Baby Face (1933, Alfred E. Green)
Gritty, brutally honest pre-code Hollywood drama with a high-powered by Barbara Stanwyck, and many observations on how working women were seen during the Depression era. Stanwyck plays Lily, a poor girl living with her abusive father. After pops dies, Lily goes to the big city and soon she finds out that sex is a marvelous tool that can be utilized to achieve rapid success. Lily literally goes from bed to bed, as she climbs to the top. Frank treatment of social issues and sex are some of many reasons this production still looks relevant, while other films from the same era now look dated and passé. Unfortunately, the film becomes a bit more conventional with the arrival of George Brent’s character (well, someone had to spoil the fun!) during the second half, but until then, a surprisingly candid view of sex, money and corporate greed. Funny to see John Wayne as one of Stanwyck’s “victims.”
Leave a Reply