Historical Cinematic Masterpieces of the Sound Era - FILMMUSEUM HOME VIDEO

HISTORICAL CINEMATIC MASTERPIECES OF THE SOUND ERA 1929-1980

Reap the Wild Wind 1942

Producer: Cecil B. DeMille Script: Charles Bennett, Jesse Lasky, Jr., Alan Le May, Jeanie MacPherson Director: Cecil B. DeMille Cinematography: Victor Milner, William Skall CAST: Ray Milland, John Wayne, Paulette Goddard, Raymond Massey, Robert Preston, Susan Hayward and others. Music: Victor Young Color Process: Technicolor Production: Paramount Pictures 123 min. Release: March 18, 1942 Technicolor sound.
American adventure film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Ray Milland, John Wayne and Paulette Goddard. DeMille's second Technicolor production, the film is based on a serialized story written by Thelma Strabel in 1940 for The Saturday Evening Post. Released shortly after America's entry into World War II, "Reap the Wild Wind" was immensely successful at the box office and earned three Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Special Effects.

Paisan 1946

Producer: Roberto Rossellini, Mario Conti, Rod E. Geiger Script: Sergio Amidei, Federico Fellini, Marcello Pagliero, Alfred Hayes, Vasco Pratolini, Klaus Mann Director: Roberto Rossellini Cinematogrphy: Otello Martelli CAST: Carmela Sazio, Robert Van Loon, Dots Johnson, Alfonsino Bovino, Maria Michi, Gar Moore, Harriet White, Renzo Avanzo, Wiliam Tubbs, Dale Edmonds, Achille Siviero Music: Renzo Rossellini Production: MGM Release: December 10, 1946 126 min. B/W sound Italian w/English subtitles.
Italian noeorealist war drama produced and directed by Roberto Rossellini. In six parts, the film tells the story of the Allied liberation of Italy during the late stage of the Italian campaign during World War II. "Paisan" premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received numerous national and international awards. In 2008, the film was included in the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage's 100 Italian films to be preserved, a list of 100 films that have changed the collective memory of the country between 1942 and 1978.

Five Million Look for an Heir 1938

Producer: Hans Tost Script: Harald Baumgarten (novel), George Hurdalek, Jacob Geis Diirector: Carl Boese Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Leny Marenbach, Oskar Sima Music: Lothar Bruehne Production: Terra-Filmkunst Release: April 1, 1938 85 min. B/W German dialog only sound.
German comedy film produced during the Third Reich was directed by Carl Boese and starring Heinz Ruehmann and Leny Marenbach. The story was based on Harald Baumgarten's novel.

Thirteen Chairs 1938

Producer: E.E. Emo, Hans Tost Script: E.W. Emo, Per Schwenzen Director: E.W. Emo Cinematography: Eduard Hoesch CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Hans Moser, Inge List Music: Nico Obal Production: Emo-Film Release: October 18, 1938 sound 92 min. B/W German w/English subtitles.
German comedy film directed by E.W. Emo and starring Heinz Ruehmann, Hans Moser and Inge List. The story was based on Ilf Petrov's 1928 novel "The 12 Chairs," one of numerous adaptations of the work.

The White Ecstasy 1931

Producer: Henry R. Sokal Script/Director: Dr. Arnold Fanck Cinematography: Richard Angst, Hans Karl Gottschalk, Bruno Leubner, Kurt Neubert CAST: Leni Riefenstahl, Hannes Schneider, Guzzi Lantscher, Walter Riml Music: Paul Dessau Production: Sokal-Film GmbH Release: December 17, 1931 70 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German "mountain film" adventure written, directed and edited by Dr. Arnold Fanck and starring Leni Riefenstahl and Hannes Schneider. The story concerned the skiing exploits of a young village girl (Riefenstahl), and her attempts to master the sport of skiing and ski-jumping aided by local ski expert (Schneider).

Aereograd 1935

Producer/Script/Director: Oleksandr Dovzhenko Cinematography: Mikhail Gindin, Sergei Stolyarov, Eduard Tisse CAST: Stepan Shagaida, Boris Dobronavrov, Vladimir Uralsky Music: Dimitri Kabalevsky Production: MosFilm/VUFKU Release: November 6, 1935 82 min. B/W sound Russian dialog.
Soviet adventure/drama produced, written and directed by Oleksandr Dovzhenko as a co-production between MosFilm and VUFKU. The film's story concerns an adventure set in the Soviet Far East in the USSR of the future.

Baltic Deputy 1936

Producer: Igor Chernyak, Pyotr Podvainy Script: Iosif Kheifits, Aleksandr Zarkhi Director: Iosif Kheifits, Aleksandr Zarkhi Cinematography: Mikhail Kaplan, Edgar Shtyrtskober CAST: Nikolai Cherkasov, Boris Livanov, Oleg Zhakov Music: Nikolai Timofeyev Production: LenFilm Release: 1936 96 min. B/W sound Russian dialog.
Soviet drama film co-written and directed by Iosif Kheifits and Aleksandr Zarkhi. The story is set during the October 1917 Revolution when the Bolsheviks seize power of Russia. Teachers and scientists do not trust the new government. But the elderly professor Dimitri Illarionvich Polezhaev is able to understand the events that occur in Russia. He begins to train the Baltic sailors, after which he is elected a deputy from the sailors of the Russian Baltic Fleet.

The Blood of Jesus 1941

Producer/Script/Director: Spencer Williams Cinematography: Jack Whitman CAST: Spencer Williams, Cathryn Caviness Production: Spencer Williams Productions Release: April 26, 1941 57 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American independent fantasy drama "race" film produced, written, directed and starring Spencer Williams. The story concerned a Southern Baptist woman who, after being accidentally shot by her atheist husband, is sent to a purgatory, where Satan tries to lead her astray. Williams' film was exhibited exclusively at black theaters and Baptist churches. For many years, "The Blood of Jesus" was considered a lost film until it was discovered in a warehouse in Texas in the 1980s. Critical film reviews of Williams' film were positive - Dave Kehr of The New York Times called the production "magnificent" and J. Hoberman of The Village Voice stating "It is a masterpiece of folk cinema that has scarcely lost its power to astonish." Time Magazine referred to the film on its list entitled "the 25th Most Important Films on Race."

The Murderer Dimitri Karamazov 1931

Producer: Eugene Frenke Script: Erich Engels Leonhard Frank, Fedor Ozep, Victor Trevas Direction: Fedor Ozep, Erich Engels Cinematography: Friedl Behn-Grund CAST: Fritz Kortner, Fritz Rasp, Bernhard Minetti, Anna Sten, Max Pohl Production: Terra-Film Release: February 6, 1931 91 min. B/W German dialog w/Czech subtitled.
German drama film directed by Fedor Ozep and Erich Engels starring Fritz Kortner and Fritz Rasp. The story concerns a lieutenant who is suspected of having murdered his father. The production is based on motifs from Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov." "The Murderer Dimitri Karamazov" is a supreme example of cinematic Expressionism during the Weimarian period. The British film critic Raymond Durgnat wrote in a 1993 article about "Ozep for Film Dope: "The Karamazov film is a tour de force of stylistic, eclecticism, Expressionist acting, dynamic angles, Russian editing, marathon tracking shots. It's a real showpiece of formalism geared to psycho-lyrical ends, exactly as Eisenstein intended, except that Dostoievskian soul torments replace Leninist collectivism to which the 'official' montage masters tuned their lyres."

Jungle Book 1942

Producer: Alexander Korda Script: Laurence Stallings Director: Zoltan Kordav Cinematography: Lee Garmes, W. Howard Greene CAST: Sabu, Joseph Calleia, John Qualen, Frank Puglia Music: Miklos Rozsa Production: Alexander Korda Productions Release: April 3, 1942 108 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
British Technicolor action-adventure film by the Korda brothers, loosely adapted from Rudyard Kipling's 1894 novel "The Jungle Book." The production was an overwhelming box-office success in the United States and Canada, earning $1.3 million in theater receipts. The critical response to "The Jungle Book" was positive - Bosely Crowther of The New York Times noted the filmmakers have "used a whole menagerie to get some remarkable effects, and a finer lot of sleek and lithe wild creatures has never been shown on a screen." Harrison Reports wrote: "This is a jungle fantasy, in which animals play an important part. It has been produced in gorgeous Technicolor." Time Magazine said: "The Korda brothers have produced a laborious, sometimes silly tale, saved from disgrace only by some of the best Techni-colored animal photography extant." "Jungle Book was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Art Direction - Interior Decoration, Color; Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score and Best Cinematography.

Lieutenant Kizhe 1934

Producer/Director: Aleksandr Faintsimmer Script: Yury Tynyanov Cinematography: Arkadi Koltsaty CAST: Mikhail Yanshin Music: Sergei Prokofiev Production: Belgoskino Release: December 9, 1934 87 min. B/W sound Russian dialog w/English subtitles.
Soviet comedy film directed by Aleksandr Faintsimmer and promoted by Boris Gusman, based on the novella of the same title by YuryTynyanov.

