Reviews
Sing While You Dance (1946)
Greatv rare "B" musical...except NO KIRBY GRANT
This is a great Columbia piece from the era. Ellen Drew is as pretty as ever and delivers a good performance along with co star Robert Stanton, now here is a problem, let me explain. Kirby Grant was given the name Robert Stanton early in his career and so was Bob Haymes, brother of Dick. This is not Kirby Grant in this film as is listed in the credits. This is Bob Haymes. By this time Grant has taken his own name for his roles where Haymes was still using the AKA.Furthermore Grant was not employed by Columbia he was at Universal. A very confusing situation indeed. Just check the film and compare it to other Grant films and Haymes films and you will see that it is definitely Bob Haymes. However, aside from this mistake, this is a must see for all Drew fans and Musical fans of the genre. A very hard to find film which has never aired on current or past TV in the last 20 years to my knowledge anyway. I have a copy from 16mm on DVD and enjoyed it.
The Public Defender (1931)
Great "b" mystery with a great plot and cast!!
This is a great early pic from RKO and one of the best! Picture the team of Richard Dix, Paul Hurst, and Boris Karloff as good guys?! They are out to clear the father of Dix's childhood sweetheart who they feel was wrongly accused of some crimes! Dix is great as the crusading hero who goes out of his way to offer his aide to the lovely Shirley Grey. There is plenty of action and mystery as the police try to catch the mysterious figure known as "The Reckoner"!. A mysterious figure who is committing some robberies and is stealing some strange items. This is sort of an early Green Hornet and Shadow type character. You will enjoy the fine performance by Dix. He has some great scenes and some great facial expressions! It was a pleasure to see the trio working together in this film and the ventures they get into! I would recommend this film to all "B" movie and mystery film buffs!! The direction is excellent and we see a great supporting cast with some fine performances also! Get a copy and sit and relax and enjoy this fine early classic!
Two Yanks in Trinidad (1942)
Great "B" spy roundup!!
Although this movie is rated as a comedy, it certainly is full of some good action. Donlevy and O'Brien are partners and they get into a scuffle. This is caused by O'Brien all the time pulling some seedy tricks on Donlevy, Well Donlevy learns of a clever one that was pulled on him and the night that he throws O'Brien a birthday bash they get into a hassle. O'Brien grabs a gun and starts shooting at nothing(I forgot to mention they are a hoodlum sort of characters!!). O'Brien takes off in a new car he was given by Donlevy(wait 'til you see how he gets it out of the party!)He then goes on the lam and winds up enlisting in the US Army. Donlevy learns of this and also decides to join. Well to sum it up quickly without giving the movie away, they meet up and then the spies come into the picture. Both boys wind up being heroes and get their due rewards in the guardhouse?! I recommend this as a great "B" and you will enjoy it. Some good action scenes and it does have a comic overtone. Donlevy fans (as I am) and O'Brien fans (as I am) will love it!!!
Women Without Names (1940)
A great lost Paramount that is hard to find!!!
This is an early Paramount that we all enjoy watching. Paige is great as the young man sent to prison waiting to die. Joe Saywer(in an early uncredited role) as the corrupt prison guard is in great form. You really don't like this guy by what he does! John Miljan as the very sly assistant DA. He is there to believe no one but himself and strong hard facts! You'll love him in this role! Of course the lovely Ellen Drew as the young newlywed who will do anything to clear her husband, including jailbreaking and to die for him if she has to!She steals the show in this role! I reccommend this to all B-movie lovers and film buffs of the golden era. Paige and DRew in top form in an exciting picture from beginnig to end!!
Crime, Inc. (1945)
Great little crime pic from long gone company! A must see film!!
I recently got this film from a good source and was worth the money. It was great to see Sheldon Leonard as the mouthy cop. Tom Neal one of my favorites as the go get 'em reporter. Leo Carillo is debonair as boss man "Tony" and of course Atwill as the man who "calls for the kill" This is worth a sit down to look at. It even has agreat uncredited bunch of actors among them Syd Saylor (remember him?), Earl Hodgins and I. Stanford Jolley. Those guys were in everything! I'm sure if you check it out you will love what you see!!! A B-Movie must see!!