Philip Ford Movies
- 1965
In this comedy, a gambler and his friends endeavor to set up operations in Apple Valley, CA. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Ford, Mimi Hines, (more)
- 1964
Beware of the Dog was designed strictly for the Saturday-matinee trade. Some felt that the title should have been "Beware of the Kids." When a Great Dane is threatened by dognappers, a group of British children race to the rescue. Sean Bury heads the talented (albeit obscure) juvenile cast. Not given an American release, Beware of the Dog made it to the U.S. via television, where it was included in a syndicated package of international kiddie films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Arriving in a banana republic on a goodwill mission, Perry (John White), Clark (George Reeves) and Lois (Noel Neill) land smack-dab in the middle of an assassination attempt aimed at President Bateo (Donald Lawton). Quickly transforming into Superman, Clark manages to neutralize an exploding bomb, only to be promptly arrested when scheming Vice President Oberon (Robert Tafur) cites an obscure ordinance. To prevent Bateo from losing face in front of his people, Superman agrees to be placed behind bars, even though his absence leaves the President at the mercy of the villains. Enter eccentric Professor La Serne (Everett Glass), who has developed a theory whereby Superman can literally be in two places at once by dividing his molecule structure. Alas, once Superman has split himself in two, he dare not fuse back into a single body, lest "both" of him perish! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Superman (George Reeves) takes to the airwaves--the radio airwaves, that is--to declare war against gangster boss D.W. Griswald (Freeman Lusk). In retaliation, Griwald teams up with sinister scientist Prof. Von Brunner (George Selk), who has developed a process to extract Kryptonite from the earth and convert it into a deadly light beam (If you need reminding, Kryptonite is the only known element that can render Superman helpless). Kidnapping Lois (Noel Neill) and Jimmy (Jack Larson) to lure Superman into a trap, the crooks manage to gain the upper hand--until the Man of Steel decides to resort to a magic trick he'd learned from amateur illusionist (and "Daily Planet" editor) Perry White (John Hamilton). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
Wealthy and spoiled Myra Van Clever (Gloria Talbott) hires Superman (George Reeves) to entertain at a party. What Myra doesn't know is that she has been manipulated into a criminal scheme cooked up by her guardian Jonas Rockwell (John Eldredge), who intends to use Superman as an unwitting courier for a set of counterfeit plates. Ultimately, Jonas tips his hand and locks Myra into a safe with reporters Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson), Lois Lane (Noel Neill) and Clark Kent--who of course is Superman in disguise, but is unable to "transform" himself in full view of his fellow prisoners! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
Jack Larson plays a dual role in this episode, as cub reporter Jimmy Olsen and two-bit crook Kid Collins. A group of investment racketeers kidnap Jimmy and plant his lookalike Collins in the "Daily Planet" building, the better to steal the evidence used by Clark Kent (George Reeves) for his series of racket-busting articles. Things get worse when Collins breaks into Clark's apartment and steals his Superman outfit--forcing Clark not only to track Collins down in his street clothes, but also to explain to Lois (Noel Neill) how the outfit came to be in his closet in the first place! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
Clark (George Reeves), Lois (Noel Neill) and Jimmy (Jack Larson) investigate a supposedly deserted island that is slated to be used as target practice by the US Navy. Unfortunately, the island isn't deserted at all, but instead is populated by the descendants of a 17th century pirate band. These latter-day buccaneers not only refuse to believe that they're in danger, but they also kidnap Clark, Lois and Jimmy and leave them tied up in the middle of the island! The pyrotechnic climax of this episode features the notorious scene in which a stock "flying" sequence is reversed, revealing a backward "S" on Superman's costume. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
A criminal mastermind named Spectre (Peter Brocco) uses special coins to render himself and his henchmen invisible while committing crimes. Hoping to trap the crooks, Clark Kent (George Reeves) pretends that he'd like to join their gang. When Clark's true motives are discovered, he is thrown out of a plane in flight--which of course has no ill effect on him, inasmuch as he is really Superman and is quite accustomed to sailing through the air. The climax of the episode finds the extremely visible bad guys dukeing it out with a temporarily invisible Superman! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
In this precursor to the "reality" series Survivor, the staff of the "Daily Planet" serve as referees for a treasure hunt conducted on a remote island by the three heirs to the fortune of Jonathan Skag (Raymond Hatton). It turns out, however, that the "late" Mr. Skag is very much alive, and is merely testing the mettle of his potential heirs. Naturally, not all of the participants play fair--and the result of this skullduggery could prove fatal to all concerned. Fortunately, Superman (George Reeves) is on hand to make sure that justice is served and the spirit of fair play is upheld, but this time he has to keep his presence a secret. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
Put in charge of the "Daily Planet"'s advice-to-the-lovelorn column, Lois Lane (Noel Neill) begins to brood over the lack of romance in her own life. Just as mind begins wandering, Lois is astonished when Superman (George Reeves) shows up to declare his love for her--and to propose marriage! Elated, Lois accepts, then asks Clark Kent to be Best Man at the wedding, little realizing that Clark and Superman are one and the same. Meanwhile, criminal boss Farady (Milton Frome) plans to put his longtime nemesis Lois out of the way by planting a time bomb in the wedding cake. This highly fanciful episode (as if all the other episodes were realistic!) features a cameo appearance by Dolores Fuller, better known as the girlfriend and leading lady of the hilariously inept movie director Ed Wood Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
A climactic donnybrook between hero Allan Lane and ace Republic villain Roy Barcroft is the highlight of this otherwise routine B-Western effort directed by John Ford's nephew Philip Ford. The railroad is coming to El Dorado on the Powder River and a phony agent, Devereaux (Douglas Evans), persuades the citizens that they must come up with $50,000 within three days or the building project may be in trouble. "Rocky" Lane, who is a genuine railroad man, knows that Devereaux is only an actor hired to swindle the good folks of El Dorado and that the real representative, Bob Manning (Bruce Edwards), may be in danger. The plot thickens when Manning's wife, Louise (Gerry Gantzer), arrives in El Dorado and immediately becomes a target of the swindlers. Using a phony telegram, Lane manages to flush out the leader of the gang, local tailor Shears Williams (Francis McDonald), but is then falsely accused of pocketing the $50,000 himself. Managing to prove his innocence, "Rocky" tracks down the villains in the tailor shop where a furious fight between good and evil ensues. Although stabbed in the shoulder, Lane succeeds in disarming his opponents. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rory Calhoun, Corinne Calvet, (more)
- 1952
The famed Bal Tabarin cabaret in Paris is the gathering spot for this swiftly paced crime melodrama. It all begins when singer Judy Allen (Muriel Lawrence) scampers away to the City of Light to escape the clutches of the villains who murdered her boss. The bad guys not only want to silence Judy, but also want to retrieve the cache of jewels that she has hidden somewhere. She takes a singing job at the Bal Tabarin, where head crook Joe Goheen (Steve Brodie) inevitably comes calling one evening. Three new songs are performed in the course of events, as are several terpsichorean routines by the fetchingly underdressed "French Can Can Girls" (that's how they're billed). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Muriel Lawrence, William Ching, (more)
- 1952
At the time of its release, Republic's Desperadoes Outpost was regarded as one of the studio's better Allan "Rocky" Lane westerns. As was customary, Lane is cast as a federal operative, sent westward to offer aid and comfort to his old pal Nugget Clark (Eddy Waller). This time, Clark runs a stagecoach service that has been targetted for destruction by a pair of clever crooks (Lyle Talbot, Roy Barcroft). The villains hope to force Nugget off his land so they can lay claim to his valuable water supply. But they haven't got a chance with Rocky and his faithful steed Black Jack around and about. Myron Healey, normally cast as a sneering heavy, plays a relatively benign role as an Army lieutenant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Lyle Talbot, (more)
- 1951
Allan "Rocky" Lane plays the title role in the Republic oater Wells Fargo Gunmaster. Lane is sent westward by his employers to stem a series of stagecoach holdups. To bring the crooks out into the open, Lane pretends to turn bandit himself. One by one, the minor crooks are bumped off as they try to fence their ill-gotten gains. By process of elimination, Lane is able to expose the mysterious mastermind behind the robberies. Featured in the cast of Wells Fargo Gunmaster are moppet performers Mary Ellen Kay and Michael Chapin, who'd soon be spun off into their own western series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Chubby Johnson, (more)
- 1951
Ever in pursuit of novelty, Republic Pictures assembled a series of westerns in the early 1950s starring youngsters Michael Chapin and Eileen Janssen. In Buckaroo Sheriff of Texas, the kids are left virtually alone when their elders ride off to war. Bad guy Tristram Coffin tries to take advantage of the situation by going on a land-grabbing spree. With the help of old codger James Bell, the kids manage to foil the villains. Watch for future Wyatt Earp star Hugh O'Brian in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Chapin, Eilene Janssen, (more)
- 1951
"Arizona Cowboy" Rex Allen and his faithful horse Koko head the cast of Republic's Utah Wagon Train. Allen plays a modern-day cowpoke who agrees to shepherd a group of Easterners along the same route used by a long-ago wagon train. The purpose is to hopefully locate a fortune in gold, left behind by the original pilgrims. There's something suspicious about the whole enterprise: for starters, Rex's uncle is killed just before he was to join the expedition. The plot gradually evolves into a murder mystery, complete with the Least Likely Suspect who turns out to be the killer. Penny Edwards co-stars as the pert heroine who instigates the reconstructed wagon train, while Buddy Ebsen once more proves to be a suitable sidekick for the personable Rex Allen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rex Allen, Penny Edwards, (more)
- 1951
The Rodeo King and the Senorita stars Rex Allen (playing himself); it shouldn't be necessary to indicate which of the title roles he plays. In this Republic sagebrusher, Allen tries to determine whether or not a fatal accident was truly accidental. The victim's preteen daughter is Juanita Morales (Bonnie De Simone), the titular Senorita who now legally owns the Wild West show which employs singing cowboy Allen. With the help of heroine Janet Wells (Mary Ellen Kay) and sidekick Muscles Benton (Buddy Ebsen), Allen discovers who was behind the death of Juanita's father, and why. With such powerhouse villains as Roy Barcroft and Tris Coffin in the cast, the mystery is over almost before it begins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rex Allen, Mary Ellen Kay, (more)
- 1951
Stanley Clements stars in Republic's Pride of Maryland as an ambitious jockey named Frankie (an inside joke: most movie jockeys were played by Frankie Darro -- who plays a supporting role in this film!). After discovering a sure-fire method of winning all his races, Frankie is barred from competition when he bets on himself. This turn of events leaves him utterly broke, since he's been sending his money to his girlfriend Christine (Peggy Stewart) and her horse-breeding father. Christine returns the favor by helping Frankie regain his professional standing. The film ends predictably with the Big Race that solves all the dilemmas posed by screenwriter John K. Butler. A better-than-average Monogram release, Pride of Maryland is marred only by its overreliance on stock footage (much of which would resurface in the Bowery Boys' Crazy Over Horses). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Clements, Peggy Stewart, (more)
- 1951
The title Missing Women refers to only one woman, who is perfectly visible throughout most of the proceedings. Penny Edwards is cast as young bride Claudia Rankin, who hopes to avenge her husband's death at the hands of car thieves. To achieve this goal, Claudia goes "undercover," posing as a hardened criminal. She manages to infiltrate the stolen-car gang, proving her value by pulling off a couple of heists herself. Inevitably, she gets in over her head, and is about to be rubbed out by the crooks. Will the police, who haven't exactly been on top of things in the previous reels, be able to rescue Claudia in the nick of time? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Penny Edwards, James Millican, (more)
- 1951
The Dakota Kid was the first of four Republic westerns built around the talents of preteen performers Michael Chapin and Eilene Jansen. In each of these films, Chapin played Red, the grandson of sheriff Tom White (James Bell), while Jansen co-starred as Judy, the boy's best friend and severest critic. Inevitably, the two kids would become involved in Big Trouble involving outlaws and such. In this film, Red and Judy reform the titular Dakota Kid (Dann Morton), who joins forces with them to rout the real villain, crooked saloonkeeper Ace Crandall (Robert Shayne). Featured in the cast as a schoolteacher is Margaret Field, the mother of Oscar-winning actress Sally Field. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Chapin, Eilene Janssen, (more)
- 1950
Breaking from the Republic tradition, cowboy star Monte Hale does not play a character named Monte Hale in The Old Frontier. Instead, Hale is cast as town marshal Barney Regan. It is Barney's formidable task to round up a gang of bank robbers and expose the "Mr. Big" behind all the robberies. Some novelty value is provided by comical sidekick Paul Hurst, here cast as a seafaring man named Skipper Horton, who insists upon imposing his nautical vernacular on every frontiersman he meets. The villainy is in the capable (if unwashed) hands of Tristam Coffin and William Haade. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monte Hale, Paul Hurst, (more)
- 1950
Prisoners in Petticoats is a misleadingly innocuous title for this girls-behind-bars melodrama. It all begins when innocent cocktail pianist Joan Grey (Valentine Perkins) is implicated in a crime committed by her gangster boss (Anthony Caruso). Rather than reveal her true identity, thereby humiliating her highly respected father (Alex Gerry), Joan tells the police nothing, and is sent to prison as a consequence. Oddly, the most exploitable angle of this film, i.e. Joan's misadventures behind bars, is downplayed in the second half of the film, which is primarily devoted to the investigation conducted by special investigator Mark Hampton (Robert Rockwell). Veteran musical comedy performer Queenie Smith steals the show as an elderly convict. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valentine Perkins, Robert Rockwell, (more)
- 1950
Singing cowboy Rex Allen continued currying favor with audiences and exhibitors alike with Redwood Forest Trail. The story gets under way when Allen decides to help out a heavily mortgaged boy's camp. A nasty lumber baron wants to dismantle the camp so he can cut down all the trees. Believing that the underprivileged camp kids are somehow responsible for her father's death, mortgage-holder Julie Wescott (Jeff Donnell) intends to sell to the lumber interests. Allen not only proves who really killed Julie's father, but also routs the villains -- and still has time to sing three songs. Rex Allen's semicomical sidekick is played by Carl Switzer, the former Alfalfa of Our Gang fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rex Allen, Jeff Donnell, (more)
- 1950
Despite its somewhat lofty, Zane Grey-flavored title, The Vanishing Westerner is a modest Republic western, off and on the screen in about an hour. Cowboy hero Monte Hale is accused of the murder of sheriff Arthur Space. The principal accuser is Space's look-alike British cousin, who stirs the townsfolk into a lynch-mob mentality. While on the run, Hale discovers that the "murder" sheriff was never dead in the first place; he's disguised himself as his own cousin, in order to cover up his criminal activities with bandit Roy Barcroft. With the help of his grizzled sidekick Paul Hurst, Hale brings the villains to justice and clears his name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monte Hale, Paul Hurst, (more)
- 1950
Western director Philip Ford switches gears by helming the crime melodrama Trial without Jury. Robert Rockwell stars as Bill Peters, a young playwright specializing in murder mysteries. Hoping to freshen up his latest play, Bill uses a recent real-life murder as inspiration. While on a research expedition, Bill arouses the suspicions of the investigating detectives. Sure enough, the hapless playwright finds himself on the suspect list -- meaning that he'll have to solve the mystery himself to stay out of jail. Among the supporting actors weaving in and out of the proceedings is Barbara Billingsley, playing a character far removed from her familiar "June Cleaver" TV persona. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Rockwell, Barbara Fuller, (more)
