Polly Ann Young Movies
When millionaire bachelor John Hubbard takes a run-out powder at his own wedding, Hubbard's vengeful fiancee Polly Ann Young has the luckless fellow committed to an insane asylum. Hubbard escapes with certified looney Adolphe Menjou; together they join a carnival run by Carole Landis. Hubbard and Menjou not only save Landis from bankruptcy, but also convince Hubbard's allegedly normal uncle Charles Butterworth (who races fire engines as a hobby) to arrange for the carnival to be set up right next to the family mansion. Directors Hal Roach, Hal Roach Jr. and Gordon M. Douglas deliberately blur the thin line between sanity and insanity throughout Road Show. Just who's crazier: the delusional Menjou, who takes photographs with an invisible camera, or lovestruck Indian George E. Stone, who spends his free time chasing after carnival employee Patsy Kelly? And are the freewheeling carney folk any goofier than the flibbertigibbet society folk? The Charioteers, a black singing group who'd previously appeared in the Broadway production of Hellzapoppin, act as a sort of Greek chorus, commenting on the action with several refrains of the Hoagy Carmichael song "Calliope Jane". The amiable wackiness of Road Show is capped by a car-chase finale. The film was based on a novel by Eric Hatch, who four years earlier had worked on Roach's Topper. Watch for several familiar comedy faces among the uncredited bit players, including Shemp Howard of Three Stooges fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis, (more)
Invisible Ghost is far from the best of Bela Lugosi's Monogram vehicles (if indeed there is such a thing), but with Joseph H. Lewis at the controls it is far and away the best directed. Lugosi is cast as Kessler, an otherwise normal gentleman who goes balmy whenever he thinks about his late wife (Betty Compson). It gets worse when Kessler is transformed via hypnosis into an unwitting murderer, apparently at the behest of his wife's ghost. An innocent man (John McGuire) is executed for Kessler's first murder, but the victim's twin brother (also John McGuire) teams with Kessler's daughter (Polly Ann Young) to determine the identity of the true killer. Though cheaply made, The Invisible Ghost maintains an appropriately spooky atmosphere throughout, with Lugosi delivering a full-blooded performance as a basically decent man controlled by homicidal impulses beyond his ken. Best of all is the non-stereotypical performance by african-american actor Clarence Muse as Lugosi's articulate, take-charge butler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bela Lugosi, Polly Ann Young, (more)
A retired fireman teams up with an insurance investigator when an old buddy is killed in an arson fire in this surprisingly potent comedy-drama from low budget company Monogram. Jim Hadley (J. Farrell MacDonald finds retirement difficult and is only too happy to oblige when daughter Joan (Polly Ann Young) and her insurance agent boyfriend Frank Rogers (Warren Hull) suggest that he look into the death of old colleague Burt Stafford (Joel Friedkin). A statue of the god Vulcan leads Jim to an antique dealer and, in time, to a maniacal arsonist who doesn't shy away from murder. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Farrell MacDonald, Polly Ann Young, (more)
- 1940
One of several "naughty" screwball comedies based on the works of Thorne Smith (of Topper fame), Hal Roach's Turnabout stars Carole Landis and John Hubbard as unhappily married couple Sally and Tim Willows. Bored with her humdrum existence, Sally spends most of her time figuring out ways of spending her husband's money, while hard-working Tim plots and plans to "step out" on the Missus in the company of his business associates Manning (Adolphe Menjou) and Clare (William Gargan). All of this changes when an effigy representing an Oriental deity comes to life and exchanges Sally and Tim's personalities. As a result, Sally awakens with a deep voice and dons Tim's business suit, while Tim speaks in a falsetto and favors Sally's frilly frocks. The complications ensuing from this role-reversal are much better seen than described, while the film's hilarious denouement was tipped by United Artists' ad campaign, which heralded that "The man's had a baby instead of the lady." Though not nearly as risque as it seemed to be back in 1940, Turnabout is full of wonderful vignettes, including a priceless bit involving veteran screen "pansy" Franklin Pangborn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis, (more)
- 1940
In the sixth of eight Renfrew of the Royal Mounted "Northwesterns," mounties Renfrew (James Newill) and Kelly (Dave O'Brien) come across the body of a murdered prospector, Jim Smithers (Budd Buster). The dead man's cabin has been tossed, it turns out, and when his alcoholic brother (Al St. John) is found dead as well -- a none too convincing suicide -- Renfrew begins to suspect that the deaths may be connected to a counterfeit ring operating from a general store on the Yukon. In addition to Betty Laidlaw and Robert Lively's signature tune "Mounted Men," James Newill performs Vick Knight, Johnny Lange, and Lew Porter's "Ah, Here's Romance" and "Down the Yukon Trail." Murder on the Yukon was based on characters created in 1931 by Laurie York Erskine. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Newill, Polly Ann Young, (more)
