Revenge of the female anti-hero, Baby Face (1933)

Revenge of the female anti-hero, Baby Face (1933)

Author: Greg Titian & Meredith Ambelang June 3, 2025 Duration: 1:11:29
It is both refreshing and enraging to see the great female characters of the pre-code film era. These women were central characters with agency, desires, motives and in this case deadly control over every man she meets. We lost female characters like this for 30+ years and some could argue they were never the same. Baby Face (1933) is a dark movie about an anti-hero who uses her sex appeal to exact revenge on men. This movie was heavily censored even before the code went into effect. In the early 2000's an original copy of the film in its full form was discovered! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Baby Face (1933) 02:59 Exploring the Pre-Code Era and Censorship 06:01 The Role of Women in Pre-Code Cinema 09:02 Character Analysis: Lily Powers and Her Journey 12:02 The Dark Themes of Baby Face 14:59 Censorship and Its Impact on the Film 17:56 The Relationships and Dynamics in Baby Face 20:58 The Ending and Its Implications 24:03 Concluding Thoughts on Baby Face and Its Legacy 34:57 The Power of Manipulation in Film 41:11 Female Empowerment and Revenge 42:47 Cultural Reflections in Historical Cinema 44:13 Critical Reception and Lasting Impact 49:03 Reality vs. Fiction in Modern Storytelling 56:41 The Importance of Narrative Integrity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midnight Local is where the formal workday ends and the real, rambling conversations begin. Hosts Greg Titian and Meredith Ambelang, the creative forces behind the YouTube series How to Drink, know all about crafting content within the confines of a studio. This podcast is what happens after the cameras stop rolling. It’s the unfiltered, often hilarious, and deeply nerdy dialogue that bubbles up when two people who live and breathe pop culture-specifically TV, film, and history-are finally off the clock. Imagine pausing a movie because a thought about a director’s earlier work, a historical inaccuracy, or a bizarre piece of trivia simply cannot wait for the credits. That’s the energy here. Each episode feels like eavesdropping on a late-night chat between friends who are equally passionate and knowledgeable, where the structure of a typical show is willingly abandoned for a more interesting detour. You’ll hear the tangents, the debates, and the unexpected connections between a classic film and a modern series, all fueled by years of working together in creative chaos. Tune into this podcast for a companionable dive into the stories behind the stories, where the analysis is as entertaining as the media itself.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 60

Midnight Local
Podcast Episodes
Frankenstein and the Hays Code [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:20
In this episode of Midnight Local, hosts Greg and Meredith delve into the fascinating world of pre-code cinema, the impact of the Hays Code, and a detailed analysis of the classic films Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride…
Why do I want to be liked by Hannibal in Silence of the Lambs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode, Greg and Meredith delve into the iconic film 'Silence of the Lambs,' exploring its box office success, character dynamics, and the performances of Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. They discuss the film'…
A spooky season must watch, Night of the Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
In this conversation, Greg and Meredith discuss the movie 'Night of the Comet' and explores the topic of spooky season movies. They mention other Halloween-themed movies that could be covered and discusses the slasher fi…
The midnight movie that inspired Beetlejuice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:44
In this conversation, Gregory and Meredith discuss the movies Beetlejuice and Forbidden Zone. They explore the connection between Danny Elfman and Tim Burton, the transgressive nature of Forbidden Zone, and the iconic mu…
The best movie of 1991? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:36
The Rocketeer is a 1991 film set in the late 1930s that follows the story of Cliff Seacord, a stunt pilot who becomes a superhero known as the Rocketeer. The movie was initially released as a Disney film but later change…
Flubber?! I hardly knew her! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:20
In this conversation, Greg and Meredith discuss the 1997 movie Flubber and its various aspects, the plot, the science behind Flubber, the characters, and the 'The Absent Minded Professor' of which it is a remake. They al…
'Dinosaurs' tried to warn us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:26
Greg and Meredith discuss the sitcom 'Dinosaurs' and explore various aspects of the show, including its production, themes, and characters. The hosts analyze the dark and satirical elements of the show, as well as its co…
The Xfiles, do you believe? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss the pilot episode of The X-Files. They talk about their personal experiences with the show, the dynamic between Mulder and Scully, and the cinematic quality of…
VEEP was right! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:40
In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss the TV show Veep and its parallels to real-world politics. They share their impressions of the show, including the shaky camera style and the unlikeable charac…