TEVYA (1939) Maurice Schwartz, Miriam Risselle & Rebecca Weintraub | Drama, Yiddish | B&W
Tevya is a 1939 American Yiddish film, based on author Sholem Aleichem's stock character Tevye the Dairyman, also the subject of the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. It was the first non-English language picture selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.
SYNOPSIS
The original, non-musical film version of the book which inspired "Fiddler on the Roof".
CAST & CREW
Maurice Schwartz as Tevya
Miriam Riselle as Chava
Rebecca Weintraub as Golde
Paula Lubelski as Tzeitel
Leon Liebgold as Fedya
Vicki Marcus as Shloimele
Betty Marcus as Perele
Julius Adler as Aleksei the Priest
Directed by Maurice Schwartz
Written by Maurice Schwartz
Produced by Henry Ziskin
Distributed by Maymon Films Inc.
Release date December 21, 1939
Running time 93 min
Country United States
Languages Yiddish, Russian
Budget $70,000
NOTES
The script was adapted by Marcy Klauber and Schwartz from Sholem Aleichem's play based on his own book. Schwartz directed the film, which was based on two works by Schwartz from 1919: the silent film Broken Barriers (Khavah) and the stage production of Tevye.
The production was filmed at Biograph Studios in New York City and on a farm in Jericho, New York. Midway through the shooting of the film, Hitler seized Danzig on August 23, 1939, and a Nazi invasion of Poland was imminent. These and other events in Europe affected the actors, many of whom had family in Poland. The filming, however, was completed.
The story focuses primarily on Sholem Aleichem's stories "Chava" and "Lekh-Lekho (Get Thee Out)" but provides a definite ending rather than Sholom Aleichem's ambiguous ending. In this version of Tevya, as the Jews are expelled from their shtetl, Chava who previously converted to Christianity to marry, leaves her husband, returns to her family and to Judaism. It is felt that the antisemitism of the time influenced Schwartz to provide this ending.
Rediscovery
Long thought to be a lost film, a print was discovered in 1978. The same story was the basis of the 1964 stage musical Fiddler on the Roof and its 1971 film version, but the fate of Chava in the ending was changed for the change in attitudes by that time.
In 1991, Tevya was the first non-English language film to be named "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the U.S. Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
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TEVYA (1939) Maurice Schwartz, Miriam Risselle & Rebecca Weintraub | Drama, Yiddish | COLORIZED
Tevya is a 1939 American Yiddish film, based on author Sholem Aleichem's stock character Tevye the Dairyman, also the subject of the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. It was the first non-English language picture selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.
SYNOPSIS
The original, non-musical film version of the book which inspired "Fiddler on the Roof".
CAST & CREW
Maurice Schwartz as Tevya
Miriam Riselle as Chava
Rebecca Weintraub as Golde
Paula Lubelski as Tzeitel
Leon Liebgold as Fedya
Vicki Marcus as Shloimele
Betty Marcus as Perele
Julius Adler as Aleksei the Priest
Directed by Maurice Schwartz
Written by Maurice Schwartz
Produced by Henry Ziskin
Distributed by Maymon Films Inc.
Release date December 21, 1939
Running time 93 min
Country United States
Languages Yiddish, Russian
Budget $70,000
NOTES
The script was adapted by Marcy Klauber and Schwartz from Sholem Aleichem's play based on his own book. Schwartz directed the film, which was based on two works by Schwartz from 1919: the silent film Broken Barriers (Khavah) and the stage production of Tevye.
The production was filmed at Biograph Studios in New York City and on a farm in Jericho, New York. Midway through the shooting of the film, Hitler seized Danzig on August 23, 1939, and a Nazi invasion of Poland was imminent. These and other events in Europe affected the actors, many of whom had family in Poland. The filming, however, was completed.
The story focuses primarily on Sholem Aleichem's stories "Chava" and "Lekh-Lekho (Get Thee Out)" but provides a definite ending rather than Sholom Aleichem's ambiguous ending. In this version of Tevya, as the Jews are expelled from their shtetl, Chava who previously converted to Christianity to marry, leaves her husband, returns to her family and to Judaism. It is felt that the antisemitism of the time influenced Schwartz to provide this ending.
Rediscovery
Long thought to be a lost film, a print was discovered in 1978. The same story was the basis of the 1964 stage musical Fiddler on the Roof and its 1971 film version, but the fate of Chava in the ending was changed for the change in attitudes by that time.
In 1991, Tevya was the first non-English language film to be named "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the U.S. Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
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TAILSPIN TOMMY: SKY PATROL (1939) John Trent, Majorie Reynolds & Milburn Stone | Adventure | B&W
Sky Patrol is a 1939 American film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring John Trent, along with Marjorie Reynolds, Milburn Stone and Jason Robards Sr. The film also featured actor and comedian Jackie Coogan, who began his film career as a child actor in silent films.
Sky Patrol is based on the comic strip Tailspin Tommy by Hal Forrest and Glenn Chaffin. The third of four "Tailspin Tommy" films made by Monogram Pictures, Sky Patrolwas released on September 12, 1939.
SYNOPSIS
"Tailspin Tommy" Tompkins and "Skeeter" Milligan are training young U. S. Army fliers for the newly-formed 'Sky Patrol,'a branch of the Army Reserves which operates along the borders and coast-lines, on the lookout for smugglers. Carter Meade, whose father is the Colonel in charge of the patrol, has a terror of firing guns and his father insists he conquer this fear. Tommy sends him out on patrol, on orders from Washington D. C., to stop any unfamiliar aircraft. Carter challenges an unmarked amphibian plane, which opens fire on him. Carter, afraid to shoot, bails out as his plane is shot down. Carter is missing, and Tommy and Skeeter are searching for him and the mysterious airplane.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the final flying test for Sky Patrol graduation, instructor Tailspin Tommy Thompson (John Trent) flies with the son of flight commander Colonel Meade (Boyd Irwin). Carter Meade (Jackie Coogan) freezes during target practice but Tommy covers for him and he graduates.
When Bainbridge (Bryant Washburn), a weapons smuggler, is aware that the Sky Patrol will disrupt his smuggling operations. Carter sees an unidentified amphibious aircraft but is unable to fire on it and is shot down by Bainbridge, who takes him prisoner.
Carter is presumed dead but Tommy and Skeeter Milligan (Milburn Stone) locate a warehouse where the amphibious aircraft is hidden. Tracking the unknown aircraft to a ship rendezvous, Tommy and Skeeter try to get on board but are captured and locked up with Carter.
Monitoring the Sky Patrol radio, the smugglers learn the colonel and the Sky Patrol are heading for the ship. Tommy manages to set up explosives in the hold, and when the three prisoners are about to jump ship, Carter shoots a smuggler, ensuring their escape. The Colonel soon overpowers the rest of Bainbridge's men.
