Charles Hayes Movies
In this sequel to the international success Born Free, George and Joy Adamson (Nigel Davenport and Susan Hampshire) are a pair of married conservationists who years ago rescued a lion cub named Elsa and -- after raising her to adulthood as a pet -- were able to successfully return her to the wild. Years later, the Adamsons discover that Elsa has died, leaving three cubs of her own to fend for themselves. George and Joy once again take the young lions under their wing to see that they safely grow to maturity, but the Adamsons also face the challenge of reacclimating the three cats to their natural environment so that they can live in freedom, as nature intended. Like its predecessor, Living Free was filmed on location in Kenya and features beautiful photography of the unspoiled African plains by Wolfgang Suschitzky and Jack C. Couffer (the latter also served as director). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nigel Davenport, Susan Hampshire, (more)
- 1967
In this Ivan Tors action adventure (that later served as the basis for the television series Cowboy in Africa, John Mills appears as Wing Commander Howard Hayes, now having hung up his wings for ranching in Kenya. Hayes hatches a solution to alleviate the hunger of Masai villagers with a plan to domesticate wild African game. To do this, he imports from across the sea two authentic ridin' and ropin' American cowboys -- Jim Sinclair (Hugh O'Brien) and his faithful sidekick, John Henry (Tom Nardini). While the two sod busters corral wildlife for Hayes, Sinclair falls hard for an attractive nurse, Fay Carter (Adrienne Corri) and befriends a young native boy (Charles Malinda). But this African idyll is soon torn asunder when rancher Karl Bekker (Nigel Green) -- fearing that Hayes' wild animal domestication will breed disease and the contagion will infect his own prize cattle -- using any means necessary, sets out to sabotage Hayes's plans to feed the hungry. All riled up, Jim Sinclair swings into action to help Hayes. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugh O'Brian, John Mills, (more)
- 1958
The Toughest Gun in Tombstone, at least according to this film, as Arizona ranger Matt Sloane (George Montgomery). Working undercover, Sloane infiltrates an all-star outlaw gang consisting of Johnny Ringo (Jim Davis), Ike Clanton (Gerald Milton), Curly Bill Broces (Lane Bradford) and several other sagebrush celebrities. His purpose: to put an end to the smuggling of silver bullion across the Mexican border. Complicating matters is Sloane's concern over his young son Terry (Scott Morrow), who is being pursued across the territory by the man who murdered Sloane's wife. Not exactly an "A" picture, Toughest Gun in Tombstone is too well-mounted to be dismissed as a "B." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Montgomery, Beverly Tyler, (more)
- 1956
This tense, uncompromising African actioner affords Victor Mature one of his best screen roles. When his family is wiped out by Mau Mau insurrectionists, white hunter Mature assembles an expedition to track down the tribal leader responsible for the massacre. The British authorities don't want Mature to foment further difficulty by seeking revenge, so they revoke his hunting license. Still, he manages to embark upon his justice-seeking safari by hiring himself out as a guide for millionaire lion hunter Roland Culver and Culver's fiancee Janet Leigh. The grimness of the proceedings is occasionally leavened by an incongruously upbeat musical score. Safari was photographed on location by Ted Moore and directed by Terence Young, who'd later collaborate on the James Bond epic Thunderball (1965). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor Mature, Janet Leigh, (more)
- 1944
In this wartime comedy, a spoiled socialite attempts to endure army life after marrying a lieutenant. The constant traveling and inadequate quarters are almost more than she can bear. That she cannot get along with the other soldier's wives makes matters worse. When her husband's unit is placed on alert, she tries to get her father to help him get assigned a permanent position stateside. The couple then has a misunderstanding when he falsely believes that she is with child. Finally the woman begins to understand the nature of true patriotism and begins supporting her husband. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeanne Crain, Frank Latimore, (more)
- 1944
Two Girls and a Sailor is another of those all-star, no-plot wartime musicals turned out by the bushel basket in the 1940s. Its lack of nuance does not lessen its entertainment value in the least. Gloria DeHaven and June Allyson play a couple of well-meaning sisters who stage their own USO shows in their apartment for the benefit of visiting servicemen. They'd like to expand their show, so GI Van Johnson, who happens to be a millionaire, buys an empty factory and has it converted into a canteen. A trivial love triangle develops, but who cares? Bring on the stars! In the case of Two Girls and a Sailor, the celebrity lineup includes Jimmy Durante, Lena Horne, Jose Iturbi, Xavier Cugat, Grace Allen (performing her immortal "Concerto for Index Finger"), Harry James, Helen Forrest, and, in an amusing uncredited cameo, Buster Keaton (Also: keep a sharp eye out for Ava Gardner) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Johnson, June Allyson, (more)
- 1937
In this musical, the village smithy and his son (who looks just like him because they are played by the same actor) have a terrible fight after the son announces that he wants to become an engineer. Enraged and hurt, the father disowns his son. Years pass and the young man returns as a magnate in the auto industry. Seeing that his father is on the verge of bankruptcy, he uses his vast wealth to save him. Soon they reconcile and happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1934
In this comedy, an upstanding judge marries a woman whom he believes is much younger than she really is. To keep the illusion alive, the woman dresses her adult son as a boy. The truth is finally revealed during a wild music hall party. Fortunately, the judge is willing to accept them as they really are and happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
