Jane Frazee Movies
Jane Frazee began in show business in childhood as one-half of a singing sister act. The girls split up amicably in the late 1930s when Jane's sister Ruth gave up performing to marry screenwriter Norman Krasna. Jane went on to a contract with Universal pictures in 1940, supporting such comedians as Abbott and Costello (Buck Privates), Olsen and Johnson (Hellzapoppin') and the Ritz Brothers (Hi'ya Chum), and headlining several "B" musicals. In the late 1940s she began appearing in Republic westerns, where she was one of Roy Rogers' favorite leading ladies. After making her last feature film in 1951, Frazee co-starred with George O'Hanlon in the "Behind the Eight-Ball" (aka "Joe McDoakes") short-subject series at Warner Bros, and also appeared regularly on the 1952 TV sitcom Beulah. Long inactive in show business, Frazee began selling California real estate in the early 1970s. Married four times, Jane Frazee was at one time the wife of actor/director/studio executive Glenn Tryon. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi- 1953
The entire Earth is placed in jeopardy when a huge asteroid -- measuring more than five miles across -- approaches on a collision course. In a last ditch effort to save the planet, and the city of Metropolis, which is right in its projected impact area, Superman (George Reeves) launches himself into space directly at the object and manages to deflect it into a close orbit around the Earth -- but he is nearly destroyed, returning to Earth weakened and shaken up so badly that he can't recall who he is. Suffering from amnesia, he finds his way to the apartment belonging to Clark Kent and collapses while in the shower. He spends the next few days with help from Lois Lane (Noel Neill) and Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson) trying to get his strength back and remember anything about himself. Meanwhile, Daily Planet editor Perry White (John Hamilton) is increasingly desperate to find Superman, as the asteroid's presence so close to the Earth continues to threaten the safety of the planet. His contact with Superman has always been through Kent, but Kent can't remember who he is or who Superman is, much less how to contact him. Finally, a series of accidents demonstrate to him that he is Superman, and he rushes to confront the new threat to the Earth, even though a second encounter with the asteroid could kill him. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
- 1951
Since Universal was out of the "B"-western business by 1951, many former Universal contractees were obliged to seek work elsewhere. Monogram's Rhythm Inn stars Jane Frazee, Kirby Grant and Lois Collier, Universal alumni all. It all begins when bandleader Dusty Rhodes (Kirby Grant) is forced to pawn his musician's instruments. It so happens that pawnshop clerk Eddie Thompson (Charles Smith) is an aspiring songwriter. Thus it is that band-singer Carol Denton (Jane Frazee) is able to sweet-talk Thompson into allowing the musicians to use their instruments after office hours, with the promise that the clerk's songs will be performed. Complications ensue when Thompson's girl friend Betty (Lois Collier), misunderstanding the situation, becomes jealous. Specialty numbers in Rhythm Inn are provided by the Anson Weeks orchestra, Armida, Jean Ritchie, Ames & Arno and the Ramon Bros. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jane Frazee, Kirby Grant, (more)
- 1949
By the none-too-exacting standards of Screen Guild Productions, Last of the Wild Horses is practically an "A" picture. James Ellison plays Duke Barnum, an innocent soul who is set up as the fall guy for duplicitious horse-ranch foreman Riley (Reed Hadley). When ranch owner Charlie Cooper (Douglass Dumbrille) discovers that Riley has been raiding the neighboring ranchers' stock, he confronts the foreman with the evidence. Riley responds by killing Cooper and placing the blame on Barnum, leading to a deadly climactic confrontation between the two. Filmed on location in Southern Oregon, Last of the Wild Horses was directed by Robert L. Lippert, who'd later assume control of Screen Guild and rename the studio after himself. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- James Ellison, Mary Beth Hughes, (more)
- 1948