Mr. Moto's Last Warning 1939

Producer: Sol M. Wurtzel Script: Philiip MacDonald, Norman Foster Director: Norman Foster Cinematography: Virgil Miller CAST: Peter Lorre, John Carradine, Virginia Field Music: David Raksin Production: 20th Century-Fox Release: January 20, 1939 71 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American mystery/thriller directed by Norman Foster for 20th Century-Fox as the sixth in a series of eight feature films starring Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto. The production is an original story featuring the character created by John P. Marquand. The New York Times thought the "method" used by Mr. Moto was a "little tough on the audience" but praised the "rousing old fashioned climax."

Reefer Madness 1936

Producer: George Hirtman, Dwain Esper Script: Lawrence Meade (story), Arthur Hoerl Director: Louis J. Gasnier Cinematography: Jack Greenhaigh CAST: Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles, Dave O'Brien, Thelma White Music: Abe Meyer Production: G & H Productions Release: 1936 68 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American drug exploitation film, revolving around the melodramatic events that ensue when high school students are lured by drug pushers to try marijuana - upon trying it, they become addicted, eventually leading them to become involved in various crimes such as a hit and run accident, manslaughter, murder, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted rape innocent victims. While all this is happening, they suffer hallucinations, descend into madness, associate with organized crime and commit suicide. The production was initially financed by a church group under the title "Tell Your Children," the film was intended to be shown to parents as a morality message attempting to teach them about the dangers of marijuana use. Soon after the filming, the production was purchased by Dwain Esper, who re-edited the film for release on the exploitation circuit, exploiting vulgar interest while escaping censorship under the guise of moral guidance, beginning in 1938-1939 through the 1940s and the 1950s. "Reefer Madness" was rediscovered in the early 1970s as a popular midnight show attraction and gained new life as a cult film and unintentional satire among advocates of cannabis policy reform.

House of Rothchild 1934

Producer: William Goetz, Raymond Griffith, Darryl F. Zanuck Script: George Hembert Westly, Nunally Johnson Director: Alfred L. Werker Cinematography: J. Peverell Marley CAST: George Arliss, Robert Young, Loretta Young, Boris Karloff Music: Alfred Newman Production: 20th Century-Fox Release: April 7, 1934 88 min. B/W/Technicolor (ending scene) sound English dialog.
American pre-code historical drama film directed by Alfred L. Werker featuring an all-star cast, including George Arliss, Robert Young, Loretta Young, Boris Karloff adapted by Nunally Johnson from the play by George Hembert Westly and chronicles the history of the Rothchild family of European bankers. "House of Rothchild" was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, as an attack against Nazism and anti-Semitism following Hitler's accession to power in January 1933. Aside from a rare three-strip Technicolor scene at the film's conclusion, most of the production was filmed in black & white. The special Technicolor sequence was the very first such three-strip Technicolor process. The production was the biggest box-office hit of 1934. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

The Outlaw 1943

Producer: Howard Hughes Script: Jules Furthman Director: Howard Hughes Cinematography: Gregg Toland CAST: Jane Russel, Walter Huston, Jack Beutel Music: Victor Young Production: Howard Hughes Productions Release: February 5, 1943 121 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western film produced and directed by Howard Hughes and starring Jane Russell, Walter Huston and Jack Beutel. In producing the film, Howard Hughes removed original director Howard Hawks and replaced the original cinematographer Lucien Ballard with Gregg Toland. "The Outlaw" is notable as Jane Russell's Hollywood breakthrough role to becoming a sex symbol. Variety reported: "Beyond sex attraction of Miss Russell's frankly displayed charm, picture according to the accepted screen entertainment standards falls short."

Withering Coolness 1932

Producer: Georhe Hoellering Script: Bertolt Brecht, Ernst Ottwalt Director: Slatan Dudow Cinematography: Guenther Krampf CAST: Hertha Thiele, Ernst Busch, Adolf Fischer, Martha Wolter Production: Prometheus-Film Release: May 14, 1932 71 min. B/W sound German w/English subtitles.
German political drama film concerning unemployment, homelessness and left-wing politics during the Weimar Republic directed by Slatan Dudow and produced by Prometheus-Film. The story was conceived by noted playwright and poet Bertolt Brecht whom also directed the concluding scene which was a political debate between strangers on a train concerning the world coffee market. "Whithering Coolness" was promptly banned in Weimar Germany in 1932 due to the accusations that it depicted the Reichs President (Paul von Hindenburg), the legal system, and organized religion in a negative light, but following protests, the ban was lifted for a re-edited version. Dudow's film remained largely unseen for many years and only recently has a new 35mm film print been recovered which is the official FILMMUSEUM edition.

Quick 1932

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Felix Gandera (play), Harris Mueller Director: Robert Siodmak Cinematography: Otto Baecker, Guenther Rittau CAST: Hans Albers, Lillian Harvey, Paul Hoeriger, Kathe Haack Music: Hans-Otto Borgmann, Werner R. Heymann Production: Ufa Release: August 8, 1932 97 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film produced by Ufa mogul Erich Pommer and directed by Robert Siodmak and starring thee lovely Lillian Harvey and Hans Albers. The story pertained to a woman (Lillian Harvey) residing at a health spa goes to the theatre every night in order to see "Quick," a comic performer (Hans Albers) wearing clown make-up. She meets him off stage, without make-up, and doesn't recognize him. He courts her, hoping she'll like him for herself, but she maintains her crush on "Quick."

The 47 Ronin 1941

Producer: Sintaro Shirai Script: Kennichiro Hara, Yoshikata Yoda Director: Kenji Mizoguchi Cinematography: Kohei Sugiyama CAST: Chojuro Kawarasaki, Kanemon Nakamura, Kunitaro Kawarazaki Music: Shiro Fukai Production: Shochiku Release: December 1, 1941 + February 11, 1942 223 min. B/W sound Japanese dialog w/English subtitles.
Japanese historical film presented in two parts directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, adapted from the play by Seika Mayama. Mizoguchi's epic depicts the legendary forty-seven Ronin and their plot to avenge the death of their lord, Asano Naganon, by killing Kira Yoshinaka, a shogunate official responsible for Asano being forced to commit "seppuku." During the war, Kenji Mizoguchi was forced to make artistic compromises, producing propaganda for the Imperial Japanese government. In 1941, the Japanese government wanted ferocious morale booster based on the familiar "rekishi geki" (historical drama) of the Loyal 47 Ronin. Instead, Mizoguchi chose for his source "Mayama Chushingura," a cerebral play pertaining to the story. The Japanese government foisted the project on the director as a wartime morale booster, and as jurisdiction for the expansionist, nationalistic, and ultimately suicidal Second World War that Imperial Japan was embroiled in during the middle of the 20th century. "The 47 Ronin" was prefaced y the words in the main titles "Defend the Homes of Those Who Fight for a Greater Asia."

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farms 1938

Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck, Raymond Griffith Script: Don Attlinger, Karl Tunberg, Ben Markson, William M. Conselman Director: Allan Dwan Cinematography: Arthur C. Miller CAST: Shirley Temple, Randolph Scott, Jack Haley Music: Mark Gordon, Harry Revel, Lew Pollack, Sidney D. Mitchell, Samuel Pokrass, Jack Yellen, Raymond Scott Production: 20th Century-Fox Release: March 18, 1938 81 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American musical comedy film directed by Allan Dwan starring Shirley Temple, Randolph Scott and Jack Haley in the third adaptation of Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1903 novel (previous versions in 1917 and 1932). The storyline concerned a talented orphan's (Shirley Temple) trials and tribulations after winning a radio audition to represent a popular breakfast cereal. Variety: "The national number 1 box-office star (Shirley Temple) has seldom shone so brilliantly in her singing, dancing and repartee. That means she is going right ahead to bigger and better grosses."

Yiddle with His Fiddle 1936

Producer: Jozef Frankfurt, Edward Hantowitz Script: Joseph Green, Konrad Tom Direction: Joseph Green, Jan Nowina-Przybyiski Cinematography: Jakob Jonilowicz CAST: Molly Picon, Simcha Fostel, Leon Liebgold, Max Bozyk Production: Green Films Release: September 30, 1936 92 min. B/W sound Yiddish dialog w/English subtitles.
Polish/Yiddish musical film directed by Joseph Green and Jan Nowina-Przybyyiski from a screenplay by Joseph Green and Konrad Tom starring Molly Picon, Simcha, Leon Liebgold, Max Bozyk, and others. Following the commercial success of "Joseph in the Land of Egypt," a silent film dubbed into the Yiddish language by Joseph Green, met with box-office success, he had decided to produce an entirely Yiddish feature film, and returned to hid native Poland to accomplish this task. Green's "Yiddle with His Fiddle" was the most successful Yiddish feature film of all time and by far the most popular of Green's productions. "Yiddle" became an overnight box-office sensation and more than covered Green's expenses even before opening in the United States. When the film premiered at the Ambassador Theater, Frank S. Nugent wrote in The New York Times: "It must be set down to her credit that, despite the fact that there is not a single thing in the whole bag of tricks emptied on the screen, Miss Picon puts so much infectious gayety, not forgetting the proper modicum of sadness, into the action that the result is genuine entertainment." In a review for Night and Day from July 29, 1937, British author and journalist Graham Greene wrote of the film: "a story which even the music seems to have the dignity and patina of age and race. An odd feeling of freedom pervades the film full of ugly people in bowler hats strumming in courtyards. Freedom even from the closer tyranny of a well-made script, as if the whole picture were an impromptu performance, like the stories in the "Decameron." Several film prints of "Yiddle" were shipped to Nazi Germany, where German Jews were not allowed to attend regular cinemas, and viewing was restricted to "members of the Jewish race." The only German premiere took place in the hall of the Judischer Kulturbund" on May 2, 1938, and then it ran in Jewish communities through the Nazi regime. The Nazis, in their attempts to obliterate Jewish culture in Germany attempted to destroy all prints of the film. A segment from the film was incorporated into the body of the German anti-Jewish hate film "The Eternal Jew" (1940) which became a celluloid blueprint for genocide during the Holocaust.