Tommy and Skeeter return to their commercial airline jobs, leaving Carter now in charge of the Sky Patrol.
CAST & CREW
John Trent as Tailspin Tommy Tomkins
Marjorie Reynolds as Betty Lou Barnes
Milburn Stone as Skeeter Milligan
Jackie Coogan as Carter Meade
Jason Robards Sr. as Paul Smith, Three Points Airfield Owner
Bryant Washburn as Bainbridge
Boyd Irwin as Colonel Meade
LeRoy Mason as Mitch
Hans Joby as Jackson
John Daheim as Ryan
Dickie Jones as Bobbie
Directed by Howard Bretherton
Written by Hal Forrest (comic strip "Tailspin Tommy" and story), George Waggner (screenplay) and Norton S. Parker
Produced by Paul Malvern
Cinematography Fred Jackman Jr.
Edited by Carl Pierson
Production company Monogram Pictures
Release date September 12, 1939
Running time 61 minutes
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
Principal photography for Sky Patrol took place at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport, from July 24 to late September 1939.[6]
Aviation film historian Stephen Pendo in Aviation in the Cinema (1985) saw Sky Patrol delving into familiar territory of "flying police". Earlier, Criminals of the Air (1937). Death in the Sky (also known as Pilot X) (1937), Reported Missing (1937), Mysterious Pilot (film serial) (1937 and Secret Service of the Air (1939) all dealt with similar scenarios of air police fighting criminals both on the ground and in the air.
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TAILSPIN TOMMY: STUNT PILOT (1939) John Trent, Majorie Reynolds & Milburn Stone | Adventure | B&W
Stunt Pilot is a 1939 American adventure film directed by George Waggner and written by Scott Darling and George Waggner. The film is based on the comic strip Tailspin Tommy by Hal Forrest and Glenn Chaffin. Stunt Pilot stars John Trent, Marjorie Reynolds, Milburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr., Pat O'Malley and George Meeker.
SYNOPSIS
The second of a series of four features Monogram made based on the comic strip by Hal Forrest (Universal also used the strip characters in two serials), finds a movie company shooting a war picture at Three Points airport, with Tailspin Tommy Tompkins as a stunt pilot in the film. Tommy is incensed by the complete disregard for human life shown by the film's director, Sheehan, and quits. Sheehan gets a replacement pilot named Earl Martin, who is known as a reckless pilot who will try an aerial stunt for a thrill. He hand Tommy get into a fight when Martin takes Betty Lou Barnes for a ride in a plane that is practically falling apart. Sheehan offers Tommy $500 to work in an airplane fight, which Tommy refuses saying the stunt is needlessly dangerous. But Skeeter Millican, Tommy's flying mechanic pal, who needs the money for his sick sister, takes the job. Tommy finds out, ties Skeeter up, and takes his place. During the filming, Tommy fires his machine gun, and Martin is killed. When it is discovered that real bullets has been used instead of blanks, Tommy is accused of murder. He and Skeeter and Betty Lou try to figure out who had a motive to kill Martin. Tommy recalls a conversation he had overheard between Martin and Sheehan, in which they had a quarrel and Sheehan had said he would never forgive Martin for an incident in the past. Tommy, with the police on his trail, takes off to catch the train that is carrying the movie company back to Hollywood. Meanwhile, Skeeter's nephew Bobby reveals he was in Tommy's plane before he took off on the flight that ended in Martin's death, and had been taking pictures with a camera gun. Skeeter and Betty Lou develop the film and find a picture of Sheehan tinkering with Tommy's machine gun. Tommy catches the train and faces Sheehan with his theory of the murder.
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While working as a stunt pilot for Hollywood director Sheehan, Tailspin Tommy suspects that his aircraft was sabotaged to get authentic crash footage. He quits his job, and Earl Martin, a reckless pilot, replaces Tommy.
After Martin crashes his aircraft while flying with Tommy's sweetheart, Betty Lou Barnes, Tommy becomes enraged. Sheehan, needing a pilot to perform a dangerous dogfight with Martin, convinces Tommy's pal Skeeter to take the job. Skeeter is desperate to raise money to pay for his sister's operation.
Tommy, afraid for his friend's life, kidnaps Skeeter and flies in his place. During the dog fight, Tommy's machine gun is loaded with real bullets, and he shoots down Martin before realizing his gun is not shooting blanks. He is arrested on the charge of murder. Tommy remembers an argument he overheard between Martin and Sheehan, and is sure that the director is behind the murder. He takes off after Sheehan's train.
Meanwhile, the sheriff is after Tommy, until Skeeter finds photographs that show Sheehan replacing the bullets in Tommy's machine gun. Sheehan's train is stopped and the sheriff obtains Sheehan's confession that he killed Martin because the pilot had stolen the affections of his wife and then deserted her.
CAST & CREW
John Trent as Tailspin Tommy Tompkins
Marjorie Reynolds as Betty Lou Barnes
Milburn Stone as "Skeeter" Milligan
Jason Robards Sr. as Paul Smith
Pat O'Malley as Sheehan
George Meeker as Earl Martin
Wesley Barry as Glenn
George Cleveland as Sheriff
John Daheim as Tex
Tod Sterling as Charlie
Mary Field as Ethel
Buddy Cox as Bobby
Forrest Taylor as Doctor
David Newell as Radio Operator
Carleton Young as Reporter Trent
Ray Turner as The Porter
Jack Kirk as Crewman
Directed by George Waggner
Screenplay by Scott Darling, George Waggner
Based on Tailspin Tommy by Hal Forrest, Glenn Chaffin
Produced by Paul Malvern
Cinematography Fred Jackman Jr.
Edited by Carl Pierson
Music by Frank Sanucci
Production company
Monogram Pictures
Distributed by Monogram Pictures
Release date July 2, 1939
Running time 61 minutes
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
Principal photography on Stunt Pilot, with stunt flying by Wally West, began on May 20, 1939, at the Metropolitan Airport, Los Angeles. Additional stock footage was obtained from Hell's Angels (1930).
Aviation film historian Michael Paris in From the Wright Brothers to Top Gun: Aviation, Nationalism, and Popular Cinema recognized many "film within a film" elements in Stunt Pilot that would later appear in modern classics such as The Great Waldo Pepper (1975).
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TEXAS WILDCATS (1939) Tim McCoy, Joan Barclay & Ben Corbett | Western | B&W
Texas Wildcats is a 1939 American Western film starring Tim McCoy.
SYNOPSIS
Lightning Bill McCoy disguises himself as an outlaw, the Phantom, to track down the murderer of his partner.
Lightning Bill Carson and sidekick Magpie are after Burrows, the man that killed a friend of theirs. Burrows is after the Arden ranch and his gang are rustling their cattle. Bill is robbing Burrows while posing as the mysterious Phantom and it's not long before the two collide.
