Edward Churchill Movies
- 1941
In this war drama, a commercial pilot joins the air corps of a South Pacific island, and there he finds that he must contend with a dictator. He also falls quietly in love with the leader's girlfriend. Unfortunately, the evil leader is the head of the air corps, and to get rid of the young man who threatens his relationship, he send the hero on a suicide mission. The two rivals end up in a dogfight. Fortunately, the hero wins the fight and gets the girl. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1941
Power Dive was the first release from Pine-Thomas Productions, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful association between Paramount Pictures and the "Two Dollar Bills," William Pine & William Thomas. The story concentrated on a group of test pilots, busily experimenting with a revolutionary all-plastic airplane. Ace flyboy Brad Farrell (Richard Arlen) is determined to prove the practicality of the new aircraft, designed by Professor Blake (Thomas Ross), father of Brad's sweetheart Carol (Jean Parker). Back on solid ground, Brad must vie for Carol's attentions with his own brother, engineer Doug Farrell (Don Castle). Comedy relief is offered by Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards as Brad's chief mechanic. Though Richard Arlen and Jean Parker were hardly hot properties in 1941, Power Dive did excellent business, which critics attributed to the production knowhow of the "Two Dollar Bills". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Arlen, Jean Parker, (more)
- 1937
Frances Farmer plays the daughter of an honest and ethical newspaper publisher (Charlie Ruggles). She wants to become a reporter herself, but when her Dad refuses to give her an easy break, Frances goes to work for a rival "tell all" tabloid. Her irresponsible reporting causes a highly respected citizen to commit suicide, and also loses her the respect of her father. But when Frances gets "over her head" in tracking down a killer, her father comes to the rescue. Taking a bullet meant for his daughter, Ruggles dies in her arms, but not before advising her in how to report this late-breaking event: "Write it simply and clearly and keep the paragraphs short." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred MacMurray, Frances Farmer, (more)
- 1934
Rocky Rhodes was Buck Jones' first western vehicle for Universal Pictures. Evidently inheriting a leftover script from previous Universal cowboy star Ken Maynard, Jones plays the title character, who as the film opens is heading back to his home in Arizona with his raffish saddle-pal Harp (Stanley Fields). Upon his arrival, Rocky Rhodes champions the cause of heroine Nan (Sheila Terry), whose ranch is in danger of falling into the grimy hands of the villainous Murich (Walter Miller). The whole affair ends in a tense shoot-out between the good and bad buys, with guess who coming out on top. Rocky Rhodes is beautifully photographed by the ever-reliable Ted McCord, who'd previous labored on the Ken Maynard series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Sheila Terry, (more)
