By Vlad Zakh · May 24, 2026
Phillips Holmes brought a sensitive, youthful presence to Hollywood in the early 1930s and frequently played idealistic and tragic young men. An American Tragedy turns a social climber’s secret relationship deadly, The Criminal Code survives prison politics, The Devil’s Holiday complicates a gold-digging manicurist’s scheme, and Only the Brave sends a Union spy behind Confederate lines. The Wild Party and Varsity round out the list.
01 Phillips Holmes features in this prison drama about a young man imprisoned for manslaughter who struggles to survive the brutal politics of prison life.
Directed by Howard Hawks · 1h 37m
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
02 A socially ambitious young man's secret relationship with a factory worker turns deadly when she becomes pregnant.
Directed by Josef von Sternberg · 1h 36m · Rated NR
03 Phillips Holmes is in this Civil War drama about a Union spy whose mission behind Confederate lines is jeopardised by an unexpected romance.
Directed by Frank Tuttle · 1h 06m
04 Phillips Holmes features in this drama about a gold-digging manicurist whose scheme to marry a wealthy man's son is complicated by genuine feelings.
Directed by Edmund Goulding · 1h 20m · Rated NR
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
05 Marceline Day features in this Clara Bow film about a free-spirited college student whose rebellious behaviour threatens her romance with a strict young professor.
Directed by Dorothy Arzner · 1h 17m
06 Phillips Holmes features in this silent drama about a college football player whose pursuit of athletic glory is complicated by academic pressure and romance.
Directed by Frank Tuttle · 1h 07m
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