Ford I. Beebe Movies

Kush Ta Ka is the Tlingit Eskimo spirit of fear. In this children's adventure, young 12-year old Alaskan must take him on to save the life of an injured geologist who broke his leg while the boy was leading him on a wilderness expedition. The boy must leave the geologist and set off alone in his kayak to find his father who has taken off to the seal grounds in the north. As he travels the boy sees great grizzlies and giant sperm whales. When he paddles into an ice-filled sea, the boy begins to fear the evil spirits that live there. Still he persists, overcomes the power of Kush Ta Ka, finds his father and saves the geologist. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Filmed independently by Paul Kenworthy Productions, "Rusty and the Falcon" was first shown as an episode of the TV anthology Walt Disney Presents. Based on Charles Ogburn's book The White Falcon and lensed on location in Heber, UT, this is the tale of Rusty (Rudy Lee), a 12-year-old boy who lives in a remote Rocky Mountain mining town. With few friends his own age, Rusty has developed a fantasy world which manifests itself in the abandoned mine shaft where he plays every day. It is here that the boy finds an injured falcon, whom he ultimately restores to health and grooms as a hunting bird. Among other things, this episode features a brief lecture on falconry by expert Morlan Nelson, an archery exhibition by narrator (and future Disney producer) Jerome Courtland, and an original song, "A Boy Is a Curious Thing." Rusty and the Falcon was released theatrically overseas in 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this adventure Bomba the Jungle boy helps a Hollywood movie star search the dark, dangerous jungle for her missing husband. As they search, they encounter a man-eating leopard. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Safari Drums was the ninth entry in Monogram's "Bomba the Jungle Boy" series. Johnny Sheffield once more stars as Bomba, while his usual director Ford Beebe calls the shots. The villain is an avaricious guide (Douglas Kennedy) who has murdered a famed geologist. The killer is a member of a film-making unit that has come to Africa to lens a documentary. His motivation for the murder was a fortune in diamonds. Bomba disposes of the baddie by summoning aid from his animal friends. Ironically, this same solution was used in the like-vintage Tarzan and the She-Devil -- and as everybody knows, Johnny Sheffield used to play "Boy" in the Tarzan pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jungle Girl was the 7th entry in Monogram's "Bomba the Jungle Boy" series, based on the pulp novels by Roy Rockwood. This time, Bomba (Johnny Sheffield) tries to find the long-lost remains of his parents. He discovers that the person responsible for mom and dad's deaths was evil native chieftain Martin Wilkins. Only after the chief's daughter Suzette Harbin is herself accidentally killed (not by Bomba-rest, easy kids!) does the villain give himself up to the authorities. With the exception of Johnny Sheffield and co-stars Karen Sharpe and Walter Sande, most of the acting in Jungle Girl is strictly amateur night. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bomba the Jungle Boy--aka Johnny Sheffield--makes his fifth screen appearance in Monogram's Lion Hunters. Bomba's task this time out is to stem the activities of crooked animal hunters Forbes (Morris Ankrum) and Martin (Douglas Kennedy). The villains have set up camp in the land of the Masai, who consider lions to be sacred. Forbes and Martin pay no attention to local native customs, going so far as to kidnap Jean (Ann Todd) to prevent Bomba from interfering with their ecological plunder. Needless to say, the bad guys are hoist on their own petard by film's end. As was the case in previous Bomba efforts, most of the action footage is culled from the 1930 documentary Africa Speaks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

From Lippert Studios, the same company responsible for I Shot Jesse James, comes I Shot Billy the Kid. Those who know their western history will recall that Billy the kid was gunned down by his friendly enemy Pat Garrett. This time around, Garrett is played by Robert Lowery, while the larger part of Billy is essayed by Don Barry (a bit too old for the part, though physically perfect). The film recounts Garrett and Billy's volatile relationship, and the events leading up to their final, fatal confrontation. Brooklynese supporting actor Sid Melton seems a bit out of place as the film's nominal comedy relief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

Former Tarzan regular Johnny Sheffield stars as Bomba the Jungle Boy in this 71-minute adventure. Bomba comes to the aid of Leah (Sue England), an orphaned jungle girl who has no idea who her real family is. Leah is being promoted as a "white goddess" by the scheming ruler (Paul Guilfoyle) of The Hidden City. Leon Belasco provides comedy relief, while black actor Smoki Whitfield shows up long enough to remind us that the story is supposed to be taking place in Africa. Bomba and the Hidden City was the fourth in Monogram's "Bomba" series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Inspired by the adventure-book series by Roy Rockwood, Monogram's Bomba the Jungle Boy was the first of a series of twelve "Bomba" pictures. Johnny Sheffield, formerly "Boy" in the Tarzan pictures, stars as Bomba. Another former child performer, Peggy Ann Garner, co-stars as Pat Harland, who with her father George (Onslow Stevens) has arrived in Africa on a photographic expedition. Bomba ends up rescuing Pat from a wide variety of jungle villains. Much of the film is built around stock footage from a 1930 documentary, Africa Speaks. Economically produced, Bomba the Jungle Boy proved a profitable beginning for one of Monogram's most successful series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this western, a lawman looks into a series of murders involving ranchers. A war between Indians and the local land and water companies ensues. Fortunately, justice prevails, and the peace is restored. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Monogram's four-year-old Jimmy Wakely western series began to wind down with Courtin' Trouble. As was customary, Jimmy does more singin' than fightin' or shootin' in this leisurely entry. The plot concerns an ongoing feud between cattlemen and frontier merchants. Adding fuel to the fire is an outlaw gang, masterminded by saloon owner Leonard Penn (the real-life father of actors Sean and Christopher Penn). Virginia Belmont plays a lady attorney who is determined to bring things to a peaceful conclusion, while Dub "Cannonball" Taylor is the all-around comedy relief. Star Wakely manages to squeeze three musical numbers into the film's 56-minute timespan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide