Ralph Graves Movies
In films from the age of 17, American actor Ralph Graves was a handsome, strapping young man who was most comfortable in comedy. Graves enjoyed a long-term contract with Mack Sennett studios in the early '20s, where he was one of the few stars that wasn't a "grotesque." Indeed, many of Graves' Sennett two-reelers are romantic comedy-dramas, with virtually no slapstick. During his Sennett stint, Graves befriended studio gagman Frank Capra. Upon graduating to director, Capra reciprocated Grave's kindnesses by casting him in leading-man roles in several Columbia silent features. From 1928 through 1931, Graves was co-starred with Jack Holt in a group of rugged Capra-directed adventure films, in which the two stars were usually at each other's throats over a pretty girl. Capra continued top-billing Graves in his earliest talking films, even though the actor's flat, colorless speaking voice didn't match his "up and at 'em" screen personality. But Graves was never fully dedicated to acting anyway; a frustrated writer, he was forever pushing his story ideas upon studio executives. Occasionally he'd be allowed to direct as well as write his own silent vehicles (Rich Men's Sons [1926], Fatal Warning [1928]); Graves also contributed the script for one of his Capra films, Flight (1928). In talkies, Graves continued pursuing his writing career, turning producer for a few minor features towards the end of the '30s. In his last screen appearances, which he accepted in order to finance his producing assignments, it is apparent that Ralph Graves had lost most of his enthusiasm for reciting lines. Playing the lead in the serial The Black Coin (1935), Graves at one point says "The plane's on fire!" in a tone of bored disinterest, just as if the plane caught fire every day around this time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1949
Following up on the popular 1943 film serial The Batman, this 15-part serial is about a nefarious masked figure called the Wizard, who swipes a diamond-powered remote control device that renders all of Gotham City's machines immobile. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Lowery
- 1949
Yards and yards of stock footage from the old German jungle actioner Green Hell were used to pad out the 1949 programmer Amazon Quest. Tom Neal stars as a Dutchman who journeys into the wilds of Brazil to find his father. Neal hopes to clear the name of his dad, who has been accused of deserting his family and friends for a native girl but who was actually on a secret mission on behalf of a major rubber-manufacturing concern. As he ventures deeper into a studio-built forest, Neal finds romance in the shape of Amazonian Carole Mathews. The stock footage is rather clumsily matched with the newly-shot scenes, but director S.K. Seeley manages to keep things moving fast enough to deflect the audience's attention from the film's flaws. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Neal, Carole Donne, (more)
One thing you can say about Alimony: It tackled a subject that virtually everyone in Hollywood was intimately familiar with. Martha Vickers plays a ruthless young woman who has hit upon a clever (if not original) method of fattening her bank account. She seeks out relationships with wealthy married men, gets them to leave their wives to marry her, then cooks up "alienation of affection" and "adultery" cases against them. As a result, she invariably leaves the divorce court with a huge alimony settlement. Eventually she graduates from breaking hearts to breaking laws, and is thrown in the calaboose for her troubles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martha Vickers, John Beal, (more)
- 1949
Joe Palooka, comic strip artist Ham Fisher's golden-hearted pugilist, heads South of the Border in The Counterpunch. Actually, Joe (Joe Kirkwood Jr.) goes no further than Monogram's cramped "ocean liner" standing set, but the audience doesn't really mind. The plot concerns a gang of counterfeiters, one of whom is murdered en route to Latin America. Everyone is a suspect, including Joe and his manager Knobby Walsh (played by comedian Leon Errol, who certainly deserves his top billing). When the treasury agent in charge of the case has trouble determining the culprit's identity, Joe uses his pugilistic prowess to solve the mystery. Elyse Knox, the real-life wife of football player Tom Harmon, is cast as Joe's sweetheart Ann Howe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood, Jr., (more)
- 1944
This breezy Pine-Thomas actioner is all about a team of ace news photographers. Chester Morris plays Larry Burke, editor for a weekly photo magazine. Impressed by the work of photojournalist Pat Marvin, Burke hires Marvin sight unseen, only to discover that "he" is a "she" (Nancy Kelly). Having evidently never heard of Margaret Bourke-White, Burke insists that the shutterbug racket is no job for a dame, but Pat intends to prove him wrong. In the process, she becomes the prime suspect in a murder case, forcing Burke to come out from behind his desk and solve the mystery himself (Chalk up another victory for male chauvinism!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chester Morris, Nancy Kelly, (more)
- 1940
Speed Limited is an apt title; the speed in this quickie is limited to that of the proverbial tortoise. Ralph Graves heads the All-Hasbeen cast, playing an FBI agent. Graves spends most of the film's molasses-slow 52 minutes chasing down a vicious kidnapping ring. He also juggles with the affections of a mystery woman (Evelyn Brent) and a dizzy heiress (Claudia Dell). Filmed in 1936, Speed Limited gathered dust for four years before it was picked up for distribution by the fly-by-night Regent corporation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Graves, Evelyn Brent, (more)
Anita's (Loretta Young) life seems to be progressing nicely. She's engaged to Don Barnes (Broderick Crawford), a wealthy man that will give her all the stability and comfort a woman could desire. But then she meets a magician with the unlikely name of The Great Arturo (David Niven), who performs a singular feat of magic -- he sweeps her off her feet. Promptly dropping Barnes, she weds Arturo and travels the globe as his assistant. After some time, however, the magic begins to wear off and Anita longs for a simpler life, perhaps on a quite farmhouse in the country. She's also a bit put out by Arturo's flirting with other women, but what really worries her are the dangerous stunts he has added to his repertoire. Realizing it is time for her to do something, she pulls a little magic of her own and disappear, forcing Artuto to set off on a lively chase to find her. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Loretta Young, David Niven, (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
Forever switching its time-frame from past to present, Republic's "Three Mesquiteers" series returned to a contemporary milieu for Three Texas Steers. The story revolves around a bankrupt circus, and the efforts made by Stony (John Wayne), Tucson (Ray Corrigan) and Lullaby (Max Terhune) to save the show from going under. Carole Landis, a starlet on the verge of bigger things, plays circus owner Nancy, whose efforts to stay afloat are undermined by the covert machinations of her "faithful"manager Ward (Ralph Graves). The film's outcome hinges on a Big Race, with the circus' dancing horse as a contestant; this scene includes an unexpected moment of high comedy, at once relieving and compounding the tension! Three Texas Steers represented Max Terhune's "adios" to the Mesquiteers; his replacement in Wyoming Outlaw was Raymond Hatton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, (more)
- 1937
Jack Holt is so tight-jawed in Outlaws in the Orient that one wonders how his bridgework will hold up. Holt plays Chet Eaton, a troubleshooting mail-plane pilot dispatched to the oil fields of the Gobi desert. Here he runs afoul of local bandit Ho-Fang (Harold Huber), who threatens dire consequences if Chet doesn't pay an exorbitant fee for protection. Not that our hero is above a bit of larceny himself; in fact, heroine Joan (Mae Clarke) has quite a time trying to balance Chet's bloated expense account. Outlaws of the Orient was directed by Ernst B. Schoedsack of King Kong fame, who photographed most of the aerial footage himself (some of the desert footage was reportedly lifted from Schoedsack's never-completed film about Lawrence of Arabia). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Holt, Mae Clarke, (more)
- 1936
The first of three inexpensive serials produced by Louis Weiss for Poverty Row company Stage and Screen Productions, The Black Coin centered around 12 black coins, who together form a treasure map. The plot was as old as the Hollywood Hills, and didn't quite deliver the same punch by 1936, despite the addition of the popular G-men to the proceedings. Secret Service agents Ralph Graves and Ruth Mix go in search of the villains who are using the Caswell Shipping Company as a front to their smuggling operation when they stumble over the secret of The Black Coin. Ruth Mix, the daughter of Tom, furnished much-needed name value to all three Stage and Screen serials. William Desmond, a major serial star in the silent era, plays a bit as a bartender in The Black Coin, while, more amusingly, veteran stunt man Yakima Canutt appears as a character named "Ed McMahon." ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1934
This bottom-barrel quickie is elevated by its cast, comprised chiefly of old silent-film favorites. Ralph Graves stars as private eye Clay Holt, perennial "friendly enemy" of police lieutenant McGinniss (James Burke). Time and time again, McGinniss is forced to rely on Holt's expertise to crack a difficult case, leading to a never-ending stream of wisecracks and insults. On this occasion, our heroes are determined to solve a robbery-murder involving $50,000 in stolen pearls. Among the suspects is Courtney Mallory, played by former screen star Charles Ray just before his descent into extra roles. Lola Lane, of the Lane sisters, plays Holt's "girl Friday" secretary Peggy Cummings, whom our hero considers a drudge until she removes her glasses (Yes, that old gimmick is in here, too!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Graves, Lois Wilson, (more)
Loretta Young, who became known almost exclusively for playing sweet, wholesome roles, is kind of a shocker in this romantic drama as Letty Strong, an unwed mother who survives by living life as a grifter and the next thing to a prostitute -- all for the good of her son Mickey (Jackie Kelk), who, not yet 10 years old, is turning into a street hustler every bit as devious and untrustworthy as she is. Then, one day, he's skating on the street and gets hit by a milk truck, which happens to be driven by Malcolm Trevor (Cary Grant), the owner of the dairy, who was spot-checking his operation. Letty and Mickey try to take Malcolm for a hefty sum in court until their case is blown out of the water, but Malcolm also finds himself appalled by the kind of life that Letty is setting up for the boy. He gets her to agree to let Mickey move in with him and his wife Alice ($Marion Burns), at their estate outside the city. And after some extremely rough patches, Mickey begins to see that there's more to being a boy -- or becoming a man -- than what you can steal or cheat off the next guy. But Letty isn't about to let her son get away that easily, or let Malcolm get away with taking him from her, even if he is right. She tries to wreck Malcolm's home and marriage, all to get her son back and take revenge on him in the process. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Loretta Young, Cary Grant, (more)
- 1932
Clark Gable was officially elevated to stardom with this airborne MGM action-adventure, but good old Wallace Beery (whom Gable disliked in real life) ended up with more screen time. They played Naval officers training in the newfangled art of dive bombing while spending a great deal of time squabbling over who is more macho. The two rivals, of course, end up crashing on a deserted atoll only to discover that behind the tough veneer they share a common goal. In the end, the gruff but lovable Beery sacrifices himself so that Gable and the stolid Conrad Nagel may live. As usual in this kind of testosterone-driven action fare, the girls are given short shrift and have to literally shout to be heard above the din. Dorothy Jordan is forgettable as Gable's love interest, but both Marjorie Rambeau and Marie Prevost, as a couple of goodhearted floozies, make the most of their all too brief moments. Hell Divers is the kind of film where action in the skies makes up for the lack of any real drama and where characters are constantly uttering such lines as "Gee honey, I'm just goofy about you!" The film was produced with full co-operation from the U.S. Navy on-location at San Pedro and in Panama. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clark Gable, Wallace Beery, (more)
- 1932
In this football drama, a tough steelworker's son wins a scholarship to Yale and attempts to use his talent on the football field to become popular. His ploy doesn't work. He cannot even con the girl of his dreams into going out with him. After four years, he finally grows up and his future begins looking brighter. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ramon Novarro, Madge Evans, (more)
- 1932
In this newspaper drama, a dedicated small-town reporter works hard and becomes the editor of a major New York paper. Unfortunately the man's ambition has blinded him to the needs of his wife and son. When the son dies, the bereaved, and lonely woman decides to leave him. Later the editor reconsiders his life, quits his high-pressure job and decides to save his marriage by working in a quieter town. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart, (more)
- 1932
Produced by William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan productions for MGM release, Feller Needs a Friend teams child-star Jackie Cooper with rustic comedian Chic Sale. Cooper plays Eddie Randall, a physically challenged boy who is overprotected by his parents. He finds a kindred spirit in his aged uncle Jonas (Sale), who tries to treat Eddie like a regular kid. The boy is forced to suffer the taunts of his snotty cousin Froggie (Andy Shufford) before a happy ending can be considered. Based on the William Johnson novel Limpy, Feller Needs a Friend was co-scripted by Sylvia Thalberg, the sister of MGM-head Irving Thalberg. Watch for silent-film comedian Max Davidson in an amusing bit. The film is also known as When a Feller Needs a Friend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Cooper, Chic Sale, (more)
- 1932
In this war drama, a brave reporter tries to remain detached while covering the war in Shanghai. While there, he falls for an ex-streetwalker, but must compete with a mercenary pilot for her love. By the end, the correspondent loses his objectivity after he helps the pilot save the woman from the enemy. The rescue costs the pilot his life. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Holt, Ralph Graves, (more)
- 1932
In this two-hanky drama, a physically challenged boy wants his overprotective parents to relinquish their tight control so he can be like all the other neighborhood kids. Fortunately, his lively uncle is on his side and helps the boy get up the guts to confront his mom and dad. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1931
