Baby Face

Saw the theatrical cut of Baby Face (thanks, Lea!) It was a 1933 sex comedy. It stars a woman who is born in poverty but ascends to the upper reaches of corporate culture on her back. Of course, given the era, everything is weirdly raunchy but understated. For example, the manager bursts in on her and her boss in a bathroom. We see the manager's shocked face and then see her smoking and it's pretty clear what was seen. The gender politics are of course regressive, the men being wolves every one and the women either gossipy rivals green with envy or successful sluts, as the main character is. It's tremendous fun to see her flounce and flirt and not give a damn though and I loved her cruelty and her boyfriends' self-deluded vulnerability. The film's a lot of fun.

It's a little rough at parts, the film stock gone grainy or jumpy. Also there's a black maid who is the protagonist's companion. She's treated a bit better than other servants I've seen. For example, she's allowed a bit of sororal rapport with the main character as they chuckle over their gains. It's not flawless of course (she's still a servant after all) but better than you'd expect. The film as a whole is that way: not without fault but a lot better than you'd think on first blush. It's one of those films that you kind of can't believe is as old as it is. Saucy but old fashioned, it winks and then balks, almost flirtatiously, teasing greater interest.