Bryan Powley Movies

The oft-filmed story of the WW I espionage agent known as "Fraulein Doktor" was given another go-round in the British Under Secret Orders. Dita Parlo plays Anne-Marie Lesser, a German secret agent who undermines the Allied cause at the expense of her own happiness. Top billing is bestowed upon Erich von Stroheim, as Anne-Marie's superior Colonel Mathiesus, a self-styled master of disguise (though his various makeups don't fool anyone in the audience). Released in the U.S. in 1943, Under Secret Orders was originally distributed in England in 1937 under the title Street of Shadows. A simultaneously-filmed French version, Mademoiselle Docteur, likewise starred Parlo and Von Stroheim. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this entry in the long-running British comedy series, the boisterous Mother Riley plays a nurse who was forced to volunteer for the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Mayhem ensues until she is able to prevent German spies from acquiring important documents. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this comedy, a dart-playing clerk catches a jewel thief. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this comedy a young woman weasels out of a vacation with her parents and away from the young man they want her to date by conning a scientist to pose as a doctor and tell them she is terribly ill. The daughter and her "physician" end up traversing the country in their attempts to avoid her family and the suitor who disgusts her. Along the way, the two fall in love. Marital bliss ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this love story, a young man loves a young woman. Unfortunately, his snooty mother disdains the humble girl and wants her son to marry a wealthy, sophisticated woman. Fortunately, the boy persuades his mother that he loves the other. He then arranges a date between the society girl and his best friend. Everyone wins in the end. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This interesting early docu-drama offers a complete chronicle of the history of aviation from prehistoric times through the mid 1930s. Though the film was finished by 1935, it was not released until much later. H.G. Wells assisted on the first drafts of the script. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Lynn has just received his inheritance--a stable of racehorses. The only problem is that his aunt, a staunch opponent to gambling in any form, is apoplectic at the thought of his owning the stable. She wants him to turn it into a home for working women. That's when then con men show up with a wrestling arena to sell. ~ Rovi

D.W. Griffith served as supervisor (but not director) for the Fine Arts production Cross Currents. Helen Ware plays Elizabeth Crane, the fiancee of handsome and wealthy Paul Beale Courtenay Foote. Upon learning that her kid sister Flavia (Teddy Sampson) is hopelessly in love with Beale, Elizabeth nobly steps aside to allow sis to marry the man. After the marriage, Beale and Flavia go on a yachting voyage, accompanied by Elizabeth and several other wedding guests. The yacht catches fire, stranding Elizabeth and Beale together on a desert island. By an amazing coincidence, the island is inhabited by one of Elizabeth's former suitors, Silas Randolph (Sam DeGrasse). The two men fight over Elizabeth's attentions, and for a moment it looks as though the physically stronger Silas will win. But Elizabeth takes a hand in matters by killing Silas, allowing her and Beale to live as common-law husband and wife until their rescue. Returning to civilization, the couple discovers that Flavia is pregnant with Beale's child. With the same nobility she exhibited in reel one, Elizabeth once again removes herself from Beale's life, insisting that he "belongs" to Flavia and swearing him to silence regarding their idyllic island romance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

British director Thomas Bentley almost made a career out of making and re-making Charles Dickens' tragedy The Old Curiosity Shop. Bentley first directed Mai Deacon in a groundbreaking 6-reel version back in 1913. This version, his second, featured Mabel Poulton, one of the early British film industry's true genuine movie stars, as Little Nell, with William Lugg as the grandfather and Pino Conti as the nasty Quilp. Bentley would direct a talkie version in 1935, this time featuring Elaine Benson as nell and starring beloved British character actor Hay Petrie as Quilp. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

Since leading man Godfrey Tearle was always well garbed, it's only natural that he'd be starred in a film called Fancy Dress. The plot is predicated on the old homily that you can't judge a book by its cover. Tearle plays a touring actor, known for his sartorial splendor. He is hired by a crooked attorney to pose as the heir to a fortune. He pulls off the charade, but his conscience gets the better of him when he falls in love with the heroine (Ivy Duke). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi