June Johnson Movies

The Pals of the Pecos are our old pals The Three Mesquiteers, portrayed herein by Robert Livingston (as Stony Brooke), Bob Steele (as Tucson Smith) and Rufe Davis (as Lullaby Joslin). Once again hopscotching in time, the Mesquiteers finds themselves in the year 1858. Attempting to help establish an overland stagecoach service, the three protagonists are challenged by progress-hating villain Stevens (Robert Frazer). Tossed into jail on a trumped-up charge, the Mesquiteers escape in time to see that justice is served. The leading lady duties in Pals of the Pecos are handled by June Johnson, a pretty amateur who disappeared from films not long afterward. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Yet another fast-paced western featuring the "Three Mesqueteers," pulp writer William Colt McDonald's trio of sagebrush heroes, Lone Star Raiders finds Stony Brooke (Robert Livingston), Tucson Smith (Bob Steele) and Lullaby Joslin (Rufe Davis) defending elderly rancher "Granny" Phelps (Sarah Padden) from greedy neighbor Henry Martin (George Douglas). Engaging in a bit of sabotage, the latter is hoping that "Granny" will lose a potentially valuable contract to supply horses for the cavalry. Wise to Martin's evil machinations, the Mesqueteers, aided by ranch foreman Cameron (John Elliott) and his daughter Linda (June Johnson), prevent the poisoning of the water trough. But our heroes soon find themselves falsely accused of killing Cameron and are thus prevented from participating in the Big Race that may determine "Granny's" future. The old lady, however, manages to break the trio out of jail in the nick of time and Cameron's real killer, Mason henchman Dixon (John Merton), is apprehended. Stony wins the race and "Granny" is rescued from financial ruin. Helmed by George Sherman, one of the best directors in the business, Lone Star Raiders moves at a typically fast clip and is constantly entertaining despite an overabundance of stock footage from earlier, more luxurious "Three Mesqueteers" entries. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

James Stewart and Ginger Rogers were "an item" when Vivacious Lady was filmed, and their obvious real-life affection for one another pours over onto the screen. Stewart plays Peter Morgan, a young botany professor who while on a visit to New York impulsively marries free-spirited nightclub singer Francey (Rogers). A few obstacles lie in the path of connubial bliss, however, including Peter's bitchy ex-fiancee Helen (Frances Mercer) and his stern college-dean father Peter Morgan Sr. (Charles Coburn). Hoping to break the news of his marriage gently to Helen and his father, Pete contrives to keep the union a secret, with the expected embarrassing results. Before the final fade-out, both Morgan Senior and Morgan Junior are on the outs with their respective wives, and it takes an uproariously tearful reunion on a passenger train to straighten things out. In his first outing as a producer, director George Stevens shows off his two-reel-comedy training with a number of hilarious comedy setpieces (the best is a slapsticky cat-fight between the two rivals for Pete's affections), though things tend to slow down towards the end. Stevens also finds room for several of his favorite character actors, including Grady Sutton, Franklin Pangborn and Willie Best, to do their time-honored specialties. Best of all is Beulah Bondi as James Stewart's mother (one of several such assignments), delivering a most unusual and touchingly funny performance. In short, Vivacious Lady was a guaranteed box-office smash even before the cameras began to turn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Actual footage of the 1936 Rose Bowl game is cleverly (if not seamlessly) integrated into the action of this sports-oriented comedy. Longtime chums Paddy O'Reilly (Tom Brown) and Dutch Schultz (Benny Baker) may be heroes of the high-school gridiron, but they're persona non grata with the girls, thanks to campus lothario Ossie Merrill (Larry "Buster" Crabbe). Managing to get on the college football team in time for the Rose Bowl competition, Paddy and Dutch finally win out over Ossie by scoring the winning touchdown. Of interest in the cast as one of the campus cuties is curvaceous Priscilla Lawson, who'd previously starred as Princess Aura opposite Buster Crabbe in the Universal serial Flash Gordon. Also on hand is William Frawley, as-what else? -- a college football coach. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi