Raymond Bailey Movies
Born into a poor San Francisco family, Raymond Bailey dropped out of school in the 10th grade to help make ends meet. He took on a variety of short-term jobs before escaping his lot by hopping a freight to New York. He tried in vain to find work as an actor, eventually signing on as a mess boy on a freighter. While docked in Honolulu, Bailey once more gave acting a try, and also sang on a local radio station. In Hollywood from 1932 on, Bailey took any nickel-and-dime job that was remotely connected to show business, but when World War II began, he once more headed out to sea, this time with the Merchant Marine. Only after the war was Bailey able to make a living as a character actor on stage and in TV and films. In 1962, he was cast as covetous bank president Milburn Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies, a role that made him a household name and one which he played for nine seasons (ironically, he'd once briefly worked in a bank during his teen years). After the show was cancelled in 1971, Bailey dropped out of sight and became somewhat of a recluse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1959
Rod Steiger is the screen's first "method mobster" in the title role of Al Capone. The film traces Big Al's progress from a torpedo in the hire of Chicago gangster Johnny Torrio (Nehemiah Persoff) to Capone's takeover of the Windy City's bootlegging operations, and his ultimate downfall at the hands of the IRS. Rod Steiger delivers every line with maniacal gusto, as though it will be his last; sometimes he sounds like Frank Gorshin doing a Rod Steiger impression, but for the most part it is a dynamite performance. Featured in the cast are Murvyn Vye as Bugs Moran, Joe De Santis as Big Jim Colosimo, Lewis Charles as Hymie Weiss, Robert Gist as O'Banion, and James Gregory and Martin Balsam as composite characters, respectively based on honest Chicago cop John Siege and duplicitous newspaper reporter Jake Lingle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Steiger, Fay Spain, (more)
- 1960
Sixty-year-old gardener Phil Canby (Tom Tully) woos neither wisely nor well when he falls in love with 18-year-old Sue Thompson (Phyllis Love). Later on, Sue's father is killed, and Sheriff Willetts (Alan Baxter) arrests Phil for the murder. Protesting his innocence, Phil insists that he was babysitting his grandson on the night of the killing. The outcome of the story hinges on the sound of a baby's cry...but not from a baby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1955
Alfred Hitchcock's second directorial effort for his popular suspense anthology is one of the series' best ever episodes. Joseph Cotten stars as William Callew, a hard-nosed and hard-hearted businessman who holds in contempt such human failings as sentiment, pity, and tears. While racing to keep an appointment in New York, Callew is involved in a spectacular car accident. Awakening, he finds that he is completely paralyzed, unable to move or speak -- though we hear his every thought on the soundtrack. Everyone who comes across Callew assumes that he is dead, including the police and the coroner...and as the episode draws to its conclusion, the horrified Callew is being wheeled into the autopsy room of the morgue! "Breakdown" was re-filmed for the 1985 revival of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, with John Heard in the Joseph Cotten role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Lonely old Emma Paisley (Dorothy Stickney) adopts a stray cat, which insists upon roaming outside Emma's apartment and annoying her next-door neighbor, a bookie named Rinditch (Fred Graham). Finally, Rinditch tells Emma to keep the cat locked up, else he'll kill the wandering feline. As it turns out, however, it is Rinditch who ends up dead -- and he doesn't have eight spare lives like Miss Paisley's cat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
Having remarried since the mysterious disappearance of his first wife Jocelyn four years ago, Mark Halliday (Philip Abbott) is understandably astonished when he sees a painting of a woman who is the spitting image of his missing wife. Halliday locates the artist, Arthur Clymer (John Baragrey), who insists that Jocelyn has been posing for him during the past several months. But Halliday declares that this is impossible -- and if anyone should know beyond doubt that this is impossible, it is Halliday. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1955
Wealthy Walter Pelham (Tom Ewell) finds out that someone is going around impersonating him. Hoping to foil his "double," Pelham goes to great and strenuous lengths, changing his own appearance, his personal habits and quirks, and even his handwriting. Unfortunately, the impostor always seems to be one step ahead of Mr. Pelham -- and it looks as the though the phony will be successful in completely taking over the life of the genuine article. "The Case of Mr. Pelham" is one of a handful of Alfred Hitchcock Presents installments directed by Hitchcock himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Tennis player Walter Richmond (Robert Horton) finds a perfect doubles partner in the shapely form of attractive young widow Laura Gild (Betsy Von Furstenberg). As the two get to know each other better, the insatiably curious Walter begins asking questions about Laura's dear, departed husband. It would have been far better, however, if Walter had kept his curiosity to himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
One of John Cheever's best known (and most often dramatized) short stories is basis for this tense episode. While riding home from his office on the 5:48 commuter train, married suburbanite James Blake (Zachary Scott) is confronted by Iris Dent (Phyllis Thaxter), his former secretary -- and former mistress. Pulling a gun on Blake, Iris intends to exact vengeance for being spurned and humiliated by him. Although the situation heats up as the train ride continues, Iris' revenge turns out to be a dish best served cold -- and dirty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Handsome actor Paul Ross (Charles S. Carlson) breaks up a romance between his housekeeper, Caroline Hardy (Cloris Leachman), and another man, simply because he doesn't want Caroline to leave his employ. What Paul doesn't know is that Caroline is madly in love with him -- and that she has a distinct taste for revenge. Later on, Paul is horribly scarred in an explosion, whereupon Caroline calmly informs him that he is too disfigured ever to appeal to women again...except, of course, Caroline. A perverse twist caps this final episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents' seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on a novel by Robert Penn Warren, this Southern potboiler stars Yvonne DeCarlo as Amantha Starr, the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana plantation owner. When her father unexpectedly dies, Amantha discovers that her father was deep in debt and the family is penniless, and she is forced to drop out of the exclusive girls' school she was attending. What's more, it is discovered that Amantha has a small amount of African-American blood, and under the laws she is to be sold into slavery in New Orleans. Amantha is purchased by Hamish Bond (Clark Gable), a dashing, wealthy, but mysterious landowner. While Amantha is at first terrified by her new situation, in time she grows fond of Hamish and becomes romantically involved with him. However, the outbreak of the Civil War leads to Union forces taking New Orleans; RauRu (Sidney Poitier), Hamish's trusted overseer, joins the Northern forces as the Rebels go down in defeat. RauRu hates Amantha for literally sleeping with the enemy, and Hamish for the corrupt system he represents, but his last remaining threads of loyalty prevent him from taking them prisoner. With his crops destroyed, Hamish must rebuild his empire from the ground up, and, as he joins forces with his former associate Capt. Canavan (Torin Thatcher), he must reveal a shameful secret to Amantha: he once earned his living as a slave trader. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clark Gable, Yvonne De Carlo, (more)
- 1939
This gangster film is based upon fact as it tells the tale of a determined reporter who has decided to make sure a certain notorious gangster gets his just desserts. It takes a long time, but eventually the reporter succeeds and the gangster is sent up river. Unfortunately, once there, he becomes the leader of the prisoners and, though incarcerated, is soon up to his old tricks of trying to corrupt local politicians and the warden. The obsessed journalist is infuriated and so gets himself sent to prison to stop the gangster once and for all. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Garfield, Rosemary Lane, (more)
- 1962
Abducted by the Shoshones at the age of six, teenager Billy Horn (Carl Reindel is brought back to the White Man's world by Ben Cartwright. As Billy tries to adjust to a different set of rules and values, he forms a strong friendship with Ben's son Joe. Meanwhile, a slick operator named Milton Tanner (Ken Lynch) has laid claim to the Ponderosa, using a set of old land grants as proof of possession. While Ben prepares legal recourse with family lawyer Lewis (Robert Burton), Billy tries to use Indian methods to defend his new friends against the mean-spirited Tanner-with tragic consequences. Raymond Bailey, minus the toupe he wore as Milburn Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies, appears as the Judge in the closing scenes. Written by Preston Wood, "The Beginning" first aired on November 25, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
"The Colonel" is habitual liar Frank Medford, an old friend of Ben Cartwright. Now a poverty-stricken travelling salesman, Frank is determined to convince everyone that he is as successful as Ben. Thus, Frank tells one of his celebrated whoppers, claming to be a millionaire. It takes the love of a good woman-to be exact, Emily Colfax (Hellena Westcott)-to cure Frank of his chronic prevarications. Featured in the cast are such noteworthy character actors as Warren Kemmerling, Edward C. Platt, Mary Wickes and Raymond Bailey. Originally seen on January 6, 1963, "The Colonel" was written by Preston Wood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1959
While on a mountain expedition in the dead of winter, Hoss and Little Joe come upon an Indian woman (Chana Eden) who is about to give birth. Building a shelter for the woman, the two Cartwright boys stay by her side until the baby is born, then bring both mother and child back to the Ponderosa. Meanwhile, two men conduct a search for the woman -- one of whom has sworn to kill the other. Written by Donald S. Sanford, "The Last Hunt" was originally telecast on December 19, 1959. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
This 100th episode of Bonanza begins as Susan Blanchard (Pat Breslin) is injured in a wagon crash. Though there is nothing physically wrong with her, Susan is psychosomatically incapable of leaving her bed. Enter faith healer Garth (Ed Nelson), who promises to make Susan walk again if she will agree to marry him. Caught in the middle is Hoss Cartwright, who knows that Garth is a fraud but is unable to say so lest Susan suffer permanent emotional damage. Known variously as "The Miracle Worker" and "The Miracle Maker", this episode originally aired on May 20, 1962, as the final entry of Bonanza's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1956
George Nader stars as David Carr, a construction engineer operating in the Belgian Congo. In true jingoistic fashion, Carr wants to introduce the local natives to civilzation by re-zoning the Congotanga Falls region. Because this region is currently exempt from extradition, a small colony of fugitive criminals has sprung up. Among these worthies is suspected murderess Louise Whitman (Virginia Mayo), who like her fellow exiles would prefer that Carr not bring the region under the control of the Congolese government. One of these exiles is so anxious to get rid of Carr that he hires Chicago gunman Bart O'Connell (Michael Pate) to do the job. The supporting cast of Congo Crossing is a feast for film buffs, ranging from Peter Lorre as a cynical police inspector to Rex Ingram as a dedicated doctor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Nader, Virginia Mayo, (more)
- 1958
James Garner stars as WWII hero Major William Darby in this characteristically gusty William Wellman combat film. Darby organizes a highly-trained group of rangers, to be deployed in behind-the-lines activities in Italy and Northern Africa. The first portion of the film details the training, with time out for a few comic and romantic interludes; the second part shows Darby's Rangers in full, ferocious action. In addition to Garner, Warner Bros. used Darby's Rangers to spotlight another of its TV stars, Edd "Kookie" Byrnes; Bill Wellman Jr. also shows up in the supporting role of Eli Clatworthy. The film was adapted from the book by Major James Altieri. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Etchika Choureau, (more)
- 1939
Veteran character star Charles B. Middleton ("Ming the Merciless") escapes from a penitentiary after 15 years of imprisonment swearing vengeance on his former partner (Miles Mander) in this action adventure serial efficiently directed by the team of William Witney and John English. Kidnapping his former partner, Granville (Mander), Prisoner 39013 (Middleton) assumes the man's identity and sets out to destroy his various enterprises. At one of these, the Granville Amusement Pier, three athletes known as The Daredevils of the Red Circle swear vengeance when Prisoner 39013 blows up the pier, thereby killing the kid brother (Robert Winkler) of one of them. They align themselves with Granville's granddaughter (Carole Landis) and with a mysterious benefactor known only as The Red Circle. After 12 exciting chapters, the heroes finally destroy Prisoner 39013, leaving Gene Townley (Charles Quigley) and Miss Granville to plan their future together. A typically well-made Republic cliffhanger, Daredevils of the Red Circle starred not one but three heroes: Quigley, a former Columbia contract player, Herman Brix, who later changed his name to Bruce Bennett and enjoyed a modest leading man career at Warners, and stunt-man David Sharpe. Just starting out in films, leading lady Carole Landis was picked by none other than D.W. Griffith to star in One Million B.C. (1940), which earned her a studio contract with 20th Century Fox. Better known for her off-screen escapades, Landis, sadly, committed suicide in 1948. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Quigley, David Sharpe, (more)
- 1961
In the final episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon), in his capacity as sheriff of Tombstone, AZ, has captured vicious robber and murderer Jimmy Deuce. As a result, every other outlaw in Tombstone has fled for the hills -- thereby utterly ruining the town's economy and causing the populace to turn against Sheriff Slaughter. Urged to give up his badge by his wife Viola (Betty Lynn), John refuses, insisting that his job is far from finished. Meanwhile, professional gunfighter Frank Clell (Ralph Meeker) rides into town, insisting that he's mended his murderous ways -- but has he? Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Frank Clell's in Town" and the previous episode, "A Trip to Tucson," were in 1966 excerpted for use in the expanded theatrical-feature version of the earlier Tales of Texas John Slaughter entry "A Holster Full of Law." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In the fourth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) has been made a partner in the Sante Fe law firm run by J. Henry Newman (James Dunn). In this capacity, Elfego again comes to the aid of rancher Don Estaban Miranda (Gilbert Roland), whose land is coveted by a railroad company. When Don Estaban's land deed "mysteriously" disappears and his ranch is besieged by hired thugs, Elfego wonders if he will have to forsake his new peaceful ways and resort to gunplay. "Law and Order Inc." originally aired on the Walt Disney Presents anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
With Five Weeks in a Balloon, 20th Century-Fox hoped to cash on the success of the studio's earlier Jules Verne adaptation Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1959). The plot is set in motion when 19th-century explorer Fergusson (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) volunteers to head a balloon expedition to claim an otherwise unreachable chunk of African territory for the British Empire. Along for the ride are reporter Donald O'Shay (Red Buttons), absent-minded professor Sir Henry Vining (Richard Haydn), Vining's assistant Jacques (Fabian) and schoolmarm Susan Gale (Barbara Eden). Along the way, the little party acquires another passenger when they rescue native girl Makia (Barbara Luna) from a slave trader. Their many near-death experiences include a run-in with evil potentate Sheik Ageiba (Henry Daniell). Other reliable characters on hand include Peter Lorre, Herbert Marshall, Reginald Owen, Mike Mazurki, and, in a dual role, sneezemaster Billy Gilbert. Since no one could be expected to take this sort of fare seriously, Five Weeks in a Balloon is played tongue-in-cheek, peppered with such overripe dialogue as "You, sir, are a cad!" and "Kismet! We are doomed!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Red Buttons, Fabian, (more)
- 1939
In this high-flying drama, a foolhardy, free-spirited pilot throws his responsibilities as a mail pilot to the wind when he begins aggressively courting a beautiful flight attendant. Unfortunately, he pays so much attention to her, that he neglects his plane, resulting in the senseless death of his friend, a mechanic. Suddenly he becomes a pariah in the airline industry and no one will help him until the end of the film when he proves himself to be selfless and brave. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Regan, Jean Parker, (more)
This cinemadaptation of John O'Hara's From the Terrace stars Paul Newman as Alfred Eaton, an unhappily married financial adviser, while his real-life wife Joanne Woodward portrays Mary St. John, his promiscuous screen spouse. Mary's libertine behavior is a by-product of her husband's inability to express love and affection, a trait he has inherited from his cold-blooded father. Mark Robson directs and Myrna Loy heads up a large supporting cast as Newman's alcoholic mother. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, (more)
- 1955
Bedraggled old windbag Parcley Smith (Raymond Bailey) not only claims to have been a general in the Civil War, but he also insists that Dodge City's new banker Drew Holt (James O'Rear) is a con artist, who plans to steal everyone's money and then skip town. Though he knows Smith to be an inveterate liar, Matt investigates his accusations. Though Holt's credentials are impeccable, Matt cannot help but notice that the banker is keeping company with notorious gunslinger Ed Nash (John Alderson). Can it be that "General" Parcley Smith is actually telling the truth for the first time? This episode is adapted from the Gunsmoke radio broadcast of July 2, 1955. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Hired by a group of concerned businessmen, Paladin (Richard Boone) agrees to help rid the New Mexico town of Santa Maria of its outlaws. En route to his assignment, Paladin meets an eager young Native American named Charley Red Dog (Scott Marlowe), who claims to be a Federal Marshal. When it is revealed that Charley earned his "credentials" by way of a correspondence school, Paladin decides to let the Indian prove his worth and gain the respect of his white contemporaries by assuming the responsibilty of cleaning up Santa Maria. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
