Dennis Hoey Movies
Lantern-jawed British actor Dennis Hoey was 25 when he launched his theatrical career. A character player almost from the outset, Hoey was a valuable supporting presence in British films from 1927 through 1936. He came to America in 1941, where he worked steadily in films and in Hollywood-based radio programs until his retirement a decade later. Dennis Hoey is most fondly remembered for his portrayal of the thick-eared Inspector Lestrade in Universal's Sherlock Holmes films of the 1940s, a role that he carried over into the Holmes radio series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1930
In this British crime drama, a Yankee crook uses a garage owner's son as his alibi after he robs a bank and shoots a cop. A Scotland Yard investigator is behind him. He is just about to catch the crook, when the crook shoots him. The police then close in on the killer, but then his girl friend threatens to kill a policeman and the murderer escapes. In the end, just desserts are served when his girl runs him over with her car. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bernard Nedell, Joyce Kennedy, (more)
- 1931
In this British farce, a boy disregards his uncle's wishes and secretly marries his dream girl. The mayhem begins when the uncle pays a surprise visit. The young husband then tries to pretend that his wife is really married to his best friend. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Lupino, Dorothy Boyd, (more)
- 1931
In this comedy, a struggling artist who wants to die puts out a contract on himself, but then receives a large inheritance and doesn't want to die anymore. ~ Steve Huey, All Movie Guide
- 1931
While Peter Weir's 1980 filmizaton of Ernest Raymond's novel Gallipoli can be considered the definitive version, writer/director Anthony Asquith's 1931 adaptation Battle of Gallipoli (alternate title: Tell England) is a powerful piece of moviemaking in its own right. Carl Harbord and Tony Bruce play two naïve young Australians--one rich, one poor--who are filled with patriotic fervor when World War I breaks out. They make a grueling cross-country trek in order to join the already conscripted troops. Once on the battlefields of Europe however, the boys are confronted with Hell on Earth. Their disillusionment with war and warfare culminates in the death of one of the boys at Gallipoli. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fay Compton, Carl Harbord, (more)
- 1932
The title lass in this Eclipse production is a goatherd-ess, in love with a strapping mountain youth. During his daily sojourn through the hills, the hero gets mixed up in a skirmish between two hunters. To avoid injury, he collapses to the ground and plays dead then escapes into the mountains. Several weeks pass before he sees his sweetheart again, by which time she has fallen out of love with him. Spotting the girl keeping company with a handsome artist, the mountaineer goes crazy and lunges after his rival with a huge knife. The girl responds with a severe tongue-lashing and flounces off with her new boyfriend, leaving her ex-beau flat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1932
In this British thriller, a hapless fellow learns that he has chosen to stay in a problematic hotel when he learns that the stockbroker in the adjacent room has died and a woman is being blamed for the death. It is son revealed that the hotel manager, and another are attempting to keep the killing quiet until they can arrange the clues just so. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1933
When schoolgirl Ander sets out to win the love of a diplomat she pretends to be a socialite ending up in predictable entanglements in this Swiss-based musical. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1933
In this espionage drama, an American in Europe gives the wrong address to a taxi driver and ends up mistaken for a spy in charge of overthrowing a tiny monarchy by causing a prominent countess to be charged with treason and executed. Naturally the hapless Yank is assigned the task of planting the damning papers upon her person. Fortunately, the countess is not what she seems to be and together, she and the American pull a few double-crosses and escape their difficult situation. The film is also known as The Morning After. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sally Eilers, Ben Lyon, (more)
- 1933
Filmed in the Yiddish language, The Wandering Jew features Jacob Ben-Ami as a young Jewish artist living in Germany in the early 1930s. As the Nazis gain in influence, the artist's life and livelihood are slowly eroded: his non-Jewish fiancee leaves him and his paintings are rejected by the Academy of Art. Growing to despise his heritage, the artist prepares to destroy his latest painting, a portrait of his father titled The Eternal Jew. Suddenly the figure in the portrait comes to life, and as the astonished artist listens in rapt attention, the figure relates the history of Jewish perseverance in the face of such horrors as the Spanish Inquisition and the Russian pogroms. Inspired, the artist vows to devote his life to the anti-Nazi cause. The Wandering Jew is a remarkable film for its era, so far and yet so near to the "Final Solution." In retrospect, the film's most poignant moments occur when the hero's father describes the comparatively benign treatment of Jews in the Soviet Union. The filmmakers weren't in possession of all the facts in 1933--nor was the rest of the world, for that matter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Adler, Conrad Veidt, (more)
- 1933
While the opera "Faust" plays in the background, Lupino, in the audience, attempts to meet the girl of his dreams, Burne, also in the audience. Unforeseen events make the encounter difficult. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Lupino
- 1933
Lily of Kilarney stars John Garrick as Sir Patrick Cregeen, an heir who must raise a great deal of money in a hurry, lest he lose his family's ancestral castle and his intended, Eileen O'Connor (Gina Malo), to the vile Sir James Corrigan (Stanley Perrins).
