Sam Hardy Movies

Though Will Rogers was still packing 'em in on Broadway, he was considered a Hollywood has-been when he starred in the independently produced A Texas Steer. Rogers also wrote the screenplay of this "topical comedy," in which he plays Texas rancher Maverick Brander, who is maneuvered into politics by his status-seeking wife Ma (Louise Fazenda). Unfortunately, Maverick finds himself at the mercy of a trio of corrupt political hacks who want our hero to use his influence to push through a piece of questionable legislation. The opponents of the bill contrive to abduct Maverick, but he escapes in time to strike a blow for honesty in Washington. The level of humor in the film can be gauged by such character names as "Bossy Brander," "Dixie Style" and "Fairleigh Bright." A Texas Steer had its moments, but Will Rogers would have to wait until talkies arrived to fully blossom as a film star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally titled Aunt Sally, Along Came Sally is one of many cheerful musical vehicles for the delightful British film fave Cicely Courtneidge. Courtneidge plays a dual role here: an aspiring nightclub singer and a famous French stage star. In the latter guise, she foils a gang of American racketeers who intend to take over the cabaret where she works. Director Tim Whelan cowrote the script for Along Came Sally with, among others, noted stage lyricist/librettist Guy Bolton. The film was released in Great Britain in 1933, then was unleashed in America one year later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this screwball comedy, Annabelle Leigh (Jeanette MacDonald) happily spends the $5,000 sent her each month by her husband, whom she hasn't seen since eleven hours after they were married. She explains to friends that while in Montana, she was injured and cared for by a burly, bearded miner, Hefty Jack (Victor McLaglen), who later married her for the sake of appearances. Less than a day later, Annabelle fled back to New York; Hefty Jack struck it rich, and has been sending her money ever since. Now Annabelle finds herself in financial hot water and desperately turns for help to John Rawson, a newcomer to the city; Annabelle is unaware that he is the now-beardless Hefty Jack. ~ Bill Warren, All Movie Guide

This playful spoof on the film business featured several stars including Ben Lyon, Lois Wilson, and Blanche Sweet. John Hart (Lyon) is a bank teller who gets fired after a shortage is found in his account. Desperate for work, he lands a job as a movie extra for famed director B.C. Duval (Dan Pennell, who looks and acts quite a bit like real-life director Cecil B. DeMille). Duval, with his retinue of "yes men," sees potential in young Hart and decides to make him over into a Latin lover. After they go to work on him, Hart is introduced to the press as ladykiller Don Juan Hartez. In order to promote his brand new reputation as a great lover, the press agent insists that he marry and divorce seven women in succession. After the sixth one, however, Hart gets fed up and runs off to marry his real sweetheart, Mary Kelly (Wilson), a modest little diner cook. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Katharine Hepburn suffers nobly while her philandering conductor husband Charles Boyer dallies with the likes of Helene Millard in this overheated melodrama directed by Philip Moeller of the renowned Theater Guild. Although receiving plenty of warning, prim lady composer Constance Roberti (Hepburn) is still devastated when her new husband, Franz (Boyer), is spotted dining with glamorous Sylvia (Millard) and promptly leaves him. A dipsomaniac, Roberti finds solace in a bottle and is soon reduced to playing in a seedy dive. Constance finds him there and after playing “their song” on the honky-tonk, Roberti resolves to go straight and return to the world of classical music. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

The popular silent-film screen team of Richard Arlen and Mary Brian was carried over into talkies with such films as Burning Up. In emulation of the late movie idol Wally Reid, Arlen is cast as daredevil race-car driver Lou Larrigan. Much to the dismay of his sweetheart Ruth Morgan (Brian), Larrigan insists upon risking his neck -- and everyone else's -- on a daily basis. After a series of devastating setbacks, our hero finally learns to straighten up and drive right, just in time for the Big Race finale. The racing scenes are excitingly photographed, but the dialogue passages are textbook examples of ennui. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

German actress Lena Malena starred in this lavishly budgeted and potentially intriguing melodrama about the influence of a valuable gem on its owners. In South Africa, a miner (Charles Stevens) loses his life after stealing a valuable diamond. Before he expires, he gives the stone to Musa (Malena), a girl from the village. Now known as the Shah Diamond, the gem turns up in New York City, where it is admired by Cecile (Gwen Lee), a socialite. When Cecile's lover Jerry (John Roche) buys her the stone, her husband John (Conrad Nagel) leaves in a fit of jealousy. Cecile, however, mistakes the gem for a valueless glass trinket and gives it to her maid, Musa. Next, the diamond turns up in a speakeasy, where it is admired by Tillie (Eleanor Boardman), the owner's girlfriend who is suffering from tuberculosis. An admirer, Larry (Lawrence Gray), secretly gives the girl money for treatment, but she instead buys the diamond. There is a police raid and Musa, now a dancing girl, is shot attempting to retrieve the diamond. Diamond Handcuffs was produced by Cosmopolitan Productions, an organization founded by newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

In this comedy-drama, The owner of a cannery tries to avert a potentially devastating strike from his employees. He is assisted by a friendly millionaire who saves the struggling cannery when he makes a large order. Unfortunately, the millionaire is actually an escapee from a local mental hospital. Fortunately, his insanity is but an act. He really is rich, and quite sane. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The Great Deception is set during WWI. Educated in Germany, British youth Cyril Mansfield (Ben Lyon) is seemingly uncertain of his loyalties when the War breaks out. Refusing to enlist in the British army, Cyril is accused of being a slacker and a coward. He then commits the ultimate betrayal by selling his services to the Germans. What none of Cyril's friends know is that he is secretly in the employ of British intelligence, pretending to be a spy for the Kaiser in order to get his hands on the enemy's secret war plans. His true purpose is revealed when his girlfriend Lois (Aileen Pringle) is kidnapped by German agent Von Markow (Lucien Prival). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Busy character actor Sam Hardy was afforded a rare starring role when he played the title character in High Hat. Despite his ritzy nickname, High Hat is a mere movie dress extra at First National Pictures (where the film was shot). Even so, he regards himself as the studio pundit, dispensing romantic and financial advice to such stars as John Barrymore and Pola Negri. The plot proper has something to do with a studio seamstress named Millie (Mary Brian), who after losing a string of pearls entrusted in her care vows to work overtime until she can make up their cost. High Hat comes to the girl's rescue, recovers the diamonds, and returns to his full-time "job" as First National's resident sage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this melodrama, a woman must spend a decade in prison after murdering her spouse. Upon entering jail, she had to give up her son who is told that his mother is dead. The boy grows up to become an artist. Upon her release from prison, she becomes an artist's model. She winds up posing for her own son who does not recognize her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide