Grief Street (1931) PRE-CODE HOLLYWOOD

Stars: Barbara Kent, John Holland, Dorothy Christy
Director: Richard Thorpe
A womanizing matinée idol is found strangled in his dressing room. The door is locked from the inside and there is no other way into the room. He had been having an affair with his leading lady, while his actress wife is doing the same with the stage manager. Everyone, including a young actress who had been fired from the play, and an old actor now relegated to a stage-doorman, has a motive.The explanation for the murder lies within the script of the play.

[@ritataylor324]

Love these old movies. They wore the prettiest clothes back then. Great style in clothing and furniture too.

[@thomasrandolph4581]

especially the furniture

[@jlhkmvideos]

What you can't see are the corsets and no bra, and I wish we could buy the blummers they wore for underwear. My great aunts and grandmother kept some so I saw the real clothes. They also had a wool swimsuit!

[@kwclove7623]

Right? What happened to wonderful clothes??

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

​@@kwclove7623 They disappeared soon after the first Walmart opened.🤔

[@paulinemarvin894]

Great minds think alike ‼️ I love the fashion and furniture of this era ❤

[@rrozoff1]

What a splendid old programmer! Filmed at Universal Studios. I'm surprised more people haven't picked up on the Walter Brennan's role here....Thanks so much.

[@monicaclark9581]

I noticed him. It's the earliest film of Brennan I have seen. But as a person who stutters, I could say that he accurately did the part without making himself look stupid, as many actors had the habit of doing in those days.

[@heatherbowlan1961]

Great old classic ! A true GEM!

[@nomadpi1]

That's entertainment. Dialogue was snappy and short but to the point. Always a pleasure to watch these actresses stroll around in evening gowns "a la natural." Happens every movie.

[@leelarson107]

This was a change, seeing the heartbreakingly beautiful 'Dorothy Christy' as a brunette rather than as a natural blonde. She's stunning in any hair color.

[@danielstanwyck2812]

"How do you know he's strangled?" "Well, there's a cord tied around his neck and he's dead." Best exchange of dialogue ever.

[@jaysoper3974]

...but he wasn't

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

​@@jaysoper3974If he wasn't dead, what happened to him?🤔

[@cozmcwillie7897]

I love the gowns these ladies wear.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

Darling little Barbara Kent lived to be 103!!!!!

[@jaysoper3974]

before fake news, reporters were better detectives than detectives

[@margotlainhurley2380]

Wonderful movies thank you for up loading great movies

[@80sbeginner]

44:45 "this isn't the place for a love scene, is it?" intelligent little touch, very clever :) thanks for posting, most enjoyable movie.

[@eshaibraheem4218]

Wonderful. Loved it. Thank you very much.

[@90FF1]

"You haven't even tried to make love to me.""We can remedy that." Barbara Kent is a pure delight Thanks Pizzaflix

[@joehardin1179]

Beautiful 😇 ride back in time 😭 wish I could time travel there 😇

[@DavidRice111]

3rd viewing (I love these old films- can ya tell?) ~ stage doorman- "You come ahead~ I'm not so old but you'll KNOW you been somewhere!" Feisty dude, he!

[@timgordon4124]

"You're as nutty as you think I am!" Love it!!!

[@randybaker3256]

right lol 😂

[@randybaker3256]

I'll have to use that lol 😂

[@paullong6051]

You Mugs are funny 👍🙂❤️🤍💙

[@deby5983]

+PizzaFlix - thank you again for these wonderful uploads. I really enjoyed this movie. It seems weird to me that a lot of these crime flix inject comedy - especially within the police department. Is this what differients (spelling?) them from film noir? In any case, I thank you sincerely for your passion and sharing of these films.

[@colinsherman9721]

differentiates

[@michaellawrence5492]

These are treasures of people of then captured in time! If one wishes to extract the most richness of them you would need to research and try to gather everything of everyone involved making them possible and more. Where they were done even if you could gather what the weather was like during the time they were pieced together. Every and all consideration of every thing seen and heard. It was minded by people who could do either of three things. Themselves they could refer back in time be in the moment or imagine and act out what they might have believed the future would bring which is no different of people even today. Mannerisms are so fascinating and interesting! Having knowledge of that time of world history of then by all populations and their nations along with customs of then. England was still recognized as the largest global power but at that time was becoming challenged greatly. These films give us a chance to feel perhaps their time. Books will always do as well and hold their own for they reach further back in time and if both well written also well read they have proven to help create later movies instead. Sometimes better sometimes not. From it all some things never change yet still so different time makes.

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

So what exactly are you trying to say?

[@reverendsaltine6852]

VERY GOOD. QUITE A PLOT TWIST I NEVER SAW COMING. They just don’t make them anymore.

[@jcolson19]

Not bad, I enjoyed it. Tiny Barbara Kent lived a long life. Died age 103

[@Magnetron33]

She was so cute!

[@leelarson107]

Nawww, too much of a Clara Bow lookalike. Never liked her either.

[@robertwalker5521]

@@leelarson107 .Did you like George Hayes or Archibald Leach?

[@clydedahler9542]

Proabition in the early 1930s, looks like "leave it to Sargent Jarden" is loaded every time he starts talking. Lot of actors back then and now had a drinking problem, all in all, a good mystery movie, and love seeing the great old cars in these old movies too.

[@huntingthekaiser6490]

Great! I actually guessed right about who the murderer was. I actually got it right for a change.

[@vibewoogie3483]

I loved the Jardine character. But the leading lady, while she was indeed very lovely, her acting and constant hand wringing became very annoying. My type of movie. Thanks for the upload.

[@nildacrespo1683]

V W. She seems young and unqualified (Jean Rogers )

[@idontcareaboutyou7757]

LoL Jardeen losing his temper and falling into dice gambling was unexpected 😁😁😁

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

Prohibition must have just been repealed.

[@carolswarbrick1722]

love all the comedy they are great team....beauty love and glamour

[@dr.skipkazarian5556]

"Hey you guys....stop eating all my food....I'm not feeding the starving Armenians this week!" Indeed...you don't say.

[@joanblack6672]

Oh, give me a woman’s 1930’s wardrobe!

[@dongaetano3687]

Isn't influence from the 20's Joan? I guess more elegant though in the thirties. Either way, agree, they look beautiful.

[@DavidRice111]

@9:26, an early Walter Brennan role! (Still had teeth then)

[@denisejohnson2960]

Walter Brennan played a stuttering mechanic in another early movie "Manhattan Tower" 1932.

[@caroltenge5147]

of the many people you see everyday, half of them are nuts.

[@VintageVera1]

Old guy was best actor.

[@leelarson107]

Yeah, he was the coolest dude in the whole thing. Should have had top billing.

[@mariapasos7482]

What about the woman who was shot? There's no mention of her death..

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

I knew this was going to be a good movie when I saw that Arthur Hoerl was in charge of continuity.🙄

[@user-wc7mo9uo9o]

It's cute. Nice precode with all elements of the era, pice, detectives, journalists and beautiful gowns wearing women.

[@davidpactor5446]

the sergeant was quite a piece of work. i swear he seemed that he was in the cups' ! probably didn't go on to bigger and better roles! 'I represent the police!

[@richardlangton6804]

thank you

[@franzitaduz]

The actress gets top honors of acting the poorest death. I have ever seen on screen.

[@respecthewoman]

Haha

[@shanasavage7450]

Hahahaha!! My thoughts EXACTLY!!😂

[@mikediamond353]

I liked how she realistically cried: "Oh!"

[@jngr1]

Yes, because we all expect quality from the writer of "Reefer Madness". (That being Arthur Hoerl)

[@comedyshorts2]

Walter Brennan appears after 9 minutes.

[@LoveThoseTunes11]

Wow, that's some serious emoting going on there!! :)

[@DateTwoRelate]

A cop with Napoleon Complex trying to play Cagney+ a pixie actress (4'11") who apparently hated acting who was forced into it at an early age by her parents.

[@emperorhundredhead7007]

Just love these pre war movies . Sergeant "Thick -as-pig-shit: Jardine.

[@WintersWar]

What is Sgt Jardine saying at the final scene? It seems to skip, it's incoherent to me.

[@waderaney7]

A good movie

[@carolleenkelmann4751]

Thank goodness we have moved on from making fun of people with speech impediments.

[@amandawilcox9638]

True although it was so exaggerated that I thought Brennan was just plain drunk- until he showed up at work.

[@leelarson107]

Yeah, this is 2021, and nobody uses name-calling these days............unless they're some kinda retard.,

[@WintersWar]

I wasn't appalled by it, just annoyed. I like brennan is small doses, he tends to eat the scene of any movie he's in.

[@robertwalker5521]

@@WintersWar when the Oscars began, the voters were all studio employees (writers, directors, lighting, sound, etc Brennan won every year because he never forgot a name and treated ALL alike ...So, they changed the rules

[@danielstanwyck2812]

This is what you call REAL acting! Yeah,right.

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

THANK YOU NICE MOVIE FEB. 25 2019

[@willyD200]

Grief street ,aptly named for the acting ability from the majority of the cast in this early , talkie ! One can only imagine the changes going through the movie industry at this time. Great actors being canned due to unfavorable sounding voices. Having to memorize entire scrips and one of the obvious aspects of these early talkies , no background musical score. The wierd silence between the dialogue , especially at the opening and closing of scenes. The actors look lost at times.....for the average directors this must have been a trying experience.

[@WintersWar]

I still love this era of films, I noticed some of the actors here memorized the script and just wanted to get it out there. but, when i see some of the actors of today, this material is fine by me.

[@robertwalker5521]

An English female star was loved for being a poor, simple girl that became a hero. When sound arrived, she had a high, wealthy English voice. Audiences booed and walked out during her sound movies. Hitchcock stopped using her.. She went home, turned on the gas stove slit her throat and was found on the kitchen floor. About age 33, if I recall correctly.

[@thejerseyj5479]

​@robertwalker5521 John Gilbert was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. But when sound arrived, his career was over due to his weak voice.

[@SBG762]

Could have done without the tough guy and the stutterer. Made my anxiety go through the r-r-r-r-r-oof!!!!!

[@r.w.3339]

The stutter . The meager beginnings of a future great star Walter Brennan!

[@bobwallace9814]

@@r.w.3339 I thought he looked familiar....thanks!

[@rhooper11]

bob wallace Walter Brennan plays in another here on KZbin! “Strange People 1933”. It’s a great movie!

[@Magnetron33]

@@rhooper11 Pretty sure I saw Louis Calhern as well.

[@Magnetron33]

@@r.w.3339 3 years later Walter would be the train conductor in the 1st 3 stooges movie.

[@lajas46]

Isn't the male lover the guy who plays the brother of Miss Crabtree on the Little Rascals which started Jackie Cooper who taught the guy was gonna marry Miss Crabtree.

[@WHEREISTHEREASON]

+luis grant I do believe you're correct. Good Eye. Why is it so enjoyable to some of us to find these tid-bits of information? One thing I've been doing for decades now , Is trying to guess who is going to be listed as the makeup artist on any given movie. My guess must be "posted" after the studio logo and before the makeup artist is listed. Not that I'm especially interested in makeup, I'm a heterosexual man, it's just a game to play with myself. I know it is odd but that's why it is trivia. Once you begin to notice, you find that the Westmore family had many brothers and a father ( Perc, Bud, Ern and Wally) all of whom were the makeup artist in the golden era of Hollywood. Though they worked for different studios. Some of the really big women celebrities would have their own makeup artist follow them to whatever project. A couple of others were Jack Dawn and Ben Nye. Seems it was decidedly a male profession. I don't know why but when the music starts and the screen shows Universal's globe or Paramount's mountain and I make my guess, it is really a bit of a charge to be correct. (I've been told I'm verbose.)

[@robertwalker5521]

@@WHEREISTHEREASON ...For 'sound" I always guess Glen Glenn.

[@marksuits4379]

Paul Hurst is always fun to find in these old films... plays the comically snide very dumb cop.

[@robertwalker5521]

Thirteenth Guest....He was assigned to follow a Society Dame and came back with his shoes on "backward" or wrong footed.. (in real life, she was the live-in girlfriend of Katherine Hepburn.

[@adwolfpack1014]

HEY, EVERYBODY ! LEAVE IT TO JARDINE ! It's a movie, it's make believe....relax. Or just don't watch it. Hahaha!

[@cheryljohnson6124]

Love her dress

[@MA_808]

Barbara Kent is super cute.

[@charlesjames888]

For some reason most of Thorp's films have survived while thousands of others are gone. Not a bad director but only a little above average.

[@jaycosgrove9765]

CHARLES JAMES: I've never heard of your direction in films. Which proves that to you he may be a little above average but that's a lot more than you are in the skill of film direction. Which makes you far less.

[@littlelamb56]

Excellent entertainment.

[@frankesopi]

water brennen wow

[@randybaker3256]

I like reading movies guessing whats next I got this one 😉

[@randybaker3256]

The dying scenes lol 🤣

[@Deepbluecat]

Detectives allowed press guys to hang around homicide scenes...wow, times have changed

[@randybaker3256]

lmfao 🤣🤣🤣 the dying scene 🙄

[@richardnailhistorical3445]

Jardine, don't ya just live the guy? 'Don't you go anywhere - where do you think I'd go? Jersey maybe" - Jardine made the movie!

[@ergbudster3333]

"Who me, captain?"

[@vibewoogie3483]

Erg Budsterz

[@DuchessBirdie]

Also has a very young Walter Brennan from The Real McCoys.

[@thejerseyj5479]

I didn't know Al Jardine's grandfather was a police sergeant! PS, Walter Brennan's stuttering act is starting to grate on me.

