The Ape 1940  N/R, 63 min.
Genre: Action / Drama / Thriller
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Boris Karloff, Maris Wrixon, Gertrude Hoffman, Henry Hall, Gene O'Donnell, Dorothy Vaughan, Selmer Jackson, George Cleveland, Ray Corrigan, Mary Field, I. Stanford Jolley, Pauline Drake, Jack Kennedy, Philo McCullough
In need of spinal fluid to cure a young girl's paralysis, Dr. Adrian (Boris Karloff) camouflages himself in an ape skin and murders townsfolk to obtain their spinal fluids for his serum.
|  | |
Bill Cracks Down 1937 N/R, 61 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
aka: Men of Steel
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Grant Withers, Beatrice Roberts, Ranny Weeks, Judith Allen, William Newell, Pierre Watkin, Roger Williams, Georgia Caine, Greta Meyer, Edgar Norton, Harry Depp, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Bill Reardon (Pierre Watkin) has willed his family's steel mill to either "Tons" Walker (Grant Withers) or to his playboy son, Bill Jr. (Ranny Weeks), with the provision that "Tons" will work with Bill Jr. for one year and convince him to change his ways. Professional as well as personal entanglements ensue, but when each becomes involved with each others' girlfriends (Beatrice Roberts and Judith Allen), antagonisms reach new heights, and lessons are learned by both "Tons" and Bill.
| | |
Black Dragons 1942 N/R, 61 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller / Sci-Fi
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Bela Lugosi, Joan Barclay, Clayton Moore, George Pembroke, Robert Frazer, Edward Peil Sr., Robert Fiske, Frank Melton, Irving Mitchell, Kenneth Harlan, Max Hoffman Jr., Joseph Eggenton, I. Stanford Jolley, Jack Cheatham
Doctor Melcher (Bela Lugosi) performs plastic surgery on the "Black Dragons," a group of Japanese who are potential saboteurs in the U.S. during World War II. Disguised as Caucasians, they hope to infiltrate American cities.
| | |
Border Devils 1932  N/R, 62 min.
Genre: Western / Action / Adventure / Romance
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Harry Carey, Kathleen Collins, George "Gabby" Hayes, Niles Welch, Olive Carey, Albert J. Smith, Merrill McCormick, Art Mix, Tetsu Komai, Jack Gallagher, Robert(2) Walker, Frank Ellis, Jim Corey, Murdock MacQuarrie, Blackie Whiteford
Jim Gray (Harry Carey) is accused of murdering his friend Bud Brandon (Art Mix) and is arrested. He breaks out of jail with help from Neil Denham (Jack Gallagher) and sets out to prove his innocence. Later, Neil is killed, leaving Marcia (Kathleen Collins) a widow, and she becomes Jim's sidekick while Jim assumes Neil's identity. Jim joins forces with "Dude" Sanders (George "Gabby" Hayes), and they go off in search of the mysterious "The General" (Tetsu Komai) who is the Chinese leader of bandits. The bandits are vandalizing cattle hoping to stir up discontent among the ranchers so that they will not be noticed smuggling dynamite across the border. Surprises lie in wait–including who is the real leader of the bandits.
| | |
Boy of the Streets 1937 N/R, 75 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Jackie Cooper, Maureen O'Connor, Kathleen Burke, Robert Emmett O'Connor, Marjorie Main, Guy Usher, Matty Fain, George Cleveland, Bill Elliott, Don Latorre, Paul White
Street-kid Chuck Brennan (Jackie Cooper), who leads a neighborhood gang and worships his political operative father, tries to get into business on the corrupt side of city government. It looks like he just may make it–until he is shot by a gangster. Chuck survives but not to fight another day. Instead, he turns his life around with Nora (Maureen O'Connor) by his side.
| | |
A Bride for Henry 1937 N/R, 59 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Anne Nagel, Warren Hull, Henry Mollison, Claudia Dell, Betty Ross Clarke, Harrison Greene
After her fiance, Eric (Henry Mollison), stands her up, Sheila (Anne Nagel) rebounds and marries Henry (Warren Hull) who she uses to make Eric jealous. But, Henry has plans of his own and very much wants to make the marriage work.
| | |
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)).
| | |
Corregidor 1943  N/R, 73 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Otto Kruger, Elissa Landi, Donald Woods, Frank Jenks, Rick Vallin, Wanda McKay, Ian Keith, Ruby Dandridge, Eddie Hall, Frank Jaquet, Ted Hecht, Ted Adams
On the island of Corregidor, U.S. and Philippine troops took a stand against the Japanese advances early in World War II. This is the backdrop for a story which really focuses on a love triangle of three doctors who treat injured soldiers on the island. Stock footage from years earlier was used along with the staged scenes in this low-budget effort that, nonetheless, helped to keep the home folks supportive of the War.
| | |
Doomed to Die 1940 N/R, 57 min.
Genre: Mystery / Horror / Thriller
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Boris Karloff, Grant Withers, Marjorie Reynolds, Melvin Lang, Guy Usher, Tristram Coffin, William Stelling, Catherine Craig, Henry Brandon, Richard Loo, Wilbur Mack, Kenneth Harlan, Gibson Gowland, Maxine Leslie
With help from reporter Bobby Logan (Marjorie Reynolds), ace detective Mr. Wong (Boris Karloff) investigates the murder of a shipping magnate and finds more than just murder. Fifth in the Mr. Wong series and the last one starring Karloff. One more would follow: "Phantom of Chinatown."
| | |
The Fatal Hour 1940 N/R, 67 min.
Genre: Mystery
aka: Mr. Wong at Headquarters
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Boris Karloff, Marjorie Reynolds, Charles Trowbridge, Craig Reynolds, Frank Puglia, Jason Robards Sr., Grant Withers, John Hamilton, Harry Strang, Lita Chevret
While trying to solve the murder of a police officer, Mr. Wong (Boris Karloff) uncovers a jewelry smuggling ring.
| | |
Gangster's Boy 1938 N/R, 80 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Jackie Cooper, Robert Warwick, Lucy Gilman, Louise Lorimer, Tommy Wonder, Selmer Jackson, Betty Blythe, Bobby Stone, William Gould, Huntley Gordon, Hooper Atchley, Jack Kennedy
Hard-working teenager Larry Kelly (Jackie Cooper) tries to make amends for his father's–Tim 'Knuckles' Kelly (Robert Warwick)–past by taking the rap for a murder committed by a friend.
| | |
The Headline Woman 1935 N/R, 74 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: The Woman in the Case
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Heather Angel, Roger Pryor, Jack La Rue, Ford Sterling, Conway Tearle, Franklin Pangborn, Jack Mulhall, Robert Gleckler, Russell Hopton, Ward Bond, Theodore von Eltz, Wade Boteler, Syd Saylor, Morgan Wallace, George "Gabby" Hayes
When star reporter Bob Grayson (Roger Pryor) learns that Myrna (Heather Angel) is going to be charged with murder, he kidnaps her in hopes of being the first one to get the story, and, too late, he realizes that she is his publisher's daughter. But, he falls in love with Myrna, believes in her innocence, and with help from Hugo (Ford Sterling) sets out to find the real killer.
| | |
House of Mystery 1934 N/R, 62 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Ed Lowry, Verna Hillie, John Sheehan, Brandon Hurst, Joyzelle Joyner, Fritzi Ridgeway, Clay Clement, George "Gabby" Hayes, Dale Fuller, Irving Bacon, George Cleveland, Dick Botiller
Based on the 1927 play "The Ape," this comedy/mystery is set in the mansion of an adventurer/archeologist who, 20 years previously, had taken priceless jewels from a Hindu temple and killed a sacred ape. Now, an assorted group of investors in that expedition have gathered at his mansion to claim their part of the loot. But the house is cursed by the ape, and, one by one, guests are murdered. Mindless fun and mayhem.
| | |
Lady from Chungking 1943 N/R, 66 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Anna May Wong, Harold Huber, Mae Clarke, Rick Vallin, Paul Bryar, Ted Hecht, Ludwig Donath, James B. Leong, Archie Got, Walter Soo Hoo
The Japanese had invaded China during World War II when a young woman, Kwan Mei (Anna May Wong), organizes farmers into a guerilla force and leads them against the Japanese intruders.
| | |
The Law Commands 1938 N/R, 58 min.
