Joseph Kane Movies
In a sense, director Joseph Kane and Republic Pictures grew up together. A former musician and film editor, Kane's first directorial credit was the Mascot Studios serial The Fighting Marines (1935). When Mascot and several other small companies amalgamated into Republic Pictures in 1935, Kane was signed up as a staff director, remaining at the studio until it ceased production in 1958. Most of Kane's films were bread-and-butter endeavors starring such reliables as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Occasionally, he was given an "A" assignment along the lines of John Wayne's Flame of the Barbary Coast (1944) and the Joseph Schildkraut vehicle The Cheaters (1945); while not in the same league of a Raoul Walsh or John Ford, Kane proved more than qualified to tackle bigger budgets and larger gatherings of extras. On many of his Republic efforts, Kane functioned as both producer and director. During the 1950s, Kane worked steadily on television, with emphasis on westerns and action series. Joseph Kane spent the last decade of his life as a second-unit director on such productions as Universal's Beau Geste (1966) and In Enemy Country (1968). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi- 1953
Republic "regulars" Rod Cameron, Arleen Whelan and Forrest Tucker star in the A-minus western San Antone. During the Civil War, Texan Carl Miller (Rod Cameron) adopts a neutral stance regarding the conflict. Miller is branded a coward by Brian Culver (Forrest Tucker), a Confederate blowhard whose bravado masks his own cowardice. The animosity between the two men reaches the boiling point after the war, when Culver kills Miller's father. Soon afterwards, Culver finds himself the prisoner of Mexican rebel leader Chino Figueroa (Rudolpho Acosta). Miller heads to Mexico to rescue Culver -- not out of altruism, but so that he can kill Culver himself. Reversing the usual typecasting procedure, leading-lady Arleen Whelan is the villainess, while second lead Katy Jurado, cast as Figueroa's sister, plays a sympathetic role. San Antone was adapted by Steve Fisher (I Wake Up Screaming) from a novel by Curt Carroll. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rod Cameron, Arleen Whelan, (more)
- 1953
Sea of Lost Ships is partly a tribute to the U.S. Coast Guard, but mostly a typical Republic Pictures melange of action, romance and suspense. John Derek plays Grad Matthews, descended from a long line of Coast Guard officers. Through a misunderstanding, Grad is booted out of the Coast Guard academy, but he signs up again as a lowly seaman. When the film isn't detailing the rivalry between Grad and his foster brother Hap O'Malley (Richard Jaeckel), over the affections of the beauteous Pat (Wanda Hendrix), it is offering several nail-biting examples of the Coast Guard's rescue activities on the high seas. Walter Brennan, Tom Tully and Barton MacLane also appear in Sea of Lost Ships, but the film's real stars are special-effects wizards Howard and Theodore Lydecker, whose miniature work -- especially the climactic rescue from an iceberg -- is never less than perfect. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Derek, Wanda Hendrix, (more)
- 1967
The Search for the Evil One is set high in the Andes mountains of South America. We join a band of Israeli Agents who are seeking out escaped Nazi war criminals. Lee Patterson and Lisa Pera are among the good guys. The Baddies are Henry Brandon as Martin Bormann and Pitt Herbert as old Uncle Adolf. If only there were a tribunal for Movie Crimes.... ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1941
In this western, Rogers and his sidekick Gabby get into all kinds of trouble when they ride into Tombstone and find themselves mistaken for the hired gun and his assistant. The gunslinger was engaged to work for the mayor and for a time Rogers goes along with it. When he discovers that the mayor is a bonafide crook, the "gunslinger" becomes the new sheriff. When the real gunman finally moseys into town, a showdown ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (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, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, (more)
- 1943
This Roy Rogers musical western gets off to a grim start when rancher Jerry Johnson (Jerome Cowan) is murdered by resort-hotel operator Lucky Miller (John Carradine). It's all part of Lucky's scheme to take financial advantage of a railroad right-of-way construction project. Conspiring with the villain is Johnson's mail-order bride Mary Hardigan (Phyllis Brooks)-or is she? No matter: the main plot complication concerns the efforts by Miller to frame Roy Rogers, Johnson's ranch foreman, for the murder. Somehow, Roy, Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers find time for several songs, while ace stuntman Yakima Canutt gets to perform one of his more famous feats. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1975
- PG
This western chronicles the struggle of a post-Civil War mountain family to prove that they did not betray the Confederate side during the conflict. The film contains the last film appearance of Walter Brennan. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1944
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans weren't yet husband and wife when they co-starred in Song of Nevada, but the rapport and chemistry is already very much in evidence. Roy befriends millionaire Thurston Hall, who was believed to have been killed in a plane crash. Hall hires Rogers to "tame" his snooty, citified daughter Evans, who has come West to take over her dad's ranch. Yes, it's Taming of the Shrew on the prairie, and it's every bit as enjoyable as its Shakespearean predecessor. Songs include such deathless gems as "The Harum Scarum Baron of the Harmonium." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, (more)
