Georgia Davis Movies
- 1944
Leonard Maltin once observed that Storm Over Lisbon is what Casablanca would have looked like had it been produced by Republic instead of Warner Bros. This wartime meller reunites the cast and director of the successful Republic melodrama Lady and the Monster, with less than successful results. Skating star Vera Hruba Ralston plays Maritza, a woman of mystery operating in neutral Lisbon. Maritza is somehow connected with sinister café owner Deresco (Erich Von Stroheim), who seems to have a more than a cozy relationship with the Nazis. Deresco tries to prevent American journalist John Craig (Richard Arlen) from leaving Lisbon with a cache of top-secret microfilm (what, no Letters of Transit?) With the whole world crumbling, Vera Ralston manages to work in an ice-ballet number. Few have ever had the urge to shout "Play it again" after watching Storm Over Lisbon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vera Ralston, Richard Arlen, (more)
- 1943
Mabel Paige, one of Hollywood's most beloved character actresses, was given her one-and-only starring role in this Republic Pictures tearjerker. Paige plays a wealthy old lady embittered by the long-ago disappearance of her son. She lives alone in a downtown hotel, with only the occasional company of her faithful chauffeur (Harry Shannon). When a group of college boys move into the hotel, Mabel befriends the most troublesome of the bunch (John Craven) because she believes he's her grandson. Her harsh attitude toward the world softened by Craven's presence, Paige dies happy, still under the impression that the boy is her own flesh and blood. Based on a story by Ben Ames Williams, it was remade in 1957 as Johnny Trouble, starring Ethel Barrymore in her final screen role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mabel Paige, John Craven, (more)
- 1943
Five singing farmer boys (the Hoosier Hotshots) have built up quite a following in their local community. Everybody likes them except for one politician. One day, the Baker Boys, as they call themselves, decide to join the Air Corps. Unfortunately, the politician heads the town draft board and spitefully denies them entry. This being a romantic musical, it doesn't take long before the politician's five lovely daughters (who are conveniently the same age as the five Baker Boys) return from finishing school. Romantic sparks fly everywhere when the Bakers decide to court the girls and then try to marry them, not to get wives, but to scare the girls' father into approving their enlistment. Fortunately, or unfortunately, things don't quite turn out as planned. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dale Evans, Isabel Randolph, (more)
