Pre-Code Film from Royal Books, Inc.

Culver City, CA: RKO Radio Pictures, 1932. Vintage reference photograph from the 1932 pre-Code film, showing Erich von Stroheim in costume as the tyrannical director Arthur von Furst. RKO Radio Pictures and Cinevogue stamps on the verso, along with annotations in manuscript pencil relating to cropping. Based on the 1932 novel by Dick Grace, about three World War… Read more about this item

London: National Film Archive, 1932. Vintage reference photograph from the set of the 1932 film, showing director Frank Borzage measuring Helen Hayes' foot. National Film Archive stamp on the verso. From the archive of film historian and author Joel Finler. Based on the 1929 semi-autobiographical novel by Ernest Hemingway, about the doomed love affair between an ambulance… Read more about this item

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers, 1933. Final script for the 1934 pre-Code film musical, seen here under the working title "Hot Air." Presentation copy belonging to screenwriter Jerry Wald, with his name in gilt on the front board. INSCRIBED to Wald by actor Dick Powell: "To Jerry Wald / Thanks for letting me work in your first story / I… Read more about this item

N.p.: N.p., 1931. Four vintage reference photographs from the 1931 film. From the archive of film historian and author Joel Finler. A largely fictionalized account of the life of Mata Hari, exotic dancer and courtesan, who was executed by France for espionage during World War I. A sensation in the US and Europe, it was Greta Garbo's most… Read more about this item

Culver City, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [MGM], 1934. Vintage herald for the 1934 film. Based on the 1934 novel by Dashiell Hammett, a classic of pre-Code cinema. Followed by five sequels. 6 x 7 inches. Bifold. About Near Fine, with faint foxing affecting the first leaf. National Film Registry. Ebert II. Penzler 101.

Los Angeles: Fox Film Corporation, 1933. Final Shooting script for the 1933 film. Copy belonging to an uncredited cast member, with his name in manuscript pencil on two revision pages. An incarcerated bootlegger conspires with the police to ensnare his own gang after they kidnap the daughter and son-in-law of the judge who jailed him. … Read more about this item

Los Angeles: Fox Film Corporation, 1932. Final Shooting script for the 1932 film. Annotation in manuscript pencil on the front wrapper, noting the name of an unknown crew member. Based on the 1932 novel by Denison Clift. Government agent Stephen Morrow's boss and best friend is engaged to Morrow's former lover, a Hungarian woman under investigation for… Read more about this item

Los Angeles: Paramount Pictures, 1933. Post-production Final script for the 1933 film. Lt. Henry Crocker, a blithe Royal Air Force pilot, realizes that the constant violence of war is beginning to take a harsh toll on Lt. Jerry Young, his flying ace buddy. When Young breaks down and eventually commits suicide, Crocker decides to stage his death as… Read more about this item

Los Angeles: Fox Film Corporation, 1932. Final Shooting script for the 1932 film, seen here under the working title "Divided By Two," which has been crossed out, with the title "Handle With Care" written in manuscript ink just above. A single mother's peaceful family life is disturbed by her growing attraction to a handsome gangster. … Read more about this item

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers, 1931. Vintage portrait photograph of a menacing James Rennie from the 1931 film. Ann and Dick live happily together out of wedlock due to Ann's "modern" beliefs about love. After marrying due to social pressure, both prove to be unfaithful, and attempt to salvage their love by separating and dating. Stanwyck's first starring role,… Read more about this item

London: National Film Archive, 1931. Vintage reference photograph from the 1931 pre-Code film, showing the Marx Brothers on the set. National Film Archive stamp on the verso, along with annotations in manuscript ink. From the archive of film historian and author Joel Finler. The Marx Brothers' third film, and the first to utilize an original screenplay, as… Read more about this item

N.p.: N.p., 1932. Vintage reference photograph from the 1932 pre-Code film, showing director Michael Curtiz and a camera crew filming a scene. From the archive of film historian and author Joel Finler. Based on the 1932 memoirs of former prison warden Lewis E. Lawes, about a brash convict's increasingly desperate attempts to escape Sing Sing. … Read more about this item

N.p.: N.p., 1932. Three vintage photograms from the 1932 silent film, all three showing actress Seena Owen. From the archive of film historian and author Joel Finler. Although initial work on the film began in 1928, production was shut down after actress Gloria Swanson complained about the film's grim, sexually suggestive ending, wherein her character becomes… Read more about this item

N.p.: N.p., 1930. Four vintage reference photographs from the 1930 film. A sound remake of the 1925 silent film, which was in turn based on Tod Robbins' 1917 novel. Three former sideshow performers turn to crime after their show is shut down due to a violent riot. Actor Lon Chaney's final film appearance and sole sound film,… Read more about this item

Culver City, CA: Columbia Pictures, 1930. Vintage reference photograph from the 1930 film. Based on the 1929 play by Martin Flavin. A man convicted of manslaughter over a drunken brawl is given new work duties as a valet for the warden. A group of prisoners plan to escape but are ratted out by an informant. When one… Read more about this item

Culver City, CA: Columbia Pictures, 1932. Two vintage reference photographs from the 1932 film. During the Great Depression, a bank owner's bank is robbed and his protégé, an ex-con, is the only suspect. His protégé can't reveal his alibi because one of his witnesses is having an affair he does not want revealed. Partially shot… Read more about this item

Beverly Hills, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [MGM] / Cosmopolitan Productions, 1933. Vintage reference photographs from the 1933 film. With manuscript ink annotation on the border of the recto identifying actor Walter Huston. Based on the 1933 novel by T.F. Tweed. The President of the United States gets in a car accident and begins to not act like himself. He… Read more about this item

Los Angeles, CA: Paramount Pictures, 1931. Vintage reference photograph of actor Clive Brook from the 1931 film. With two Paramount Pictures stamps on the verso crediting Brook. Based on the 1930 novel by Louis Bromfield. A man is having an affair with a woman who is murdered by her ex-husband. He has to try and prove his… Read more about this item

N.p.: N.p., 1931. Collection of nine vintage negatives from the 1931 pre-Code horror film. Based on the classic 1886 novella, and considered by many to be the definitive adaptation. Nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one for Best Actor for Fredric March. 6 x 4 inches. Fine. Housed in a paper envelope with annotations in… Read more about this item

Los Angeles: Paramount Pictures, 1929. Vintage reference photograph from the 1929 film. With manuscript pencil annotation identifying actor Walter Huston and the set as "office" on the verso. Based on the 1928 play by Ward Morehouse. A journalist does not spend enough time with his family due to his work. Shot on location in New… Read more about this item