AndyWood-1973
Joined Dec 2016
Welcome to the new profile
Our updates are still in development. While the previous version of the profile is no longer accessible, we're actively working on improvements, and some of the missing features will be returning soon! Stay tuned for their return. In the meantime, the Ratings Analysis is still available on our iOS and Android apps, found on the profile page. To view your Rating Distribution(s) by Year and Genre, please refer to our new Help guide.
Badges6
To learn how to earn badges, go to the badges help page.
Reviews8
AndyWood-1973's rating
"Doctor Monica" (1934) was one of the very last precode movies, released by Warner Brothers just ten days before the chopper fell down on Hollywood.
Based on a Polish play it stars the very sophisticated Kay Francis as the successful surgeon, Dr Monica Braden.
She is unable to have children but alas, her philandering but suave husband, John (Warren William) is most definitely not shooting blanks as we find out when Monica's close friend, Mary Hathaway (Jean Muir) faints at a party. Tests prove that the unmarried young woman has "one in the oven" so to speak and never one to pry or judge, Monica helps to secure her a place in a country clinic to see out her pregnancy away from the frowning eyes of her townsfolk.
The two share a mutual friend in Anna Littlefield (Verree Teasdale) who is the first to find out that the elusive father of the unborn child is none other than the husband of the blissfully unaware Dr Monica!
John is away on business and also has no clue as to the results of his adultery when Mary goes into labour.
Already finding her imminent baby delivering duties painful in light of a recent very negative phone call from a fertility specialist, Monica is suddenly plunged into personal, emotional and moral turmoil when she overhears a phone call revealing that her husband is the sire of the soon to be born illegitimate child.
Decisions decisions decisions!!
A very well acted drama by all involved. Kay Francis is the picture of class and elegance and the brilliant Warren William manages once again to be very likeable despite playing a scoundrel. It's also interesting to see him in one of only two films (the other being as Julius Caesar in his previous film, "Cleopatra") in which he doesn't sport his trademark moustache.
Based on a Polish play it stars the very sophisticated Kay Francis as the successful surgeon, Dr Monica Braden.
She is unable to have children but alas, her philandering but suave husband, John (Warren William) is most definitely not shooting blanks as we find out when Monica's close friend, Mary Hathaway (Jean Muir) faints at a party. Tests prove that the unmarried young woman has "one in the oven" so to speak and never one to pry or judge, Monica helps to secure her a place in a country clinic to see out her pregnancy away from the frowning eyes of her townsfolk.
The two share a mutual friend in Anna Littlefield (Verree Teasdale) who is the first to find out that the elusive father of the unborn child is none other than the husband of the blissfully unaware Dr Monica!
John is away on business and also has no clue as to the results of his adultery when Mary goes into labour.
Already finding her imminent baby delivering duties painful in light of a recent very negative phone call from a fertility specialist, Monica is suddenly plunged into personal, emotional and moral turmoil when she overhears a phone call revealing that her husband is the sire of the soon to be born illegitimate child.
Decisions decisions decisions!!
A very well acted drama by all involved. Kay Francis is the picture of class and elegance and the brilliant Warren William manages once again to be very likeable despite playing a scoundrel. It's also interesting to see him in one of only two films (the other being as Julius Caesar in his previous film, "Cleopatra") in which he doesn't sport his trademark moustache.
Oliver Hardy was a far cry from his "Ollie" character of the Laurel and Hardy comedies in the 1927 high Adventure drama "No Man's Law".
Here he plays escaped con-man and murderer Sharkey Nye, who along with his partner in crime, Spider O'Day (Theodore Von Eltz) outruns the Navada police and cross the California line to freedom from the law.
Here, they discover a partially dug gold mine belonging to prospector, Jack Belcher (James Finlayson) who lives in a wooden hut with his gorgeous, innocent daughter Toby (Barbara Kent).
She is molested by Sharkey (Hardy) whilst swimming nude in a creek but her horse (Rex) manages to run him off.
The two criminals convince Toby and her Dad that they will help excavate the gold mine with honest intentions and are invited to stay.
Frictions grow high when Spider softens and falls for Toby, whilst Sharkey has more sinister intentions which result in an attempt to rape her as well as murder his partner and her father.
The tension grows fiercely in a great finale.
Hardy is absolutely superb in a rare straight role - oozing pure hatred with no comic undertones.
Finlayson provides some mild amusement but generally, the film is a serious affair.
This rare film MUST be viewed in its full restored 74 minute version with synchronised soundtrack to be fully appreciated. One of the most exciting silent adventures I have seen and testament to the wonderful versatility of Oliver Norvell Hardy.
Here he plays escaped con-man and murderer Sharkey Nye, who along with his partner in crime, Spider O'Day (Theodore Von Eltz) outruns the Navada police and cross the California line to freedom from the law.
Here, they discover a partially dug gold mine belonging to prospector, Jack Belcher (James Finlayson) who lives in a wooden hut with his gorgeous, innocent daughter Toby (Barbara Kent).
She is molested by Sharkey (Hardy) whilst swimming nude in a creek but her horse (Rex) manages to run him off.
The two criminals convince Toby and her Dad that they will help excavate the gold mine with honest intentions and are invited to stay.
Frictions grow high when Spider softens and falls for Toby, whilst Sharkey has more sinister intentions which result in an attempt to rape her as well as murder his partner and her father.
The tension grows fiercely in a great finale.
Hardy is absolutely superb in a rare straight role - oozing pure hatred with no comic undertones.
Finlayson provides some mild amusement but generally, the film is a serious affair.
This rare film MUST be viewed in its full restored 74 minute version with synchronised soundtrack to be fully appreciated. One of the most exciting silent adventures I have seen and testament to the wonderful versatility of Oliver Norvell Hardy.