CAST & CREW
Tim McCoy as 'Lightning' Bill Carson
Joan Barclay as Molly Arden
Ben Corbett as Magpie McGillicuddy
Forrest Taylor as Jim Burrows
Ted Adams asReno
Avando Reynaldo asRita
Bob Terry asMort Burrows
Dave O'Brien asEd Arden
Frank Ellis as Henchman Al
Reed Howes as Ace the Card Sharp
Slim Whitaker as Henchman Durkin(as Slim Whittaker)
Directed by Sam Newfield
Written by George H. Plympton
Produced by Sam Katzman
Production company Victory Pictures
Cinematography Marcel Le Picard (as Marcel Pickard)
Editing by Holbrook N. Todd (as Holbrook Todd)
Release date April 10, 1939
Running time 58 mins
Country United States
Language English
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THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL (1939) John Garfield, Claude Rains & Ann Sheridan | Crime, Drama | B&W
They Made Me a Criminal is a 1939 American crime-drama film directed by Busby Berkeley and starring John Garfield, Claude Rains, and The Dead End Kids. It is a remake of the film The Life of Jimmy Dolan (1933). The film later was featured in an episode of Cinema Insomnia. Portions of the film were shot in the Coachella Valley, California.
SYNOPSIS
A champion boxer on the lamb, believed to have committed murder while drunk, takes refuge and finds redemption at a farm for delinquent youths.
Johnnie Bradfield is a southpaw world champion boxer falsely accused of murder. He disappears and is presumed dead. The only witnesses who could have exonerated him were his manager and girlfriend, both of whom have died in an automobile accident. Detective Monty Phelan believes that Johnnie is still alive and hasn't given up on searching for him. Johnnie, meanwhile, is hiding out on Grandma Rafferty's farm in Arizona. There, he meets with some juvenile delinquents, who are under the guardianship of Tommy's sister Peggy.
Johnnie, using the fake name of Jack Dorney, takes Tommy under his wing and encourages him to go in business for himself by buying a gas pump for the farm. He helps the kids raise money by returning to the boxing ring for a match against an up-and-coming boxer. Johnnie sees Phelan arriving at the fight and decides not to fight, disappointing the kids and Peggy. However his determination to help the kids overcomes him and he decides to fight. He tries to hide who he really is by not using his trademark stance in the ring, but not being a good right handed fighter, he is on the verge of losing.
CAST & CREW
John Garfield as Johnnie Bradfield
Claude Rains as Det. Monty Phelan
Ann Sheridan as Goldie West
Barbara Pepper as Budgie
May Robson as Grandma Rafferty
Gloria Dickson as Peggy
Ward Bond as Lenihan
William B. Davidson as the Chief of Detectives
Robert Gleckler as Doc Ward
The Dead End Kids
Billy Halop as Tommy
Bobby Jordan as Angel
Leo Gorcey as Spit
Gabriel Dell as T.B.
Huntz Hall as Dippy
Bernard Punsley as Milt
Directed by Busby Berkeley
Screenplay by Sig Herzig
Based on Sucker 1933 play by Bertram Millhauser, Beulah Marie Dix
Produced by Benjamin Glazer, Hal B. Wallis
Cinematography James Wong Howe
Edited by Jack Killifer
Music by Max Steiner
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date January 28, 1939
Running time 92 min.
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
When Dippy is operating the shower controls for Jack, who is showering, he serenades him with the song By a Waterfall, which was a hit song from the director's earlier film Footlight Parade.
This film also contains the first malapropism of the Dead End Kids/East Side Kids/Bowery Boys series when Jordan says "Regenerate, ya dope" when Hall used the word degenerate. Malapropisms became a staple of these films, with Gorcey using them on a regular basis throughout the series.
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TORTURE SHIP (1939) Lyle Talbot, Irving Pichel & Julie Bishop | Horror, Sci-Fi | B&W
Torture Ship is a 1939 American science fiction horror film directed by Victor Halperin, based on Jack London's 1899 short story "A Thousand Deaths". The film stars Lyle Talbot as a mad scientist who performs experiments regarding "the criminal mind" on captured criminals onboard his private ship.
SYNOPSIS
A mad scientist performs experiments on "the criminal mind" on captured criminals on board his private ship.
CAST & CREW
Lyle Talbot as Lt. Bob Bennett
Irving Pichel as Dr. Herbert Stander
Julie Bishop as Joan Martel
Sheila Bromley as Poison Mary Slavish
Anthony Averill as Dirk - Stander's Aide
Russell Hopton as Harry "The Carver" Bogard
Julian Madison as Paul - Stander's Aide
Eddie Holden as Ole Olson
Wheeler Oakman as John Ritter
Stanley Blystone as Captain Mike Briggs
Leander De Cordova as Ezra Matthews
Demetrius Alexis as Steve Murano
Skelton Knaggs as Jesse Bixel
Directed by Victor Halperin
Screenplay by George Sayre, Harvey Huntley
Based on "A Thousand Deaths" by Jack London
Produced by Ben Judell, Sigmund Neufeld
Cinematography Jack Greenhalgh
Edited by Holbrook Todd
Production company Producers Distributing Corporation
Distributed by Producers Distributing Corporation
Release date October 22, 1939
Running time 64 minutes
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
The film is based on the short story "A Thousand Deaths" by Jack London originally published in Black Cat Magazine in May 1899.
By the end of the first week of August 1939, George Sayre and Harvey Huntley completed the script for Torture Ship and the film was scheduled to start on August 14 but was held back. Filming was then set to begin by the last week of August but no cast was yet assembled. The cast was announced in September with John Miller originally set to play Jesse, though Skelton Knaggs appears in the final film.
Torture Ship was distributed by Producers Distributing Corporation on October 22, 1939.
From contemporary reviews, "Herb." of Variety noted the acting in the film stating "there can be no quarrel with the acting of the princpals" but that Torture Ship was a "quickie action thriller that misses fire [sic] all the way on its possibilities" and that the film "has so many unreasonable and unexplainable points that it will annoy even the most jueve-minded [sic] "The Film Daily also praised the film's acting while finding Halperin's direction as "O.K." while declaring the film "has enough punch and drama to satisfy the nabe trade."
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TRIGGER FINGERS (1939) Tim McCoy, Ben Corbett & Harley Wood | Western | B&W
Trigger Fingers is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Tim McCoy.
SYNOPSIS
Marshal and his men disguise themselves as gypsies to catch a gang of cattle thieves.
"Lightning" Bill Carson and his sidekick Magpie go into town with friend Margaret, pose as gypsies and discover a crime ring masterminded by Bert Lee.
CAST & CREW
Tim McCoy as 'Lightning' Bill Carson
Ben Corbett as Magpie
Harley Wood as Jessie Bolton (as Jill Martin)
Joyce Bryant as Margaret
Carleton Young as Bert Lee, Gang Leader
Ted Adams as Henchman Jeff Thurston
John Elliott as Jim Bolton (as John Elliot)
Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart as Deputy Jerry Walsh(as Bud McTaggart)
Ralph Peters as Henchman Mort Hodges
Forrest Taylor as Crane, Cowhand-Henchman
Kenne Duncan as Henchman Johnson (as Ken Duncan)
Directed by Sam Newfield
Written by Basil Dickey
Produced by Sam Katzman
Cinematography Bill Hyer
Editing by Holbrook N. Todd (as Holbrook Todd)
Production company Victory Pictures Corporation
Distributed by Pictures Corporation
Release date November 1, 1939
Running time 54 minutes
Country United States
Language English
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TRIGGER PALS (1939) Arthur Jarrett, Dorothy Fay & Al St. John | Western | B&W
Trigger Pals is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield.
SYNOPSIS
Kent wants the Allen ranch. So he has Steve and his men rustle their cattle using Pete as an informant. When the Trigger Pals Lucky, Stormy, and Fuzzy fight back, Kent frames Stormy for the rustling.
CAST & CREW
Art Jarrett as Lucky Morgan
Lee Powell as Stormy
Al St. John as Fuzzy
Dorothy Fay as Doris Allen
Ted Adams as Harvey Kent
Nina Guilbert as Minnie Archer
Stanley Blystone as Steve
Ernie Adams as Pete
Earl Douglas as Henchman Jake
Frank LaRue as Rancher Gates
Ethan Allen as Sheriff
Carl Mathews as Hank
Directed by Sam Newfield
Written by George H. Plympton, Ted Richmond
Produced by Philip N. Krasne
Cinematography Jack Greenhalgh
Edited by S. Roy Luby
Production company Cinemart Productions
Distributed by Grand National Pictures
Release date January 13, 1939
Running time 55 minutes
Country United States
Language English
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VERBENA TRÁGICA (1938) Fernando Soler, Luana Alcañiz | Drama, SPANISH with English subtitles | B&W
Verbena Trágica (Tragic Festival, also known as Block Party) is a 1939 film directed by Charles Lamont. The film was made in 1938 in the Spanish language only, unusual for the time but most likely due to the film's themes of adultery and revenge.
SYNOPSIS
Released after eight months in jail, a boxer returns home to discover that his wife has recently become pregnant. His realization of her infidelity and search for the identity of the father soon turn into a dangerous obsession.
On the eve of Columbus Day festivities in New York, the boxer Mateo Vargas is released early from a jail term he served after he struck a police officer. He returns home for a surprise reunion with his family, but his wife Blanca faints. Mateo learns from her doctor that she is pregnant. Mateo is shocked, and knows that he cannot be the father. His trainer wants him to return to the boxing ring, but Mateo is too preoccupied with Blanca's infidelity. While he was in jail, Blanca had been seeing Claudio, the fiancé of Mateo's sister Lola. When Lola tells her suspicions to her mother, she slaps Lola. Vargas confronts Blanca about her pregnancy, but she refuses to name the father. Mateo becomes obsessed with finding his wife's lover.
CAST & CREW
Mateo Vargas as Fernando Soler
Blanca de Vargas as Luana Alcañiz
Claudio as Juan Torena
Mamita Vargas as Pilar Arcos
Lola Vargas as Cecilia Callejo
George Mari as Pepito Vargas(as Jorge Mari)
Pérez as Romualdo Tirado
Manuel as Carlos Villarías
Pérez as Romualdo Tirado
Luis as Sergio de Karlo
Doctor as Danton Ferrero
Teresita as Leonor Turich
Pat, the Policeman as Lou Hicks
Tomás as Carlos Ruffino
José as Israel Garcia
Ventura as Fred González
Balloon Vendor as Pedro Vinas
Directed by Charles Lamont
Written by Jean Bart, Miguel de Zárraga
Produced by Jaime del Amo
Cinematography Arthur Martinelli
Editing by Guy V. Thayer Jr.
Music by Lee Zahler
Art Direction by Edward C. Jewell
Production company Cantabria Cines
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date March 7, 1939
Running time 75 min.
Language Spanish
NOTES
In 1996, the film was deemed to be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for the National Film Registry.
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UNDERCOVER AGENT (1939) Russell Gleason, Shirley Deane & J.M. Kerrigan | Crime, Drama | B&W
Undercover Agent is a 1939 American drama film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Russell Gleason, Shirley Deane, and J. M. Kerrigan. It was released on April 5, 1939.
SYNOPSIS
A railway postal clerk goes after a sweepstakes counterfeiting ring.
CAST & CREW
Russell Gleason as William Trent
Shirley Deane as Betty Madison
J. M. Kerrigan as Thomas "Pop" Madison
Maude Eburne as Mrs. Minnow
Oscar O'Shea as Pat Murphy
Ralf Harolde as Bartel
Selmer Jackson as Graham
Ray Bennett as Pussyfoot
Ralph Sanford as Joe Blake
Directed by Howard Bretherton
Screenplay by Milton Raison
Story by Martin Mooney
Produced by E. B. Derr
Cinematography Arthur Martinelli
Edited by Howard Dillinger, Russell Schoengarth
Music by Abe Meyer
Production company Crescent Pictures
Distributed by Monogram Pictures
Release date April 5, 1939
Running time 56 minutes
Country United States
Language English
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WALL STREET COWBOY (1939) Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes & Ann Baldwin | Western | COLORIZED
Wall Street Cowboy is a 1939 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers.
SYNOPSIS
Roy Rogers and his pals go to New York City to prevent a Wall Street conglomerate from taking their land. The land is rich in a mineral used for making steel and some greedy power brokers will stop at nothing to get it.
Wall Street stock marketeers try to swindle Roy Rogers out of his ranch, when molybdenum, a valuable mineral is discovered on the property, which the villains plan to use for their steel-mining activities. Unable to pay his mortgage thanks to a crooked financier (Ivan Miller), Roy and his friends ride east to stop the Wall Street crooks.
