Elena Verdugo Movies
"I started at 20th Century-Fox in 1902," was Elena Verdugo's flippant response to an interviewer who had the poor taste to ask her age. In truth, Verdugo descended from a Spanish family that had settled in California in 1776, made her first movie appearance as a dancer in Fox's 1940 musical Down Argentine Way after studying Latin-style terpsichore from the age of three. Educated by studio tutors, she spent her teen years playing Mexican peasants, gypsy girls, harem handmaidens and exotic South Sea islanders. Her co-stars ranged from Lou Costello (in 1946's Little Giant) to the Wolfman (aka Lon Chaney Jr. in 1945's House of Frankenstein). Verdugo's comic potential lay largely dormant until 1952, when she replaced Audrey Totter as star of the radio sitcom Meet Millie. She continued to portray Brooklynese secretary Millie Bronson on the subsequent TV version, which ran from 1954 to 1956. Verdugo then went into early retirement, reemerging in 1959 on the straw-hat circuit in such musicals as Oklahoma! and South Pacific. Beginning with her role as hotel manager Gerry in Redigo (1963), she entered into her TV-series supporting player phase; she went on to portray Audrey in The New Phil Silvers Show (1964), Lynn Hall in Many Happy Returns (1964) and Alice Henderson in Mona McCluskey (1965). Elena Verdugo is most fondly remembered as pragmatic but warmhearted nurse Consuelo Lopez on Marcus Welby MD (1969-76). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1984
The sagacious old physician faces disaccreditation in this medical drama. The trouble begins when a financially troubled hospital he works at proposes to cut the privileges of its oldest staggers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1979
- R
Bobby (Asher Brauner) has never had to work hard or worry much about his future. After all, his father (Rudy Solari) owns a carpet factory, and he has been brought up in the lap of luxury. His father offers him a chance to take over the factory after a few years, and he jumps at the chance. However, he is surprised when he learns that his father's plan is for him to learn about the place from the bottom up. His first job is as a delivery driver, and he begins to see how the other half lives. He makes friends with a good-humored fellow driver, and all seems to be going well until he discovers that his new friend and some others are involved in a theft ring which affects the future of the factory. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Asher Brauner, Rudy Solari, (more)
- 1973
Henry Fonda stars in this TV movie as a worn-out probation officer who decides to heist a $30,000,000 gold shipment, using three ex-convicts as his "mob". Fonda's cohorts include Leonard Nimoy, James McEachin and Larry Hagman. The plan is meticulous (due in part to Fonda's inside knowledge), the crime itself letter-perfect. But none of the participants count upon the "Murphy's Law" factor--which in this case is a stalled getaway truck. Alpha Caper was intended as the pilot for a TV series called Crime, which would have explored one "foolproof" crime per week, from conception to execution. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1968
Ironside (Raymond Burr) comes to the aid of his old friend and comrade-in-arms Al Cervantes (Ricardo Montalban), a Mexican-American police detective accused of murdering an abortionist (which in 1968 was an illegal profession). Although the evidence against Cervantes seems overwhelming, Ironside suspects that the man is being framed. Other key players in this tense drama are crooked lawyer F.A. Hobarth (Robert Alda), shady boxer Valdez (Rafael Campos) and conspicuously missing B-girl Rita (Poupee Boucar). Future Marcus Welby MD costar Elena Verdugo appears as Cervantes' wife. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Minister Sam (Andy Griffith) and his wife Mary Elizabeth (Lee Meriweather) move to a Kansas town divided by political concerns that stall the town's progress. Will Sinclair (Henry Jones) and Alex Gresham (Edgar Buchanan) have allowed a long-standing family argument to impede the progress of the small rural community. Sam must contend with his mother-in-law (Kay Medford) and his wild brother-in-law Bubba (Jerry Van Dyke) when Bubba sets up a moonshine still in the church basement with the help of his friend Calvin (Parker Fennelly). Art Shields (Gary Collins) is the ambitious young country lawyer who runs for mayor in hopes of bringing peace to the families, and he works for the best interests of the divided community. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andy Griffith, Jerry Van Dyke, (more)
- 1968
