Captain China 1949  N/R, 97 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: Lewis Foster
Cast: John Payne, Gail Russell, Jeffrey Lynn, Lon Chaney Jr., Edgar Bergen, Michael O'Shea, Ellen Corby, Robert Armstrong
An ex-sea captain, who was relieved of his command, gets the chance to vindicate himself when caught in a storm at sea.
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College Swing 1938  N/R, 86 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Raoul Walsh
Cast: Gracie Allen, George Burns, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Edward Everett Horton, Ben Blue, Betty Grable, Jackie Coogan, John Payne, Robert Cummings, Florence George
Gracie (Gracie Allen) inherits a college and turns it into a swinging vaudeville arena.
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The Crooked Way 1949  N/R, 90 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Robert Florey
Cast: John Payne, Sonny Tufts, Ellen Drew, Rhys Williams, Percy Helton, John Doucette, Charles Evans, Greta Grandstedt, Harry Bronson, Raymond Largay, Hal Baylor, Don Haggerty
While Eddie Rice (John Payne) is recuperating from shell shock–but is still suffering amnesia–following his service in World War II, his criminal past begins to catch up with him.
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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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The Dolly Sisters 1945 N/R, 114 min.
Genre: Drama / Musical
Director: Irving Cummings
Cast: Betty Grable, John Payne, June Haver, S.Z. Sakall, Reginald Gardiner, Frank Latimore, Gene Sheldon, Sig Ruman, Trudy Marshall, Collette Lyons
Good "oldie" songs abound in this musical biography of the Hungarian-born Dolly sisters, Jenny and Rosie (Betty Grable and June Haver), who hit it big in the New York theater world in the early 1900s.
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The Eagle and the Hawk 1950  N/R, 104 min.
Genre: Adventure
aka: Spread Eagle
Director: Lewis Foster
Cast: John Payne, Rhonda Fleming, Dennis O'Keefe, Thomas Gomez, Fred Clark, Frank Faylen, Eduardo Noriega, Grandon Rhodes, Walter Reed, Margaret Martin
During the Mexican Revolution, the French had plans to invade the U.S., so the U.S. government ordered agents into Mexico to watch for evidence of an invasion of Texas.
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Galaxy Express 999 1979 PG, 91 min.
Genre: Animation / Adventure / Sci-Fi / Fantasy
aka: Galaxy Express
Director: Rintaro
Cast: Saffron Henderson, Kathleen Barr, Janyse Jaud, Terry Klassen, Nicole Oliver, John Payne, Scott McNeil, Paul Dobson, Daphne Goldrick, Don Brown, Jane Perry, Willow Johnson, Fay McKay, Gerard Plunkett
This Japanese animated film, though made for children, may be somewhat intense for many, as young Tetsuro Hoshino (voice of Saffron Henderson) travels on a locomotive through the universe searching for immortality. His mother was murdered by Count Mecha (voice of Paul Dobson) whose body has been replaced by mechanical parts. A mysterious woman, Maetel (voice of Kathleen Barr), joins Tetsuro on his search for eternal life, and, along the way, they experience many fantastic adventures.
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Hello Frisco, Hello 1943 N/R, 98 min.
Genre: Musical / Comedy
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone
Cast: Alice Faye, John Payne, Jack Oakie, Lynn Bari, June Havoc, Ward Bond, Laird Cregar, Aubrey Mather, John Archer, Frank Orth, George Lloyd, Eddie Dunn, Frank Darien, Harry Hayden, Charles Cane
This film is about the romance of a honky-tonk saloon singer Trudy Evans (Alice Faye) on the Barbary Coast and her ambitious lover Johnny Cornell (John Payne). As Trudy rises to stardom, Johnny leaves Trudy for Nob Hill socialite Bernice Croft (Lynn Bari). Trudy then heads for Europe where she gains more success and then returns to the Bay area hoping to reunite with Johnny. The film's song "You'll Never Know" won the Oscar for Best Song.
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Kansas City Confidential 1952 N/R, 98 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: The Secret Four
Director: Phil Karlson
Cast: John Payne, Coleen Gray, Preston Foster, Lee Van Cleef, Neville Brand, Jack Elam, Dona Drake, Mario Siletti, Howard Negley, Carleton Young
Ex-cop Tim Foster (Preston Foster) sets up and executes the "perfect" heist using a trio of people who don't know each other and are sent to different countries. World War II veteran and ex-con Joe Rolfe (John Payne) is picked up by the police, since he is driving a similar van, but is let go when the real van is found. Joe, without a job, sets out to take care of the criminals himself. A tough crime caper that provides a good expose of the underworld scene.
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Larceny 1948 N/R, 89 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: George Sherman
Cast: John Payne, Joan Caulfield, Dan Duryea, Shelley Winters, Dorothy Hart, Richard Rober, Dan O'Herlihy, Nicholas Joy, Percy Helton, Russ Conway, Walter Greaza, Patricia Alphin, Harry Antrim, Paul Brinegar, Don Wilson
A slick con man (Dan Duryea) plots to get his hands on a widow's money but falls in love with her in the process.
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Maryland 1940 N/R, 90 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry King
Cast: Walter Brennan, Fay Bainter, Brenda Joyce, John Payne, Charles Ruggles, Hattie McDaniel, Marjorie Weaver, Sidney Blackmer, Paul Harvey, Terry Moore
Charlotte Danfield (Fay Bainter) sends her son to England following the tragic accidental death of his father during a fox hunt. Her well-laid plans to keep her son from riding fail when he returns and saddles up the same horse on which his father was killed.
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 Miracle on 34th Street 1947 N/R, 95 min.
Genre: Family / Comedy / Drama
Director: George Seaton
Cast: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, Thelma Ritter, Jerome Cowan, Gene Lockhart, Porter Hall, William Frawley, James Seay, Jack Albertson, Harry Antrim, Jeff Corey, Mary Field, Anthony Sydes
The new Santa Claus at Macy's Department Store teaches a lesson in faith to those who no longer believe in the spirit of Christmas. Jerome Cowan: "Your Honor, we request an immediate ruling from this court–is there or is there not a Santa Claus?" Edmund Gwenn received an Oscar for his great portrayal of Santa. There were two other Academy Awards (Best Writing-Original Story and Screenplay) and a nomination for Best Picture.
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Raiders of the Seven Seas 1953 N/R, 88 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: Sidney Salkow
Cast: John Payne, Donna Reed, Gerald Mohr, Lon Chaney Jr., Anthony Caruso, Henry Brandon, Frank DeKova, William Tannen, Christopher Dark, Claire DuBrey
Pirate Barbarossa (John Payne), in his stolen Spanish ship with a crew of prisoners taken with the ship, has success in embarrassing the Spanish Navy by routinely winning sea battles. He also steals the affections of a high-ranking Spanish officer's love. This adds to the Spanish Navy's desire to capture the pirate.
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The Razor's Edge 1946 N/R, 146 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Edmund Goulding
Cast: Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb, John Payne, Herbert Marshall, Anne Baxter, Lucile Watson, Frank Latimore, Elsa Lanchester, Fritz Kortner
This is the earlier, and better, version of Somerset Maugham's philosophical novel about a young man (Tyrone Power) returning from the war as a hero and trying to find meaning in his life. Of him, Herbert Marshall says: "You see, my dear, goodness is after all the greatest force in the world, and he's got it." Anne Baxter collected an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress. There were also nominations for Best Picture and Supporting Actor (Clifton Webb).
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The Saxon Charm 1948 N/R, 88 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Claude Binyon
Cast: Robert Montgomery, Susan Hayward, John Payne, Audrey Totter, Harry Morgan, Harry von Zell, Cara Williams, Chill Wills, Heather Angel, Addison Richards
Matt Saxon (Robert Montgomery) is a Broadway producer who walks over anyone who stands in his way and manages to destroy more than one career.
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Silver Lode 1954 N/R, 82 min.
Genre: Western
Director: Allan Dwan
Cast: John Payne, Dan Duryea, Lizabeth Scott, Dolores Moran, Emile Meyer, Harry Carey Jr., Morris Ankrum, John Hudson, Robert Warwick, Alan Hale Jr.
The townsfolk of Silver Lode are preparing for the Fourth of July festivities, and Dan Ballard (John Payne) is preparing for his wedding to Rose (Lizabeth Scott) when four strangers, led by Ned McCarthy (Dan Duryea), ride into town. Ned claims to be a U.S. Marshal and that he is in town to arrest Dan for murder and robbery. Dan must prove his innocence, but his "friends" in town desert him in his time of need. Good Technicolor scenery and direction make this "High Noon"-style film enjoyable. It is also thought to be a statement concerning "McCarthyism," the Communist witch-hunt conducted by Senator Joe McCarthy during this time period that affected the movie industry.
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Slightly Scarlet 1956 N/R, 99 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Allan Dwan
Cast: John Payne, Rhonda Fleming, Arlene Dahl, Kent Taylor, Ted de Corsia, Lance Fuller, Buddy Baer, Frank Gerstle, George E. Stone, Ellen Corby
Ben (John Payne) works for crime boss Sol (Ted de Corsia), and he seeks to find dirt on the mayoral candidate, Frank (Kent Taylor), who is campaigning on a platform to rid the city of crime. But Ben falls in love with Frank's secretary, June (Rhonda Fleming), and decides to work for Frank's election. Meanwhile, June's sister (Arlene Dahl) trys to win Ben's love, and Sol is obviously upset over what's going on. Predictable film noir, but good use of Technicolor to set the mood (and show off the redheads).
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Sun Valley Serenade 1941 N/R, 86 min.
Genre: Comedy / Musical / Romance
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone
Cast: Sonja Henie, John Payne, Glenn Miller, Milton Berle, Lynn Bari, Joan Davis, Dorothy Dandridge, William B. Davidson, Almira Sessions, Mel Ruick, Nicholas Brothers, Ralph Dunn, Chester Clute, Ann Doran
Phil Corey's (Glenn Miller) band has sponsored Norwegian refugee Karen (skating star Sonja Henie), and now the band has an engagement at Sun Valley, Idaho. When jealousy enters the picture, and the band's soloist Vivian (Lynn Bari) quits, Karen steps in and stages a fantastic ice show for a delighted audience.
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Tennessee's Partner 1955 N/R, 87 min.
Genre: Western
Director: Allan Dwan
Cast: John Payne, Ronald Reagan, Rhonda Fleming, Coleen Gray, Morris Ankrum, Anthony Caruso, Chubby Johnson, Leo Gordon, Myron Healey, Angie Dickinson
An assortment of offbeat characters befriend, compete, and try to outwit each other in a California mining town during the gold rush.
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Tin Pan Alley 1940 N/R, 92 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Walter Lang
Cast: Alice Faye, Betty Grable, Jack Oakie, John Payne, Allen Jenkins, Esther Ralston, Fred Keating, Billy Gilbert, Ben Carter, Elisha Cook Jr.
During 1915, songwriters Harry Calhoun (Jack Oakie) and Skeets Harrigan (John Payne) find success when they team up with singing sisters Katie (Alice Faye) and Lily Blane (Betty Grable). Then a rift develops when a new tune is given to a more famous singer, and the sisters leave for England. But Harry and Skeets soon enlist in the army, are shipped overseas, and find Katie and Lily in England. Excellent Academy Award-winning musical score.
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To the Shores of Tripoli 1942 N/R, 86 min.
Genre: Action
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone
Cast: John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Randolph Scott, Nancy Kelly, William Tracy, Max "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom, Harry Morgan, Edmund MacDonald, Russell Hicks, Minor Watson
Another patriotic movie to inspire the American people in the early stages of WWII, this one concerns the "growing up" of a rich, brash, young man (John Payne) as the sergeant (Randolph Scott) turns him into a REAL Marine. When the chips were down after Pearl Harbor, our man was there. This is the first time audiences could see the flaming red hair of Maureen O'Hara in living color.
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Wake Up and Dream 1946 N/R, 92 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Lloyd Bacon
Cast: John Payne, June Haver, Connie Marshall, Clem Bevans, Charlotte Greenwood, John Ireland, Charles Russell, Lee Patrick, George Cleveland, Irving Bacon
A young girl (Connie Marshall) sets off to find her brother (John Payne) who has been listed as missing-in-action in World War II. He had told her he could be found on a remote island if he was reported missing. She takes her brother's girlfriend (June Haver) with her; after adventures, misadventures, and songs, all ends well.
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Weekend in Havana 1941 N/R, 80 min.
Genre: Musical / Comedy
aka: Week-End in Havana
Director: Walter Lang
Cast: Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, John Payne, Cesar Romero, Cobina Wright, George Barbier, Sheldon Leonard, Leonid Kinskey, Billy Gilbert, Chris-Pin Martin, Hal K. Dawson, William B. Davidson, Hugh Beaumont
After Nan Spencer's (Alice Faye) ship gets hung up on a reef while she is headed for a Caribbean vacation, the company sends Jay Williams (John Payne) to escort her on a tour of Havana. While enjoying the local hot spots, Nan meets gambler Monte Blanca (Cesar Romero), and before the vacation ends both Monte and Jay become romantically interested in her.
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Wings of the Navy 1939 N/R, 88 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Lloyd Bacon
Cast: George Brent, Olivia de Havilland, John Payne, Frank McHugh, John Litel, Victor Jory, Henry O'Neill, John Ridgely, Regis Toomey
Produced before America's entry into World War II, this film was made to encourage support for building up the U.S. Navy to make ready for possible U.S. commitment to the war effort.
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| 1. Captain China (1949)
2. College Swing (1938)
3. The Crooked Way (1949)
4. Dodsworth (1936)
5. The Dolly Sisters (1945)
6. The Eagle and the Hawk (1950)
aka: Spread Eagle
7. Galaxy Express 999 (1979)
aka: Galaxy Express
8. Hello Frisco, Hello (1943)
9. Kansas City Confidential (1952)
aka: The Secret Four
10. Larceny (1948)
11. Maryland (1940)
12. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
13. Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953)
14. The Razor's Edge (1946)
15. The Saxon Charm (1948)
16. Silver Lode (1954)
17. Slightly Scarlet (1956)
18. Sun Valley Serenade (1941)
19. Tennessee's Partner (1955)
20. Tin Pan Alley (1940)
21. To the Shores of Tripoli (1942)
22. Wake Up and Dream (1946)
23. Weekend in Havana (1941)
aka: Week-End in Havana
24. Wings of the Navy (1939)
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