Call Her Savage

If not the best pre-code Hollywood movie, then certainly the most ridiculously over the top and decadent. Come to think of it, in my book, that's pretty much synonymous with "best". The mother lode mined by guys like Kenneth Anger, The Kuchars and John Waters. It's garish, lewd and awesome and if it had come out today, it would probably still get an R-rating just for the rape scene, the prostitution, the child death and the drag queen alone. But there's more. Oh, yes. So much more.

It has plenty of panache, and it's inherently interesting to see a movie from 1933 with this much of an edge to it. I liked it, but I wasn't won over by its - for its time, very - lurid charms.

Ceratinly contains some material that wouldn't have made a code-era final cut - I particularly liked seeing Clara Bow throwing punches. Still, I half-expected something that was yet more wild and risque.

Unfortunate stereotypes aside this melodrama is a wild ride with several twist and turns.Temperamental Clara Bow is frequently in a state of near undress in the film. In 88 minutes the film includes alcohol, adultery, strong violence, attempted rape, murder, syphilis (not named, but heavily implied) and baby death. 5 minutes after her baby dies, she's picking fights with the proletariat at a gay bar in the Village frequented by “wild poets and anarchists”.It's outrageous and Bow is great.

Clara Bow lost some of her 'It' factor in her first sound pictures, but she regaining a lot of her appeal here. Young wild girl turned sophisticated to unfortunate and scandalous. It covers all of Bow's qualities as an actress and she shines. And for a Hollywood movie it's got all the pre-code (lack-of) morals packed into one. Whipping, drinking, cheating, divorce, prostitution, gay bar visit and a good indication of Bow's nipples through her dress. A lot of melodrama in a good way.