Genre: Western
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Tom Keene, Lorraine Randall, Robert Fiske, Budd Buster, Matthew Betz, John Merton, Carl Stockdale, Marie Stoddard, Horace B. Carpenter, David Sharpe, Allan Cavan
Iowa is the unlikely setting for this Western as a gang harasses homesteaders in an attempt to grab their land. When harassing turns into killing, something must be done, and the task falls on the town's doctor (Tom Keene).
| | |
Mr. Wise Guy 1942 N/R, 70 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Billy Gilbert, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, Douglas Fowley, Joan Barclay, Warren Hymer, Ann Doran, Gabriel Dell, Jack Mulhall, Bobby Stone
The East Side Kids are wrongly accused of stealing a truck and are summarily sent to reform school. Meanwhile, Bill (Douglas Fowley), the brother of Danny (Bobby Jordan), is falsely accused of and sentenced to death for a murder. The boys come up with the solution to the crimes–and just in time.
| | |
Mr. Wong in Chinatown 1939 N/R, 70 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Boris Karloff, Grant Withers, Marjorie Reynolds, George Lynn, William Royle, Richard Loo, Lotus Long, Huntley Gordon, James Flavin, Lee Tung Foo, Bessie Loo, Ernie Stanton, I. Stanford Jolley, Guy Usher, Wilbur Mack
Detective Wong (Boris Karloff) finds the body of a murder victim in his home and learns from reporter Bobby Logan (Marjorie Reynolds) that the victim is Chinese Princess Lin Hwa (Lotus Long). Police Captain Bill Street (Grant Withers) aids Wong in the investigation, and they discover the murdered body of Lin's traveling companion (Bessie Loo). As Wong closes in on the case, he is kidnapped and held hostage aboard a ship in San Francisco harbor. Will Street and Logan be able to save him? This story was later remade as "The Chinese Ring" starring Roland Winters in his first role as Charlie Chan.
| | |
Mr. Wong, Detective 1938 N/R, 69 min.
Genre: Mystery / Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Boris Karloff, Grant Withers, Maxine Jennings, Evelyn Brent, William Gould, Lucien Prival, John Hamilton, George Lloyd, Frank Bruno, Lee Tung Foo, John St. Polis, Hooper Atchley, Wilbur Mack, Lynton Brent
This film is the first in a series of mysteries investigated by Chinese detective Mr. Wong (Boris Karloff). Wong investigates a murder in which poison gas was the murder weapon.
| | |
Mutiny in the Big House 1939 N/R, 83 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Charles Bickford, Barton MacLane, Pat Moriarity, Dennis Moore, William Royle, Charley Foy, George Cleveland, Russell Hopton, Nigel De Brulier, Jeffrey Sayre, Eddie Foster, Dave O'Brien
Johnny (Dennis Moore) is sent to prison for forging a check. The prison Chaplain (Charles Bickford) attempts to bring salvation to the new arrival while hardened criminal Red (Barton MacLane) tries to involve Johnny in a prison break.
| | |
 The Mysterious Mr. Wong 1934 N/R, 63 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Bela Lugosi, Wallace Ford, Arline Judge, E. Alyn Warren, Lotus Long, Robert Emmett O'Connor, Edward Peil Sr., Luke Chan, Lee Shumway, Etta Lee
A power-crazed Asian (Bela Lugosi) is obsessed with owning the "12 coins of Confucius" through which he will gain great power.
| | |
Mystery Liner 1934 N/R, 62 min.
Genre: Mystery
aka: Ghost of John Holling
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Noah Beery, Astrid Allwyn, Cornelius Keefe, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Edwin Maxwell, Ralph Lewis, Boothe Howard, Zeffie Tilbury, John M. Sullivan, George "Gabby" Hayes, Gordon De Main, George Cleveland
Murder stalks a luxury liner that is secretly testing a device, which will remotely control a ship, and there are plenty of suspects for the investigating detective to sort through. Cheaply made but fun to watch.
| | |
Mystery of Mr. Wong 1939 N/R, 67 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Boris Karloff, Grant Withers, Dorothy Tree, Lotus Long, Holmes Herbert, Morgan Wallace, Craig Reynolds, Ivan Lebedeff, Chester Gan, Hooper Atchley, Bruce Wong, Jack Kennedy, Joe Devlin, Lee Tung Foo, Wilbur Mack
Gem collector Brendan Edwards (Morgan Wallace) possesses the "Eye of the Daughter of the Moon," which is the largest star sapphire in the world. The gem has been stolen from China, and Edwards has received a death threat. He calls in Mr. Wong (Boris Karloff) for help, and, during a game of charades, Edwards is shot dead, and the star sapphire disappears. Mr. Wong and Inspector Sam Street (Grant Withers) sort out the evidence, expose the killer, and Mr. Wong returns the gem to China.
| | |
The Old Homestead 1935 N/R, 72 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Eddie Kane, Edward J. Nugent, Mary Carlisle, Dorothy Lee, Fuzzy Knight, Bob Nolan, Roy Rogers, Willard Robertson, Lawrence Gray, Willard Robertson
This Western musical finds a young couple heading to the City in search of fame and fortune. One finds the fame via radio. Roy Rogers makes a brief singing appearance.
| | |
Secret Evidence 1941 N/R, 68 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Marjorie Reynolds, Charles Quigley, Malcolm "Bud" McTaggart, Kenneth Harlan, Howard Masters, Bob White, Donald Curtis, Charles R. Phipps, Dorothy Vaughan, Budd Buster, Kitty McHugh, Boyd Irwin
Linda (Marjorie Reynolds) loved Tony Baxter (Malcolm "Bud" McTaggart) but didn't realize he was a crook until he was arrested and sent to jail. Now Linda falls in love with Assistant D.A. David Harrison (Charles Quigley), and all goes well–until Baxter is released from prison and wants Linda back. Linda's brother, Jerry (Howard Masters), goes to Baxter's apartment and finds Baxter shot to death. Jerry is arrested for the murder, reluctantly David serves as the prosecutor, and Linda tries to prove that Jerry is innocent.
| | |
Streets of New York 1939  N/R, 73 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: The Abe Lincoln of Ninth Avenue
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Jackie Cooper, Martin Spellman, Sidney Miller, Buddy Pepper, Bobby Stone, David Durand, Dick Purcell, Marjorie Reynolds, George Cleveland, Robert Emmett O'Connor, George Irving, Robert Emmett Keane
Idealist Jimmy Keenan (Jackie Cooper) attends law school at night and works at a NYC newspaper stand by day. When the mob demands a piece of the action, Jimmy and his young friend, Gimpy (Martin Spellman), fight back.
| | |
The Underdog 1943 N/R, 65 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: William Nigh
Cast: Barton MacLane, Bobby Larson, Jan Wiley, Charlotte Wynters, Conrad Binyon, Elizabeth Valentine, Kenneth Harlan, George Anderson, Jack Kennedy, I. Stanford Jolley, Frank Ellis, Jack Rockwell
In this World War II era story, the Tate family–John and Amy (Barton MacLane and Jan Wiley) along with their son Henry (Bobby Larson) and his dog Hobo–lose their farm due to a foreclosure and move to the city. But, even more problems await them in the city in the form of gangs, both local and Nazi saboteurs.
| | |
| 1. The Ape (1940)
2. Atlantic Flight (1937)
3. Bill Cracks Down (1937)
aka: Men of Steel
4. Black Dragons (1942)
5. Border Devils (1932)
6. Boy of the Streets (1937)
7. A Bride for Henry (1937)
8. City Limits (1934)
9. Corregidor (1943)
10. Doomed to Die (1940)
11. The Fatal Hour (1940)
aka: Mr. Wong at Headquarters
12. Gangster's Boy (1938)
13. The Headline Woman (1935)
aka: The Woman in the Case
14. House of Mystery (1934)
15. Lady from Chungking (1943)
16. The Law Commands (1938)
17. Mr. Wise Guy (1942)
18. Mr. Wong in Chinatown (1939)
19. Mr. Wong, Detective (1938)
20. Mutiny in the Big House (1939)
21. The Mysterious Mr. Wong (1934)
22. Mystery Liner (1934)
aka: Ghost of John Holling
23. Mystery of Mr. Wong (1939)
24. The Old Homestead (1935)
25. Secret Evidence (1941)
26. Streets of New York (1939)
aka: The Abe Lincoln of Ninth Avenue
27. The Underdog (1943)
In The News
|
