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- 1941
Republic Pictures obviously hoped to build vaudevillian Eddie Foy Jr. into a major screen comedian, as witness such efforts as Country Fair. Foy plays Johnny Campbell, glib campaign manager for gubenatorial candidate Stogie McPhee (William Demarest). Having impulsively promised Johnny that she'll marry him if McPhee wins, heroine Pepper Wilson (June Clyde) begins canvassing the voters on behalf of rival candidate Gildersleeve (played by Harold Peary, who'd created "Gildy" on radio's Fibber McGee and Molly). But the race is won by a dark horse, blacksmith Gunther Potts (Guinn Williams), who single-handedly cleans out the corrupt element in the local government. Where this leaves Johnny and Pepper is a problem solved in the final footage. In addition to Harold "Great Gildersleeve" Peary, Country Fair spotlights such radio favorites as Lulubelle and Scotty, the Vass Family and the Simp Phonies. There's also an appearance by someone named Whitey Ford, though chances are it may not be the hall of fame New York Yanee pitcher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Foy, Jr., June Clyde, (more)
- 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)
- 1941
Nevada City finds Roy Rogers and his perennial sidekick Gabby Hayes cast as stagecoach drivers. Their boss is Joseph Crehan, an ornery crust who can't abide the notion of the railroad cutting into his business. Roy and Gabby try to establish a détente between Crehan and railroad man George Cleveland, only to be fired for their efforts. Things don't straighten themselves out until a roving band of outlaws force Crehan and Cleveland to work together, which is what our heroes had intended all along. Sally Payne, heretofore a comedy-relief soubrette in the Roy Rogers films, is promoted to leading lady status in Nevada City. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
- 1941
There were two separate 1940s film series inspired by Philips H. Lord's radio weekly Mr. District Attorney; the first was produced by Republic, the second by Paramount's Pine-Thomas unit. Republic's inaugural entry, appropriately titled Mr. District Attorney, eschews the sobriety of the radio original and plays for laughs. Dennis O'Keefe stars as P. Cadwallader Jones, a guileless assistant DA straight out of Harvard. Managing to louse up his first case, Jones redeems himself by revealing that one of his boss' aides is in league with master criminal Mr. Hyde (Peter Lorre). Florence Rice, daughter of sports columnist Grantland Rice, is appropriately cast as a newspaper sob sister. The best line in Mr. District Attorney comes early in the proceedings: When asked what the "P" stands for, P. Cadwallader Jones replies ruefully "Prince. But I didn't want to be whistled for." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis O'Keefe, Florence Rice, (more)
- 1941
The paying customers got two Donald Barrys for the price of one in this typically well-mounted Republic Western directed with his customary vim and vigor by George Sherman. A petty criminal, The Sundown Kid (Barry number one), is persuaded by a gang of rustlers to change places with his lookalike brother, Bruce McKinnon, the town sheriff. Assuming his "sheriff's duties," the Kid, aka Jim McKinnon, gets in trouble with his girlfriend, Nita (Lupita Tovar), who jealously watches him courting Bruce's fiancée Ruth Morton (Lynn Merrick). Jim pacifies the seething Nita by telling her the truth, but when a minister turns up to marry "Bruce" and Ruth, she angrily betrays him. In the ensuing melee, Jim is mortally wounded, but manages to reconcile with his estranged brother before expiring. A fine actor in the James Cagney mold, Donald Barry (nicknamed "Red" for obvious reasons) convincingly portrayed the disparate brothers. In what was to become one of the longest partnerships in B-Western history, blond Lynn Merrick (formerly Marilyn Merrick) went on to do 15 additional Westerns opposite Barry. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don "Red" Barry, Lynn Merrick, (more)
- 1941
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The Adventures of Captain Marvel is a 12-episode Republic serial based on the comic book character of the same name. Young Billy Batson (Frank Coghlan Jr.) is part of a scientific expedition in a remote section of Siam. Trapped in an ancient tomb, Billy happens upon an ancient shaman acronymically named Shazam (each letter in his name stands for a famous Greek or Roman god). Because Billy has obeyed the warnings written on the sacred chamber, the old man rewards the boy with the ability to turn into superhero Captain Marvel (Tom Tyler). Billy can make the transformation only by uttering the word "Shazam!"--which explains why the script, for suspense purposes, contrives to have Billy bound and gagged at crucial moments. Young Batson finds that his alter ego comes in handy in determining the identity of "the Scorpion," a member of the expedition who plans to kill his colleagues after learning the secret hiding places of the components of a super-weapon called the Golden Scorpion. A well-above-average Republic entry, The Adventures of Captain Marvel is distinguished by the eye-popping stunt work of David Sharpe and by Captain Marvel's utterly convincing flying scenes, courtesy of special-effects maestros Howard and Theodore Lydecker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Tyler, Frank Coghlan, Jr., (more)
- 1940
In this musical, the second entry in a five-film series, a thrift shop owner sells his business and buys a small time radio station. He begins looking for sponsors. He finds one with a department store owner who will only lend him the money if he will allow his daughter, an aspiring tap-dancer and singer, to perform on the air. This is unfortunate as she is tone-deaf. To compensate, the owner hires a real singer to dub the daughter's voice. The singer and the owner's nephew fall in love and mayhem ensues. Songs include: the Oscar nominated "Who Am I?," "Swing Low Sweet Rhythm," "In The Cool of the Evening," "Make Yourself at Home," "The Swap Shop Song," "The Trading Post," "Sally," "Ramona," "Sweet Sue," "Dinah," "Margie," and "Mary Lou." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenny Baker, Frances Langford, (more)
- 1940
As suggested by its title, Behind the News was a "stop the presses!" yarn set in a big-city newsroom. Lloyd Nolan is top-billed as a cynical reporter with a penchant for sticking his neck out too far. Frank Albertson costars as a cub reporter fresh out of journalism school, whose presence is resented by Nolan and his fellow workers. But it is Albertson who, after running afoul of the law, is instrumental in breaking up a ring of racketeers. Behind the News was remade by Republic as Headline Hunters (55). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lloyd Nolan, Doris Davenport, (more)
- 1940
In this western, two disparate twins ride the range. One is a real troublemaker while the other is a government agent. When the bad brother is sent to prison, the good one begins posing as him so he can capture two outlaws. He does so, but then finds himself accosted by an angry dance-hall girl who says that he (the bad brother) had promised to marry her. The good brother's girl friend has a thing or two to say about that and romantic mayhem ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chester Morris, Anita Louise, (more)
- 1940
Republic's "Three Mesquiteers" western series hopscotched all over the calendar, with some entries taking place in the present, others in the far-distant past. As indicated by its title, Covered Wagon Days is a period piece, with heroes Stony Brooke (Robert Livingston), Rusty Joslin (Raymond Hatton) and Rico Rinaldo (Duncan Renaldo) riding into a silver mining camp. The villains keep busy by smuggling the valuable ore across the border, and to add insult to injury have framed Rico's brother Carlos (Paul Marion) on a murder charge. This time it takes only 56 minutes for the Mesquiteers to rout the villains and allow justice to triumph. As always, Covered Wagon Days is enhanced by excellent production values, thoroughly transcending the film's pinchpenny budget. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Raymond Hatton, (more)
Every time that sinister Oriental megalomaniac Dr. Fu Manchu is ready to kill, sounds of strange drums can be heard coming from -- well, nowhere really. In 1939, Republic Pictures purchased the rights to the first six of British pulp fiction writer Sax Rohmer's popular "Fu Manchu" stories. The result became the studio's second longest action serial and one of its most enduringly popular. The head of a sinister conglomeration known as the Si-Fan, Dr. Fu Manchu (Henry Brandon) goes in search of the Sacred Scepter of Genghis Khan, with which he hopes to rule all the tribes of the Orient and evict the foreign infidels. Helping the good doctor is Fah-Lo-Suee (Gloria Franklin), his Eurasian daughter, and a seemingly unlimited supply of Dacoits, henchmen turned into slaves by having undergone frontal