John Mason (John Wayne) has saddled up his horse and ridden to an abandoned mining town, after receiving an anonymous letter requesting his presence. John was left a half-share in the mine by his father. Also returning to the town are Janet Carter (Sheila Terry), whose father would have left her a share in the mine if he hadn’t lost it himself, and Joe Ryan … Continue reading Haunted Gold (1932)
Tommy Taylor (Jeffrey Lynn) wants to be a songwriter. Until he finds his lyrical success, he’s making his living through associations with seedy characters like Chips Maguire (Humphrey Bogart), a gamblin’ gangster. Tommy actually thinks Chips may be able to help him reach his musical goals, but no such luck. Chips uses a gun registered to Tommy to kill a man, and Tommy’s set up … Continue reading It All Came True (1940)
Eddie Novoc (Dane Clark) is acting as the getaway driver for a killer when he accidentally hits Marie Willens (Geraldine Brooks) while fleeing the scene of the killer’s latest crime, which took the life of a gambler. Eddie, plagued with guilt, begins visiting Marie in the hospital. He poses as a concerned friend of her brother after being asked by a nurse whether he is … Continue reading Embraceable You (1948)
James Allen (Paul Muni) has just returned home from fighting in the first World War. Not wanting to settle into a dull, monotonous life, he decides to travel, working odd jobs in construction. He has no desire to work in a factory like he did before the war, and he hopes that his experience as a military engineer will bring him riches in the construction … Continue reading I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (1932)
Dan Quigley (James Cagney) is a movie usher who loses his job because he isn’t measuring up to the standards of the boss. He’s late for the line-up at the beginning of his shift, and he’s been caught using the restroom on the mezzanine floor. (Oh, the horror!) He also gets a lot of customer complaints about his attitude. With no legitimate new job prospects, … Continue reading Lady Killer (1933)
Marsha Mitchell (Ginger Rogers) is on her way to a modeling job in New York when she decides to make a short stop in the town of Rock Point where her sister Lucy (Doris Day) lives. The sisters have not seen each other in two years. Marsha is excited to spend time with Lucy and meet her husband Hank (Steve Cochran) for the first time. … Continue reading Storm Warning (1951)
The favorite film: The Big Sleep, a 1946 noir mystery marking the second on-screen pairing of The Most Beautiful Couple Ever*, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Howard Hawks directs, and the film is based on a novel of the same name by Raymond Chandler. *I have awarded them this title (for obvious reasons), just as I’ve awarded Cary Grant the title of The Most Beautiful … Continue reading Favorite things about… The Big Sleep
The depression has hit, and Broadway producers Jones and Barry are putting on a musical. Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels), who is dating the show’s financial backer Abner Dillon (Guy Kibbee), is set to star. A hit director, Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter), is hired. With all signs pointing toward success, and the crew begins holding rehearsals to choose the rest of the cast. But of course, … Continue reading 42nd Street (1933)
