JohnHowardReid I don't know if fans of Aurania Rouverol's Andy Hardy will take to this offering from their favorite author with the same degree of enthusiasm. For this time, Andy — brilliantly played by William Bakewell in the stand-out performance of a career stretching from 1925 to 1955 — is a drink-sodden, good-for-nothing-but-evil wastrel, a killer who shoots down a friendly acquaintance in cold blood in order to save his own miserable hide. Sis, superbly interpreted here by Joan Crawford, is likewise a spoiled brat of uncertain virtue, who, realizing the emptiness of her callow society friends, changes her thinking when forced to fend for herself instead of living off her dad. Yes, like Judge Hardy, dad is a bit of a philosopher. His credo is: "Do the other guy before he does you!" Dad is most realistically brought to life here by William Holden. His death scene is utterly convincing. (In real life, Holden himself died on March 3, 1932). But I'm neglecting two of the finest players in the movie, namely Cliff Edwards and Clark Gable. Edwards is ingratiatingly deft as the star reporter who worms information out of Bakewell; whilst Clark Gable is a powerhouse of corrupt fascination in this first of his eight movies with Joan Crawford. The nominal hero of this picture, Broadway actor-director Lester Vail, rates as the weakest "star" of the lot. Even minor character players like the exotic Natalie Moorhead (as Gable's moll), sly Russell Hopton (a cagey thug) and blonde belle, Joan Marsh (a jealous socialite), easily out-shine the staid and stagey Mr. Vail. Fortunately, despite his second billing, his appearances in the action are astonishingly brief.Under-rated Harry Beaumont has astutely directed with wonderful pace and an admirably polished style; whilst the shimmering photography, realistic art direction and flattering costumes are well up to the classy standards we expect of M-G-M. It's a surprise to find that this seems to be Aurania Rouverol's only screenplay. ("A Family Affair", the introductory "Andy Hardy", was based on a stage play). She's darn good. Her dialogue and characters are really alive.In short, powerful, if grim entertainment. I was going to add, "with a happy ending", but the idea of Joan being saddled with a stodgily repentant Mr. Vail is maybe not all that felicitous. This movie is now available on an excellent Warner Archive DVD.

utgard14 Bonnie and Rodney Jordan (Joan Crawford, William Bakewell) lose everything in the stock market crash. First their father dies of a heart attack and then they discover why: he lost his entire fortune in the crash. Now broke for the first time, Bonnie and Rodney must go to work. Bonnie gets a job as a reporter. Rodney goes to work for bootlegger Jake Luva (Clark Gable). The two being on opposite sides of the law leads to inevitable conflict.Middle-of-the-road crime drama will appeal most to fans of Crawford and Gable. It's hardly the best work of either, though. It's a pre-Code film, which sometimes is all you have to say to get some classic film fans interested in a movie. Personally I didn't see anything all that risqué in this one. An early scene of a bunch of people in their underwear going for a swim seems to get the most talk but it's pretty tame despite the description. The story is something that was done many times and better over the years, in one variation or another. The insipid romance between Joan and Lester Vail leaves a lot to be desired.

blanche-2 "Dance, Fools, Dance" is an early Crawford-Gable vehicle from 1931. Crawford plays a Bonnie Jordan, a wealthy young woman whose life consists of parties, booze, and stripping off her clothes to jump from a yacht and go swimming. This all ends when her father dies and leaves her and her brother (William Blakewell) penniless. Bonnie gets a job on a newspaper using the name Mary Smith; her brother goes to work for bootleggers. The head man is Jake Luva - portrayed by Clark Gable as he plays yet another crook. Later, of course, he would turn into a romantic hero, but in the early '30s, MGM used him as a bad guy. Not realizing that her brother is involved in illegal activity, Bonnie cozies up to Luva.Gable and Crawford made a great team. Her facial expressions are a little on the wild side, but that, along with her dancing, is one of the things that makes the movie fun. Look for Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket, as Bert.It's always interesting to see the precode movies, and "Dance, Fools, Dance" is no exception.

SkippyDevereaux A very good film by MGM back in 1930--this one is non-stop viewing. It was nice to see Clark Gable in a non-hero role and once again, great acting by Gable and Joan Crawford. One scene that stands out for me, is where Clark Gable slaps William Bakewell in the face. Now, I don't know if Bakewell actually got hit in the kisser, but his facial expression sure looked like he did!! This film is not dated at all--it is that good of a film. Very good movie all around.