Three on a Match -1932

Three on a Match -1932
Originally uploaded by livingfilm.

I just re-watched one of my favorite Pre-Code films Three on a Match, directed by Mervyn Leroy, and staring Joan Blondell, Ann Dvorak, Bette Davis and a very young Humphrey Bogart. It's a tough little picture and it is only 64 mins long. You really can't go wrong! It starts with three girls in grade school, one is the brains -Ruth, one is the beauty -Vivian, and one is a floosy -Mary. Ruth -Bette Davis, though smart cannot go to High School so she goes to business college and gets a job as a typist, Vivian -Ann Dvorak marries a rich Lawyer and has a child, and Mary -Joan Blondell goes to Reform School and becomes a Showgirl. After several years they all run into each other and decide to have coffee.

Now you might be wondering were the title of the film comes from. Well apparently there was a little phrase about if you lit three cigarettes with one match someone will die. As you learn from the film it was not originated during the first World War, were it was thought that if you had a match lit long enough to light three cigarettes the enemy could see you -like in Rosselinni's Paisan-. But actually, the phrase was created by a Match Baron, who became very rich because it caused superstitious bums to buy more matches. If I may digress.

Well, needless to say the girls light three cigarettes with one match during lunch. And the last girl lit -I'm not telling which one- is set on a path of self destruction and becomes a junkie hooked on Booze, Sex, Heroin, and Cocaine. And ultimately redeemed only by her suicide.

I love this movie! It is on VHS, and is carried in many video stores. I would imagine it will be released next year on DVD if you must wait. But why deny yourself? WATCH IT!

P.S. Look out for livingfilm favorite Frankie Darro, in the early part of the film as Bobby in an uncredited role.