Cy Feuer Movies
New York-born Cy Feuer has enjoyed a multi-tiered career in music and movies, as a composer and department head at Republic Pictures during the 1930s and '40s and as a stage and screen producer from the '50s through the '70s. A student at the Juilliard School of Music, Feuer played trumpet in the Radio City Music Hall orchestra and the Roxy Theater orchestra (in the days when such theater orchestras were a major part of entertainment) during the '30s. He headed to California at the end of the decade and joined the music department at Republic Pictures in 1938. Starting with the serial Fighting Devil Dogs (one of the greatest chapterplays ever produced), Feuer was the music director for upwards of 125 movies over the next decade, with a three-year interruption (1942-1945) during which he served in the military in World War II. His work as a composer (usually uncredited) also turned up in some 90 feature films and serial releases during this period, including The Adventures of Captain Marvel and Drums of Fu Manchu; some of his music was also later tracked into The Lone Ranger television series. In 1947, Feuer left the studio and headed back to New York, where he became a producer on the Broadway stage. Apart from a short period working on the radio series Escape, his composing credits more or less disappeared in subsequent years, but Feuer was responsible for bringing such musical successes as Frank Loesser's Where's Charley (which he also later produced for the screen), Guys and Dolls, Cole Porter's Can-Can and Silk Stockings, and Loesser's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to the stage, all of which were later adapted into hit motion pictures. Feuer's crowning triumph, however, was the film of Cabaret (1972), which he produced; it became the biggest success of his career, earning tens of millions of dollars and eight Academy Awards. He was also later involved with bringing A Chorus Line to the screen. In 1996, Feuer's early career as a film composer was recalled in a series of CD releases by the CinemaSound Orchestra devoted to Republic's music, issued on the Varese Sarabande label. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1932
Short story writer Thomas attempts to solve a murder involving blackmail, stabbings and mysterious notes. Another interesting aspect is the police department that caters to the rich. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Tucker, Lillian Rich, (more)
- 1938
With The Higgins Family, Republic Pictures launched its own economical variation on MGM's popular "Andy Hardy" series. The gimmick here was that three of the members of the Higgins clan-dad Joe, mom Lillian, grown son Sidney-were played by real-life husband and wife James and Lucile Gleason and their son Russell (daughter Marian was portrayed by Lynne Roberts, while crusty old Grandpop was essayed by Harry Davenport). In this initial entry, Joe Higgins' future at the advertising agency where he works is jeopardized by the radio popularity of wife Lillian. Pretty soon the Higgins kids are taking to the airwaves, leading inexorably to a serious conflict of interests and a divorce-court showdown. In the course of the hearing, Joe and Lillian tearfully admit that they're still in love with one another, and everybody lives happily ever after-until the next "Higgins Family" entry, that is. The film was produced by Sol C. Siegel, who went on to such loftier projects as The African Queen and Lawrence of Arabia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Gleason, Lucille Gleason, (more)
- 1938
The cornpone comedy of the Weaver Brothers & Elviry permeates this ramshackle Republic musical. The plot gets under way when the government tries to buy up some of the Weavers' property for a dam project. The hillbilly family wants nothing to do with the "furriners", but eventually they change their minds when construction engineer John (Ralph Byrd) falls in love with the Weavers' pretty daughter Mary (June Storey). Featured as John's sidekick is bespectacled crooner Pinky Tomlin, whose principal vocal contribution is a musical nursery rhyme. Down in Arkansaw wasn't aimed at the New York intelligentsia: its target audience was rural, and by delivering exactly what its fans wanted the film succeeded spectacluarly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Weaver, Frank Weaver, (more)
- 1938
Pals of the Saddle is one of the more engaging entries in Republic's Three Mesquiteers Western series. Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune repeat their standard roles of Tucson Smith and Lullaby Joslin; the role of Stony Brooke, recently vacated by Bob Livingston, is here played by none other than John Wayne. The Mesquiteers films fluctuated between period stories and contemporary tales. This time around, we're in 1938, and Stony is chasing after foreign agents who are trying to steal and smuggle a secret weapon, the deadly chemical "monium," out of the United States. Director George Sherman paces this 55-minute effort like a Republic serial, with excellent results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, (more)
