Sam Katzman Movies
American producer/"schlockmeister" Sam Katzman loved the movies -- though not always good movies. From age thirteen onward, Katzman was picking up best-boy and propman jobs in Hollywood, working his way up into the executive end of the business. By 1935, Katzman had accrued enough capital to create his own production firm, Victory Pictures. Using rented facilities and inexpensive casts and crews, Katzman churned out western, crime melodramas and several serials. Victory's top "names" included action star Herman Brix (later known as Bruce Bennett) and cowboy headliners Tom Tyler and Tim McCoy. When the budget got so tight that no provision could be made for a director, Katzman grabbed the megaphone and called the shots himself. After Victory folded in 1937, Katzman moved to Monogram Studios and set up his own production unit, which at various junctures was called Four-Bell Productions and Banner Films. It was at Monogram that Katzman created the East Side Kids in 1940, and one year later signed waning star Bela Lugosi for a tacky but lucrative series of horror pictures. In 1948 he moved his base of operations to Columbia, where he produced the Jungle Jim series and also turned out a regular schedule of cheap Technicolor westerns, Arabian Nights escapades and seafaring swashbucklers (most of them built around stock footage from earlier, more elaborate features). Pinchpenny though he was with production values, Katzman always posted a profit for Columbia; eventually his output became more ambitious, including the first of special-effects maven Ray Harryhausen's sci-fi films. One of the secrets of Katzman's success was his uncanny ability to latch onto trends before those trends had even gotten under way. Sam was always one step ahead of the next pop-music craze, as indicated by Rock Around the Clock (1956), Calypso Heat Wave (1957) and Twist Around the Clock (1962). He always kept both eyes on breaking headlines, as witness Escape from San Quentin (1957) and Riot and Sunset Strip (1965). At one point, Katzman even launched a trend by coining the word "beatnik." Moving to MGM in 1964, Katzman churned out so many youth-oriented quickies that he earned the nickname "Psychedelic Sam." The '60s found Katzman alternating his bread and butter product with some better-than-average efforts, notably a handful of Presley films and the Hank Williams Sr. biopic Your Cheatin' Heart. Before turning the family business over to his sons, Sam Katzman hopped on the sexploitation bandwagon of the late '60s with The Young Runaways (1968), Angel Angel Down We Go (1969) and How to Succeed with Sex (1972). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1972
- R
Three teens--a half Navajo (Dean Stockwell), a rebellious girl (Pat Stich) and a retarded boy (Todd Susman)--hit the road after they're accused of killing a policeman. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1968
This musical chronicles the rise to fame of C&W singer Grady Dodd (Hank Williams Jr.). The tale begins as the talented young man defies the uncle who raised him and tries to break into the music business. As a result of the conflict, the boy learns that his mother, whom he doesn't remember, was a singer who died after she ran away with another musician. Songs include: The Humming Bird, It's All Over But the Crying, Rock in My Shoe (Hank Williams, Jr.), A Man Is On His Own (John Scoggins, Williams, Jr.), Money Can't Buy Happiness, Old Before My Time (Steve Karliski), Next Time I Say Goodbye, I'm Leaving (Larry Kusik, Eddie Snyder), and A Time to Sing (Scoggins). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hank Williams, Jr., Shelley Fabares, (more)
- 1968
Three teenage runaways leave home for life in the big city. Shelly (Brooke Bundy) runs away from her father (Lloyd Bochner), when communication breaks down between the success-minded dad and his daughter. Dewey (Kevin Coughlin) leaves behind life on the farm when his girlfriend suggests she may be pregnant. Deanie (Patty McCormick) is the sex-starved teen who runs away from her promiscuous mother (Lynn Bari) and her father who doesn't have a clue (Norman Fell). Dick Sargent plays the kind soul who offers the teens temporary refuge in his home. Richard Dreyfuss makes an early film appearance as a lazy, draft-dodging car thief in this youthful exploitation feature. The Gordian Knot delivers two songs as the runaways fall victim to drugs, prostitution and other urban nightmares. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brooke Bundy, Kevin Coughlin, (more)
