Loretta Weaver Movies
- 1941
In this corny comedy, the Weaver Brothers learn that in 1790, their distant forebears loaned the government some cash. The government did not pay it back, and now, by their computations, they are owed a substantial amount from interest on the principal. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1941
The down-home Weaver family stars in this countrified drama set in Peaceful Valley where if things went any slower they'd be going backwards. Things pick up a bit when someone steals $50 from a widow. The townsfolk are outraged and Judge Weaver finds himself accusing the widow's cleaning lady of the crime. Unfortunately, the judge is very wrong. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Weaver, Frank Weaver, (more)
- 1940
Though they may seem as corny as Kansas in August when seen today, the Weaver Brothers and Elviry was one of the most popular music-and-comedy aggregations on the Country-Western circuit in the early 1940s. The group consisted of Leon Weaver as Abner, Frank Weaver as Cicero (who never spoke, a la Harpo Marx) and June Weaver as Elviry, talented tunesmiths all who knew how to make the most of the wheeziest comedy material. In Grand Ole Opry, the Weavers get mixed up in politics, with Abner Weaver rather incongruously running for Governor. It's all part of a plan concocted by a group of crooked politicians, but Abner and the voters end up having the last laugh. Like most of the Weavers' Republic movie vehicles, Grand Ole Opry benefits from a stellar supporting cast, including Henry Kolker as the crooked publisher who sets the plot in motion and Claire Carleton as a brassy femme fatale. And per the film's title, Grand Ole Opry is chock full of talent gleaned from the same-named WSM radio series, including Uncle Dave Macon and Dorrie, George Dewey Bay and Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Weaver, Frank Weaver, (more)
- 1940
A fast-paced, enjoyable entry in the long-running Three Mesqueteers Western series, Heroes of the Saddle featured the three cowboy pals promising to look after Peggy Bell (Patsy Lee Parsons), the little daughter of mortally wounded rodeo champ Montana (Kermit Maynard). Legal technicalities, however, halt the adoption proceeding and Stony (Robert Livingston), Rusty (Raymond Hatton), and Rico (Duncan Renaldo) can only watch as the little girl is placed in the county orphanage. On a visit, the Mesqueteers discover that Peggy has been injured and Melloney the superintendent (sour-faced Byron Foulger) claims that the institution cannot pay for the necessary treatment. Stony wins the amount in a boxing match against "Killer" McCulley (Jack Roper), only to learn that Melloney is threatening the child to keep quiet about something. The "something" is the fact that Melloney and county supervisor Crone (William Royle) are not only mistreating the children in their care but cooking the books as well. Aided by a pretty nurse, Ruth Miller (Loretta Weaver of the Weaver hillbilly act), the Mesqueeters "kidnap" Peggy and the other kids and bring them to their spacious ranch. There is a final shootout before the three heroes can round up the gang and celebrate the election of a new county supervisor, nurse Ruth. A comic highlight of this Western has Duncan Renaldo pretending to be a department store dummy in order to fool drunken watchman Al Taylor. Heroes of the Saddle was one of the final films of ace villain William Royle, who later that year would appear in perhaps his best-remembered role as Sir Neyland Smith in the serial Drums of Fu Manchu (1940). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1940
The Weaver Brothers hit the road and taste the hobo's life in this, the sixth, entry in the eleven-film "Weaver Brothers and Elviry" comedy-drama series. The singing hayseed family's journey begins when a drought destroys their farm. The young travelers soon hook up with a band of tramps and end up in a small town that has been nearly destroyed by the floods that occasionally roar through it. The Weavers' are moved by the townsfolk's plight and so decide to stay a spell and help out. When not appearing in film, the Weavers were known as the "The Arkansas Travelers" and frequently performed on the Grand Ole Opry. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Weaver, Frank Weaver, (more)
- 1940
In Old Missouri is an entertaining Republic "regional" aimed at the thriving Country-Western fandom of the 1940s. Heading the cast are The Weaver Brothers and Elviry, a popular cornpone aggregation of the period. In a plot that predates The Beverly Hillbillies by two decades, the Weavers are bullied around by the snooty family of millionaire Pittman (Thurston Hall). But when the chips are down and the Pittmans face bankruptcy, it is Abner, Cicero and Elviry (Leon, Frank and June Weaver) who come to the rescue. Slickly produced despite its obviously skin-tight budget, In Old Missouri holds up surprisingly well when seen today; as a bonus, the nominal romantic lead is played by none other than Alan Ladd! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Weaver, Frank Weaver, (more)
- 1939
In this drama, a young businessman is forced to dig with a pick for a day after he almost caused a fire. While toiling away, he discovers a major coal vein on the Weaver's land. The greedy fellow then begins to slyly buy up their land. His incautious digging then causes a forest fire. Fortunately the Weaver family is there to help him out. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Weaver, Frank Weaver, (more)