- 1938
This being a Republic picture, it should come as no surprise that Storm Over Bengal was filmed in its entirety in the San Fernando Valley. Within its concise 65 minutes, the film manages to accommodate a Bengal Lancers main plot, a romantic subplot, the obligatory coward who makes good, intrigue aplenty from a villainous Indian potentate, and an outsized climactic battle between the rebels and the British forces. Patric Knowles, previously one of the leads in the British-India epic Charge of the Light Brigade, heads the cast. Worth noting is the presence in the cast of Richard Cromwell as secondary romantic lead Neil Allison and Douglass Dumbrille as the despicable Khan. Three years earlier, Cromwell had been tortured by Dumbrille's minions in Lives of a Bengal Lancer, and he undergoes much the same treatment here-"just to make him feel at home" observed film historian Roger Dooley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patric Knowles, Richard Cromwell, (more)
- 1938
This drama chronicles the different paths taken by former partners in law. One of them, an avaricious attorney who will stop at nothing to find success, becomes a lawyer for the mob. His dreams are soon realized, but their achievement cost him his marriage, family and partner. Meanwhile his ex-associate becomes assistant DA. The two lawyers must then go head-to-head in court. Despite his best efforts, the honest lawyer cannot win a case against his former partner until the dishonest lawyer comes clean and provides him with the much needed incriminating evidence to destroy the gangsters. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Cummings, Helen Mack, (more)
- 1938
This Roy Rogers starrer is set in motion by a range war between ex-partners Brower (William Farnum) and Jackson (Stanley Andrews). Adding to Brower's headaches is the fact that Jackson is a crook who's not above stealing cattle to suit his purposes. When Jackson manages to frame Brower on a trumped-up criminal charge, that's when hero Rogers swings into action. Roy's leading lady this time out is Lynne Roberts, herein billed as Mary Hart, reportedly because Republic wanted its own "Rogers and Hart" team. The 1944 Warner Bros. musical Shine on Harvest Moon bears no relation to this 1939 Republic oater. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, (more)
- 1938
In this action-packed crime drama, an ace reporter declares war on the mobsters that killed his best friend, helps a disenchanted hit man steal back his brother's iron lung from gangsters by hiding inside it during transport, busts up two other gangs, discovers a whiskey-smuggling ring, almost gets steamed to death, gets his girlfriend's house shot up by mobsters, and upsets his editor when a rival paper gets the story of his engagement first. ~ Steve Huey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, June Travis, (more)
- 1938
This Roy Rogers musical western (his second starring vehicle for Republic) concerns itself with a group of Texas Rangers, forced to disband when Texas is admitted the Union. The state brings in members of the U.S. Cavalry to provide law enforcement in the Rangers' stead, yet the Cavalry officers become hopelessly confused and muddled -- not only from their ignorance of the territory, but by the guerilla tactics of Texas bandits and local political corruption. When ex-ranger Rogers's brother is killed, he recognizes that the Cavalry will not be able to respond with proper force, and asks his fellow ex-rangers to take up arms in vengeance. The film co-stars Mary Hart, Raymond Hatton, J. Farrell MacDonald and Purnell Pratt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, (more)
- 1939
Hot on the heels of Frontier Pony Express came the equally exciting Roy Rogers vehicle Rough Riders' Roundup. In the first film, Rogers was an express rider during the Civil War era; in the second, he's a veteran of the Spanish American war (ubiquitous fellow, isn't he?) With several of his fellow Rough Riders, Rogers joins the Texas border patrol, where he almost immediately clashes with a villain named Arizona (William Pawley). While maintaining a respectable facade, Arizona and his minions rob the stagecoaches and express offices, divesting the local prospectors of their hard-earned gold. With the help of grizzled old sidekick Rusty (Raymond Hatton)-not to mention the rest of the Rough Riders-Rogers crushes Arizona's operation once and for all. The film boasts two leading ladies: Rogers' usual vis-a-vis Mary Hart, and former silent star Dorothy Sebastian, here making a comeback attempt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, (more)
- 1939
In this patriotic wartime drama set during WW II, a test plane crashes killing all aboard and causes the locals to accuse the aircraft engineer of being a traitor and sabotaging the plane. To prove his son's innocence, the engineer's father looks into the crash and soon reveals the real spies. The justifiably angry patriarch then delivers a stern lecture to the community about making hasty judgments concerning a person's patriotism. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arleen Whelan, Gordon Oliver, (more)
- 1939
Roy Rogers got himself a new sidekick in the disheveled, toothless person of George “Gabby” Hayes in this fine Republic western, a partnership that would last until 1946. Roy and Gabby play veterans of the Confederate Army who inherit half-ownership of a Texas ranch. Unfortunately, the other half belongs to Colonel Denbigh (Wade Boteler), a Union officer with whom they had an unpleasant experience during the past war between the states. Denbigh, however, is appointed military governor of the district and when a police squadron under the command of one Captain Jeffries (Arthur Loft) is revealed to consist of outlaws, it is Roy and Gabby who come to Denbigh’s rescue and restore peace to the territory. When not fighting the nasty Arthur Loft and his gang of cutthroats Rogers performs such numbers as ”Headin’ for Texas and Home”, ”Hope I’m Not Dreaming Again” and ”Keep Awalking the Other Way”. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, (more)
- 1939
Sad-eyed Ann Dvorak plays Jo, the "café hostess" of the title. Poor put-upon Jo doesn't know it, but she's being used by her gangster boyfriend Eddie Morgan (Douglas Fowley), who relies upon her as an alibi to cover up his recent crimes. Likeable sailor Budge (Bruce Bennett) is in love with Jo, but can't pry her loose from the possessive Mr. Morgan. This dilemma is resolved by Eddie's cast-off mistress Annie (Wynne Gibson), who resolves her problems with the business end of a revolver. It's up to detective Dan Walters (Preston Foster) to clean up the mess. Café Hostess was also released as Street of Missing Women. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bickford, Harry Carey, (more)
- 1939
This comedy chronicles the further exploits of the hilarious "Higgins Family." In this entry, the father eagerly awaits a promotion. Unfortunately, he is temporarily derailed when his wife accidentally reveals a business secret concerning an upcoming merger. This results in the wife taking over her husband's position while he tries to manage the home front. Predictably funny mayhem ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Gleason, Lucille Gleason, (more)
- 1939
In this crime drama a wealthy business tycoon serves a sentence for tax fraud. While there he becomes good friends with his cellmates and after they are all released, the magnate appoints them both as executives in his company. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barton MacLane, Beverly Roberts, (more)
- 1939
Hankies are not optional for this grim melodrama that tells the story of a kindly producer who mentors a beautiful young girl and helps her to become a big Broadway star. In time the two fall in love and decide to wed. Unfortunately, en route to a justice of the peace, tragedy strikes the happy couple and the would-be groom ends up permanently paralyzed. Still, his girl remains devoted to him and the marriage proceeds. Nine years pass and the woman decides she wants to adopt a child. All things seem to be in place for the adoption, but unfortunately, a widower shows up to claim the child. The wife and the widower begin an affair soon after meeting. When the husband finds out, he selflessly executes his final option to ensure his wife's future happiness. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frieda Inescort, Otto Kruger, (more)
- 1939
In this cautionary tale from the late 1930s, a woman surgeon must rush to the hospital on her wedding anniversary to save a life. Her husband is quite upset and goes off to a party hosted by a seductive woman. He finds himself attracted to her and as his wife becomes increasingly involved in her career he succumbs to temptation. He then files for divorce. Not wanting to lose her family, the doctor abandons her career and begins working to reassemble her family. Their renewed bond is cemented when her daughter falls off a horse and is critically injured. While her husband flies their plane to a hospital, the doctor performs surgery upon her daughter. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frieda Inescort, Henry Wilcoxon, (more)
- 1939
British leading man Barry McKay made a respectable if unsuccessful bid at Hollywood stardom in Republic's Stolen Cargo. The plot is motivated by an association of crooked fruit growers who spend most of their time finding ways to cheat their workers out of their rightful pay. McKay is cast as Gerry Clayton, the son of one of the duplicitous growers (Ralph Morgan). Appalled by the plight of the migrant workers, many of whom are illegal aliens (hence the barely relevant title), Gerry champions their cause. The plot thickens when the conscience-stricken elder Clayton decides to pull out of the associations, at which point he is framed for murder (this may be one of the few films in existence in which Ralph Morgan doesn't play the guilty party!) Filmed on location in Southern California, Smuggled Cargo has plenty of energy to make up for its lack of credibility. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Mackay, Rochelle Hudson, (more)
In this excellent western, Roy, Trigger and Gabby ride out to stop angry Confederate terrorists from harassing Missouri residents because they voted to side with the Union in the days leading up to the Civil War. Roy plays a Union captain who is faced with a difficult situation when he is ordered to execute his best friend, one of the terrorists. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
- 1939
In this patriotic spy adventure, a young gangster joins an enemy espionage agency and agrees to enlist in the Marine Corps so he can pilfer the plans for a newly developed aerial torpedo. To get in, the crook steals an innocent young man's papers and forges them for himself. Later, he gets his chance and nabs the plans. Unfortunately, the man whom he pretends to be finds out and gets the crook tossed into jail. Later the enemy agents help him escape. But by this time, the gangster has decided not to betray his beloved country. He puts up a fight and manages to flee the spies and return to the Marines where he works to bring the enemies to justice. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don "Red" Barry, Helen Mack, (more)
- 1939
In this heartwarming drama, a crook endeavors to raise his son in the slums until he kills a teller during a bank robbery. At first he sends the lad to his grandma, but when government agents threaten to catch him, he grabs the kid and hightails it. They high-jack a school bus filled with children and accidently run it into a snowdrift. The honorable son refuses to leave the freezing children and finally, the father goes out in search of help. Unfortunately, he is shot. The young man is then left to save the children. He does so by building a campfire, and thereby, becomes a hero. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Cabot, Ralph Byrd, (more)
- 1939
In this actioner, a U.S. border patrol agent stationed in Tijuana loses his job and gets into deep trouble after a friend is shot while the agent was doing an investigation. When the agent discovers that it was he, not his friend, who was targeted for the hit, he decides to get revenge upon the gang that did it. As he investigates, he is nearly blown up in a booby-trapped truck. He eventually succeeds and the gang gets its just desserts. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Kelly, June Lang, (more)
- 1939
Stalwart Republic contractee Ralph Byrd wades through a sea of stock footage in SOS-Tidal Wave. Byrd is cast as Jeff Shannon, a hotshot television commentator who goes after a corrupt political machine. When Shannon refuses to be dissuaded by bribes or threats, the villains promise dire consequences for his wife Laurel (Kay Sutton) and son Buddy (Mickey Kuhn) if he doesn't lay off. As a last-ditch measure, the head crook (Marc Lawrence) uses TV technology to scare away voters on election day by faking a devastating tidal wave which supposedly engulfs the city. The spectacularly soggy special-effects climax of SOS-Tidal Wave was lifted in toto from the 1933 fantasy feature Deluge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Byrd, George Barbier, (more)
- 1939
The Mysterious Miss X would have the audience believe that the very American Michael Whalen and Chick Chandler are a pair of stranded British vaudevillians named Neville and Casey. Further straining the film's credibility is the notion of our heroes being mistaken for Scotland Yard detectives. Rising to the occasion, Neville and Casey attempt to solve a murder in a backwater Midwestern town. The clues all seem to point to heroine Julie (Mary Hart, aka Lynne Roberts), much to the dismay of Neville, who's developed a crush on the girl. When a second murder occurs, Julie is in the clear, and the "least obvious suspect" (whom the audience tagged in reel one) is captured. A few scattered laughs are provided by radio comedienne Mabel Todd as a well-meaning buttinsky. Mysterious Miss X was directed by former "Our Gang" helmsman Gus Meins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Whalen, Chick Chandler, (more)
- 1939
In this high-flying drama, a foolhardy, free-spirited pilot throws his responsibilities as a mail pilot to the wind when he begins aggressively courting a beautiful flight attendant. Unfortunately, he pays so much attention to her, that he neglects his plane, resulting in the senseless death of his friend, a mechanic. Suddenly he becomes a pariah in the airline industry and no one will help him until the end of the film when he proves himself to be selfless and brave. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Regan, Jean Parker, (more)
