Laya Raki Movies
Samuel Bronston Productions was pretty much obliterated in 1964 by the failure of The Fall of the Roman Empire. Three years later, Bronston tried to rebuild his old empire by teaming up with a pair of South American entrepreneurs; the result was Savage Pampas. Set in the Argentina of the 1890s, the film tells the story of a clever bandit leader (Ron Randell) who buys off the soldiers sent to capture him--then enlists the deserters in his own gang. But Army fort commander Robert Taylor can't be bribed, and takes it upon himself to defeat the bandit. Savage Pampas was a remake of a popular Argentinian historical epic of 1946, Pampa Barbara. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Taylor, Marc Lawrence, (more)
- 1966
This exciting adventure provides an interesting look into the manufacture and trafficking of opium and heroin. The original story was written by Ian Fleming who died shortly before he was to pen the screenplay. The story is set in Iran and opens as an American undercover agent is murdered in the desert while attempting to buy opium. Two more agents are sent to Teheran to investigate the death and stop the powerful drug ring behind the smuggling. Once there, they run into the dead agent's girlfriend, who soon after suddenly disappears. Unfortunately, they cannot find her and so focus on their other job. To figure out where the drugs are going (and hopefully get a lead on the missing girl) they steal a bunch of opium and lace it with radioactive tracers so they can track it with Geiger counters. They then follow the drugs as they are slowly dispersed throughout Europe. After many twists, turns and blind alleys, the agents eventually succeed. This film was originally made for TV and contains cameos from many stars who worked for little pay because they strongly supported its anti-drug message. Those stars include Grace Kelly (who introduces the film) Omar Sharif, E.G. Marshall, Eli Wallach, Marcello Mastrioanni, and many more. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Senta Berger, Stephen Boyd, (more)
- 1964
In this family drama, a 10-year old boy is forced to live with his cruel, alcoholic uncle after his father is wrongly convicted of stealing. The little boy tries to sell his pet burro so he can afford to pay for his dad's defense, but the mean old uncle beats him to it and trades the jackass for food and booze. The boy remains undeterred and carries on with his quest. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1962
This drama centers around a wealthy farmer who desperately desires a child. Unfortunately his wife appears to be infertile. Meanwhile the maid gets raped by a farmhand and is impregnated. The farmhand refuses to marry her, so the woman goes to her mother's house to bear the child. She later returns to the farm with her baby son, whom she keeps a secret. Upon her arrival, she learns that the farmer's wife has died. She and the farmer get married and again he tries to make a baby. The man is again frustrated when his new wife cannot conceive. During a bitter and impassioned argument, the woman finally tells him about her son. Suddenly he realizes that he is the infertile one. He eats a large slice of humble pie and then proceeds to adopt her son. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1960
On the night before he is to leave Hong Kong for his native England, Lt. Harry Fraser (Mario Alcalde) proposes to the beautiful Mai Ling (Laya Raki). The next day, Fraser returns to the girl's home, only to find out that she has completely disappeared. After a frantic search, Fraser is approached by the mysterious Mr. Lum (Stephen Cheng), who suggests that the young swain will ultimately find his beloved Mai Ling...in the "House of the Dead." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1955
Sir Walter Scott's medieval take on the "John Alden" story formed the basis of Quentin Durward. Robert Taylor dons armor in the title role, playing the son of an aging Scottish nobleman. He has been dispatched to propose to a high-born Frenchwoman (Kay Kendall) on his uncle's behalf, but one look at the lady and Quentin Durward falls head over heels. But there are villains to vanquish in several sword fight setpieces, the best of which is the climactic battle in which the hero and the head bad guy (Duncan Lamont) dangle on bell ropes. Quentin Durward was the fifth MGM Robert Taylor picture filmed in whole or in part in England; the others were Conspirator, Quo Vadis, Ivanhoe and Knights of the Round Table. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Taylor, Kay Kendall, (more)
- 1954
Land of Fury is an austere "western" set in New Zealand during the 1820s. The epic-proportioned storyline involves a group of British pioneers seeking a new life in Down Under. Sailor Jack Hawkins and his wife Glynis Johns are the central characters, struggling to impose their British sense of order upon their primitive surroundings. Hostilities between native tribes and greedy settlers lead to a tragic, but not unexpected climax. Land of Fury was originally released in Great Britain as The Seekers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Hawkins, Glynis Johns, (more)
- 1954
In this remake of Jack Ahoy! (1934) a sailor is left alone on a South Sea island to guard supplies by the British Royal Navy. Unfortunately, they forget about him. A decade later he has become one of the native islanders. The trouble begins when the navy suddenly remembers and sends a ship to save him. Unfortunately, the man is happy and doesn't want to go back. He ends up staying and training navy jungle commandos for an assignment to recover a stolen submarine. The hapless sailor ends up captured himself. Fortunately, his native lover saves him and helps bring back the purloined submarine. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
