Robert Randall Movies
- 1973
- PG
- Add Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks to QueueAdd Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks to top of Queue
Another horrible horror from Italy, which undoubtedly marked the absolute nadir of Rossano Brazzi's career in the wake of South Pacific. Brazzi plays the deranged Dr. Frankenstein (the credits list him as a Count -- someone must have gotten their monsters mixed) who, like many Frankensteins of yore, endeavors to build an enormous humanoid monster; this one has been given the more biblical name "Goliath." Again, as is the case with so many of his mad-doc brethren, Frank has failed to plan ahead and secure a proper brain for the creature's empty cranium (finding one for the director might have been a better idea). He assigns this task to his somewhat less-than-competent servants, including a dwarf named Genz (Michael Dunn). Believe it or not, the operation does not come off as smoothly as planned, and Genz is exiled from the castle. Miffed, the disgruntled fellow plots revenge against his ex-boss, enlisting the aid of a Neanderthal man named "Ook" (credited under the quaint pseudonym "Boris Lugosi"), who likes to wear jogging shorts. None of this really makes any sense, as it serves only as a vehicle for abundant female nudity and plentiful gore. Also known as House of Freaks and released to video as Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
The Black Raven is one of a trio of PRC horror-melodramas starring George Zucco. The title refers to a remote country inn, presided over by the sinister Mr. Bradford (Zucco). During a dark and stormy night, the Black Raven becomes the gathering place for an escaped convict (I. Standford Jolley) with a personal vendetta against Bradford, a bank clerk (Byron Foulger) who has embezzled $50,000, and a couple of young elopers (Wanda McKay, Bob Randall). Before the night is over, greed and murder rear their ugly heads. Comedy relief is provided by Charles "Ming the Merciless" Middleton as a county sheriff and Glenn "Frankenstein" Strange as a lumbering lummox. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Zucco, Wanda McKay, (more)
- 1930
Sunny Skies was the first of two attempts by Tiffany Studios to make a major talkie star out of Jewish dialect comedian Benny Rubin. The story takes place on a college campus, where over-aged freshman Benny Krantz (Rubin) is the roommate of football hero Jim Grant (Rex Lease). Rather full of himself, Grant goes out on a toot with a "fast lady," and as a result is booted out of college just before the big game. Managing to redeem himself on the day of the crucial gridiron contest, Grant is again detained when he gallantly submits to a blood transfusion to save Krantz's life. Will he make it to the game on time? Will he score the winning touchdown? Marjorie "Babe" Kane, best known for her ingenue work in the Bing Crosby 2-reelers for Mack Sennett, does a cute imitation of her boop-a-doop namesake Helen Kane. Sunny Skies was followed in short order by Hot Curves, which also co-starred Benny Rubin, Rex Lease and Marceline Day and was also set against a sports background. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Benny Rubin, Marceline Day, (more)
- 1930
Intending to get value for money out of their house leading man Rex Lease, Tiffany Studios cast the personable actor in everything from westerns to sports dramas to domestic comedies like Borrowed Wives. Lease plays Peter Foley, who stands to inherit a fortune from his late uncle. The problem: To increase his allowance from his wealthy relative, Peter pretended to have a wife. Naturally, the will stipulates that Peter still be married, lest he lose his $800,000 legacy. The rest of the plotline is implicit in the film's title, with everyone concerned running around at top speed to convince the audience that something funny is going on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rex Lease, Vera Reynolds, (more)
