Elinor Vandivere Movies
Rivaling Bess Flowers for the title of Queen of the Hollywood Dress Extras, statuesque New York-born Elinor Vandivere graduated from bit parts with Mack Sennett to playing dignified (at least at the onset) society ladies in Hal Roach comedies. Vandivere appeared in no less than seven Laurel & Hardy comedies but is perhaps even better remembered as Wally Albright's mother in the Our Gang comedy Washee Ironee (1934). Her dignity always threatened, Vandivere later supported the comedy teams of Abbott & Costello and the Three Stooges. She continued in films until at least 1953. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide- 1947
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is the title character, a young king exiled by evil conspirators. Forced to live far from his homeland, Fairbanks is harassed by the wicked Henry Daniell, who has been appointed to keep the young monarch from reclaiming his throne. After falling in love with commoner Paula Croset (later billed as Mara Corday), Fairbanks decides to take on the corrupt elements that have ousted him, and he dispatches Daniell in an exciting sword duel stage in an old windmill. Many of Fairbanks' more dangerous stunts were handled by David Sharpe, who received credit as second-unit director. Filmed in black and white, The Exile was originally released to theatres in "Sepiatone", a process which enhanced the film stock with a light brown tint. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nigel Bruce, Fred Cavens, (more)
- 1935
It's the Great Depression and The Three Stooges are having a hard time finding work. And no wonder -- they hold up signs looking for completely inappropriate jobs. Moe is offering to be a social secretary, while Larry's sign insists, "Will do anything. Position as bridge instructor preferred." Finally the three of them decide that showing off their work ethic is a better idea, so they grab brooms and begin sweeping up the sidewalk. Unfortunately the brooms' owner thinks they are thieves, and the boys end up running from a detective. Hiding out in an art studio, they are mistaken for students. When they are presented to Professor Fuller (who Curly mistakes for the Fuller brush man), he tells them to start from the bottom up by painting the floor. As much as the Stooges want to leave, the persistent cop refuses to go away. Eventually, in deviation from the Stooges' standard pie fight, the whole studio explodes into a raucous clay fight. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Moe Howard, Larry Fine, (more)
- 1932
Movie Crazy was Harold Lloyd's best-received sound film. It is the semi-autobiographical tale of an idealistic aspiring movie star who exchanges the quiet life in his sleepy Kansas hometown for the glamour and excitement of Tinseltown where he mistakenly believes he has been selected for a screentest. Unfortunately, the test is a series of slapstick bungles. The studio heads busily review the strange audition and while waiting for their verdict, Lloyd falls in love with a pretty actress who unfortunately is totally in costume when they meet. He doesn't recognize her in her street clothes, but still cant help falling in love with her. The actress knows he doesn't recognize her and has some fun with that. Lloyd's success is further assured when the studio moguls sign him up as their newest comedian. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harold Lloyd, Constance Cummings, (more)
- 1932
A Parisian flower girl is trotted out as the missing Grand Duchess Anastasia in this fast-moving thriller based on a popular newspaper serial, Secrets of the French Sureté. Discovered by evil White Russian Count Moloff (Gregory Ratoff), Eugénie Dorain (Gwili Andre) is hypnotized into believing that she is Anastasia, the daughter of the slain Russian czar. Léon Renault, the girl's fiancé, aligns himself with Francis St. Cyr (Frank Morgan) and the famous Sureté Français detective Bertillon (Murray Kinnell), but is too late to save Réna (Kendall Lee), Moloff's mistress, who is embalmed alive in cement. A Russian Grand Duke (Arnold Korff), who doubted Eugénie's veracity, is summarily killed when his limousine is forced off the road, and, having outlived her usefulness, Eugénie is about to suffer the same fate as Réna when St. Cyr and the police arrive like the proverbial cavalry. The evil Moloff is electrocuted by one of his own fiendish devices and Eugénie and Léon are finally free to plan a future together. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gwili Andre, Frank Morgan, (more)
- 1932
- NR
Drafted into the army during World War I, those muddled misfits Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy make a shambles of Training Camp before being shipped to France. When their best pal Eddie (Donald Dillaway) is killed in battle, Stan and Ollie vow to locate the grandparents of Eddie's orphaned little daughter (Jacquie Lyn). Unfortunately, the grandparents are named Smith--and they live in New York City. With only a city directory and phone book as their guide, Stan and Ollie undergo several chucklesome misadventures as they scour the canyons of Manhattan to find Mr. and Mrs. Smith. With the orphanage officials hot on their heels, the boys take drastic action to raise enough money to get out of town with the little girl. All turns out well when Eddie's grandfather makes an appearance under the least likely circumstances. But before Laurel & Hardy can enjoy their own happy ending, they cross the path of an old enemy from their army days: a knife-wielding chef with blood in his eye. The second of Laurel & Hardy's feature-length films, Pack Up Your Troubles is, so far as we're concerned (and here we part company with most Laurel & Hardy buffs), infinitely more amusing than their first feature effort, 1931's Pardon Us. Best bit: An overtired Laurel, attempting to tell a bedtime story to the little girl, ends up snoozing away as the kid finishes the story. The powerhouse supporting cast includes such Laurel & Hardy regulars as James Finlayson, Billy Gilbert, Rychard Cramer, Charles Middleton and Charlie Hall. George Marshall, the film's director, proves a mirthsome menace in the small role of the vengeful chef. For years available only in its 62-minute reissue form, Pack Up Your Troubles was restored to its full 68-minute glory in the mid-1980s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, (more)
- 1930
The sacrifice of a socialite is chronicled in this romantic drama. To be with her beloved musician, the wealthy woman gives up her wealth and social standing. Tragedy ensues when she discovers that he is having an affair with another noblewoman causing her to take up again with an old flame. When her music man becomes terribly ill, she returns to his side to help him back to health. He is so impressed by her caring and devotion that he swears he will never stray again. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billie Dove, Basil Rathbone, (more)
