Disaster Blogathon: Deluge (1933)

This post is my entry in the Disaster Blogathon, hosted by The Midnite Drive-In and Dubsism. Follow the links to indulge yourself in a deluge of disaster films.

Deluge captured my interest back in 2017, soon after its release by KL Studio Classics, mostly because it was a pre-code disaster film that was once considered lost, but also because it featured an appearance by Sidney Blackmer, who would later play Roman Castavet in Rosemary's Baby. I am always interested in seeing early film appearances by actors I first encountered in their later years, and Blackmer has an impressive filmography I may need to explore further. This film was directed by Felix E. Feist, who also directed some other well known movies I've seen: Donovan's Brain and The Man Who Cheated Himself. Be forewarned that I intend to share the events in this film in its entirety, so be prepared for spoilers.

 

Season of Horror: Frankenstein (1931)

Sunday afternoon seems ideal for watching one of Universal Pictures classic horror movies. I have selected Frankenstein for today's viewing. I know this film from childhood, but I still never tire of seeing it. I have always thought of this solely as a classic monster movie, but now that I've had quite a bit of pre-code movie experience, my perspective has changed somewhat.

I've seen Mae Clarke, who plays Elizabeth, as a moll who gets a grapefruit in the face in Public Enemy, as well as a prostitute hooking up with a naive soldier in Waterloo Bridge. John Boles plays Victor Moritz and is the face I recognize from Shirley Temple movies. Dwight Frye was Renfield before Fritz. Edward Van Sloan was Van Helsing before Doctor Waldman. Boris Karloff...well I still don't think of Frankenstein as being played by Boris Karloff, which is due to Karloff's brilliant acting and make-up. While this movie has been recreated many times over, there is nothing like the original Frankenstein.

"Where should we be if nobody tried to find out what lies beyond?"