Jack Byron Movies
Liv Ullman portrays a female pope -- based on a long-held rumor that the papacy was held by a woman between the reigns of Leo IV and Benedict III -- in this rambling saga directed by Michael Anderson. The British version of the film has been cut, not only removing twenty-one minutes of the film but also an entire contemporary framing story. In the full version, a modern-day woman evangelist, played by Ullman, who feels an affinity to the legendary Pope Joan, pays a visit to her psychiatrist (Keir Dullea). Searching through her past lives to see whether she is the reincarnation of Pope Joan, the film then flashbacks 1000 years to pick up Joan (Ullman in an earlier incarnation of her character) undergoing a succession of trials and tribulations. Joan then meets up with and becomes the mistress of Adrian (Maximilian Schell), a monk with an artistic bent. After the death of Charlemagne when roving bands of Saxons are raping women and ransacking the countryside, Joan flees the country by cutting her hair short and dressing like a man. Together Joan and Adrian escape to Greece. In Greece, Joan's street-corner preaching draws the attention of Pope Leo IV (Trevor Howard), who is impressed by her impassioned rendering of the Gospel. Still disguised as a man, Pope Leo, clueless as to her true sex, hires her as his secretary. From there, she rises up the ladder of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming a cardinal and then Pope Leo's successor. But then she becomes pregnant by a lover from her past (Franco Nero) and Joan must hide her delicate condition from the papal authorities and the rowdy masses. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Trevor Howard, (more)
- 1955
Mr. Dean's body is found face down in the fireplace, his features burned beyond recognition. Detectives Patrick (Paul Langton) and Rawley (Robert Shayne) arrest nightclub-singer Eden Lane (Barbara Payton) and she is convicted of the crime. On the way to prison, Eden sees a man through the train window, identifying him as the murderer, and Patrick and Eden jump from the train to search for the man. In a series of plot twists, the murderer is found, and Eden and Patrick are reunited. Directer Edgar G. Ulmer uses flashbacks and elliptical editing to good effect, but the film lacks any strong visual or narrative center. Barbara Peyton delivers a great performance as the ambiguous, mysterious femme-fatale. While still of some interest, Murder is My Beat lacks the power and grim vision of Ulmer's bleak gem, Detour. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Langton, Barbara Payton, (more)
For reasons that defy logic, the excellent This Island Earth was held up for ridicule as an allegedly bad movie in the film version of TV's Mystery Science Theater. If not the best science-fiction film of the 1950s, Earth is certainly one of the most intelligent and elaborate. The story begins when the image of Exeter (Jeff Morrow), a huge-domed scientific genius from the planet Metaluna, appears on an experimental 3D television screen. Exeter invites several noted scientists from around the world to work on a top-secret project at Exeter's earthly mansion. Among those accepting the invitation are Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) and his ex-fiancee Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue). Soon, Cal and Ruth learn Exeter's true motives; to use the Earth's atomic knowhow in building a defense shield to protect Metaluna against the enemy planet Zahgon. Eventually, Exeter boards his high-tech flying saucer and whisks Cal and Ruth off to his dying planet, where, among other perils, they are menaced by a hideous mutant. Based on a novel by Raymond F. Jones, This Island Earth is one of those rare 1950s speculative films that holds up as well today as it did when first released, despite the comparative quaintness of the special effects and high-tech paraphernalia. Incidentally, the climactic Metalunan scenes were directed by Universal's resident sci-fi specialist, Jack Arnold. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue, (more)
- 1955
By 1955, the original Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller, had long since retired, and RKO Pictures tried several replacements. Tarzan's Hidden Jungle was the first of six films starring Gordon Scott as the ape man. It also was the last of 12 Tarzan pictures released by RKO Studios, and other studios subsequently stepped in to try to carry on the long-running franchise. The villain is a bounty hunter named Burger (Jack Elam), who has invaded the jungle in search of ivory, lion skins, and even animal fat. Tarzan thwarts his schemes with the help of the usual herd of elephants. He also spends a lot of time aiding a noble physician, Dr. Celliers (Peter Van Eyck) and his nurse, Jill Hardy (Vera Miles). Miles and Scott were married after the film was shot. Cheta the Chimp is joined by fellow chimps Lucky and Zippy, the latter of which was a mainstay on television's Howdy Doody series. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Scott, Vera Miles, (more)
- 1952
This last of several movie adaptations of Bret Harte's The Outcasts of Poker Flat stars Cameron Mitchell as a murderous western outlaw, Anne Baxter as his wife, Dale Robertson as a disgraced gambler and Miriam Hopkins as a faded dance hall floozie. All these characters (with a few other socially undesirable types) are trapped in a snowbound mountain cabin. As the chances for rescue fade, the true natures of the cabin's occupants rise to the surface. It is the gambler, outwardly the most cowardly of the bunch, who takes on the outlaw when he threatens the survival of the others. Outcasts of Poker Flat is less downbeat than earlier versions of the story...and, accordingly, less memorable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anne Baxter, Dale Robertson, (more)
- 1950
Edmond O'Brien plays a telephone repairman whose electronic savvy earns him a job with a bookmaking concern. O'Brien's bookie boss Barry Kelly wants to get instant results from the nation's racetracks, and to this end O'Brien illicitly plugs into several communication centers. The wealthier O'Brien becomes, the more scruples he sheds. Eventually he runs afoul of the Big Boss of an Eastern bookie syndicate (Otto Kruger) and vainly attempts to escape with his life in a slam-bang final at Boulder Dam. 711 Ocean Drive was made to cash in on a then-current national newspaper expose of bookmaking operations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmond O'Brien, Joanne Dru, (more)
- 1942
In this drama, an ex-vaudevillian dancer opens up a dance band agency and help street kids at the same time by hiring them to help out. Unfortunately, the local gang of hood's leader resists his attempts. More trouble ensues when the dancer helps a convict gain parole by hiring him. It later turns out that the ex-con is only interested in trying to use the agency as a front for extortion. Songs include the Oscar nominated "When There's a Breeze on Lake Louise," "Your Face Looks Familiar," "Heavenly, Isn't He?" "Let's Forget It," "You're Bad For Me," and "A Million Miles From Manhattan." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Murphy, Anne Shirley, (more)
- 1937
Slightly reminiscent of Frank Capra's Platinum Blonde (31), this screwball comedy features those two stalwarts of 1930s comedies: The brash reporter and the giddy heiress. Tyrone Power is the reporter, who makes his living writing about the foibles of the idle rich. His special target is heiress Loretta Young, the daughter of an influential financier (Dudley Digges). Young gets even by announcing her engagement to Power; now it's his turn to have his every movement scrutinized by the Public. Both reporter and heiress connive to embarrass one another, but (as expected) they're headed for the altar at fadeout time. Love is News was remade in 1949 as That Wonderful Urge, with Tyrone Power reprising his role and Gene Tierney in the Loretta Young part. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, (more)
- 1935
Elissa Landi plays an opera star (she's dubbed by Nina Koshetz) who marries arrogant millionaire Cary Grant (dubbed by himself). Grant's dreams of connubial bliss are shattered when he's forced to trail along while Landi tours the world with a huge entourage; he's also not happy with his wife's frequent temperamental outbursts. The limit comes when Cary is ordered to walk his wife's dog while she schmoozes with the press. He files for divorce, finding solace with lovely Sharon Lynne. Landi craftily arranges for the new couple to attend her first performance of the season, where Grant immediately falls under her spell again. Promising to be more attentive in the future, Landi wins Cary back. Enter Madame was hurried into production to capitalize on the success of Columbia's films with real-life diva Grace Moore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elissa Landi, Cary Grant, (more)
- 1935
Riff-Raff begins riff-raffing when boastful fisherman Dutch (Spencer Tracy) marries down-to-earth cannery worker Hattie (Jean Harlow). Their happiness is marred by Dutch's egomania, which results in the loss of his job and the alienation of his friends. Eventually he deserts Hattie, but she remains in love with him, even going to jail on a theft charge after trying to supply him with money. Reels and reels later, Dutch makes up for his past misdeeds by foiling a plot to sabotage a huge fishing vessel. Unfortunately, his reunion with Hattie is delayed when she tries to break out of prison, earning her an extended sentence, but he magnanimously promises to wait for her. Hard to believe that so sensible a heroine would put up with so much from a guy who's frankly not worth the trouble, but the chemistry between Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow compensates for the film's Grand Canyon-sized logic holes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy, (more)
- 1932
The second of six sound Westerns starring Jack Hoxie and produced by poverty row company Majestic, this film, like most B-Westerns at the time, features long stretches of what for all intents and purposes is silent action briefly interrupted by somewhat awkward dialogue sequences. Jack (Hoxie) and Jeff Sellers (Lafe Mckee) are partners in search of gold who are joined by the latter's lovely daughter, Marion (Alice Day). Jeff sells his part of the claim to Boss Kramer (Hooper Atchley) and is soon after found murdered. Marion accuses Jack of killing her father and he is arrested by the sheriff (Tom London). Together with sidekick Elmer (Matthew Betz), Jack devises a plan in which Kramer, riding Elmer's wagon, is mistakenly shot by his own henchman (Robert Kortman). With their leader dead, the gang members give themselves up to the authorities, and Jack is cleared of any wrongdoing. This Western marked the last screen appearance for silent screen ingenue Alice Day. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Hoxie, Alice Day, (more)
- 1931
Ten cents a dance, that's what they pay her -- "her" being downtrodden taxi dancer Barbara (Barbara Stanwyck). The only thing Barbara sells is her time, or at least that's the story she gives her jellyfish husband Eddie (Monroe Owsley). But when wealthy Carlton (Ricardo Cortez) starts making goo-goo eyes at Barbara, Eddie accuses his wife of infidelity. This, in Eddie's mind, provides him with an adequate excuse to steal money from Carlton, which action leads to the no-good husband's downfall. Barbara's fate is more merciful: she ends up with Carlton, with whom she has fallen in love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Stanwyck, Ricardo Cortez, (more)
- 1931
In the first of eight Hoot Gibson Westerns produced by poverty row company Allied, The Hooter sets out to avenge the murder of his brother (Edward Hearn), the town banker. Pretending to have no interest in revenge, Gibson is derided for cowardice. Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, however, the young man masquerades as "El Capitan," a notorious Mexican bandit at night, righting the wrongs done by Hooper Atchley, the man he suspects of killing his brother in the first place. Like in Gibson Westerns of yore, none of the derring-do was meant to be taken too seriously. And although cheap-looking compared to The Hooter's silent Universal Westerns, the Allied series at least gave the star more autonomy. Gibson main demand was that his then-wife, Sally Eilers, be cast in the female lead, a decision producer M.H. Hoffman had good reason to celebrate when the beautiful starlet became an overnight sensation in the Fox melodrama Bad Girl (1931). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hoot Gibson, Sally Eilers, (more)
- 1931
By 1931, and after countless Universal silent Westerns, veteran cowboy star Hoot Gibson had become a little long in the tooth to play a young, innocent mama's boy. But unfortunately, that is just what he played in Hard Hombre, the third of eleven very low-budget Gibson Westerns produced by M.H. Hoffman's Allied Pictures. Sometimes coy but mostly sullen, Gibson is frequently more irritating than heroic and one can only concur with leading lady Lina Basquette's reason for sending her new ranch hand out on a potentially dangerous errand: "Ah, he annoyed me!" Hoot plays William Penn "Peaceful" Patton, a young man who once promised his mother (Jessie Arnold) never to fight. Hired by Isabel Martinez (Basquette), a pretty Mexican widow, "Peaceful" is constantly mistaken for the notorious gunman, the "Hard Hombre." Enjoying his newfound notoriety, the ersatz hombre scares a group warring ranchers into settling a dispute over water rights and is so forceful that his employer falls for him. When the real "Hard Hombre" (Frank Winkleman) slugs "Peaceful's" mother, Patton turns into a fighting machine, decking the notorious outlaw with a swift uppercut. Gibson, who always enjoyed doing comedy more than straight Western melodrama, performs well in a couple of mildly humorous episodes -- bossing Basquette around and refusing to marry Tiny Sandford's cheap-looking "sister" (played by, of all people, Florence Lawrence) -- but generally his timing is defeated by Otto Brower's ponderous direction. For the record: Lawrence, the erstwhile "Biograph Girl" and arguably the first widely publicized movie star, has two lines in the film: "That's him!" and "You big brute!" The former silent icon delivers them with conviction. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mathilde Comont, Jessie Arnold, (more)
- 1930
Paramount star Richard Arlen heads a strong cast in this early talkie western about a sheepherder falsely accused of killing an Indian. Luckily for the hero, two little children (Mitzi Green and Junior Durkin) witnessed the murder and can point the sheriff in the direction of the true culprit. The film was unusual in that Mexican characters were allowed to speak Spanish. Reviewers at the time, however, didn't buy it and pointed out that leading lady Rosita Moreno quite obviously "had a good knowledge of English." Both Mitzi Green and Junior Durkin were admired child stars at the time; the latter, who portrayed Huck Finn in both Tom Sawyer (1930) and Huckleberry Finn (1931), sadly lost his life at the age of 19, the victim of a car accident near San Diego, California that also claimed the lives of producer-director Robert J. Horner and the father of child star Jackie Coogan. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Arlen, Rosita Moreno, (more)
- 1930
In this high-spirited satire of competitive sports, boxer Marco Perkins is creamed during a fight and decides to play polo instead so he can impress an extremely wealthy young woman who merely considers him amusing. The poor social climbing fellow soon learns that she is only toying with his affections and so goes back to the vulgarity of the ring. Fortunately, his devoted former girl friend is there to welcome him back and cheer him on. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Oakie, Mary Brian, (more)
- 1930
The second of Cecil B. DeMille's talkies (as well as his second for MGM), Madam Satan is an exercise in incoherence, but this doesn't detract one iota from its entertainment value. Kay Johnson plays the sedate wife of philandering Reginald Denny, who is currently carrying on with "jazz baby" Lillian Roth. In a desperate effort to win back her husband, Johnson disguises herself as the alluring, provocatively clothed "Madame Satan." In this guise, she attends a lavish charity costume party being thrown by socialite Roland Young on a dirigible moored high above New York Harbor. Failing to recognize his mousey little wife, Denny arranges for a rendezvous with Madame Satan. When she reveals her true identity, Denny is outraged and threatens divorce. Suddenly, the dirigible is struck by lightning; it breaks loose from its moorings, tossing its terrified passengers around and about. Denny behaves heroically in shepherding the passengers into their parachutes; meanwhile, Johnson gives up her own parachute to save Roth. Coming to the mutual realization that each is worthy of the other's love, Johnson and Denny are reunited. Though when taken out of context, the dirigible sequence appears to be the ultimate in campy melodrama, this scene and all the scenes that built up to it are played for laughs: DeMille didn't take this farrago any more seriously in 1930 than we do today. Highlights include several unexpected and charmingly innapropriate musical numbers, including a bizarre "Ballet Mechanique" featuring dancer Theodore Kosloff. Though DeMille carefully threw in every ingredient that he hoped would appeal to a mass audience, Madam Satan was one of his few box office flops. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1930
Few movie "heroes" are as despicable as Roy (Charles Kaley), the leading character in the MGM musical Lord Byron of Broadway. A seedy pianist in a seedier dive, Roy aspires for the big time, getting his chance when he transforms a bunch of old love letters written to his casual sweetheart into a hit song. Once he's made a name for himself, he dumps his "inspiration" in favor of Nancy (Marion Shilling), who becomes his vaudeville partner. As he climbs further up the show-biz ladder, Roy neglects Nancy in favor of singing star Ardis (Ethelind Terry) then throws her over when someone younger comes along. If there's any doubt by now that Roy is a thorough heel, that doubt will be erased by the scene in which he exploits the death of his best friend Joe (Cliff Edwards) by penning a maudlin "buddy" song. Only in the last few moments does Roy change his ways and become a "right guy," but even then, one has one's doubts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ethelind Terry, Marion Shilling, (more)
- 1930
In this crime drama, a policeman marries a nightclub hostess. Together, they move into a cramped, ramshackle apartment. There the woman begins feeling suffocated and decides to return to her old life. She also takes up with a gangster. Soon she is entangled in a murder and this forces her lover to look for a way to get rid of her. Fortunately, her husband rescues her before it's too late. They reconcile and marital bliss ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Moore, Blanche Sweet, (more)
- 1929
Colleen Moore's starring vehicles were never as "naughty" as their titles suggested. In Synthetic Sin, for example, Moore is cast as virtuous small-town girl Betty. An aspiring actress, Betty scores a huge flop in her local stage debut. Deciding she hasn't "lived" enough to be a good actress, our heroine heads to the Big City, hoping to experience a life of sin and heartbreak. Nothing of the sort happens, of course, and by film's end the girl has managed to find success with her virtue still intact. Based on a play by Frederic and Fanny Hatton (two prolific comedy specialists of the period), Synthetic Sin was released with a synchronized Vitaphone musical score. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colleen Moore, Antonio Moreno, (more)
- 1928
Starring Joan Crawford and John Gilbert, this suspenseful, silent crime-drama follows the exploits of a gangster who does his time for manslaughter and emerges from prison determined to reform. Unfortunately, he soon finds it is easier said than done when his former colleagues pay him a call. Fortunately, his loyal gal gives him enough love and support to see that he succeeds. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gilbert, Joan Crawford, (more)
- 1925
This Cape Cod melodrama was based on a novel by Joseph C. Lincoln. Calvin Homer (Warner Baxter) expects to be promoted to captain of the Setuckit Life Saving Station, but Bartlett (Wallace Beery) is appointed because of his political connections. Bartlett's daughter Norma (Lois Wilson) convinces Homer to stay in spite of her father's antagonistic ways. Soon a romance springs up between the two of them, even though Myra Fuller (Phyllis Haver) has already finagled a proposal out of Homer. Eventually Myra breaks it off, however, leaving Homer free. When a storm blows, Bartlett's religious fanaticism proves to be nothing but a cover for his cowardice and he refuses to send his crew out to rescue a vessel in distress. Homer takes charge and saves the day. Bartlett is fired from his position, and Norma becomes angry with Homer. When he takes heroic measures to rescue Bartlett -- who dies in spite of his efforts -- she forgives him and the couple are reunited. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lois Wilson, Wallace Beery, (more)
- 1925
By using a borrowed medal, Russ Kane, a crook (Warner Baxter), is able to get a job as an air mail pilot. His plan is to steal some valuable cargo, but soon enough the job begins to have a positive effect on him. When his plane has to make a force landing, he meets Alice Rendon (Billie Dove, who was also the wife of director Irvin Willat). His love for Alice encourages him to go straight. When Alice's invalid father (George Irving) needs medicine, Kane flies to get it, but on his return the craft is pursued by two renegade airplanes. Kane's young friend, Sandy (a very fresh-faced Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), saves the valuable cargo by parachuting out of the plane while holding it. On the ground, three escaped prisoners have taken over Alice's home. The sheriff's posse wipes out the bad guys while Kane destroys the outlaw planes, and Sandy achieves his dream by flying the mail to the next station. Back in 1924 and 1925, the concept of air mail was still very novel (it only took three days to get the mail across country instead of six -- an impressive feat in those days). ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Warner Baxter, Billie Dove, (more)
- 1924
The story to this romantic satire was penned by William Elwell Oliver, the winner of a writing contest that Universal Studios held for college students. Not surprisingly, it opens up on campus, where Bill Pendleton (Pat O'Malley) has made a bet with his fraternity brothers -- he will propose to any girl they select. The chosen young lady is Mary Brainerd (Mary Astor), an old-fashioned coed whose father is a missionary. Although she is secretly in love with Bill, Mary is insulted at being the subject of a bet and decides to go to her father in China. Meanwhile, Bill is expelled from school and his father disowns him, so he stows away on the same ship that Mary is taking to China. Fu Shing (Warner Oland), a revolutionary, kidnaps Mary, and Bill has to figure out how to save her. He enlists the help of friend Danny Daynes (Raymond Hatton), an alcoholic war veteran who is now an alcoholic general in the Chinese army. With the use of a couple of airplanes, the two rescue Mary in a thrilling climax. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat O'Malley, Mary Astor, (more)
- 1924
William Fairbanks stars in this fighting feature about a rural rube who enters the ring to earn prize money to help a crippled girl (Eva Novak). The girl is injured by a stampeding crowd exiting a theater and is disowned by her disapproving father when he discovers she masqueraded as a boy. The hero lasts three rounds against the champ after he travels to the city and saves the girl from a burning building. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Fairbanks, Eva Novak, (more)
