lugonian Reviews

Bullets or Ballots (1936)

Unholy Partners

[8/10 · 17 April 2024]

BULLETS OR BALLOTS (Warner Brothers, 1936), directed by William Keighley, stars Edward G. Robinson in a crime drama by which he plays a man on both sides of law and disorder. Following James Cagney's lead for 'G' MEN (1935), by which movie tough guy becomes a man against crime, Robinson breaks away from his usual gangster image to see how it goes facing mobsters rather than playing one. Either way, Robinson portrays his role effectively and believably, keeping his tough guy image intact. Being his first role opposite Joan Blondell (they didn't share the same film again until 1965's THE CINCINNATI KID starring Steve McQueen), BULLETS OR BALLOTS is known mostly as a Robinson crime caper more than anything else. It also marked his first of five pairings opposite Humphrey Bogart, whose previous breakthrough performance in THE PETRIFIED FOREST (1936) made a lasting impression playing a wanted killer, Duke Mantee. Not yet the leading man or major super star he was to become in the 1940s, Bogart's name, billed under Robinson, Blondell and Barton MacLane, it's MacLane, another movie tough guy, who gets more to do here, following his impressive gangster parody though not as intense as in Cagney's 'G' MEN.

Set in New York City, the story begins with Nick "Bugs" Fenner (Humphrey Bogart) and his mob boss, Al Kruger (Barton MacLane) attending the movie house to watch a newsreel,"Syndicate of Crime," where Kruger, a notorious gangster arrested eleven times but always set free, is exposed by Ward Bryant, a vice crusader. Though warned to stay away from Bryant, Fenner goes against orders from Kruger, tracks down Bryant and guns him down. Johnny Bryant (Edward G. Robinson), a demoted detective working under his friend, Captain Dan McLaren (Joseph King) waits for McLaren's job following his promotion. Having been asked numerous times by Kruger, whom he likes and respects, to join his outfit, Johnny refuses. Unable to acquire the name of the head crime boss, McLaren gets his promotion from the force. His first assignment is a police department cleanup, with Johnny one of the first to be dismissed. Lee Morgan (Joan Blondell), a night club operator and good friend of Johnny's, offers to help by having him become her partner in the numbers game. Even though it's doing well in both the Bronx and Harlem, Johnny refuses. While attending the fights at Madison Square Garden, Johnny shows his "appreciation" to McLaren by socking him publicly in the jaw. Kruger witnesses this. After the police escort Johnny to the streets, Kruger offers Johnny a position to become his right-hand man. This time Johnny accepts. Problems arise with Johnny convincing Kruger's mob he's now in with them. They soon win his confidence except from Fenner ("One a cop, always a cop."), who has him personally investigated against Kruger's orders. Johnny's other problem is losing his friendship and respect from Lee, believing him responsible for having Fenner taking control of her numbers game. Tensions build with Johnny's promotion in a position much wanted by Fenner. Others in the cast include Frank McHugh (Herman, the forgetful one); George E. Stone ("Wires"); Louise Beavers (Nellie LeFleur); with Henry Kolker, Gilbert Emery and Herbert Rawlinson among others.

Though not in the same class as some of the other crime classics of its 1930s, BULLETS OR BALLOTS is a pleasing addition to the crime genre. Leisurely paced and lacking underscoring of mood music but makes up for it through its tense climax. Robinson and Bogart have little to do together, but when they're together, chemistry builds. Blondell (with darker hair color this time around) makes a good screen presence. Her involvement with Robinson is more friendship than romantic. Reportedly suggested on an actual incident, the formula provided makes this a very watchable 81-minute crime drama.

Available on home video and DVD, BULLETS OR BALLOTS can be seen occasionally on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (***1/2)

A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

The Time of Their Lives

[10/10 · 9 April 2024]

A TALE OF TWO CITIES (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935), directed by Jack Conway, following the success of DAVID COPPERFIELD (1935), became the studio's second screen contribution to Charles Dickens literary classic novel. Previously filmed in the silent era, notably by Vitagraph (1911) with Maurice Costello; and Fox (1917) starring William Farnum, this first sound edition, followed by a 1958 British remake with Dirk Bogarde, may have been successes, but nothing can compare to the 1935 edition produced under David O. Selznick. Starring Ronald Colman (minus his famous mustache) in his iconic portrayal of Sydney Carton, his character is actually a supporting one, yet so crucial to the story. No expense was spared for the reenactment of 18th Century France and England (the two cities in question), but most of all, its musical score, cast of thousands and most importantly, properly placed Dickens characters enacted by actors who were born to play their assigned roles.

Starting with its famous opening prologue, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ... it was a period very much like the present," the story, set in the late 18th century, begins with Jarvis Lorry (Claude Gillingwater Sr.), a respected businessman of the Tellson Bank of London, to meet with Lucie Marnette (Elizabeth Allan), with news that her father, Doctor Manette (Henry B. Walthall), believed dead, is alive. He had served unjustly 18 horrible years in the Bastille, thanks to his enemy, The Marquis St. Evremonde (Basil Rathbone), the most hated aristocrat of all France. Lorry and Lucie venture to Paris to get Manette, staying in the upstairs room of the wine shop belonging to his former servant, Ernest DeFarge (Mitchell Lewis), and wife, Therese (Blanche Yurka). Ship bound for England with both her father and Lorry, Lucie makes the acquaintance of Evremonde's nephew, Charles Darnay (Donald Woods). Because Darnay sides with the peasants, departing France to escape his uncle's tyranny, Evremonde arranges to have his nephew arrested and put to trial for treason where he is acquitted, thanks to the clever testimony arranged Sydney Carton (Ronald Colman). Now a close friend to Mr. And Mrs. Darney, Sydney's love for Lucie is kept from within, drowning his sorrows drinking from tavern to tavern. Carton proves his loyalty to Darney after being tricked back to France during the French Revolution and tried as enemy of the republic with possible death sentence on the guillotine.

In the cast of thousands, the major performers consist of Edna May Oliver (Miss Pross); Reginald Owen (C. J. Stryver); Walter Catlett (Barsad); H. B. Warner (Gabelle); Fay Chaldecott (Lucie Darnay) and Tully Marshall (The Woodcutter). For anyone who's ever seen D. W. Griffith's silent classic, ORPHANS OF THE STORM (1921), will never forget old hag portrayal given by Lucille LaVerne, a role she physically repeated here as La Vengeance. Regardless of excellent performances all around, the most honorable mention goes to Blanche Yurka's Madame DeFarge. Of her many highlights, including the courtroom scene to her fight to the finish with Miss Pross, Yurka alone makes A TALE OF TWO CITIES worth its 126 minutes of lavish spectacle. This doesn't take away from Ronald Colman's sensitive performance (who could forget his final last line) and Isabel Jewell's sensitive portrayal of a frightened seamstress going to her death. Though A TALE OF TWO CITIES didn't win Best Picture win (for 1936), there will never be another Dickens-based film like this one again.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES may have been the best of films or the worst of films, but its lasting appeal is quite evident by those who have seen this version multiple times. Available either on home video or DVD, A TALE OF TWO CITIES can be viewed and studied whenever broadcast on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (****)

Come Out Fighting (1945)

The East Side Kids: Tough as They Come

[6/10 · 2 April 2024]

COME OUT FIGHTING (Monogram, 1945), a Banner production directed by William Beaudine, marks the 22nd and final installment to the "East Side Kids" comedy/dramas. Though its title gives indication of placing Muggs and Glimpy in combat duty in the comedic manner of Abbott and Costello's BUCK PRIVATES (1941), the plot reverts back to boxing theme and crooked gamblers. This time Mugs is the trainer rather than the boxer. Regardless of rehash plots lifted from earlier installments, COME OUT FIGHTING is an attempt in something original but not as striking as one would have preferred.

The story gets underway as Muggs McGinnis (Leo Gorcey) trains Danny Moore (Mende Koenig) for the upcoming interborough boxing tournament at their basement section of the East Side Club. The loud commotion being heard by Mrs. O'Toole upstairs has her complaining to Officer McGowan (Davison Clark) who padlocks the door, locking Muggs and his gang, Glimpy (Huntz Hall), Skinny (Billy Benedict), Pete Hallerman (Gabriel Dell), Sammy (Buddy Gorman) and Jane Riley (June Carlson), the only female member, outside the premises. As Muggs, accompanied by Glimpy, drives his father's pick-up truck to pay a visit with police commissioner James Mitchell (Addison Richards), he nearly gets into a fight with a young man for taking his parking spot. Mugs soon discovers the young man named Gilbert (Johnny Duncan) happens to be the commissioner's dandy son. Because Gilbert is more refined Park Avenue and ballet dancer than his East Side upbringing, the commissioner agrees to remove the padlock for a favor in having Muggs and his gang straighten out his son to be more like them. With a lot of work ahead of him, Muggs finds to his advantage that Gilbert's ballet technique to be beneficial for Danny's boxing skills. After Gilbert assists Rita Joyce (Amelita Ward) with her key locked inside her parked car, the two start a relationship. Muggs, however, disapproves of Rita due to her connection with notorious gambler, "Silk" Henley (George Meeker). With "Muggs" assuming full responsibility for Gilbert's near arrest in a gambling casino soon finds himself forced to resign after five years as president of the East Side Club and being barred from managing Danny's boxing tournament. Cast support includes Douglas Wood (The Mayor); Pat Gleason ("Little Pete" Vargas); Meyer Grace (Jake) and Alan Foster (Whitey).

With Muggs risking his reputation to help another theme having been done before, COME OUT FIGHTING does consist of some interesting firsts (and lasts). As the series began in 1940, Muggs had no living relatives. Later installments have him living with his widowed mother enacted by different actresses. Now he has both mother (played by Patsy Moran, previously Glimpy's mother) and father (Fred Kelsey), a plumber. Interestingly, the role of Muggs' father was not enacted by Leo's real-life father, Bernard Gorcey, having worked in amusing cameos in the series since 1943. Another interesting factor is Gabriel Dell. Having played numerous characters in the series since 1942, Dell is now playing an East Side Kids member, a bespectacled intellectual sporting a suit and tie. Like the others in the gang, he has little to do during its 61 minutes. With Danny being played by the unfamiliar Mende Koenig makes one wish for the return of Bobby Jordan.

Not televised since the early 1990s nor as well-known as the earlier East Side Kids entries prior to 1943, COME OUT FIGHTING can be viewed either on DVD or on You-Tube. Whether this was intended to be the finish of the series or not is uncertain. The following year, Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, Bobby Jordan and Billy Benedict would be featured in the revamped formula to better advantage and production values as "The Bowery Boys" (1946-1958). (** boxing gloves)

Docks of New York (1945)

The East Side Kids Get Involved

[7/10 · 26 March 2024]

DOCKS OF NEW YORK (Monogram, 1945), directed by Wallace Fox, the 20th and the first of three "East Side Kids" installments for 1945, ranks one of its better entries. Bearing no connection to director Josef Von Sternberg's 1928 silent melodrama for Paramount, the title used here is a completely different matter. For first time viewers, it might indicate a waterfront tale involving loading docks and corrupt fisherman's unions, which might have been quite interesting. Instead, the plot revolves around its central character, Mugs getting involved with a couple of female refugees, neighborhood murders and some espionage all told in an hour's time.

The story opens in the middle of the night where a man is seen stumbling through the alley before collapsing to the ground. Moments later his pockets are being searched by his following accomplice, Compeau (Cyrus W. Kendall). Later that evening, Glimpy (Huntz Hall) climbs into Mugs (Leo Gorcey) bedroom window showing him an emblem he just found. Mugs, president of the East Side Kids, goes out with Glimpy to investigate. After finding the deceased victim, they are chased by Compeau until sounds of police siren drives him away. After being taken into custody, and released with no evidence against them, Mugs and Glimpy return to their residence to hear the sound of a woman crying in apartment 2F. Coming to her aid, they stop the woman's tears after presenting her the valuable heirloom earlier taken from the accented speaking Mrs. Darcy (Betty Blythe). It's later learned that her niece, Saundra (Gloria Pope), who has been seeing Glimpy's cousin, Marty of the Merchant Marines (Carlyle Blackwell Jr.) to actually be an escaped royal princess from Toscania hiding in the Bowery district of New York City. As a favor to Mrs. Darcy, Mugs hides her heirloom in his apartment where it will be safe. Situations become complicated when Marty finds himself arrested for the murder of pawnbroker, Mr. Kessel (Bernard Gorcey), while Mrs. Darcy and Saundra, having relocated to 216 Bleeker Street, to find themselves being stalked by someone other than Compeau.

Others in the cast include George Meeker (Prince Igor Mallet), Pierre Watkin (Captain Jacobs) and Leo Borden (Peter the Butler). Though the first twenty minutes focuses solely on Mugs and Glimpy, the other members of the East Side Kids, Billy Benedict (Skinny); Buddy Gorman (Danny); and Mende Koenig (Sammy), appear much later with very little to do. Mugs' mother is now enacted by Patsy Moran, formerly Glimpy's mother in earlier installments. What happened to Mary Gordon? Cyrus Kendall, who worked earlier with Gorcey and Hall in CRIME SCHOOL (1938), is the heavy here, more ways than one. Joy Reese as Mugs' girlfriend, Millie, adds to the situation getting fed up being ignored by Mugs and joining in on his escapes. Gabriel Dell, a series regular of multiple roles, does not appear, having Carlyle Blackwell filling in the void this time around. Some good action scenes help enlighten some of Hall's over familiar antics and Joy Reese's annoying character that grows tiresome after a while.

Not one of the more frequently revived nor better known entries of the series since its last broadcast in the 1990s, DOCKS OF NEW YORK is available for viewing either on YouTube and DVD format. Next installment: MR. MUGGS RIDES AGAIN (1945). (**)

Mr. Muggs Rides Again (1945)

The East Side Kids at the Race Track

[6/10 · 20 March 2024]

MR. MUGGS RIDES AGAIN (Monogram, 1945), directed by Wallace Fox, the 21st installment of "The East Side Kids" series, reverts back to early formula by which the title character, Ethelbert Aloysius "Mugs" Maginnis (Leo Gorcey) becomes a horse racing jockey as he did in THAT GANG OF MINE (1940). With this not being a rehash nor a remake, the material gears towards a brighter function allowing formula material of some originality. Huntz Hall and Billy Benedict are back in their recognizable roles as Glimpy and Skinny, while unfamilar faces and actor names of the other East Side Kids such as Mende Koenig (Danny); Buddy Gorman (Sammy) and Johnny Duncan ("Squeegie" Robinson). For a change, Gabriel Dell does not appear, though the actor who fills in for Dell's formula territory, Bernard Brown, interestingly plays a character (according to opening cast credits) called Gaby Dell. (Any connection?) There's also another character in the story named Scruno, a stablemate played by John H. Allen, bearing no connection to the East Side Kids member earlier enacted by Sunshine Sammy Morrison from 1940 to 1943. Other than being more drama than comedy, MR. MUGGS RIDES AGAIN is Leo Gorcey's movie from start to finish.

Opening not of the traditional sky view of New York's Bowery district, but at the horse race where the East Side Kids cheer on their leader, Mugs" (Leo Gorcey) as he rides his horse to victory, only to be called in and disqualified by judges when an electrical device is discovered under the saddle of his horse. Although innocent, Mugs suspects the big fix done by gambler "Dollar" Davis (George Meeker) and his accomplice, Gaby Dell (Bernard Brown), but cannot prove it. Suspended from further horse racing, Mugs and his pals assist Nora "Ma" Brown (Minerva Urecal) by gathering the $163.79 needed for her to keep stable and horses, Storm Cloud and Sweet Alice, from being taken away to the glue factory. As a friendly gesture, Mugs takes Sweet Alice, the horse he admires, for security and placed in the basement of the East Side Club. As Mrs. Brown tries to lift the suspension of Mugs to ride her horse in the upcoming handicap, Mugs attempts on keeping Brown's niece, Elsie (Nancy Brinckman) from getting romantically involved with Gaby. Others in the cast include Pierre Watkin (Doctor Fletcher); Milton Kibbee (The Veterinarian) and Betty Sinclair (The Nurse). Leo's father, Bernard Gorcey, appears briefly as "Pop," the man hired to take Mrs. Brown's horse away. Minerva Urecal, making her sixth appearance in the series, and never playing the same character, is always an added pleasure to these films no matter what roles she plays.

With more drama than comedy, Huntz Hall gets his chance of amusements set at the Midway amusement park filling in for the unavailable soothsayer, The Great Swami, by telling bogus fortunes to unsuspected patrons. Racing scenes using close-ups on Gorcey is obviously done in rear projection screen with production values obviously on low-budget scale. MR. MUGGS RIDES AGAIN may not win any world cups for its 60 minutes presentation but enough satisfaction for fans of the series.

Not as well-known nor revived as the earlier editions of the series, MR. MUGGS RIDES AGAIN is available for viewing DVD. Next and last in the series: COME OUT FIGHTING (1945). (** horseshoes)

Follow the Leader (1944)

East Side Kids: Mr. Muggs Comes Home

[7/10 · 12 March 2024]

FOLLOW THE LEADER (Monogram, 1944), directed by William Beaudine, reverts back to early "East Side Kids" formula of having more drama than comedy, with dose of heavy sentiment included. For this 17th edition, Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall team up, with plot summary more on Gorcey's character. Joan Marsh, who appeared in MR. MUGGS STEPS OUT (1943) returns to the series, this time as Mugs' sister. In earlier entries, there was no indication of Mugs ever having a sister, let along any relatives. He did later acquire a beloved mother who affectionately calls him "Ethelbert." Mary Gordon has that honor here as she did in MILLION DOLLAR KID (1944). As much as Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and Billy Benedict get opening credit as "The East Side Kids," only Gorcey and Hall have that distinction while Dell and Benedict play different character roles, something quite common in a series with no consistencies from one movie to another.

The story opens with "Mugs" Maginnis (Leo Gorcey) and "Glimpy" Freedhoff (Huntz Hall) in the Army. Because he memorized the eye chart over a revised one, Mugs, who loves military life, is discharged from active duty. Accompanied by Glimpy on furlough, Mugs returns home to the Bowery and to the old gang where he left Danny (David Durand) in charge of both club and the treasury. It is learned that Danny is in jail and that the club has a new member, "Spider" O'Brien (Billy Benedict), from Brooklyn. Mugs not only takes an immediate dislike towards Spider but suspects him to be connected with a series of warehouse robberies for which Danny is accused. Mugs also has a strong dislike towards W. W. "Fingers" Belmont (Gabriel Dell), a former member of the East Side Kids now a big shot working under Larry (Jack LaRue), proprietor of the Club Maxie, where Mugs' sister, Milly (Joan Marsh) works as a cigarette girl. After Fingers overhears Spider reveal his connection to the robberies to Mugs, he and his partner, Slug, beat Spider to death, leaving his body inside the club. Fearing of being accused, Mugs takes it upon himself to learn the identity of the ringleader by acquiring Spider's old job and clear Danny's name.

Featuring East Side Kids support by Bobby Stone ("Speed"); Buddy Gorman ("Skinny" Bogerty); and Jimmy Strand (Dave); with Bryant Washburn (The Colonel); and J. Farrell MacDonald (Officer Clancy) in support. Look quickly for former East Side Kid member "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison seen uncredited in his former role of Scruno during Glimpy's dream set on an isle surrounded by hula girls. Gene Austin with the Sherrill Sisters appear as night club performers singing "Now and Then," and "All I Want to Do is Play the Drum." With this being nearly a Mugs movie where he's the sole character, Leo's father, Bernard Gorcey has an amusing bit playing Mr. Ginsberg, delicatessen owner.

Reportedly done in six days, this being typical Monogram procedure by getting things done quickly and cheaply. Even that one scene involving Mugs and Glimpy in the Army are obviously done with rear projection screen. Script repeats itself from earlier segments leading to a typical finish. The Danny character now played by David Durand is obviously a continuation to Bobby Jordan's Danny, right down to the striped shirt used from earlier editions. With Mugs still being the leader to follow, he gets to perform against type in a tearful moment when being dismissed from the Army for his poor eyesight. Regardless of pros and cons, FOLLOW THE LEADER is average yet agreeable material all told in 64 minutes. Available on DVD. (**) Next edition: BLOCK BUSTERS (1944).