Two parents worry about the feelings of their love-struck teenage son in this engaging romantic comedy. Grif (James Garner) and wife Jenny (Debbie Reynolds) are concerned about their son Davey (Donald Losby). When his girlfriend is slated for a tour of Europe, the teenage boy is heartbroken. Grif, a photographer by trade, draws the assignment as a photo journalist to cover the girl's tour. Jenny is swindled by Mr. Tilly (Terry-Thomas) who takes her money as rent payment on a Riviera villa. The house is owned by a French playboy who allows the pretty mom to stay. Comedy ensues when a jealous Grif discovers wife Jenny in a bikini given to her by the amorous Frenchman. Prolific songwriter Jimmy Webb provides the music for this feature. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Debbie Reynolds, (more)
- 1965
The wife of a commercial artist risks her life to discover the truth about her husband after he is accused of killing a woman. She believes that he could have committed the crime and sets out to prove it after the police are unable to locate a corpus delicti. First she visits her husband's father, a shrink. Just after leaving, she runs into the "corpse" who is very much alive and out to kill her. Fortunately, the wife survives. Unfortunately, her father-in-law isn't so lucky, but before he dies, he recognizes the she-killer as someone he knows all to well. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Several years removed from her most famous TV role as nurse Consuelo Lopez on Marcus Welby MD, Eleana Verdugo appears in this episode as former Hooterville resident Mary Jane Hastings. Now a prominent big-city executive, Mary Jane returns to her home town, impressing one and all with her sharp business acumen. She also proves to be quite adept at manipulating the local menfolk--which may or may not be beneficial to Kate (Bea Benadaret and her daughters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Long before she was "domesticated" as Consuela in TV's Marcus Welby MD, Elena Verdugo was the hip-swinging heroine of Panama Sal. The story finds Sal Regan (Verdugo) singing and dancing for her supper in a low-class Panamanian dive. Wealthy Dennis P. Dennis (Edward Kemmer) takes a liking to Sal, and decides to do the "My Fair Lady" bit. He takes the girl back to the States, where, after teaching her the social graces, he makes her famous as a high-toned supper club songstress. Along the way, Dennis falls in love with Sal, much to the dismay of his wealthy pals, who try to break up the romance. Not meant to be taken seriously, Panama Sal is an enjoyable diversion from the waning days of Republic Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed Kemmer, Carlos Rivas, (more)
- 1953
Considered by many the weakest of Wayne Morris' latter-day B-Westerns, The Marksman features the no longer svelte star as a U. S. Marshall chasing down the gang of rustlers that killed his colleague (I. Stanford Jolley). Masquerading as a harmless prospector, Morris uses a rifle complete with telescopic lens and wins not only the day but also lovely authoress Elena Verdugo. This film was nearly the last hurrah for series B-Western, Wayne Morris and the even less remembered John Carpenter fighting for the dubious honor of being the genre's final hero. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Flying in the face of Hollywood tradition, this cinemadaptation of James Fennimore Cooper's The Pathfinder features genuine Native Americans in several principal "Indian" roles. Set during the French-Indian wars of the 18th century, the film stars George Montgomery as The Pathfinder, an Indian scout in the employ of the British. The Pathfinder is sent to a French encampment to do a little secret-agent work, accompanied by Welcome Alison (Helena Carter), an English lass posing as a Frenchwoman. Their identities revealed, Pathfinder and Welcome are imprisoned and slated for execution -- and for a long, long while, it looks as though the Great Lakes region will be claimed by the French. Co-starring in The Pathfinder are Jay "Tonto" Silverheels as Chingachgook, Rodd Redwing as hostile Mingo chief Arrowhead, and Chief Yowlachie as Eagle Feather. Adhering to the usual Hollywood casting process, however, the role of Indian maiden Lokawa is essayed by Anglo-Latino actress Elena Verdugo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Montgomery, Helena Carter, (more)
- 1952
Generous portions of stock footage from 1948's Joan of Arc are somehow worked into the Arabian Nights proceedings of Thief of Damascus. His tongue firmly in cheek, Paul Henreid plays the title character, aka Abu Amdar. The plot has something to do with an evil desert chieftain (John Sutton) who agrees to end his siege of Damascus if Princess Zafir (Helen Gilbert) will promise to marry him. Abu Amdar and his band of followers hope to rescue the Princess from this grisly fate. That Thief of Damascus is not to be taken seriously is demonstrated by the supporting cast, which includes an impish Robert Clary as Aladdin and an oafish Lon Chaney Jr. as Sinbad. Stealing the show is Ms. Jeff Donnell as Scheherezade, who insists upon rattling off her 1001 stories to everyone in earshot, whether they want to hear them or not! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Henreid, John Sutton, (more)
- 1952
These two episodes from the '50s TV series ("Vacation Plans," "Texas Ranch") include the commercials shown during their original broadcast. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1952
