Spite Marriage (1929).

Spite Marriage (1929). Silent comedy film. Cast: Buster Keaton and Dorothy Sebastian and Leila Hyams. Keaton and Edward Sedgwick co-directed.

Elmer, works for a dry cleaner, who idolizes stage actress, Trilby Drew . She, is in love with actor, Lionel Benmore. He dumps her for the younger Ethyl Norcrosse. On impulse, Trilby marries Elmer. Her handlers get her out of the marriage and Elmer finds himself in trouble with some criminals. What will become of Elmer?

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Pre-Code: Red Headed Woman (1932).

Red Headed Woman (1932). Film of the Pre-Code era, based on a novel by Katherine Brush. Directed by Jack Conway. Cast: Jean Harlow, Chester Morris, Lewis Stone, Leila Hyams, Una Merkel, Henry Stephenson, May Robson, Charles Boyer and Harvey Clark.

The story begins when Lilian Andrews, will do anything to seduce her wealthy boss, William Legendre Jr. and break up his marriage. His wife Irene, soon after the divorce finds that she does not want to live without him and tries to get back with Bill, only to find he has married Lil.

Lil, is not happy because she is shunned by Bill's father, Will Legendre Sr., because of her low class behavior. When Charles B. Gaerste, a coal tycoon visits the family, Lil thinks she has found a way into the higher social circles. She seduces him, into throwing a party for her. Things are looking good for Lil, until her hairdresser Sally, informs her that all the guests have left early to attend a party for Irene.

She decides to move to New York City, without her husband. Will finds Lil's handkerchief at Gaerste's place and shows his evidence to his son, who hires a detective, who finds out that she having two affairs. One with Charles and the other with his French chauffeur, Albert. Bill shows Charles the photographs. When Lil learns that Charles has found out about her, she returns to Bill, only to find that he has gone back to Irene. She shoots him, but he survives, will he have her arrested?

Fun Fact:

Jean Harlow's first line is "Who says gentlemen prefer blonde's?" which was written by Anita Loos for the movie who's most famous work was the musical comedy, Gentlemen Prefer Blonde's (1953).

No matter what type of role Jean Harlow played, it seems like she loved acting. Una Merkel, gives a wonderful performance as her roommate and look for Charles Boyer, in his small role. This film is very good example of a pre-code film.

Leila Hyams (1 May 1905 – 4 December 1977) . Her short film career began in silent films, and ended in the mid 1930s.

Her parents were vaudeville comedy performers John Hyams and Leila McIntyre, Hyams performed on-stage with her parents as a child. As a teenager she worked as a model and become well known after appearing in a successful series of newspaper advertisements. This success led her to Hollywood.

She made her first film in 1924, and with her blond hair, she was cast in many supporting roles. She proved herself in her small roles and over time she came to be taken seriously as an actress.

Her first first talkie was the film, Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928) opposite William Haines, Lionel Barrymore and Karl Dane. The following year she performed in the murder mystery, The Thirteenth Chair, a role that allowed her to showcase her dramatic abilities. The quality of her parts continued to improve, like her performance in the film, The Big House (1930) and in the film, Surrender (1931).

She is maybe best remembered for two early 1930s horror movies, Freaks (1932) and in the film, Island of Lost Souls (1933).

She also performed in the once controversial Jean Harlow film, Red-Headed Woman (1932), the musical comedy, The Big Broadcast (1932) and the film, Ruggles of Red Gap (1935) .

Stepping Out (1936).

Stepping Out(1936). Cast: Charlotte Greenwood, Reginald Denny, Leila Hyams (pictured above).

Eve Martin and her husband Tom have been married for two years. Eve's close friend Sally Smith is married to Tom's pal Tubby, who talks Tom to play around behind their wives' backs. They pretend to be filmmakers and "audition" two young women and they soon begin an affair. Meanwhile, Sally suggests that she and Eve, travel to Mexico for awhile hoping to make their husbands miss and appreciate them more. As soon as Eve and Sally leave for Mexico, Tom and Tubby continue their affairs. Tom's lawyer, drops by and tells the men that the contract they signed to make a motion picture has gone passed their budget. Tom and Tubby sign over all their stocks, bonds and checking accounts, to their wives hoping that Eve and Sally will not learn of the transfer. Unfortunately, the wives return unexpectedly and find the papers that their husbands recently signed. On their way out, the wives see Tubby in the pool with Bubbles and Cleo waiting for Tom in one of their rooms. Eve and Sally, clean out their husbands bank accounts, leaving them broke. In Mexico, Eve and Sally have a wonderful time spending their husbands money. You have to watch to see what happens next.

I just saw this movie for the first time on TCM.. I was really curious to see Charlotte Greenwood's performance, which reminded me a little of Olive Oyl. It was also the first time I saw Leila Hyams, perform. I really do not think I will give this movie a 2nd viewing.

Leila Hyams, made her first film in 1924 and was cast in supporting roles, where all she had to do was smile and look pretty. She proved herself to be a talented actress overtime and was assigned better parts. By 1928 she was achieving success in MGM's first talkie release, Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928). The following year she performed in the murder mystery The Thirteenth Chair (1929).The quality of her parts continued to improve as in the movie, The Big House(1930). She also performed in Surrender (1931). Leila Hyams is best remembered for two early 1930s horror movies, Freaks (1932), and in the film, Island of Lost Souls (1933).She also performed in the film, Red-Headed Woman (1932),The Big Broadcast (1932), Red Gap (1935).

This clip is from the movie, Red Gap (1935). Cast: Charles Laughton, Mary Boland, Charles Ruggles and Zasu Pitts.