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 Big House 1930 N/R, 84 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: George W. Hill
Cast: Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, Robert Montgomery, Leila Hyams, George F. Marion, J.C. Nugent, Karl Dane, DeWitt Jennings, Claire McDowell
Based on a violent prison break in 1929, this film set the standard for prison movies that followed. Kent (a young Robert Montgomery) is sent to prison for killing pedestrians while driving drunk. There he is amidst hardened criminals in a tough, overcrowded environment. Mean criminal Butch (Wallace Beery) plans the breakout in this violent (for that time) movie. The film won Academy Awards for Best Sound and Writing; Beery was nominated for Best Actor and the film was nominated for Best Picture.
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The Bishop Murder Case 1930  N/R, 91 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: Nick Grinde
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Leila Hyams, Roland Young, Alec B. Francis, Carroll Nye, George F. Marion, Bodil Rosing, Delmer Daves, Charles Quatermaine, Zelda Sears
The body of "Cock Robin" is discovered with an arrow through his heart. He is one of a series of murder victims in which the killer leaves nursery rhymes in his wake. Detective Philo Vance (Basil Rathbone) goes to work and finds the psychopathic killer.
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 Freaks 1932  N/R, 64 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: Tod Browning
Cast: Wallace Ford, Olga Baclanova, Leila Hyams, Roscoe Ates, Henry Victor, Edward Brophy, Matt McHugh, Rose Dione, Harry Earles, Daisy and Violet Hilton, Schlitze, Josephine Joseph, Johnny Eck, Frances O'Connor, Peter Robinson
This is producer Irving Thalberg's classic film about circus sideshow "freaks." "Little person" Hans (Harry Earles) marries trapeze artist Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova), but Cleopatra is planning to kill him, collect his money, and run off with strongman Hercules (Henry Victor). However, there is a code of honor among circus freaks, and they are keeping an eye on Cleopatra. The freaks uncover Cleopatra's scheme after she poisons Hans, and they transform her into a Feathered Hen. This insightful horror film forces the viewer to rethink preconceived ideas about those who are "different."
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Island of Lost Souls 1933 N/R, 70 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: Erle C. Kenton
Cast: Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen, Kathleen Burke, Leila Hyams, Arthur Hohl, Stanley Fields, Randolph Scott, Tetsu Komai, Alan Ladd
Adapted from the H.G. Wells story, "The Island of Dr. Moreau," this film is about a mad scientist who turns wild animals into monster humans. Better than the more recent versions, despite its age. That's young Alan Ladd and Randolph Scott as ape-men.
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People Will Talk 1935 N/R, 67 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Alfred Santell
Cast: Mary Boland, Charles Ruggles, Leila Hyams, Dean Jagger, Ruthelma Stevens, Edward Brophy, Stanley Andrews, Cecil Cunningham, Jack Mulhall, Sam Flint
Parents lovingly interfere in their daughter's marriage to get things back the way they were.
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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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Sins of the Children 1930  N/R, 86 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: The Richest Man in the World
Father's Day
Director: Sam Wood
Cast: Louis Mann, Robert Montgomery, Elliott Nugent, Leila Hyams, Clara Blandick, Mary Doran, Ralph Bushman, Robert McWade, Dell Henderson, Henry Armetta, James Donlan, Jeane Wood, Lee Kohlmar, Jane Reid
Successful businessman Adolf Wagenkampf (Louis Mann) adores his family, and when his son is forced to move to the desert because he has tuberculosis, Adolph stays with him there. This is not a good business decision but an excellent family choice as Adolf is willing to sacrifice his business and wealth for the interests of his loved ones.
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Spite Marriage 1929 N/R, 80 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Edward Sedgwick
Cast: Buster Keaton, Dorothy Sebastian, Edward Earle, Leila Hyams, William Bechtel, John Byron, Hank Mann, Pat Harmon, Edward Brophy, Ray Cooke
Dry cleaner Elmer (Buster Keaton) is infatuated with stage star Trilby (Dorothy Sebastian) and attends all of her performances, elegantly dressed in different "borrowed" clothing for each performance. Thinking that Elmer is rich, after her boyfriend jilts her Trilby marries Elmer to get back at the boyfriend. And the fun begins in Keaton's last silent film.
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| 1. The Big Broadcast (1932)
2. The Big House (1930)
3. The Bishop Murder Case (1930)
4. Freaks (1932)
5. Island of Lost Souls (1933)
6. People Will Talk (1935)
7. Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
8. Sins of the Children (1930)
aka: The Richest Man in the World
aka: Father's Day
9. Spite Marriage (1929)
10. Way Out West (1930)
In The News
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