Block Busters (1944)

East Side Kids: The French Connection

[6/10 · 6 March 2024]

BLOCK BUSTERS (Monogram, 1944), a Banner production directed by Wallace Fox, marks another attempt in moving forward with something completely different for those city boys of the Bowery district known as "The East Side Kids." Starring the series regulars of Leo Gorcey (Ethelbert "Mugs" Maginnis); Huntz Hall ("Glimpy"); and Billy Benedict ("Butch"), for a change since SMART ALECKS (1942), Gabriel Dell plays a member of the East Side Kids named "Skinny," as opposed to playing a nemesis of the gang. The name of Skinny interestingly was played in two previous installments by Billy Benedict, now playing Butch, a rival gang leader of the Five Pointers. For this 18th installment, Jimmy Strand steps in for the role of Danny while Bill Chaney, Mugs' pal, appears as Tobey Dunn for the only time.

The plot opens with a baseball game with the East Siders playing against the Five Pointers. Mr. Lippman (Bernard Gorcey) and Mr. Meyer (Tom Herbert) are seen as spectators. After an argument with the umpire (Charles Murray Jr.), Mugs (Leo Gorcey) is given boxing gloves to settle things, but everything comes to a halt with the arrival of a policeman. Next scene deals with Mr. Higgins (Harry Langdon), a building owner, evicting the East Side Kids from their club in favor of new tenants, Amelia Norton (Minerva Urecal) and her grandson, Jean Val Jean Rogers (Frederick Pressel). Born and raised in France, Jean finds Americans a bunch of "characters." Relocating back to the Bowery district where she was born and raised, Mrs. Norton intends on having Jean get the feel of American lifestyle in the Bowery. Feeling her neighborhood where she was raised 40 years ago, Mrs. Norton sees it's not the way she remembers it. She soon feels herself at home by witnessing a rumble between the East Side Kids and the Five Pointers. Because of his French accent, Mugs gets himself in a fight with Jean who surprisingly loses to Mugs without using his fists. Taken to court, the Judge (Noah Beery) summons both Mugs and Jean responsible for each other's conduct. Not wanting to violate their parole, Mugs and the gang show Jean the American way of life by teaching him boxing, football and wrestling. Subplot involves the jealously of Danny (Jimmy Strand) when Jean steps in on his girlfriend, Jinx (Roberta Smith), while Mugs shows off his softer character by thinking up a plan on how to send the sickly Tobey Dunn (Bill Chaney) on a rest cure in the country. Co-stars include Kay Marvin (Irma Treadwell); Johnny Duncan (Johnny); with specialties as Jimmie Noone and his Orchestra with the dancing act by The Ashburns set in a night club.

For anyone familiar with silent movies, let along silent comedy, one would be surprised to find the once popular Harry Langdon (billed tenth in the casting credits) with few opening scenes playing a bespectacled landlord. Leo's father, Bernard Gorcey, has more to do here than the usual comedy bits from previous "East Side Kids" editions. Comedy highlights go to Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall in isolated roles set at a masquerade party. Watch for Gorcey showing off his dancing style. Take notice the "East Side Kids" opening score being underscored for the baseball scenes. For this tightly-nit 60 minutes, BLOCK BUSTERS comes as an average edition, compliments of Houston Branch.

Unseen regularly on television since the 1990s, BLOCK BUSTERS is available on DVD for avid fans of Mugs and the gang known as "The East Side Kids." Next installment: BOWERY CHAMPS (1944) (**)

Bowery Champs (1944)

The East Side Kids-News That's Fit to Print

[7/10 · 28 February 2024]

BOWERY CHAMPS (Monogram, 1944), directed by William Beaudine, marks the 19th installment to "The East Side Kids" series. Awkwardly titled, the story has nothing to do with prizefighting nor boxing. It deals with life in the newsroom by which Ethelbert McGinnis, better known as "Muggs" (Leo Gorcey), leader of the East Side Kids, is practically the sole focus. No longer "kids" in physical form (very much actors in their early twenties playing teenagers when this series began in 1940) but young men being a group of friends often acting like kids. While the "Muggs" character in early installments felt working is for suckers, he has now matured by working, sporting a suit and not as arrogant as before. Except for Huntz Hall, a series regular since 1941, BOWERY CHAMPS marks the return of Bobby Jordan for the first time since GHOSTS ON THE LOOSE (1943). With his character explained as being away in the Army, it's a wonder why his original character of Danny suddenly becomes Bobby Jordan!!

Starting off with a sky view of Manhattan, the camera tracks to the building of the New York Evening Express where Muggs Maginnis (Leo Gorcey) is employed as a copy boy, a job given to him by his friend, Jim Lindsay (Gabriel Dell). With ambition to become a reporter, Muggs starts off by telling a veteran sportswriter (Francis Ford) how to really add real interest to his articles. Lester Cartwright (Frank Jaquet), managing editor, enters the scene demanding why The Journal, another newspaper, got the murder story of Thomas Wilson (Wheelar Oakman) ahead of them. Wilson's wife, Gypsy Carmen (Evelyn Brent), once the Toast of Broadway, is the accused and hiding from the police. With Jim spending time romancing Cartwright's secretary, Jane (Ann Sterling) and occupying more time away from the office, Muggs proves himself by getting the Gypsy Carmen story himself. Rounding up his pals, Glimpy (Huntz Hall), Skinny (Billy Benedict), Shorty (Buddy Gorman) and Danny (Jimmy Strand), Muggs locates Gypsy Carmen at the Stevens Apartment on Park Avenue. Believing her innocent of the crime, Muggs hides her out disguised in male attire at the East Side club in the Bowery. As Muggs and the gang proceed with their investigation, their pal, Bobby Jordan (Bobby Jordan) spends much of his 12-hour furlough from the Army trying to find them.

Cast includes Ian Keith (Ken Duncan); Thelma White (Diane Gibson); Fred Kelsey (Officer Maguire); and Betty Sinclair (The Apartment Manager. Leo's father, Bernard Gorcey, amusingly plays Mr. Johnson, a cab driver while Gabriel Dell once again plays a different character from the previous installments. With the other East Side Kids (Strand and Gorman) simply watching what's happening, Billy Benedict spotlights himself dressed in womans clothing, being chased by police, and getting abducted for eavesdropping at the wrong door. Thelma White gets a song solo of "Ochye Tchornia Brown" set in the Pussy Cat Cafe. As much as Bobby Jordan makes a welcome presence, it's a pity the same wasn't done for another former series regular, "Scruno," wonderfully played by "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison.

As BOWERY CHAMPS attempts in formatting in a new direction from previous efforts, some material repeats from 'NEATH BROOKLYN BRIDGE (1942): hiding a much younger female (Ann Gillis) at the East Side Club disguised as a boy; a former member of the East Side Kids (Noah Beery Jr.) on furlough trying to locate his friends; and boys going out of the way to prove the innocence of an accused killer. Under William Beaudine's direction, everything moves swiftly and tightly for its 62 minutes. Underscoring for BOWERY CHAMPS is only used during car chasing sequence. To help remind this as part of the "East Side Kids" series, Muggs continues hitting Glimpy with his hat for his goofy antics.

Not a bad outing in the series, though one wishes it played more on a continued level from one movie to the next than an individual movie using same characters sometimes using different surnames. Never placed on home video nor shown on cable television in recent years, BOWERY CHAMPS can be found for viewing on DVD. Next installment: DOCKS OF NEW YORK (1945). (** bylines)

Mr. Muggs Steps Out (1943)

The East Side Kids in Society

[6/10 · 20 February 2024]

MR. MUGGS STEPS OUT (Monogram, 1943), directed by William Beaudine, begins a new reign in the "East Side Kids" series. Regulars including "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison (Scruno) and Bobby Jordan (Danny) reportedly left for active duty during World War II with their characters discontinued. David Durand, however, appears as Danny, but it's uncertain whether his character is the continuation of the Danny as previously portrayed by Jordan. Buddy Gorman ("Skinny") steps in as one of the new members of the gang, while Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and Billy Benedict resume their usual antics, with Gabriel Dell once again playing a different character (named "Nifty" Nolan this time around) from previous editions.

Rather than the usual skyline viewing of the East Side neighborhood of New York City's Bowery district followed by the antics by the East Side Kids, the story starts off instead with the introduction of the society family: John Aldridge Murray (Emmett Vogan) and his wife, Margaret (Betty Blythe) at the breakfast table. Their butler, Charney (Halliwell Hobbs) is seen coping with servant trouble performed by Maisie O'Donnell (Patsy Moran) acting as maid, and "Butch" Grogan (Eddie Gribbon), both of whom Margaret had hired from police court hoping to give them a chance. Because their daughter, Brenda (Joan Marsh) is being held in police court for socking a policeman, Mrs. Murray not only comes to pay the $100 fine for her daughter's release, but hires Ethelbert Maginnis, better known as "Muggs" (Leo Gorcey) by order of the judge (Noah Beery) to either spend six months in reform school or get a job within 24 hours. Muggs takes the job as a replacement of her chauffeur, George, now in military service. Hired at $35 a month, Muggs also brings along his pals of Glimpy (Huntz Hall), Pinky (Billy Benedict), Danny (David Durand), Rocky (Jimmy Strand) and Skinny (Buddy Gorman) as additional help for the society matron. Assisting as servers at Brenda's engagement party to Virgil Wellington Brooks III (Stanley Brown), the boys are later given 24 hours by Mr. Murray to help retrieve a missing necklace believed to have been stolen from Elizabeth (Lottie Harrison) by some mysterious party guest (Nick Stuart) whom nobody knows. Gabriel Dell appears late in the story as "Diamond" Hamilton's partner in crime.

A bit different from its preceding entries, and an improvement at that. It would be a matter of time before the series would make Muggs its central character with all the others of the East Side Kids acting as background characters. This would be the first of two movies in which Muggs name is used in its title (the second being MR. MUGGS RIDE AGAIN! In 1945). While the cast listings spell Gorcey's character of Muggs with two G's, on screen he verbally spells his first name with only one "G." Aside from frequently getting hit with a cap by Muggs, Huntz Hall provides his usual quota of laughs serving hor d'oeuvres with his fingers and placing those that have fallen on the floor back on the tray for reserving. The final half of the story at Danceland on East 9th Street sets the mood for the kids playing detective accompanied by Maisie with Brenda dressed like a gangster's moll. This edition contains limited scenes set on the New York City streets and more time inside at the Murray household, Danceland and an apartment on 29th Street and 8th Avenue.

Regardless of format changes, MR. MUGGS STEPS OUT is a rewarding edition to the series moving swiftly at 64 minutes. With this being the 15th installment to the "East Side Kids" series, MR. MUGGS STEPS OUT has the distinction of not being shown as frequently on television as the others. Never distributed on video cassette, it does have an offering for viewing on DVD. Next installment: MILLION DOLLAR KID (1944) (**)

Comrade X (1940)

Mission in Moscow

[9/10 · 12 February 2024]

COMRADE X (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940), directed by King Vidor, became the studio's attempt in duplicating the success of director Ernst Lubitch's NINOTCHKA (1939) starring Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas. Although similar in mood, with Hedy Lamarr playing a no-nonsense Russian Communist, with NINOTCHKA co-stars Felix Bressart and Sig Rumann, it's not as timely as its predecessor but quite entertaining on its own merits. Starring Clark Gable as an American newspaper reporter, it reunites him with Lamarr for the second and final time, having worked together previously in BOOM TOWN (1940) opposite Claudette Colbert and Spencer Tracy. With Lamarr playing the other woman in the dramatic story about oil tycoons, she proves she can handle comedy in the best possible manner for COMRADE X.

Set in Russia, "the never-never land of stepps, samovars and spies - beards, bears, bombs and borscht - when most anything can happen - and usually does," the story opens at a press conference hosted by Vasiliev (Oscar Homolka), head of the secret police, with foreign correspondents, including Jane Wilson (Eve Arden) in attendance, regarding having all reports restricted until the elimination of a writer known as "Comrade X" for sending uncensored information outside their jurisdiction to American newspapers. The only reporter not in attendance is McKinley B. Thompson (Clark Gable) of the Topeka Bugle, who can talk his way in and out of anything, until approached by Vanya (Felix Bressart), a Moscow Hotel valet, for a particular mission. After taking a photograph of a man (Vladimir Sokoloff) attempting to assassinate Vasiliev during a funeral procession of his predecessor, McKinley, knowing him as the elusive Comrade X, blackmails him into taking his daughter out of Russia to the United States so she won't be executed as a Communist sympathizer. Meeting with his daughter, Theodore (Hedy Lamarr), working as a streetcar conductor, she at first refuses to go anywhere with McKinley until she investigates him. On McKinley's agreement to marry her (this will be Theodore's third marriage), which will be the only way they could leave Russia, a series of unforeseen events soon follow. Co-starring Natasha Lytees (Olga Milanava); Edgar Barrier (Rubick); Mikhail Rasummy (The Russian Officer) with Keye Luke, Michael Marke and Mary Healy in smaller roles.

COMRADE X is a grand mix of humor and serious situations. While Lamarr's Theodore (appearing 25 minutes into the start of the story) speaks five languages, has a photographic memory and capable of walking seven miles back to Moscow after dropping off her streetcar, and Gable, born to play newspaper reporters (having won an Academy Award for playing such for IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934), the only attempt that gives COMRADE X a slapstick comedy feel is its well staged chase sequence revolving hundreds of Army tanks that should remain in memory long after the movie is over. Not overly done at 90 minutes, COMRADE X may not be another NINOTCHKA, but something as entertaining without the option of comparisons.

Available on home video and DVD format, COMRADE X, once a frequent late show offering on commercial television from the 1960s to 1980s, occasionally plays on Turner Classic Movies cable channel where it can be seen and enjoyed. (***1/2)

Million Dollar Kid (1944)

The East Side Kids: Pride of the Bowery

[7/10 · 6 February 2024]

MILLION DOLLAR KID (Monogram, 1944), a Banner Production under direction by Wallace Fox, marks the 16th installment of the "East Side Kids" franchise. After a couple of previous solid comedies, namely CLANCY STREET BOYS (1943), MILLION DOLLAR KID reverts back to a mix dose of comedy/melodrama, with some improvement to hold interest through much of its 65 minutes.

The story opens with Muggs Maginnis (Leo Gorcey), president of the East Side Kids club, including Glimpy McGlosky (Huntz Hall), David Durand (Danny in credits, called Dave in story), Jimmy Strand (Pinky), Bobby Stone (Rocky), Buddy Gorman (Stinky), and Billy Benedict (Skinny), reading a newspaper article involving a series of muggings taking place in their neighborhood. Before deputizing the gang to hold watch on the street corners, Muggs makes the acquaintance of Herbie (Al Stone), Glimpy's cousin, who happens to be just as goofy as Glimpy. Later that evening, a mugging is taking place. Witnessed by East Side Kids, they run to the alley to assist John H. Cortland (Herbert Heyes), a millionaire on his way to the drugstore while his limousine is being serviced by his chauffeur. After Courtland departs, his pocketbook is found, having the boys accused of the muggings by a policeman and escorted to the station. After Captain Mathews (Noah Berry) notifies the owner of the pocketbook, Cortland arrives where he speaks on behalf of the boys, insisting they are not the ones who held him up. Grateful for their help, Cortland shows his appreciation by having Muggs and his boys come to his mansion on Sutton Place where he rewards them access to his indoor gymnasium belonging to his elder son, John Jr., now a flier in the service. During the course of the story, Cortland, very fond of the boys, introduces them to his charming daughter, Louise (Louise Currie), engaged to a Frenchman, Lieutenant Andre DuPrey (Stanley Brown), and his younger son, Roy (Johnny Duncan). Muggs, however, not only suspects Roy might be connected with the muggers giving his neighborhood a bad name, but DuPrey not the man he pretends to be. Supporting players include Mary Gordon and Patsy Moran playing the mothers of Muggs and Glimpy who help out as cook and maid at Louise's engagement party after their servant, Spevin (Robert Greig) is dismissed; with Iris Adrian (Mazie Dunbar, performer at the Zig Zag Club); Pat Costello (Spike) and Gabriel Dell (Lefty). Look quickly for Leo's father, Bernard Gorcey in cameo playing a Western Union Man doing a comedy gig with Muggs reminiscent to the comedy routine famously performed by the team of Abbott and Costello.

What makes MILLION DOLLAR KID enjoyable is showing the East Side Kids as concerned city boys acting as guardian angels to victims of crime, and the natural bonding between opposites as the East Side Kids and the rich man and how they become involved in each other's personal lives. This is another installment where Gabriel Dell can play an East Side Kid member in one film, a rival in another. This time he plays a gang leader spending time observing the streets with his partner (Pat Costello) from the poolhall. Though the story of straightening out a wayward rich boy gone wrong may seem overly familiar, the writers of the story give this a feel of originality. With some few laughs inserted into the dramatic elements, be sure not to miss out on the climatic finish.

Available on DVD, MILLION DOLLAR KID, which has had some cable television broadcasts, namely Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: September 14, 2004) and MGM Plus, are often shown in shorter prints missing the opening few minutes of the story. Next installment: FOLLOW THE LEADER (1944). (**1/2)

The Johnstown Flood (1926)

A Disaster Waiting to Happen

[9/10 · 28 January 2024]

THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD (Fox, 1926), an Irving Cummings Production, directed by Irving Cummings, became the silent screen adaptation to the 1889 disaster known as the Johnstown Flood. Starring George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor, who were most famously paired in SUNRISE (Fox 1927), appear as major attractions to a story of their personal lives along with others involved before its climatic reproduction of the title disaster.

Opening with a view of the town of Johnstown, the story introduces Tom O'Day (George O'Brien), an engineer of Hamilton Lumber Company, who is loved by Anna (Janet Gaynor), daughter of Joe Burger (Paul Panzer), a logging foreman, but Tom's sole interest is on Gloria (Florence Gilbert), niece of the company's owner, John Hamilton (Anders Randolph). Regardless of Tom's warning about the Conemangh Dam's overflow due to the heavy rain that will cause flooding and destruction to Johnstown, he is ignored, with Hamilton putting all his trust on Ward Peyton (Paul Nicholson) instead. O'Day eventually quits his job. On the very day of his wedding to Gloria, Anna's horse ride through town warning of a disaster waiting to happen puts everyone in fear of their lives. Supporting cast includes Max Davidson (Isador Mandel of the Johnston Clothing Emporium); George Harris (Sidney Mandel, his son); Walter Perry (Patrick O'Day) and George Reed.

THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD is one of those handful of silent movies that has been forgotten through the passage of time due to its unavailability for viewing. Viewing finally became a reality when it premiered January 8, 2024, on Turner Classic Movies cable channel, restored with new and satisfactory orchestration. Quite short for 66 minutes, regardless of reported inaccuracies and fictitional characters, the highlight being the Johnstown flood realistically staged to make up for its shortcomings. Janet Gaynor, early in her career, is attractive enough to obtain enough attention from its viewers. Though it's been said that future stars of Carole Lombard, Clark Gable and Gary Cooper appear as extras, it's easier to spot Lombard as one of the bridesmaids, but a bit doing trying to find either Gable or Cooper.

In the wake of disaster movies of the 1930s, namely the 1906 earthquake from SAN FRANCISCO (MGM, 1936), the big wind for THE HURRICANE (United Artists, 1937) and the Chicago fire in IN OLD CHICAGO (20th Century-Fox, 1937), it's amazing someone over at 20th Century-Fox didn't think about remaking THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD, even as a second feature starring either Warner Baxter or Preston Foster, with Simone Simon and Lynn Bari in the O'Brien, Gaynor and Gilbert roles. The studio did do THE RAINS CAME (1939) about heavy rain disaster flick, which is as close to THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD the studio ever did regarding floods.

