Johnny Desmond Movies
Johnny Desmond was primarily a popular singer on radio and television whose biggest hits include "C'est si Bon" and 'The High and the Mighty." but he also made a few films between 1957 and 1984. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he started out in 1939 singing with bandleader Bob Crosby's Bob-O-Links. Just before entering the Army Air Corps at the beginning of WW II, he also sang with Gene Krupa's big band. While in the military, Desmond, who could sing in Italian, French, and German, performed with Glenn Miller on radio broadcasts designed to rattle the enemy. Following the war, he began his radio and television career. Desmond's last film appearance was as himself in the documentary tribute to the recently deceased Miller, Glenn Miller: A Moonlight Serenade in 1984. A year later Desmond passed away. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1978
This musical documentary video looks at the stars from the big band era. Some featured are Helen O'Connell, Johnny Desmond and Benny Goodman. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1977
Worried that Laverne (Penny Marshall) will end up an old maid--and perhaps looking out for his own future a bit--Laverne's dad Frank (Phil Foster) arranges a marriage between his daughter and the dopey nephew of wealthy cheese manufacturer Nick Martino (Johnny Desmond). But Laverne wants no part of this set-up, especially after learning of Nick's mob connections. The ensuing argument threatens to drive a permanent wedge between Laverne and Frank. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This sci-fi outing was originally released in 3-Dimensional "Spacevision" and tells the tale of a young couple who go for a fun day of flying and end up forced into a gigantic plastic bubble during a sudden violent storm. Inside the inverted bowl is an apparently empty ghost town, that on further inspection proves to be filled with old movie props and strange "residents" who seem to suffer from a bizarre form of echolalia. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Cole, Deborah Walley, (more)
- 1964
Handsome Broadway leading man Johnny Desmond stars in Hawk of the Caribbean. The fact that Mr. Desmond doesn't usually list this credit on his resume should be some indication as to its importance. In fairness, Hawk is an acceptable pirate yarn with passable action sequences. If only the English dubbing had been done with more precision. Yvonne Monlaur and Armando Francioli costar in this Spanish swashbuckler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Cliff Brandon (Victor Mature) is a US pilot serving in China in 1943, flying supplies to Allied soldiers in Burma. He's the best at what he does in the air, but he's also emotionally cut off from everyone around him, disillusioned by the loss of men in his command during nearly two years of war. When he's not in the air on a mission, or riding his new men (including Stuart Whitman, Tige Andrews and Johnny Desmond) to learn their jobs as fast as they can so they can survive, he's usually either passed out drunk or getting there on the ground. One night, while staggering out of his usual watering hole, he chances to meet an elderly Chinese man and, after a barely understood conversation, hands him a pile of money. When Cliff awakens the next day, he discovers that he's bought three months of housekeeping service from the man's daughter, Shu-Jen (Li Li Hua). At first he's at a loss over what to do about her -- he would gladly send her back to her father, until he learns from local missionary Father Cairns (Ward Bond) that Shu-Jen (whose name means "precious jewel") is the sole supporter of her family; and that if he sends her back, they'll return his money as a matter of honor, and have to sell her services as a housekeeper again; and that the next time that may be to someone who is a lot less honorable than Cliff, and could destroy the rest of the girl's life. So they're stuck with each other, and in the course of three months together Cliff discovers through Shu-Jen a joyous side to life that he'd forgotten -- his men even notice that he smiles occasionally, and he actually seems like a human being, enough so that Cliff soon wants more out of life than just day-to-day survival; he wants a life with Shu-Jen. And despite her initial misgivings, they decide to marry. But duty constantly beckons to Cliff, especially when he's moved to a forward base to support a new Allied offensive -- he isn't there for the birth of their child, but he is able to bring them both to him, only to find that the war is now on both their doorsteps. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor Mature, Li Li Hua, (more)
- 1958
This melodrama tells the tale of a great battle between the French Foreign Legion and the rebellious Arab tribe, the Tuaregs, who fight it out upon the blistering Sahara sands. Just before the Legionnaires embark upon their dangerous mission, the commander discovers that he is being cuckolded by his lieutenant. Because the mission is urgent, there is no time to fight over the commander's wife. Unfortunately, as they travel, the tension between the two mounts and they begin squabbling over how to plan the attack. Their inability to work together results in tragedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Keith, Barbara Hale, (more)
- 1957
This lively musical was made to capitalize on the popularity of calypso music and features some excellent production numbers. It all begins when a jukebox magnate tries to force his way into a record company. They succeed and this angers the labels biggest star, who doesn't want to change his style. He disappears and so does all of the company's profits. Musical chaos reigns for awhile, but eventually everything is set to rights and happiness ensues. Look for distinguished poet Maya Angelou singing "Run Joe" and actor Alan Arkin's performance with the folk group the Tarriers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Desmond, Merry Anders, (more)
- 1957
If it worked for Frank Sinatra... Singing star Johnny Desmond goes dramatic in the low-budget Escape From San Quentin. Desmond plays escaped convict Mike Gilbert, who goes on the lam with fellow prisoners Gruber (Richard Devon) and Graham (Roy Engel). While hiding from the law, Gilbert comes to realize that he's fallen in love with Robbie (Merry Anders), the sister of his ex-wife (Peggy Maley). Through Robbie's influence, Gilbert decides to go straight, but his cohorts aren't quite so willing to reform. Like most Sam Katzman quickies of the era, Escape from San Quentin was loosely based on a true story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Desmond, Merry Anders, (more)
- 1951
Don McNeill was a popular radio-talk-show host in Chicago. He successfully brought his show to television in the early 1950s. In this episode, McNeill's guests are then-Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, actor Raymond Massey portraying Abraham Lincoln, and a plethora of musical and variety acts. Also included in the tape are the actual commercials of the show's sponsor, Philco. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
Two Irish insurgents are assigned the task of guarding a pair of captured British soldiers in this dramatic adaptation of Frank O' Connor's prizewinning story starring Frank Converse, Estelle Parsons, and Nesbitt Blaisdell. As the foursome attempt to maintain peaceful relations in the farmhouse of a lively widow, the prospect of reprisals for any harm that comes to the captive soldiers looms large on the conscience of their Irish captor Barney Callahan (Converse) during pleasant nights of dancing, card games, and amiable debates about their respective religions and countries. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
