Connie Russell Movies

Jazz musician Stan Grayson (Kevin McCarthy) wakes up from a dream in which he has killed a man during a struggle in a bizarre mirrored room. However, thumbprints on his neck, a strange key in his pocket, and a haunting, otherworldly musical riff in his head quickly convince him that it was not just a dream. Afraid that he might be a murderer, yet not recalling the events of the nightmare, he confides in his brother-in-law (and New Orleans homicide detective) René Bressard (Edward G. Robinson), who tells him that he's been working too hard and drinking too much. But as Grayson is almost magnetically drawn back to the scene of the apparent crime, Bressard angrily comes to believe that Stan was lying and knew exactly what he had done. Grayson, paralyzed by his guilt, can barely find the strength to try to clear himself. McCarthy portrays a sense of overwhelming panic almost as well as he does in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), and Robinson's tough cop is warmly textured with a sly sense of humor. Nightmare is a far superior remake of director Maxwell Shane's own first adaptation of the Cornell Woolrich story, Fear in the Night (1947). With a larger budget and better cast, Shane creates a shadowy, hypnotic world of seedy urban nightclubs and cheap hotels; even a picnic on the bayou evokes a feeling of dread. Woolrich would have felt right at home. ~ Steve Press, Rovi

A Big Apple nightclub singer inherits a riverboat from his late grandfather and learns, via flashback, the interesting story of how his granddaddy acquired the craft. When he won a bet during a fight over possession of the boat, the crafty old gambler not only acquired the riverboat but also the rights to the loser's granddaughter. When the singer learns of this he goes to the now-old loser, and with the help of the granddaughter, who has grown into a beautiful and talented young woman, reconciles with him. Together the three decide to turn the rickety old boat into a fabulous showboat. Songs include: "Cruisin' Down the River," "There Goes That Song Again" "Pennies From Heaven" and "Father Dear." ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this musical, a young fellow aspires to a career as a radio star. Along the way, the falls in love with a scientist's daughter. He then adds several talented friends to his act and at last finds success. Unfortunately, on the night of their big radio performance, fire erupts and he ends up saving the scientist's daughter, ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi