The moniker Forbidden Hollywood has been used as a banner under which to release pre-Code films on home video since the days of VHS, when MGM handled the Turner catalogue. In the DVD era, Warner released three volumes of Forbidden Hollywood, culminating in the box that cobbled together six indispensable William A. Wellman films, as well as two documentaries on the great filmmaker. Since Warner started issuing its deep catalogue through burn-on-demand discs, there’s been no shortage of pre-Code titles on offer, but last week Warner Archive announced two most welcome additions to the Forbidden Hollywood series. Among the four titles that comprise Volume 4 are three early Hollywood features directed by German emigré William Dieterle, who had joined the Warner Bros. sweatshop in 1931. And they are among his best: Jewel Robbery (1932), with William Powell and Kay Francis; Lawyer Man (1932), with Powell and Joan Blondell; and Man Wanted (1932), with Francis and David Manners. The latter, a cheeky role-reversal tale, is a textbook example of smoothness in staging and cutting. The fourth title in the set sees smal-town girl Loretta Young finding out why They Call It Sin (1932). Volume 5 showcases early thirties freewheelers Joan Blondell (Miss Pinkerton/1932), James Cagney (Hard to Handle/1933), Barbara Stanwyck (Ladies They Talk About/1933), and the great Warren William in one of his signature roles as The Mind Reader (1933). All the films have been remastered. Kudos!
