Don't Bet on Love - 1933 ***

Notably the film that took Ginger and Lew up the aisle, this is a mediocre movie about a plumber who is addicted to betting on horses because he gets hints before each race. His girlfriend Molly will not marry him unless he stops his gambling and saves up $1000. He wins the money but continues to gamble, and although Molly is not happy, she takes his word that he will never put money on races again. However, when she finds out on her wedding day that he is taking her to Saratoga for their honeymoon because of the horses, she has had enough, and finishes with him. 

I love Lew Ayres and I'm pretty keen on Ginger as well, so this it was nice to see how they met and got together. 

Murder with Pictures - 1936 ****

Oh Yes! This is the type of movie I needed after this weekend to cheer me up. Ironically the 2 films I have enjoyed the most have both starred Lewis Ayres. Ayres (again) this time plays a good guy (for a change) who is caught up in the middle of a murder investigation after someone is killed at a gathering of reporters and photographers. It's actually a really good story despite the sadly dire quality of the film (I do wish more of these less well-known classic movies would be digitally remastered) and I was pretty keen to find the culprit. Lew Ayres was excellent, and I think this is the start of my researching into his filmography for much more of his work.

The Doorway to Hell - 1930 ****

Those were the days. The days when Lewis Ayres was one of the 'top' gangsters in Warner Bros. The days when James Cagney really did look like he was wearing too much eye-liner. The days when every single object, person, place was perfectly glamourous. 'The Doorway to Hell' is really a film to rival 'Public Enemy' and 'Little Caesar.' Ayres and Cagney play the heads of a gang who are intent on keeping the peace between others in the Chicago area. Before long, Ayres decides to retire on his wealth and move to the country with his new wife Doris. However Cagney cannot cope on his own and is soon trying to persuade Ayres to come back..
For an unknown I enjoyed it immensely. Wonderful snapshot.