- 1968
The must-be-seen-to-be-believed Fastest Guitar Alive offers singer Roy Orbison in his one and only movie starring role. Orbison plays Johnny Banner, a Confederate Spy who keeps a rifle hidden in his guitar. While on an espionage mission with partner Steve (Sammy Jackson), Johnny discovers that the war is over, and that now he and Steve are considered outlaws. Their many subsequent adventures include their involvement with dance-hall gals Flo (Maggie Pierce, co-star of the infamous TVer My Mother the Car) and Sue (Joan Freeman). Indicative of the general tone of seriousness in this film is the presence of veteran comedian Ben Lessy as a most urban-looking Indian. Though silly in the extreme, Fastest Guitar Alive is at least superficially better than most of the youth-oriented Sam Katzman productions of the period. And besides, you wouldn't want to pass up an opportunity to see Roy Orbison in his performing prime. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Orbison, Sammy Jackson, (more)
- 1968
Those looking for a tasteful but fun little musical comedy had best look elsewhere as this one is basically about the exploitation to two naive young women who move into a swinging singles complex to find some fun. Unfortunately, they end up objectified, and pursued. One of them leaves the place and gains firsthand experience with gang rape and suicide. Songs include: "For Singles Only," "Take a Chance with Me," "I'm Not Afraid," "Destination Unknown," "Why Need They Pretend?" "Symbol of Love," and "Tight Black Gown." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Saxon, Mary Ann Mobley, (more)
- 1967
In this drama set during the real life riots of the mid-1960s, an LA police sergeant attempts to service the Strip businessmen who object to the hippie youths that hang out, by setting a curfew. Unfortunately, the cop also believes that the kids have a right to be there, until he discovers that his estranged daughter, whom his drunken ex-wife took away from him, has come back to LA and has joined the counter-culture crowd. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aldo Ray, Mimsy Farmer, (more)
- 1967
In this dated, satirical drama, a college professor 'drops-out,' 'turns-on' and becomes a hippie guru after two students who publish an underground newspaper are unjustly expelled. The new guru promotes the dropping of LSD to find true enlightenment. After he is kicked out of his pad, the psychedelic prof moves in with the two radical journalists who revere him. He then manipulates the woman journalist into sleeping with him. The young man finds out and is crushed. He then uses his newspaper to expose the professor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Todd, James MacArthur, (more)
In this youthful actioner, two young hot-rodding hoods torment a family while they are en route to a motel in the California desert. The film is also known as 52 Miles to Midnight. The family goes there to take over the establishment. When they finally arrive, tired and frightened by their ordeal, they are horrified to discover that the ramshackle inn is all but abandoned but for the teens who use it as a place to drink. The father and his clan then head for his brother's house 52 miles down the road. Again the young hoodlums launch a vicious attack. Something inside the father snaps. Suddenly stopping his speeding car, he aims his headlights right into the windshield of the oncoming teens, blinding them with the light. The kids crash. The father then forces them to promise to mend their delinquent ways. If they don't, he will send them to jail for a long, long, time. The creepy kids decide to reform. The father, decides to return to the motel and try to fix it up. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Andrews, Jeanne Crain, (more)
- 1966
In the wake of the Beatles' landmark film Help comes this campy movie featuring British pop-rockers Herman's Hermits. The story begins as the English cuties find themselves pursued by a NASA scientist while on a U.S. tour. The scientist is trying to determine whether the group should have a space capsule named after it. Meanwhile the lads find themselves mixed up with an ambitious starlet willing to stop at nothing, and of course there is one of their girlfriends around to complicate things. During the film's musical finale, the Hermits perform at the Rose Bowl and get their name upon the spacecraft. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone, (more)
- 1965
Narrative takes a back seat to music in this loose remake of Girl Crazy, as Harve Presnell plays a footloose young millionaire who meets perky Connie Francis and hatches a scheme to save her father's failing Nevada ranch by turning it into a resort for people waiting out their quickie Las Vegas divorces. This was an early musical vehicle for then-Broadway star Presnell, who would gain notoriety with film fans years later as a character actor in Fargo, Patch Adams, and Saving Private Ryan. Besides, how often do you get to see a musical that features Louis Armstrong, Liberace, Herman's Hermits, and Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs? ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Connie Francis, Harve Presnell, (more)
Elvis Presley plays singer/actor Johnny Tyronne in this formulated quickie directed by Gene Nelson. While on a promotional tour of Pakistan, Johnny is drugged, kidnapped, and whisked away to a mythical Middle East country. Jay Novello plays the scheming Zacha who vows (for a price) to help Johnny in a world that is 2,000 years behind the times and sealed off from the outside world. With the help of Baba (Billy Barty), they hope to get Johnny back to the comforts of the modern world. Elvis shows off some neat karate moves, but he looks bored and resigned to the fact no one in Hollywood (or Colonel Tom Parker) will give him a serious screen role. Filmed on sets that were originally used for Kismet (1944) and Cecile B. DeMille's silent classic The Ten Commandments. As for the songs, only Mirage and Hey Little Girl are memorable. The generous Presley, perhaps feeling nostalgic, donated $50,000 to the motion picture relief fund after completing the film. On hand at the celebrity press conference were such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Bud Abbott, and silent-screen veteran Chester Conklin. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Mary Ann Mobley, (more)
- 1964
Get Yourself a College Girl tries so desperately to be "hip" that it resembles all those TV comedy sketches where 70-year-old Bob Hope plays a pot-smoking hippie. When it is discovered that prim-and-proper college student Terry (Mary Ann Mobley) writes suggestive folk songs in her spare time, she is expelled. Fortunately, Terry is rescued by pompous senator Hubert Morrison (Willard Waterman), who hopes to attract young voters by aligning himself with the "in crowd." This is the sort of film in which college co-eds are played by the likes of Chris Noel and Nancy Sinatra. The chief saving grace of Get Yourself a College Girl is that it preserves on celluloid such 1960s favorites as The Dave Clark Five, The Animals, The Jimmy Smith Trio and Stan Getz, not to mention such one-hit wonders as Freddie Bell and the Bell Boys. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Ann Mobley, Chad Everett, (more)
Elvis Presley plays a double role in Kissin' Cousins. When the U.S. government wants land owned by the hillbilly clan headed by Pappy Tatum (Arthur O'Connell), they send Air Force Lieutenant Josh Morgan (Presley), a cousin of the Tatum's, to try and secure the land for a proposed missile base. Josh comes face-to-face with Jody Tatum, his blonde-haired look-alike. Glenda Farrell plays Ma Tatum, and distaff interest for Elvis is provided by Cynthia Pepper, Yvonne Craig, a busty Beverly Powers, and Hortense Petra. Watch for Maureen Reagan as one of the Kittyhawks, a group of desperate, man-hungry females out to get some love. This film was the first of the low-budget movies that would unfortunately plague the rest of Elvis' movie career. The song selection also reflects a decline in the quality of both recording and acting parts offered to Presley. Once he fulfilled his contractual obligations for the forgettable features, Elvis ended his film career and devoted his efforts exclusively to live shows and recording. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, (more)
- 1964
- NR
Perhaps the most popular and influential songwriter in the history of country music, Hank Williams Sr. didn't have a long recording career (only four years), but after passing away on New Year's Day, 1953, at the age of 29, he became a legend of American music practically overnight, and this biopic puts a veneer of Hollywood gloss on the story of his rise to fame. Hank Williams (played by Donald Losby as a young man) is a boy growing up poor in a small Alabama town who learns how to play guitar from itinerant musician and shoeshine man Teetot (Rex Ingram), who looks out for the boy. After Teetot's untimely death, young Hank sets his sights on a career in music; years later, Williams (played as an adult by George Hamilton) is performing as part of a traveling medicine show when he meets Audrey (Susan Oliver), who recognizes the full extent of Hank's talent. At Audrey's urgings, Williams joins forces with manager Shorty Younger (Red Buttons) and music publisher Fred Rose (Arthur O'Connell), and with their help Hank becomes a rising star in country music, developing a loyal following through hit records, heavy touring, and appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. However, Williams doesn't cope well with the pressures of fame, and despite the help of his friends and the guidance of his wife, he begins missing shows, developing a reputation as an unreliable performer, and drinking heavily. Produced by legendary B-movie magnate Sam Katzman, Your Cheatin' Heart featured 15-year-old Hank Williams Jr. re-creating his father's vocals for the film's soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Hamilton, Susan Oliver, (more)
- 1963
A small town in the Midwest goes in big for the folk music craze that followed in the wake of the twist. The thin plot has some romantic interplay between two amorous couple, but mainly the film serves as a showcase for some non-offensive music from the collection of stars. Johnny Cash, Sheb Wooley, The Brothers Four and George Hamilton IV are some of the musical acts featured. Wooley, famous for his novelty tune "Purple People Eater", co-wrote the title song with musical supervisor Fred Karger. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Breck, Ruta Lee, (more)
- 1962
In this routine western set in 1864 in Montana, U.S. Marshal Jim McDowell (James Philbrook) is trying to safely get a treasure-trove of gold bullion out East, where it will help the Union cause in the Civil War. Standing in his way are first a band of Native Americans and then some crafty outlaws headed by double-dealing sheriff Henry Plummer (Marshal Reed). Since the sheriff has insider information, he and his band of bad guys have a special hot line to what happens next. Meanwhile, Marshal McDowell is aided and abetted by his wife Rose (Nancy Kovack), a woman who married him for her own particular reasons. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Philbrook, Nancy Kovack, (more)
- 1962
One of an outcropping of "twist" dance craze movies to pop up like mushrooms after a rain, this standard musical drama by director Oscar Rudolph is actually a sequel to producer Sam Katzman's earlier success, Twist around the Clock. The plot on which the many twist dances hinge is the preparation for a TV variety show on the twist. While the special is still in the production stages, jealousies lead to problems -- and a lot of dancing. Performers featured as themselves include Chubby Checker, Vic Dana, Linda Scott, The Dovells, and the Carroll Brothers -- all popular in the early '60s. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Chandler
- 1961
Unlike some of the "twist" movies that hit the theaters in the early '60s when the dance craze flourished, Twist around the Clock has something resembling a plot. Mitch Mason is an out-of-work promoter who sees people doing the "twist" in a regional backwater -- and immediately understands that the dance could be a real hit. His problem lies in getting anyone to believe him, and making money in the process. It turns out that the daughter of the head of a major agency could be his ticket to fame and fortune but he ignores her interest in him, at least for awhile. In the end, this teen-oriented tale is best remembered for two of Dion's hit songs, Runaround Sue and The Wanderer. Other vocals are supplied by Chubby Checker, The Marcels, and Vicki Spencer. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
In this high-seas adventure set in the 1600s, a British sea captain must go undercover, join a pirate band, and capture the notorious Captain Henry Morgan. But Morgan is on to the ruse and is well prepared when the sea captain makes his move. As the two engage in mortal combat, they are knocked unconscious and dragged to the governor of Tortuga who prepares to hang them both as pirates. Fortunately, a stowaway aboard the pirate vessel steps forward and reveals the hero's true identity and saves him. Morgan is not so lucky. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Scott, Leticia Roman, (more)
- 1960
A routine wartime tale of double-crossing spies and Nazi evils, The Enemy General is about the stereotypical, not exceedingly brilliant, and crass fascist Gen. Bruger (John Van Dreelen) who is one of the targets of the French Resistance movement. When Lemaire (Van Johnson) gets the unwanted assignment of safely escorting the evil general to England, he is especially torn up about the job. Gen. Bruger was responsible for killing a dozen hostages, among them Lemaire's fiancée. As he sets off with the general, Lemaire has been told that the man has valuable information to give to the British, and that is why he needs to get him safely to England. On the other hand, Lemaire begins to piece things together and eventually realizes that the general is as Nazi as ever and has every intention of betraying British secrets to the German high command. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Johnson, Jean-Pierre Aumont, (more)
- 1960
In this satirical costume fantasy, a clumsy no-talent genie ends up chastised by the genie king and given one last chance to prove himself. If he fails, he will end up a mere mortal. The hapless genie then heads for Baghdad astride a talking horse to try to become the Wizard of Baghdad. In that capacity, he must ensure that a princess and prince get married so they can rule the great city together. Their union has been prophesied. Unfortunately, an elderly sultan, who will inherit the city should they fail, tries to keep the prophecy from coming true. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dick Shawn, Diane Baker, (more)
- 1959
A European princess and her aunt come to New York to buy clothes for the royal coronation, Riff Manson (Jack Jones) is employed by unknown clothier and former junkman Brodine (Hans Conried) to sway the royals to purchase his designs. Broadway revue rehearsals and parties provide the backdrop for the musical selection. George Jessel plays himself and sings "Spring Is The Time For Remembering". The princess (Jo Morrow) sings "Let's Fall In Love". Jones sings the title tune. Other songs are performed by the Earl Grant Trio, The Treniers and The Nitwits, while Johnny Otis renders the classic rock & roll anthem "Willie And The Hand Jive". ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jo Morrow, Jack Jones, (more)
- 1959
The spectacle of the big top and flying trapeze artists provide a dramatic setting for this standard tale about an aerialist returned from Army service, looking to pick up where he left off. Rick Rias (Michael Callan) receives a double shock when he comes back from the Army: the woman he loved before he was called to duty is now married to someone else, and his father will not recommend him for an aerial act because he says he is not ready yet. Rick's broken heart starts to mend when he takes an interest in young Suzanne (Evy Norlund), the newest member of the "Flying Fontaines." The only drawback is that her heart is set on Bill (Rian Garrick) another trapeze artist. Rick's luck continues to deteriorate as one misfortune follows another. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Callan, Evy Norlund, (more)
- 1958
Filmed on location in Holland, The Last Blitzkrieg stars Van Johnson in the atypical role of WW2 German officer Kroner. The son of a high-ranking Nazi official, Kroner is called upon to lead a dangerous mission in the waning days of the war. He and several other English-speaking Germans are dressed in American uniforms and ordered to infiltrate the Allied troops for sabotage purposes. Kroner does what is expected of him, though it is clear that he has become disillusioned with the "glories" of the Third Reich. When his true identity is revealed, Kroner decides to cast his lot with the Americans, leading a figurative "last blitzkrieg" against his fellow Nazis. Of interest is the presence in the cast of several future TV favorites: Dick York (Bewitched) as an American sergeant, Larry Storch (F Troop) as a griping GI and Leon Askin (General Burkhalter on Hogan's Heroes) as Nazi officer Steiner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Johnson, Kerwin Mathews, (more)
- 1958
In this drama, a sea captain is accused of negligence when his ship sinks and 162 passengers drown. A zealous defense attorney, proud of his perfect track record, is assigned to defend the sailor. Though the captain is clearly guilty, the DA gets him acquitted. Afterward, the lawyer's wife and friends are utterly disgusted and end up leaving him. In the end, the lawyer vindicates himself by proving that the captain is indeed innocent. He then brings the guilty ship's mate to justice. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmond O'Brien, Mona Freeman, (more)
