King Movies
This kooky British comedy chronicles the zany and occasionally dramatic exploits of the Song and Dance Unit, Southeast Asia (SADUSEA, pronounced "sad-you-see") assigned to entertain troops stationed in the Malayan jungle during WW II. It is based on a play by Peter Nichols. The entertainers are led by the rigid Major Giles Flack. Much to Flack's discomfiture, most of his unit is gay and enjoys dressing up in drag. The film also contains a serious subplot about a treacherous cad in the group who gets the only real woman in the troupe pregnant and then abuses her. He also steals ammo and information to give to the enemy. In the end, a terrible battle ensues at his hands. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Cleese, Denis Quilley, (more)
A gentler but no less resourceful Alan Ladd stars in The Proud Rebel. Ladd is cast as civil war veteran John Chandler, while the star's son David (who grew up to become a powerful Hollywood producer) plays Chandler's emotionally disturbed son David. Since suffering a traumatic shock during the war, David has not spoken a single word. With his son in tow, John wanders the frontier in search of a doctor who might cure David's muteness. Along the way, he runs afoul of sheep baron Harry Burleigh (Dean Jagger), and for a brief period is forced into indentured servitude to pay a debt to farm woman Linnet Moore (Olivia de Havilland). Falling in love with Linnet, John vows to protect her land from the covetous machinations of Burleigh and his brood. It is during the climactic set-to between good guys and bad that David at long last finds his voice again. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Ladd, Olivia de Havilland, (more)
- 1935
In this drama, an aging ironworker inherits enough money to lead a comfortable life. Unfortunately his family seems determined to squander his new-found wealth. First his son becomes a lazy slug; then his brother kills someone. The ironworker decides to teach them a lesson. He returns to work and is nearly killed. The family is sobered up by the accident and decides to clean up their act. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1934
In this haunted comedy, a psycho scientist takes his ward's money and uses it to pay for his inventions. When a playwright wants to marry the ward, the scientist decides to frighten him away. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