CAST & CREW
Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers
George 'Gabby' Hayes as Gabby
Raymond Hatton as Chuckawalla
Ann Baldwin as Peggy Hammond
Pierre Watkin as Roger Hammond
Louisiana Lou as Louisiana Lou - Singer
Craig Reynolds as Tony McGrath
Ivan Miller as William Niles
Reginald Barlow as Bainbridge
Adrian Morris as Big Joe Gillespie
Jack Roper as Gillespie Henchman
Jack Ingram as Henchman McDermott
Directed by Joseph Kane
Written by Gerald Geraghty (screenplay), Norman S. Hall (screenplay), Doris Schroeder (story)
Edited by Lester Orlebeck
Distributed by Republic Pictures
Release date August 6, 1939
Running time 66 minutes, 54 minutes
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
Leonard Maltin wrote, "engaging Western with two sidekicks (Hayes and Hatton) touches upon Depression-era subjects of corrupt banking institutions and foreclosures; fun to watch Roy riding in a steeplechase and singing in a nightclub (wearing a coat and tie)"; and Dennis Schwartz wrote, "this Roy Rogers film had an undeserved bad reputation. I actually found it to be one of his better B Westerns, it was at least up to par with the typical Rogers action-packed oater except that the singing cowboy only sang a few songs. It uses the present as its setting. Joseph Kane ("The Arizona Kid"/"Jesse James at Bay"/"Frontier Pony Express") directs in his usual credible fashion and it's ably written by Gerald Geraghty and Norman S. Hall."
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WALL STREET COWBOY (1939) Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes & Ann Baldwin | Western | B&W
Wall Street Cowboy is a 1939 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers.
SYNOPSIS
Roy Rogers and his pals go to New York City to prevent a Wall Street conglomerate from taking their land. The land is rich in a mineral used for making steel and some greedy power brokers will stop at nothing to get it.
Wall Street stock marketeers try to swindle Roy Rogers out of his ranch, when molybdenum, a valuable mineral is discovered on the property, which the villains plan to use for their steel-mining activities. Unable to pay his mortgage thanks to a crooked financier (Ivan Miller), Roy and his friends ride east to stop the Wall Street crooks.
CAST & CREW
Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers
George 'Gabby' Hayes as Gabby
Raymond Hatton as Chuckawalla
Ann Baldwin as Peggy Hammond
Pierre Watkin as Roger Hammond
Louisiana Lou as Louisiana Lou - Singer
Craig Reynolds as Tony McGrath
Ivan Miller as William Niles
Reginald Barlow as Bainbridge
Adrian Morris as Big Joe Gillespie
Jack Roper as Gillespie Henchman
Jack Ingram as Henchman McDermott
Directed by Joseph Kane
Written by Gerald Geraghty (screenplay), Norman S. Hall (screenplay), Doris Schroeder (story)
Edited by Lester Orlebeck
Distributed by Republic Pictures
Release date August 6, 1939
Running time 66 minutes, 54 minutes
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
Leonard Maltin wrote, "engaging Western with two sidekicks (Hayes and Hatton) touches upon Depression-era subjects of corrupt banking institutions and foreclosures; fun to watch Roy riding in a steeplechase and singing in a nightclub (wearing a coat and tie)"; and Dennis Schwartz wrote, "this Roy Rogers film had an undeserved bad reputation. I actually found it to be one of his better B Westerns, it was at least up to par with the typical Rogers action-packed oater except that the singing cowboy only sang a few songs. It uses the present as its setting. Joseph Kane ("The Arizona Kid"/"Jesse James at Bay"/"Frontier Pony Express") directs in his usual credible fashion and it's ably written by Gerald Geraghty and Norman S. Hall."
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WATER RUSTLERS (1939) Dorothy Page, Dave O'Brien & Vince Barnett | Western | COLORIZED
Water Rustlers is a 1939 American Western film directed by Samuel Diege. It was the first of three Dorothy Page singing cowgirl films for Grand National Films.
SYNOPSIS
Shirley Martin finds that Weylan has diverted the water from the valley and her cattle are dying. First she and her foreman Bob Lawson go to court. This fails when Weylan's men keep the ranchers from testifying.
Mr. Weylan purchases land in order to keep the water supply for himself, originally for hydraulic mining. His long term scheme is when all the ranches fail due to their cattle having no water, he can buy their land cheaply and sell it to a meat company.
Weylan gets his way through fair means, such as having his lawyers getting the rancher's case thrown out of court, as well as foul means such as his henchmen murdering Shirley Martin's father and preventing witnesses to testify. Shirley takes the law into her own hands to lead the ranchers in their fight for justice.
CAST & CREW
Dorothy Page as Shirley Martin
Dave O'Brien as Bob Lawson
Vince Barnett as Mike, the cook
Stanley Price as Robert Weylan
Ethan Allen as Tim Martin
Leonard Trainor as Andy Jurgens, rancher
Warner Richmond as Wiley, crooked foreman
Edward R. Gordon as Henchman Herman
Edward Peil Sr. as Lawyer
Lloyd Ingraham as Judge
Merrill McCormick as Sheriff
Directed by Samuel Diege
Written by Lawrence Meade (story), Don Laurie (story), Arthur Hoerl (screenplay)
Produced by George A. Hirliman, Don Lieberman
Cinematography Mack Stengler
Edited by Guy V. Thayer Jr. (as Guy Thayer)
Distributed by Grand National Films
Release date January 6, 1939
Running time 54 minutes
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
Grand National Pictures lost their top singing cowboy star Tex Ritter to Monogram Pictures. In what was planned to be a series of six musicals, Page filmed three films with a shooting time of five days each from August to October 1938. All were directed by Samuel Diege who died of a heart attack in October 1939.
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WATER RUSTLERS (1939) Dorothy Page, Dave O'Brien & Vince Barnett | Western | B&W
Water Rustlers is a 1939 American Western film directed by Samuel Diege. It was the first of three Dorothy Page singing cowgirl films for Grand National Films.
SYNOPSIS
Shirley Martin finds that Weylan has diverted the water from the valley and her cattle are dying. First she and her foreman Bob Lawson go to court. This fails when Weylan's men keep the ranchers from testifying.
Mr. Weylan purchases land in order to keep the water supply for himself, originally for hydraulic mining. His long term scheme is when all the ranches fail due to their cattle having no water, he can buy their land cheaply and sell it to a meat company.
Weylan gets his way through fair means, such as having his lawyers getting the rancher's case thrown out of court, as well as foul means such as his henchmen murdering Shirley Martin's father and preventing witnesses to testify. Shirley takes the law into her own hands to lead the ranchers in their fight for justice.
CAST & CREW
Dorothy Page as Shirley Martin
Dave O'Brien as Bob Lawson
Vince Barnett as Mike, the cook
Stanley Price as Robert Weylan
Ethan Allen as Tim Martin
Leonard Trainor as Andy Jurgens, rancher
Warner Richmond as Wiley, crooked foreman
Edward R. Gordon as Henchman Herman
Edward Peil Sr. as Lawyer
Lloyd Ingraham as Judge
Merrill McCormick as Sheriff
Directed by Samuel Diege
Written by Lawrence Meade (story), Don Laurie (story), Arthur Hoerl (screenplay)
Produced by George A. Hirliman, Don Lieberman
Cinematography Mack Stengler
Edited by Guy V. Thayer Jr. (as Guy Thayer)
Distributed by Grand National Films
Release date January 6, 1939
Running time 54 minutes
Country United States
Language English
NOTES
Grand National Pictures lost their top singing cowboy star Tex Ritter to Monogram Pictures. In what was planned to be a series of six musicals, Page filmed three films with a shooting time of five days each from August to October 1938. All were directed by Samuel Diege who died of a heart attack in October 1939.
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WAY DOWN SOUTH (1939) Bobby Breen, Alan Mowbray & Steffi Duna | Musical | B&W
Way Down South is a 1939 American musical film directed by Leslie Goodwins and Bernard Vorhaus, and produced by Sol Lesser. It was written by Clarence Muse, who also acted in the film, and Langston Hughes. Victor Young was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring.
SYNOPSIS
In antebellum Louisiana in 1854, young orphan Timothy Reid Jr. inherits a plantation and its slaves. However, lawyer Martin Dill is made the executor of the estate. Dill plots to sell the slaves and flee to Paris with the proceeds. Timothy is befriended by Jacques Bouton, who persuades Judge Louis Ravenal to look into the matter and save the day.
It is fantasy-time on the luxurious Bayou Lovelle Plantation in old Louisiana in the days prior to the American Civil War, as the slaves work in a paradise under the generous 'Ol' Massa' Timothy Reid, and they sing "The Lawd sho shakes hands wid dis ground." However, Reid dies, and his crooked executor has plans to get Reid's son out of his inheritance.
In the pre-Civil War South, a plantation owner dies and leaves all his possessions, including his slaves, to his young son. While the deceased treated his slaves decently, his corrupt executor abuses them unmercifully, beating them without provocation, and he is planning to sell off the father'e estate--including the slaves--at the earliest opportunity so he and his mistress can steal the money and move to France. The young boy doesn't want to sell his father's estate or break up an of the slave families, and he has to find someone to help him thwart the crooked executor's plans.
CAST & CREW
Bobby Breen as Timothy Reid Jr.
Alan Mowbray as Jacques Bouton
Ralph Morgan as Timothy Reid Sr.
Steffi Duna as Pauline Dubini
Clarence Muse as Uncle Caton
Sally Blane as Claire Bouton
Edwin Maxwell as Martin Dill
Charles Middleton as Cass
Robert Greig as Judge Louis Ravenal
Lillian Yarbo as Janie
Matthew Beard as Gumbo
Hall Johnson Choir as Musical Ensemble
Directed by Leslie Goodwins, Bernard Vorhaus
Written by Clarence Muse, Langston Hughes
Produced by Sol Lesser
Cinematography Charles Edgar Schoenbaum
Edited by Arthur Hilton
Production company Sol Lesser Productions
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
Release date July 21, 1939
Running time 61 minutes
Country United States
Language English
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WESTBOUND STAGE (1939) Tex Ritter, Nelson McDowell & Muriel Evens | Drama, Western | B&W
Westbound Stage is a 1939 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and written by Robert Emmett Tansey. The film stars Tex Ritter, Nelson McDowell, Muriel Evans, Nolan Willis, Steve Clark and Tom London. The film was released on December 15, 1939, by Monogram Pictures.
SYNOPSIS
A wagon train crossing the plains comes across the remains of other wagon trains that have been attacked by looters. Soon they too are attacked.
CAST & CREW
Tex Ritter as Tex Wallace
Nelson McDowell as Sandy
Muriel Evans as Joan Hale
Nolan Willis as Bart Lane
Steve Clark as Butch
Tom London as Parker
Reed Howes as Red Greer
Frank Ellis as Spider
Chick Hannan as Clip
Kenne Duncan as Capt. Jim Wallace
Frank LaRue as Colonel Hale
Phil Dunham as Jefferson Wells
Hank Bell as Tim
Chester Gan as Charlie
Edward Cecil as Jim Blake
Vance Rush as Sgt. Toby
Wally West as Orderly
Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet
Screenplay by Robert Emmett Tansey
Story by John Foster
Produced by Edward Finney
Cinematography Marcel Le Picard
Edited by Fred Bain
Music by Frank Sanucci
Production company Monogram Pictures
Distributed by Monogram Pictures
Release date December 15, 1939
Running time 57 minutes
Country United States
Language English
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ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGIONS (1939) Reed Hadley & Sheila Darcy | Action, Adventure, Drama | COLORIZED
Zorro's Fighting Legion is a 1939 Republic Pictures film serial consisting of twelve chapters starring Reed Hadley as Zorro and directed by William Witney and John English. The plot revolves around his alter-ego Don Diego's fight against the evil Don Del Oro.
SYNOPSIS
The masked hero leads a fighting force to fight a villian who plots the conquest of The Republic of Mexico.
The mysterious Don Del Oro ("Lord of Gold"), an idol of the Yaqui, emerges and attacks the gold trade of the Republic of Mexico, intent on becoming Emperor. A man named Francisco is put in charge of a fighting legion to combat the Yaqui tribe and protect the gold; he is attacked by men working for Don Del Oro. Francisco's partner recognizes Zorro as the hidalgo Don Diego Vega. Francisco asks Diego, as Zorro, to take over the fighting legion and defeat Don Del Oro.
CAST & CREW
Reed Hadley as Don Diego Vega/Zorro
Sheila Darcy as Volita
William Corson as Ramón
Leander De Cordova as Governor Felipe
Edmund Cobb as Manuel González
John Merton as Comandante Manuel
C. Montague Shaw as Chief Justice Pablo/Don Del Oro
Budd Buster as Juan
Carleton Young as Benito Juárez
Bud Geary as Don Del Oro (body and voice)
Directed by William Witney, John English
Written by Ronald Davidson, Franklin Adreon, Morgan Cox
Sol Shor, Barney A. Sarecky, Johnston McCulley (Original Zorro Novel)
Produced by Hiram S. Brown Jr
Cinematography Reggie Lanning
Distributed by Republic Pictures
Release date December 16, 1939
Running time 12 chapters (211 minutes) (serial), 6 26½-minute episodes (TV)
Language English
Budget $137,826 (negative cost: $144,419)
NOTES
The serial is unusual in featuring a real historical personage, Mexican President Benito Juárez, as a minor character. It is the second in a series of five Zorro serials: Zorro Rides Again (1937), Zorro's Black Whip (1944), Son of Zorro (1947) and Ghost of Zorro (1949).
Though there were numerous Zorro serials, Reed Hadley was the only actor to play the original Zorro in any of them.
Zorro's Fighting Legion's official release date is 16 December 1939, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges. The serial was re-released on 24 March 1958, making it the last serial released by Republic, which re-released serials for several years following the release of their final serial King of the Carnival in 1955.
