Waterloo Bridge (1931)

Melodrama concerns a young American woman (Mae Clark) forced by circumstance into being a prostitute in London during The Great War. Doulgass Montogmery is the earnest young Canadian solder from a wealthy family who falls for Clark when they meet during an air raid. Douglas's Roy Cronin is of course too naive to understand what this women does for a living, and Clark too instantly in love to tell him. Film very much reflects that it came from a stage play, but the direction by James Whale (of Frankenstein fame) is good, and most of the acting surprisingly strong, even nuanced (I'm think here particularly of Clark and Doris Lloyd as Roy's mom). I really enjoyed this, its pre-code but its not showy about its subject matter, its just the subject matter its self that likely meet with prudish disapproval. Anyway I know this was remade with Vivian Leigh and Robert Taylor nine years later, I don't image as well, though I do wonder how they worked it and thus may have to give that version a look some time. Anyway this version of Waterloo Bridge earns my recommendation. Also look for a pre-star Bette Davis in a small supporting part as Roy's sister.