[@sharonspencer2312]

I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it. Didn't recognize Walter Brennan.

[@sageemma]

Unless I am mistaken, the police Sergeant detective was drunk for his entire performance.

[@randybaker3256]

😂 lol 🍻

[@kenbritton8227]

This was before prohibition ended, but that did not stop the drinking. The interior of the room is impressive wit swirling banisters and all. Now look at that pos art on the wall 58:10. Looks like the work of someones drunken teen.

[@littlewhitepetals8790]

John should have thought about the carpet, it may haven given him enough time for his head to cool.

[@sharonspencer2312]

?who's John?

[@bridgetwhitaker1965]

His voice sounds like Henry Fonda. Ryan that is.

[@suzieqwonder3089]

“Are you trying to make a monkey of the law?” They say the darnest things! In fact, let’s face it, the whole script & dialog is a little less than horrible ~

[@billjudd6059]

Love art decco

[@jamiesmainchannel4]

7:49, 12:25, 20:14, 23:55, 25:38, 28:09, 31:10, 37:01, 41:07, 50:18, 53:14, 58:55, 1:02:54

[@ALavin-en1kr]

Can’t they do a scene without lighting up or offering a cigarette, whether it was habit or promotion,, who knows.

[@virnamisra1657]

Arrange immediately else face your grief street

[@BigBishop1]

jardine is a hot mess

[@XuKaiChengfan]

Jardine plays Jeff in Murder at Glen Athol. That’s a great movie too.

[@caveman4598]

Leave it to jardine

[@reverendsaltine6852]

Even with Walter Brennan as the stuttering drunken reporter, i still can’t see any reason to showcase a stuttering drunken reporter.

[@leelarson107]

Better than what we have now.

[@robertwalker5521]

Maybe he abided by the : Who, What, Where, When and How....and, maybe even Why. Try finding all those in the first two paragraphs of nearly any column about a new event.

[@geraldhard1562]

Whats the point of walter b. Stuttering to through off people or to add color. That one cop that yells is nutty. A who did it an how... Your as nutty as you think i am . best line . was he strangled from above. How an who why.

[@Gkuljian]

Jardine ruins this film. Is this a mystery or a comedy? Geez.

[@WintersWar]

Damn that Jardine!

[@keithharvey6354]

Why re enact the theatre scene at the end?What's the decanter to do with it?How was he strangled in a locked room?I need to lie down.

[@sharonspencer2312]

He was poisoned during the opening play, not strangled at all. When the murderer unlocked the door, he put the cord around his neck to make it look like he was strangled.

[@dennisday2049]

What does pre-code hollywood mean?

[@PizzaFLIX]

“Pre-Code” refers to a brief era in American film between the introduction of talkies in 1927 and the enforcement of censorship guidelines known as the "Hays Code" in mid-1934. During this time censorship barely existed, and filmmakers had free rein to make the movies they wanted and the public demanded. kzbin.info/aero/PLmHgXUJMN1TXamZGzvbMLIs3tP9zlsHke

[@Magnetron33]

@@PizzaFLIX Yeah, after that they had to cover up a little more

[@randybaker3256]

Yes I had to Google this 🤔

[@dennisday2049]

@@randybaker3256 Yes, I am computer illiterate. Can't figure out tv controls, smart phones, can barely do what I am doing now.

[@philthycat1408]

Actress playing Jean Royce is very petite or the male actors are giants.

[@thejerseyj5479]

Jean Kent, who lived to 103, was 4'11"

[@mariapasos7482]

What a Sexy dress for that time..

[@phillipmarlowe0525]

The acting in this is so laughable and bad.

[@johnnycalifornia9790]

1. Stuttering Guy was annoying and unnecessary. 2. Why didn't they bring the girl to a hospital?

[@robertwalker5521]

It is Walter Brennan. The wasn't his last movie. He was in a couple hundred others.

[@laurnaleto4622]

Tired plot. Brennan, 37, a renowned character actor on his 30th film probably created the stutter as he often chose to limp. Still steals the scenes. All efforts at comic relief in this movie were lost on me. Attempt at art deco decor.

[@michellezoe4596]

Geez....i've seen some bad movies in my life but this is just downright shite! Acting could be alot better, but the script is god awful!!

[@kenlieberman4215]

The sargent is hilarious. The rest of the movie is rather crappy.

[@howard44mag]

333

[@dukromeo]

the scene @ 7:11 is just ridiculous. absurd as the day is long. dude did not need to call over the old man. everyone always getting so close to speak to each other is so goofy. tighter frame because HONK HONK

[@annebellette201]

Good movie