Gloria Castillo Movies
- 1954
One of the most famous of the pre-East of Eden TV appearances by the immortal James Dean, this 30-minute adaptation of Sherwood Anderson's short story "I'm a Fool" originally aired live as the November 14, 1954 episode of the CBS anthology General Electric Theater. Narrated by Eddie Albert, this is an extended flashback, wherein a young country boy (Dean), working in a menial job in a middle-sized midwestern town, falls in love with that town's prettiest gal, Lucy (Natalie Wood). Aware that Lucy is already being courted by the wealthier youths in the vicinity, the boy tries to impress the girl by pretending to be something he's not. Only when it is too late does he realize that he would have been far, far better off simply being "himself" (it gives away nothing to reveal that Eddie Albert and James Dean essentially play the same character). Worth noting is the play's impressionistic staging, using fragmentary sets and minimal props, and the remarkable chemistry between James Dean and Natalie Wood, even before they were paired in Rebel without a Cause. On November 18, 1956, nearly a year after Dean's untimely death, a kinescope of "I'm a Fool" was rebroadcast on General Electric Theatre by popular request (at least according to host Ronald Reagan); it is this rerun version that is currently available on home video. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Adapted by James Agee from a novel by Davis Grubb, The Night of the Hunter represented legendary actor Charles Laughton's only film directing effort. Combining stark realism with Germanic expressionism, the movie is a brilliant good-and-evil parable, with "good" represented by a couple of farm kids and a pious old lady, and "evil" literally in the hands of a posturing psychopath. Imprisoned with thief Ben Harper (Peter Graves), phony preacher Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) learns that Ben has hidden a huge sum of money somewhere near his home. Upon his release, the murderously misogynistic Powell insinuates himself into Ben's home, eventually marrying his widow Willa (Shelley Winters). Eventually all that stands between Powell and the money are Ben's son (Billy Chapin) and daughter (Sally Jane Bruce), who take refuge in a home for abandoned children presided over by the indomitable, scripture-quoting Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish). The war of wills between Mitchum and Gish is the heart of the film's final third, a masterful blend of horror and lyricism. Laughton's tight, disciplined direction is superb -- and all the more impressive when one realizes that he intensely disliked all child actors. The music by Walter Schumann and the cinematography of Stanley Cortez are every bit as brilliant as the contributions by Laughton and Agee. Overlooked on its first release, The Night of the Hunter is now regarded as a classic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, (more)
- 1955
The oft-filmed Zane Grey yarn The Vanishing American is given respectful treatment in this Republic "A" production. Eliminating Grey's premise that the American Indian's downfall was all part of Nature's scheme of things, the film begins in the late 19th century, with Scott Brady starring as Navajo protagonist Blandy. Embittered not only by deceitful whites but also by renegade Apaches, Blandy hopes to prevent further decimation of his people by stemming the activities of crooked Indian agent Blucher (Gene Lockhart) and duplicitious trader Morgan (Forrest Tucker). Blandy's allies include white landowner Marian Warner (Audrey Totter), whose open rangeland is dearly coveted by the nefarious Blucher and Morgan. Among the genuine Native Americans making cameo appearances are Jay "Tonto" Silverheels and Charles Stevens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Brady, Audrey Totter, (more)
- 1956
Doc Adams (Milburn Stone) reacts with uncharacteristic violence when snake-oil peddler Lute Bone (John Abbott) shows up in town. Though everyone (including Chester [Dennis Weaver) falls for Professor Bone's line of patter, Doc is convinced that the man is not only a fraud but a potential murderer, distributing "medicine" that is virtually 100 per cent opium. As it turns out, Bone is not really dishonest, just pathetically misguided--but in any event, Matt has no legal grounds to stop the Professor until tragedy strikes. Based on the Gunsmoke radio broadcast of November 14, 1953, this episode features a rare TV-western appearance by legendary African American entertainer/songwriter Jester Hairston. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A meteor crashes somewhere in the West, killing a miner named Cannon (Jim McCullough). The miner's son Charles (Stephen Parker) survives the ordeal, but grows into a hairy, bestial moron, given to killing sheep, cattle and stray humans. Charles is protected by his long-suffering mother Ruth (Anne Gwynne), who does her best to clean up her son's messes. When mercenary waitress Kathy (Gloria Castillo) learns of Charles' existence, she blackmails Ruth to secure her silence. Kathy also goads Charles into killing a few of her own enemies, leading him on by pretending to be in love with him (a BIG mistake!) Originally (and subsequently) titled Meteor Monster, this tacky little sci-fier was originally released on a double bill with The Brain From Planet Arous. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anne Gwynne, Gloria Castillo, (more)
- 1957
Invasion of the Saucer Men can't make up its mind whether it wants to be a comedy, a j.d. melodrama or a horror outing. When a spaceship lands in the woods, Johnny (Steve Terrell) and Joan (Gloria Castillo) accidentally run over one of the aliens. In retaliation, the saucer-men kill Joe (Frank Gorshin), an opportunistic boozehound who stumbles across the body. Meanwhile, the hand of the extraterrestrial corpse detaches itself from its body and wreaks havoc on the countryside. But the aliens are foiled when it is discovered that they cannot withstand the glare of automobile headlights! The Saucer Men costumes were designed by Paul Blaisdell, who was certainly capable of better work. Lyn Osborn, the former Cadet Happy on TV's Space Patrol, makes his final screen appearance as Frank Gorshin's drinking buddy. Originally released on a double bill with I Was a Teenage Werewolf, Invasion of the Saucer Creatures was cheaply remade for television as The Eye Creatures (1966). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Terrell, Gloria Castillo, (more)
- 1957
Another American-International opus which managed to attain top bookings on the strength of an exploitational titles, Runaway Daughters concentrates on the misadventures of a trio of teenaged girls. Audrey Barton (Marla English) wants something more out of life than her parents' money can buy; Dixie (Mary Ellen Kaye) wants to escape the tyranny of her misogynistic father; and Angela Forrest (Gloria Castillo) is a child of divorce, left to fend for herself in a hostile world. Not surprisingly, our three heroines end up in a heap of trouble in their pursuit of happiness; also not surprisingly, the film promises far more than it delivers. Of interest is the presence in the cast of 1930s film star Anna Sten. Runaway Daughters was originally released on a double bill with A-I's Shake, Rattle and Rock; it was remade for cable TV in 1994, as part of Showtime's "Rebel Highway" series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marla English, Anna Sten, (more)
- 1957
The inherent trashiness of Reform School Girl is redeemed by the sincere performance of Gloria Castillo and the matter-of-fact direction of Edward Bernds. Castillo plays mixed-up teenager Donna Price, who is shipped off to a girl's reformatory when she is involved in a fatal car crash. Actually, Donna is innocent, but she refuses to reveal who was driving. Only when the culprit (a pre-77 Sunset Strip Edward Byrnes) reveals himself to be a total piece of excrement is Donna able to extricate herself from her dilemma. The film served as the movie debut of Sally Kellerman, cast as a butchy inmate. Reform School Girl was remade for television in 1994 as part of Showtime cable's "Rebel Highway" series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gloria Castillo, Ross Ford, (more)
- 1958
Wounded in the French-Algerian war, Sgt. Andre Doniere (Jacques Bergerac) heads back to France in the company of his friend Marcel (Marcel Dalio), who lost a leg saving Andre's life. Although Doniere's return is eagerly awaited by his adoring fiancée, Sybil (Lilyan Chauvin), he is consumed by guilt over the fact that, during his hospital stay, he has fallen in love with another woman named Therese (Susan Kohner). It falls to Marcel to "rescue" his comrade for a second time. This is one of the few Hitchcock episodes without a humorous epilogue -- and for good reason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 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
- 1967
A manipulative self-serving promoter attempts to exploit a yokel trio comprised of a singing minister and his musical brothers in this tuneful drama. The fast-talking, charming promoter manages to romance a wealthy woman into providing financial backing for the group. But eventually she learns the truth about the slickster and he gets his just desert. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
