"Bed of Roses" is a film that some who get hung up on the early Hollywood rating code would be quick to call a "pre-code" film. While some such early sound films were quite risqué, the vast majority of them weren't, even by standards of the time. Many modern "R" rated films are far more explicit with sex, nudity, and more. The point is made here because this film has nothing like that. But what it does have is innuendo, suggestion and unspoken sex content. So, it's a good example of what the Hollywood writers would have to be doing in all such films within the next year, when the studios began enforcing their "Breen" code through the Hays office. Those are the names of the men who were the first to handle this task for the movie moguls.
Of course, what makes this a so-called "pre-code" film is its obvious reference to the two female leads as prostitutes from the very opening. Even such a reference would get tougher screening within a year. So, the two female leads are hookers whose livelihoods consist of trying to roll prospects before having to deliver the goods.
It's interesting for that aspect, where so few films were made before the mid-to-late 20th century about such characters. There were many films about gold-diggers and women (and some men) looking for wealthy prospects for spouses. But this is an early look at a couple of women who make their living by rolling dupes.
Obviously, the plot had to be more than that, and so one of the women decides to go straight after she falls for a hard-working river barge operator. The setting is around the Mississippi River and New Orleans. A number of early movies were set on paddle-wheelers (besides the musical, "Show Boat").
The screenplay is somewhat weak in spots, and the direction and editing seem sloppy at times. The cast are okay, but not exceptional. That goes for Constance Bennett as Lorry Evans and Joel McCrea as Dan. John Halliday's Stephen Paige seems a little overboard at times, and wooden at other times. The best performance in the film is by Pert Kelton as Minnie Brown, the girlfriend and fellow crook of Lorry.
The film is a comedy romance and drama. The comedy is mostly in some snappy dialog quips by Lorry or Minnie. The best line is by Minnie, when she says, "Mmm, you know, Mr. Paige, it's too back you wasn't born twins."
Of course, what makes this a so-called "pre-code" film is its obvious reference to the two female leads as prostitutes from the very opening. Even such a reference would get tougher screening within a year. So, the two female leads are hookers whose livelihoods consist of trying to roll prospects before having to deliver the goods.
It's interesting for that aspect, where so few films were made before the mid-to-late 20th century about such characters. There were many films about gold-diggers and women (and some men) looking for wealthy prospects for spouses. But this is an early look at a couple of women who make their living by rolling dupes.
Obviously, the plot had to be more than that, and so one of the women decides to go straight after she falls for a hard-working river barge operator. The setting is around the Mississippi River and New Orleans. A number of early movies were set on paddle-wheelers (besides the musical, "Show Boat").
The screenplay is somewhat weak in spots, and the direction and editing seem sloppy at times. The cast are okay, but not exceptional. That goes for Constance Bennett as Lorry Evans and Joel McCrea as Dan. John Halliday's Stephen Paige seems a little overboard at times, and wooden at other times. The best performance in the film is by Pert Kelton as Minnie Brown, the girlfriend and fellow crook of Lorry.
The film is a comedy romance and drama. The comedy is mostly in some snappy dialog quips by Lorry or Minnie. The best line is by Minnie, when she says, "Mmm, you know, Mr. Paige, it's too back you wasn't born twins."