John T. Coyle Movies
- 1954
The best way to described the economically assembled religious picture Day of Triumph is "sincere". Though the film details the Last Days of Jesus Christ (Robert Wilson), top billing is bestowed upon Lee J. Cobb as Zadok, leader of the Zealots. The all-character-actor cast includes James Griffith as Judas, Tyler McVey as Peter, Lowell Gilmore as Pilate and veteran western heavy Anthony Warde as Barabbas. The biggest "name" in the cast is Joanne Dru as Mary Magdalene, while relative newcomer Touch (later Michael) Connors appears as Andrew. The film was directed by Irving Pichel, who'd previously helmed the independently produced religious drama Martin Luther. Once an annual Easter TV attraction, Day of Triumph has in recent years been relegated to limited exposure on America's UHF religious stations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee J. Cobb, Robert Wilson, (more)
- 1943
An amoral gambler tries to beat a murder rap by adopting an orphaned newsboy in this drama. He takes in the lad to show the court that he is really a "sweetheart" and would never think of killing someone. Unfortunately, it looks as if the ruse will fail and so he takes the boy and leaves town. He is far out in the country and there meets a highly-principled young woman who helps him think about people other than himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rick Vallin, Bobby Larson, (more)
- 1942
The attractive physiques of Tom Neal and Carol Hughes are generously displayed in the PRC comedy The Miracle Kid. Neal is cast as Jimmy, a young boxer who surprisingly wins a bout with the established champ. The loser claims that he was "jinxed" by Jimmy in the ring, whereupon Our Hero is exploited by a group of health faddists adhering to the philosophy of "mind over matter". Jimmy is subsequently pitted against several "bums" so that the health nuts can prove the vercity of their theories, but in the end he proves that the "secret" to his success lies in his fists and not his subconscious. Carol Hughes costars as Jimmy's sweetheart Pat, who shows up at one point in a form-fitting bathing suit for no reason other than to satisfy the red-blooded males in the audience. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Neal, Carolyn Hughes, (more)
- 1942
Ralph Byrd, known far and wide for his movie interpretation of Dick Tracy, trades his civvies for Navy blues in PRC's Duke of the Navy. On furlough with his pal Cookie (played by swimming champion Stubby Kruger), Breezy Duke (Byrd) is mistaken for millionaire candy manufactuer John T. Duke. While in this guise, Breezy is inveigled into joining a treasure hunt-provided, of course, he puts up a great deal of money for an entry fee. Amazingly, Breezy and Cookie manage to unearth a genuine treasure, namely a fortune in diamonds. Director William Beaudine was one of the three credited screenwriters of Duke of the Navy, which was certainly haphazard enough to have been written by a committee. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Byrd, Veda Ann Borg, (more)
Filmed independently in 1939, The Great Commandment finally attained released in 1942 via 20th Century-Fox. Set in 30 AD, the story concerns the burgeoning Christian movement, and its effects on young Judean scholar named Joel (John Beal). A hotheaded reactionary, Joel spearheads an uprising against the Romans, but his warlike impulses melt away under the influence of Jesus of Nazareth. Joel even "turns the other cheek" when dealing with the warrior who murdered his brother. Director Irving Pichel later helmed such inspirational church-basement fare as 1952's Martin Luther and 1954's Day of Triumph. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Beal, Maurice Moscovich, (more)
This action film, follows the travails of two chorus girls as they try to leave South America and get back home. Their journey begins when they are stranded in a Latin American village. They talk the purser of a clipper ship into letting them board his clipper ship. He has taken a fancy to one of the women, so it wasn't too difficult. Upon the voyage, criminals try to steal the boat's cash cargo. The purser captures them and all is well. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Byrd, Carolyn Hughes, (more)
- 1937
In this musical an agent hawks a new singing star to irritate a wealthy socialite whom he managed to get on the radio. There the socialite found some success, but then she dumped her agent. As the radio network continues to search for new talent, music and mayhem ensue. Songs include: "Sweet Heartache," "Hail Alma Mater," "Last Night I Dreamed of You," "You'd Like It," "I'll Reach for a Star," "The Lady Wants to Dance," "Was It Rain," "Love Is Good for Anything That Ails You," "I've Got to Be a Rug Cutter," and "Jungle Rhythm." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frances Langford, Phil Regan, (more)
