Hal Thompson Movies
- 1959
Working the London beat, American reporter Raymond Houston (Barry Sullivan) is in danger of losing his job because of his chronic gambling. As a last-ditch effort to remain employed, Houston arranges to spend a night in a wax museum, then write an article about his nocturnal experiences in the museum's "Murderer's Den." As the evening drags on, Houston becomes more and more frightened, convinced that at least one of the waxwork murderers will come to life before the sun rises. This episode is based on a famous 1931 short story by eminent suspense writer A.M. Burrage (and appropriately enough, the "A" stands for "Alfred"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1943
Though Wendy Barrie never quite achieved stardom in A pictures, she could always count on top billing in Hollywood's B product. In PRC's Follies Girl, Barrie plays dress designer Anne Merriday, who becomes the object of middle-aged millionaire J. B. Hamlin's (J.C. Nugent) affections. To save his dad from throwing his life away on a supposed golddigger, Hamlin's son, Army private Jerry Hamlin (Gordon Oliver), begins courting Anne-and, of course, falls genuinely in love with her himself. Meanwhile, the rogueish J.B. tries to mount a Broadway burlesque show, with costumes designed by Our Heroine. The titular "Follies Girl" is burlesque queen Francine La Rue (Doris Nolan), who never strips when singing will do (worse luck for the male moviegoers of the era!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wendy Barrie, Doris Nolan, (more)
Animal Crackers, like The Cocoanuts before is an all-but-literal translation to film of a smash-hit Marx Brothers Broadway musical. The aristocratic Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) holds a weekend party at her Long Island Estate. Her guest of honor is famed (but likely fraudulent) African explorer Geoffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho Marx). Also showing up are renegade musician Signor Emmanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx), the mute, girl-chasing "Professor" (Harpo Marx) and Spaulding's faithful secretary Horatio Jamison (Zeppo Marx). The film, revolving around a stolen painting, finds Groucho lecturing on his most recent safari ("One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know"), Harpo and Chico unabashedly cheating at bridge, Groucho dictating a wildly nonsequitur letter to the firm of Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger and McCormick, and Groucho and Chico drawing up plans to build a house. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, (more)
- 1926
Finding himself accidentally trapped in a girl's boudoir, cowboy Bill Martin (Buffalo Bill, Jr.) is forced to marry her. The girl, Rose Brown (Belva McKay) is not taken with the clumsy young man, until, that is, he saves her mother (Mathilda Brundage) from a burning house. This silly comedy was termed a western only because of its star. The leading lady, Belva Ann McKay was the wife of director Richard Thorpe. Coming An' Going was one of dozens of budget-conscious second features ground out by director Richard Thorpe before he joined MGM in 1935. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1925
This silent comedy from poverty row company Goodwill starred Francis X. Bushman as Ken Lanning, a young man whose prospective in-laws find him unsuitable for their daughter Alice (Patricia Palmer). A jealous suitor, Gregory (Erwin Renard), who the parents prefer, places a vamp (Hazel Howell) in Ken's room with the obvious results. Believing Ken to be a two-timing scoundrel, Alice agrees to marry Gregory, but the groom-to-be is intercepted on his way to the ceremony by Ken, who takes his place at the altar. The wedding is interrupted by Alice's irate parents who arrive to take the bride away. A wild chase ensues, during which Ken nabs his bride from a speeding car. The youngsters escape to a construction site, where they are finally wed on a hoist high above the city streets. Co-written by future star director Tay Garnett (The Postman Always Rings Twice), this minor farce was one in a series of Goodwill productions -- mostly action adventures -- to star the young son of early silent matinee idol Francis X. Bushman. Bushman later changed his name to Ralph Bushman and enjoyed a sporadic screen career lasting through the '30s. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