The perfunctorily titled Jet Job is an updated retelling of the old one about the hotshot test pilot who learns the value of being a team player. Stanley Clements stars as Joe Kovak, whose recklessness and refusal to follow orders causes no end of trouble for his superiors. Fired by boss Sam Bentley (John Litel), Joe takes a job with Bentley's competitor Oscar Collins (Tom Powers). After a suspicious jet-plane crash, Joe is grounded on Collins' say-so. In fact, it was Collins' own negligence that caused the crash, but no one will listen to Joe's side of the story. Redemption is at hand, however, and Joe clears his name during a death-defying test flight for the army. Co-starring as Joe's love interest is Elena Verdugo, several years away from her weekly chores as Consuela on TV's Marcus Welby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Clements, Elena Verdugo, (more)
- 1951
Gene Autry is back in the saddle again, albeit North of the Border. Montana marshal Autry and another lawman pursue a bank robber into Canada. Teaming with a straight-arrow Mountie, Autry tracks down the criminal in the Canadian wilderness, taking time out once in a while to sing one of his host's national songs. Running 70 minutes, Gene Autry and the Mounties was promoted by Columbia Pictures as a western "special". While on location in Canada, the Autry unit decided to quickly make another film for next season's western schedule, and the result was Blue Canadian Rockies (52). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Pat Buttram, (more)
Recreating his stage role, Jose Ferrer stars as Edmond Rostand's Cyrano, a 17th-century French cavalier, poet and swordsman whose prominent proboscis is the subject of many a duel. Cyrano is madly in love with the beautiful Roxanne (Mala Powers), but assumes that she'd never love him back due to his cathedral of a nose. Roxanne is also loved by the handsome Christian (William Prince), who unfortunately can't put two consecutive words together when it comes to pitching woo. Cyrano agrees to help Christian win Roxanne by feeding him the right words for his midnight courtships and love letters; in this way, Cyrano can vicariously express his own ardor for the fair lady. Years later, Cyrano's deception is revealed, and he dies happily in the arms of his beloved Roxanne, who realizes that she has really loved Cyrano all along--by way of Christian. Cyrano de Bergerac wasn't seen by many paying moviegoers upon its original showing, but its relative box-office failure resulted in an early release to television, where it has remained a perennial attraction for the past forty years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- José Ferrer, Mala Powers, (more)
- 1950
The third installment in low-budget producer Lindsley Parson's "Chinook" series, Snow Dog was ostensibly based on pulp writer James Oliver Curwood's 1915 short-story "The Tentacles of the North," which was also the working title. Kirby Grant again played Rod McDonald of the Canadian Royal Mounted, and once again the vehicle was stolen by his canine sidekick, the white malamute Chinook. This time, Rod and Chinook are tracking a mysterious white wolf, thought to have killed several of the local traders. The wolf, who bears a startling resemblance to Chinook, is suspected of guarding the White Woods, an area containing several hidden mines. At first Chinook is accused of being the ferocious killer, but with the help of Louis (Rick Vallin) and his sister Andrée (Elena Verdugo), Rod proves that the mysterious wolf is a wild animal captured and trained by a gang seeking to locate the valuable mines. When a captured Louis refuses to produce a secret map to the mines, his sister is abducted by treacherous Indian nurse Red Feather (Jane Adrian). Chinook, of course, tracks down the kidnap victims and Rod can soon arrest the real force behind the killings, Dr. McKenzie (Milburn Stone), Red Feather's supposedly kindhearted boss. As in the two previous Chinook films, leading man Kirby Grant, a former Universal star, left much of the action in the hands of a younger co-star, in this instance Rick Vallin. A remake of the silent Tentacles of the North (1926), Snow Dog was filmed on locations in Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirby Grant, Elena Verdugo, (more)
- 1950
The Lost Volcano is the 3rd entry in Monogram's "Bomba the Jungle Boy" series. Johnny Sheffield, formerly "Boy" in the Tarzan pictures, stars as Bomba. In this outing, Our Hero sets out to rescue David (Tommy Ivo), the kidnapped son of husband-and-wife zoologists Paula and Ruth Gordon (Donald Woods and Marjorie Lord). David has been kidnapped by scurrilous jungle guides Barton (John Ridgely) and Daniel (Robert Lewis), who hope that the kid will lead them to a valuable treasure. Bomba is forced to race against time when a reactivated volcano threatens to swallow up David and his captors. Elena Verdugo, years removed from her Marcus Welby MD stint, co-stars as an alluring native girl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Sheffield, Donald Woods, (more)
Gene Autry sings, fights, and sings some more in the Cinecolor "special" The Big Sombrero. Autry comes to the aid of senorita Estrellita Estrada (Elena Verdugo), who is slated to marry villainous James Garland (Stephen Dunne). The caddish Garland intends to sell Estrellita's ranch for a huge profit once he's tied the matrimonial bonds. Interspersed throughout the action highlights are scenes of an ongoing fiesta, with music, dancing and pageantry aplenty. Like all of Gene Autry's personal productions, Big Sombrero benefits from tasty production values and a surfeit of thrills. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Elena Verdugo, (more)
- 1949
Charles Starrett returns as The Durango Kid in Columbia's El Dorado Pass. It all begins when Durango, in his everyday guise of Steve Clanton, is falsely accused of robbing a stagecoach. The genuine criminal is not only a thief but a coin collector, searching for a valuable specimen by staging holdups. Future Marcus Welby co-star Elena Verdugo adds spice to the proceedings as the peppery robbery victim, while Smiley Burnette handles the comedy and Shorty Thompson and his Saddle Rockin' Rhythm provide the musical interludes. Some of Charles Starrett's more spectacular stunts were performed by an uncredited Jock Mahoney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1949
Roddy McDowall was both star and co-producer of the compact actioner Tuna Clipper. Hoping to become a lawyer, Alec (Roddy McDowall) becomes a tuna fisherman in order to pay a debt. This turn of events puts Alec on the outs with his taciturn family. Eventually, the lad proves himself on all fronts, and is welcomed back into the family fold. The seaborne sequences are the film's highlights; less successful are the dramatic passages. Future Marcus Welby regular Elena Verdugo co-stars as McDowall's girlfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roddy McDowall, Elena Verdugo, (more)
- 1949
Film historian Leonard Maltin has labelled this final entry in Monogram's "Charlie Chan" series as "embarrassing," but it's not quite as bad as its reputation would indicate. True, star Roland Winters steadfastly refuses to take his characterization of Charlie Chan seriously, but that's part of the fun. Much of the action takes place on an airliner, where someone has drugged the passengers and crew and killed a courier who was carrying a quarter of a million dollars. The suspect list is a dream-come-true for movie buffs, populated with such reliable supporting players as Iris Adrian, Eleana Verdugo, Tim Ryan, Milburn Stone, Lyle Talbot, Paul Maxey and John Eldredge. Noel Neill, everyone's favorite Lois Lane, is also on hand as a stewardess. And of course, Charlie Chan is aided and abetted by Number One Son Lee Chan (Keye Luke) and pop-eyed chauffeur Birmingham Brown (Mantan Moreland). Though out of favor with dyed-in-the-wool Charlie Chan fans, Sky Dragon opened to good business and better-than-average reviews. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roland Winters, Keye Luke, (more)
- 1949
The Lost Tribe was the 2nd entry in Columbia's "Jungle Jim" series. Johnny Weissmuller stars as Jungle Jim, the comic-strip adventurer created by Alex Raymond way back in 1934. The plot is motivated by a lost treasure, located somewhere in the faraway land of Dzamm. Villains Calhoun (Joseph Vitale) and Rawling (Ralph Dunn) scheme to steal the treasure, but Jungle Jim won't let that happen. Our hero summons forth an army of gorillas to fight off the bad guys. Many of the animal-fight sequences in The Lost Tribe would pop up as stock footage in future "Jungle Jim" entries. The film is graced with the presence of two exotic leading ladies, Myrna Dell and Elena Verdugo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1947
Bearing little resemblance to reality, this musical biography of 19th century Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov takes liberal poetic license with the truth. Jeanne-Pierre Aumont stars as Nicky, a Naval Academy cadet assigned to a vessel undergoing a world cruise. On shore leave in Morocco, Nicky goes in search of a piano intending to pursue his true passion, music. Accompanied by the ship's singing doctor, Klin (Charles Kullmann), Nicky makes the acquaintance of a cabaret dancer named Cara de Talavera (Yvonne De Carlo). The daughter of a Spanish colonial family that was once prominent but has fallen upon difficult times, Cara now dances in secret as Scheherazade in a revue at the nightclub. Inspired by her, Nicky sets about composing his most famous song for inclusion in a ballet. Although fate conspires to keep Cara and Nicky apart for a time, his piece is a success and is scheduled for a performance at the St. Petersburg Opera House, where none other than Cara turns up as the lead dancer. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yvonne De Carlo, Patricia Alphin, (more)
