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 greatest American movies ever made, “Gold Diggers of 1933” is the rare 1930’s musical that wasn’t made as escapist entertainment from the doldrums of the Great Depression; rather, the Depression is integral to the plot of the film, which circles three chorus girls (played by Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, and Alice MacMahon) who are so dirt poor they all sleep in the same bed and steal their neighbors’ milk off their stoop. But when Keeler’s pianist boyfriend (Dick Powell) mysteriously arrives with the funds to bankroll a new show starring the girls, he kickstarts a story brimming with comedy, romance, mistaken identities, hopeful financial prospects, and a healthy dose of criticism for contemporary American politics.

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy and also starring Warren William, Guy Kibbee, and Ginger Rogers, “Gold Diggers of 1933” contains several elaborate— and risqué— music numbers helmed by legendary choreographer Busby Berkeley, including “We’re in the Money” and“Pettin’ in the Park,” that celebrate the sexually liberated attitudes prevalent during Hollywood’s pre-Code period.

Arkadin does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. However, we encourage researching titles to determine if a screening may contain content that could be upsetting to you. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on specific films. Information about content can also be found on Common Sense Media, IMDB and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.

THEATER POLICIES

All seats are first-come, first-served.

The theater opens 30 minutes prior to showtime, except for “Happy Hour” events and pre-shows when the theater opens at the listed 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.