2001: A Space Odyssey 1968 G, 139 min. Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
Director: Stanley Kubrick Cast: Keir Dullea, William Sylvester, Gary Lockwood, Daniel Richter, Douglas Rain, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack, Robert Beatty, Sean Sullivan, Frank Miller, Bill Weston, Ed Bishop, Alan Gifford, Ann Gillis
The story begins millions of years ago during a crisis on Earth when starving apes, seeking water rights, could only shake their arms at the Others across the stream. Then, one day, a mysterious monolith appeared to probe and direct their brains. Over time, the apes learned that they could change their world through the use of tools, which provided means to obtain food. Skip ahead to the year 2001: apes have evolved into humans, tools into weapons, and Earth is again in crisis. Overpopulation has caused another food shortage, nuclear megatonnage threatens the entire surface of the planet, and, once again, a mysterious monolith has been discovered–this time on the moon. And now, mysterious radio signals from Jupiter are aimed at Earth. A space shuttle is sent to Jupiter to investigate. The genius of this film is the awe it inspires in us as the music sets the tone. Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube," for example, accompanies the docking of the space ship. The pace of both docking and ballet are deliberately slow–a perfect match. While the film does not provide a clear narrative, Arthur C. Clarke's novel does. In this case, reading the book before viewing the movie increases one's understanding. The film received an Oscar for Best Special Effects; three other nominations were received, including Best Director.
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 1938 N/R, 93 min. Genre: Family
Director: Norman Taurog Cast: Tommy Kelly, Jackie Moran, May Robson, Walter Brennan, Victor Jory, Ann Gillis, Spring Byington, Donald Meek, Margaret Hamilton, David Holt
This is an excellent production of Mark Twain's story with Tommy Kelly in the title role and May Robson as Aunt Polly.
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Bambi 1942 N/R, 69 min. Genre: Animation / Family / Drama
Director: David Hand Cast: Hardie Albright, John Sutherland, Bobby Stewart, Peter Behn, Stan Alexander, Sterling Holloway, Ann Gillis, Paula Winslowe, Cammie King, Donnie Dunagan, Fred Shields, Will Wright
This well-loved Disney film is perfection in animation. It tells the story of Bambi's life from birth through his mother's death at the hands of deer hunters to his eventual fatherhood.
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Big Town After Dark 1947 N/R, 69 min. Genre: Mystery / Drama aka: Underworld After Dark
Director: William C. Thomas Cast: Philip Reed, Hillary Brooke, Richard Travis, Ann Gillis, Vince Barnett, Joe Sawyer, Robert Kent, Charles Arnt, Joseph Allen, William Haade, Arthur Space, Richard Keene
When Susan (Ann Gillis), the niece of a newspaper publisher (Richard Travis), gets in over her head gambling, her uncle is blackmailed by gambling racketeers. Crusading newspaper editor-in-chief Steve Wilson (Philip Reed) and police reporter Lorelei Kilbourne (Hillary Brooke) jump on the trail of the mobsters involved.
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The Californian 1937 N/R, 59 min. Genre: Western aka: The Gentleman from California
Director: Gus Meins Cast: Ricardo Cortez, Marjorie Weaver, Katherine DeMille, Maurice Black, Morgan Wallace, Nigel De Brulier, George Regas, Pierre Watkin, Jim Farley, Edward Keane, Gene Reynolds, Ann Gillis
During 1855, Ramon Escobar (Ricardo Cortez) returns to California after completing school in Spain and discovers that corrupt politicians are using tax collectors to force old Californians off their land. Ramon takes on the cause to bring justice back to the area.
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Little Men 1940 N/R, 84 min. Genre: Drama / Comedy
Director: Norman Z. McLeod Cast: Kay Francis, Jack Oakie, George Bancroft, Jimmy Lydon, Ann Gillis, Carl Esmond, Richard Nichols, William Demarest, Sterling Holloway, Isabel Jewell, Casey Johnson, Francesca Santoro, Johnny Burke, Lillian Randolph, Sammy McKim
Louisa May Alcott's tale is again adapted to the screen as grown-up Jo (Kay Francis) opens a boarding school and attempts to tame a ruffian, Dan (Jimmy Lydon). Dan finally learns gentlemanly behavior–despite the influence of his crooked father, Major Burdle (George Bancroft). When Jo's school faces a bank foreclosure, the Major's cohort, Willie the Fox (Jack Oakie), turns himself in for the $5,000 reward and presents the money to Jo in order to save the school. Good comic relief from Jack Oakie.
