Dodsworth 1936 N/R, 101 min. Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: William Wyler Cast: Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton, Mary Astor, Paul Lukas, David Niven, Spring Byington, Maria Ouspenskaya, Kathryn Marlow, John Payne, Gregory Gaye, Horace B. Carpenter, Odette Myrtil, Harlan Briggs, Gino Corrado, Inez Palange
This film adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' novel is well directed and acted. It is the story of the 20-year marriage of Sam (Walter Huston) and Fran Dodsworth (Ruth Chatterton) and their solution to a crisis point in their relationship. The film won an Oscar for Best Interior Decoration and was nominated for six others, including Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress (Maria Ouspenskaya), and Director.
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Enchanted April 1935 N/R, 66 min. Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Harry Beaumont Cast: Ann Harding, Frank Morgan, Katharine Alexander, Reginald Owen, Jane Baxter, Ralph Forbes, Jessie Ralph, Charles Judels, Rafaela Ottiano, Ethel Griffies, May Beatty, Inez Palange, Gwendolyn Logan, Hector Samo
This is a good rendition of Elizabeth von Arnim's novel about two English women–Lottie Wilkins (Ann Harding) and Rose Arbuthnot (Katherine Alexander)–who have had enough of their husbands and take off for a vacation and a better life. They rent a castle overlooking the Mediterranean in San Salvatore, Italy. Joining them in Italy are Mrs. Fisher (Jessie Ralph) and Lady Caroline (Jane Baxter). Now, the four ladies spend their month together supposedly free from their husbands–but not without complications. Remade in 1992.
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Monster from the Ocean Floor 1954 N/R, 64 min. Genre: Sci-Fi aka: It Stalked the Ocean Floor Monster Maker
Director: Wyott Ordung Cast: Anne Kimbell, Stuart Wade, Dick Pinner, Wyott Ordung, Inez Palange, Jonathan Haze, David Garcia, Roger Corman
Julie (Anne Kimbell) is vacationing in Mexico and spies a giant, one-eyed, octopus-like creature while swimming. Of course no one believes her story until Steve (Stuart Wade), a marine biologist, sees it–and his one-man submarine is on the way. Roger Corman's first film as a producer, starting a long, successful career of low-budget films–but not as cheap as this one.
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One Million B.C. 1940 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Adventure
Director: Hal Roach Cast: Victor Mature, Carole Landis, Lon Chaney Jr., John Hubbard, Mamo Clark, Nigel De Brulier, Conrad Nagel., Jacqueline Dalya, Inez Palange, Edgar Edwards
This caveman saga has excellent special effects–often seen in other films–depicting the dangers encountered by early humans inhabiting Earth. Remade as "One Million Years B.C." in 1966.
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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
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Speak Easily 1932 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Edward Sedgwick Cast: Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, Ruth Selwyn, Thelma Todd, Hedda Hopper, William Pawley, Sidney Toler, Lawrence Grant, Henry Armetta, Edward Brophy, DeWitt Jenninsg, Oscar Apfel, Sidney Bracey, Fred Kelsey, Inez Palange
Professor Timoleon Zanders Post (Buster Keaton) has inherited a fortune and decides to enjoy life when he meets and falls in love with a dancer, Eleanor Espere (Thelma Todd). So, he buys her show–including the piano player Jimmy Dodge (Jimmy Durante)–and plans to bring it to Broadway. But, does he have the ability to carry off his plan?
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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.
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Under Fiesta Stars 1941 N/R, 64 min. Genre: Western
Director: Frank McDonald Cast: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Carol Hughes, Frank Darien, Joseph Strauch Jr., Pauline Drake, Ivan Miller, Sam Flint, John Merton, Jack Kirk, Inez Palange, Lee Shumway
When Gene Autry inherits a gold mine, trouble can't be far away.
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| 1. Dodsworth (1936)
2. Enchanted April (1935)
3. Monster from the Ocean Floor (1954) aka: It Stalked the Ocean Floor aka: Monster Maker
4. One Million B.C. (1940)
5. Scarface (1932) aka: Scarface, The Shame of the Nation
6. Speak Easily (1932)
7. Tiger Shark (1932)
8. Under Fiesta Stars (1941)
In The News
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