Syd Walker Movies
- 1940
In this British murder mystery, Scotland Yard investigates a puzzling killing of an Italian count. The Yard assigns a detective, who is to retire the next day, to solve the puzzle. Three people confess the crime. The late count's wife is the daughter of one of them. Apparently the count had abused her. Another of the confessors was in love with the girl. The third confessor's reason is unclear. Eventually the wife, who had been in hiding, steps forward and offers her own confession. Interestingly, none of the four are guilty. Fortunately, by the story's end, the real killer steps forward and justice prevails. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1939
In this three-hanky crime drama, a junkman offers a little sage advice for a young woman who has fallen in love with a cowardly crook. The woman tries to convince her lover to reform. He does try, but then he is later arrested while robbing a bank. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1939
Dapper musical comedy favorite Jack Buchanan is practically the whole show in The Gang's All Here. Buchanan plays John Forrest, top investigator for the Stamford Insurance Company. Retiring from the firm, Forrest intends to devote the rest of his life to writing detective fiction, but this plan goes out the window when his former employers are robbed of $1,000,000 in jewels belonging to foreign potentate Prince Homouska (Walter Rilla). With the help of his befuddled brother Treadwell (Edward Everett Horton), Forrest follows the trail of clues to American gangster boss Alberni (Jack LaRue), capturing his quarry with a variety of slapsticky subterfuges. Released in the US by PRC Pictures, The Gang's All Here remains one of Jack Buchanan's best-loved vehicles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Buchanan, Googie Withers, (more)
- 1939
The British I Killed the Count was based on the tricky stage puzzler by Alec Coppel. Cockney comedian Syd Walker plays it more or less straight as Scotland Yard inspector Davidson, at present trying to determine who murdered the much-hated Count Mattoni (Leslie Perrins). The dilemma isn't that Davidson is suffering from a lack of witnesses. In fact, four different people come forth to confess to the killing--each of them with plenty of motive and opportunity. Originally released in the US by Grand National in 1939, I Killed the Count was reissued the following year as Who's Guilty? by Monogram. The original Coppel play was later adapted as a two-parter on TV's Alfred Hitchcock Presents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Syd Walker, Ben Lyon, (more)
- 1938
In this comedy, a scientist endeavors to turn into a caveman after drinking a secret formula. Instead he becomes a child. In this state, he overhears three Yankees conspiring to take the Crown Jewels. As soon as he is back to normal, he stops them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1938
When a woman gets money from her guardian, Lupino, to finance her newspaper she accused him of embezzling. Luckily for all involved, everything is straightened out and Lupino marries his secretary while the ward marries Lupino's friend. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1937
In this happy musical, two business partners find themselves in all sorts of romantic trouble. One of them is planning to marry his secretary, and the other, who is engaged to an aristocrat, advises him to fire her before proposing. The fellow does, but unfortunately, the distraught secretary, not knowing why she was released, attempts to drown herself in a river. Fortunately the other partner rescues her and takes her back to his apartment to warm up. He begins pouring brandy down her and she gets uproariously drunk. He then takes her to a high-society party where the woman's behavior is so outrageous that her escort's fiancee walks out. In the end, the man ends up proposing to her and happiness somehow ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1937
Silent-film leading man (and third husband of Mary Pickford) Charles "Buddy" Rogers was a popular band leader at the time he appeared in the British Let's Make a Night of It. Here's the deal: Buddy owns a nightclub; his wife June Clyde runs a rival night spot. That's about it for the plot. The main attraction of Let's Make a Night of It is its cornucopia of guest stars, including impressionist Afrique, legendary Yiddish stage star Molly Picon, and band leaders Jack Jackson, Jack Harris, Sydney Lipton, Joe Loss, Eddie Carroll, Harry Acres and Rudy Starita (all major names on the British entertainment scene of 1937). Let's Make a Night of It was inspired by Henrik N. Ege's radio play The Silver Spoon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles "Buddy" Rogers, June Clyde, (more)
- 1937
Stanley Lupino, a member in good standing of the ancient British performing family which also produced comedian Lupino Lane and actress Ida Lupino (Stanley's daughter), is the author and one of the stars of Over She Goes. John Wood portrays an ex-musical hall performer who becomes a British lord. He finds it difficult to properly enter society, especially when threatened with blackmail by a woman from his past. Wood calls upon his old vaudeville cronies to get him out of his jam. Over She Goes is enlivened by comic turns from such veteran British stage clowns as Laddie Cliff, Syd Walker and (of course) Stanley Lupino. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wood, Claire Luce, (more)
- 1935
His Hollywood career a thing of the past, director Herbert Brenon returned to his native England in 1934, where he continued making films until his retirement in 1940. Brenon's first project upon his arrival in London was the feature-length documentary Royal Cavalcade. Covering a 25-year period, the film is an encapsulation of the comings and goings of the British empire since the 1910 coronation of King George V. The highlights, drawn from the newsreel files of several English and European archives, include Captain Scott's arrival at the South Pole (and the tragic aftermath), the First World War, the Roaring 20s, and the Depression. Of special interest to show-biz buffs is the footage of the first Royal Command Performance at the Palace in 1911, featuring such matchless performers as Anna Pavlova and George Robey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1934
In this musical, a radio-announcer is fired after giving a false interview. For consolation he begins to drink heavily. It is his girlfriend who helps him sober up when she provides him with a major scoop--a missing airplane. He enthusiastically sets out after it and eventually finds it. As a publicity stunt, he skydives to the downed plane while broadcasting live. Songs include: Talking To Myself," "I Ain't Gonna Sin No More," "Gift Of Gab," "Somebody Looks Good," "Don't Let This Waltz Mean Goodbye," "Walkin' On Air," "What A Wonderful Day," "Tomorrow--Who Cares?" and "Blue Sky Avenue." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmund Lowe, Gloria Stuart, (more)
- 1924
This engaging fantasy is taken from the cartoons created by Bruce Bairnsfather. Old Bill (Syd Walker) is a veteran soldier who dreams he is a part of great moments in British history. He fights alongside William the Conqueror and witnesses the Boston Tea Party. Old Bill also meets William Shakespeare (Austin Leigh), Queen Elizabeth (Gladys Ffolliott), and Ann Hathaway (Franzi Carlos) in this historical fantasy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
