Robert Dudley Movies

Harold Lloyd plays a wealthy young spendthrift who is upset that his name is being used to bring parishioners into a storefront mission in the poorer part of town. He heads to the mission to have it out with the minister, only to fall in love with minister's daughter Jobyna Ralston. Realizing that the use of his name as an endorsement was an honest error on Ralston's part, Harold decides to help the girl's father attract worshippers and hymn-shouters. He goads a bunch of thugs and pluguglies into the mission, then makes certain that they stay--and secures their undying loyalty--by saving them from being arrested. Harold and Jobyna decide to get married, whereupon Harold's wealthy chums, dismayed that he is marrying beneath his station, kidnap the poor fellow to prevent him from making a "mistake". Harold is rescued by his tough-guy slum pals, but not before they've gotten themselves drunk and commandeered a double-decker bus. The climactic chase is as hilarious and exciting a piece of celluloid as has ever been produced, but it is merely the capper to an uninterrupted stream of brilliant sight gags. Long underrated, For Heaven's Sake is one of the cleverest and most consistently entertaining of all of Harold Lloyd's silent vehicles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hefty comedian Walter Hiers stars in this tepid comedy. Jimmy Kirk (Hiers) is a soda jerk in love with Mamie Smith (Jacqueline Logan), the daughter of a banker (Charles Ogle). In spite of his lowly position, Jimmy has aspirations and leases a four-foot plot in hopes of building a store. Although his plan comes to naught, he does manage to save up enough money to rent a flivver at 60 cents an hour. When Smith's bank is robbed, Jimmy is accused of being the perpetrator. Even though he didn't do it, the car he rented was used and he finds the money concealed within. He captures the robbers, which entitles him to the reward -- only Smith won't give it to him since some of the bank's money flew out of the car during the pursuit. But Jimmy gets back at him by proving that the bank has encroached on his four-foot space, and he is entitled to a settlement. He also wins the lovely Mamie. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

This drama was an early starring vehicle for fledgling star (Eleanor Boardman), and it was given a haunting directoral approach by Tod Browning, who hadn't yet devoted himself completely to horror films. After the death of philanthropist Blank Hendricks (Winter Hall), Jane Maynard (Boardman) devotes her life to his institution, which helps the needy with the philosophy, "Thy neighbor as thyself." John Anstell (Wallace MacDonald), whose father, Michael (Tyrone Power Sr.), is a formidable financial force, falls in love with Jane. Michael, who does not approve of the relationship, tries to ruin the Foundation by discrediting it in the press, and when that doesn't work, he attempts to use his financial power to destroy it. The many who have been helped by the Foundation retaliate by killing John. The grieving Anstell comes to realize that Jane really is doing good work and he reforms. Jane, meanwhile, finds happiness with Tom Barnett (Raymond Griffith). ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Vitagraph shot this melodrama, based on the stage play by Ramsay Norris, once before, in 1916. The newer version seemed to belong to the earlier decade, and ironically, its star was Colleen Moore, who would wind up making a name for herself by becoming the 1920s ultra-modern, quintessential flapper. Phil Bradbury (Warner Baxter) is engaged to marry society girl Kate Van Dyck (Gertrude Astor). But while he is away, Kate falls in love with Mark Leveridge (Lloyd Whitlock). There is a murder in Kate's home, and Bradbury becomes a suspect, so he runs far away to the town of Marlow. Under the assumed name of Tom Silverton, he falls in love with the town belle, Ruth Blake (Moore). Kate and Leveridge show up in Marlow and recognize him. Silverton is now also suspected of robbery and Ruth is ostracized because she tries to shield him. Silverton prepares to leave town, but a raging forest fire breaks out. It is only through Silverton's heroics that the town is saved. He is exonerated of the crimes he was thought to have committed, so he is able to settle down with Ruth. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Even before the Labor Day scandal that ruined him, 1921 was a tough year for Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Arbuckle's contract with Paramount reportedly earned him one million dollars (worth many times that today), and producer Adolph Zukor wanted to get his money's worth. As a result, the rotund comic was put to work nonstop, sometimes at the expense of quality. This picture, based on the James Forbes stage play starring Frank McIntyre (who also starred in the 1916 film version), was obviously made cheaply. In addition, there wasn't the time (and perhaps there wasn't the desire) to add much of the slapstick that had brought Arbuckle fame. So it's a relatively low key Fatty who stars here as traveling salesman, or drummer, Bob Blake. While on the trail to Grand Rapids, Blake -- a self-professed woman-hater -is the victim of a practical joke and winds up leaving the train before his stop. It is pouring rain and he breaks into an empty house to spend the night. When he tracks down the home's owner, Beth Elliot (Betty Ross Clarke) to pay for his lodging, he falls in love for the first time. He also discovers a plot to take away Beth's property. Blake vanquishes the villains -- Franklin Royce (Frank Holland) and Martin Drury (Wilton Taylor) -and wins Beth's hand. this picture, released only a few weeks after Arbuckle's, last one, The Dollar A Year Man, received decidedly mixed reviews. No copy is known to have survived. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide