Maurice Tombragel Movies

Screenwriter Maurice Tombragel entered films with the 1940 production Zanzibar. During the 1940s, Tombragel kept busy in the Hollywood B-mills, churning out scripts for Boston Blackie Crime Doctor and other film series. After several years' inactivity, he was hired by Walt Disney in 1962. For the next six years, Maurice Tombragel collaborated on the scripts of several Disney TV offerings, as well as the theatrical features Moon Pilot (1962) and Monkeys Go Home (1965). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
1966  
 
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A man begins monkeying around with his new farm with hilarious results in this comedy for the whole family. American Hank Dussard (Dean Jones) inherits an olive plantation in a small French village after his uncle passes away. Hank soon gets a crash course in the expense of hiring pickers for the olive harvest from Father Sylvain (Maurice Chevalier), the local priest. Hoping to cut expenses, Hank buys four monkeys, and teaches them how to pick olives. While the plan looks good on paper, it doesn't go over well with the town's farm laborers -- who threaten a strike if Hank doesn't get rid of his new help. Hank also has troubles with his new work force when he discovers that his monkeys are all female, and the arrival of a male chimpanzee takes their minds off the olives. Monkeys, Go Home! features Maurice Chevalier in his final screen role; the supporting cast also includes Yvette Mimieux and Jules Munshin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Maurice ChevalierDean Jones, (more)
1963  
 
This biopic from Walt Disney studios chronicles the life and times of Johann Strauss, Jr. as he tries to prove himself as talented as his overbearing father. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

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1962  
 
Moon Pilot is an engaging Disney sci-fi comedy that manages to shoot off a few neat and surprisingly satirical barbs at the hypertense US/Russia "space race" of the era. Tom Tryon plays an astronaut who is ordered to keep his upcoming moon flight a secret, even from his family. While on a plane, Tryon is approached by lovely Dany Saval, who seems to know all about the astronaut's hush-hush mission, and who warns him about possible defects in his spacecraft. Despite the diligence of his FBI guards, Tryon is confronted time and again by Saval, who eventually reveals herself to be a visitor from the planet Beta Lyrae. A friendly alien, Saval merely wants to offer Tryon a special coating formula that will safeguard his rocket. Enchanted by the girl, Tryon plays hookey on his guards to spend more time with her, leaving the FBI, NASA, the CIA and the local constabulary to chase their own tails. When his rocket is launched, Tryon discovers that Saval has stowed away. The two sing a romantic song about Beta Lyrae while mission control (personified by Brian Keith at his most bombastic) expresses confusion over the bizarre transmissions emanating from Tryon's capsule. The release of Moon Pilot was heralded by a "preview" on Disney's Wonderful World of Color TV series, titled "Spy in the Sky." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Brian KeithEdmond O'Brien, (more)
1961  
 
In the final episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon), in his capacity as sheriff of Tombstone, AZ, has captured vicious robber and murderer Jimmy Deuce. As a result, every other outlaw in Tombstone has fled for the hills -- thereby utterly ruining the town's economy and causing the populace to turn against Sheriff Slaughter. Urged to give up his badge by his wife Viola (Betty Lynn), John refuses, insisting that his job is far from finished. Meanwhile, professional gunfighter Frank Clell (Ralph Meeker) rides into town, insisting that he's mended his murderous ways -- but has he? Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Frank Clell's in Town" and the previous episode, "A Trip to Tucson," were in 1966 excerpted for use in the expanded theatrical-feature version of the earlier Tales of Texas John Slaughter entry "A Holster Full of Law." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1961  
 
In the 16th episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon) has been hired as the new sheriff of Tombstone, AZ. In his efforts to uphold the letter of the law, John has been forced to shoot and kill many a miscreant, and as a result, the townspeople are beginning to turn against him. But Sheriff Slaughter refuses to change his methods and is even more determined to prove that his way is the right way when he rides to Tucson to capture notorious stagecoach robber and murderer Jimmy Deuce (Joe Maross). Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Trip to Tucson" and the subsequent episode "Frank Clell's in Town" were in 1966 excerpted for use in the expanded theatrical-feature version of the earlier Tales of Texas John Slaughter entry "A Holster Full of Law." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1960  
 
In the eleventh episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John's children, Willie (Brian Corcoran) and Addy (Patricia Gorman), have at last become accustomed to their new home in Tombstone, AZ. The kids are also anxious for the widowed John (Tom Tryon) to propose to neighboring rancher Viola Howell (Betty Lynn). Finally working up the courage to pop the question, John is unfortunately sidetracked when he is called upon to testify at the trial of outlaw Loco Crispin (Gene Evans) in which John was instrumental in bringing to justice. Meanwhile, Viola's mother (Nora Marlowe) is worried that her prospective son-in-law is still a man of violence. Modern-day viewers will likely be fascinated by the warm friendships forged between John Slaughter and two ethnic characters, Apache brave Natchez (Jay Silverheels) and African-American ranch-hand Batt (James Edwards). "Apache Friendship" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1960  
 
In the tenth episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon) has settled into his new cattle ranch in Tombstone with the Howell family -- father David (Regis Toomey), mother Rachel (Nora Marlowe), and high-spirited daughter Viola (Betty Lynn) -- as his friends and neighbors. Receiving word that his children Willie (Brian Corcoran) and Addy (Patricia Gorman) will soon be joining him, John is delighted. But delight turns to disappointement when the kids, who haven't seen John in years, regard him as a stranger and their new home as hostile territory. Making matters worse, outlaw Loco Crispin (Gene Evans) is cutting a swath of terror throughout Arizona. "Desperado From Tombstone" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1959  
 
In the sixth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, the titular hero (Robert Loggia, a gunslinger-turned-lawyer) defends British-born rancher Cecil Cunningham (Patrick Knowles), who has been accused of murdering land baron Drew Griswold. According to witnesses, Griswold had been fooling around with Cyril's wife (Audrey Dalton), thereby firmly establishing a motive. In court, Baca finds that he must go face to face with his former law partner J. Henry Newman (James Dunn), the newly appointed District Attorney. Outside the courtroom, the dead man's relatives begin forming a lynch mob. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "The Griswold Murder" and the fifth Elfego Baca episode "Attorney at Law" were edited together in 1962 and released as a theatrical feature, Six-Gun Law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1959  
 
In the fifth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) tackles his first big court case. Elfego must defend his old pal, reformed outlaw Fernando Bernal (Edward Colmans), who has been accused of robbing the Santa Fe bank. Former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello appears as Fernando's teenaged daughter. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Attorney at Law" and the sixth Elfego Baca episode "The Griswold Murder" were edited together in 1962 and released as a theatrical feature, Six-Gun Law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1959  
 
In the eighth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) has secured the legal rights of the Mustangers, a religious sect that has set up a homestead in the middle of cattle country. But though the Mustangers own their property fair and square, the local cattleman still regard the group with suspicion and contempt, putting pressure on local merchants not to sell to any of the sect's members. When Mustanger leader Shadrack O'Reilly (Brian Keith) is refused service at a feed store, he sparks off a huge brawl and ends up in jail -- which, of course, brings Elfego Baca back into the story. Featuring a young James Coburn in a supporting role, "Mustang Man, Mustang Maid" was originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1959  
 
In the seventh episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries, Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) comes to the defense of the Mustangers, a nomad-like religious sect. Determined to establish a permanent homestead on a land recently opened up by the government, the Mustanger face fierce opposition from the local cattlemen who worry that they will lose their own grazing land. Ever the champion of the underdog, Elfego Baca hopes to prevent the Mustangers from being driven out by violence -- a task made difficult by the sect's hotheaded leader, Shadrack O'Reilly (Brian Keith). A young James Coburn appears in a supporting role. "Move Along, Mustangers" was originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1959  
 
In the fourth episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries The Tales of Texas John Slaughter, Slaughter (Tom Tryon) has captured outlaw leader Mrs. Barko (Beverly Garland) who, though she faces the gallows, refuses to explain why she was trying to join forces with another notorious bandit, Dan Trask (Dan Duryea). With the nervous approval of his Texas Rangers superior officer Captain Cooper (Judson Platt), Slaughter formulates a plan whereby he and his fiancée Adeline Harris (Norma Moore) will impersonate Mrs. and Mr. Barko and infiltrate the Trask gang. Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Showdown at Sandoval" and the previous episode "Killers From Kansas" were edited together in 1961 and released overseas as the "feature film" Gunfight at Sandoval. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1958  
 
In this adventurous yarn, a group of former Army buddies have a reunion in New Orleans and decide to go looking for buried treasure. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

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1958  
 
In the fourth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) has been made a partner in the Sante Fe law firm run by J. Henry Newman (James Dunn). In this capacity, Elfego again comes to the aid of rancher Don Estaban Miranda (Gilbert Roland), whose land is coveted by a railroad company. When Don Estaban's land deed "mysteriously" disappears and his ranch is besieged by hired thugs, Elfego wonders if he will have to forsake his new peaceful ways and resort to gunplay. "Law and Order Inc." originally aired on the Walt Disney Presents anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1958  
 
In the third episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, former gunslinger Baca (Robert Loggia) is now studying law under Santa Fe attorney J. Henry Newman (James Dunn). During this period, Elfego butts up against a crooked judge named Hargreaves (Carl Benton Reid), who throws our hero in jail on a trumped up charge. Discovering that Hargreaves intends to cheat local rancher Don Esteban Miranda (Gilbert Roland) out of his land, Elfego plans a daring escape. "Lawman or Gunman" originally aired on the Walt Disney Presents anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1958  
 
