Billy Benedict Movies
- 1943
In this taut crime thriller, a quiet bank clerk spends his little vacation in Indianapolis and then returns to his little boarding house in Ohio. There he hears a radio newscast about the corpse of a girl found in Indianapolis; he then hears a description of the killer and is appalled to realize that he matches it exactly. Soon many are looking at him with alarming suspicion. More young women die, and each time more and more evidence links him to the crimes. The people begin believing that he has a split personality, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Is he really a psycho killer, or is someone else behind the terrible crimes? ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Ghosts on the Loose (which features no ghosts whatsoever) is perhaps the best-known of Monogram's "East Side Kids" series. This time, Muggs (Leo Gorcey), Glimpy (Huntz Hall), and the rest of the kids offer to decorate the honeymoon cottage of Glimpy's sister, Betty (Ava Gardner), and her new husband, Jack (Rick Vallin). Unfortunately, the boys end up at the wrong house, a sinister mansion that serves as the headquarters for a Nazi spy ring headed by Emil (Bela Lugosi). The rest of the film is an extended chase -- first the Nazis chasing the boys, then the boys chasing the Nazis. Incidentally, this is the film in which Bela Lugosi allegedly sneezes out an obscenity. Ghosts on the Loose has been reissued under several titles, notably The East Side Kids Meet Bela Lugosi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bela Lugosi, Ava Gardner, (more)
- 1943
There's a joke currently making the rounds amongst underpaid civil servants in the state of Vermont: "Moonlight in Vermont-or starve." Back in 1943, however, Moonlight in Vermont was not only a popular song, but also the title of this 6-reel Universal "B" musical. Gloria Jean plays Gwen Harding, fresh off the farm in Vermont and newly arrived in New York. Aspiring to an acting career, Gwen enrolls in a snooty dramatic school, where she falls in love with student "Slick" Ellis (Ray Malone). Though many of Gwen's fellow would-be thespians treat her rather cruelly, they prove that they're good kids underneath when they show up en masse at her family's farm to help with the harvesting. It's all merely an excuse for Gloria Jean to sing, of course-and what's wrong with that? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gloria Jean, George Dolenz, (more)
- 1943
The East Side Kids come face to face with High Society in Mr. Muggs Steps Out. Ordered by a judge to get a job, Muggs McGinniss (Leo Gorcey) is hired by wealthy Mrs. Murray (Betty Blythe), who has a penchant for picking up trouble-prone servants. At an engagement party for Mrs. Murray's spoiled daughter Brenda (Joan Marsh), Muggs enlists his pals Glimpy (Huntz Hall), Pinky (Billy Benedict), Speed (Bobby Stone), Skinny (Bud Gorman), Danny (Dave Durand) and Rocky (Jimmy Strand) as extra help. When a valuable necklace is stolen, Muggs and his buddies immediately fall under suspicion, but in a climactic fracas with the real thief, the East Side Kids prove that Mrs. Murray's faith in Muggs was not misplaced. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, (more)
- 1943
Even non-fans of the East Side Kids will get a goodly share of laughs out of the 1943 series entry Clancy Street Boys. The story commences when Muggs McGinnis (Leo Gorcey) learns that his wealthy Uncle Pete (Noah Beery Sr.) is coming to town for a visit. The problem: Muggs' mom (Martha Wentworth) has claimed that she has seven children so that big-hearted Pete will continue sending much-needed money to her fatherless family. To avoid disillusioning Pete, Muggs' pals are enlisted to pose as his siblings, with Glimpy (Huntz Hall) posing as sister Annabelle (it is explained that Scruno, the black member of Muggs' gang, was "adopted"). Uncle Pete and his pretty daughter Judy (Amelita Ward) are taken in by the ruse until local crook George Mooney (Rick Vallin) spills the beans. But all is forgiven when Muggs, Glimpy and company rescue Pete from kidnappers. Best bit: About to go into a huddle, the East Side Kids turn "en masse" towards the camera, politely tip their hats and say "Excuse us!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, (more)
A wounded aerial gunner tells his story in this wartime propaganda film. He begins with his recruitment and basic training before the war. There he discovers that his sergeant is one of his foes, and that both of them are fighting for the affection of the lovely sister of a fellow recruit who becomes terrified of flying and suffers a plane crash during training. Eventually all is overcome and the new squadron prepares to fly for the South Pacific. The two rivals end up landing on an island overrun by Japanese troops. They frantically try to repair their downed plane. Later the brave sergeant sacrifices his life to save his rival who takes off and somehow makes it back to safety. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chester Morris, Richard Arlen, (more)
- 1941
Its sophisticated title notwithstanding, Tuxedo Junction is another heap o' cornpone from hillbilly-music favorites The Weaver Brothers and Elviry. The plot has more substance than usual, with a group of tough young migrant workers trying to do their municipal duty by constructing a float for the annual Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California. Initially, the kids' leader Sock (Frankie Darro) was averse to such "sissy work", but he and the rest of the boys are won over by the enthusiasm and down-home goodness of the Weavers. Evidently an attempt by Republic Pictures to emulate the success of Monogram's "East Side Kids" films, Tuxedo Junction works better in the musical department. And yes, that gangly, darkly handsome young fellow playing nominal romantic lead Bill Bennett is future "Lone Ranger" Clayton Moore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Weaver, June Weaver, (more)
- 1940
This "Little Tough Guys" series entry finds the kids gainfully employed building airplane engines. Hoping to get into the air themselves, the boys take jobs with a crooked crop-dusting concern. Carter (Victor Jory), the head of the company, refuses to buy new planes, despite the dangers faced by his pilots. When young Rap (Bobby Jordan) is killed in a subtandard plane, his pal Tommy (Billy Halop) swears revenge. The plot is resolved in a wild car chase which segues into an aerial dogfight between Tommy and the fleeing Carter. Much-needed comedy relief is provided by series regular Huntz Hall and by the inimitable Shemp Howard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, (more)
