The Cat's-Paw 1934  N/R, 101 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Sam Taylor
Cast: Harold Lloyd, Una Merkel, George Barbier, Nat Pendleton, Grace Bradley, Alan Dinehart, Grant Mitchell, E. Alyn Warren, Warren Hymer, J. Farrell MacDonald, James Donlan, Edwin Maxwell, Frank Sheridan, David Holt, Fuzzy Knight
After spending 20 years in China, Ezekiel Cobb (Harold Lloyd) returns to his hometown of Stockport, California, and wins the election for mayor after corrupt politicians convince him to run. Now, he begins a campaign to reform the town and uses his recently gained Chinese wisdom to obtain confessions before running the tough guys out of town.
|  | |
 Cleopatra 1934  N/R, 103 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Cast: Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, Gertrude Michael, Joseph Schildkraut, Ian Keith, C. Aubrey Smith, Irving Pichel, Ian Maclaren, John Carradine, Arthur Hohl, Edwin Maxwell, Eleanor Phelps, Leonard Mudie, William Farnum
Good performances enhance this excellent film that won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and was nominated for Best Picture. Claudette Colbert easily handles the title role of the seductive Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, who uses her wiles on the Roman emperor Julius Caesar (Warren William). Then, after Caesar is killed, she turns her attentions to Caesar's rival, Marc Antony (Henry Wilcoxon), and enters into a romance destined for tragedy.
| | |
Come and Get It 1936  N/R, 99 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: Roaring Timbers
Director: Howard Hawks, Richard Rosson, William Wyler
Cast: Edward Arnold, Frances Farmer, Walter Brennan, Joel McCrea, Frank Shields, Andrea Leeds, Mary Nash, Clem Bevans, Edwin Maxwell, Cecil Cunningham
Walter Brennan won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in this film that was based on Edna Ferber's novel. The story begins with two loggers (Edward Arnold and Brennan) and follows their lives and conflicts.
| | |
The Devil Is a Woman 1935 N/R, 85 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Josef von Sternberg
Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Lionel Atwill, Edward Everett Horton, Alison Skipworth, Cesar Romero, Don Alvarado, Tempe Pigott, Francisco Moreno, Hank Mann, Morgan Wallace, Lawrence Grant, Edwin Maxwell
Told in flashbacks, this story involves the memories of Captain Don Pasqual "Pasqualito" Costelar (Lionel Atwill) as he tells young military officer Antonio Galvan (Cesar Romero)–who has just met Concha Perez (Marlene Dietrich)–of the trials and tribulations he suffered when seduced by her many years before. Later that same evening, Pasqual encounters Antonio with Concha and, in a fit of jealousy, challenges him to a duel.
| | |
 Duck Soup 1933  N/R, 70 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Leo McCarey
Cast: Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, Edmund Breese, Louis Calhern, Margaret Dumont, Edgar Kennedy, Charles Middleton, Edwin Maxwell, Raquel Torres, Verna Hillie, Leonid Kinskey, William Worthington, Eric Mayne
Wealthy Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) donates $20 million to Freedonia with the provision that it will make Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) its dictator. The deal is made, and Firefly immediately frustrates his cabinet and offends the neighboring country of Sylvania. War is inevitable, and Sylvania sends Chicolini (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx) to spy on Firefly and become members of his cabinet. Firefly declares war on Sylvania, and after more than a few double-crosses, Freedonia wins. This movie is silly, zany, crafty, and VERY entertaining.
| | |
Gambling Ship 1933  N/R, 72 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Louis J. Gasnier, Max Marcin
Cast: Cary Grant, Benita Hume, Roscoe Karns, Glenda Farrell, Jack La Rue, Arthur Vinton, Charles Williams, Edwin Maxwell, Frank Moran, Spencer Charters
This is a limp story of a gambler, Ace (Cary Grant), who poses as a businessman on a train. He meets Eleanor (Benita Hume), who is posing as a socialite but is really the mistress for a man who owns a failing gambling ship. She convinces Ace to buy the ship in order to get business from Pete (Jack La Rue), an enemy of Ace. Some fine moments and LaRue is a great villain.
| | |
The Great Moment 1944 N/R, 83 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Preston Sturges
Cast: Joel McCrea, Betty Field, Harry Carey, William Demarest, Louis Jean Heydt, Julius Tannen, Edwin Maxwell, Porter Hall, Franklin Pangborn, Grady Sutton, Harry Hayden, Torben Meyer, Victor Potel, Thurston Hall, J. Farrell MacDonald
This story, told through flashbacks, is the saga of the trials and tribulations of W.T.G. Morton (Joel McCrea) who, as a young oral surgeon in the 19th century worked to find a way to take the pain out of tooth extractions. Throughout his efforts, his loyal wife Elizabeth (Betty Field) stands by his side. His discovery of the use of letheon (ether) as an anesthetic marked a huge step in surgical procedures. Fame and fortune are not gained by Morton, but he does eventually become known as "the painless dentist," and Congress votes to reward him $100,000 for his efforts. But, jealous medical rivals just may stand in the way of Morton receiving that award.
| | |
I Live on Danger 1942  N/R, 73 min.
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Director: Sam White
Cast: Chester Morris, Jean Parker, Elisabeth Risdon, Edward Norris, Dick Purcell, Roger Pryor, Douglas Fowley, Ralph Sanford, Edwin Maxwell, Patsy Nash, Bernadene Hayes, Billy Nelson
Newsman Jeff Morrell (Chester Morris) sets out to prove the innocence of Eddie (Edward Nelson) upon the urging of Eddie's sister, Susan (Jean Parker). In the process, the couple falls in love, and Jeff is successful in saving Eddie. An OK thriller.
| | |
Love Is News 1937 N/R, 72 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Tay Garnett
Cast: Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, Don Ameche, Slim Summerville, Dudley Digges, Walter Catlett, George Sanders, Jane Darwell, Stepin Fetchit, Elisha Cook Jr., Pauline Moore, Edwin Maxwell, Charles Williams, Julius Tannen, Frank Conroy
Steve Layton (Tyrone Power) is a tenacious reporter who writes a story about an heiress, Tony Gateson (Loretta Young), after tricking her into an interview. Tony is upset when she reads his article and sets out to get even. First, she announces their engagement to put Steve in the spotlight and see how it feels. And more misadventures ensue in their love/hate relationship. This film was remade as "That Wonderful Urge," also starring Tyrone Power.
| | |
A Man Betrayed 1937 N/R, 58 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: John H. Auer
Cast: Edward J. Nugent, Kay Hughes, Lloyd Hughes, John Wray, Edwin Maxwell, Theodore von Eltz, Thomas E. Jackson, William Newell, Smiley Burnette, John Hamilton, Ralf Harolde, Carleton Young
Oil company executive Frank Powell (Edward J. Nugent) is framed for a murder and teams up with a group of thieves–led by Sparks (John Wray)–who helps prove his innocence.
| | |
The Mayor of Hell 1933 N/R, 90 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Archie Mayo
Cast: James Cagney, Madge Evans, Allen Jenkins, Dudley Digges, Frankie Darro, Dorothy Peterson, Charles C. Wilson, Hobart Cavanaugh, Robert Barrat, Harold Huber, Sheila Terry, William V. Mong, G. Pat Collins, Edwin Maxwell, John Marston
This unusual story involves ex-gangster Richard 'Patsy' Gargan (James Cagney) who is appointed Deputy Commissioner of a reform school. He takes the position after the nurse (Madge Evans) at the school confides in him about the inhumane treatment being inflicted on the boys. He works to improve conditions at the reform school and the way the kids are being treated. But, Gargan leaves the reform school to kill a rival gangster, and then he goes into hiding. Meanwhile the poor conditions return at the reform school, and when the boys learn that Gargan is really a ruthless mobster they lose faith in him. But, Gargan returns, gets the warden Mr. Thompson (Dudley Digges) kicked out, and regains the boys' respect.
| | |
Merrily We Go to Hell 1932 N/R, 78 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Dorothy Arzner
Cast: Fredric March, Sylvia Sidney, Adrienne Allen, Richard "Skeets" Gallagher, Kent Taylor, Cary Grant, George Irving, Esther Howard, Florence Britton, Charles Coleman, Harry Cording, Edwin Maxwell, Dennis O'Keefe, Harry Strang, Theresa Harris
A young heiress, Joan Prentice (Sylvia Sidney), marries dashing reporter Jerry Corbett (Fredric March) and–too late–discovers his problem with alcohol. Adding to the problem is Claire (Adrienne Allen) who has her eyes set on Jerry and works to get him away from Joan. Joan gets fed up, leaves Jerry, and returns to her father's (George Irving) home. Now, Joan learns that she is pregnant, and Jerry, meanwhile, dumps Claire when he realizes that he really loves Joan. Love does conquer all of the problems, and Jerry swears off alcohol in order to build a life together with Joan.
| | |
Mystery Liner 1934 N/R, 62 min.
Genre: Mystery
aka: Ghost of John Holling
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Noah Beery, Astrid Allwyn, Cornelius Keefe, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Edwin Maxwell, Ralph Lewis, Boothe Howard, Zeffie Tilbury, John M. Sullivan, George "Gabby" Hayes, Gordon De Main, George Cleveland
Murder stalks a luxury liner that is secretly testing a device, which will remotely control a ship, and there are plenty of suspects for the investigating detective to sort through. Cheaply made but fun to watch.
| | |
Mystery of the Wax Museum 1933 N/R, 78 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, Frank McHugh, Allen Vincent, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Gavin Gordon, Edwin Maxwell, Holmes Herbert, DeWitt Jennings
Following his hideous disfigurement in a fire at his London wax museum, the owner relocates to America where he opens a new museum. This time his figures are his own murder victims encased in wax. This is the first horror film not set in the usual old, gloomy manse and was remade with Vincent Price in the lead as "House of Wax."
| | |
Ninotchka 1939 N/R, 110 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Cast: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire, Sig Ruman, Bela Lugosi, Felix Bressart, Alexander Granach, Gregory Gaye, Richard Carle, Edwin Maxwell
This pre-cold-war-era film pits the ideals of Communism against those of Capitalists in a very entertaining film featuring Greta Garbo as Ninotchka, the emissary from Russia whose head and heart are turned by love. There were Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Actress, and Writing (both Original Story and Screenplay).
| | |
 Scarface 1932 N/R, 93 min.
Genre: Drama / Action
aka: Scarface, The Shame of the Nation
Director: Howard Hawks, Richard Rosson
Cast: Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak, George Raft, Boris Karloff, Tully Marshall, Maurice Black, Paul Fix, Vince Barnett, Karen Morley, Osgood Perkins, C. Henry Gordon, Purnell Pratt, Inez Palange, Edwin Maxwell, Henry Armetta
Paul Muni is excellent as Roaring Twenties' gangster Antonio "Tony" Camonte in this film modeled after Al Capone's criminal activities in the world of bootleg gin as he fights to overtake the other mobster leaders in the city
| | |
The Shop Around the Corner 1940 N/R, 97 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut, Sara Haden, Felix Bressart, William Tracy, Inez Courtney, Charles Halton, Charles Smith, Sarah Edwards, Edwin Maxwell, William Edmunds, Grace Hale, Mary Carr
Kiara (Margaret Sullavan) and Alfred (James Stewart) are co-workers in a small, Budapest shop. Although they are antagonistic toward each other at work, they unwittingly become loving pen pals. Because they do not sign their real names, they do not realize that they are writing to each other. Will their antagonism stop when the truth comes out? The story was later remade as the musical film "In the Good Old Summertime" and as the Broadway play "She Loves Me."
| | |
Shopworn 1932 N/R, 72 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Nick Grinde
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Regis Toomey, Zasu Pitts, Lucien Littlefield, Clara Blandick, Edwin Maxwell, Oscar Apfel, Joe Sawyer, Albert Conti, Wallis Clark
The romance of waitress Kitty Lane (Barbara Stanwyck) and her rich boyfriend (Regis Toomey) is broken up when his mother frames her and she is sent to jail. Years later, Kitty becomes a stage star and is eventually reunited with her lover.
| | |
Swamp Fire 1946  N/R, 69 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: William H. Pine
Cast: Johnny Weissmuller, Virginia Grey, Buster Crabbe, Carol Thurston, Pedro de Cordoba, Pierre Watkin, Marcelle Corday, William Edmunds, Frank Fenton, David Janssen, Edwin Maxwell
Navy war veteran, riverboat captain Johnny (Johnny Weissmuller) plies the waters of the lower Mississippi River and fights it out with evil trapper Mike (Buster Crabbe) over the woman (Virginia Grey) he loves. The only highlight: the fight in the alligator-filled swamp. Look for a young David Janssen.
| | |
The Taming of the Shrew 1929 N/R, 63 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Sam Taylor
Cast: Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Edwin Maxwell, Joseph Cawthorn, Clyde Cook, Geoffrey Wardwell, Dorothy Jordan, Charles Stevens
Not the best version of the Shakespeare tale, nor the best for either of the two stars. It is obviously played for laughs, sometimes slapstick, and is one of the first talkies.
| | |
Thanks a Million 1935 N/R, 85 min.
Genre: Musical / Comedy / Romance
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Cast: Dick Powell, Ann Dvorak, Fred Allen, Patsy Kelly, Raymond Walburn, David Rubinoff, Benny Baker, Andrew Tombes, Alan Dinehart, Paul Harvey, Edwin Maxwell, Margaret Irving, Charles Richman, Lynn Bari, Harry Stubbs
Eric Land (Dick Powell) is the leading man in a traveling musical show whose manager Ned Lyman (Fred Allen) talks him into taking the place of an alcoholic candidate and running for the office of Governor of Pennsylvania. The campaigning proves disastrous for Eric's relationship with his girlfriend Sally (Ann Dvorak), and Eric wants out of politics. However, the people now love Eric, and he wins the election–and Sally as well.
| | |
Tiger Shark 1932 N/R, 80 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Howard Hawks
Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Richard Arlen, Zita Johann, Leila Bennett, J. Carrol Naish, Vince Barnett, William Ricciardi, Edwin Maxwell, Henry Armetta, Inez Palange
Mike (Edward G. Robinson) is a tuna fisherman who married Quita (Zita Johann) out of pity for her than love. Her father, who was a friend of Mike, was lost at sea. During that same tragedy, Mike saved his best friend, Pipes (Richard Arlen)–and lost a hand to a shark in the process. Now, it appears that Pipes and Quita are attracted to each other. Good acting and directing result in an excellent film.
| | |
Waterfront 1944 N/R, 68 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Steve Sekely
Cast: John Carradine, J. Carrol Naish, Maris Wrixon, Edwin Maxwell, Terry Frost, John Bleifer, Marten Lamont, Olga Fabian, Claire Rochelle, Billy Nelson, Gene Roth
Supposed optometrist Carl Decker (J. Carrol Naish) is, in reality, the head of the local Nazi espionage ring working from the San Francisco docks. His power lies in what is written in his little black book, forcing local German-Americans to support his cause. When his assistant, Victor (John Carradine), challenges Carl for the leadership, the U.S. has a chance to be saved. Another shot of motivation for the U.S. citizenry during World War II.
| | |
Way Down South 1939 N/R, 62 min.
Genre: Musical / Drama
Director: Bernard Vorhaus
Cast: Bobby Breen, Alan Mowbray, Ralph Morgan, Clarence Muse, Steffi Duna, Sally Blane, Edwin Maxwell, Charles Middleton, Robert Greig, Jack Carr, Marguerite Whitten, Lillian Yarbo
Set in New Orleans during the 1850s, this story involves the efforts of a young orphan, Tim Reed (Bobby Breen), to save his family's plantation and prevent the slaves from being sold by the executor of the estate, Martin Dill (Edwin Maxwell).
| | |
Yellow Ticket 1931 N/R, 81 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Raoul Walsh
Cast: Elissa Landi, Laurence Olivier, Lionel Barrymore, Walter Byron, Sarah Padden, Mischa Auer, Boris Karloff, Rita La Roy, Edwin Maxwell, Frederick Burt
Russian society before the Revolution is the setting for this film about a young Jewish woman (Elissa Landi) who is forced into prostitution. She meets and falls in love with a British newsman (Laurence Olivier), and the two endanger themselves as they work for justice.
| | |
| 1. Ambassador Bill (1931)
2. The Cat's-Paw (1934)
3. Cleopatra (1934)
4. Come and Get It (1936)
aka: Roaring Timbers
5. The Devil Is a Woman (1935)
6. Duck Soup (1933)
7. Gambling Ship (1933)
8. The Great Moment (1944)
9. I Live on Danger (1942)
10. Love Is News (1937)
11. A Man Betrayed (1937)
12. The Mayor of Hell (1933)
13. Merrily We Go to Hell (1932)
14. Mystery Liner (1934)
aka: Ghost of John Holling
15. Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)
16. Night of Terror (1933)
17. Ninotchka (1939)
18. Scarface (1932)
aka: Scarface, The Shame of the Nation
19. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
20. Shopworn (1932)
21. Swamp Fire (1946)
22. The Taming of the Shrew (1929)
23. Thanks a Million (1935)
24. Tiger Shark (1932)
25. Waterfront (1944)
26. Way Down South (1939)
27. Yellow Ticket (1931)
In The News
|
