Scantly clad nurses violate curfew, aide a bootlegger and
bond with each other trangessionally to appeases their youthful
sensations.
Stanwyck, left and Blondell in 1931s "Night Nurse"
“Night Nurse,” starring Barbara Stanwyck and Joan
Blondell is a 1931 movie based on the book by Grace Perkins, aka Dora Macy.
In 1931, “Night Nurse” would have been an R movie. Illegal
sales of alcohol and risqué subject matter are just a small part of this well
written story.
"Night Nurse," Blondell & Stanwyck
The conflict begins when Stanwyck notices the abuse of
a child via severe neglect from her parents. The young child is on the verge of
starvation because her parents would rather imbibe alcohol then care for their
young daughter.
The powers that be defend the wealthy parents, and Stanwyck
is encouraged to allow the abuse to go on. Her nursing career is also
jeopardized while trying to save a little girls life. The wicked world of
politics; in this case the medical field, where money is more important then aiding
and healing the sick, even if it’s a child.
Black and white archival movies from nearly a century
ago may be outdated today, but “Night Nurse” and “Red Headed Woman” have
maintained their film noir allure.
Jean Harlow, 1932s "Red Headed Woman"
“Red Headed Woman” starring Jean Harlow first hit the
masses in 1932. This movie would have also gotten an R rating under today’s standards.
Harlow, a single woman in this movie pursues the road to riches by dating rich
men.
Harlow becomes a shunned woman, but in the end, she gets
what she wants. In the last scene of the “Red Headed Woman” Harlow marries a
rich, much older man then herself. On their wedding day, she coly smiles at the
young handsome chauffeur employed by her new husband.
My review of this flick has done “Red Headed Woman” no
justice. In the wee-wee hours of the night, “Red Headed Woman” is a fantastic
flick. I fully understand why Jean Harlow was a Hollywood sensation back in the
day.
Mark Izzy Schurr
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