Forbidden Hollywood is a monthly series hosted by STL film critic Katie Carter celebrating the Pre-Code films of the early 1930s, when movies were wild, racy, transgressive, and tons of fun.

One of the most amoral films not just of the Pre-Code era, but of Hollywood in general, is 1931’s “Night Nurse.” Star Barbara Stanwyck rolls her usual toughness into her earnest portrayal of nurse Lora Hart, a woman who sincerely wants to help others— which she does, after graduating from nursing school and being assigned as the night nurse at a lavish home where a lush socialite’s young children are mysteriously dying. William Wellman’s efficient direction lends itself well to this punchy script, where everything is topsy-turvy: bootleggers are heroes, doctors and law enforcement are ineffectual, medical ethics are practically nonexistent, and a pre-fame Clark Gable is wildly miscast (but still chillingly effective) as a villainous chauffeur.

Co-starring Joan Blondell as Lora’s nurse pal Maloney, one of the only times Stanwyck and Blondell appeared on screen together but providing one of cinema’s most crackerjack examples of female friendship, “Night Nurse” is a roller-coaster ride of loose morals that’s resolved with such casual violence, it really must be seen to be believed.

THEATER POLICIES

All seats are first-come, first-served.

The theater opens one hour prior to showtime, except for “Happy Hour” events when the theater will open at the event’s start time.

All ages are welcome at Arkadin except for Drinkolas Cage events, which are restricted to 21+. We follow the MPAA rating guidelines for all other films.

Tickets can be purchased using the BUY TICKETS link above. Upon ordering, you will receive a confirmation email from Square. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the show at the concession counter.

If you’ve purchased advance tickets, when you arrive, please give your name at the concession counter to check in.

Tickets are returnable by sending a request through the contact form located on our About Us page prior to showtime.

When an event is sold out, we reserve the right to release open seats to customers on the waitlist. If you have a pre-purchased ticket and arrive late and there is no seat for you, your ticket will be refunded.

All screenings are held in our indoor theater unless indicated otherwise in the event description above.

Please respect your fellow movie-goers by remaining quiet and refraining from using your cell phone throughout the screening.