William J. Cartledge Movies
- 1950
Though he had previously appeared in David Bradley's film adaptation of Julius Caesar, Dark City marked Charlton Heston's first role in a major Hollywood production. Danny (Heston) and his pals Augie (Jack Webb), Soldier (Henry Morgan), and Barney (Ed Begley Sr.) set up a poker game to take Arthur Winant (Don DeFore) for all his money, but after the fact they discover that the money he lost wasn't really his and, in desperation, Arthur killed himself. Arthur's brother Sidney (Mike Mazurki), a large man not known for his emotional stability, becomes enraged when he learns the facts about Arthur's death, and he vows to kill the men responsible. When his friends start dropping like flies, Danny hides out with his girlfriend, nightclub singer Fran Garland (Lizabeth Scott), and pays a visit to Arthur's widow Victoria (Viveca Lindfors) in hopes of finding out who the killer might be. Jack Webb and Henry Morgan later reformed after their first appearance together as criminals when they co-starred in the TV show Dragnet. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Lizabeth Scott, (more)
The racehorse Seabiscuit really existed, but this is not his true story -- this is a romance and centers on lovely Margaret O'Hara (Shirley Temple), an Irish lass who comes to cheer on her uncle Shawn O'Hara's (Barry Fitzgerald) horse during the big races and ends up falling in love with handsome jockey Ted Knowles (Lon McCallister). He asks for her hand, but she will only marry him if he gives up racing because she is still mourning the death of her brother, who was also a jockey. Ted is torn because he loves her, but he also wants to ride her uncle's horse Seabiscuit to victory. Her uncle convinces him to ride and then engineers matters so that his niece will still marry Ted. The film includes footage of the real Seabiscuit winning two different races during the 1940s. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley Temple, Barry Fitzgerald, (more)
- 1949
A sequel to 1947's Dear Ruth, this movie has William Holden and Joan Caulfield portraying a young married couple with some definite in-law problems. When Caulfield's younger sister gets Holden to run for the State senate, a whole new kettle of worms is opened--his opponent is his Father-in-law. In spite of former suitors trying to break up their relationship and the obvious stress caused by the campaign, everything works out Hollywood-style. This was followed by a sequel for the younger sister, entitled Dear Brat. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Holden, Joan Caulfield, (more)