In the early 1950s, Zorro's Fighting Legion was one of fourteen Republic serials edited into a television series. It was broadcast in six 26½-minute episodes.
Differences from the Zorro canon
The story takes a few liberties with Zorro's official timeline: it takes place in Mexico instead of Alta California; Zorro wears a masquerade mask, rather than the traditional bandana; the characters Don Alejandro Vega (Don Diego's father) and Bernardo are absent; and Zorro's horse, Tornado, was changed to white (much like Kaiketsu Zorro). However, this story is presented as a further adventure of Zorro, a sequel to the traditional "Mark of Zorro" origin story originally starring Douglas Fairbanks and Noah Beery Sr., which would be remade the year after Zorro's Fighting Legion with Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone: Don Diego is said to be visiting from Los Angeles, and the serial intentionally did not remake the Zorro story; instead, it shows Zorro visiting Mexico because his help is needed there. The people of Mexico immediately recognize Zorro when he first appears, strongly suggesting that Zorro is a well-known hero.
The date given for the movie is 1824, which in and of itself establishes that it takes place well after Zorro's California adventures: Zorro opposed a corrupt Spanish Colonial government in his canon tales, and California ceased being a Spanish Colony in 1821.
Chapter titles
The Golden God
The Flaming "Z"
Descending Doom
The Bridge of Peril
The Decoy
Zorro to the Rescue
The Fugitive
Flowing Death
The Golden Arrow
Mystery Wagon
Face to Face
Unmasked
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WOLF CALL (1939) John Carroll, Movita & George Lynn | Adventure, Drama | B&W
Wolf Call is a 1939 American Western film directed by George Waggner and starring John Carroll, Movita and George Lynn.[1] A New York playboy is sent by his father to investigate his radium mine in Canada.
SYNOPSIS
Natalie is shallow; Mike doesn't care. Mike and Natalie join a scavenger hunt and break into a pet shop to get something they require for the treasure-hunt prize.
CAST & CREWS
John Carroll as Michael 'Mike' Vance
Movita as Towana
George Lynn as Father Devlin
Guy Usher as Michael Vance, Sr.
Holmes Herbert as J.L. Winton
Polly Ann Young as Natalie
George Cleveland as Dr. MacTavish
John Kelly as Bull Nelson
Wheeler Oakman as Carson
John Sheehan as Grogan
Charles Irwin as Mounted Police Sergeant
Reed Howes as Tom - Henchman
Murdock MacQuarrie as Miner
Carl Mathews as Miner
George Morrell as Stricken Miner
Pat O'Malley as RCMP Sergeant
Tex Phelps as Miner
Roger Williams as Tom Blake
Directed by George Waggner
Written by Jack London (novel) George Waggner
Produced by Paul Malvern
Cinematography Fred Jackman Jr.
Edited by Carl Pierson
Music by Edward J. Kay
Production Company Monogram Pictures
Distributed by Monogram Pictures
Release date May 22, 1939
Running time 62 minutes
CountryUnited States
Language English
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WITHOUT A HOME aka On A Heym (1939) Aleksander Marten & Ida Kaminska | Drama, Yiddish | B&W
Without A Home is a 1939 Yiddish drama directed by
Aleksander Marten
SYNOPSIS
This, the last Yiddish feature film made in Poland before World War II, is the story of the hardships faced by immigrants in America at the turn of the century. After the eldest son of the Rivkin family is drowned, the father leaves his family in Eurpoe to go to America. There, he finds only financial hardship and loneliness.
The last Yiddish feature made in Poland before WWII, this 1939 film was based on a 1907 play by the prolific playwright Jacob Gordin. Best known for his folksy didacticism and moralism, Gordin brought the common life of the Lower East Side to the Yiddish stage. With over 100 plays to his credit, Gordin was a formative influence on modern Yiddish theater. He was so popular among theatergoers that reportedly a quarter of a million people attended his funeral in New York City. Without a Home is the story of the separation and hardships faced by immigrants in America at the turn of the century. Its touching portrayal of the hardships of immigrant life enthralled Jewish theater audiences and it became part of the standard Yiddish stage repertoire in America and Poland. The film provides a poignant and dramatic picture of a difficult era, focusing on the bleak prospects for the survival of traditional Jewish family values. When the eldest son of the Rivkin family is drowned, the father leaves his family in Europe to go to America. There he finds only financial hardship and loneliness, struggling to find a way to bring the rest of his family over. The stellar cast includes stage actress Ida Kaminska and the hilarious comedy duo, Dzigan and Shumacher, who provide a healthy measure of comic relief. The title, Without a Home, intended by Gordin to symbolize the uprooted Jewish immigrant family and by extension, the Jewish people, was a particularly poignant one for Jewish film audiences in Poland on the eve of WWII. The film underscored the growing sense among Polish Jews facing the Nazi threat and increasing antisemitism in Poland that they too might soon be "without a home."
CAST & CREW
Aleksander Marten as Abram 'Awrejmel' Rywkin
Ida Kaminska as Bas Szewa
Adam Domb as Jakub Elchanan Rywkin
Ben Zuker as Henoch
Shimen Dzigan as Motele (as Szymon Dzigan)
Ysrael Szumacher as Fisele (as Izrael Szumacher)
Wiera Gran as Bessie - singer
Dora Fakiel as Lina
Merele Gruber as Woman
Directed by Aleksander Marten
Written by Jacob Gordin, Alter Kacyzne
Produced by Adolph Mann , Aleksander Marten
Cinematography by Dawid Ajzensztadt, Jack Jonilowicz (as Jakub Jonilowicz)
Editing by Jerzy Sten
Music by Izo Szajewicz
Production Design by Jacek Weinreich
Release date March 31, 1939 (United States)
Country of origin Poland
Language Yiddish
Production company Alma-Film
Runtime 1 hour 28 minutes
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THE ZERO HOUR (1939) Frieda Inescort, Otto Kruger & Adrienne Ames | Drama, Romance | B&W
The Zero Hour is a 1939 American drama film directed by Sidney Salkow.
SYNOPSIS
A theater producer and his protege star fall in love and decide to wed. In route to their nuptials, tragedy strikes and the would-be groom ends up bound to a wheelchair. Nine years later, the wife tries to adopt a little girl.
A kindly theatrical producer mentors a beautiful young girl and helps her to become a big Broadway star. In time the two fall in love and decide to wed. En route to a justice of the peace, tragedy strikes the happy couple and the would-be groom ends up permanently paralyzed. Still, his girl remains devoted to him and the marriage proceeds. Nine years pass and the woman decides she wants to adopt a child. All things seem to be in place for the adoption, but a widower shows up to claim the child. The wife and the widower begin an affair soon after meeting. When the husband finds out, he selflessly executes his final option to ensure his wife's future happiness.
CAST & CREW
Frieda Inescort as Linda Marsh
Otto Kruger as Julian Forbes
Adrianne Ames as Susan
Don Douglas as Brewster
Jane Darwell as Sophie
J. M. Kerrigan as Timothy
Ann Todd as Beth
Leonard Carey as Butler
Sarah Padden as Sister Theodosia
Ferris Taylor as Weber
Willard Parker as Lansdowne
Landers Stevens as Doctor
Directed by Sidney Salkow
Written by Garrett Fort
Produced by Sol C. Siegel
Cinematography Ernest Miller
Edited by William Morgan
Production company Republic Pictures
Distributed by Republic Pictures Corporation
Release date May 26, 1939
Running time 53 minutes (American edited version), 65 minutes
Country United States
Language English
32
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ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGIONS (1939) Trailer - B&W
Zorro's Fighting Legion is a 1939 Republic Pictures film serial consisting of twelve chapters starring Reed Hadley as Zorro and directed by William Witney and John English. The plot revolves around his alter-ego Don Diego's fight against the evil Don Del Oro.
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ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGIONS (1939) Reed Hadley & Sheila Darcy | Action, Adventure, Drama | B&W
Zorro's Fighting Legion is a 1939 Republic Pictures film serial consisting of twelve chapters starring Reed Hadley as Zorro and directed by William Witney and John English. The plot revolves around his alter-ego Don Diego's fight against the evil Don Del Oro.
SYNOPSIS
The masked hero leads a fighting force to fight a villian who plots the conquest of The Republic of Mexico.
The mysterious Don Del Oro ("Lord of Gold"), an idol of the Yaqui, emerges and attacks the gold trade of the Republic of Mexico, intent on becoming Emperor. A man named Francisco is put in charge of a fighting legion to combat the Yaqui tribe and protect the gold; he is attacked by men working for Don Del Oro. Francisco's partner recognizes Zorro as the hidalgo Don Diego Vega. Francisco asks Diego, as Zorro, to take over the fighting legion and defeat Don Del Oro.
CAST & CREW
Reed Hadley as Don Diego Vega/Zorro
Sheila Darcy as Volita
William Corson as Ramón
Leander De Cordova as Governor Felipe
Edmund Cobb as Manuel González
John Merton as Comandante Manuel
C. Montague Shaw as Chief Justice Pablo/Don Del Oro
Budd Buster as Juan
Carleton Young as Benito Juárez
Bud Geary as Don Del Oro (body and voice)
Directed by William Witney, John English
Written by Ronald Davidson, Franklin Adreon, Morgan Cox
Sol Shor, Barney A. Sarecky, Johnston McCulley (Original Zorro Novel)
Produced by Hiram S. Brown Jr
Cinematography Reggie Lanning
Distributed by Republic Pictures
Release date December 16, 1939
Running time 12 chapters (211 minutes) (serial), 6 26½-minute episodes (TV)
Language English
Budget $137,826 (negative cost: $144,419)
NOTES
The serial is unusual in featuring a real historical personage, Mexican President Benito Juárez, as a minor character. It is the second in a series of five Zorro serials: Zorro Rides Again (1937), Zorro's Black Whip (1944), Son of Zorro (1947) and Ghost of Zorro (1949).
Though there were numerous Zorro serials, Reed Hadley was the only actor to play the original Zorro in any of them.
Zorro's Fighting Legion's official release date is 16 December 1939, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges. The serial was re-released on 24 March 1958, making it the last serial released by Republic, which re-released serials for several years following the release of their final serial King of the Carnival in 1955.
In the early 1950s, Zorro's Fighting Legion was one of fourteen Republic serials edited into a television series. It was broadcast in six 26½-minute episodes.
Differences from the Zorro canon
The story takes a few liberties with Zorro's official timeline: it takes place in Mexico instead of Alta California; Zorro wears a masquerade mask, rather than the traditional bandana; the characters Don Alejandro Vega (Don Diego's father) and Bernardo are absent; and Zorro's horse, Tornado, was changed to white (much like Kaiketsu Zorro). However, this story is presented as a further adventure of Zorro, a sequel to the traditional "Mark of Zorro" origin story originally starring Douglas Fairbanks and Noah Beery Sr., which would be remade the year after Zorro's Fighting Legion with Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone: Don Diego is said to be visiting from Los Angeles, and the serial intentionally did not remake the Zorro story; instead, it shows Zorro visiting Mexico because his help is needed there. The people of Mexico immediately recognize Zorro when he first appears, strongly suggesting that Zorro is a well-known hero.
The date given for the movie is 1824, which in and of itself establishes that it takes place well after Zorro's California adventures: Zorro opposed a corrupt Spanish Colonial government in his canon tales, and California ceased being a Spanish Colony in 1821.
Chapter titles
The Golden God
The Flaming "Z"
Descending Doom
The Bridge of Peril
The Decoy
Zorro to the Rescue
The Fugitive
Flowing Death
The Golden Arrow
Mystery Wagon
Face to Face
Unmasked
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ACES WILD (NineteenThirtySix) Harry Carey, Gertrude Messinger & Theodore Lorch | Western | B&W
Aces Wild is a 1936 American Western film directed by Harry L. Fraser and starring Harry Carey, Gertrude Messinger and Theodore Lorch.
SYNOPSIS
Cheyenne rides into Durango and runs into his old enemy Kelton. Kelton's game is to bring his safe to a town without a bank and let the townspeople put their valuables in it. Then he grabs the loot and flees. But Cheyenne is on to his scheme and finding the safe empty, gets the Sheriff to join in the chase.
CAST & CREW
Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry Morgan
Gertrude Messinger as Martha Worth
Theodore Lorch as Kelton
Roger Williams as Slim - Henchman
Chuck Morrison as Hank - Henchman
Phil Dunham as Anson - Editor
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Snowflake
Directed by Harry L. Fraser
Written by Harry L. Fraser
Produced by William Berke
Cinematography Robert E. Cline
Edited by Arthur A. Brooks
Production company William Berke Productions
Distributed by Commodore Pictures
Release date January 2, 1936
Running time 57 minutes
Country United States
Language English
187
views
4
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THE ADVENTURES OF CHICO (1938) Chico | Documentary, Drama | B&W
The Adventures of Chico is a 1938 documentary, drama directed by
Horace Woodard and Stacy Woodard.
SYNOPSIS
A Mexican boy without young neighbors to play with, befriends a diverse group of desert animals.
CAST & CREW
Chico as himself
Directed by Horace Woodard, Stacy Woodard
Produced by Horace Woodard, Stacy Woodard
Cinematography by Horace Woodard, Stacy Woodard
Editing by Horace Woodard, Stacy Woodard
Production company Woodard Productions Inc.
Distribution company Monogram Pictures
Release date March 3, 1938
Country of origin United States
Language English
71
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