Jill Jarmyn Movies
- 1964
In the first chapter of a two-part story arc, Mrs. Drysdale checks herself into a hospital, suffering from a bad case of nerves -- induced, of course, by those "dreadful hillbillies," the Clampetts. Unaware of the reason for Mrs. D's breakdown, the Clampetts pay a visit to her hospital room on New Year's Eve. That's when Granny decides that the jittery patient would be given better "doctorin'" treatment within the walls of the Clampett mansion. "Start the New Year Right" first aired on December 30, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) is a rebellious slave purchased by Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov), owner of a school for gladiators. For the entertainment of corrupt Roman senator Marcus Licinius Crassus (Laurence Olivier), Batiatus' gladiators are to stage a fight to the death. On the night before the event, the enslaved trainees are "rewarded" with female companionship. Spartacus' companion for the evening is Varinia (Jean Simmons), a slave from Brittania. When Spartacus later learns that Varinia has been sold to Crassus, he leads 78 fellow gladiators in revolt. Word of the rebellion spreads like wildfire, and soon Spartacus' army numbers in the hundreds. Escaping to join his cause is Varinia, who has fallen in love with Spartacus, and another of Crassus' house slaves, the sensitive Antoninus (Tony Curtis). The revolt becomes the principal cog in the wheel of a political struggle between Crassus and a more temperate senator named Gracchus (Charles Laughton). Anthony Mann was the original director of Spartacus, eventually replaced by Stanley Kubrick, who'd previously guided Douglas through Paths of Glory. The film received 4 Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Ustinov. A crucial scene between Olivier and Curtis, removed from the 1967 reissue because of its subtle homosexual implications, was restored in 1991, with a newly recorded soundtrack featuring Curtis as his younger self and Anthony Hopkins standing in for the deceased Olivier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, (more)
- 1958
Produced at Republic Studios during that western-film factory's twilight years, Man or Gun stars MacDonald Carey as a drifter named Maybe Smith. Before he gets a chance to say "Like sands through the hourglass...", Smith gets mixed up in the lives of several timorous townsfolk, who suffer the despotic excesses of a powerful ranching family. James Craig plays Pinch Corley, the meanest member of the clan (Admit it now: you've never seen any other movie with characters named Maybe and Pinch) The title derives from Maybe's quandary over whether to take on the Corleys with his fists or with his gun. Man or Gun takes its sweet time (79 minutes' worth) allowing Maybe Smith to work out his problem. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Tarzan's Fight for Life was the last "Tarzan" entry to be produced by Sol Lesser, whose association with the series dated back to 1933; thereafter, Sy Weintraub was in charge of the franchise. Gordon Scott makes his third appearance as the Lord of the Jungle, while Eve Brent costars as Jane (a character absent from the the two previous Tarzan flicks). This time, Tarz
comes to the aid of medical missionary Dr. Sturdy (Carl Benton Reid), whose efforts to minister to the natives are being undercut by witch doctor Futa (James Edwards). Relying on superstition and fear, Futa hopes to foment a native riot, despite the more temperate atttitudes of tribal chieftan Ramo (Woody Strode). The climax relies as much on suspense as action, with Gordon Scott doing a little more genuine acting than usual. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Scott, Eve Brent, (more)
- 1957
War Drums manages to be pro-Indian, pro-Mexican, pro-tolerance and pro-feminist without ever resorting to speechmaking or sacrificing its entertainment value. Former Tarzan Lex Barker stars as an Apache chief who is almost ostracized by his tribe when he marries Mexican girl Joan Taylor. Eventually, Barker is welcomed back, but Joan refuses to behave like a typical dutiful squaw. In deference to his wife's wishes, Barker trains Joan to become an Apache warrior! It is curious that the Political Correctness crowd has never paid homage to War Drums; perhaps it's because of the film's surfeit of decidedly non-PC violence and bloodshed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lex Barker, Joan Taylor, (more)
- 1956
Intent upon preventing Ricky (Desi Arnaz) and Fred (William Frawley) from judging a bathing beauty contest in Miami Beach, Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) arrange for the foursome to "accidentally" run out of gas while taking a boat cruise. Unfortunately, the backup gas tank planted by Lucy is mislaid, and the two couples (as well as Little Ricky [Richard Keith]) end up on a seemingly deserted island. By a stunning coincidence, this island is also being used by a movie company to film a documentary featuring actor Claude Akins, and two gorgeous swimsuit-clad starlets, Joi Lansing and Jill Jarmyn. Taking Akins into their confidence, Ricky and Fred decide to teach Lucy and Ethel a lesson for marooning them -- and without giving any more of the plot away, it should be noted that Akins is made up as a fierce Native American warrior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claude Akins, Joi Lansing, (more)
- 1956
Swindled out of $40,000, a Los Angeles man is the latest victim of a phony real-estate investment racket operated by a woman and her two brothers. Going undercover, Friday (Jack Webb) poses as a businessman in order to lure the criminals into trapping themselves. Frequent Dragnet guest star Maxine Cooper contributes another vivid performance in this classic black and white episode, which was adapted from a radio drama first broadcast on August 23, 1955 (For the record, the radio original was titled "The Big Blonde"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Swamp Diamonds is the family-trade title for the sweaty Roger Corman crime melodrama Swamp Women. Policewoman Carole Mathews dons her torpedo bra and tight jeans to infiltrate a dangerous all-female criminal gang, currently serving time in a Louisiana Prison. The ladies escape and head to the swamp, where they've hidden a fortune in diamonds. Along the way, they kidnap geologist Touch Connors (later known as Mike Connors). For a while, it looks as though the girls will get away with their perfidy and Connors will end up as alligator bait, but Mathews saves the day. The supporting cast of Swamp Diamonds is a roll-call of 1950s "tough broads": Marie Windsor, Beverly Garland, Susan Cummings, Jil Jarmyn. Watch for Jonathan Haze, future star of Little Shop of Horrors, and Ed Nelson, future talk-show host and politician, in minor roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Windsor, Carole Mathews, (more)
In this musical comedy, a young woman endures the drudgery of working as a charwoman in her aunt's hotel. She is not paid much for her hard work. To make her drab existence a little more exciting, she enrolls in a correspondence charm course, which unbeknownst to her is a scam. Soon the swindlers show up and plan to use her to help them con her aunt and a bank president out of their money. When one of the con men sees the good hearted girl working with the orphans on her family farm, he has a sudden change of heart. Her life takes a sudden turn for the better when oil is discovered under her farm. Suddenly the drab little drudgess finds herself living like a duchess. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judy Canova, Robert Lowery, (more)
- 1955
Twinkle in God's Eye, Mickey Rooney's second personal production for Republic Pictures, is at the very least an improvement upon the first (The Atomic Kid). More subdued than usual, Rooney stars as Rev. Macklin, a greenhorn clergyman who tries to spread the Good Word to a rowdy western town. Intending to rebuild a church recently destroyed by Indians, Macklin faces tough opposition from the local gambling hall owner (Hugh O'Brian), not to mention a trigger-happy outlaw (Don Barry). Using faith rather than fisticuffs, the reverend manages to win over his opposition, beginning with golden-hearted dance hall gal Laura (Colleen Gray). Though certain latter-day wiseguys have drubbed Mickey Rooney for this very mild western drama, Twinkle in God's Eye is more entertaining than its reputation would indicate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mickey Rooney, Coleen Gray, (more)
- 1955
Carolyn Grant (Marie Windsor), a Monterey gallery owner, is playing the field and seems to have one too many men on her string, including her wealthy estranged husband, the local art critic, and even the fiancé of her shop assistant. So when Carolyn is murdered during an apparent break-in at her gallery, there are plenty of male suspects -- with the husband and father-in-law in the lead. Windsor's sultry temptress is the brightest spot in an otherwise so-so mystery, although her wickedness isn't quite at the level she achieved a year later as Sherry Peatty in The Killing. ~ Michael P. Rogers, All Movie Guide
