Jack Schwartz Movies
The Hoodlum is tailor-made for the roughneck talents of actor Lawrence Tierney. The film details the rise and fall of a habitual criminal, and the havoc he wreaks on the lives of his loved ones. Things really go downhill when the "hero" (Tierney) seduces and abandons his brother's sweetheart (Allene Roberts), whereupon the girl commits suicide. Lawrence Tierney's "reel" brother is played by his real brother Edward; presumably, Tierney's more famous sibling Scott Brady was occupied elsewhere. The best performance is delivered by Lisa Golm as the Hoodlum's long-suffering mother. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lawrence Tierney, Allene Roberts, (more)
- 1951
With a female protagonist as its only selling point, Cattle Queen trots out a farfetched Western story of Queenie Hart (Maria Hart), a rather glamorous bleached blonde cattle driver in 1866 Wyoming. After conning a potential buyer (Robert Robinson) into believing that Queenie's herd is diseased, nasty would-be empire builder Duke Drake (Robert Gardett) is confronted by the girl's new tough foreman, Bill Foster (Drake Smith). In retaliation, Drake frames Bill for a stage robbery, actually committed by his own henchmen, and arranges a phony trial presided over by the saloon's bartender, Judge Whipple (Douglas Wood). Queenie, however, interrupts the "trial" with the news that the townswomen have all elected Jim marshal. To uphold the decision, Bill has secured the release of three convicted outlaws: Blackie Malone (Joe Bailey), Bad Bill Smith (James Pierce), and Shotgun Thompson (Emile Meyer), two of whom join in the fight against Drake and his gang. With all this muscle -- and the power of prayer! -- Queenie finally bests Drake in a climactic shootout. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maria Hart, Drake Smith, (more)
- 1950
Produced at Agoura, CA, and directed by silent film action star Richard Talmadge, this minor Western starred bandleader and early television personality Spade Cooley. Actually, Cooley had very little to do in the film other than offer name recognition to a cumbersome Western tale of a special agent (Bill Edwards) unravelling a series of rustlings on and around Cooley's dude ranch. The rustlers, as it turns out, are in league with a smuggler known only as the Phantom Raider. The contraband in question was originally slated to be dope, but vehement objections from the Breen office, the Hollywood watchdog, caused it to be changed to diamonds. At one point in the film, the Cooley ranch hands are seen practicing acrobatic feats under the leadership of director Richard Talmadge, a veteran stuntman. The act was billed as "The Six Metzetti Boys," an obvious reference to Talmadge's real name, Sylvester Metzetti. Popularly known as "The King of Western Swing," Spade Cooley created less than admirable headlines in 1961 when he was convicted of beating his estranged wife to death. He died of a heart attack in 1969 while on a leave from Vacaville prison to perform in a benefit concert. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Spade Cooley, Maria Hart, (more)
Miles and miles of stock footage were used to pad out the 67-minute running time of Forbidden Jungle. The newly-shot scenes feature Don Harvey as famed explorer Tom Burton, who has been hired to locate the long-missing son of a millionaire. The boy has grown up in the jungle a la Tarzan, and is currently living in an area where white men are forbidden to travel. This doesn't stop Burton, though he does have second thoughts about returning the boy to civilization, especially since the kid seems perfectly happy right where he is. Virtually all the "wild animal" scenes in Forbidden Jungle were culled from earlier films, save for several comic interludes involving a trio of monkeys (no, not Curly, Larry, and Moe). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don C. Harvey, Forrest Taylor, (more)
- 1950
The Fighting Stallion stars Bill Edwards as Lon Evans, an ex-GI who is slowly losing his eyesight. Lacking a seeing-eye dog, Lon opts for a seeing-eye horse, training one of his father's stallions for that purpose. Unfortunately, the horse is slated to be destroyed because of its alleged wildness. Lon thinks otherwise, and sets about to prove it--though he hasn't much time. The film slows down whenever the romantic subplot involving Lon and Jeanne Barton (Dorris Merrick) rears its silly head. Overall, The Fighting Stallion is a film in which the title character has all the best scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Edwards, Doris Merrick, (more)
- 1950
In a season that also brought the world such cinematic confessions as I Shot Jesse James (1949) and I Shot Billy the Kid (1950), both from low-budget Lippert Productions, rival producer Jack Schwarz released I Killed Geronimo, starring former "Hopalong Cassidy" sidekick James Ellison. Going undercover as the notorious "Waco Kid," U.S. Army Captain Jeff Packard (Ellison) manages to infiltrate a gang of gold-shipment thieves lead by nasty Walt Anderson (Ted Adams). But Anderson and his gang are not the only troublemakers around: Packard must also contend with Geronimo (Chief Thundercloud) and his Apache warriors, who are demanding guns in exchange for peace. When Major French (Luther Crocker) refuses, the Apaches attack. In the ensuing melee, Geronimo is stabbed to death by Packard, who almost single-handedly saves the fort. The demise of the great Indian warrior is, of course, totally fictitious. Rather than perish in heroic combat, the historic Geronimo (1829-1909) surrendered and was relocated to Florida, where he spent his declining years as a tourist attraction. Enhanced by heavy doses of stock footage from, among other films, John Ford's classic Stagecoach (1939), the film also marked the final appearance of Smith Ballew, a star of low-budget music oaters in the 1930s. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1950
Former juvenile star William Henry is the all-grown-up hero of Federal Man. Henry is cast as a government agent who dogs the trail of illegal narcotics peddlers. This requires several trips south of the US-Mexico border and back again. Scenes of startlingly vivid violence are counterpointed with prosaic shots of the scientific paraphernalia used by modern-day crime fighters ("modern," of course, by 1950 standards). Though leading lady Pamela Blake is ill-served by her bland dialogue, veteran utility player George Eldredge enjoys one of the largest assignments of his career as the slimy gang leader. Like many crime films of the era, Federal Man adopts a documentary approach to its scripted scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Henry, Pamela Blake, (more)
- 1948
The peaceful, solitary existence of a crippled lad and his grandfather living in a remote wooded valley is disturbed when two armed robbers accompanied by moll visit. On the lam from the law, the crooks are desperate and dangerous. But as time passes and they get to know the strange and gentle boy, the robbers begin to think about giving up on crime. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Curtis, Anne Gwynne, (more)
- 1947
Produced by Jack Schwartz for low-budget company Screen Guild, this mild Western starring the veteran Richard Arlen was apparently the first entry in a proposed series. Arlen played the title role, here assigned by the army to quell an Indian attack on the powerless settlers. The Indians are accusing Tom Russell (John Dexter) of murdering a member of the tribe, an act, as Buffalo Bill discovers, actually committed by a gang of outlaws hired by investment company owner J.B. Jordon (Frank O'Connor). Buffalo Bill Rides Again was soundly defeated by a low budget and slipshod direction by the veteran Bernard B. Ray. Popular B-Western villain Ted Adams disappeared mysteriously halfway through the film, only to be replaced by Edmund Cobb. Jennifer Holt, the daughter of Arlen contemporary Jack Holt and by far the busiest B-Western heroine of the 1940s, had little to do other than letting herself be kidnapped by evil Gil Patric. Arlen, whose career dated back to the silent era, was perhaps a mite too old and stout by 1946 when this film was produced to become an acceptable B-Western hero. No further Buffalo Bill Westerns were produced by Schwartz. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Adams, Richard Arlen, (more)
- 1947
In this musical drama, loosely based on a popular radio program, a country performer and his band aspire to fame and fortune via the assistance of a theatrical agent. They want the fortune to help replace the local church that accidentally caught fire while they were practicing. Songs include: "Walking the Floor over You" and "You Nearly Lose Your Mind," "Oakie Boogie," "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right," "If It's a Dream," and "Only Teasing Me." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Arnold, Helen Boyce, (more)
In this comedy, a realtor at the end of his rope is grossly misdiagnosed as having three months to live. The already hyper-nervous man is therefore convinced that he will die. Later some of his clothing is recovered from a local creek and his family and friends assume that the poor man took his own life. The bereaved then consult a swami to see if they can contact the dead realtor's spirit. Instead the realtor himself shows up. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stuart Erwin, Glenda Farrell, (more)
- 1945
The Enchanted Forest concerns Old John (Harry Davenport), an elderly hermit who lives in a hollowed-out redwood tree, the better to commune with nature. Lost in the forest, young Jackie (Billy Severn) is befriended and protected by kindly Old John. When he's not busy confounding a group of forest-despoiling woodchoppers, Old John does his best to play matchmaker between Jackie's widowed mother Anne (Brenda Joyce) and handsome doctor Steve Blaine (Edmund Lowe), who likewise lives in the Enchanted Forest for health reasons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmund Lowe, Brenda Joyce, (more)
- 1944
Ever so slightly, the quality of PRC Pictures' film output improved as the 1940s rolled on. In PRC's Dixie Jamboree, Frances Langford plays Susan Jackson, the daughter of a showboat skipper (Guy Kibbee). Captain Jackson's vessel, the Ellabelle, is the last of the Mississippi showboats, and as such has become a refuge for such social outcasts as con artists Tony (Lyle Talbot) and Curly (Frank Jenks), itinerant musician Jeff Calhoun (Eddie Quillan), and ham actors Yvette (Fifi D'Orsay) and the Professor (Charles Butterworth). When Jackson inadvertently picks up a shipment of whiskey, Tony and Curly, assuming that the captain is a wealthy distiller, plan to hijack the boat and its cargo. All of this is set to the music of Cajun ditties, black spirituals, and lively cakewalks, performed con brio by Frances Langford and company. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frances Langford, Guy Kibbee, (more)
- 1944
The career girl in this PRC musical is Joan (Frances Langford), a Kansas City gal with showbiz aspirations. She heads to New York, where she sets up residence in a theatrical boarding house straight out of Stage Door. A few setbacks later, Joan lands the lead in a Broadway musical revue, which despite its threadbare production values (a PRC trademark) bids fair to be the hit of the season. Endearingly old-fashioned, Career Girl puts over its clichés with energy and verve. Besides, any picture with wisecracking Iris Adrian in a large role can't be all bad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
PRC's Machine Gun Mama is the sort of comedy that tries to get laughs by invoking the name of Brooklyn. Wallace Ford and El Brendel play a couple of American dimwits who find themselves travelling through Latin America with an elephant. Why an elephant? So Wally and El can sell the pachyderm to a broken-down carnival, thereby making the acquaintance of Armida, who is the prettier half of a trick-shooting act. What we have here is essentially a two-reel comedy, inflated to 61 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Armida, El Brendel, (more)
- 1944
Like many PRC films, Lady in the Death House was run incessantly in the early days of television, then disappeared into the void of Public Domain once better-quality films were made available to TV. Actually, this women-in-prison low-budget attempt at film noir is pretty good as far as PRC productions go, with lovely Jean Parker as the title character, an innocent girl framed for murder. Cast against type, Lionel Atwill plays a kindly criminologist (and part-time psychologist) who clears the heroine's name and traps the real killer. With most of the handsomer leading men out fighting WW II, Parker's love interest in Lady in the Death House is played by the usually sinister Douglas Fowley. Former child star Marcia Mae Jones delivers a surprising characterization in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Parker, Lionel Atwill, (more)
Lee Tracy once more plays a fast-talking, slightly amoral newspaper reporter in PRC's The Payoff. Tracy is cast as Brad McKay, who at present is investigating the murder of a special prosecutor. The dead man was on the verge of delivering damning evidence against racket boss John Angus (Jack LaRue), and it looks as though the killing was an "inside job", committed by one of the victim's associates. Aiding and abetting McKay are cub reporter Guy Morris (Tom Brown), the publisher's son; Phyllis Walker (Tina Thayer), daughter of the murdered man; and Alma Dorene (Evelyn Brent), a femme fatale who is Not What She Seems. Way, way down on the cast list is Pat Costello, the brother of comedian Lou Costello. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this wartime drama, an ex-gangster proves himself a decent man when he helps defeat the Nazis while he is hiding out on a tiny island. At first the gangster looks as if he has joined the German soldiers by providing them with a location for refueling their U-boats. Later an American ship is sunk off shore. Among the survivors is a merchant marine who was formerly a New York City cop. The cop instantly recognizes the fugitive mobster and the situation soon becomes tense. In the end the Nazis realize that he has been working for the Allies all along and he is executed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Litel, Alan Baxter, (more)
The world of boxing provides the framework for this romantic musical that tells the story of Baby and his manager who is also his sister. Baby is slated to fight Jerry O'Leary, but his sister won't let him because she is in love with the opponent. To ensure that the two do not fight, O'Leary's manager hires a seductress to keep Baby's mind off fighting during training. Fortunately the boxing commission learns of the scam and intervenes in the nick of time. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Armida, Edgar Kennedy, (more)
Legendary big-game hunter Frank Buck brings 'em back alive once more in PRC's Tiger Fangs. Though it is clear that he never journeys any farther than a studio backlot, Buck is in fine form as he takes on a gang of evil Nazi predators. It seems that the villains having been plying Malayan tigers with drugs, making the beasts even more vicious than usual. Somehow this is tied in with a plan to deplete the Allies' wartime rubber supply. With the help of beautiful Linda MacCardle (June Duprez), Linda's father Geoffrey (J. Farrell McDonald) and handsome Peter Jeremy (Howard Banks), Frank Buck strikes a blow for Democracy-not to mention undrugged tigers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Buck, June Duprez, (more)
- 1943
Quality was seldom a consideration in the low-budget films of PRC Studios; still, the company was a welcome harbor for character actors who aspired to occasional leading roles. In Boss of Big Town, veteran supporting player John Litel is top-billed as crusading city market official Michael Lynn. When a criminal gang muscles in on the local food distribution markets, Lynn vows to throw the rascals out. First, however, he pretends to join the villains as a paid government stooge, the better to find out the identity of the "Mister Big" behind the distribution racket. The exposure of the "mystery villain" will come as a shock to fans of the 1927 Cecil B. DeMille epic The King of Kings--but not to dyed-in-the-wool movie buffs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Litel, Florence Rice, (more)
- 1943
A young woman and her two buddies team up to run her newly inherited trucking company. In this comedy, the trouble begins when they agree to haul some gambling equipment to Vegas, get caught and tossed into the hoosegow. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1942
In this WW II-era drama, an over-ambitious beauty contestant's single-minded pursuit of movie stardom causes her to step upon the people who love her the most. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edith Fellows, June Storey, (more)
This homey little comedy is predicated on the notion that bucolic country boy Morgan (Richard Cromwell) is the son of a notorious Roaring-Twenties racketeer. Morgan Senior's former gang, pining for their glory days, appoint "Baby Face" Morgan as their leader and resume their criminal activities. Their strategy is sublime: with the FBI busily beating the bushes for Nazi spies, who's going to pay attention to a bunch of middle-aged Prohibition gangsters? Unaware that he's being used as a figurehead, Morgan gets mixed up in a crooked insurance scheme, but by film's end he's figured out a way to clear himself and the mob, with everyone learning a lesson in the process. Reviewers in 1942 were amused by Baby Face Morgan but deplored its threadbare production values, noting that at one point the klieg lights could be seen reflecting on the bald dome of supporting player Vince Barnett! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Carlisle, Richard Cromwell, (more)