Cregeen enters a steeplechase race, but in order to win the big prize he'll have to beat Corrigan's steed. Veteran music hall favorite Stanley Holloway is in fine fettle as a singing priest, while Sara Allgood of the Abbey Players contributes another of her well-rounded characterizations. Bride of the Lake was based on the popular Dion Boucicault theatrical barnstormer Colleen Bawn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Cregeen enters a steeplechase race, but in order to win the big prize he'll have to beat Corrigan's steed. Veteran music hall favorite Stanley Holloway is in fine fettle as a singing priest, while Sara Allgood of the Abbey Players contributes another of her well-rounded characterizations. Bride of the Lake was based on the popular Dion Boucicault theatrical barnstormer Colleen Bawn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gina Malo, John Garrick, (more)
- 1933
A theatrical stage manager disguises herself as a duchess to impress a big-shot film producer. This is based on one of Fred Karno's "Mumming Bird" sketches. ~ Steve Huey, All Movie Guide
- 1933
Based on a novel by J. B. Priestley, this British musical-comedy follows an unlikely trio as they try to revive the fortunes of a floundering touring theatrical troupe. Inigo Jolifant (John Gielgud) is a schoolteacher with a talent for songwriting, and Jess Oakroyd (Edmund Gwenn) is a man with theatrical ambitions who has just lot his job. Together, they persuade Miss Trant (Mary Glynne), an older single woman looking for adventure, to back them as they try to bring "The Dinky Do's" back into the spotlight. Susie Dean (Jessie Matthews) is a chorus girl who dreams of stardom, and when she's made the new leader of the show, it looks as if her dreams may finally become a reality. The Good Companions is buoyed by the superb singing and dancing talents of Matthews, who was considered one of the screen's greatest musical stars in England and Europe, though she inexplicably never achieved the same fame in the United States; Gielgud also got a rare opportunity to display his vocal abilities in this film. Keep your eyes peeled for Jack Hawkins and horror film great George Zucco, who both appear in supporting roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jessie Matthews, Edmund Gwenn, (more)
- 1934
The timeworn British stage musical Chu Chin Chow had already been made into a silent picture when this talkie version made its bow in 1934. Based on Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, the film stars corpulent music-hall comedian George Robey as Ali Baba, sinister Fritz Kortner as robber captain Abu Hahan, and exotic Anna May Wong as slave girl Zahrat, who saves Ali's life by properly applying oil to a collection of not-so-empty barrels. The obligatory romantic subplot is handled by John Garrick and Pearl Argyle, while comedy relief is supplied by a vaudevillian named Jetsam (that's right, of the team of "Flotsam and...") Director Walter Forde does little to "cinematize" the old property, which is just as well. Originally released at 93 minutes, Chu Chin Chow was shorn of about 5 minutes before its American release; presumably some of the sexier "nautch" dances were among the excised scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Robey, Fritz Kortner, (more)
- 1934
Jew Suss was a well-worn stage drama based on an old novel by Lionel Feuchtwanger. The story involves an enterprising Jewish businessman (Conrad Veidt) who gains power and influence in the European community of Wurttemburg. He does this to help his people, who have suffered persecution under the Gentile burgomeisters. To his horror, Suss discovers that he is actually not Jewish at all. The question: Was his own suffering on behalf of the community's genuine Jews worth it, and will he continue to act in their best interest? Filmed as a protest against the rising tide of Anti-Semitism in Germany, Jew Suss (released in the U.S. as Power) was far from subtle, but its heart was in the right place. There would be a reprehensible 1940 German remake of Jew Suss, this time filmed under the aegis of Nazi propaganda minister Josef Goebbels, wherein the story was perverted into an anti-Jewish tract and Suss was portrayed as a drooling rapist! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conrad Veidt, Benita Hume, (more)
