The Benson Murder Case 1930 N/R, 69 min. Genre: Mystery
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: William Powell, Natalie Moorhead, Eugene Pallette, Paul Lukas, William "Stage" Boyd, E.H. Calvert, Richard Tucker, May Beatty, Mischa Auer, Otto Yamaoka
S.S. Van Dine's suave detective, Philo Vance (William Powell), is back and becomes involved with the murder of Anthony Benson–a shifty, wealthy, womanizing stock broker–who is hosting Philo at his estate. Now our sleuth must sift through the several suspects to come up with the culprit. Van Dine's novel was based on an actual murder in 1920 that is still unsolved.
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The Big Broadcast 1932 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Comedy / Musical / Romance
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Stuart Erwin, Bing Crosby, Leila Hyams, Sharon Lynn, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Kate Smith, Mills Brothers, Cab Calloway, George Barbier, Irving Bacon, Ralph Robertson, Alex Melesh, Spec O'Donnell, Anna Chandler
This movie began a series of films projecting radio personalities onto the screen. The story involves Leslie McWhinney's (Stuart Erwin) effort to improve his radio station's financial situation. His solution is to host stars on a special broadcast. Young singer Bing Hornsby (Bing Crosby) croons several tunes, and Kate Smith, Cab Calloway, the Mills Brothers, and others are also featured. Meanwhile, George Burns and Gracie Allen perform comic routines.
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The Canary Murder Case 1929 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Mystery
Director: Malcolm St. Clair, Frank Tuttle Cast: William Powell, Louise Brooks, Jean Arthur, James Hall, Eugene Pallette, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Charles(1) Lane, Lawrence Grant, Ned Sparks, Louis John Bartels
This is the first of what would be a series of mysteries centered on the sophisticated Philo Vance. The films spanned nearly 20 years with several actors in the lead role, though William Powell is generally associated with the films. Beautiful nightclub singer Margaret (Louise Brooks), also called the "Canary," is not a nice person. She has affairs with, then blackmails, wealthy men. After meeting her true love, Jimmy (James Hall), she demands one lump-sum payment from each of her playboys. When she is murdered, Jimmy is suspected, and Philo enters the scene to solve the crime. Originally completed as a silent film, the cast was called back to dub the sound. Louise Brooks, an up-and-comer, refused, thus effectively ending her career (except for a few low-budget films).
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A Cry in the Night 1956 N/R, 75 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Edmond O'Brien, Brian Donlevy, Natalie Wood, Raymond Burr, Richard Anderson, Irene Hervey, Anthony Caruso, Alan Ladd
Raymond Burr is very good as Harold Lofus, a voyeur whose obsession accelerates to kidnapping young Liz Taggart (Natalie Wood), the daughter of police Captain Dan Taggart (Edmond O'Brien).
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Dr. Rhythm 1938 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Bing Crosby, Mary Carlisle, Beatrice Lillie, Andy Devine, Laura Hope Crews, Sterling Holloway, Franklin Pangborn, Louis Armstrong, Rufe Davis, Fred Keating
Doctor Remsen (Bing Crosby) pretends to be a policeman so that he can guard the lady he loves, Judy Marlowe (Mary Carlisle).
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The Glass Key 1935 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Mystery
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: George Raft, Claire Dodd, Edward Arnold, Rosalind Keith, Ray Milland, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, Robert Gleckler, Tammany Young, Charles C. Wilson, Emma Dunn
Based on Dashiell Hammett's novel about a politician (Edward Arnold) accused of murder, this becomes a riveting story of intrigue when his aide (George Raft) determines to clear the name of his boss and must fight the influential Mob. This story was remade in 1942.
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The Greene Murder Case 1929 N/R, 68 min. Genre: Mystery
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: William Powell, Florence Eldridge, Ullrich Haupt, Jean Arthur, Eugene Pallette, E.H. Calvert, Gertrude Norman, Lowell Drew, Morgan Farley, Brandon Hurst
Philo Vance (William Powell) is back in the second film of S.S. Van Dine's sophisticated amateur sleuth/psychologist. He is called in by the police to assist in solving the murder of a rich, New York businessman. Philo has his hands full when the nine primary suspects begin to be killed off one-by-one.
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Hell on Frisco Bay 1955 N/R, 98 min. Genre: Action
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Alan Ladd, Edward G. Robinson, Joanne Dru, William Demarest, Paul Stewart, Fay Wray, Willis Bouchey, Anthony Caruso, Jayne Mansfield, Nestor Paiva
After being framed for manslaughter and sent to jail as a result, ex-con Steve Rollins (Alan Ladd) seeks revenge against the crime syndicate members who set him up.
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Here Is My Heart 1934 N/R, 77 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Bing Crosby, Kitty Carlisle, Roland Young, Alison Skipworth, Reginald Owen, Cecilia Parker, William Frawley, Akim Tamiroff, Charles Arnt, Charles C. Wilson
A radio star (Bing Crosby) pretends to be a waiter to get close to a princess (Kitty Carlisle). "Love is Just Around the Corner" is one of the featured songs in this musical comedy.
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Island of Lost Women 1959 N/R, 71 min. Genre: Adventure
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Jeff Richards, Venetia Stevenson, John Smith, Diane Jergens, Alan Napier, June Blair, Gavin Muir, George Brand, Bob Stratton
Following their plane crash on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, radio commentator Mark Bradley (Jeff Richards) and his pilot Joe Walker (John Smith) find weird scientist Dr. Paul Lujan (Alan Napier), and his three daughters–Venus (Venetia Stevenson), Urana (Diane Jergens), and Murcuria (June Blair). Lujan has been working on atomic experiments, and, when Bradley threatens to expose him, Lujan destroys their airplane. The girls help Bradley and Walker build a raft to escape the island, but an explosion in Lujan's solar furnace almost wrecks the island. The blast does attract the attention of Australian authorities, and now the survivors wait for their rescue.
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Ladies Should Listen 1934 N/R, 61 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Cary Grant, Frances Drake, Edward Everett Horton, Charles Arnt, Nydia Westman, Ann Sheridan, Rosita Moreno, George Barbier, Charles Ray, Rafael Corio
After listening in on a hotel telephone conversation, the switchboard operator, Anna (Frances Drake), gets involved in the life of the caller, Julian de Lussac (Cary Grant).
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Lucky Jordan 1942 N/R, 83 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Alan Ladd, Helen Walker, Sheldon Leonard, Mabel Paige, Marie McDonald, Lloyd Corrigan, Anthony Caruso, Dave Willock, Miles Mander, John Wengraf, Russell Hoyt
Con artist Lucky Jordan (Alan Ladd) is drafted into the army, goes AWOL, beats Nazi agents at their own game, and even wins his lady fair–HE DOES IT ALL!
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Paris Honeymoon 1939 N/R, 92 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Bing Crosby, Franciska Gaal, Akim Tamiroff, Shirley Ross, Edward Everett Horton, Ben Blue, Rafaela Ottiano, Raymond Hatton, Luana Walters, Gregory Gaye
A Texas millionaire, Lucky Lawton (Bing Crosby), plans a honeymoon in Paris, but while visiting the city to make arrangements, he falls in love with Manya (Franciska Gaal) and his wedding plans are put on hold.
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This Gun for Hire 1942 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird Cregar, Tully Marshall, Marc Lawrence, Pamela Blake, Mikhail Rasumny, Harry Shannon, Frank Ferguson
Based on Graham Greene's novel, "A Gun aor Sale," this is a stark drama that launched Alan Ladd's career. He plays a paid gunman who sets out to avenge a double-cross.
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This Is the Night 1932 N/R, 78 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Lili Damita, Roland Young, Charles Ruggles, Thelma Todd, Cary Grant, Irving Bacon, Claire Dodd, Davison Clark, Gino Corrado, Rolfe Sedan
In this feature film debut of Cary Grant, romantic intrigue and pretensions go awry. A bachelor (Roland Young) tries to lure the husband (Cary Grant) of the woman he is attracted to into the arms of another.
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Waikiki Wedding 1937 N/R, 88 min. Genre: Musical / Comedy / Romance
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Bing Crosby, Bob Burns, Martha Raye, Shirley Ross, Leif Erickson, Grady Sutton, Anthony Quinn, Granville Bates, Spencer Charters, George Regas, George Barbier, Mitchell Lewis, Nick Lukats, Maurice Liu, Emma Dunn
Tony Marvin (Bing Crosby), a public relations representative for a Hawaiian pineapple company, comes up with the idea of a beauty contest as a publicity stunt. The winner is Georgia Smith (Shirley Ross), and she arrives on Hawaii with her friend Myrtle Finch (Martha Raye). But, Georgia does not like Hawaii and wants to leave. To solve the problem, Tony tries romancing Georgia to convince her to remain. It works! This film's "Sweet Leilani" won the Academy Award for Best Song. Another popular song from the picture was "Blue Hawaii."
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| 1. The Benson Murder Case (1930)
2. The Big Broadcast (1932)
3. The Canary Murder Case (1929)
4. A Cry in the Night (1956)
5. Dr. Rhythm (1938)
6. The Glass Key (1935)
7. The Greene Murder Case (1929)
8. Hell on Frisco Bay (1955)
9. Here Is My Heart (1934)
10. Hostages (1943)
11. Island of Lost Women (1959)
12. Ladies Should Listen (1934)
13. Lucky Jordan (1942)
14. Paris Honeymoon (1939)
15. Roman Scandals (1933)
16. This Gun for Hire (1942)
17. This Is the Night (1932)
18. True to the Navy (1930)
19. Waikiki Wedding (1937)
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