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The Man from Music Mountain 1943 N/R, 71 min. Genre: Western aka: Texas Legionnaires
Director: Joseph Kane Cast: Roy Rogers, Ruth Terry, Paul Kelly, Ann Gillis, George Cleveland, Pat Brady, Paul Harvey, Jay Novello, Hal Taliaferro, Bob Nolan
The war is on between the cattlemen and sheepherders when Roy (Roy Rogers) returns home for a singing engagement on the local radio station. He gets plenty of time to sing after untangling this mess.
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My Love Came Back 1940 N/R, 81 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Curtis Bernhardt Cast: Olivia de Havilland, Jeffrey Lynn, Eddie Albert, Jane Wyman, Charles Winninger, Spring Byington, Grant Mitchell, William T. Orr, Ann Gillis, S.Z. Sakall
A young violinist (Olivia de Havilland) wins a scholarship and doubt is cast on its credibility because of her relationship with her patron.
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Neath Brooklyn Bridge 1942 N/R, 61 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Wallace Fox Cast: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Ernest Morrison, Ann Gillis, Noah Beery Jr., Marc Lawrence, Gabriel Dell, Stanley Clements, Bobby Stone, Jack Raymond, Betty Wells
The Bowery Boys are back in action when they hide Sylvia (Ann Gillis) after her guardian is killed by bar-owner Butch (Noah Beery Jr.). Now the boys are suspects in the murder, and it's up to them to prove Butch's guilt.
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Nice Girl? 1941 N/R, 95 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: William A. Seiter Cast: Deanna Durbin, Franchot Tone, Walter Brennan, Robert Stack, Robert Benchley, Helen Broderick, Ann Gillis, Anne Gwynne, Elisabeth Risdon, Nana Bryant
In this first "adult" role for Deanna Durbin, she plays Jane Dana–who falls asleep in Richard Calvert's (Franchot Tone) home and must now protect her reputation.
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Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus 1938 N/R, 78 min. Genre: Drama / Comedy
Director: Edward F. Cline Cast: Tommy Kelly, Ann Gillis, Edgar Kennedy, Benita Hume, Billy Gilbert, George "Spanky" McFarland, Grant Mitchell, Nana Bryant, Wade Boteler, Harry Stubbs, Fay Helm, Mickey Rentschler
In this sequel to "Peck's Bad Boy," Tommy Kelly takes on the role of Bill Peck. Bill joins the circus and–with his gang (including "Spanky" McFarland)–creates havoc in and around the big top.
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Singing Cowboy 1936 N/R, 56 min. Genre: Western
Director: Mack V. Wright Cast: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Lois Wilde, Ann Gillis, Earle Hodgins, Frankie Marvin, Lon Chaney Jr., Harvey Clark, John Van Pelt, Earl Eby
Gene Autry puts on a broadcast in the Big City so he can raise money for an operation to allow a little girl to walk again.
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The Time of Their Lives 1946 N/R, 82 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Charles Barton Cast: Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Marjorie Reynolds, Binnie Barnes, Gale Sondergaard, John Shelton, Jess Barker, Robert Barrat, Donald MacBride, Ann Gillis
Ghosts Horatio Prim (Lou Costello) and Cuthbert (Bud Abbott) try to prove their innocence 200 years after being denounced as Revolutionary War traitors. Different (and good) movie for the funny duo. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Anonymous 07/25/2009 | | I remember this movie from long ago. I do not believe Abbott is a ghost in this one. Lou is a ghost along with a female ghost that were hanged as traitors and condemned to stay on the parcel of land until they proved they were innocent. Very funny movie I have always loved watching it over and over. |
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| 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)
3. Bambi (1942)
4. Big Town After Dark (1947) aka: Underworld After Dark
5. The Californian (1937) aka: The Gentleman from California
6. In Society (1944)
7. Little Men (1940)
8. The Man from Music Mountain (1943) aka: Texas Legionnaires
9. My Love Came Back (1940)
10. Neath Brooklyn Bridge (1942)
11. Nice Girl? (1941)
12. Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus (1938)
13. Singing Cowboy (1936)
14. The Time of Their Lives (1946)
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