- 1935
In this musical comedy, the trouble begins when a carefree playboy steals the virtue of a young French maiden and is forced to marry her when her angry father, a financier finds out. The playboy is flat broke, but does the honorable thing. The newlyweds then board a ship and sail off to the States. They are accompanied by the girl's ex-fiance. The plan was for the young marrieds to get a divorce as soon as possible, but then the groom realizes that he really does love the girl. Happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1935
Brewster's Millions was the fourth film version (and first talkie adaptation) of the war-horse Winchell Smith/Byron Ongley play. This being a British film, it's only logical that popular British musical comedy star Jack Buchanan should portray hero Jack Brewster. Once more, Brewster will inherit his uncle's huge estate only if he's able to spend one million pounds within two months. Our hero invests in several "lost cause" stocks and businesses, only to suffer as each one of his investments makes money. A last-act surprise enables Brewster to come out on top--and to claim as his bride the lovely Nancy O'Neil, who would love him even if he were broke. Brewster's Millions would be remade three more times over the next five decades. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Buchanan, Lili Damita, (more)
The film opens on a theatrical stage where the principal players are introduced in a manner that suggests the audience already knows the story about to be played out. It begins inside the Red Barn in Polstead, Suffolk, where local girl Maria Marten (Sophie Stewart) dances with local, middle-aged squire and magistrate William Corder (Tod Slaughter) during a merry barn dance. Stealing a moment from the festivities, Carlos, a gypsy (Eric Portman) declares his love for Maria, but she rebuffs him and does not disclaim her interest in Corder. Corder is angered when a gypsy palm reader gives him a bad fortune and all of the gypsies are ejected from the party. Maria catches up with Corder later and shares a drink with him at his home; meanwhile, her father (D.J. Williams) notes Maria's absence and suspects her out with the gypsy. Corder, in the meantime, has become intimate with Maria and sends her home, promising marriage. A chance encounter with Carlos is interrupted by Maria's father, who pleads with Corder to have the gypsy barred from the locality. Corder then travels to London and loses big with a disastrous tumble of the dice; Corder schemes to recoup his losses through wooing a local widow of means, plans that do not include Maria.
Over time, Maria's delicate condition becomes apparent and her father casts her out of the family home. Maria approaches Corder for help, but becoming aware of her dire situation threatens to tell her father the truth. Corder renews his pledge to marry Maria and tells her to meet him at the Red Barn in couple of hours. Once there, Corder shoots Maria with a pistol and buries her body under the floor, but misplaces a damning piece of evidence at the scene. Disarmed by the pleas of Maria's grieving mother (Clare Greet, a favorite actress of Alfred Hitchcock's), Maria's father resumes the search for her. Carlos appears at Corder's and begins to pressure him about Maria's whereabouts; they are interrupted and Corder sets a trap for the gypsy which he barely escapes. Carlos, Corder, Mr. Marten and a number of police constables all end up at the Red Barn; at first it looks bad for Carlos, but when Corder's own dog begins sniffing around in the barn, Corder finds himself facing a spell of misfortune that will make his poor luck at the dice table seem insignificant by comparison.
~ David Lewis, All Movie Guide
Over time, Maria's delicate condition becomes apparent and her father casts her out of the family home. Maria approaches Corder for help, but becoming aware of her dire situation threatens to tell her father the truth. Corder renews his pledge to marry Maria and tells her to meet him at the Red Barn in couple of hours. Once there, Corder shoots Maria with a pistol and buries her body under the floor, but misplaces a damning piece of evidence at the scene. Disarmed by the pleas of Maria's grieving mother (Clare Greet, a favorite actress of Alfred Hitchcock's), Maria's father resumes the search for her. Carlos appears at Corder's and begins to pressure him about Maria's whereabouts; they are interrupted and Corder sets a trap for the gypsy which he barely escapes. Carlos, Corder, Mr. Marten and a number of police constables all end up at the Red Barn; at first it looks bad for Carlos, but when Corder's own dog begins sniffing around in the barn, Corder finds himself facing a spell of misfortune that will make his poor luck at the dice table seem insignificant by comparison.
~ David Lewis, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tod Slaughter, Sophie Stewart, (more)
This chiller speculates upon a haunting real-life mystery that occurred off the English coast on December 5, 1872 where the American ship Marie Celeste was found drifting with her sails set at half-mast with absolutely no one on board. According to the film, the crewmen were murdered by captain Anton Lorenzen, whose lust for vengeance against a mutinous first mate six years before drives him insane. The film is also titled Mystery of the Marie Celeste. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bela Lugosi, Shirley Grey, (more)
- 1935
This story is based both on a long-standing legend and a play by E. Temple Thurston. Veteran British director Maurice Elvey brought years of experience with theatrical adaptations to the difficult task of filming a movie that spans centuries and strains credulity. Conrad Veidt stars as the Jew who urges Roman authorities to crucify Jesus and release Barabbas. As a punishment, he is condemned by God to wander the Earth for many centuries, enduring innumerable trials and tribulations on several continents. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conrad Veidt, Matheson Lang, (more)
- 1935
Basil Gill depicts playwright Shakespeare in this drama featuring discussions with various friends along with scenes of his plays. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1936
Released in Germany as Schwarze Rosen, Black Roses represented the return to UFA studios of British musical comedy favorite Lillian Harvey, after several years in Hollywood. The delectable Harvey plays a Russian ballerina, stranded in turn-of-the-century Finland. She falls in love with sculptor Esmond Knight, a political dissident with a price on his head. To save Knight, Harvey spends the night with Tsarist governor Robert Rendel. The story is based on the real-life ballerina Marina Feodorovna, who ended up sacrificing her life on behalf of her lover. Black Roses was filmed in three languages: German, French and English; the English version was originally titled Did I Betray? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lilian Harvey
- 1936
British actor Dennis Hoey, best known for his appearances as the slow-witted Inspector Lestrade in the Sherlock Holmes films, is the athletic, take-charge leading man in the Australian Uncivilised. The story is set in motion when lady novelist Beatrice Lynn (Margot Rhys) journeys into the Outback in search of Mara (Hoey), a white man who has made his home with an Aborigine tribe. She arrives at her destination to discover that Mara is a virtual god in his dominion, ruling the tribesmen with a firm but benevolent hand. For most of the film, Dennis Hoey delivers his dialogue in an Aboriginal language, briefly reverting to English when he sings a song (and quite well at that). Margot Rhys' brief nude-swimming sequence was publicized for all it was worth when Uncivilised was released in the U.S. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hoey, Marcelle Marney, (more)
A Yank in the RAF is brash pilot Tim Baker (Tyrone Power), freshly arrived in London. Hoping to impress his nightclub-singer girlfriend Carol Brown (Betty Grable), Tim joins the Royal Air Force, immediately alienating everyone with his cockiness and "What the Hell?" attitude concerning the war. All this changes when Baker is obliged to fly under combat conditions, whereupon he shows what he's really made of. One of the most popular of the pre-Pearl Harbor "preparedness" films, A Yank in the RAF comes to an exciting conclusion, with actual newsreel footage of the evacuation of Dunkirk expertly matched with studio mockups. As a bonus, Betty Grable sings such catchy numbers as Another Little Dream Won't Do Us Any Harm. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyrone Power, Betty Grable, (more)