Released in Republic Pictures' low-budget Trucolor and filmed at the majestic location of the title, Grand Canyon Trail stars Roy Rogers is a rancher going up against a crooked mining engineer played by fellow Western star Robert Livingston. The latter, Bill Regan, has conned eastern silver magnate J. Malcolm Vanderpool (Charles Coleman) into believing that his Sintown mine is worthless. But Vanderpool's pretty secretary, Carol Martin (Jane Frazee), is suspicious and travels to the ghost town masquerading as the boss' daughter. Rancher Rogers and his hired hands -- Foy Willing & the Riders of the Purple Sage in their first Rogers Western -- have all invested in the mine, courtesy of hayseed blacksmith "Cookie" Bullfincher (Andy Devine), and are doing a bit of digging themselves. The only person with knowledge of the location of the mine, elderly stage driver Ed Carruthers (Emmett Lynn), is kidnapped by the gang and later murdered. Carol, whom Roy accuses of being in cahoots with the villains, is kept captive in a cabin during a rainstorm and when Mike Delsing (Ken Terrell), one of Regan's men, turns up, she mistakenly believes he has come to rescue her and hits Roy over the head with a vase. Realizing her error, Carol later aids Roy and the Riders capture the gang and their leader, Regan, whom she dispatches with a well-appointed rock. In between the action, Roy and the Riders perform "Everything's Going My Way," by Foy Willing and "Grand Canyon Trail" and "Colorado Joe" by Jack Elliott. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Jane Frazee, (more)
Opening with a brief look at Republic Pictures' back lot in Studio City, CA, this average Roy Rogers songfest settles down to weightier matters after Roy returns to the old homestead to perform a radio broadcast. Peace and quiet, however, are rudely interrupted when someone kidnaps the cowboy crooner's famous horse Trigger and demands a $100,000 ransom for the handsome equine. The perpetrators of this dastardly deed are horse traders "Pop" Jordan (George Lloyd) and Lige McFarland (Wade Crosby), who employ a mole at the Rogers outfit in the person of young Ted Conover (Michael Chapin), Lige's innocent stepson, who will do anything to recover the imperiled Trigger. When not chasing down nasty kidnappers, Roy Rogers, Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers (featuring Pat Brady) and leading lady Jane Frazee perform "Under California Stars", "King of the Cowboys", and Little Saddle Pals", all by Jack Elliott. Like he had in his initial Republic starring vehicle, Under Western Stars (1938), Roy also sings Gene Autry's dramatic "Dust". Under California Stars was released in Trucolor. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Jane Frazee, (more)
- 1948
One of the better Roy Rogers films of its period, The Gay Ranchero also happens to be one of the more violent Rogers efforts. The villains want to gain control of a private airport, and aren't above sabotage and murder to get what they want. Riding to the rescue is sheriff Rogers, who is aided by Latino-flyboy Nicci Lopez (Tito Guizar). Roy gets to warble several tunes both by himself and with heroine Jane Frazee, while Tito Guizar solos on "You Belong to My Heart" and "Granada." One of the writers of the title song was Abe Tuvim, the father of actress Judy Holliday. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Tito Guizar, (more)
- 1948
Warren Douglas plays an average Joe who bears a striking resemblance to a famous gangster. A group of rival hoods beat up the innocent lookalike, which gives the police an idea. They set Douglas up as the real crook in hopes of forcing his gang out in the open. An outsized (but economically staged) gunfight brings this tense little tale to its conclusion. Incident is one of the slicker directorial accomplishments of B-picture maestro William "One Take" Beaudine. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Warren Douglas, Jane Frazee, (more)
- 1947
In this Republic musical, all heck breaks loose when the girlfriend of an aspiring composer becomes a model for the starving artist who lives next door. The story takes place at the turn of the 19th century and is set in Miss Rich's boardinghouse, the temporary home of many young artists and performers hoping to make it big in New York. Songs include "Have I Told You Lately?" and "A Bluebird Is Singing to Me." ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Charles Arnt, Jane Frazee, (more)
- 1947
With the defection of Gene Autry from the Republic lot, Roy Rogers was truly the King of the Singing Cowboys. In On the Old Spanish Trail, Rogers is for the first time teamed with Latin American singing favorite Tito Guizar. The plot finds Roy and Tito involved with a travelling cowboy tentshow in the modern west. Though there are an abundance of action highlights, the film is lighthearted in nature, as evidenced by the character name of Andy Devine, "Cookie Bullfincher". Rogers and Guizar later costarred with more impressive results in The Gay Ranchero. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Tito Guizar, (more)
- 1947
Republic's Springtime in the Sierras bestows upon star Roy Rogers two leading ladies. The first is his usual vis-a-vis Jane Frazee; the second is statuesque Stephanie Bachelor, playing the head of a poaching gang. Bachelor, it seems, has murdered a game warden who happens to be Rogers' closest chum. Rogers, Frazee and even Andy Devine get to sing in this one. Originally running 75 minutes, it was released to TV in a 54-minute version retitled Song of the Sierra. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Stephanie Bachelor, Roy Barcroft, (more)
- 1946
In this drama, a husband becomes a single parent after his wife dies in childbirth. He is so engrossed in his newspaper career that he pays little attention to his daughter. He then meets and falls for a woman who chastises him for ignoring the child. He has just begun reestablishing his relationship with his daughter and is about to marry the woman when a convict escapes from prison and goes looking for the woman, who testified against him in court, to exact his murderous revenge. Fortunately, her fiance saves her and happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jane Frazee, Twinkle Watts, (more)
- 1946
As with his previous music Western vehicle, Moon over Montana (1946), former radio crooner Jimmy Wakely composed the title song for this film. With Wesley Tuttle and His Texas Stars as his backup group, Wakely also warbled Paul Westmoreland's Detour, De Camptown Ladies, by Stephen Foster, and I Miss You Since You've Been Gone by Arthur Smith. The girl Wakely "missed" was Jean Carlin, whose prospector grandfather (Budd Buster) is being harrassed by an unknown force. Wakely and his usual sidekick Lee "Lasses" White investigate and soon determine that the mystery villain is actually a villainess, Flora Carter (Iris Clive), a ruthless lady rancher who holds the mortgage to grandpa Buster's property. In between crooning the aforementioned tunes and winning the big race on his wild mustang, Wakely manages to discover enough evidence to convict the unscrupulous Ms. Carter. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi
- 1945
In this comedy, two young women make their money scamming dance hall patrons. The two conniving gals attempt to victimize two handsome GIs, but change their minds when they fall in love with them. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jane Frazee, Jimmy Lloyd, (more)
- 1945
Republic's Swingin' on a Rainbow utilizes a plotline that had already done service in several of the studio's previous budget musicals. Would-be songwriter Lynn Ford (Jane Frazee) comes to the Big City, demanding $1000 from bandleader Jimmy Rhodes (Richard Davies). It seems that Rhodes has scored a hit with one of Lynn's songs, which he has plagiarized. While hunting Rhodes down, Lynn meets a personable young man named Steve Ames (Brad Taylor) -- who, unbeknownst to her, is the pen-pal lyricist with whom she's been collaborating for the past year. Former comedy great Harry Langdon makes his final film appearance in a Robert Benchley-esque supporting role; Langdon died while rehearsing a song-and-dance number for the film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jane Frazee, Brad Taylor, (more)
- 1944
In this musical drama, a woman turns her mansion into a boarding house for soldiers on furlough, providing them with room, board, and musical entertainment. She also does a little matchmaking for the lonely fighters. The fun begins when one of the lodgers falls in love with a pretty singer. At first the soldier is unsure as to whether the chanteuse returns his affections, but by the story's end he is convinced. Wedding bells ring out, songs are sung and happiness ensues. Songs include: "Who Said Dreams Can't Come True" (Benny Davis, Al Jolson, Harry Akst), "I've Waited a Lifetime" (Edward Brandt), "I Can't Remember When" (Robert Schermann, Jack Krakeur), "What the Sergeant Said" (Jackie Camp), "My Other Love" (Bob Wright, Chet Forrest), "Mom" (Saul Chaplin), and "American Prayer" (Lawrence Stock, Vincent Rose, Al Stillman). ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jane Frazee, Larry Parks, (more)
- 1944
The Big Bonanza was a Republic Studios in-betweener: too elaborate for B picture, not expensive enough for an "A". Richard Arlen stars as an army deserter who heads back to his home town. Unable to hold down a legitimate job, Arlen falls in with childhood chum Robert Livingston, now a high-rolling crook. Jane Frazee is the dime-a-dance girl who acts as a redeeming force for the wayward Arlen. Gabby Hayes shows up as comic relief "Hap" Sweeney. At the bottom of the cast, billed as "Singer," is future Republic singing cowboy Monte Hale. The Big Bonanza was co-scripted by Dorrell and Stuart McGowan, later the leading lights of the TV series Death Valley Days. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Richard Arlen, Jane Frazee, (more)
- 1944
In this western, a rancher turns his property into a dude ranch for soldiers after he is drafted. Featured upon this ranch are entertaining shows with music from Tex Ritter, Roy Acuff, and the Mills Brothers. Songs include: "Spot In Arizona," "You Man You," "Wait For The Light To Shine," "Walking Down The Lane With You," and ""Lazy River."" ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1944
In this drama, a piano teacher buys a song-publishing business only to discover that it is on the brink of bankruptcy and is embroiled in a lawsuit over the song: "Kansas City Kitty". Other songs include "Tico Tico", "Nothing Boogie from Nowhere", and "Pretty Kitty Blue Eyes". ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1944
Female musicians Sally Richards (Jane Frazee) and Sue Ford (Judy Clark) are Beautiful but Broke in this frantic Columbia musical comedy. Sally and Sue's violinist pal Dottie Duncan (Joan Davis) is equally broke, though not quite as beautiful. The three girls try pass themselves off as an all-girl orchestra, with the help of fast-buck theatrical agent Waldo Main (John Eldredge). Vamping for time until they can gather up a few more musicians, the girls don several disguises to fool a potential client, nightclub owner Putnam (John Dilson). Once this crisis is passed, the orchestra finds itself stranded in the middle of nowhere. The finale borrows a page from Buster Keaton when Sally, Sue and Dottie take refuge in a deserted house slated for Army target practice. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Joan Davis, John Hubbard, (more)
- 1944
The popular screen team of Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray stars in this wartime farce. MacMurray is an army pilot who develops engine trouble during a vital mission. Thinking he's about to die, MacMurray radios back his undying affection for his dog "Piggy." But the radio reception is fuzzy, and it is assumed that he has said "Peggy"--which happens to be the character name of Colbert, who intercepts the message. MacMurray survives the plane crash, whereupon he is whisked back home into the arms of Peggy, which is not to the liking of Peggy's gormless fiance (Gil Lamb). Practically Yours was guaranteed to make money, which it did. Its humor not meant to survive the ages, which it hasn't. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, (more)
- 1944
In this tuneful western, two curious actresses head West to find out the name of their secret admirer. Songs include: "Amor," (Sunny Skylar, Gabriel Ruiz), "Hey Mabel" (Fred Stryker), "By the River Sainte Marie" (Edgar Leslie, Harry Warren), "She Broke My Heart in Three Places" (Oliver Drake), "When It's Harvest Time in Peaceful Valley" (Robert Martin, Raymond McKee), and "There'll Be a Jubilee" (Phil Moore). ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1944
In this romantic wartime comedy, four female defense plant workers share a house with four male workers. The situation is on the up and up as the men and women work different shifts and they are only making due because there is a housing shortage. Unfortunately, they soon begin to fight about who gets the house during certain hours. Romance ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jane Frazee, Frank Albertson, (more)
- 1943
The Ritz Bros' third low-budget musical for Universal was the pointlessly titled Hi'ya, Chum! In this 61-minute timekiller, the Ritzes play The Merry Madcaps, a trio of itinerant entertainers who purchase a restaurant in a California boom town. While leading ladies Jane Frazee and June Clyde hold down the fort at the restaurant, the Ritz boys do their best to thwart the crooked schemes of gambler Edmund McDonald. Robert Paige, Ms. Frazee's vis-a-vis in Olsen and Johnson's Hellzapoppin', plays the nominal romantic lead. Outside of an amusing ballet parody, Hi 'Ya, Chum! is about 61 minutes too long. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Al Ritz, Jimmy Ritz, (more)
- 1943
Another of Universal's "pocket" musicals, Rhythm of the Islands is set in the South Seas, presumably far away from the shooting war. The nonsensical plotline finds hero Tommy (Allan Jones) posing as a native chief. Joan Holton (Jane Frazee), daughter of a millionaire (Ernest Truex), falls in love with Tommy, unaware that he's a charlatan. Tommy and his beachcomber pal Eddie (Andy Devine) encouraged Joan's attentions in order to close a big-business deal with her father; eventually, however, Tommy falls in love with the girl for real, and confesses his sham. The producers managed to pack five songs into the 60-minute running time, not to mention a couple of specialty numbers performed by The Step Brothers and The Horton Dancers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Allan Jones, Jane Frazee, (more)
- 1943
Keep 'Em Slugging was the last of Universal's "Little Tough Guys" series-which, like Monogram's "East Side Kids", was an offshoot of Warner Bros.' "Dead End Kids" films. This time around, the kids decide to mend their troublemaking ways and get real jobs. Tommy (Bobby Jordan) is hired by the department store where his sister Sheila (Evelyn Ankers) is already employed. Frank (Frank Albertson), Tommy's supervisor, is mixed up with a gang of hijackers. When Tommy refuses to join the crooks, Frank frames the kid on a robbery rap. With the help of fellow Little Tough Guys Pig (Huntz Hall), String (Gabriel Dell) and Ape (Norman Abbott, nephew of comedian Bud Abbott), Tommy not only proves his innocence, but gives the criminals a real soaking. By the time Keep 'Em Slugging was released, Huntz Hall and Gabriel Dell were already repeating their antics in Monogram's "East Side Kids" flicks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, (more)
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