Employees' Entrance (1933)

In "Employees' Entrance," Warren William plays Kurt Anderson, a man who runs a department store with ruthlessness, disregarding employees and their private lives. In silent films, this is the type of role he played. But I'm more used to the fun William from "Daytime Wife," a Perry Mason movie, and others. He had a great laugh - but you won't hear it here.

Loretta Young, 20 when she made this film, is unbelievably beautiful as Madeleine, an employee who falls for fellow employee Martin (Wallace Ford). The two marry secretly. The tyrannical Anderson does everything that he can to break up what he thinks is a budding romance - he piles work on Martin and promotes him so that he has no time for women. Anderson, meanwhile, manages to seduce the lovely Madeleine twice! Anderson's tyranny isn't just against this couple - without giving it a thought, he ruins lives and companies. Yet in spite of this, there's something admirable about his innovations, and when he spots a smart, determined individual, he wastes no time promoting him.

A very non-precode ending that will make you really wish the code never existed. This film is not only interesting as a historical piece, but it's a look at the inner workings of a department store -- and a reminder that times really haven't changed that much.