By Vlad Zakh · July 3, 2026
Louise Closser Hale brought a witty, dignified presence to Hollywood in the early sound era and became a popular character actress in comedies and dramas alike. Shanghai Express entangles train passengers in war-torn China, Platinum Blonde clashes a reporter’s marriage with his working-class values, The Man Who Played God uses lip-reading to help others after deafness, and Devotion disguises a woman as a governess. Daddy Long Legs and The Hole in the Wall round out the list.
01 Passengers aboard a train through war-torn China become entangled in intrigue and danger.
Directed by Josef von Sternberg · 1h 22m
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
02 Louise Closser Hale appears in this George Arliss drama about a concert pianist deafened by an accident who discovers he can read lips and secretly helps those in need.
Directed by John G. Adolfi · 1h 20m · Rated NR
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
03 Louise Closser Hale appears in this Capra comedy about a newspaper reporter whose marriage to a wealthy socialite clashes with his working-class values and old flame.
Directed by Frank Capra · 1h 29m · Rated NR
Stream: fuboTV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
04 Ann Harding is in this romance about a woman who disguises herself as a governess to be near the man she secretly loves.
Directed by Robert Milton · 1h 21m · Rated NR
05 Elizabeth Patterson is in this drama about an orphan girl whose anonymous benefactor secretly falls for her as she grows into a young woman.
Directed by Alfred Santell · 1h 20m
06 Louise Closser Hale is in this early talkie about a fortune teller and an ex-convict who scheme for revenge against the man who wronged them both.
Directed by Robert Florey · 1h 03m · Rated NR
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.
