Pre-Code Hollywood: Classic Stars--Joan Blondell

Here is a big thank you to all of the subscribers and viewers of this channel.

While we are not quite at 10,000 subscribers, we are close enough to celebrate, and what better way than with a double-dose of Joan Blondell! Blondell is the quintessential face of pre-Code, opens all of my pre-Code videos and is my profile photo. (She also adorns the cover of my likely never-to-be-published book.)

The first video features many of Blondell’s best lines and wisecracks, while volume 2 includes some of her more risqué lines as well as dress (or lack thereof).

The clips used in both of the Blondell videos come from her pre-Code movies, which are those released before the Code was enacted in July 1934.
The films include:

The Office Wife (1930)
Sinner’s Holiday (1930)
Other Men’s Women (1931)
Millie (1931)
Illicit (1931)
God’s Gift to Women (1931)
The Public Enemy (1931)
My Past (1931)
Big Business Girl (1931)
Night Nurse (1931)
The Reckless Hour (1931)
Blonde Crazy (1931)
Union Depot (1932)
The Greeks Had a Word For Them (1932)
The Crowd Roars (1932)
The Famous Ferguson Case (1932)
Miss Pinkerton (1932)
Make Me a Star (1932)
Big City Blues (1932)
Three on a Match (1932)
Lawyer Man (1932)
Central Park (1932)
Broadway Bad (1933)
Blondie Johnson (1933)
Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
Footlight Parade (1933)
Havana Widows (1933)
Just Around the Corner (1933)
I’ve Got Your Number (1934)
Smarty (1934)

[WinslowLeach]

I love Joan, especially when she did films with my man Cagney. Of course, they did the "Penny Arcade" play together which later became "Sinner's Holiday, " Cags' first film and Joan's second. She's so talented and gorgeous. ❤

[frankholt]

The late great Joan Blondell. (1906-1979) I always liked Joan Blondell especially when she would team up with the Great James Cagney (1899-1986).

[joeterp]

What a vivacious woman! Such a magnetic screen presence. I think her talent would have shined in any era. I’d much rather watch her than most current Hollywood starlets.

[nancymorgan]

My father met Joan Blondell while in California supervising a painting crew at her house. He said she was polite and friendly- not like a "movie star" at all. She invited him to a costume party at her home later in the week and he dressed as a country boy(which he was) as it was the only costume he could come up with. She was his favorite actress and he was her biggest fan until the day he died. Heavenly blessings to you, Ms. Blondell, for giving my father such a special memory.

[thomash]

As long as they got sidewalks, you'll have a job

Ouch!

[billbrimmer]

Jimmy Cagney came to movies after being on Broadway at the same time as Joan. He complemented her in his autobiography as being extremely attractive and talented. Jimmy was a happily married man and was only commenting.

[gazza]

Joan was beautiful and feisty.
Wow! What a combination.

[r.l.seiber]

Beautiful, talented and a smart cookie.
Dangerous.
💗

[retroraywarby]

Say, your boss has come up in the world.
Yeah, another month and he’ll be able to kick a worm in the chest.😂🤣😂

[mikehudson]

This is an EXCELLENT edit and montage . It must have taken you a very long time. SO appreciated. I remember this lady from watching all the old films as a boy back in the 1970s on TV in my room.

[stevessssteve]

She is fabulous. I going to have to buy some of her films.

[kermsroomy]

I love Joan Blondell. She was extremely hot in the 30s.

[loge]

Very nicely done post.

All I can say is that Joan Blondell was the epitome of both sexy and adorable. When first seeing her on the late 60s series Here Come the Brides, I had no idea of her earlier career-but am eternally grateful that I found out. My favorite actress at the pre-code era.

[richardsnyder]

Only really saw her in her later roles. I never knew the range of her talent before this.

[jimbudtunis]

She was awesome as a waitress at the Frosty Palace diner in “Grease” (1978)

[jasta]

Great selection of scenes! Have you thought about doing a digital version of your book?
I prefer printed books, but you would not have to worry about finding a printer.

[anthonycoca]

Is this the same Joan Blondell that was in Grease?? I would love for it to be but if it isn’t, I got to say this was a treasure to find either way.

[Exotic]

Wow! That was special. I think that was the thirties. The women then had real class. Thanks for posting!

[markbreitenbach]

Joan Blondell, the naughty girl I never met, but wish I did...

[monjiro]

"anything else?"
"Yeah, gimmie a big slice of you on toast..."
Thanks for uploading.