In this religious (but not overbearingly so) drama, a good man gets involved with a woman who wants to marry the man who impregnated her. When the lout refuses, her good friend intervenes to defend her and accidently kills the other. As a result he is imprisoned for five years. Following his release, the woman joins the Salvation army to support him and help him become pure again. Eventually her good work pays off, and he joins her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Graves, Helen Chandler, (more)
- 1931
Though silent star John Gilbert's talking pictures were habitual money-losers, the stubborn actor insisted that MGM honor his $250,000-per-picture contract, signed just before talkies came on. West of Broadway wasn't a bad Gilbert vehicle by any means, but the star's previous failures worked against its success. Gilbert is cast as cynical millionaire Jerry, who, after being snubbed by his sweetheart Anne (Madge Evans), marries Dot (Lois Moran) on the rebound -- and while blind stinking drunk. Sobering up, Jerry treats Dot atrociously, letting her know that he's not in love with her. By the time he realizes that he is, she has had enough of his oafish behavior and has walked out on him. The scene then shifts to Jerry's Arizona ranch, where after much verbal dueling, the reluctant husband is tenderly reunited with his now-forgiving wife. El Brendel, borrowed from Fox Studios, enlivens the picture with his trademarked Swedish-dialect humor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gilbert, El Brendel, (more)
- 1931
Columbia spent the 1920s and 1930s dusting off its reliable "two guys/one girl" military plotline and dressing it up in a variety of uniforms. Dirigible was the 1931 edition of this old chestnut, with navy pilots Jack Holt and Ralph Graves battling over the affections of Fay Wray. The film picks up tremendously during an experimental dirigible flight over the Antarctic, which crashes upon a remote iceberg. The in-flight footage during this scene and the subsequent rescue is remarkable, making up for the banality of the romantic subplot. Much of Dirigible was filmed at Lakehurst, New Jersey, where the era of passenger airships would come to a fiery end six years later with the Hindenberg. Reportedly, Boris Karloff shows up unbilled as one of the Navy crewmen in the crash scene; try to find him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Holt, Ralph Graves, (more)
- 1931
Two rough-and-ready guys; one beautiful dame; a tough job that has to be done, and "one of us may not come out alive"; the younger guy gets the girl in the end. This could have been the synopsis of virtually every one of the Jack Holt-Ralph Graves vehicles at Columbia, as witness Dangerous Affair. This time, Holt plays police lieutenant McHenry, while Graves is his friendly rival, crime reporter Wally Cook. After the two men verbally duel over a variety of details, they hunker down to business, that of solving the murder of a lawyer who was in the midst of reading a will to a motley collection of heirs. Outside of the identity of the killer, the big surprise in A Dangerous Affair is that heroine Marjory Randolph (Sally Blane) does not become the romantic bone of contention between McHenry and Cook. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Holt, Ralph Graves, (more)
- 1930
In this adventure, trouble ensues when two American French Legionnaires fall for the same girl and begin fighting over her when one of them announces that he plans to marry her. The argument is quite heated and in the ensuing scuffle one of them is shot and wounded. He believes the other did it. It was actually their sergeant who did it, and when he refuses to help out, the accused man punches him out. For hitting an officer, the pugilist is sentenced to Devil's Island. In order to be near her true love, the woman convinces the other to marry her. She then has him get a job as a guard at the notorious prison. It is there that the man realizes his buddy did not shoot him. He then helps him escape with the woman. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Holt, Ralph Graves, (more)
- 1930
In this romantic melodrama, a sophisticated New York model finds herself falling for a hick. The handsome farm boy is working in the city as a census taker. The two are happy, but when he meets the model's rakish friend from Chicago, he immediately knows that trouble will soon be afoot. Sure enough, the model's sister, whose husband has been unemployed, is forced to ask her successful sibling for a loan. The rake, believing that the sister is an easy mark, charms her into an affair. At the same time, the farm boy begins investigating and discovers that his suspicions were accurate and the man from Chicago is a criminal. The young man immediately goes to the police and earns a substantial award. In the end, the errant sister returns to her husband and the farm boy and the model get married and move out to the country. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
