of these,father,mother,sister,and brother,not that D.W liked brothers,and she thought that she couldn't let Arthur teach the baby how to do things.That teaches that when a baby comes,your parents have to pay a lot of attention to it,and you have to put up with it.A good buy.

I'm sick of it, but my daughter loves it.......1999-11-16

We try to keep the TV to a minimum, although that has changed since having our second child. My 3 year old watches this over and Over and OVER again - she just had a baby brother of her own and can relate to it I guess.

Description

ACCIDENTS will help you learn what you should do in case an accident happens to your infant or toddler. The program covers the most common childhood accidents: cuts, fractures, burns, head injuries, stings, burns heart stroke, cuts, cold exposure, eye injuries, nose injuries and more. Created in cooperation with Pediatric Emergency Physicians from leading children's hospitals, the DVD explains in clear, easy-to-follow instructions what to do until help arrives and what signs and symptoms to report to your doctor or 9-1-1 dispatchers. You will also learn other valuable tips on how to childproof your home, use of car and booster seats, being prepared for emergencies, what your role is in the emergency medical system and much more. ACCIDENTS and Volume II, ILLNESSES should be watched and reviewed by the entire family, your baby-sitter and day care providers. Review this "must have" DVD periodically to keep your skills sharp. Winner of 27 awards.

Customer Reviews:

Infant & Toddler Emergency First Aid.......2007-02-22

Excellent resource - informative and consice. As a foster parent and a stay at home mom, I feel better prepared for emergencies.

Misleading -- Says there is CPR on it -- not there at all!!!.......2006-12-14

On the back cover of this DVD, it specifically mentions CPR (see for yourself), however, not one bit of CPR. The rest of the DVD is marginally helpful at best, but I did not get the most important thing I expected to get on this DVD.

I feel scammed and will never buy another product from this publisher.

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Carmen Baby
Starring: Arthur Brauss , Nino Korda , Uta Levka , Carl Möhner , and Barbara Valentin
Director: Radley Metzger
Manufacturer: First Run Features
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000CCD1ZM
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Description

From the quintessential director of Elegant Erotica. A sexy temptress no man can resist and a local police officer who falls hard for her become embroiled in a complicated intrigue of passion and jealousy in Radley Metzger's boldly original erotic update of Bizet's classic opera Carmen.

Infant & Toddler Emergency First Aid - Illnesses English/Spanish

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Infant & Toddler Emergency First Aid - Illnesses English/Spanish
Starring: Various
Director: Arthur Levy
Manufacturer: Apogee Communications Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001VSO74
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Description

Being a parent Is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. But when your infant or toddler becomes ill or faces a potentially life-threatening emergency, the experience can be terrifying. ILLNESSES explains what to do when your child is confronted with fever, poisoning, seizures, dehydration, croup, choking and more. Quick action and a clear understanding of what to do can make a difference in the recovery of your child. ILLNESSES will also give you valuable tips on childproofing your home, what signs and symptoms to report to your doctor or 9-1-1 dispatcher. ILLNESSES also contain a review of infant and child rescue breathing, choking, and CPR based on the latest American Heart Association guidelines. ILLNESSES along with Volume I, ACCIDENTS are "must haves" for every parent and should be watched and reviewed by every member of your family, your baby-sitters, and day acre providers. Review these DVD's periodically to keep your skills sharp. The DVD comes with both English and Spanish narration on the same DVD. Winner of 27 awards.

Average customer rating:

Carmen, Baby
Starring: Uta Levka , Claus Ringer , Carl Möhner , Barbara Valentin , and Walter Wilz
Director: Radley Metzger
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000JWWW
Release Date: 1999-09-28

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Radley Metzger transports the Prosper Mérimée classic (which was also the source of Bizet's legendary opera) to the Mediterranean coast of the swinging '60s. In the decadent world of high-life high jinks, wild parties, and easy virtue, Carmen (voluptuous sex kitten Uta Lekz) lures a hot-blooded, hunky young cop from his straight-arrow lifestyle and initiates him into a band of petty thieves and con artists led by her husband. When she dumps the kid for a sexy pop star named Baby (who sucks his alcohol from tiny baby bottles), the fatally jealous ex-cop... well, you know the story. Metzger has Lekz play Carmen as an unapologetic hedonist, less a manipulator than a pleasure-seeker who follows her impulses, a perfect player in Metzger's world of sexual freedom and gleeful exhibitionism. Yet for all the sex and fleshy eroticism, there is little explicit nudity--mostly tease and temptation. Metzger's lingering pace, perfect for such meandering jaunts as The Dirty Girls and Score, bogs the story down when the tensions should be rising, but he picks it up by the edgy climax. Metzger makes the transition to color with great style, filling the widescreen with bold, lush hues, as vivid as the passion, and scores the film with a groovy '60s soundtrack of lounge music-a-go-go. --Sean Axmaker

Description

A hip 'Carmen' in modern undress! --the New York Times. A sexy temptress no man can resist and a local police officer who falls hard for her become embroiled in a complicated intrigue of passion and jealousy in Radley Metzger's boldly original and erotic update of Bizet's classic opera "Carmen."

Average customer rating:

Baby Face Un-cut
An unforgettable pre-code Stanwyck performance!
An Amazing Pre-Code!
Great Pre-Code Movie
One of the Greatest a most daring Pre-Codes

Baby Face
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck , George Brent , Donald Cook , Alphonse Ethier , and Henry Kolker
Director: Alfred E. Green
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ASIN: B00005JNMD

Customer Reviews:

Baby Face Un-cut.......2005-11-03

I had the priveledge to see one of the first screenings of the rediscovered un-cut version of this film a few weeks ago at Brandeis University, and I must say that the New York censor board truly did this film a disservice when it forced the producers to cut and change it. It was really great, but the most interesting part was at the end when they showed clips of the edited version to show what was changed, and it was astounding how rediculous the edits seemed in context of the meaning behind the film.

An unforgettable pre-code Stanwyck performance!.......2005-09-10

Like many other classic movie buffs, I'm thrilled that the original, uncut and unedited version of "Baby Face" has finally been discovered and will likely be released on dvd next year (thanks for the great news, Michael Glancy!). "Baby Face" was quite racy for its day and had the censors in an uproar, so much in fact that it was horribly butchered with poor editing (some scenes you can't even hear them finish a sentence before it cuts to the next scene!) and was banned for years. But even the edited version is quite spicy and features one of Barbara Stanwyck's sexiest roles of her entire career!

Stanwyck plays Lily Powers, a young and attractive woman (with "plenty of experience"!) who is forced to work for her cruel father serving drinks in a speakeasy. When he dies in a not-so-tragic accident, Lily heads for New York City with hopes of earning big money. She lands a job at a huge office building and "sleeps" her way from the bottom floor to the top by seducing one boss after another. When she finally discovers true love, she's put in a situation where she can choose money and jewelry, or follow her heart.

"Baby Face" originally had a very dramatic ending but it was re-shot by the filmmakers because of the idiots of the New York State Board of Censors. I won't tell you details about this because that would spoil the ending. Let's just say it's a great thing that the original version has been discovered, because the uncensored version makes "Baby Face" one of the most daring pre-code films of the early 1930's! Stanwyck was stunningly beautiful and gave quite an impressive performance. Although George Brent looked strange without a mustache he was also great. For any pre-code or Barbara Stanwyck fan, this movie is a definite must!

An Amazing Pre-Code! .......2004-12-06

"Baby Face" is one of the most important pre-code movies. It is amazingly honest and brave in depicting the story of a destitute girl trying to climb to the top. Barbara Stanwyck is simply great in her portrayal of the main character. Hard to imagine any other actress capable of such a magnificent performance. It is very sad that because of the Hayes code instituted in 1934 and that lasted for over thirty years, the great movie traditions of the amazing pre-code movies have been completely lost. It seems that the best of the pre-code movies that have not dated in seventy plus years, have been created in another universe. There is nothing like this in the modern movie making. The only thing that I did not like in the movie was the ending. It seemed contrived and added, probably, at the insistance of the people in charge to soften the harshness of the movie's message.

Great Pre-Code Movie.......2004-11-07

Barbara Stanwyck was awesome as she workd her way to the top running through boyfriends. John Wayne has a small role as one of the boyfriends she runs over.

Hollywood was making really good movies pre-code. Despite being also used, women were empowered in movies then. Then code came in and they weren't even allowed to make suggestive poses.

One of the Greatest a most daring Pre-Codes.......2004-07-18

If you are fond of Pre-Code movies you're gonna LOVE this movie, in which Barbara Stanwyck's character, "works" her way up, the "money-ladder" (rather than the social one, 'cos she's basically a "kept woman"), ruthlessly and shamelessly, using her sexual attraction on all types of men.

It is Stanwyck's show all the way, with all the men in the cast, playing "second bananas" to her pivotal role. She appears dressed in some great-de-luxe early 30's clothing, by Warner's top designer Orry-Kelly.

In spite of the contrived ending, imposed by censors, as well as some cuts it underwent, this picture is thouroughly entertaining, 'cos is fun to watch Barbara getting her way almost all the time. Noteworthy performance by unknown Theresa Harris, as Chico, Stanwyck's pal and maid.

Barbara Stanwyck is one of the all time great american actresses, later films like "Stella Dallas", "Ball of Fire", "Meet John Doe", "Lady of Burlesque", "Double Indemnity", et al, confirmed her status as one of the top stars of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Highly recommended for Pre-Code Lovers. In fact, a must-see. This movie definitely could not have been done in the second half of the thirties, the forties or the fifties.

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