The Adventures of Martin Eden 1942  N/R, 87 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: Sidney Salkow
Cast: Glenn Ford, Claire Trevor, Evelyn Keyes, Stuart Erwin, Dickie Moore, Ian MacDonald, Frank Conroy, Rafaela Ottiano, Pierre Watkin, Robert J. McDonald, Harry Clark, Boyd Davis, Joan Blake, George Allen, James Gubitosi
This film adaptation of the Jack London novel is the story of a sailor, Martin Eden (Glenn Ford), who writes of his adventures at sea while under the command of the tough Captain "Butch" Ragan (Ian MacDonald). Martin's book is published and becomes a hit. Now, Ragan is punished, and Martin's fellow sailor Joe Dawson (Stuart Erwin), who was wrongly convicted of mutiny, is released.
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As You Desire Me 1932  N/R, 70 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: George Fitzmaurice
Cast: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Erich von Stroheim, Owen Moore, Hedda Hopper, Rafaela Ottiano, Albert Conti, Roland Varno, Warburton Gamble, William Ricciardi, Edmund Breese, Reginald Barlow, Max Barwyn, Geroge Davis, Nella Walker
Amnesiac Zara (Greta Garbo) is reunited with her husband Count Bruno Varelli (Melvyn Douglas) after her 10-year disappearance caused by violence during the Australian invasion. Despite her amnesia and the fact that she is living with Carl Salter (Erich von Stroheim), she falls in love with Bruno again.
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Crime and Punishment 1935  N/R, 86 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Josef von Sternberg
Cast: Edward Arnold, Peter Lorre, Marian Marsh, Tala Birell, Elisabeth Risdon, Robert Allen, Douglass Dumbrille, Gene Lockhart, Rafaela Ottiano, Thurston Hall
This is an interesting version of Dostoyevsky's novel about the man (Edward Arnold) who commits a murder and then finds he does have a conscience as well as a need for other people in his life. Peter Lorre plays the intrepid inspector who gets to the "heart" of the matter.
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The Devil-Doll 1936 N/R, 80 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: Tod Browning
Cast: Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Frank Lawton, Henry B. Walthall, Robert Greig, Lucy Beaumont, Pedro de Cordoba, Rafaela Ottiano, Arthur Hohl
Lionel Barrymore plays a fugitive who, after escaping from prison, uses tiny "devil dolls" to avenge past actions against him.
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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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Female 1933 N/R, 60 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Ruth Chatterton, George Brent, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Phillip Reed, Ruth Donnelly, Johnny Mack Brown, Lois Wilson, Robert Greig, Rafaela Ottiano, Douglass Dumbrille, Gavin Gordon, Kenneth Thomson, Spencer Charters, Huey White, Frank Darien
A hard-working executive, Alison Drake (Ruth Chatterton), works long hours at her automobile factory–until Jim Thorne (George Brent) comes along and shows her that all work makes Alison a dull girl.
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Grand Hotel 1932 N/R, 115 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Edmund Goulding
Cast: Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Jean Hersholt, Robert McWade, Purnell Pratt, Rafaela Ottiano, Tully Marshall, Lewis Stone, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Morgan Wallace, Frank Conroy, Murray Kinnell
This anthology won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1931-1932. The story takes place in Berlin following World War I and involves guests of the Grand Hotel. Among those visiting are a ballerina (Greta Garbo), a jewel thief (John Barrymore), and a young stenographer (Joan Crawford).
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 Great Expectations 1934 N/R, 100 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Stuart Walker
Cast: Henry Hull, Phillips Holmes, Jane Wyatt, Florence Reed, Alan Hale, Rafaela Ottiano, Jackie Searl, Walter Brennan, Francis L. Sullivan, Harry Cording, George Barraud, Douglas Wood, Forrester Harvey, George P. Breakston, Eily Malyon
This is an early film of Charles Dickens' classic that follows the life of orphan Pip (George P. Breakston as young Pip and Phillips Holmes as older Pip) who is the foster child of blacksmith Joe Gargery (Alan Hale) and his not-so-nice wife, Mrs. Joe (Rafaela Ottiano) who befriends and comes to the aid of escaped convict Magwitch (Henry Hull). Pip falls in love with his childhood friend Estrella (Jane Wyatt) who is being raised by the bitter Mrs. Havisham (Florence Reed) to have higher expectations for her life than those of Pip. Later, Pip gains wealth through the help of a mysterious benefactor who, it turns out, is Magwitch repaying Pip for his friendship, and, by story's end, Pip is doing well in the Victorian world of the social elite.
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The Long Voyage Home 1940  N/R, 105 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: John Ford
Cast: Thomas Mitchell, John Wayne, Ian Hunter, Barry Fitzgerald, Wilfrid Lawson, Mildred Natwick, John Qualen, Ward Bond, Arthur Shields, Rafaela Ottiano, Joe Sawyer, J.M. Kerrigan, Jack Pennick, Carmen Morales, Bob Perry
Based on a story by Eugene O'Neill, this excellent film is about the men who go down to the sea in ships to transport cargo–not fight battles–and the dangers they encounter during wartime. During World War II, the crew of the S.S. Glencairn is delivering ammunition to the British while dodging German airplanes and submarines. Ole Olsen (John Wayne) is saving to buy a farm in his native Sweden, and among his crewmates are Irishman Driscoll (Thomas Mitchell), Smitty (Ian Hunter), and Cocky (Barry Fitzgerald). They fear that the rough seas will detonate the ammunition the ship is carrying, and they are also suspicious of Smitty who could be a Nazi spy. But, with all the problems they encounter, the crew finds comfort in each other, and they enjoy their unique friendships. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Writing, Cinematography, and Music.
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Mandalay 1934  N/R, 65 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Kay Francis, Lyle Talbot, Ricardo Cortez, Warner Oland, Lucien Littlefield, Ruth Donnelly, Reginald Owen, Rafaela Ottiano, Halliwell Hobbes, Etienne Girardot
In an attempt to flee her corrupt life in Rangoon, Tanya (Kay Francis) manages to obtain passage on a boat to Mandalay where she finds redemption.
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Maytime 1937 N/R, 132 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Robert Z. Leonard
Cast: Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, John Barrymore, Herman Bing, Tom Brown, Lynne Carver, Rafaela Ottiano, Paul Porcasi, Sig Ruman, Harry Davenport
An opera star and a poor singer fall in love in Paris, but she marries her mentor. They later reunite as leads in an opera. This is one of the famed singing duo's best films, with wonderful music, but, of course, a weak story. Based on Sigmund Romberg's Broadway musical, all music was changed except one: "Will You Remember (Sweetheart)."
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One Frightened Night 1935 N/R, 66 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: Christy Cabanne
Cast: Charley Grapewin, Mary Carlisle, Arthur Hohl, Wallace Ford, Evalyn Knapp, Lucien Littlefield, Regis Toomey, Hedda Hopper, Clarence Wilson, Rafaela Ottiano, Fred Kelsey, Adrian Morris
Eccentric millionaire Jasper Whyte (Charley Grapewin) has a dilemma: if his long-lost granddaughter can't be found, he must leave his estate to "lesser" relatives and friends. So he calls the greedy group together with the news. But now TWO girls show up claiming to be the granddaughter. When one is poisoned and the other barely escapes murder, the hunt is on for the killer. A mixture of humor and mystery make this a fun film to watch.
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Paris Honeymoon 1939 N/R, 92 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Frank Tuttle
Cast: Bing Crosby, Franciska Gaal, Akim Tamiroff, Shirley Ross, Edward Everett Horton, Ben Blue, Rafaela Ottiano, Raymond Hatton, Luana Walters, Gregory Gaye
A Texas millionaire, Lucky Lawton (Bing Crosby), plans a honeymoon in Paris, but while visiting the city to make arrangements, he falls in love with Manya (Franciska Gaal) and his wedding plans are put on hold.
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Seventh Heaven 1937 N/R, 102 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Henry King
Cast: Simone Simon, James Stewart, Jean Hersholt, Gregory Ratoff, Gale Sondergaard, J. Edward Bromberg, John Qualen, Victor Kilian, Sig Ruman, Thomas Beck, Georges Renavent, Mady Christians, Rafaela Ottiano, Rollo Lloyd, Edward Keane
Diane (Simone Simon) is exploited as a prostitute by her sister Nana (Gale Sondergaard) and then thrown out of the house. A Parisian sewer worker, Chico (James Stewart), rescues Diane, and she moves into his slum apartment. World War I breaks out just as Chico realizes that he is in love with Diane, but he is drafted and leaves for the front. Four years later, Chico, blinded during the war, returns to a loving Diane who is waiting for him.
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She Done Him Wrong 1933 N/R, 66 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Lowell Sherman
Cast: Mae West, Cary Grant, Noah Beery, Rafaela Ottiano, Gilbert Roland, Fuzzy Knight, Owen Moore, David Landau, Dewey Robinson, Rochelle Hudson, Tammany Young, Grace La Rue, Robert Homans, Louise Beavers
Lady Lou (Mae West) is a New York City saloonkeeper in this "Gay Nineties" story. Lou tries to seduce Captain Cummings (Cary Grant) who is really an undercover police detective investigating her activities. An Academy Award nomination was received for Best Picture.
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Suez 1938 N/R, 104 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Allan Dwan
Cast: Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, Annabella, J. Edward Bromberg, Joseph Schildkraut, Henry Stephenson, Sidney Blackmer, Sig Ruman, Nigel Bruce, Miles Mander, Maurice Moscovitch, George Zucco, Leon Ames, Rafaela Ottiano, Victor Varconi
Ferdinand De Lesseps was the architect for the Suez Canal; that much is true. But the rest of the material for this film is pure fiction. As an art form, however, this Darryl F. Zanuck epic deserves high marks.
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Topper Returns 1941 N/R, 85 min.
Genre: Comedy / Fantasy / Mystery / Romance
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Cast: Joan Blondell, Roland Young, Carole Landis, Billie Burke, Dennis O'Keefe, Patsy Kelly, H.B. Warner, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, George Zucco, Donald MacBride, Trevor Bardette, Rafaela Ottiano, George Lloyd, Duke York, Eddy Chandler
Cosmo Topper (Roland Young) is back in this final episode of the series. The fun-loving ghost of Gail Richards (Joan Blondell) seeks the aid of Cosmo in finding her killer before the killer finds her friend who was the intended victim. The search ends up in a dark, old house with all the creepy attributes. Some very funny scenes. A Special Effects Academy Award nomination was received.
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Victory 1940 N/R, 77 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: John Cromwell
Cast: Fredric March, Cedric Hardwicke, Betty Field, Jerome Cowan, Sig Ruman, Margaret Wycherly, Fritz Feld, Rafaela Ottiano, Lionel Royce, Chester Gan, Alan Ladd, Edward Fielding, Roger Imhof, Francis Pierlot, Romaine Callender
A loner, Hendrik Heyst (Fredric March), finds his life on a small island is disrupted by the intrusion of unexpected "guests" in this film version of a Joseph Conrad tale. Hendrik meets showgirl Alma (Betty Field) who is marooned, and he falls in love with her. Meanwhile, an evil trio–Mr. Jones (Cedric Hardwicke), Martin Ricardo (Jerome Cowan), and Pedro (Lionel Royce)–believe that Hendrik has hidden a fortune on the island, and they set out to kill him and take the money. And the cat-and-mouse game begins.
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| 1. The Adventures of Martin Eden (1942)
2. As You Desire Me (1932)
3. Crime and Punishment (1935)
4. Curly Top (1935)
5. The Devil-Doll (1936)
6. Enchanted April (1935)
7. Female (1933)
8. Grand Hotel (1932)
9. Great Expectations (1934)
10. The Long Voyage Home (1940)
11. Mandalay (1934)
12. Maytime (1937)
13. One Frightened Night (1935)
14. Paris Honeymoon (1939)
15. Seventh Heaven (1937)
16. She Done Him Wrong (1933)
17. Suez (1938)
18. Topper Returns (1941)
19. Victory (1940)
In The News
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