Dorothy Johnson Movies
- 1959
The spectacle of the big top and flying trapeze artists provide a dramatic setting for this standard tale about an aerialist returned from Army service, looking to pick up where he left off. Rick Rias (Michael Callan) receives a double shock when he comes back from the Army: the woman he loved before he was called to duty is now married to someone else, and his father will not recommend him for an aerial act because he says he is not ready yet. Rick's broken heart starts to mend when he takes an interest in young Suzanne (Evy Norlund), the newest member of the "Flying Fontaines." The only drawback is that her heart is set on Bill (Rian Garrick) another trapeze artist. Rick's luck continues to deteriorate as one misfortune follows another. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Callan, Evy Norlund, (more)
- 1958
Life Begins at 17 in this all-too-typical example of the "art" of quickie producer Sam Katzman. Plain little Carol Peck (Luana Anders) is wooed by arrogant punk Russ Lippincott (Mark Damon). What Carol doesn't know is that Russ is only interested in her knockout older sister Elaine (Dorothy Johnson). When she finds out she's being used, Carol exacts a typically feminine means of revenge ("typical" by 1950s B-movies, that is). Meanwhile, Elaine finds happiness with true-blue boyfriend Jim (Edd "Kookie" Byrnes). Ann Doran, who played James Dean's mother in Rebel Without a Cause, does same for the two heroines of Life Begins at 17. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Damon, Dorothy Johnson, (more)
- 1958
Largely filmed in Canada, The Littlest Hobo was the result of a brainstorming session between Dorrell and Stuart McGowan, the same sibling production team responsible for TV's Death Valley Days. Hobo is a homeless German shepherd, whose adventures begin when he hops off a freight train in a strange town. Naturally drawn to down-and-outers, Hobo rescues a lamb that is slated for the slaughterhouse. The rest of the film concerns the dog and lamb's many trials and tribulations as they elude the authorities. Ideal for kiddie-matinee showings, Littlest Hobo also has much to offer for adult moviegoers. The film spawned a 1963 TV series, also assembled by the McGowan brothers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buddy Hart, Wendy Stuart, (more)
