Channing Pollock Movies

"Hello, gorgeous!" was Barbra Streisand's first comment to the Oscar statuette which she won for her performance in this biopic of entertainer Fanny Brice. This is also her first line in the film itself, the catalyst for a movie-long flashback. Repeating her Broadway role, Streisand stars as legendary comedienne Brice (1891-1951), whose life until the mid-1920s is romanticized herein. A gawky New Yawker, Brice fast-talks her way into show business, certain that she's destined to be "The Greatest Star." Hired as a "dramatic" singer by impresario Flo Ziegfeld (Walter Pidgeon), Brice defies orders to play it straight, turning a "Beautiful Bride" tableau into a laugh riot by dressing herself up as an extremely pregnant newlywed. The stratagem turns Brice into an overnight star and the toast of Broadway. But all is not roses for Brice, especially in her turbulent private life as the wife of big-time gambler Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif). Nicky at first finds it amusing to be referred to as "Mr. Brice," but he begins to resent his wife's fame and fortune and starts taking foolish risks with other people's money. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars, including Best Picture and Kay Medford for her portrayal of Brice's mother, Rose. Funny Girl was produced by Ray Stark, Brice's real-life son-in-law, who had enough material left over for a sequel, 1975's Funny Lady. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This French-filmed trifle is based on the roguish character created by Ponson du Terrail. American actor Channing Pollock is Rocambole, living by wits in Paris. The film recounts his adventures as he goes from one swinging nightspot to another. Along the way, he breaks a few hearts, but holds out promise for others. A moderate success in the American art-house circuit, Rocambole did even better when released to TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally titled Lo Sceisso Rosso, the Italian-American The Red Shiek takes place in 19th century Morocco. A wicked sultan revels in making his subjects miserable, until the mysterious Red Shiek makes the scene. The audience knows that the Shiek is actually Ruiz (Channing Pollock), an outwardly meek carpenter. We also know that Ruiz has donned his disguise to avenge his father's murder. What we don't know is how long it will take the somewhat dense villains to catch on. Short on plot, Red Sheik is long on action, and that's all we can ask for. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this comedy, two racetrack gamblers lose all their dough by betting on a long shot. Now they must hitchhike to the next racetrack. En route they take cover in an apparently abandoned mansion. There they find some clothing, which they put on. Unfortunately, in that garb, they are mistaken by the servants for the owner's son and his friend. Complications ensue. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this drama, which marks Barbara Stawyck's Hollywood film debut, a woman is taken to an illegal cabaret set aboard a wealthy man's yacht. Her captor, the owner, then locks her in a stateroom. When the cops raid the joint, she is photographed with the wealthy cad. Time passes and the woman ends up marrying her new boss. The cad gets involved with her sister-in-law. Later her new husband and the creep get in a fight over the woman. A shot is fired and the millionaire dies. The police then find the woman locked in her room. To spare her husband, the woman confesses to killing the cad. Her husband refuses to let her take the fall for his crime and she is freed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The Enemy was based on the rabidly anti-war play by Channing Pollock. Lillian Gish plays Pauli Amdt, the granddaughter of August Behrend (George Fawcett), a pacifistic Viennese schoolteacher. Pauli marries student Carl Behrend (Ralph Forbes), who almost immediately thereafter marches off to World War I. We say "almost," because Pauli has been rendered pregnant. When her grandfather loses his job due to political pressure, poor Pauli is forced into prostitution to provide food for her baby. Things get darker when Carl is reported missing in action. A happy ending did not diminish the dramatic clout of the earlier scenes, though when The Enemy was first released, many critics complained that Lillian Gish's performance paled in comparison to that of Fay Bainter, who starred in the original Broadway production. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When rector Daniel Gilchrist (Edmund Lowe) preaches material sacrifice to his wealthy congregation, he is forced out of his parish. His sweetheart, Clare (Brenda Bond), dumps him in favor of Jerry Goodkind (Raymond Bloomer), the son of a wealthy man (George Lessey). Gilchrist goes on to found a mission, while Jerry's constant womanizing tortures Clare. When she returns to her former flame, however, he insists that happiness comes through service. Hennig, a vindictive and misguided miner (A.J. Herbert), incites a mob to attack Gilchrist, but they come to a halt when Mary, a crippled little girl (Anne Dale), is healed by her faith and walks. Jerry's father compares Gilchrist's life to that of his son, and wonders whether the ousted rector has had the more successful life. This drama actually turned out better than the Channing Pollock play on which it was based -- something that doesn't happen often in motion pictures. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide