Matty Roubert Movies
A child star of the early silent era, Matty Roubert was advertised as the "Universal Boy." Often appearing in melodramas produced and/or directed by his real-life father, William L. Roubert, Matty's popularity remained high through the 1910s but waned as he grew into young adulthood. Continuing in films well into the sound era, Matty Roubert made something of a specialty playing newsboys or messengers, usually unbilled. He left the screen in the late '40s. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide- 1932
William Wyler directed this melodramatic story about a boy who, after growing up in the shadow of his father, learns the old man wasn't all he claimed to be. Tom Brown (played, as coincidence would have it, by an actor named Tom Brown) is a boy who has been struggling to help his mother keep body and soul together ever since the death of his father during World War I. The elder Brown died in combat when Tom was a baby, but her heroism earned him a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor, and in tribute to his father a local American Legion post presents Tom with a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Culver Military Academy; while Tom has his doubts about his future as a soldier, he certainly understands the value of an education and accepts. However, its not until after he's enrolled at Culver that Tom learns the truth about his father -- "Doc" Brown (H.B. Warner) fled in the midst of battle, exchanging his identification with a dead soldier, and has been living the life of a coward ever since. Will Tom be able to restore the good name of the Brown family? Andy Devine, Sidney Toler, Slim Summerville and a young Tyrone Power highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Brown, H.B. Warner, (more)
- 1931
In this romance, an aspiring writer encounters a wealthy publisher who gives him an advance on the first two chapters of his book. Meanwhile, his wife helps out by becoming a chorus girl in a nightclub revue. Instead of enjoying the peace and quiet of home life, the poor writer finds himself inundated by unexpected visitors and minor household disasters. Among the visitors is a flirtatious Southern gal who tries to lure him away from his wife. At the same time, the publisher has become enamored of the husband's wife and tries to tempt her with his money. The wife thinks he is simply offering her more advance money on her husband's book. Mayhem ensues when the couple begins suspecting each other of cheating. Following their separation, the man becomes a famous writer. Eventually he realizes that he has only loved his wife all along. The two reconcile and happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stuart Erwin, Carole Lombard, (more)
- 1929
This tuneful tale revolves around a shy warehouse clerk who, at the encouragement of his girlfriend finally musters up his courage and decides to break into show business with his little band. The bandleader must work hard to inspire his musicians. He does. Musical numbers abound. Songs include: "She's So I Dunno," "I Want To Go Places and Do Things," "I'm All A-twitter, I'm All A-twirl," and ""Twelfth Street Rag."" ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nancy Carroll, Harry Green, (more)
- 1914
The talent line-up for this 6-reel melodrama was quite impressive by 1914 standards: It was produced and directed by its star, Hobart Bosworth, scripted by actress-director Lois Weber, and adapted from a novel by Jack London. Based on London's own desperate (and, sadly, losing) battle against alcoholism, the film details the unhappy life and times of a gentleman identified only as Jack. Played at various junctures of his life by Matty Roubert, Antrim Short and Elmer Clifton, Jack is shown as a slave of Demon Rum from childhood onward. Apparently predestined for a life of drunken dissolution, Jack is ultimately saved through the love of a good woman (played by Viola Barry). Filmed in and around San Francisco, John Barleycorn was as potent an argument against booze as The Lost Weekend or The Days of Wine and Roses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