Due to availability, THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD can be studied as a motion picture and researched for its historical disaster to learn more about the historic event that took many lives and obtaining information about those who had survived to tell of their experience first-hand. (***)

Clancy Street Boys (1943)

The East Side Kids: One Big Happy Family

[7/10 · 27 January 2024]

CLANCY STREET BOYS (Monogram, 1943), a Banner Production directed by William Beaudine, marks the 13th edition to the "East Side Kids" series, and one of the best. Unlike previous installments from its early years, it's funny without being too silly. Its serious without being too melodramatic. It's the first that would lead to formula material from this to their latter "Bowery Boys" (1946-1958) series. CLANCY STREET BOYS marks the introduction of latter series regulars, namely Billy Benedict playing Butch, a Cherry Street leader; and Leo Gorcey's father, Bernard Gorcey, best known for fans of "The Bowery Boys" series as Louie Dumbrowski, here briefly playing a liquor store owner. Even with his brief scene, his few moments are quite amusing.

Following the opening credits with names of staff and cast listing on sheets hanging on clothes lines and aerial view of New York's East Side, the story starts off with the East Side Kids: Danny (Bobby Jordan), Glimpy (Huntz Hall), Bennie (Bennie Bartlett), Stash (Dick Chandler, replacing Stanley Clements) and Scruno ("Sunshine Sammy" Morrison), along with rival gang leader, Butch (Billy Benedict) and his boys (Jimmy Strand and Johnny Duncan) all looking for Mugs Maginnis (Leo Gorcey) to help him "celebrate" his 18th birthday. Mugs hides about expecting to get what's coming to him, which he gets, even from policeman on their beat, Officer Flanagan (J. Farrell MacDonald). Upon his return home, Mugs finds his mother, Molly Maginnis (Martha Wentworth) concerned about a letter she has received, revolving around his late father's rich oil tycoon friend, Pete Monahan (Noah Beery), passed along as his uncle, coming from Texas with his daughter, Judy (Lita Ward) to visit with Ma Maginnis and her seven children, including "Ethelbert," (being Mugs) and their only daughter, Annabelle. To help his mother, and not wanting to make a liar out of his father, Mugs gathers his friends to pose as the Maginnis children, with Glimpy dressed as Annabelle, and Scruno, the only black member of the gang, as the adopted son. All goes well until George Mooney (Rick Vallin) gets into the act, but not for reasons of assistance. Featuring Jan Rubini (The Violinist); Eddie Mills (Dave) and Jack Normand (The Henchman).

An amusing entry that moves swiftly throughout its 66 minutes without and dull spots. For this edition, Bobby Jordan simply plays Danny, with no new surname added. Earlier a major attraction to the series, he's becoming background gang member in favor of more scenes involving Gorcey and Hall. Noah Beery's entrance to the story with he and his on-screen daughter riding on horseback through the streets of New York is true character to his portrayal. Gorcey's facial expression of his hating his birth name "Ethelbert" would become a running gag for the duration of the series. Huntz Hall in drag gets and Sammy Morrison passing as the offspring each get the most laughs here, making this among a favorite and memorable among series fans.

Available on video cassette and DVD format, cable television broadcasts to CLANCY STREET BOYS and other films in the series include to date Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: September 14, 2004) and MGM Plus. Next in the series: GHOSTS ON THE LOOSE (1943) with Bela Lugosi. (***)

Let's Get Tough! (1942)

The East Side Kids for the Defense

[6/10 · 22 January 2024]

LET'S GET TOUGH (Monogram, 1942), a Banner Production directed by Wallace Fox, becomes the ninth entry to the "East Side Kids" series featuring Leo Gorcey (Muggs Maginnis), Bobby Jordan (Danny), Huntz Hall (Glimpy), David Gorcey (Pee-Wee), Bobby Stone (Skinny) and "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison (Scruno). For this edition, the Danny character not only acquires a new last name, "Collins," but a new brother, now enacted by Tom Brown. Gabriel Dell reverts back to villain role, this time as a German-born Nazi named Fritz Heinbach Jr., stationed in the Bowery section of Manhattan with his father.

With the United States into war, the story opens with the East Side Kids and crowd of spectators watching a parade of soldiers marching down the street. Wanting to do something for their country, they first try to enlist in the Army, Marines and finally the Navy, but are all too young to enlist in active duty. Danny Collins (Bobby Jordan) has a brother, Phil (Tom Brown) in the Navy. When he returns home, it is learned that he has been dishonorably discharged. This news has Officer "Pop" Stevens (Robert Armstrong) forbid his sister, Nora (Florence Rice) from ever seeing him again. Wanting to be good citizens, the East Side Kids take the law into their own hands by stirring trouble among an antique shop managed by a Japanese couple, only to be told by Officer Stevens what they did was a serious mistake on their part. Later its owner, Mr. Keno, is found stabbed by the kids, with Glimpy lifting a note from the body with Japanese writing. Making themselves "Junior G-Men," The East Side Kids do some investigating for themselves, to later discover Danny's brother might have some connection with a spy ring known as the Black Dragon Society. Further complications ensue when Nora mysteriously disappears after entering a Japanese tea shop. Featured in the cast are Sam Bernard (Fritz Heinbach Sr.); Philip Ahn (Joe Matsui); and Pat Costello (Randall, the Navy Recruiter).

More drama than comedy, comedy scenes that put this otherwise straight drama off balance are Glimpy taking violin lessons from his music teacher (Jerry Bergen), and another involving the kids with Glimpy's mother (Patsy Moran). While certain scenes are out of character for the East Side Kids, namely bearing false judgment against those who are or happen to be mistaken for Japanese, the duration of the story, with fine mix of propaganda and mystery, improves during its last half hour. Robert Armstrong, best known as Carl Denham in KING KONG (1933), is an asset here, as are the familiar faces of Tom Brown and Florence Rice in support. Theatrically released at 63 minutes, beware of badly edited jump cut 55 minute edition which makes viewing impossible to comprehend.

Available on both home video and DVD format, cable television broadcasts for LET'S GET TOUGH have been on either Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: May 24, 2004) and MGM Plus. Next in the series: SMART ALECKS (1942). (**)

Smart Alecks (1942)

The East Side Kids: Take the Money and Run

[7/10 · 14 January 2024]

SMART ALECKS (Monogram, 1942), directed by Wallace Fox, marks the tenth entry to the "East Side Kids" series. Reverting back to former formula of crime melodrama, sentimental moments and some doses of comedy in between, this edition introduces a new member of the gang, Stanley Clements as "Slash." Series regulars remain as Leo Gorcey (Muggs), Bobby Jordan (Danny), Huntz Hall (Glimpy), Bobby Stone (Skinny) David Gorcey (Pee-Wee), and of course, "Sunshine Sammy" Morrision (Scruno) providing both comedic ad-libs and added bonus of soft shoe tap dancing. Along with the introduction of Clements to the series, there's Gale Storm playing Danny's sister, Ruth Seaton, a character earlier played by Charlotte Henry under the name of Mary Breslin in BOWERY BLITZKRIEG (1941), which means Danny's new surname is now Seaton. Writers naturally overlook the fact in earlier entries that Danny's only living relative to be his brother, earlier played by Dave O'Brien, Tom Brown and Douglas Fowley, using both different first and last name characters. Gabriel Dell, usually playing a rival of the gang assumes a different portrayal, that as a member of the East Side Kids. Roger Pryor steps in for a Dave O'Brien type role as a policeman watching and getting to know the kids, while Maxie Rosenbloom enters for the only time as a tough yet arrogant hood.

For this segment, opening with Scruno (Sammy Morrison) doing his shuffle tap dance, the plot development leads to the boys saving money for baseball uniforms. Danny Seaton (Jordan) has a sister, Ruth (Gale Storm), working as a nurse. She's romantically involved with Officer Joe Regan (Roger Pryor). Henry "Hank" Saleo (Gabriel Dell), a member of the East Side Kids, attempts on being a "big shot" by making some easy money as a lookout for racketeers, "Butch" Broccali (Maxie Rosenbloom) and Mike (Joe Kirk) with a series of robberies. After a bank robbery, Hank hides out at the club, by which its leader, Muggs (Leo Gorcey) wants no part of the stolen money. After Hank's arrest by Regan, he's sent to prison. This is followed by an accidental capture of Butch by Danny, getting a $200 reward. Because Muggs insists the reward money should go to the club, he and the others come to Danny's bedroom at night and take the money from him, unaware of what he wants to do with the money, Suspended from the club, Muggs and Bobby go their separate ways, until Hank, having escaped prison, to warn Muggs of the now fugitive Butch's intentions on getting even with Danny. Other members of the cast include Walter Wolf King (Doctor Goldstein); Herbert Rawlinson (Captain Bronson); Sam Bernard (Doctor Thomas) and Dick Ryan (The Prison Warden).

Overlooking some weaknesses and inconsistencies to the plot, SMART ALECKS is another agreeable entry. Though Gorcey's Muggs can be a jerk at times, his moment of prayer, which may be out of character for him, allows viewers to see there's goodness in him after all. Huntz Hall gets some comedy antics thrown his way while Dell, playing a member of the East Side Kids, wasn't allowed to resume his similar character in future installments. Gale Storm's acting is borderline here but would improve as the story progresses. Length is short enough to allow enough material and pacing to hold interest during much of its 64 minutes.

Available on home video and DVD format, cable television broadcasts for SMART ALECKS over the years has been either on Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: April 2004) and MGM Plus. Next installment: 'NEATH BROOKLYN BRIDGE (1942). (**)

Mr. Wise Guy (1942)

The East Side Kids in Reform School

[6/10 · 7 January 2024]

MR. WISE GUY (Monogram, 1942), directed by William Nigh, became the eighth installment to the "East Side Kids" series. Taken from original story by Martin Mooney, the kids end up in trouble again. With Gabriel Dell making his debut in the series, usually playing an adversary to the gang, Bobby Jordan, a series regular, both acquires a new last name (Collins) and new brother, now played by Douglas Fowley rather than the usual Dave O'Brien. For the first time, the opening credits list the performers (featuring Guinn Williams and Billy Gilbert, minus "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison) rather than the usual actor names and their roles. A little longer than the usual 65 minutes (complete prints clock at 69 minutes), MR. WISE GUY, adding more hit and miss comedy than melodramatics, make this quite watchable.

Following the montage sequence of New York City's Bowery district, the story introduces the East Side Kids: Muggs Maginnis (Leo Gorcey), the leader; Danny Collins (Bobby Jordan), the "right-hand man," Glimpy Stone (Huntz Hall), the "lefty-hand man," Pee-Wee (David Gorcey), the "Yes" man; Skinny (Bill Lawrence), the "No" man; and Scruno ("Sumshine Sammy" Morrison), the "blackout warden." Almost immediately they run from the law fearing of being accused of breaking a bakery store window; then landing on the back of a truck driven by Nobby (Billy Gilbert) who evicts them after parking on the waterfront pier. At the same time, mobster Luke Manning (Guinn Williams) escapes from Blackwell Island and hides himself in a wine barrel. With the assistance of the East Side Kids, Copler (Warren Hymer) gets their help placing the barrel on the back of the truck driven by Nobby, who has disappeared after seeing a police car approaching. After Danny gives notice to his dock hand working brother, Bill (Douglas Fowley) being admitted into the Army, the East Side Kids get arrested for their involvement with Nobby's truck, reportedly stolen. They are then sentenced to Wilton Reform School where Bill once worked as a guard. Noticing improvements having Jim Barnes (Jack Mulhall) as its new superintendent, and Ann Mitchell (Joan Barclay) as his assistant, Bill finds the place might prove beneficial for both Danny and "Mr. Wise Guy" Muggs, until he finds brutal guard, Jed Miller (Dick Ryan) still in their employ. Things begin to change for Bill when, parked inside his car, being held at gunpoint in the back seat by Luke Manning following a drug store robbery and murder. The police give chase, only to find Bill the only one inside the car after Manning has made his escape. Found guilty and sent to prison to face execution, the East Side Kids discover that Charlie Nolan (Gabriel Dell) might know something that could help prove Bill's innocence. Featuring Bobby Stone ("Chalky" Jones); Ann Doran (Dorothy Melton, Luke's girl); Benny Rubin (The Waiter) and Sidney Miller.

With enough plot and subplot to make this a 90 minute production, being Monogram and not Warner Brothers, naturally scenes had to be briefed for pace purposes rather than story elements. It's a wonder why a brutal guard remains at an "honor system" type reform school after being taken over by those who want to help the boys rather than hurt them. Billy Gilbert, best known for his comedy performances for the Hal Roach/Laurel and Hardy unit, highlights as the double-talking bewildered stooge while Warren Hymer and Guinn Williams, who have played comic gangsters before with conviction, play it straight here. It's with MR. WISE GUY that the name of Ethelbert is revealed in juvenile court to be the birth name of Muggs Maginnis. Fans of the series, however, will overlook weakness and plot holes and simply enjoy for what and how it is.

Available on home video and DVD format, MR. WISE GUY has played on cable channels over the years as Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: May 17, 2004) and MGM Plus on Demand. Next installment: LET'S GET TOUGH (1942). (**)

The Desert Trail (1935)

Murder at the Rodeo

[7/10 · 31 December 2023]

THE DESERT TRAIL (Lone Star Presentation for Monogram Pictures, 1935), directed by Cullen Lewis, ranks one of the more enjoyable quickie westerns starring John Wayne. While Wayne had played a rodeo rider and has been a cowboy accused of a crime before, this one is no different yet much better due to added comedy thrown in. Cast as another John character, as a welcome change of pace Wayne breaks away from his lone cowboy role to someone traveling about with a close friend (Eddy Chandler) both having their eyes for the ladies and becoming friendly rivals for their affections. Regardless of their pranks to one another, they retain their true friendship status, especially when trouble is concerned.

The story opens on a stagecoach with John Scott (John Wayne) and his friend, "Kansas" Charlie (Eddy Chandler), gamblers having been run out of town heading for another. Because of his trouble with women, Charlie intends of being "deaf and dumb" to them until Juanita Modero (Carmen Laroux) comes on board at the stage depot, by which both men vie for her affection. Coming to the next town of Raddlesnake Gulch, John participates in a rodeo, but learns from Charlie that he and all the other riders are being cheated of their prize money, getting 25 cents on the dollar. John goes to the rodeo office demanding Farnsworth (Henry Hall) give him his $900 due him. When refused, John holds Farnsworth at gunpoint while Charlie goes to the safe to take the money owed him and depart. After leaving the office, gun shots are heard and Farnsworth is found dead. Witnesses Pete (Al Ferguson) and Jim (Paul Fix) expose John and Charley as the last men to see Farnsworth alive, leaving the sheriff and his posse to go after them. After having their bank roll stolen and learning the real killers have gone to Poker City, John and Charley, assuming new identities as John Jones and the Reverend Harry Smith, follow them there to clear their names. In the process, both men become interested in a girl named Anne (Mary Kornmann), whose brother may know something regarding both the Farnsworth murder and the recent stagecoach holdup for which John and Charlie are accused. Featuring Lafe McKee, Frank Ball and Wally West in smaller roles.

THE DESERT TRAIL starts off amusingly well with fine comedy exchanges between Wayne and Chandler. Though playing like two different movies for the price of one, the results are completely satisfying. The title doesn't seem to fit the story until later it is revealed that "The Desert Trail" is the path both John and Charlie need to follow to locate the killers. With no underscoring except for the opening and closing credits, THE DESERT TRAIL shows it doesn't need any. Beware of latter restored prints with inappropriate/intrusive scoring and some others that have been colorized that takes away from the enjoyment of the story. Although a poverty-row western, the acting is quite good and scripting and pacing satisfactory.

Available on both video cassette and DVD process, THE DESERT TRAIL enjoyed frequent television revivals and discovery on public television during the 1990s, but to date, no known broadcasts either on the former American Movie Classics nor Turner Classic Movies cable channel, but has turned up occasionally either on Enore Westerns Channel or MGM Plus. (**1/2).

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

The Four Seasons

[10/10 · 26 December 2023]

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944) directed by Vincente Minnelli, stars Judy Garland in her most iconic musical since her star making performance of THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939). A grand mix of comedy, sentiment and memorable songs incidental to the plot in this nostalgic look of family life set in 1903-04. Produced in glorious Technicolor, the story goes through chapters of four seasonal passages (summer, autumn, winter and spring) reportedly taken from memories/stories originated by Sally Benson. Often regarded as a Christmas movie, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS includes enough material to consider this a movie for all four seasons.

Set in a small town of St. Louis, the story begins in the summer of 1903 introducing the Smith Family: Alonzo. Father and lawyer by profession (Leon Ames); Anne, his wife (Mary Astor); children; Rose, the eldest (Lucille Bremer), romantically involved with Warren Sheffield (Robert Sully); Esther, the second daughter (Judy Garland) interested in the new boy next door, John Truett (Tom Drake); Lon Smith Jr., the only son, (Henry H. Daniels Jr.); Agnes (Joan Carroll) and their youngest, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien). The household also consists of Grandpa (wonderfully played by Harry Davenport) and their housekeeper, Agnes (Marjorie Main). With the family looking forward to the upcoming World Exposition, the St. Louis Fair, which won't take place for another seven months, the events of their lives are showcased. The summer plot development shifts to autumn with Tootie and Agnes in costumes out for Halloween getting into mischief followed by misunderstandings between Esther and John; autumn involving family Thanksgiving and father's big news that surprises the family with bitterness rather than joy; winter season, Christmas Eve gathering with the eldest Smith children attending the ball with their beaus, followed by father's latest news to bring pleasure to the whole family; and final season of spring, 1904, where all gather at the expedition only to discover something they have never realized before. Other members of the cast include June Lockhart, Darryl Hickman and Hugh Marlowe.

An assortment of now classic songs by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane featuring: "Meet Me in St. Louis" (by Andrew B, Sterling and Kerry Kills/ sung by cast); "The Boy Next Door" (sung by Judy Garland); "Skip to My Lou, My Darling" (sung by Garland and cast); "The Cake Walk" (Garland and Margaret O'Brien); "Over the Banister Dreaming" (Garland); "The Trolley Song" (passengers and Garland); "You and I" (sung by Mary Astor and Leon Ames); "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," (sung by Garland to Margaret O'Brien); and "Meet Me in St. Louis."

A feel-good story with a wonderful cast certainly makes MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS great family viewing to enjoy repeatedly at any season without any loss of interest. Available on home video and DVD format, it can be seen and enjoyed on various cable channels, notably Turner Classic Movies. For anyone looking for something in the similar fashion of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, check out Doris Day's Warner Brothers releases of ON MOONLIGHT BAY (1951) and its sequel, BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON (1953) which both have Leon Ames once more playing the head of the family. (****)

Trouble in Paradise (1932)

Honor Among Thieves

[9/10 · 19 December 2023]

TROUBLE IN PARADISE (Paramount, 1932), directed by Ernst Lubitsch, is an interesting pre-code comedy starring Miriam Hopkins in one of her most amusing roles. Though she and Kay Francis head the cast, the plot actually belongs to the third-billed Herbert Marshall. Featuring Lubitsch stock players as Charlie Ruggles, Edward Everett Horton and Robert Greig, and with European setting, this is one sophisticated comedy true to the "Lubitsch touch."

The story opens in Venice, Italy, where Gaston Monescu (Herbert Marshall), a notorious thief staying at a hotel posing as a baron, observes a beautiful woman below on a gondola where she not only notices herself being watched, but comes to his hotel room where the two get acquainted. The woman us revealed to be Lily Vautier (Miriam Hopkins), a pickpocket posing as a countess. After showing off stolen items lifted from their persons, they immediately fall in love. That particular evening, Francois Filiba (Edward Everett Horton) is seen reporting his wallet stolen by a man posing as a doctor. A year later, Gaston and Lily, now in Paris, France, resume their romance as happy-go-lucky thieves. Madame Mariette Colet (Kay Francis), whose philosophy being "Marriage is a beautiful mistake which two people make together," happens to be owner of a perfume business, "Colet and Company." Her two suitors are Francois Diliba and the Major (Charles Ruggles) whom she takes at the opera, seated with The Major while the jealous Francois is outside watching them, Mariette loses her diamond star purse, which happens to be reward stolen by Gaston. Learning the identity of its owner, Lily suggests Gaston return the purse for the reward. As Monsieur La Valle, Mariette is swooned by his charm and hires him as her personal secretary. With Lily in the guise as "La Valle's" assistant, both scheme on stealing from her safe. After meeting with La Valle, Francois gets the strangest feeling he's seen that man before. Featuring C. Aubrey Smith (Adolph J. Giron); Robert Greig (Jacques, the Butler); and Leonid Kinsky (The Radical) in supporting roles.

Though the movie begins with an off-screen vocalist singing "Trouble in Paradise" over the opening titles, later followed by Tyler Brooke's rendition of "Colet and Company" on the radio, TROUBLE IN PARADISE is not a musical in the Maurice Chevalier manner but a straight comedy that needs to be seen more than once to capture the essence and humor of the story. At times Herbert Marshall, sometimes hailed as a dull actor, shows himself having a good time, which highly benefits his performance. Kay Francis, known for her dramatic roles mostly for Warner Brothers (1932-1939), displays her flair for comedy in a straightforward manner as well. Some of her humor is not only priceless, but the opening and closing scenes Hopkins and Marshall, with Robert Greig's snore noises of confusion are true highlights.

Quite popular upon its initial release, TROUBLE IN PARADISE didn't seem to get the recognition it deserves mainly due to limited reissues, which didn't come as frequent until the 1980s in revival movie houses and public television broadcasts. Interestingly, the third and final Hopkins/Lubitsch comedy, DESIGN FOR LIVING (1933), which didn't fare as well as TROUBLE IN PARADISE, had more commercial television exposure than its predecessor to become better known in later years.

Formerly shown on American Movie Classics (1990), TROUBLE IN PARADISE can be seen and studied either on DVD format or occasional broadcasts on Turner Classic Movies (since 2002). (***1/2)

Design for Living (1933)

A Gentleman's Agreement

[8/10 · 30 November 2023]

DESIGN FOR LIVING (Paramount, 1933), directed by Ernst Lubitsch, is the Lubitsch touch to the popular 1932 Noel Coward play transferred from stage to screen. With the risque stage comedy featuring Noel Coward himself, with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in support, this tone down screen adaptation by Ben Hecht stars an interesting ensemble of Fredric March, Gary Cooper and Miriam Hopkins. With Hopkins having worked under Lubitsch in THE SMILING LIEUTENANT (1931) and TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932), she would be a natural fit in the role that might have gone to Carole Lombard, had the studio then realized her flair for comedy that wouldn't be recognized until her breakthrough performance in TWENTIETH CENTURY (Columbia, 1934). The surprise casting not only goes to Paramount's top leading men, Fredric March and Gary Cooper, performing together for the only time, but Cooper the unlikely choice in a role that might have gone to Cary Grant, had the studio realized his flair for comedy as well. Interestingly, the casting of Cooper makes DESIGN FOR LIVING worth viewing, even for that one scene alone where Cooper speaks French.

On a train bound for Paris, the story introduces Gilda Farrell (Miriam Hopkins) entering a compartment shared by a couple of seated passengers sleeping to their loud snores. After sketching the two on her drawing pad, Thomas P. Chambers (Fredric March), a playwright, and George Curtis (Gary Cooper), an artist, awaken and get acquainted with their fellow passenger. After reaching their point of destination three hours later, the trio become the best of friends, in fact, almost inseparable, much to the surprise of Gilda's advertising executive employer, Max Plunkett (Edward Everett Horton) meeting her at the train station. Though Gilda has known Max for five years, he has never romantically "gotten to first base" with her. With Gilda in love with both men who love her equally well, she finds she cannot marry them both. Not wanting to spoil their great friendship that has lasted for eleven years, Gilda solves the problem with her "gentleman's agreement" by moving in with them. During their union, Gilda becomes their severest critic by assisting Tom with his unproduced play "Goodnight Bassington" and giving George confidence that his paintings will someday be on display in an art gallery. All goes well until one of them breaks out of their agreement causing the rejected ones to figure out why. Co-starring Franklin Pangborn (Mr. Douglas), Isabel Jewell (The Stenographer), Jane Darwell (The Housekeeper) and Wyndham Standing (The Butler).

While the Lubitsch/Hopkins collaboration of TROUBLE IN PARADISE proved highly successful, it's been said that DESIGN FOR LIVING, in spite of its impressive casting, didn't do as well. Interestingly, in later years, it was DESIGN FOR LIVING that had more television revivals in the 1960s and 70s than the limited presentation of TROUBLE IN PARADISE. March and Cooper shine for laughter for one great scene by disrupting Max Plunkett's dinner party honoring the (unseen) guest of honor, Mr. Egelbauer. In spite of Hopkins third cast billing under March and Cooper, DESIGN FOR LIVING is her film all the way.

Never distributed to video cassette, DESIGN FOR LIVING (which should have been retitled DESIGN FOR LOVING) did have a DVD release in 2005. Cable television broadcasts for DESIGN FOR LIVING have been broadcast on Arts and Entertainment and The Movie Channel (1990); SHOWTIME (1991); American Movie Classics (1991-92) and Turner Classic Movies (since 2003). Due to frequent showings over the years, DESIGN FOR LIVING, at 90 minutes, appears to have stood the test of time. (***1/2)

Strange Interlude (1932)

Mind Over Matters

[7/10 · 24 November 2023]

STRANGE INTERLUDE (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1932) directed by Robert Z. Leonard, stars Norma Shearer in one of her most challenging yet strangest roles to date. Though credited as "from the play by Eugene O'Neill," it might have served as "based on the play" considering that the notable 1928 play, reportedly lasting five hours with a dinner break for intermission, was trimmed down to 109 minutes, eliminating plenty of material. Aside from being the movie to introduce Clark Gable with a mustache (during the second half of the story) that would make him world famous, STRANGE INTERLUDE is notable for a new gimmick of hearing spoken inner thoughts through the minds of its players. Wondering how this was accomplished on stage can be seen by Groucho Marx in his parody by having his "strange interlude" in ANIMAL CRACKERS (Paramount, 1930). Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett briefly spoke out their thoughts for one scene in ME AND MY GAL (Fox, 1932). While this thinking out loud thoughts gimmick (for audiences only to hear) seemed like a good idea at the time, it became an experiment to never be repeated again.

Following the open titles on how viewers are to fully understand the characters, the story, set in a small New England University town in Connecticut shortly after the World War, introduces Charlie Marsden (Ralph Morgan) returning from Europe. He's revealed as the man in love with Nina Leeds (Norma Shearer), but her true interest is on Gordon Shaw, recently killed in the war, Her bitterness towards her father (Henry B. Walthall) for preventing her marriage due to his jealousy, finds Nina wanting to leave home and pay her debt to Gordon by nursing wounded soldiers in the Massachusetts hospital. After her father dies, Nina returns home accompanied by Doctor Ned Darrell (Clark Gable) and Sam Evans (Alexander Kirkland), two friends she met during her year absence. Still ignoring Charlie love for her, Nina marries Sam instead. After learning the family secret of insanity running in the family through Sam's mother (May Robson), Nina, to avoid the possibility of her child might become insane, secretly allows Ned to father her son she names Gordon. With Sam pleased with fatherhood, Nina and Ned keep secret of their affair. Through the passage of time, Nina becomes disturbed watching her little boy (Tad Alexander) grow to college athlete (Robert Young) in love with Madeline (Maureen O'Sullivan) to continuously show his hatred towards Ned whenever he's around.

Considering how the story spans 25 years, starting around 1920, it's a wonder that the final half, with the characters aged and children fully grown, should obviously take place in the future of the 1940s rather than the movie release of 1932, something to stir up confusion to a first-time viewer.

Though recording thoughts coming from the minds of principals might have been difficult to accomplish, it's certainly an interesting factor presented on screen. Being a Norma Shearer movie, the reason for viewing this today would be for the strong presence given by Clark Gable. Quite believable from youth to middle-aged man, he shows his great acting skills when confronting the little boy who hates him to desperately want but unable to express his true feelings towards him. Alexander Kirkland, with few films to his credit, is satisfactory as the weakling husband while Ralph Morgan memorable as "good old Charlie." STRANGE INTERLUDE has limited incidental underscoring but more talking heard than in any early talkie up to this point.

Available on video cassette in the 1990s and later DVD format, STRANGE INTERLUDE can be seen and studied whenever broadcast on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (***)

The Man from Utah (1934)

The Great Rodeo Mystery

[5/10 · 17 October 2023]

THE MAN FROM UTAH (Lone Star Production for Monogram Pictures, 1934), directed by Robert N. Bradbury, stars John Wayne in his sixth western quickie (53 minutes) for the studio. Using many of the same supporting players from his previous efforts, with the exception of his female heroine, Polly Ann Young (sister to the better known Loretta Young), there's George, later "Gabby" Hayes. Yakima Canutt, Lafe McKee, Edward Piel Sr. And Artie Ortego in support. With Hayes not playing the villain this time around, it offers him a chance to enact someone on the right side of the law years before becoming a bearded sidekick to future cowboy legends as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. With Hayes working with one of many westerns opposite Wayne, no doubt they make a grand team.

The story opens with John Weston (John Wayne) singing "Sing Me a Song of the Wild," riding his horse bound for a small Nevada town. While there he finds U. S. Marshal George Higgins (George Hayes) taking down a posted bill advertising for men to fight fire in North Cliff National Forest. Though John is too late to obtain that position, he proves his worth for immediately taking part in helping the marshal capture robbers of the Wells Fargo Express Company. Liking his style in handling himself, Higgins hires John for a better position, that of a special undercover agent. He sends John to Dalton Valley to investigate suspicious rodeo activities where the gang arranges their own participants to win a grand prize while the outside winners mysteriously die from a snake bite. Taking the short cut trail to Dalton, John rescues Marjorie Carter (Polly Ann Young) and Dolores (Anita Campillo) from stagecoach attackers. For his heroism, Judge Carter (Lafe McKee), Marjorie's father, offers him a job as his deputy sheriff, but having other plans, John turns down the offer. As John registers at the Dalton Valley Rodeo contest as "The Man From Utah," Carter begins to have suspicions when noticing Weston's involvement with some men who may be the rodeo crooks out for the $3,000 prize money. Co-starring Edward Piel Sr. (Barton, head of the rodeo committee); Yakima Canutt (Cheyenne Kent); George Cleveland (Sheriff Justice) and Artie Ortego (The Bank Robber).

