Lillian Rich Movies

Dr. Kildare's Crisis is actually one suffered by his fiancee, nurse Mary Lamont (Laraine Day). Mary's financier brother Douglas Lamont (Robert Young) is subject to unpredictable seizures, and for a while it seems that he is suffering from hereditary epilepsy. This being 1940, Douglas' affliction carries an onus which seriously threatens the impending marriage between Mary and Jim Kildare (Lew Ayres); after all, who knows how their children will turn out? But by using an unorthodox therapeutic method, Dr. Kildare proves that Douglas' medical condition was borne of an accident rather than a genetic disorder. The final diagnosis is rendered by crusty Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore), who thereby manages to justify his appearance in the film in the very last reel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This follow-up to MGM's 1932 John Barrymore vehicle Arsene Lupin stars the ineluctable Melvyn Douglas. Reported to be dead, suave gentleman jewel thief Arsene Lupin (Douglas) resurfaces under the assumed name of Rene Farrand. Intending to follow the straight and narrow path, Lupin/Farrand reverts to his old larcenous ways when the opportunity to pilfer $250,000 in gems presents itself. Slowing down our hero somewhat is the presence of hotshot American private eye Steve Emerson (Warren William) and glamorous adventuress Lorraine de Grissac (Virginia Bruce). Ironically, both Melvyn Douglas and Warren William also played thief-turned-sleuth Michael Lanyard, aka "The Lone Wolf", over at Columbia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

"She" is secretary Claudette Colbert and "Her Boss" is Melvyn Douglas. Once married, Colbert discovers that Douglas expects her to work as usual. She must also contend with his wealthy, snooty family, whose most hateful member is his spoiled brat of a daughter (Edith Fellows) by a previous marriage. Rebelling against her repressive existence, Colbert eventually puts her in-laws in their place and arouses the ardor of the "strictly business" Douglas. While consistently amusing throughout, the highlight of She Married Her Boss is a first-reel bit of pantomimic whimsy involving Claudette Colbert and a roomful of department store mannequins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Short story writer Thomas attempts to solve a murder involving blackmail, stabbings and mysterious notes. Another interesting aspect is the police department that caters to the rich. ~ All Movie Guide

In a last desperate effort to stay afloat in an industry suffering from the Great Depression, John R. Freuler's tattered Big Four Film Corp. hired former silent screen cowboy Bob Custer to headline a series of inexpensive Westerns: Headin' For Trouble, Quick Trigger Lee (both 1931), Mark of the Spur and The Scarlet Brand. In "Spur," the wooden Custer played The Kid, a drifter saving a young lady (Lillian Rich) from the inappropriate attentions of her villainous adopted brother (George Chesebro). Written, produced, directed, acted and photographed by silent screen veterans, Mark of the Spur was hardly of a quality to save any company, least of all the ramshackle, under funded Big Four. Custer, who had been quite popular in rural areas, lingered on until 1937 when he retired to become a building inspector. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

Fascinated by the story of Aladdin's magic lamp, the Our Gang kids gather together every electric light fixture in the neighborhood, hoping that by rubbing them vigorously, a genie will appear. Thanks to a series of coincidences -- not least of which involves a friendly stage magician -- the kids become convinced that they've succeeded in emulating Aladdin. But their excitement turns to dismay when Mathew "Stymie" Beard believes that he's transformed his kid brother Cotton (Bobby Beard) into a monkey! Despite a marvelous sequence in which Spanky McFarland enjoys a free meal at a lunch counter, courtesy of a trained monkey, it cannot be denied that this film contains a great deal of casually racist humor that seems tasteless when viewed today. For that reason, "A Lad an' a Lamp," originally released on December 17, 1932, has been withdrawn from the "Little Rascals" TV package, though the film is available to home-video collectors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this mystery-thriller, set on Broadway, a cynical reporter looks into the killing of a New York actor who was found strangled in his dressing room. The reporter also must deal with the death of the lead actress, who is shot. One more person dies before he can solve the murders and drag the murderer into the police. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this British high-seas crime drama, originally filmed as a silent with a soundtrack added in 1930, a manipulative, domineering newspaper publisher attempts to make more money the well-insured fleet of ships he owns by having each of them meet with disastrous accidents. Unfortunately, his avaricious actions cause the financial ruin of the family of his son's fiance. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Although her brief stardom had faded by 1927, former DeMille leading lady Lillian Rich was equal to the opportunity afforded her by Web of Fate. Rich is cast in the dual role of bitchy actress Gloria Gunther and her sweet-tempered look-alike, Beverly Townsend. When Gloria's face is scarred in a fire, Beverly is persuaded to go on stage in the actress' place. Beverly's success in this endeavor is tarnished when she is blamed for the murder of the film's villain. Put on trial for her life, Beverly is about to be sentenced when Gloria comes forward, emotionally confessing to the crime. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

To keep her daddy from going to prison, heroine Lillian Rich agrees to marry villainous Ernest Wood. When an attorney offers to free Rich from her marital dilemma, Wood retaliates by killing the lawyer and pinning the blame on his wife. She flees to the Canadian North, with Mountie Pat O'Malley in hot pursuit. Upon catching up with Rich, O'Malley fails to recognize her -- but he does marry her! When the truth comes out, O'Malley is torn between love and duty, but a deux ex machina telegram clears Rich's name a mere few seconds before the final fade-out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Victor McLaglen (then billed as Victor M'Laglen) easily stole this drama away from its star, Robert Frazer. Frazer's character, Ned Cornet, isn't a particularly attractive hero; he's the weak-willed son of a wealthy man, Godfrey Cornet (David Torrence). The father sends his son northwards to examine some of his outlying trading posts. Along with Ned on the boat are his father's secretary, Bess Gilbert (Lillian Rich), and a young woman, Lenore Hardenworth (Mildred Harris), whose fortune-hunting mother (Kathleen Kirkham) is hoping to orchestrate a match between Ned and her daughter. The vessel collides with an iceberg, stranding the party on an island off the coast of Alaska. The brutish Siberian refugee, Doomsdorf (McLaglen), lives there with an Indian squaw, and he captures the castaways. Ned is forced to face Doomsdorf in a number of battles in his attempts to escape. Finally, when he and Bess are making their getaway, the squaw unleashes an avalanche of stones on Doomsdorf, burying him. Ned has finally become a real man, and his father is happy to see him wed Bess. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Happily married Robert Agnew tries to put a little variety in his life by taking dance lessons. He spends so much time learning the intricacies of the Charleston and Black Bottom that he begins to neglect his wife Lillian Rich. The limit comes when Agnew begins falling for seductive dance instructress Helene Chadwick. In retaliation, Rich steps out with bachelor Forrest Stanley, and soon she's cutting a pretty mean rug herself. Ultimately, both husband and wife realize the error of their ways and waltz themselves home. A well-staged car crash is the highlight of this easy-to-take domestic drama. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide