Nat Levine Movies
While working as the president and head of production at Mascot and Republic studios, Nat Levine was known as "King of the Serials." Levine started out as an office boy for New York theater magnate Marcus Loew. He was later promoted to private secretary and remained with Loew until 1920 when Levine left to found his own independent film distribution company to release films that other studios refused to promote. Six years later, Levine produced his first serial The Silent Flyer. The series was purchased by Universal. In 1927, he founded Mascot Pictures. Many future stars appeared in Levine's films including Gene Autry (who debuted in Levine's In Old Santa Fe), Boris Karloff, Harry Carey and Tom Mix. By 1935, Levine had merged this company with three other small studios and formed Republic Pictures. Two years later he sold his interest in the studio to partner Herbert J. Yates. Levine later became the manager of a television station before he began building and managing theaters for California Sterling Theaters. Levine retired in 1972. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1940
In hopes of cashing in on the popularity of "Number One Cowboy" Gene Autry, a fly-by-night firm called Times Pictures reissued a shortened version of Autry's 1935 Mascot serial Phantom Empire under the title Men with Steel Faces. It will be remembered that the original plotline of this 12-episode chapter play required Autry to head to the underground city of Murania, where the evil Prime Minister Argo (Wheeler Oakman) plotted to overthrow Queen Tika (Dorothy Christie) and take over the Surface World. In addition, Gene had to take leave of Murania on a daily basis and return to his ranch, lest he jeopardize his radio singing contract! As silly as this was in 1935, it was even more ridiculous in 1940, especially when compared to Autry's slicker Republic singing westerns. Even so, Men with Steel Faces posted a profit, as did practically anything associated with the name of Gene Autry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1939
This hospital drama chronicles the exploits of four nursing students enrolled in a three-year training course. One of them decides that she will have a brilliant young doctor, but then she changes her mind and begins pursuing a wealthy playboy. Unfortunately, the playboy loves another nurse. A railroad disaster interrupts the romantic shenanigans. Later the flaky nurse and the doctor get married. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Florence Rice, Una Merkel, (more)
Gene Autry leaves the West behind (at least temporarily) in Roundup Time in Texas. Hired to deliver a herd of horses to his diamond-mining brother, Autry and his sidekick Frog Millhouse (Smiley Burnette) journey all the way to Africa. Hoping to get rid of the Autry boys and move in on the diamonds themselves, the villains frame Autry on a smuggling and murder charge. It's up to heroine Gwen (Maxine Doyle), the daughter of the murder victim, to clear Gene and place the blame where it belongs. Musical support is provided by the Five Cabin Kids, a quintet of talented black youngsters who previously appeared with Our Gang and W.C. Fields. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
The Big Show is a modestly budgeted but elaborately turned out Gene Autry western. Autry plays "himself," a famous cowboy star, and his own stunt man. When Autry-the-star reneges on a agreement to make a personal appearance at Dallas' Texas Centennial (represented through newsreel shots), Autry-the-stunt man takes his boss' place. This causes confusion with the ladies, and with a gang of mobsters who were hoping to extort money from Autry-the-star. Ever protective of his own image, Gene Autry saw to it that both of his cinematic alter egos prove worthy of their salt in a climactic fist-fight with the villains. Also appearing in The Big Show is a radio aggregation called the Sons of the Pioneers, featuring future Gene Autry rival Roy Rogers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1937
This service comedy from the Republic Studio mills was perhaps the most aggressively titled of the "Marine Corps" film cycle of the mid-1930s (Come on Leathernecks, Pride of the Marines et. al.) Paul Kelly plays Phil Donlan, a pugnacious ex-cop and ex-Olympic athlete who is run out of New York in disgrace after falsely being accused of drunkenness. The innocent cause of Donlan's woes is pretty Paula Denbrough (June Travis), daughter of a Marine colonel (Purnell Pratt). To ingratiate himself with Paula -- and incidentally, to restore his reputation -- Donlan joins the Corps, where after a grueling training period he earns a commission. Offered a chance to return to the New York police force, Donlan gives it up to re-enlist, and Paula couldn't be happier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Kelly, June Travis, (more)
- 1937
Two Wise Maids was an attempt by Republic Pictures to recapture the magic of MGM's Marie Dressler-Polly Moran vehicles. Dressler, alas, had died, but Republic was able to secure the services of Moran, teaming the raucous comedienne with the magnificent Alison Skipworth. The two leading ladies are cast as Prudence and Agatha, a pair of old-fashioned schoolteachers in an old-fashioned small town. Disdaining the wimpy theories of "progressive" education, Prudence and Agatha stick to the reliable "Three R's," often teaching to the tune of a hickory stick. Though ridiculed for their so-called outmoded methods, the heroines manage to turn out quite a few prize students, earning the undying gratitude of the local citizenry. The obligatory romantic subplot involves school principal Bruce (Donald Cook) and substitute teacher Ellen (Hope Manning, later billed as Irene Manning). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alison Skipworth, Polly Moran, (more)
- 1937
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It has been said that Ray Mala was the only Jewish Eskimo actor in Hollywood. Whatever his religious or racial origins, Mala is "all hero" in the 14-chapter Republic serial Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island. The star plays a character also named Mala, a Polynesian native and U.S. Intelligence agent. Mala is dispatched to Clipper Island to prove that the huge dirigible San Francisco was destroyed by saboteurs (the destruction of the big blimp is culled from library footage of the Hindenburg disaster). Accompanied by his faithful dog Buck and human assistant Hank (William Newell), Mala discovers that a nest of enemy spies are operating on the island, with the electronic technology to control volcanic eruptions and keep the natives in thrall. Convincing the lovely Princess Melani (Mamo Clark) that he's one of the good guys, Mala manages not only to thwart the spies, but to also prevent a takeover by despotic high priest Porotu (John Piccori). A 100-minute feature version of this serial, retitled Robinson Crusoe of Mystery Island, was released to TV in 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mala, Rex the Dog, (more)
In perhaps their most unusual Western adventure, the Three Mesqueteers -- Stony (Bob Livingston), Tucson (Ray Corrigan), and Lullaby (Max Terhune) -- go in search of Professor Marsh (John Van Pelt), an archeologist who vanished while searching for the lost city of Lukachukai. Along for the ride are Marsh's daughter, Betty (Mary Russell); Rutledge (Roger Williams); and an Indian guide, Otah (Yakima Canutt). The expedition heads straight for the Whistling Skull, a huge rock formation in the "nostril" of which the Mesqueteers discover the missing scientist, gaunt but alive among several mummies. Both Rutledge and Otah prove to be less than helpful, however, and at one point Betty and Stony go missing and are feared lost. As Tucson learns, the natives are under the influence of a fanatical white man, but who is he? Oliver Drake and John Rathmell's screenplay was later reworked into a latter-day Charlie Chan thriller The Feathered Serpent (1949), which featured Bob Livingston as the villain. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Max "Alibi" Terhune
Paradise Express is Grand Hotel out of Twentieth Century, fresh from the Republic Studio breeding farms. The titular express is a small-time freight service, struggling for survival against a larger, more streamlined rail company. Faced with bankruptcy, the owners of the underdog railroad challenge their competitors to a race, winner take all. Handsome Larry Doyle (Grant Withers) mans the controls of the Paradise Express, bearing a collection of familiar movie stereotypes. Featured in the cast is harmonica virtuoso Bob McClung, who earlier in 1937 provided off-screen assistance to Laurel and Hardy's "harmonica challenge" scene in Hal Roach's Pick a Star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Grant Withers, Dorothy Appleby, (more)
- 1937
Gene Autry is the star (but not the title character) of Oh, Susanna!, a Republic musical western. What plot there is consists of Autry running afoul of masked robbers. Thrown from a speeding train, Autry is rescued by comedy relief Smiley Burnette and grizzled Earle Hodgins. Autry takes a few more singing breaks, then brings the robbers to justice. A 1951 William Elliott western, also titled Oh, Susanna! is not a remake. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
Beware of Ladies is a lightweight attempt at romantic comedy from the Republic studio mills. Donald Cook, who'd just finished playing Ellery Queen in Republic's Spanish Cape Mystery, is as stalwart and firm-jawed as Mr. Queen in the role of a crusading lawyer. Reporter Judith Allen assigned to cover Cook's bid for the post of District Attorney, falls in love with her subject. Allen's no-good husband, seeking evidence in his divorce suit, snaps a photo of her and Cook in a compromising position. His political hopes in the dumpster, Cook strives to clear Allen's name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Cook, Judith Allen, (more)
- 1937
In this tuneful programmer a singer, believing that her husband, a Marine pilot accused of treason, has died in the Pacific, takes a job singing in Shanghai. There she see spies a certain handsome dancer in the club show who looks exactly like her late spouse. The resemblance is too uncanny for him to be anyone else. Surmising that he has amnesia, the singer decides she must somehow get him back and prove his innocence. But this is easier said than done as she soon discovers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Regan, Evelyn Venable, (more)
The Man Betrayed in this Republic actioner is hero Eddie Nugent, though this doesn't occur until the film is half over. Framed for a murder he didn't commit, Nugent finds support from an unlikely corner: a group of crooks, led by John Wray, set about to prove the boy's innocence. All of this meets with the benign approval of clergyman Lloyd Hughes, whose beatific good influence turns out to be contagious. Evidently intended to be longer than its present 58 minutes, Man Betrayed contains several gaping plot and continuity holes, the result of what seems to have been ruthless wholesale editing. The film makes even less sense on TV, where it was pared down to 53 minutes -- and then, to accommodate extra commercials, was whittled down further to 48 minutes (whew)! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Nugent, Kay Hughes, (more)
- 1937
June Travis plays a trapeze star who becomes the romantic bone of contention between Robert Livingston and Charles Jerome. Silent movie veterans Betty Compson and Charlie Murray lend their expertise to this Republic 7-reeler. The aerialist scenes are performed by the Escalante Family Troupe, who also contributed their breathtaking skills to such Hollywood films as Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932),and the Marx Bros.' At the Circus. One of the scripters of Circus Girl was Bradford Ropes, author of the quintessential backstage yarn 42nd Street. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- June Travis, Donald Cook, (more)
- 1937
Larceny on the Air is a Republic B-plus picture "drawn from today's headlines." In this instance, the news event pounced upon was the mid-1930s Federal crackdown on patent-medicine quacks. Robert Livingston stars as a doctor who takes to the radio airwaves to campaign against cure-all charlatans. Livingston's mission is compromised when he falls in love with Grace Bradley, daughter of the medicine-racket ringleader. Somehow Larceny on the Air found the time to accommodate a musical number, "Sittin' on the Moon" (from the 1936 Republic picture of the same name). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Grace Bradley, (more)
- 1937
The Three Mesquiteers take on a group of frontier fascists in the zippy series entry Roarin' Lead. This being Season One of the "Mesquiteers" series, the heroic threesome is played by Ray "Crash" Corrigan (as Tucson Smith), Robert Livingston (Stony Brooke), and Max Terhune (Lullaby Joslin). Appointed trustees of an estate, the Mesquiteers are assigned to turn over part of the legacy to a trustee of an orphanage. Said trustee is a member of a cattlemen's protective association, run along the lines of a brown-shirted private army by corrupt politico Hackett (Hooper Atchley). To save the orphanage from being closed down by Hackett and his minions, the Mesquiteers ride hard, fight harder, and shoot hardest. Best moment: Upon being confronted by Hackett henchman Canary (Yakima Canutt) and a group of cowboy storm troopers, our three heroes burst out laughing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Max "Alibi" Terhune, (more)
There was some novelty value in the fact that an actor whose initials were E.Q. was cast as intellectual sleuth Ellery Queen in Republic's The Mandarin Mystery. That actor was Eddie Quillan, who though a talented and appealing performer was woefully miscast as Queen. The story, based on the Ellery Queen novel The Chinese Orange Mystery, is set in motion by a crook who steals a $50,000 stamp, which results in two murders -- both committed in impenetrably locked rooms. The primary suspect is Jo Temple (Charlotte Henry), the original possessor of the stamp. Falling in love with Jo, Ellery sets about to retrieve the stolen goods and solve the murders. Perhaps realizing that Eddie Quillan could never be taken seriously in the leading role, Republic opted to play The Mandarin Mystery for laughs -- another big mistake. Originally released at 63 minutes, the film is currently available only in its 54-minute TV-reissue form. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Quillan, Charlotte Henry, (more)
- 1937
Hit the Saddle has enjoyed more latter-day attention than most of Republic's "Three Mesquiteers" western films thanks to the presence of young Rita Hayworth. Billed under her given name of Cansino, Rita plays a seductive saloon thrush who breaks the heart of Mesquiteer Stony Brook (Robert Livingston). Her role in the proceedings is secondary to the main thrust of the plot: Evil cattle rancher J.P. McGowan has been stealing wild horses from government-owned territory. McGowan murders a local sheriff and pins the blame on a wild stallion. The Mesquiteers (Livingston, Ray "Crash" Corrigan and Max Terhune) prove the nag's innocence, but not before McGowan is hoist on his own petard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Max "Alibi" Terhune, (more)
- 1936
The Lonely Trail, directed by Joseph Kane, stars John Wayne as veteran Union officer John Ashley. Ashley (Wayne), upon his return to his hometown in Texas, finds his presence unwanted by his former neighbors, who have all sided with the Confederacy. Law and order is being maintained by the smooth-talking Benedict Holden's (Cy Kendall) armed troopers. Though initially duped by the seedy northerner, Ashley realizes that Holden (Kendall) is merely a carpetbagger who, without the knowledge of the governor, is killing, stealing, and taxing the local ranchers out of their property under the pretense of state authority. In an attempt to thwart Holden's continuous betrayal of the Texas citizens, Ashley himself enlists in Holden's troops. The Lonely Trail also features actors Sam Flint, Bob Kortman, and actress Anne Rutherford. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Ann Rutherford, (more)
- 1936
In this emotional drama, a lonely British housekeeper, uses her hard-earned savings account to finance a trip to America so she can see the successful son she has been proud of all her life. At least she has been lead to believe that her son is a big shot. Once in the US, she and her young female companion end up thumbing to California. Along the way they hook up with a kindly young man and his world-weary promoter. Unfortunately, she learns a bitter truth upon her arrival: her son is actually a prisoner in San Quentin. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arthur Treacher
Former pony express riders John Blair (John Wayne) and Larry Adams (Lane Chandler) don't buy the Brooklyn Bridge in this Republic Western, but the two greenhorns instead purchase a dilapidated stage line to a ghost town. While the unscrupulous seller, "Honest Cal" Drake (Douglas Cosgrove), count his loot, John and Larry learn that Crescent City is inhabited by Rocky (Lew Kelly), who claims to be mayor, postmaster, and sheriff, and Dr. William Forsythe (Sam Flint), a fellow victim of the duplicitous Drake. But despite its current condition, Crescent City has rich potential, especially if the newcomers can obtain a $25,000 government mail subsidy, the winner of which will be determined by a stagecoach race between nearby Buchanan City and Sacramento. Winds of the Wasteland was filmed on location in the Sierra Mountains and in the Sacramento Valley. Watch for future Universal star Jon Hall as one of John Wayne's pony express colleagues. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Phyllis Fraser, (more)
- 1936
Doughnuts and Society is the first of several attempts by Republic Pictures to create a new screen team comparable to MGM's Marie Dressler and Polly Moran. In this one, Louise Fazenda and Maude Eburne are paired up as Kate Flannagan and Belle Dugan, joint owners of a greasy-spoon diner. Unexpectedly striking it rich, Belle buys her way into high society, followed in short order by Kate, who has likewise increased her bank account with a revolutionary new invention. The humor lies in the contrasting behavior of the "400" and the rambunctious heroines, who spend most of their time trying to one-up each other. The romantic subplot concerns Kate's son Jerry (Eddie Nugent) and Belle's daughter Joan (Ann Rutherford), both of whom are extremely relieved when their mothers go broke and return to normal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louise Fazenda, Maude Eburne, (more)
- 1936
Gene Autry's acting skills were still shaky when he made Comin' Round the Mountain, but his singing abilities could not be faulted. An uneven blend of comedy and melodrama, the story has something to do with the formation of the Pony Express, though much of the action takes place at the hacienda of Senorita Dolores (19-year-old Ann Rutherford). After dwelling too long on a comic bullfight, the film comes to a thrilling conclusion as Autry, astride his wonder horse Champion, embarks upon a grueling 10-mile horse race. Perennial comedy relief Smiley Burnette is here saddled by poor material, but he makes the most of what little he has. The 1951 Abbott & Costello opus Comin' Round the Mountain is not a remake. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Ann Rutherford, (more)
In this western, Gene Autry plays a cowboy with a heart as big as Texas who heads for the city to try to raise money so that a crippled little girl can get the operation she needs to walk again. First he talks a coffee company into being his sponsor. They opt to broadcast their performance on television, which had only recently been invented. Just as the performance is aired, there is trouble back at the ranch and the little girl finds herself trapped in a runaway wagon. Fortunately, the ranch hands rally to her rescue. Back in the city, the performance is a success and the girl is healed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1936
Casting an envious eye towards the huge box-office take of Columbia's Grace Moore vehicles, Republic hoped to strike gold in a similar fashion by fashioning a screen property for Kansas-born Metropolitan Opera diva Marion Talley. As it turned out, Follow Your Heart was Talley's first and last film, but Republic at least deserved a gold star for effort. The star is cast as Marian Forrester, the daughter of onetime opera star Madame Bovard (Henrietta Crossman). Recalling the many heartbreaks and disappointments attending her own stardom, Mme. Bovard refuses to allow Marian to pursue a singing career. But with the surreptitious help of handsome Michael Williams (Michael Bartlett, another real-life singer) and bumbling but lovable voice teacher Henri Forrester (Nigel Bruce), Marian makes her Met debut, and her mother gracefully bows to the inevitable. Though there's plenty of "straight" singing throughout Follow Your Heart, the film's highlight is a burlesque of the "Sextet" from Lucia di Lammermoor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marion Talley, Michael Bartlett, (more)