Fast paced production wastes no time getting to basics, even though there's more rodeo stock footage than mystery plot. Wayne's opening song is obviously dubbed since his singing does not match his verbal exchanges, a similar occurrence used for Wayne's debut Lone Star western of RIDERS OF DESTINY (1933). Fortunately studios soon gave singing cowboy roles to those who could actually sing.

Regardless of low-budget values, not long enough to bore or short enough to disappoint. THE MAN FROM UTAH is quite watchable for any John Wayne fan. Unseen for decades, THE MAN FROM UTAH and other Lone Star Wayne westerns began to surface both on home video and public television by the 1980s. Beware of prints that include intrusive music added, especially those broadcast on Encore Western Cable Channel and/or DVD process. (** saddles)

Tin Pan Alley (1940)

Song Sheets to Success

[9/10 · 11 October 2023]

TIN PAN ALLEY (20th Century-Fox, 1940), directed by Walter Lang, is a highly entertaining musical based on a story by Pamela Harris dealing with song pluggers and a sister act in New York City from 1915 to 1918. Being the first pairing of Alice Faye and John Payne (fourth billed in the cast), it also marked Faye's only role opposite the up and rising Betty Grable, whose first starring role for the studio, DOWN ARGENTINE WAY (1940) proved successful enough to elevate her as star material. Pairing Faye with Grable was enough to elevate both Grable and film to major heights, even though Grable is actually a secondary character. Although initially said to become a reunion of Faye's earlier co-stars of Tyrone Power and Don Ameche from both IN OLD CHICAGO (1937) and ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND (1938), replacing them with John Payne and Jack Oakie simply made TIN PAN ALLEY even better than anticipated.

Opening in New York City in 1915, the story deals with Francis Aloyisus "Skeets" Harrigan (John Payne) and his partner, Harry Calhoun (Jack Oakie) struggling song pluggers getting their tunes published by publishers with offices on the west side of Manhattan, better known as "Tin Pan Alley." Earning extra money fighting in the ring to prevent from getting evicted for non-payment of rent, it's Harry who comes up with a solution by having his old friends, Katie (Alice Faye) and Lily Blane (Betty Grable), a sister act, promote their songs while performing on stage. The plan not only works, but a successful union between Skeets and Katie develops. With success comes some disappointments, the biggest one for Skeets as Katie breaks their union for her disapproval of his method to success. Featuring Allen Jenkins (Casey); Esther Ralston (Nora Bayes); John Loder (Captain Reginald Carstairs); Elisha Cook Jr. (Joe Codd); with specialty acts performed by the Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold); The Brian Sisters and Billy Gilbert amusingly the title character in the "Sheik of Araby" number.

Songs include: "Dixie," later reprised as "Hawaii," "You Say the Sweetest Things, Baby," "You Say the Sweetest Things, Baby" (reprise); "On Moonlight Bay," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Moonlight and Roses," "America, I Love You," "Goodbye Broadway Hello France," "Arabian Dance," "The Sheik of Araby" and "K-K-K Katie."

In a documentary titled "Hidden Treasures: From the Vaults of 20th Century-Fox," once presented on American Movie Classics cable channel around 1997, there was a segment involving a cut number from TIN PAN ALLEY titled "Get Out and Get Under" featuring a segment leading to the song with Payne, Oakie, Faye and William Demarest. A pity that number got deleted from all final prints considering how well staged and highly entertaining it was. Fortunately "America, I Love You," does remain, one of the film's musical highlights. Considering the fact the movie takes place before and during the World War, at least the costume department and hair stylists were accurately correct. Of the old nostalgic tunes, only "You Say the Sweetest Things, Baby" is an original composed for the movie, and a good tune, too.

Regardless of cuts and rewrites, TIN PAN ALLEY is prime 20th Century-Fox musical with great tunes and tightly edited story for its 93 minutes to hold interest. Performances are satisfactory, especially by Jack Oakie, whom Grable says, "Same old Calhoun, anything for a laugh." She's right, and his character does not disappointment in the comedy department.

Formerly shown on American Movie Classics (1994-2001) and Fox Movie Channel, TIN PAN ALLEY is also available on video cassette and DVD format, both featuring an extra bonus cut number of "Get Out and Get Under." (***1/2)

Boom Town (1940)

War of the Wildcats

[9/10 · 3 October 2023]

BOOM TOWN (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940) directed by Jack Conway, teams Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy for the third and final time, following SAN FRANCISCO (1936) and TEST PILOT (1938). While all three dramas were theatrically successful, BOOM TOWN is no exception. Reuniting Gable with Claudette Colbert from their Academy Award Best Picture winner of IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (Columbia, 1934), for which both won Best Actor/Actress awards, history was not repeated for BOOM TOWN, with chemistry not much the same as it was from their earlier comedy. For BOOM TOWN (not to be confused with Tracy's similar title BOYS TOWN (1938) for which he won the Academy Award as Best Actor), the story deals with friendship, fame and fortune between two oil prospectors, better known as "wildcatters," naturally played by Gable and Tracy, with Colbert and Hedy Lamarr around for background purposes.

Opening in Burkburnett, Texas, in 1918, John McMasters (Clark Gable) and John Sand (Spencer Tracy) meet to unfortunate circumstances. Though they start off disliking each another, they soon form a friendship, becoming partners as oil prospectors. Better known individually as "Big John" and "Square John," with Square John away on an oil venture, Elizabeth "Betsy" Bartlett (Claudette Colbert), a high school teacher and Square John's sweetheart from back home, comes to the oil town to surprise him. She meets Big John, with whom they enjoy the evening together at the rodeo, with Betsy keeping her identity secret after learning she's been enjoying herself with Big John. Before the night is over, Betsy, having fallen in love with Big John, marries him. Returning to town, Square John is told of their marriage and accepts the news, though he silently hides his disappointment from them. Through the course of time, their partnership comes to an end, leaving Big John and Betsy to venture out and start all over again. When Square John comes back to their lives in New York City, he notices Big John's association with Karen Vanmeer (Hedy Lamarr) to be more than business.

The supporting players include Frank Morgan (Luther Aldrich), Lionel Atwill (Harry Compton), Chill Wills ("Harmony" Jones), Casey Johnson (Little Jack McMasters); Marion Martin (Whitey) and Minna Gombell (Spanish Eva). Though there are repeated versus to the tune "Polly Wooly Doodle," the film's official song heard in Spanish Eva's saloon happens to be "After You've Gone."

With BOOM TOWN being such a good story, it's even a better with a cast such as this. While the wife could have been played by any one of its studio actresses as Rosalind Russell or Myrna Loy, Claudette Colbert, having ventured from home studio of Paramount, appears to be the stronger candidate. The material provided reminiscences something that could have had other rugged he-men types as John Wayne and Randolph Scott in the Gable and Tracy roles, who incidentally did do similar chores in PITTSBURGH (Universal, 1942) starring Marlene Dietrich. With two rugged he-men sharing the same rise to riches story naturally there would be fist fights between them. The one staged by Gable and Tracy includes a nice cutaway towards the observant motionless Hedy Lamarr, not caring what happens to them. Frank Morgan is amusing playing the oil supply storekeeper, while Lionel Atwill, better known for horror movies for Universal, coming late in the story, in his minor role as president of an oil company.

With a story that goes on for nearly two hours, the four major stars sharing the same movie simply make it worth the time and effort. Available on home video and later DVD, cable television broadcasts for BOOM TOWN can be seen occasionally on Turner Classic Movies (***1/2 oil gushers).

Randy Rides Alone (1934)

Sally and the Stranger

[6/10 · 26 September 2023]

RANDY RIDES ALONE (Monogram Pictures, 1934), directed by Harry Fraser, stars John Wayne in his seventh "Lone Star" western presentation. With story/screenplay by Lindsley Parsons, production values still on a low-budget scale, but plot summary is tightly edited with everything told under an hour. Overall, it's still an interesting little item with a mixture of western and mystery.

The story introduces Randy Barlow (John Wayne), a lone cowboy riding through town to meet with Ed Rogers. Coming to the saloon called the Half-Way House which Rogers owns, Randy enters to the sound of piano playing music only to be surrounded by a massacre of dead bodies, one of them being Rogers. Unknown to him is a picture on the wall with moving eyes watching his every move. Moments later, the sheriff (Earl Dwire) and his deputies enter with Matt the Mute (George Hayes), who had earlier notified the sheriff of the gunshots. He insists the cowboy be arrested as a possible suspect connected with a gang of killers. While in jail, Randy is met with Sally Rogers (Alberta Vaughn), the niece of the deceased, whom she believes is not the guilty man. Sally arranges for Randy's escape and for him to meet with her at sunup. Sally is informed through a letter of introduction by the Adams Express Company in Denver, Colorado, that Randy is a government agent sent by Ed to investigate Marvin Black, a man pressuring him to sell him the saloon. After Randy is pursued on horseback by a posse, his escape leads him to the cave hideout of Marvin Black where he finds sally being held hostage. Supporting players include Yakima Canutt (Spike); Tex Phelps and Perry Murdock.

What makes RANDY RIDES ALONE watchable is the prescense of the unrecognizable George "Gabby" Hayes years before his bearded sidekick roles in a straight role playing a mute speaking through his written messages. Though never addressed verbally as Randy, Wayne's character is only known through camera closeup to his letter of introduction, otherwise to others he's simply a nameless cowboy who rides alone. Alberta Vaughn, the heroine in the story who hides in secret panels, whose distrust is on everybody except for a the cowboy stranger in town. Some good stunts with interesting finish make this worthwhile viewing.

A long unseen western turned up regularly on public television starting in the early 1980s, leading for its rediscovery on video cassette and later the DVD process. Cable television broadcasts include American Movie Classics (1996-2000), Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: May 1996) and Encore Westerns. Although clocked at 53 minutes, some sources time RANDY RIDES ALONE at 57 minutes, though jump cuts don't seem visible in existing prints. Beware of RANDY RIDES ALONE often shown with inferior intrusive underscoring added during its long muted sequences. (**)