Babes on Broadway 1941 N/R, 118 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Busby Berkeley Cast: Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Fay Bainter, Virginia Weidler, Ray McDonald, Richard Quine, Donald Meek, Luis Alberni, James Gleason, Margaret O'Brien
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland team up again for a lively musical with songs that include "How About You?" and "Hoe Down." This film marks the film debut of Margaret O'Brien.
|  | |
A Bell for Adano 1945 N/R, 103 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Henry King Cast: Gene Tierney, John Hodiak, William Bendix, Glenn Langan, Richard Conte, Harry Morgan, Roy Roberts, Marcel Dalio, Luis Alberni, Eduardo Ciannelli
Based on John Hersey's powerful novel about the American occupation of Adano, Sicily during World War II, this film involves Major Joppolo's (John Hodiak) efforts to stabilize the community and replace the bell by which the town orders its life.
|  | |
The Big Stampede 1932 N/R, 63 min. Genre: Western
Director: Tenny Wright Cast: John Wayne, Noah Beery, Mae Madison, Luis Alberni, Berton Churchill, Paul Hurst, Sherwood Bailey, Lafe McKee, Joseph W. Girard, Frank Ellis, Hank Bell
New Mexico Territory Governor Lew Wallace (Berton Churchill) sends Deputy Sheriff John Steele (John Wayne) into the range lands to stop cattle rustling and help colonize the territory. Steele deputizes rustler Sonora Joe (Louis Alberni) along with his gang, and they assist in bringing justice to cattle rustler/land baron Sam Crew (Noah Beery).
|  | |
The Black Cat 1934 N/R, 70 min. Genre: Horror / Drama / Thriller aka: The House of Doom The Vanishing Body
Director: Edgar G. Ulmer Cast: Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Julie Bishop, Henry Armetta, Albert Conti, Harry Cording, Luis Alberni, Lucille Lund, Herman Bing, Andre Cheron, Egon Brecher, George Davis, Paul Weigel
This is the first film starring both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi and concerns a young couple–Joan and Peter Alison (Julie Bishop and David Manners)–who meet Dr. Vitus Werdegast (Lugosi) on a train while honeymooning in Budapest. Werdegast offers them a ride from the station, but after an accident the trio ends up at the home of Hjalmar Poetzig (Karloff). Poetzig is a satanic cult leader who has stolen Werdegast's wife and daughter. The wife has died and her corpse is hidden in the house. Meanwhile, Werdegast has married the daughter. Now the chess game begins as Poelzig and Werdegast engage in mind games, and the Alisons become the pawns in this deadly game.
|  | |
Captain Carey, U.S.A. 1950 N/R, 82 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Mitchell Leisen Cast: Alan Ladd, Wanda Hendrix, Francis Lederer, Joseph Calleia, Frank Puglia, Luis Alberni, Roland Winters, Russ Tamblyn, Celia Lovsky, Angela Clarke
Following World War II a former O.S.S. officer, Captain Webster Carey (Alan Ladd), returns to Italy to track down the traitor who was responsible for the death of villagers. An Academy Award was received for Best Song, "Mona Lisa."
|  | |
The Count of Monte Cristo 1934 N/R, 113 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Rowland V. Lee Cast: Robert Donat, Elissa Landi, Louis Calhern, Sidney Blackmer, Raymond Walburn, O.P. Heggie, William Farnum, Luis Alberni, Georgia Caine, Walter Walker
This is an excellent version of Alexandre Dumas' story about Edmond Dantes who is imprisoned in a dungeon and learns of a hidden treasure on the Island of Monte Cristo. After he escapes from prison, Dantes finds the treasure and seeks revenge on those who put him in prison.
|  | |
Easy Living 1937 N/R, 86 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Mitchell Leisen Cast: Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold, Ray Milland, Franklin Pangborn, William Demarest, Mary Nash, Luis Alberni, Andrew Tombes, Esther Dale, Harlan Briggs
The food fight in the automat is a classic scene from this comedy involving the rags-to-riches story of a young secretary (Jean Arthur) who is mistaken for a mistress when she catches a fur coat that is tossed from a terrace and lands in her possession.
|  | |
Flying Down to Rio 1933 N/R, 89 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Thornton Freeland Cast: Dolores del Rio, Gene Raymond, Raul Roulien, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Blanche Friderici, Walter Walker, Eric Blore, Luis Alberni, Paul Porcasi
This is the first pairing of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire; their dancing saves the day for this film featuring novelty numbers, which include dancing on the wings of airplanes.
