Harry Hughes Movies
British writer/producer director Harry Hughes started his film career in modest quota quickies. By the early 1930s, Hughes was being given more prestigious assignments. His best film was the 1933 musical A Southern Maid, which starred Bebe Daniels (in a dual role) and music-hall favorite Lupino Lane; its scripters were the soon-to-be-famous duo Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. Harry Hughes' final effort was another 1933 songfest, Facing the Music, starring Lupino Lane's cousin Stanley Lupino (Ida's dad). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
African Rage is a comparatively little-known political thriller, set in an African hospital. Top-billed Anthony Quinn plays a male nurse, assigned to care for a powerful tribal leader (Simon Sabela). With many threats against his well-being, the leader is heavily guarded around the clock. But Quinn manages to kidnap his patient, leading to a series of curious and occasionally confusing plot twists. African Rage was completed in South Africa in 1976 as Tigers Don't Cry, but not put into general American release for nearly nine years. Other alternate titles include Target of an Assassin, The Long Shot, and Fatal Assassin. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
In this adventure set in the Kimberley diamond mines of South Africa around 1910, two American sharpsters make a living cheating the hapless miners at cards. The two end up winning a nonproductive mine during a bet. They decide to help the impoverished former owner pay his debts, but when the evil bar owner raises the water rates, the three find themselves busted. To scare up some cash, the Yankees stage a musical show. They succeed but then lose it all betting on a prizefight. Eventually, the mine starts producing a tremendous amount of diamonds, but by that time, the Yankees have had enough and leave the mine to its original owner and head for greener pastures. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jim Reeves, Madeleine Usher, (more)
- 1939
Dead Men are Dangerous stars Robert Newton as a shabby, unsuccessful writer. Newton is of the opinion that he might improve his chances of selling his work if only he could acquire a better wardrobe. As luck would have it, he stumbles across the immaculately attired corpse of a wealthy man. Newton swiftly switches clothes with the dead man--only to be accused of murder. Released in the US by Monogram, the British Dead Men are Dangerous was based on the H.C. Armstrong novel Hidden. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1938
In this Irish romance, two farmers fall in love, but must part when their high falutin' landlord evicts them. The man then goes to London where he ends up falling for a wealthy young woman while the woman farmer ends up working as a hostess in a London restaurant. Eventually the two former lovers meet and the romantic sparks fly. They eventually return to their land where they discover the landlord has left the fellow an inheritance. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1937
Alan (Frank Leighton) is engaged to Mary (Judy Kelly), a girl living in coastal Devonshire. While Alan is on a business trip, a man is murdered, and all evidence points to our hero, who is unable to establish an alibi. Sentenced to prison, Alan escapes, only to find out that Mary, convinced that her former fiancee is a murderer, has married another. Slowly but surely, Mary comes to believe in Alan's innocence -- a fact that does not bode well for her husband, who up until the revelatory final reel insists that he's Alan's best friend. There are few surprises in the outcome of Last Chance, but the film is professionally assembled and ably acted. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Frank Leighton, Judy Kelly, (more)
- 1936
The Improper Duchess is never as naughty as its title, or else it wouldn't have made it to the screen in 1936. Yvonne Arnaud heads the cast as the Duchess of Tann, who comes to Washington D.C. on matters of state. In her efforts to secure a much-needed loan for her country, our heroine must first do battle with a cartel of crooked oil executives. Romance enters the picture in the form of the King of Poldavia (Hugh Wakefield). The satirical nature of the story eventually gives way to farce, which in turn concedes to slapstick. Improper Duchess was adapted from a play by James B. Fagan, which also starred Yvonne Arnaud. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Yvonne Arnaud, Hugh Wakefield, (more)
- 1935
Archie Pitt not only starred in the British Barnacle Bill, but also wrote the story upon which the screenplay was based. Pitt plays an elderly, widowed seaman who has raised his daughter Joan Gardner all by himself. Having spent his life scrimping, saving and sacrificing to ensure Gardner's happiness, Pitt is aghast at his daughter's choice in men. Your tear ducts will likely get quite a workout in the closing scenes. Sybil Jason, later a briefly popular Hollywood child star, is seen as young Joan Gardner. Neither the 1942 Barnacle Bill (a Wallace Beery vehicle) nor the 1958 film of that name (starring Alec Guinness) has any relation to the 1935 film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1934
British poet Adelaide Proctor adapted the screenplay of Broken Rosary from her own poem Legend of Provence. Italian singer Derek Oldham is in love with Jean Adrienne, Oldham's best friend Ronald Ward. Though they fight against their emotions, Adrienne and Ward fall in love. Oldham is philosophical, but he pours out his true feelings in song. Broken Rosary allows modern viewers a rare glimpse at famed British music-hall artiste Vesta Victoria. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1934
In this strange, tuneful melodrama, the career of a cabaret singer is interrupted by an extortionist. To save her daughter from the ensuing scandal, the woman pretends to kill herself. She then joins a convent and becomes a nun. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1933
While the opera "Faust" plays in the background, Lupino, in the audience, attempts to meet the girl of his dreams, Burne, also in the audience. Unforeseen events make the encounter difficult. ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- Stanley Lupino
- 1933
This musical chronicles the escapades of two Spanish couples. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1933
In this comedy, a junior business partner must take a Scottish buyer out on the town. During dinner, the two get outrageously drunk and the partner's wallet is stolen. He is then mistaken for a jewel thief and ends up involved with a band of dangerous criminals. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1932
William Freshman is in love with Ann Casson. She's engaged to military officer Henry Wenman. To eliminate competition, Freshman "borrows" a baby and claims that it's Wenman's. Fire, flood, famine, plague-you'll see none of these in Bachelor's Baby, but the complications lean towards the comically apocalyptic all the same. The film was based on a novel by Rolph Bennett. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1931
In this comedy, a charming elderly gentleman, a former famous thespian, still finds himself a ladies man. Unfortunately, he is disturbed to discover that his latest conquest is engaged to his son. When the woman's father learns of this he angrily confronts the old actor who then must concoct an elaborate plan to get rid of her without letting her know that he is her betrothed's father. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Seymour Hicks, Margot Grahame, (more)
- 1931
As the curtain rises, the faithful butler to an elderly dowager is found murdered. The dowager herself is found nowhere -- she's completely disappeared, and foul play is suspected. Scotland Yard investigates, but the detectives are stymied by the fact that the suspects all have airtight alibis -- all supplied by the other suspects. Heroine Anne Grey tries to piece together the clues herself, and the results lead her into the clutches of a gang of jewel smugglers. Based on a play by Jack Celestin and Jack DeLeon, The Man at Six was released in the U.S. as The Gables Mystery, which was also the title of the 1938 remake. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1927
Based on a novel by Sidney Gowing, Daughter in Revolt was pretty good so far as silent British programmers went. Mabel Poulton plays the madcap daughter of nobleman Edward O'Neill. Rebelling against her privileged status, Pulton goes out of her way to look for trouble. She gets in way over her head when she becomes innocently involved in a burglary. Comedies of this nature used to be churned out by the bushel in both England and Hollywood. Maybe this one was unique in some way or other, but we won't know until a print surfaces. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Rating Systems
Blockbuster
BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. 2013 Rovi Corporation.