William A. Wellman´s ‘Safe in Hell (1931)’ is one of the best examples to define the Pre-Code era. Gilda Carlson (Dorothy Mackaill) killed the man, who forced her to become a prostitute. She flees from New Orleans to an Island, where life has no value. Are you ready to meet some of the most rotten, corrupted and sleaziest inhabitants of the Caribbean?
Pre-Code fascinates me for the fact alone that movie directors just had some minor thematic restrictions. Before the introduction of the Hays Code in 1934, violence, sex and verbal insults could be shown much more explicitly. Although this was a relatively short film era of just 7 years, it has a considerable influence on future decades. The often dark and brutal stories are, in some cases, thematically comparable to the classic Noir Era (1941 – 1958).
‘Safe in Hell (1931)’ has many characters, but everything happens around Gilda. A wild woman who enjoys life to the full. She drinks, smokes, swears and parties. But she also has a big heart that keeps beating in honor, until the end of the film, despite countless temptations. Gilda is practically in every scene. Even if she is not visible, the bunch of male hoodlums is talking only about her. A strong hen juggles a basket of wolves! It´s a pleasure to watch her throughout this terrific movie. Highly recommended to all fans of hard boiled flicks from the 30s. Some more shots from her captivating performance at the end of the post.
By the way, a mix-up with Rita Hayworth’s ‘Gilda (1946)’ is impossible! 😉
Carl Bergen (Donald Cook) is in love with Gilda (Dorothy Mackaill) and helps her to escape. He played besides James Cagney and Jean Harlow in ‘The Public Enemy (1931)’ and also together with Barbara Stanwyck in ‘Baby Face (1933).’ Both hard boiled. Both Pre-Code.
Carl (Donald Cook) marries Gilda (Dorothy Mackaill) before leaving the island. No priest is around, so he performs the ceremony himself.
Piet (Ralf Harolde) is a pimp and was accidentally killed by Gilda. But is he really dead?
Bruno (Morgan Wallace), the island´s hangman, has it´s own agenda to get his hands on the beautiful Gilda. Wallace was a founding member of the Screen Actor´s Guild, also known as SAG.
Larson sunk his own ship, including most of the passengers, to collect the insurance. Gustav von Seyffertitz was born in Germany, but immigrated to the US in the 1910s. He also appears in ‘Shanghai Express (1932),’ which is a Pre-Code movie too.
Egan aka TNT (John Wray) is a safe cracker. Wray is well known for his role as Himmelstoss in ‘All Quiet on the Western Front (1930).’
General Emmanuel Jesus Maria Gomez (Victor Varconi) is a revolutionist. Let´s call him ‘GEJMG’ instead!
Jones (Charles Middleton) is a lawyer, “as crooked as they make them,” who found a place of refuge on the exotic island. Middleton played Ming the Merciless in ‘Flash Gordon (1936).’
‘Crunch’ (Ivan F. Simpson) constantly chews on nuts. His nickname fits to his habits … He´s a pickpocket and has committed other crimes. Simpson mostly appeared in adventure flicks of the 1930s.
Leonie (Nina Mae McKinney) runs the hotel, where most of the story takes place.
Newcastle (Clarence Muse) is the porter.
Dorothy Mackaill´s most active period was from 1929 to 1931, when she appeared in 17 (!) films. And she had the leading role in 16 (!). Nonetheless, Mackaill never had a major breakthrough to join the ranks of names such as Stanwyck, Harlow and Lombard.
Gilda looks at the horizon through a window.
Gilda says “Farewell!” to Carl.
Her room in the hotel shields Gilda from intruders? Not really …
A nice mirror shot.
Gilda plays the piano with a lot of style.
Some booze after ‘being on the wagon’ for a long time …
… I just killed him …
The crew wants to light Gilda´s cigarette …
One of my favorite shots. The sensible side of Gilda.
The inf(l)am(e)ous title card of ‘Safe in Hell (1931).’
Rating:
‘Safe in Hell (1931)’ reached the ‘Breathless Heights‘ on the ‘Rating Mountain:’
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