|  | |
The Gilded Lily 1935 N/R, 85 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Wesley Ruggles Cast: Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland, C. Aubrey Smith, Luis Alberni, Eddie Craven, Donald Meek, Grace Bradley, Tom Dugan, Claude King
Marilyn David (Claudette Colbert) must decide between two potential husbands: English duke Charles Gray (Ray Milland) and American Pete Dawes (Fred MacMurray). Good performance by MacMurray helped him reach stardom.
|  | |
Goin' to Town 1935 N/R, 72 min. Genre: Comedy / Musical
Director: Alexander Hall Cast: Mae West, Paul Cavanagh, Gilbert Emery, Marjorie Gateson, Tito Coral, Ivan Lebedeff, Fred Kohler, Monroe Owsley, Grant Withers, Luis Alberni, Wade Boteler, Mona Rico, Paul Harvey, Lucio Villegas
Dance-hall queen Cleo Borden (Mae West) inherits an oil field from her deceased husband but lacks social graces to enter high society. She takes etiquette lessons and gets into a marriage in name only with Fletcher Colton (Monroe Owsley) to gain social position. But, British engineer Edward Carrington (Paul Cavanagh), who she had fallen for when he surveyed her property, returns to the scene and is now an earl. By story's end, Cleo has divorced Fletcher, married Edward, and lives happily ever after in London.
|  | |
The Good Fairy 1935 N/R, 98 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: William Wyler Cast: Margaret Sullavan, Herbert Marshall, Frank Morgan, Reginald Owen, Beulah Bondi, Alan Hale, Eric Blore, Cesar Romero, Luis Alberni, June Clayworth
Usherette Luisa (Margaret Sullavan) is a young woman fresh out of an orphanage. When the rich Konrad (Frank Morgan) asks her out, she says that she is married, picking a name out of the phone book as the husband. The man, Max (Herbert Marshall), a struggling lawyer, is hired by Konrad in order to get Luisa. After the appropriate complications, Luisa and Max fall in love, and Konrad becomes their benefactor. Remade in 1947 as "I'll Be Yours").
|  | |
Goodbye Love 1934 N/R, 65 min. Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone Cast: Charles Ruggles, Verree Teasdale, Sidney Blackmer, Phyllis Barry, Mayo Methot, Ray Walker, John Kelly, Grace Hayle, Luis Alberni, Richard Tucker, Edward Van Sloan, Garfield Fielding
After refusing to make alimony payments, wealthy businessman Chester Hamilton (Sidney Blackmer) goes to jail and shares his cell with his butler, Groggs (Charles Ruggles), who also did not pay his alimony bills. When they get out of jail, the two become involved with with a gold digger (Verree Teasdale), and problems multiply.
|  | |
The Great Garrick 1937 N/R, 91 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: James Whale Cast: Brian Aherne, Olivia de Havilland, Edward Everett Horton, Melville Cooper, Lionel Atwill, Lana Turner, Marie Wilson, Luis Alberni, Dorothy Tree, Albert Dekker
This fictionalized biography is about an egotistical British actor, David Garrick (Brian Aherne), and how members of the Comedie Francaise bring about his fall from grace.
|  | |
I Like Your Nerve 1931 N/R, 69 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: William C. McGann Cast: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Loretta Young, Henry Kolker, Edmund Breon, Boris Karloff, Luis Alberni, Claud Allister, Paul Porcasi, Ivan F. Simpson, Herbert Bunston
A bon vivant (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) changes to a more serious and directed persona when he spends time in Central America and falls in love with a young woman (Loretta Young).
|  | |
The Lady Eve 1941 N/R, 97 min. Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Preston Sturges Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette, William Demarest, Eric Blore, Melville Cooper, Martha O'Driscoll, Luis Alberni, Robert Greig, Janet Beecher, Dora Clement, Al Bridge, Eddie Hall, Bess Flowers
This not-to-be-missed comedy pits Charles Pike (Henry Fonda) and Jean Harrington (Barbara Stanwyck) as the romantic couple who meets aboard ship. Very rich Charles rejects Jean who in turn plots to get him back by posing as Lady Eve Sidwich. A fun ride.
|  | |
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady 1940 N/R, 71 min. Genre: Mystery
Director: Sidney Salkow Cast: Warren William, Jean Muir, Eric Blore, Victor Jory, Roger Pryor, Warren Hull, Thurston Hall, Fred Kelsey, Bruce Bennett, Luis Alberni
The Lone Wolf (William) is back in action when he comes to the aid of a socialite whose necklace is stolen by her ex-husband as she is about to wed again. Another lighthearted entry in the series.
