 At the Circus 1939  N/R, 87 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Edward Buzzell
Cast: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Margaret Dumont, Kenny Baker, Florence Rice, Eve Arden, Nat Pendleton, Fritz Feld, James Burke
The Marx Brothers step in to save the circus and encounter a myriad of zany characters (Eve Arden is the Human Fly and Margaret Dumont is shot from a cannon) in the process. One highlight of the film is Groucho's rendition of "Lydia the Tattooed Lady."
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Beau Geste 1939   N/R, 114 min.
Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama
Director: William A. Wellman
Cast: Gary Cooper, Donald O'Connor, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, J. Carrol Naish, Susan Hayward, Charles Barton, Brian Donlevy, Albert Dekker, Broderick Crawford, James Stephenson, Heather Thatcher, James Burke, G.P. Huntley, Harold Huber
The Geste brothers–Beau (Gary Cooper), John (Ray Milland), and Digby (Robert Preston)–flee the country after Beau takes the blame for the theft of a family jewel that their aunt, Lady Brandon (Heather Thatcher) stole. They join the French Foreign Legion where Beau and John end up under the leadership of brutal Sergeant Markoff (Brian Donlevy). Tragedies ensue when the Arabs attack, and Beau is seriously wounded. Unbeknownst to the brothers, Markoff believes that Beau has the family jewel in his possession and searches Beau for the jewel. Beau kills Markoff and then dies. By story's end, John is the only surviving brother, and he returns home to give his aunt a note from Beau explaining why he ran away. Brian Donlevy received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
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Call of the Wild 1935  N/R, 81 min.
Genre: Adventure / Drama / Western / Romance
Director: William A. Wellman
Cast: Clark Gable, Loretta Young, Jack Oakie, Frank Conroy, Reginald Owen, Sidney Toler, Katherine DeMille, Charles Stevens, James Burke, Herman Bing, Lalo Encinas, Thomas E. Jackson, Russ Powell, George MacQuarrie, Wade Boteler
In this film adaptation of Jack London's tale of searching for gold in Alaska, Jack Thornton (Clark Gable) plans to head to Alaska for the gold rush, but he loses his money in a poker game. He buys a Saint Bernard named "Buck" from cruel owner Smith (Frank Conroy) and trains Buck as a sled dog. Later, an angry Smith bets Jack $1,000 that Buck can't pull a sled. Buck accomplishes the feat, and Jack wins the money he needs for the Alaska trip. With his friend Shorty (Jack Oakie), Jack sets out for Alaska where he meets Claire (Loretta Young) whose prospector husband (Reginald Owen) is missing, and Jack's adventures continue.
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 Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise 1940 N/R, 75 min.
Genre: Mystery / Comedy / Thriller
Director: Eugene Forde
Cast: Sidney Toler, Marjorie Weaver, Victor Sen Yung, Lionel Atwill, Leo G. Carroll, Robert Lowery, Don Beddoe, Cora Witherspoon, Kay Linaker, Charles Middleton, Leonard Mudie, Harlan Briggs, Claire De Brey, James Burke, Richard Keene
A Scotland Yard detective is murdered, and Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) goes aboard a cruise ship sailing from Honolulu to San Francisco to solve the crime when it appears that the killer is one of the ship's passengers. With help from his Number 2 son Jimmy (Victor Sen Yung) and the widow (Kay Linaker) of the murdered Scotland Yard detective, Charlie investigates suspicious passengers who include Dr. Sudermann (Lionel Atwill), Prof. Gordon (Leo G. Carroll), and Mr. Walters (Charles Middleton). This is a remake of the lost Charlie Chan movie of 1931, "Charlie Chan Carries On."
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City Limits 1934 N/R, 68 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Frank Craven, Sally Blane, Ray Walker, Claude Gillingwater, James Burke, Jimmy Conlin, George "Gabby" Hayes, George Cleveland, Henry Roquemore, Fern Emmett, George Nash
Ailing J.B. Matthews (Frank Craven) owns a railroad company that is in danger of a hostile takeover. Needing to clear his head of the pressures, J.B. takes an unplanned vacation on his private railway car and is joined by two hobos who provide the needed relief, and he returns in time to save the railroad (with help from his daughter (Sally Blane) and a reporter (Ray Walker)).
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 Down to Earth 1947 N/R, 101 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Alexander Hall
Cast: Rita Hayworth, Larry Parks, Marc Platt, Edward Everett Horton, Roland Culver, James Gleason, William Frawley, Jean Donahue, William Haade, Adele Jergens, George Macready, Kathleen O'Malley, James Burke, Eddie Acuff, Alan Bridge
Rita Hayworth plays the Greek Goddess Terpsichore who visits Earth in the human form of Kitty Pendleton when she learns that Broadway producer Danny Miller (Larry Parks) is putting on a musical satire about Greek goddesses. She comes to help with the show but ends up landing a role in the play. Now, she gets Danny to change the show from a satire into a "work of art." But, her ideas are not very good, and the show turns into a major flop, but our Greek goddess makes everything right. Remade as "Xanadu" in 1980.
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Easy Come, Easy Go 1947 N/R, 77 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: John Farrow
Cast: Barry Fitzgerald, Diana Lynn, Sonny Tufts, Dick Foran, Frank McHugh, Allen Jenkins, John Litel, Arthur Shields, Frank Faylen, James Burke
Irish gambler Martin (Barry Fitzgerald) is hooked on horse racing, and his daughter Connie (Diana Lynn) has the money that keeps the habit going. So, when she intends to get married, Martin just can't let that happen.
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 Great Guy 1936 N/R, 75 min.
Genre: Drama / Mystery
Director: John G. Blystone
Cast: James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Edward Brophy, James Burke, Henry Kolker, Bernadene Hayes, Edward McNamara, Dennis O'Keefe, Robert Gleckler, Joe Sawyer, Edward Gargan, Matty Fain, Mary Gordon, Wallis Clark, Douglas Wood
It is the Depression Era, and Johnny Cave (James Cagney) has retired from a career in boxing and has accepted the position of Inspector for the Department of Weights and Measures. He discovers bureaucratic problems within the Bureau and, against the wishes of his girlfriend Janet (Mae Clarke), he crusades against the corruption that he finds in the meat-packing business.
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June Bride 1948 N/R, 97 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Bretaigne Windust
Cast: Bette Davis, Robert Montgomery, Fay Bainter, Betty Lynn, Tom Tully, Barbara Bates, Jerome Cowan, Mary Wickes, James Burke, Debbie Reynolds
A foreign correspondent (Robert Montgomery) is less than pleased when he is assigned to help his ex-love (Bette Davis), an editor of a woman's magazine. Look (quickly) for Debbie Reynolds in her film debut.
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Lady by Choice 1934 N/R, 78 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: David Burton
Cast: Carole Lombard, May Robson, Roger Pryor, Walter Connolly, Arthur Hohl, Raymond Walburn, James Burke, Henry Kolker, Mariska Aldrich, William Faversham
After the success of "Lady for a Day" the previous year, May Robson was cast in a similar role–this time as Patsy Patterson, a drunken, feisty derelict. Brought before a judge, she is sent to an "old ladies" home. At the same time, "Alabam" Lee (Carole Lombard) is brought before the judge for her racy, fan dancing performance. Alabam's agent thinks her image will be improved if she has a mother, so it's off to the old ladies' home to choose one. Of course, she picks Patsy, and both are helped by the choice.
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The Last Outpost 1951 N/R, 88 min.
Genre: Western
aka: Cavalry Charge
Director: Lewis Foster
Cast: Rhonda Fleming, Ronald Reagan, Bruce Bennett, Bill Williams, Peter Hansen, Noah Beery Jr., Hugh Beaumont, John Ridgely, Lloyd Corrigan, Charles Evans, Iron Eyes Cody, Chief Yowlachie, James Burke, Terry Frost, Harold Goodwin
Brothers–Capt. Vance Britten and Col. Jeb Britton (Ronald Reagan and Bruce Bennett)–who fought on opposing sides during the Civil War find they must join forces against their common enemy: the Indians.
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Little Nellie Kelly 1940 N/R, 100 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Norman Taurog
Cast: Judy Garland, George Murphy, Charles Winninger, Douglas McPhail, Arthur Shields, Rita Page, Forrester Harvey, James Burke, George Watts, John Raitt
Based on the George M. Cohan play, this film tells the story of a stubborn father (Charles Winninger) who refuses to accept the marriage of his son (George Murphy) and a family feud is the result –until young Nellie (Judy Garland) saves the day. Songs include "It's a Great Day for the Irish" and "Singin' in the Rain."
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Lucky Me 1954 N/R, 99 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Jack Donohue
Cast: Doris Day, Robert Cummings, Phil Silvers, Eddie Foy Jr., Nancy Walker, Martha Hyer, Bill Goodwin, Angie Dickinson, Marcel Dalio, Hayden Rorke, James Burke, William Bakewell
Chorus girl Candy Williams (Doris Day) finds new hope when songwriter Dick Carson (Robert Cummings) and his new musical open the door to fame and fortune. Angie Dickinson's film debut.
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 The Maltese Falcon 1941  N/R, 100 min.
Genre: Mystery / Drama
Director: John Huston
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Walter Huston, Elisha Cook Jr., Barton MacLane, Lee Patrick, Gladys George, Ward Bond, Jerome Cowan, James Burke, Murray Alper, John Hamilton, Emory Parnell
Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart), private eye, tries to find a mysterious bejeweled statue of a Maltese Falcon. Along the way, he encounters murder and intrigue. It's fun to watch how Sam Spade uses his wits to solve the mystery. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Supporting Actor (Sydney Greenstreet), and Writing-Screenplay (John Huston).
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Man on the Flying Trapeze 1935  N/R, 65 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Clyde Bruckman
Cast: W.C. Fields, Mary Brian, Kathleen Howard, Grady Sutton, Vera Lewis, Lucien Littlefield, Oscar Apfel, Walter Brennan, Minerva Urecal, James Flavin, Lew Kelly, Tammany Young, Edward Gargan, James Burke, Carlotta Monti
This story is about one day in the life of a harried man, Ambrose Wolfinger (W. C. Fields), who is henpecked by his wife Leona (Kathleen Howard) at home and suffers stresses at work. Ambrose wants to take the afternoon off from work to attend a wrestling match, and the excuse he uses for time off is to tell a lie that his mother-in-law Cordelia (Vera Lewis) has died. On his way to the wrestling match Ambrose experiences many misadventures –including getting four traffic tickets in a row. The delays prevent him from getting to the match on time. When he arrives home, Ambrose realizes by their cold stares that his family has learned about the lie. Now, Ambrose's loving daughter Hope (Mary Brian) offers support, and Ambrose's lie turns into a win-win situation at home and at work.
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My Favorite Blonde 1942 N/R, 78 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Sidney Lanfield
Cast: Bob Hope, Madeleine Carroll, Gale Sondergaard, George Zucco, Victor Varconi, Lionel Royce, Walter Kingsford, Edward Gargan, Charles Cane, Bing Crosby, Otto Reichow, Esther Howard, James Burke, Dooley Wilson, Milton Parsons
Vaudeville entertainer Larry Haines (Bob Hope) performs on the stage with his trained penguin. While on a train bound for Los Angeles, Larry meets Karen (Madeleine Carroll) who is a spy. She talks Larry into helping her escape from Nazi agents, and he agrees. Now both of them are on the lam trying to escape their pursuers while the penguin, unbeknownst to Larry, is used by Karen to carry secret documents. Watch for Bing Crosby in his cameo appearance as the man giving Larry and Karen directions.
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Mystery Man 1935 N/R, 65 min.
Genre: Drama / Comedy / Mystery
Director: Ray McCarey
Cast: Robert Armstrong, Maxine Doyle, Henry Kolker, LeRoy Mason, James Burke, Guy Usher, Dell Henderson, Monte Collins, Norman Houston, James P. Burtis, Otto Fries, Sam Lufkin, Sam Flint, Lee Shumway
Chicago reporter Larry Doyle (Robert Armstrong) celebrates receiving a big bonus, goes on an all-night bender, wakes up in St. Louis, and loses his job. It doesn't take long before Larry finds himself the suspect in a murder case and, with help from passing-stranger Anne (Maxine Doyle), sets out to clear his name by solving the case and identifying the real murderer.
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Philo Vance's Gamble 1947 N/R, 62 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: Basil Wrangell
Cast: Alan Curtis, Vivian Austin, Frank Jenks, Tala Birell, Gavin Gordon, Cliff Clark, James Burke, Toni Todd, Joseph Crehan, Grady Sutton, Dan Seymour, Francis Pierlot
Alan Curtis takes on the role of super sleuth Philo Vance in this entry in the series. A valuable emerald is stolen, followed by a series of murders. Vance is called in to help, is soon immersed in an international smuggling ring but, of course, is able to sort through the suspects and come up with the killer.
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Pot o' Gold 1941 N/R, 84 min.
Genre: Comedy / Musical / Romance
Director: George Marshall
Cast: James Stewart, Paulette Goddard, Horace Heidt, Charles Winninger, Mary Gordon, Jed Prouty, Frank Melton, Charles Arnt, Dick Hogan, James Burke, Mary Ruth, Nestor Paiva, Art Carney, James Flavin, Edgar Dearing
Jimmy Haskell (James Stewart) rescues his uncle, C.J. Haskell (Charles Winninger), from more than one tight spot. First, he gets C.J. out of jail, and then he works to get popular bandleader Horace Heidt as a guest on C.J.'s radio show and, despite all the problems, wins Molly's (Paulette Goddard) heart.
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Reaching for the Sun 1941 N/R, 90 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: William A. Wellman
Cast: Joel McCrea, Ellen Drew, Eddie Bracken, Albert Dekker, Billy Gilbert, George Chandler, Regis Toomey, Bodil Rosing, James Burke, Charles D. Brown
A country fisherman moves to Detroit to find work in a factory for which he plans to earn extra cash to spend on his fishing boat in this amusing film.
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Rhythm on the Range 1936 N/R, 85 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Norman Taurog
Cast: Bing Crosby, Frances Farmer, Bob Burns, Martha Raye, Samuel S. Hinds, Lucile Watson, Warren Hymer, George E. Stone, James Burke, Clem Bevans
The classic song "I'm an Old Cowhand" was introduced in this film AND Martha Raye made her film debut. Doris Halloway (Frances Farmer) is a wealthy New Yorker who heads west and meets a ranch hand (Bing Crosby) who, in turn, saves her from kidnappers. This film was remade in 1956 as "Pardners" starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
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Ruggles of Red Gap 1935 N/R, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Leo McCarey
Cast: Charles Laughton, Mary Boland, Charles Ruggles, Zasu Pitts, Roland Young, Leila Hyams, Maude Eburne, Lucien Littlefield, James Burke, Dell Henderson, Leota Lorraine, Clarence Wilson, Heinie Conklin, Frank Rice, Rolfe Sedan
American cattle baron Egbert (Charles Ruggles) and his society-minded wife Effie (Mary Boland) win English manservant Marmaduke Ruggles (Charles Laughton) in a poker game, and the fun begins. Ruggles is not happy to be heading off to the Wild West, but after going to a "beer bust" with Egbert, Ruggles begins to change his mind. Effie passes off Ruggles as an upper-class British officer, and he ends up a town celebrity. Later, Ruggles decides to open his own restaurant and gain independence. A fine rendition of Harry Leon Wilson's story that was filmed twice before and made again in 1950 as "Fancy Pants." The film was nominated for an Oscar as Best Picture.
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The Saint Takes Over 1940 N/R, 69 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: Jack Hively
Cast: George Sanders, Wendy Barrie, Jonathan Hale, Paul Guilfoyle, Morgan Conway, Robert Emmett Keane, Cy Kendall, James Burke, Robert Middlemass, Nella Walker
Another good Saint episode as the Saint (George Sanders) again helps Inspector Fernack, who this time is being framed by gambling bad guys. After running into several murders, the Saint prevails.
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| 1. At the Circus (1939)
2. Beau Geste (1939)
3. Call of the Wild (1935)
4. Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise (1940)
5. City Limits (1934)
6. Down to Earth (1947)
7. Easy Come, Easy Go (1947)
8. Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen (1942)
9. Great Guy (1936)
10. June Bride (1948)
11. Lady by Choice (1934)
12. The Last Outpost (1951)
aka: Cavalry Charge
13. Little Nellie Kelly (1940)
14. Lucky Me (1954)
15. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
16. Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935)
17. My Favorite Blonde (1942)
18. Mystery Man (1935)
19. Philo Vance's Gamble (1947)
20. Pot o' Gold (1941)
21. Reaching for the Sun (1941)
22. Rhythm on the Range (1936)
23. Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
24. The Saint Takes Over (1940)
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