- 1943
Roy Rogers heads the cast of Song of Texas as a rodeo star named Roy Rogers. Quitting the rodeo operated by larcenous Jim Calvert (Barton MacLane), Roy goes into the ranching business. As a favor to his old pal, washed-up bronco buster Sam Bennett (Harry Shannon), Roy convinces Bennett's daughter Sue (Sheila Ryan) that Sam is in fact the owner of Roy's ranch. This harmless subterfuge is thwarted by the evil machinations of Calvert, but Rogers and his confreres eventually save the day. No fewer than eight songs are heard in Song of Texas, including such favorites as "Mexicali Rose" and "Moonlight and Roses". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sheila Ryan, Barton MacLane, (more)
- 1933
This drama centers on the fight for certain post-Prohibitionist groups to gain total control over the liquor industry. Much of the tale is focused upon a family endeavoring to keep their little brewery. Their tiny beer- making operation was first jeopardized by the racketeers they refused to join. Film, history and sports buffs should keep an ear out for a continuity glitch in the story. In a Prohibition speakeasy, a radio plays the broadcast of the landmark Jess Willard-Jack Dempsey fight. Actually the fight occurred before Prohibition was in effect. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Charles Bickford, Richard Arlen, (more)
Sons of the Pioneers is a showcase for?the Sons of the Pioneers, who are reteamed with ex-"Son" Roy Rogers in this budget western. The plot is contingent upon a deposit of rare minerals, vital to the American war effort. The villains want to get their hands on these minerals, and to do so organize themselves into a gang of masked terrorists, bent on chasing everyone else out of the territory. Unable to handle the villains alone, sheriff Gabby Whittaker (Gabby Hayes) sends for Roy Rogers, whose father was a legendary guns-slingin' peacekeeper. Alas, Roy is a shy entymologist who's never handled a gun in his life-but he soon learns how, thereby routing the heavies and striking a blow for Democracy. Pat Brady, a member in good standing of the Sons of the Pioneers, makes the first of many screen appearances as Roy Rogers' comical sidekick. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
- 1942
In this western, brave Roy Rogers and his pals take on high-tech big city gangsters who fight their battles with airplanes and tommy guns. The trouble begins as Rogers is taking three important investors to see some land. At the same time, a crime lord endeavors to kidnap the investors and leave poor Rogers to take the fall. Guns blaze and somewhere in the midst of it all, old Rogers sets himself down and sings some songs. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (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, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, (more)
- 1957
Every time Republic Pictures head honcho Herbert J. Yates starred his minimally talented wife Vera Ralston in a film, the studio's stockholders began trembling in their boots. Like most of its predecessors, the 1957 Ralston vehicle Spoilers of the Forest just barely made back its cost. Vera plays Joan Milna, who shares several thousand acres of valuable Montana timberland with her stepfather (John Alderson). Coveting Joan's property, lumber baron Eric Warren (Ray Collins) sends out his foreman Boyd Caldwell (Rod Cameron) to persuade her to sell. Instead, Caldwell falls in love with the girl, vowing to protect her trees from the eco-unfriendly Warren. Republic's wide-screen Naturama process is shown to good advantage throughout Spoilers of the Forest. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rod Cameron, Vera Ralston, (more)
- 1937
Gene Autry and veteran Western director Jospeh Kane team up for this lightweight effort. Gene (Gene Autry) is the foreman of a ranch which has just been put under new ownership, though he soon has his doubts about his new boss -- Sandra Knight (Polly Rowles), a pretty young woman with a college degree in animal husbandry but little practical experience of life on the range. When Sandra decides to raise sheep instead of cattle, it doesn't settle with the neighboring ranchers, and Gene is forced to make peace with both factions. As usual, Springtime In The Rockies features a handful of songs from Autry, with Jimmy LeFuer and his Saddle Pals providing accompaniment. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1931
Coney island vendors Baltimore Clark (Bill Boyd), Dutch Herman (Robert Armstrong) and Skeets O'Reilly (James Gleason) spend their off-hours (and some of their on-hours) carrying on a friendly rivalry for the affections of the pert Sally (Ginger Rogers). But when America enters WW1, our three heroes leave Sally behind and join the Navy. Before long, Baltimore, Dutch and Skeets find themselves smack in the middle of an ongoing conflict between the German U-boat fleet and a shadowy "mystery" ship. Naturally, the boys are crewmen on the aforementioned mystery vessel, which is used as a decoy to bring the enemy out into the open. Despite this tense situation, the film spends a goodly amount of time showing the three protagonists cheerfully cheating on Sally with fetching foreign damsels in other ports of call. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Armstrong, James Gleason, (more)
