Ann Gillis Movies
In films from age nine, red-haired Ann Gillis excelled in spoiled brat roles for nearly a decade. She was somewhat more benignly cast as Becky Thatcher in 1938's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (though her "mad scene" when trapped in a bat-filled cave was one of the most terrifying scenes ever captured on film) and as the perky title character in 1939's Little Orphan Annie. When adulthood beckoned, Gillis found it hard to secure good roles; perhaps her best showing during her late teen years was as Lou Costello's spunky Irish sweetheart in The Time of Their Lives (1946). Retiring from films in 1947, she made sporadic comeback attempts throughout the next decade. In 1959, she briefly resurfaced on TV as hostess of a nationally telecast presentation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Thereafter, Ann Gillis retired to private life in England, save for one final appearance in Kubrick's 2001: Space Odyssey (1968) as the mother of astronaut Gary Lockwood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Peck's Bad Boy and his gang of mischievous misfits (including Spanky McFarland) make all kinds of trouble around the circus. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Kelly, Ann Gillis, (more)
- 1937
The Jones Family is Off to the Races in this peppy series entry. Though Jed Prouty and Spring Byington are ostensibly the stars as Mr. and Mrs. Jones, top billing is bestowed upon Slim Summerville as the family's horse-happy Uncle George. Hoping to enter his prize nag in an important trotting race, Uncle George prevails upon the Joneses to help him raise the necessary entry fee. The family's coffers are further diminished when George's mercenary ex-wife shows up, demanding exorbitant alimony payments. It looks like everyone will be left holding the bag when the jockey fails to show up, but Pa Jones saves the day by taking the reins himself in the climactic Big Race. Some of the long shots in Off to the Races appear to have been "borrowed" from the 1934 Will Rogers vehicle David Harum. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George "Slim" Summerville, Jed Prouty, (more)
- 1936
Otto Preminger was able to make his directorial debut on Under Your Spell solely because Darryl Zanuck couldn't care less about the film's quality; it was a contractual obligation film for Lawrence Tibbett, who was proving a washout as a film star. In Spell, Tibbett plays Anthony Allen, a world famous singer who has grown tired of the trials that come with celebrity. Seeking to avoid the spotlight, ceaseless publicity and determined fans, Allen enlists the aid of his butler in secretly escaping to a ranch in Mexico. Allen's manager (Gregory Ratoff) is understandably upset with his client's behavior and so sets in motion a scheme of his own. He contacts celebrity-hunting heiress Cynthia Drexel (Wendy Barrie) and lets her know where to find the reluctant star. Drexel quickly hunts down her prey and sticks to him like glue. Although Allen initially is exasperated with her, he soon finds himself attracted to her. In addition to arias from The Marriage of Figaro and Faust, Tibbert performs Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz's "Amigo," "My Little Mule Wagon" and the title song. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lawrence Tibbett, Wendy Barrie, (more)
- 1936
King of Hockey was one of three low-budget hockey films released during the 1936-37 season, each one produced by a different studio. Dick Purcell stars as swell-headed hockey champ Gabby Dugan, whose career is abruptly terminated when he's accused of shaving points during a crucial game. Even worse, a blow on the skull induces temporary blindness, causing Gabby to wonder if he'll ever get to play again. Not only does he stage a spectacular comeback, but he also wins back the love of his estranged sweetheart Kathleen O'Rourke (Anne Nagel). A goodly portion of the film is given over to juvenile performer Ann Gillis, whom Warner Bros. evidently hoped would develop into the "new Shirley Temple" (even though there was still plenty of mileage left in the "old" Shirley Temple). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dick Purcell, Anne Nagel, (more)
In this western, Gene Autry plays a cowboy with a heart as big as Texas who heads for the city to try to raise money so that a crippled little girl can get the operation she needs to walk again. First he talks a coffee company into being his sponsor. They opt to broadcast their performance on television, which had only recently been invented. Just as the performance is aired, there is trouble back at the ranch and the little girl finds herself trapped in a runaway wagon. Fortunately, the ranch hands rally to her rescue. Back in the city, the performance is a success and the girl is healed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
A postal inspector finds himself caught in a sticky situation as he tries to pin a rap for mail theft upon the owner of a prominent nightclub owner. The owner is guilty and only stole the mail so he could get the money he needs to pay off a murderous and impatient loan shark. Unfortunately, upon opening the mail sack, he discovers it filled with inane mail-order gadgets and a few letters. Meanwhile as the intrepid inspector closes in, he finds himself falling in love with a singer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ricardo Cortez, Patricia Ellis, (more)
Marlene Dietrich stars as the noble Domini Enfilden in this third film version of Robert Hichens' 1904 novel. After caring for her dying father, Domini is told by her Mother Superior (Lucille Watson) that she should go to the Algerian desert to rest and seek sanctuary. On her way to the town of Beni-Mora, Domini meets the ill-tempered and mysterious Boris Androvsky (Charles Boyer), a Trappist monk who has forsaken his vows and also seeks the Algerian desert for salvation. Domini is attracted to this moody monk, but continues on. Her desert guide, Batouch (Joseph Schildkraut), takes Domini to a cabaret, where a riot breaks out during a production number. Boris re-appears to rescue her from the trashed club. Domini and Boris fall in love, marry, and travel to the desert for their honeymoon. There the newlyweds encounter a unit of the French Foreign Legion, whose commander, De Trevignac (Alan Marshal), holds a secret to Boris's past. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlene Dietrich, Charles Boyer, (more)
