Russ Morgan Movies
- 1957
Mister Cory represented the first of several successful collaborations between star Tony Curtis and director Blake Edwards. Adapted from a story by Leo Rosten, the story details the rise of Mr. Cory (Curtis) from summer-resort busboy to high-stakes gambler. Along the way, Cory uses several close associates to get ahead, including sluttish socialite Abby Vollard (Martha Hyer) and Abby's virtuous young sister Jen (Kathryn Grant). Charles Bickford delivers a sturdy performance as the worldly-wise older gambler who becomes Cory's partner and severest critic. Judging by the number of times it has recently popped up on Cable TV, Mister Cory is one of the most enduringly popular of Tony Curtis' 1950s vehicles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Martha Hyer, (more)
- 1956
Based on a novel by television producer Al Morgan, The Great Man is a Citizen Kane-style look at the private life of a public figure. The Great Man is a beloved radio and television personality who dies suddenly. Jose Ferrer (who also directed) plays a writer/commentator who has a chance to break into the Big Time by preparing a eulogistic broadcast concerning the deceased celebrity. As he interviews the various people who knew the Great Man on the way up (including Julie London and Ed and Keenan Wynn) he learns that the "idol of millions" was actually a conniving, duplicitous scoundrel who stepped on everyone in his path and who took credit for the hard work of others. Warned by his boss (Dean Jagger) that his career will be ruined if he tells the truth, Ferrer nonetheless takes to the airwaves with a "warts and all" biography--and the results are surprising only to those with no cynicism in their souls. The Great Man stirred up a sensation in 1956 because it was perceived to be an a clef study of the enormously popular (and ruthlessly powerful) media star Arthur Godfrey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- José Ferrer, Dean Jagger, (more)
- 1951
Evidently Monogram had high hopes for the modestly produced Disc Jockey, else why would the studio release the film through its "prestige" subsidiary Allied Artists? Songstress Ginny Simms stars as Vickie Peters, an unknown selected for stardom by radio deejay Mike Richards (Michael O'Shea). It is Richards' contention that he can create a singing star exclusively through exposure on disc-spinning radio programs, without resorting to that upstart medium called television. Along the way, Mike falls in love with Vickie, though she has eyes only for her manager Johnny (Tom Drake). Guest stars in this pleasant bit of fluff include Russ Morgan, Tommy Dorsey, George Shearing, Nick Lucas, Herb Jeffries, Sarah Vaughan, The Weavers, Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage, and a veritable legion of real-life disc jockeys. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ginny Simms, Tom Drake, (more)
- 1947
Years before his tenure as "The Skipper" on Gilligan's Island, Alan Hale Jr. delivered a delightful comic performance in Monogram's Sarge Goes to College. Hale is cast as a none-too-bright marine sergeant who is ordered to take a long rest before undergoing a serious operation. For reasons best known to himself, "Sarge" decides that a college campus is the ideal locale for peace & quiet. Before long, he's helping the kids put on one of those oversized college musical shows for which Monogram was famous (or, in some circles, infamous). Freddy Stewart and June Preisser once more handle the songs-and-romance angle, while Noel Neill, TV's future "Lois Lane", is as cute as a button as the campus vamp. The musical guest stars this time out include orchestra leaders Russ Morgan and Jack McVea. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Earl Bennett, Margaret Brayton, (more)