Roy Rogers champions the cause of Easterner Sylvia Clark (Helen Parrish), who is in danger of losing her father's ranch to crooked land speculators. Roy tries to deal with the villains through legal channel, but they spoil things by resorting to strong-arm tactics. Making our hero's task all the more difficult is that the principal heavy is woman, one Vera Martin (Joan Woodbury)-and just try to catch Roy Rogers punching out a female! Despite stiff competition from the ineluctable Gabby Hayes, the film is slyly stolen by Onslow Stevens as a shifty lawyer. The musical portion of the program is ably handled by Rogers and his old pals, the Sons of the Pioneers (with Bob Nolan). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
- 1942
In this western, Roy plays both the villain and the hero. As the bad-guy, he heads a ring of rustlers. The trouble begins when the gang runs across good-Roy and mistake him for their wicked leader. Good-Roy plays along so he can bring the gang to justice. Unfortunately, bad-Roy shows up and mayhem ensues. Fortunately good-Roy prevails and justice is served, but not before he sings a few cowboy songs. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
- 1931
The exciting world of horse-racing provides the setting for this lively comedy that centers on luckless Bud Doyle, a jockey who was falsely accused of cheating and barred from the track. Desperate for work, the fellow becomes a singing waiter in Tijuana. Eventually he is allowed back and ends up winning the Big Race by encouraging his horse with a few rousing "Whoop-tee-dos" which inspire his charger to run a little faster. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Eddie Quillan, James Gleason, (more)
- 1943
Though it bears the same title as an earlier Gene Autry western, Roy Rogers' Man From Music Mountain isn't a remake. Rogers is appropriately cast as a cowboy who's hit it big as a radio singing star. Returning to his hometown for a special remote broadcast, Roy finds himself in the middle of a deadly feud. Nothing will be settled so long as cattleman Victor Marsh (Paul Kelly) resorts to villainy to achieve his goals. Fortunately, the newly deputized Roy figures out a way to straighten out the mess without undue bloodshed. Rogers' leading lady this time out is the multitalented Ruth Terry, who was in just about every other Republic B-picture of the mid-1940s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers
In this western, Roy Rogers rides out to stop angry Confederate terrorists from harassing Missouri residents because they voted to side with the Union. Roy plays a Confederate captain who is faced with a difficult situation when he is ordered to execute his best friend, one of the terrorists. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
- 1931
Previously filmed in 1926 as Red Dice, The Big Gamble stars future "Hopalong Cassidy" Bill Boyd as a heavily-in-debt gambler. The suicidal Boyd makes a deal with mobster Warner Oland, whereby Oland will collect Boyd's huge insurance policy--provided he facilitates the gambler's entry into The Next World. When Boyd meets beautiful Dorothy Sebastian (then the actor's real-life wife), he finds a new reason for living. Oland, however, refuses to go back on the agreement, and proceeds with his plans to plant Boyd six feet under. The melodramatic elements of The Big Gamble are offset by the welcome comedy relief of James Gleason and ZaSu Pitts. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Dorothy Sebastian, Warner Oland, (more)
- 1929
This adventure serial was the last to team the popular Allene Ray and Walter Miller and the last to be produced by Pathé, the company that more than any other had become identified with the genre. Ray played a girl detective and Miller was her stalwart hero, a rehabilitated former crook. The two go in search of a couple of black books containing information that might lead to a secret uranium mine. Having based her screen career on serials, Allene Ray went on to star opposite Tim McCoy in The Indians Are Coming (1929), which contained one "dialogue scene" in each chapter and thus has gone down in history as the first "talkie" serial. Unfortunately, weight gain and a certain awkwardness in front of a microphone cut Allene's career short. Miller continued to appear in both serials and B-Westerns, but almost always cast as a villain. Interestingly, The Black Book was directed by Spencer G. Bennet who much later would helm the very last American-made chapterplay, Blazing the Overland Trail (1956). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi
- Starring:
- Allene Ray, Walter Miller, (more)
Roy Rogers plays an outlaw out to avenge the murder of his brother in this fine Republic Western directed by one of the masters of the genre, Joseph Kane. Learning that the man he believes to be the killer, Lee Jessup (Bob Steele), is running a gambling establishment in Sonora, the Kid manages to obtain a job body guarding Jessup's saloon and its star attraction, Joby (Pauline Moore). But although intent on biding his time, the hero cannot stand idly by while Jessup is taking advantage of a naïve prospector (Noah Beery Jr.) and is forced to show his hand. One of Rogers' better early vehicles, The Carson City Kid is enlivened by a couple of good songs, including "Are You the One?" and "Sonora Moon," both by Peter Tinturia and performed by Rogers and Moore (who later admitted to having been dubbed). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
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