|  | |
The Mad Genius 1931 N/R, 81 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Michael Curtiz Cast: John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Donald Cook, Carmel Myers, Charles Butterworth, Mae Madison, Frankie Darro, Luis Alberni, Boris Karloff, Andre Luguet
A bizarre puppeteer (John Barrymore) turns a young man (Donald Cook) into a talented dancer and then lives vicariously through his achievements.
|  | |
The Man from Monterey 1933 N/R, 59 min. Genre: Western
Director: Mack V. Wright Cast: John Wayne, Ruth Hall, Luis Alberni, Francis Ford, Nina Quartero, Lafe McKee, Donald Reed, Lillian Leighton, Slim Whitaker, Jim Corey, Frank Ellis, Tom London, Chris-Pin Martin
U.S. Army Captain John Holmes (John Wayne) is sent to Monterey to convince land owners to register their Spanish land grants else the land will become public domain. But there are bad people out there who want property to become public domain so that they can take over the land at a cheap price. Can Captain Holmes save the land owners from such dastardly acts? This is John Wayne's last "cheapy" film before moving on to bigger and better movies.
|  | |
Manhattan Merry-Go-Round 1937 N/R, 82 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Charles Reisner Cast: Leo Carrillo, Ann Dvorak, James Gleason, Luis Alberni, Smiley Burnette, Selmer Jackson, Moroni Olsen, Max Terhune, Gene Autry, Cab Calloway
There are plenty of songs and performers in this musical comedy. The storyline involves bad guys taking over a record company and forcing performers to do their thing, but problems ensue.
|  | |
Metropolitan 1935 N/R, 75 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Richard Boleslawski Cast: Lawrence Tibbett, Virginia Bruce, Alice Brady, Cesar Romero, Thurston Hall, Luis Alberni, Jane Darwell, Walter Brennan, Jessie Ralph, Ruth Donnelly
Thomas Renwick (Lawrence Tibbett) and Anne Merrill (Virginia Bruce) form their own opera company in Philadelphia when they fail to be accepted by the Metropolitan Opera Company.
|  | |
My Son, the Hero 1943 N/R, 66 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Edgar G. Ulmer Cast: Patsy Kelly, Roscoe Karns, Joan Blair, Carol Hughes, Max "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom, Luis Alberni, Joseph Allen, Lois Collier, Jeni Le Gon, Nick Stewart, Hal Price, Al St. John, Maxine Leslie
Con-man "Big Time" Morgan (Roscoe Karns) has lied to his war correspondent son, Michael (Joseph Allen), by telling him he is a wealthy businessman. Now, Michael is coming to visit his father, and "Big Time"–with help from ex-wife Gerty (Patsy Kelly) and prize fighter Kid Slug (Max "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom)–gets his hands not only a mansion but a family as well, thus increasing his chances of pulling off the deception.
|  | |
Naughty But Nice 1939 N/R, 90 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Ray Enright Cast: Ann Sheridan, Dick Powell, Gale Page, Helen Broderick, Ronald Reagan, Allen Jenkins, Zasu Pitts, Max "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom, Jerry Colonna, Luis Alberni
Professor Hardwick (Dick Powell) composes songs with his partner Zelda Manton (Ann Sheridan), but singer Linda McKay (Gale Page) has other plans for his song-writing methods.
|  | |
Road to Zanzibar 1941 N/R, 89 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Victor Schertzinger Cast: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Una Merkel, Eric Blore, Luis Alberni, Douglass Dumbrille, Iris Adrian, Lionel Royce, Ernest Whitman, Joan Marsh, Norma Varden
Searching for a South African diamond mine becomes the quest of con-men Chuck (Bing Crosby) and Fearless (Bob Hope). Along for the ride are chorus girls Donna Latoor (Dorothy Lamour) and Julia (Una Merkel).
|  | |
Roberta 1935 N/R, 106 min. Genre: Comedy / Musical / Romance
Director: William A. Seiter Cast: Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott, Helen Westley, Claire Dodd, Luis Alberni, Lucille Ball, Victor Varconi, Ferdinand Munier, Torben Meyer, Adrian Rosley, Bodil Rosing, Lynne Carver, Mary Forbes
Football star John Kent (Randolph Scott) travels to Paris with "Huck" Haines' (Fred Astaire) band. But, when the band is told by the proprietor that he does not want them to perform, they head to John's Aunt Roberta's (Helen Westley) posh fashion boutique. They meet Huck's old girlfriend Lizzie (Ginger Rogers) who is now the singer Comtesse Schyarwenka, and she finds a job for the band. Meanwhile, Aunt Roberta passes away, and John inherits the boutique and enters into a partnership with Aunt Roberta's assistant Stephanie (Irene Dunne). This is a very early Astaire/Rogers pairing, and it is worthwhile viewing.
|  | |
The Santa Fe Trail 1930 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Western aka: The Law Rides West
Director: Otto Brower, Edwin H. Knopf Cast: Richard Arlen, Rosita Moreno, Eugene Pallette, Mitzi Green, Junior Durkin, Hooper Atchley, Luis Alberni, Lee Shumway, Chief Yowlachie, Blue Cloud, Chief Standing Bear, Jack Byron
Sheep rancher Stan Hollister (Richard Arlen) is falsely accused of murdering an Indian, but two children saw the real killer, which also aids Stan in stopping a land grabber.
|  | |
The Sphinx 1933 N/R, 64 min. Genre: Mystery
Director: Wilfred Lucas, Phil Rosen Cast: Lionel Atwill, Sheila Terry, Theodore Newton, Paul Hurst, Luis Alberni, Robert Ellis, Lucien Prival, Lillian Leighton, Paul Fix, George "Gabby" Hayes
Following a murder, wealthy Jerome Breen (Lionel Atwill) was accused after an eye witness insisted that Jerome was at the crime scene and spoke to another person. But Jerome is proven to be a deaf mute. Reporter Jack Burton (Theodore Newton), feeling that something strange is going on, investigates. Jerome's secret is uncovered at film's end. Remade in 1942 as "The Phantom Killer."
|  | |
Submarine Base 1943 N/R, 65 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Albert H. Kelley Cast: Eric Blore, Luis Alberni, Iris Adrian, Fifi D'Orsay, John Litel, Alan Baxter, Jacqueline Dalya, Georges Metaxa, George Flaherty, Rafael Storm
An ex-gangster works with the Allies from a small island–until the Nazis catch on to his double-crossing activities.
|  | |
Svengali 1931 N/R, 82 min. Genre: Drama / Horror
Director: Archie Mayo Cast: John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Bramwell Fletcher, Donald Crisp, Luis Alberni, Lumsden Hare, Paul Porcasi, Carmel Myers, Ferike Boros, Adrienne D'Ambricourt, Rose Dione, Yola d'Avril
In this film adaptation of George du Maurier's "Trilby," John Barrymore is superb in the title role of Svengali, the mentor who casts a spell that provides the impetus for young singer Trilby (Marian Marsh) to reach stardom. Trilby has left her family to pursue her career, but what Trilby is not aware of is that she is being manipulated hypnotically and can only perform under Svengali's command. Meanwhile, young artist Billee (Bramwell Fletcher), who is in love with Trilby, has discovered the ruse and follows Svengali and Trilby to Egypt.
|  | |
That Hamilton Woman 1941 N/R, 125 min. Genre: Drama aka: Lady Hamilton
Director: Alexander Korda Cast: Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Alan Mowbray, Sara Allgood, Gladys Cooper, Henry Wilcoxon, Halliwell Hobbes, Miles Mander, Luis Alberni, Heather Angel
The scandalous 18th-century affair of Lord Horatio Nelson (Laurence Olivier) and Lady Hamilton (Vivien Leigh) is the subject of this film. At the same time, a real-life romance was in bloom between the two stars.
|  | |
They Met in Bombay 1941 N/R, 93 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Clarence Brown Cast: Clark Gable, Rosalind Russell, Peter Lorre, Jessie Ralph, Reginald Owen, Eduardo Ciannelli, Alan Ladd, Matthew Boulton, Jay Novello, Luis Alberni
Two jewel thieves join forces and romance blooms in this comedy given impetus by Peter Lorre as a greedy ship captain.
|  | |
Topaze 1933 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Harry d'Abbadie D'Arrast Cast: John Barrymore, Myrna Loy, Albert Conti, Luis Alberni, Reginald Mason, Jackie Searl, Frank Reicher, Jobyna Howland, Lowden Adams, Rolfe Sedan
Based on Marcel Pagnot's satire, this is the story of a timid French schoolteacher, Auguste Topaze (John Barrymore), who is duped into keeping silent about an unscrupulous scam being perpetrated by the Baron de Lateur (Reginald Mason). This film was later remade as "I Like Money" a.k.a. "I Like Money."
|  | |
Trouble in Paradise 1932 N/R, 83 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Ernst Lubitsch Cast: Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis, Herbert Marshall, Charles Ruggles, Edward Everett Horton, C. Aubrey Smith, Robert Greig, Luis Alberni, George Humbert, Rolfe Sedan
World-class thief Gaston (Herbert Marshall) teams up with pickpocket Lily (Miriam Hopkins) and they are not only successful but also fall in love. However, when they get employed by the rich and beautiful Madame Colet (Kay Francis) and it appears that love is blooming on that front, there is Lily's jealousy to contend with. This sophisticated comedy is very well done.
|  | |
Two Weeks to Live 1943 N/R, 76 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Malcolm St. Clair Cast: Chester Lauck, Norris Goff, Franklin Pangborn, Kay Linaker, Irving Bacon, Herbert Rawlinson, Ivan F. Simpson, Rosemary La Planche, Danny Duncan, Evalyn Knapp, Charles Middleton, Luis Alberni
Lum (Chester Lauck) and Abner (Norris Goff) are in Chicago to check out a railroad Abner has inherited when Abner falls down some stairs and ends up at the hospital. After being misdiagnosed as having two weeks to live, Abner signs up for a trip to Mars to obtain enough money to pay off a debt.
|  | |
When Ladies Meet 1933 N/R, 85 min. Genre: Drama aka: Strange Skirts
Director: Harry Beaumont Cast: Ann Harding, Robert Montgomery, Myrna Loy, Alice Brady, Frank Morgan, Luis Alberni, Sterling Holloway, Martin Burton, David Newell, Charles Winninger
A publisher and authoress, along with their spouses, spend a weekend together, and the two women discuss one's novel, which parallels the other's adventures as a member of upper-class society. Remade in 1941.
|  | |
When Willie Comes Marching Home 1950 N/R, 82 min. Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: John Ford Cast: Dan Dailey, Colleen Townsend, Corinne Calvet, William Demarest, Jimmy Lydon, Lloyd Corrigan, Evelyn Varden, Mae Marsh, Kenneth Tobey, Charles Trowbridge, Luis Alberni, Whit Bissell, David McMahon, Paul Harvey
A young soldier's (Dan Dailey) dreams of fighting in World War II are thwarted by duty in the United States; however, he finds another chance for danger when he is chosen for a mission with the French Resistance Forces.
|  | |
When You're in Love 1937 N/R, 110 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Robert Riskin Cast: Grace Moore, Cary Grant, Aline MacMahon, Henry Stephenson, Thomas Mitchell, Emma Dunn, Louise Brooks, Catherine Doucet, Luis Alberni, Frank Puglia
Singer Louise Fuller (Grace Moore) hires American Jimmy Hudson (Cary Grant) to marry her so that she will have a passport out of Mexico.
|  | |
| 1. Babes on Broadway (1941)
2. A Bell for Adano (1945)
3. The Big Stampede (1932)
4. The Black Cat (1934) aka: The House of Doom aka: The Vanishing Body
5. Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1950)
6. The Count of Monte Cristo (1934)
7. Easy Living (1937)
8. Flying Down to Rio (1933)
9. The Gilded Lily (1935)
10. Goin' to Town (1935)
11. The Good Fairy (1935)
12. Goodbye Love (1934)
13. The Great Garrick (1937)
14. I Like Your Nerve (1931)
15. The Lady Eve (1941)
16. The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady (1940)
17. Machine Gun Mama (1944)
18. The Mad Genius (1931)
19. The Man from Monterey (1933)
20. Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937)
21. Metropolitan (1935)
22. My Son, the Hero (1943)
23. Naughty But Nice (1939)
24. Road to Zanzibar (1941)
25. Roberta (1935)
26. The Santa Fe Trail (1930) aka: The Law Rides West
27. The Sphinx (1933)
28. Submarine Base (1943)
29. Svengali (1931)
30. That Hamilton Woman (1941) aka: Lady Hamilton
31. They Met in Bombay (1941)
32. Topaze (1933)
33. Trouble in Paradise (1932)
34. Two Weeks to Live (1943)
35. When Ladies Meet (1933) aka: Strange Skirts
36. When Willie Comes Marching Home (1950)
37. When You're in Love (1937)
In The News
|