J. Hubert Leslie Movies
- 1950
A short story by Janet M. Smith was the basis for the equally short (52 minute) British programmer The Dragon of Pendragon Castle. The castle in question, a dank, foreboding affair, is owned by poverty-stricken nobleman J. Hubert Leslie. The old duffer has a pair of rambunctious grandkids, played by Robin Netscher and Hilary Rennie, who seeks a means to heat the bone-chilling castle. To that end, they invite a friendly fire-breathing sea dragon to enjoy their hospitality. Engagingly assembled, The Dragon of Pendragon Castle pleased many a British Saturday matinee audience in the early 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1946
If nothing else, the British melodrama Night Boat to Dublin had topicality going for it. As Captain David Grant, Robert Newton heads the cast of this spy-hunt caper. The plot concerns the efforts to rescue a Swedish scientist from the clutches of Nazi ringleader Keitel (Herbert Lom) and his minions. The scientist is of course of the "atomic" variety, meaning that it's crucial to smuggle him to safety before the Germans can learn his secrets. The authentic Dublin dialects heard throughout the film add charm and authenticity to the proceedings, though they are a bit hard to understand at times. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Newton, Raymond Lovell, (more)
- 1943
Tartu--or more formally, The Adventures of Tartu--stars Robert Donat as a Rumanian-born British spy, dispatched to Czechoslovakia during World War II. Posing as an ineffectual milquetoast, Donat is hired as a chemist in a Nazi-controlled poison gas factory. Working in concert with the Underground, our hero spends his off-hours dismantling the Nazi operation. Then he has to figure a way to get out of Czechoslovakia as adroitly as he got in. Adventures of Tartu was filmed at MGM's British studios (it was Metro's first British production in two years), with an American director but with a full cadre of English acting talent: Donat, Valerie Hobson, Glynis Johns, etc. The Teutonic villain is played by Walter Rilla, whose son Wolf Rilla later became a prominent British director. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Donat, Valerie Hobson, (more)
- 1937
This is the first entry in what became a long-running British comedy series. It is the story of a wealthy match maker who leaves his vast fortune to his family when he dies. But to get the money, they must follow one condition: they must take in the first person they see selling matches. Soon the family find themselves housing a rambunctious, opinionated Irish washerwoman, Old Mother Riley and her daughter. Mayhem ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1936
When Prisoner of Corbal was released in the US in 1939, reviewers were confused as to its country of origin. A bit of extra research would have revealed that the film was lensed in England under the title The Marriage of Corbal, and that it was based on The Nuptuals of Corbal, a swashbuckling novel by Rafael Sabatini. Hazel Terry plays Cleonie, the romantic bone of contention between the French aristocrat Marquis de Corbal (Hugh Sinclair) and insurrectionist Varennes (Nils Asther). To save Cleonie from the guillotine during the Revolution, Varennes disguises her as his nephew (!) and smuggles her out of the country. Unexpectedly, it is the Marquis who proves the hero of the peace, while Varennes willingly becomes a martyr to his own cause. Noah Beery overracts as usual in the role of a rogueish Sergeant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nils Asther, Noah Beery, Sr., (more)
- 1936
A clergyman is deeply dismayed to discover that his parishioners are more interested in investigating his past than to worshiping in the comedy. The congregation is so obsessed with their gossip mongering, that have little energy left to listen to his words of wisdom. Finally the good man must leave. He ends up working with the drunken bums of skid row. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1935
Basil Gill depicts playwright Shakespeare in this drama featuring discussions with various friends along with scenes of his plays. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1934
In this drama, investigators begin looking into a number of terrible train wrecks and learn that a schizophrenic railroad executive is to blame. In Britain the film is titled Menace. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1933
In British social drama, two men searching for a fugitive enter an aging boarding house dressed as tramps. As it tells the story, the film also comments upon the dreadful conditions the poor must cope with. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1932
In this musical romance, father and daughter con-artists prepare to go their separate ways when she learns that daddy tried to scam her newest beau. She soon discovers that he as is big a grifter as they. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1931
In this courtroom drama, a devoted father takes the rap for a killing to protect his daughter. She killed the man after he attempted to rape her. Meanwhile, her husband has no idea that she is involved in the death. He staunchly defends her father until she finally tells him the truth. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