lobotomies. Dr. Fu Manchu is, as always, opposed by Sir Neyland Smith (William Royle) of the British Foreign Office. This time, however, Sir Neyland is not only aided by his very own "Dr. Watson," Dr. Petrie (Olaf Hytten), but also by a young American, Allan Parker (Robert Kellard), whose father (George Cleveland) had become yet another of Fu Manchu's many victims. Complicating the search is the attractive presence of Mary Randolph (Luana Walters) who, like most of her ilk, has a tendency to get herself into serious trouble at the most inopportune moments. Although the Oriental fiend appears all-powerful at times, Sir Neyland and his friends once again save the free world from enslavement -- although it takes them 15 chapters to do so. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Brandon, William Royle, (more)
- 1940
Musical comedy favorite Elsie Janis, who gained renown in WW1 as "The Sweetheart of the AEF", returned to the screen after a long absence in Republic's Women in War. The story is the old chestnut about two volunteer Red Cross nurses, Pamela (Wendy Barrie) and Gail (Mae Clarke), both in love with dashing aviator Larry (Patric Knowles). The producers brought the storyline up-to-date by plunking it in the middle of the London Blitz, German air raids and all. As a result, Women in War was one of the first Hollywood productions to recreate the Nazi bombing of London, which it did with commendable credibility. Top-billed Elsie Janis plays O'Neill, "den mother" of the volunteer nurses; surprisingly, she is afforded no singing opportunities, but manages to light up the screen all the same. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elsie Janis, Wendy Barrie, (more)
- 1940
Little Mary Lee, Republic's 1940 answer to Shirley Temple, stars in the bucolic musical comedy Barnyard Follies. Essentially a feature-length endorsement of the 4-H clubs of America, the story concerns a group of wrong-headed provincials, headed by vain Mrs. Uppington (Isabel Randolph) of Fibber McGee and Molly radio fame, who try to block the establishment of a 4-H project in their rural community. In order to raise the $5000 necessary to keep the project alive, cutesy radio personality Bubbles Martin (Lee) stages a benefit. Among the featured acts is Rufe Davis, who offers his repetoire of funny animal sounds. Also on hand are such country-western favorites as Harry "Pappy" Cheshire, the Kidoodlers, and the Cackle Sisters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Lee, Rufe Davis, (more)
- 1940
Earl of Puddlestone was released minus a director credit out of respect for megger Gus Meins, who committed suicide shortly after its completion. This latest entry in Republic's "Higgins Family" series once more stars James Gleason, his wife Lucille and his son Russell as Joe, Lil and Sidney Higgins. Thanks to a joke perpetrated by Grandpa Higgins (Harry Davenport), poor Joe finds himself posing as one Henry Potter-Potter, aka the Earl of Puddlestone. He manages to successfully pull off the ruse until the real Potter-Potter (William Halligan) arrives on the scene, leading to a hectic finale. The role of Higgins daughter Betty, played by a variety of actresses in the past (including Russell Gleason's wife Shirley Deane), is herein portrayed by Lois Ranson, a singer-dancer whom Republic was hoping to groom for stardom. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Gleason, Lucille Gleason, (more)
- 1940
In this crime drama, a brilliant lawyer is renowned for getting guilty-as-sin-but-powerful crime figures acquitted. He has never lost a case until he defends an innocent man. The hapless client ends up imprisoned and executed for killing a policeman. The loss traumatizes the lawyer and compels him to use his talents to bring the crooks to justice. He later becomes a district attorney and gets to prosecute a major crime lord. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmund Lowe, Rose Hobart, (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
Yet another fast-paced western featuring the "Three Mesqueteers," pulp writer William Colt McDonald's trio of sagebrush heroes, Lone Star Raiders finds Stony Brooke (Robert Livingston), Tucson Smith (Bob Steele) and Lullaby Joslin (Rufe Davis) defending elderly rancher "Granny" Phelps (Sarah Padden) from greedy neighbor Henry Martin (George Douglas). Engaging in a bit of sabotage, the latter is hoping that "Granny" will lose a potentially valuable contract to supply horses for the cavalry. Wise to Martin's evil machinations, the Mesqueteers, aided by ranch foreman Cameron (John Elliott) and his daughter Linda (June Johnson), prevent the poisoning of the water trough. But our heroes soon find themselves falsely accused of killing Cameron and are thus prevented from participating in the Big Race that may determine "Granny's" future. The old lady, however, manages to break the trio out of jail in the nick of time and Cameron's real killer, Mason henchman Dixon (John Merton), is apprehended. Stony wins the race and "Granny" is rescued from financial ruin. Helmed by George Sherman, one of the best directors in the business, Lone Star Raiders moves at a typically fast clip and is constantly entertaining despite an overabundance of stock footage from earlier, more luxurious "Three Mesqueteers" entries. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Bob Steele, (more)
- 1940
When an evil land grabbers forces settlers out of their homes, the courageous Three Mesquiteers ride up to stop him. Rootin' tootin' western action ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Raymond Hatton, (more)
- 1940
In this musical, a con man makes a good living by promoting bogus charity shows. He gets the communities all revved up and then skips town with all their money. But then he meets three earnest people wanting to garner financial support for an orphanage. This time the con man's loyal assistant finally catches on to the wicked scam and turns him in to the police. Meanwhile, the newly reformed assistant and one of the charity workers fall in loves. Songs include: "Tequila" (sung by Downs, Terry), "I'm Just a Weakie" (sung by Allen, Gilbert), "What Fools These Mortals Be," and "When A Fella's Got a Girl" (Jule Styne, George R. Brown, Sol Meyer). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ruth Terry, Johnny Downs, (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)
- 1940
In this episode of the Higgins Family series, pandemonium ensues when Ma enters a dog biscuit contest. The prize is a whopping $50,000. Unfortunately, the company is represented by Pa's ad agency and his wife cannot legally enter. The trouble is, to win, Ma purchased every dog biscuit in town. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1940
Unrelated to Monogram's series of "Bowery Boys" B pictures, Republic's Bowery Boy stars Dennis O'Keefe as a crusading slum doctor. Actually, O'Keefe doesn't play the title character: that honor goes to Jimmy Lydon, a tough street kid who tries to block the plans made by O'Keefe and nurse Louise Campbell to build a health clinic. But when mobster Roger Pryor sells tainted meat that results in an outbreak of botulism, Lydon becomes O'Keefe's biggest booster. Also in the cast is Jimmy Lydon's younger brother Ormund, who plays...Jimmy Lydon's younger brother. Bowery Boy served as the directorial debut of former film editor William Morgan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis O'Keefe, Louise Campbell, (more)
- 1940
An innocent young woman is accused of murder by her wicked stepmother. The poor lass ends up in prison. Fortunately, a reporter sets out to prove that she is not guilty and brings the real culprit to justice. Meanwhile the murderous step-mom plots the hapless girl's demise. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
This Roy Rogers vehicle was based on a Zane Grey story, previous filmed twice in the silent and early-talkie era. Rogers stars as young doctor Steve Kells, who after leaving New York in disgrace (it wasn't his fault) takes up residence in Idaho territory. Here he redeems himself by taking on a deadly outlaw gang, headed by a surly gent named Gulden (Joe Sawyer). Just so the audience knows that this is a "typical" Rogers picture despite its pedigree, the producers cast Gabby Hayes as Steve's sidekick Honest John Whittaker. Carol Hughes, who'd recently played Dale Arden in the third "Flash Gordon" serial, is Rogers' leading lady in this one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Carolyn Hughes, (more)
- 1940
Donald Barry, not yet Donald "Red" Barry, heads the cast of the Republic western Ghost Valley Raiders. A federal marshal, Barry is assigned to put an end to the activities of a stagecoach-robbery gang. That's why he spends most of the film pretending to be an outlaw himself. Stunt specialist Yakima Canutt plays a secondary villain, and also doubles for Barry in the dicier action scenes. Ghost Valley Raiders goes through its familiar paces with the speed of summer lightning. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don "Red" Barry, Lona Andre, (more)