- 1939
Based on a story by Jack London, this film follows the adventures of young Michael Vance (John Carroll) as he travels with his faithful dog to check out the value of a family mine. As they travel north, John meets a beautiful Indian girl (Movita) and his canine companion joins up with a pack of wolves. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Carroll, Movita, (more)
Mystery Plane is one of the better-known entries in Monogram's "Tailspin Tommy" series, if only because of its frequent TV showings. In this one, aviation ace Tommy (John Trent) and his pal Skeeter (Milburn Stone) develop a revolutionary new bombsight which they hope to turn over to the Army Air Corps. But a gang of international spies would also like to get their mitts on the invention, and to that end they exploit the friendship between Tommy and his on-the-skids mentor Brandy (Peter George Lynn), now employed as the villains' pilot. An outsized climactic fistfight and the ultimate regeneration of Brandy bring the story to a rousing conclusion. In a charming fadeout bit, the main characters-Tommy, Skeeter and girlfriend Betty Lou (Marjorie Reynolds) come "out" of the picture to invite their fans to watch the next "Tailspin Tommy" entry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Trent, Milburn Stone, (more)
- 1939
This fictionalized biography of the famed American inventor's life provided actor Don Ameche with his signature role. For years after its release, people even referred to the telephone as "an Ameche." The story begins in 1873 Boston as Bell endeavors to teach deaf people to speak in the manner invented by his father. When not teaching, Bell tinkers with his various inventions. Opportunity knocks when Bell is befriended by an aristocratic fellow (Charles Coburn) who wants Bell to help teach his daughter (Loretta Young) to speak. Bell agrees and falls in love with her. It is she who inspires and encourages him to invent the telephone, while it is young Watson (Henry Fonda) who assists him. After they meet with success, the inventors must do battle in court with Western Union, the company that held the patent to the telegraph. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Ameche, Loretta Young, (more)
- 1939
Metropolitan Pictures' Port of Hate was directed by one of the studio's two chief executives, Harry S. Webb (the other, Albert Ray, was presumably busy on the company's Bob Steele western series). The story takes place on a faraway island (probably nearby Catalina), where soldiers of fortune Bob (Kenneth Harlan) and Don (Carleton Young) have located a valuable bed of pearls. A secondary plotline involves heroine Jerry Gale (Polly Ann Young, sister of Loretta), who is innocently involved in a murder. One of the more important roles is essayed by oriental actor Shia Jung, who earned the film's best reviews. Also featured are such silent-film veterans as Monte Blue, Jimmy Aubrey and Reed Howes, all of them hampered by shoddy cinematography. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Polly Ann Young, Kenneth Harlan, (more)
- 1938
A woman is brutally strangled and her body stuffed into a suitcase in this otherwise rather frivolous low-budget thriller. The unfortunate woman is one Myra Duryea (Polly Ann Young), who has discovered that her husband Clark (Theodore von Eltz) and his equally unsavory brother Victor (Edward Emerson) are not the law-abiding jewelry salesmen they present themselves to be, but a couple of crooks. Arriving in San Francisco on the very day of the murder, Myra's sister, Gloria Watkins (Elaine Shepard), is told by Clark that his wife simply upped and left. Gloria's new friend, police officer turned cab driver Eddie Barton (Norman Foster), smells a rat, however, and begins an investigation. In desperation, Clark and Victor frame the nosy cabby in their next heist but Eddie manages to elude the law long enough to rescue an imperiled Gloria and bring the thieves to justice. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norman Foster, Elaine Shepard, (more)
- 1936
In this romantic comedy a border patrolman must cite a young, wealthy, and very spoiled young woman for smoking in a non-smoking area. Later her parents hire him to protect their wild young daughter. Unfortunately she accidently gets involved with jewel thieves. It is up to her dashing body guard to save her. In the end he wins not only her respect, but also her heart. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George O'Brien, Polly Ann Young, (more)
- 1936
Virtually all of the Chesterfield Pictures efforts of the 1930s served as starring vehicles for Hollywood's best character actors. It was Henrietta Crossman who headed the cast of the 1936 Chesterfield production Hitch Hike to Heaven, sharing star billing with former silent-movie matinee idol Herbert Rawlinson. Crossman plays Deborah Delaney, manager of a small but intrepid band of touring repertory actors, while Rawlinson is cast as Deborah's son Melville De la Ney, a famous movie actor (which puts him on the outs with his mom, who despises movies). One of the members of Delaney's company is Melville's son Daniel (Russell Gleason), who is in love with the troupe's ingenue Jerry Daley (Polly Ann Young). Through a series of misunderstandings, Jerry winds up as a correspondent in the divorce action between Melville and his wife Nadia (Lela Bliss). The ensuing scandal finishes Melville in Hollywood, but by film's end, his reputation has been restored while Jerry also becomes a prominent film star -- not to mention the bride of Daniel Delaney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henrietta Crosman, Herbert Rawlinson, (more)
In this drama, two disparate brothers use radically different methods to raise their sons. The brothers co-own a successful steel mill, but that is about all they have in common. One of them is a social climber while the other is a hard worker. The trouble begins because the fathers insist on raising the boys to become spitting images of themselves. The hardworking father has never told his son that he owns the mill. The son grows up and stages a strike against the mill. Then he learns his father's status and begins trying to make peace. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Starrett, Polly Ann Young, (more)
- 1935
This Western stars Kermit Maynard as a man who goes to jail for a crime actually committed by his brother and his gang. Upon his release, Maynard joins the Canadian Mounties to track down the real bad guys. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1935
Buck Jones' fourth Universal western, The Crimson Trail turned out to be one of his best-ever vehicles. The plot has something to do with two rival ranch owners who suspect each other of cattle rustling. Kitty (Polly Ann Young) daughter of one rancher, is in love with Billy Carter (Buck Jones), nephew of the other. For a while, it looks like Billy is the rustler, but this of course could never be. The thrill-packed ending pits our hero against the real villain, Luke Long (Ward Bond at his nastiest). The spectacular climactic shot of a burning ranchhouse would pop up in innumerable Universal westerns of the 1930s and 1940s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Polly Ann Young, (more)
- 1935
Happiness C.O.D was one of the last productions from flagging Chesterfield. Perennial supporting player Maude Eburne assumes the leading role as Aunt Addie, philosophical matriarch of a large, rambunctious brood. Dipping deep into her own pockets, Addie must constantly bail out her less-practical brother Thomas Sheridan (Donald Cook), whose construction business is constantly overextended at the bank because of his selfish, spendthrift children. Eventually deserted by his ungrateful offspring, Sheridan faces eviction and bankruptcy. But Aunt Addie, fed up with seeing her brother stepped upon, rallies the whole family together in the nick of time. Cast as Sheridan's youngest son Larry was Frank Coghlan Jr., a prominent juvenile actor since the silent era. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maude Eburne, Donald Meek, (more)
After helping prevent a bank robbery, young drifter John Weston (John Wayne) is assigned by Marshal Higgins (George "Gabby" Hayes to look into a series of suspicious deaths among champion rodeo riders. Weston falls for lovely Marjorie Carter (Polly Ann Young) along the way but she gets jealous when he suddenly shifts his attention to fiery Dolores (Anita Campillo, whose name is misspelled "Compillo" in the onscreen credits). The Mexican charmer, however, is in league with Spike Barton (Edward Peil, Sr.), the brain behind the murders, and Weston's interest is purely business. Like most of John Wayne's "Lone Star" Westerns, The Man from Utah was filmed along California's Kern River. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1934
The independently produced Stolen Sweets was lensed in a hurry on standing sets at Universal. Future western star Charles Starrett plays a poor insurance salesman who falls in love with wealthy Sally Blane. The girl's parents would prefer that Sally marry a man of her own class, the insufferable Jameson Thomas (who made a career out of playing "the wrong man"). Eventually, however, Sally's parents realize that Starrett is the right choice for her little girl. The film's comic highlight is the old "walk this way, please" bit. Watch for Sally Blane's younger sister Polly Ann Young as one of Charles Starrett's low-born pals (Sally's other sister, Loretta Young, was busy on more expensive projects). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sally Blane, Charles Starrett, (more)
- 1934
Dedicated to "the memory of Florence Nightingale," White Parade might have been better dedicated to the cliche experts at Fox Studios who put this highly entertaining, highly predictable film together. The film chronicles the probationary period of a new team of student nurses in a midwestern hospital. Loretta Young has top billing, so we know she'll make first cut. In fact, Young is so magnificent she practically walks on water; even when offered the opportunity of marrying wealthy John Boles, she chooses to devote her life to nursing. Adapted from a novel by Ryan James, The White Parade managed to cop an Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture of 1934--one of eleven nominees that lost to It Happened One Night. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Loretta Young, John Boles, (more)
- 1931
In his first Western for Columbia, Tim McCoy played one of his favorite characters, the reformed professional gambler. Returning home to visit with brother Terry (Carroll Nye), Tim Allen (McCoy) finds Terry mortally wounded by a man he identifies as the supposedly honest gambler George Beck (Charles "Slim" Whitaker). At the Lone Star Saloon, owner Coldeye Carnell (Al Ferguson) offers him a dealer position, which he declines. He does, however, accept a job from George Beck, his brother's presumed killer, whose daughter, Helen (Doris Hill), he earlier rescued from a gang of potential muggers. As it turns out, Terry's killer is not Beck, but Coldeye who had assumed his rival's identity in order to ruin him. Beck forgives Tim for his suspicions and the reformed gambler in turn asks for Helen's hand in marriage. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim McCoy, Doris Hill, (more)
- 1929
In this romantic drama, a wealthy, young heiress suffers from ennui and begins rebelling against the restrictions of her class by refusing to marry her equally wealthy fiance. Instead she falls for a serious salesman. Unfortunately, the salesman wants nothing to do with her money and refuses to marry her; she begins to dread her upcoming nuptials to the other fellow. In the end she and salesman reconcile, but she cannot get out of her engagement honorably. She is standing at the alter in her gown on her wedding day, when suddenly a dog wanders up with a note in its mouth. The note tells her that the salesman is leaving town. Suddenly the girl decides to follow her heart and takes off after the dog to profess undying love to the salesman. Humble marital bliss ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1928
Masks of the Devil was director Victor Seastrom's final silent film for MGM -- and his next-to-last American film before his return to Sweden. Based on a story by Jacob Wasserman, the film stars John Gilbert as Baron Reiner, who spends his entire life in pursuit of beautiful women. A ruthless, sociopathic type, the Baron has no sooner pledged eternal devotion to one damsel than he is hot on the trail of another conquest. Eventually, however, the Baron's conscience catches up with him, and in a series of scenes apparently inspired by O'Neill's Strange Interlude, the audience is permitted to see Reiner's innermost thoughts, superimposed over close-ups of the protagonist staring into his mirror. Masks of the Devil was partially designed as a showcase for Irving Thalberg's latest screen discovery, Viennese actress Eva Von Berne, of whom little was heard after the film's release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gilbert, Alma Rubens, (more)
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The Man From Utah
After helping prevent a bank robbery, young drifter John Weston (John Wayne) is assigned by Marshal Higgins (George "Gabby" Hayes to look into a series of suspicious deaths among champion rodeo riders. Weston falls for lovely Marjorie Carter (Polly Ann Young) along the way but she gets jealous when he suddenly shifts his attention to fiery Dolores (Anita Campillo, whose name is misspelled "Compillo" in the onscreen credits). The Mexican charmer, however, is in league with Spike Barton (Edward Peil, Sr.), the brain behind the murders, and Weston's interest is purely business. Like most of John Wayne's "Lone Star" Westerns, The Man from Utah was filmed along California's Kern River. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Sagebrush Trail
So unknown was John Wayne in 1934 that the Variety review of the "B"-western Sagebrush Trail fails to list Wayne in the cast! The second of the Duke's films for Lone Star Productions, this one casts him as an accused killer in search of the real culprit. On the lam from the law, Wayne teams up with gunslinger Lane Chandler, never suspecting that Chandler is the man he is looking for. The relationship between Wayne and Chandler, at first friendly and then adversarial, is handled with more depth than was normal in a quickie western. Also in the cast of Sagebrush Trail is stuntman Yakima Canutt, here cast as Wayne's Indian companion "Yak." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
After helping prevent a bank robbery, young drifter John Weston (John Wayne) is assigned by Marshal Higgins (George "Gabby" Hayes to look into a series of suspicious deaths among champion rodeo riders. Weston falls for lovely Marjorie Carter (Polly Ann Young) along the way but she gets jealous when he suddenly shifts his attention to fiery Dolores (Anita Campillo, whose name is misspelled "Compillo" in the onscreen credits). The Mexican charmer, however, is in league with Spike Barton (Edward Peil, Sr.), the brain behind the murders, and Weston's interest is purely business. Like most of John Wayne's "Lone Star" Westerns, The Man from Utah was filmed along California's Kern River. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Sagebrush Trail
So unknown was John Wayne in 1934 that the Variety review of the "B"-western Sagebrush Trail fails to list Wayne in the cast! The second of the Duke's films for Lone Star Productions, this one casts him as an accused killer in search of the real culprit. On the lam from the law, Wayne teams up with gunslinger Lane Chandler, never suspecting that Chandler is the man he is looking for. The relationship between Wayne and Chandler, at first friendly and then adversarial, is handled with more depth than was normal in a quickie western. Also in the cast of Sagebrush Trail is stuntman Yakima Canutt, here cast as Wayne's Indian companion "Yak." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
