The rather bizarre pre-Code drama SEARCH FOR BEAUTY (1934) was released on Blu-ray last week by
Kino Lorber.
SEARCH FOR BEAUTY, released in the waning months of the pre-Code era, is a curio inasmuch as it has some wild "pre-Code moments" -- but they're dropped into a story which is frankly dull much of the time. Still, the movie is probably essential viewing for a complete understanding of the pre-Code era.
Buster Crabbe and an almost unrecognizable Ida Lupino play Don and Barbara, American and British swimming champions who are recruited to work at a health magazine.
Don and Barbara are the popular, upstanding "faces" used to market the magazine, but unknown to them, the magazine is actually a "get rich quick scheme" run by a bunch of con artists (Robert Armstrong, James Gleason, and Gertrude Michaels).
When Don leaves the country on business, the trio running the magazine turn it into a tacky but more successful rag with salacious stories and photos. Don and Barbara battle to turn the magazine back into a respectable publication, and there's also a battle for control of a "fitness farm" hotel where athletes Don has recruited from the U.S. and UK will be working with guests.
Don and Barbara just might be smart enough to win, especially with mysterious board member Reverend Rankin (Frank McGlynn Sr.) on their side.
The story should have been a lot more fun, but the movie has still enough eye-popping moments to keep the viewer watching. The most notable of these scenes, which I found shocking even for a pre-Code, involves locker room nudity with several men shot from behind. I was definitely not expecting that!
One of the most entertaining sequences is a Berkeley-esque production number staged by LeRoy Prinz. As the contest winners are named, take a close look at the young lady from Texas -- it's Ann Sheridan.
Other than the wacky production number, a bizarre conglomeration of scantily clad athletes dancing to "Stars and Stripes Forever," Toby Wing might be the best thing in the movie. She's a hoot as Ida's dumb but pretty platinum blonde cousin, who at one point ends up dancing on a tabletop.
If only the battle for control of the magazine were as interesting as the film's wilder moments. Fortunately the movie is only 78 minutes so it passes pretty quickly.
A curiosity is that Roscoe Karns' name appears in the film's posters, including the one used on Kino Lorber's Blu-ray cover, but he's nowhere in the movie!
The movie was directed by Eric C. Kenton and filmed by Harry Fischbeck. An army of contributors worked on the story and screenplay, which was in turn inspired by a play.
Kino Lorber's Blu-ray print is from a new 2K master; it looks and sounds very good, especially considering the movie's age.
Extras are a commentary track by Lee Gambin and Emma Westwood, along with a gallery of trailers for half a dozen other films available from Kino Lorber.
Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.
The rather bizarre pre-Code drama SEARCH FOR BEAUTY (1934) was released on Blu-ray last week by Kino Lorber.
2 Comments:
Anything with Buster Crabbe is worth a look, staying with the entire picture is soemthing still to be determined.
I wouldn't buy it on its own, but it's in the box set I already have. It's an odd one.
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