There's a measure of sympathy for the Apaches at the beginning of Fort Bowie. Under the tyrannical rule of ambitious Major Wharton (P. Ian Douglas), a cavalry detachment slaughters a band of Apache who've arrived with the intention of surrendering. A counterattack is inevitable, but before this happens the story is sidetracked by the jealous behavior of Colonel Garrett (Kent Taylor). When stalwart young Captain Thompson (Ben Johnson) resists the romantic overtures of Garrett's wife Allison (Jan Harrison), she screams "Rape!" and Thompson finds himself facing court-martial and execution. This plot strand and several others are resolved after the Cavalry is forced to attack its own fort following an Apache takeover. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Ben JohnsonJan Harrison, (more)
1957  
 
It's called The Dalton Girls because there aren't any Dalton Boys left. After all the members of the notorious Dalton outlaw gang have been killed or arrested, their sisters decide to pick up where the boys left off. Led by Holly Dalton (Merry Anders), who since killing a man in self-defense has been outside the law, the girls terrorize Colorado territory with their criminal raids. The other members of the gang are Rose, Columbine and Marigold Dalton, played by B-picture perennials Lisa Davis, Penny Edwards, Sue George. In true Hollywood Chauvinist fashion, the Dalton girls are trailed by a bunch of matrimony-minded men; refreshingly, however, the ladies remain true to their heritage to the last. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Merry AndersLisa Davis, (more)
1952  
 
Cowboy star Whip Wilson keeps whipping along in Monogram's Night Raiders. This time, Wilson and saddle pal Tom Farrell are federal marshals, assigned to stop the activities of a nocturnal terrorist group. These so-called Night Raiders lay waste to local ranches, but curiously never steal anything. The trail of clues leads to a motivation (fixing an upcoming election) and, inevitably, a Least Likely Suspect who turns out to be the brains of the organization. Fuzzy Knight supplies laughs, while Terry Frost and Marshall Reed provide menace. Whip Wilson's Night Raiders co-star Tom Farrell was the son of actress Glenda Farrell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Whip WilsonTommy Farrell, (more)
1952  
 
Monogram's Whip Wilson western series was in its final year of existence when Lawless Cowboys hit the screen. Set in the contemporary West, the film casts Wilson as a Texas Ranger on the trail of a crooked gambling ring. The bad guys are doing their best to fix the results of local rodeo events. With the help of crusading newspaperman Jim Bannon, Wilson corners the crooks and lets them taste the lash of his bullwhip. Fuzzy Knight handles the comedy-relief chores as a disheveled newspaper publisher. Though the Whip Wilson vehicles were seldom any better than adequate, Lawless Cowboys is actually pretty good. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Whip WilsonJim Bannon, (more)
1952  
 
In this western, two Federal Marshals attempt to round up ruthless counterfeiters by having hero Lash LaRue dress up as the mysterious "Frontier Phantom." Unfortunately, the Phantom and his friend end up captured by the town sheriff. They have the darnedest time convincing the fellow lawman that they are really on his side. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

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1951  
 
From the opening credits onward, bombastic comedian Jerry Colonna dominates the proceedings in Kentucky Jubilee. Colonna plays second-rate entertainer Jerry Harris, who links up with aspiring singer Sally Shannon (Jean Porter) and hotshot reporter Jeff Benson (James Ellison). The trio heads to the small town of Hickory, Kentucky to participate in an annual fundraising musical show. Things get hectic when a gang of crooks steal the receipts and kidnap Colonna (worse luck for the crooks!) The scene-stealing supporting cast includes Fritz Feld, Raymond Hatton, Vince Barnett, Chester Clute, Si Jenks, George Cheseboro and George Sanders (no, not that George Sanders). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Jerry ColonnaJean Porter, (more)
1950  
 
Colorado Ranger was the third in Lippert Studio's six-film "Four Star Western" series. All six entries were filmed simultaneously within the same month, and all starred Russell "Lucky" Hayden, James "Shamock" Ellison, Raymond Hatton, Fuzzy Knight, and Betty (later Julie) Adams. In this installment, "Shamrock" takes on the outlaw gang that kidnapped his father. "Lucky" tags along to give his pal a hand. The dialogue sounds as if it was being made up as the film went along, which may very well have been the case. Colorado Ranger was released to television as The Last Bullet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
James EllisonRussell Hayden, (more)
1950  
 
Fast on the Draw was one of six Lippert Studios "Four Star" westerns, all of which were filmed simultaneously in the space of a single month. Jimmy Ellison plays Shamrock, a Colorado Ranger who suffers from a fear of firearms. Despite this handicap, Shamrock is assigned to pose as a gunman, the better to get the goods on a crooked land baron. As in the early "Four Star" outings, Ellison's co-stars are Russ Hayden, Raymond Hatton, Fuzzy Knight and Betty (later Julie) Adams. Cast as the outlaw leader is Tom Tyler, whose performance is hampered somewhat by encroaching arthritis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
James EllisonRussell Hayden, (more)

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