Babyface

Year: 1933

Grade: A-

Country: USA

Director: Green

Review

really seedy stuff here. watched the uncut pre-release version which includes an extra 5 minutes of stuff, but doesn’t include the tacked on ending wherein the board of directors explains that babyface is slumming it as a result of her transgressions. funny stuff. i’ll put this film in the pre-noir category which would also include i am a fugitive from a chain gang. films that predate the official start of noir and maybe don’t have all the same stylistic/structural elements of a proper noir, but are similar in theme and tone. this one has a certain cynicism to it that definitely fits right in with the darkest of noirs. stanwyck is great here as is the music and direction. this is a real classic.