Jew Suess 1934

Producer: Michael Balcon Script: Lion Feuchtwanger (novel), Dorthy Farnum, A.R. Rawlingson Director: Lothar Mendes Cinematography: Bernard Knowles CAST: Conrad Veidt, Benita Hume, Frank Vosper, Sir Cedric Hardwick Music: Jack Beaver, Bretton Bryd, John Greenwood Production: Gaumont Release: October 4, 1934 105 min. B/W (color version available) sound English dialog.
British historical romantic drama film based on German author Lion Feuchtwanger's acclaimed 1925 literary work of the same title concerning the rise and fall of Josef Suess Oppenheimer, a Jewish financial advisor in the 18th century to Duke Karl Alexander of Württemberg. Unlike the Nazi anti-Semitic version ("Jud Suess," 1940) of Feuchtwanger's work produced during the Third Reich, Mendes' feature film was purposely intended to be sympathetic to the Jews, and is generally considered to be a faithful adaptation of Feuchtwanger's novel. It was hoped the historical analogy, condemning anti-Semitism in 1930 Germany, would be a successful means of evading the ban by the British censors on political topics in motion pictures at the time.

Scipio of Africa 1937

Producer: Vittorio Mussolini, Frederic Curiosi Script: Carmine Gallone, Camillo Mariani, Silvio Maurano Director: Carmine Gallone Cinematography: Ubaldo Arata, Anchise Brizzi CAST: Annibale Ninchi, Camillo Pilotto, Fosco Giachetti, Francesca Braggiotta Music: Idebrando Pizzetti Production: Consorzio Scipione l'Africano/Ente Nazionale Industrie Release: September 21, 1939 83 min. B/W sound Italian dialog.
Italian fascist historical propaganda epic film directed by Carmine Gallone about Roman general and statesman Scipio Africanus from the ancient time of his election as proconsul until his military defeat of Hannibal at the Battle of Zama. The expensive production received financial backing from Benito Mussolini's fascist regime and Il Duce's own son Vittorio Mussolini oversaw the production as producer. Prior to a premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 4, 1937, Benito Mussolini attended a personal screening of the film. On August 25th that same year, "Scipione Afircanus" received the Coppa Mussolini (Mussolini Cup) for Best Italian Film. Gallone's production was distributed in the United States by Esperia Film Distribution. The Hollywood publication Variety said: "undramatic and wooden" while Bosley Crowther, writing in The New York Times, stated that "there are moments in the film when one feels that it is not so much the noble days of Republican Rome that one is witnessing as the last act of "Aida." Time Magazine stated at the time: "It is also as spectacular a show as the movies have been since the Italian "Quo Vadis" first made the U.S. spectacle conscious.

The North Star 1943

Producer: Samuel Goldwyn, William Cameron Menzies Script: Lillian Hellman (play + script) Director: Lewis Milestone Cinematography: James Wong Howe CAST: Erich von Stroheim, Anne Baxter, Dana Andrews, Walter Brennan, Farley Granger Music: Aaron Copland Production: Samuel Goldwyn Productions Release: November 4, 1943 106 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American pro-resistance war film directed by Lewis Milestone featuring an all-star cast, including Erich von Stroheim, Anne Baxter, Dana Andrews, Walter Brennan, Farley Granger and others. The production was produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The anti-Nazi storyline concerned the resistance of Ukrainian villagers, through guerilla tactics, against the German invaders of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR). "The North Star" is considered by contemporary film critics and cinema historians as anti-Nazi propaganda at the height of W.W.II. After the war, the House Committee on Un-American Activities would later site "The North Star" as one of the three noted examples of pro-Soviet cinematic works produced by Hollywood, the other being Warner Bros.' "Mission to Moscow" (1943) and MGMs "Song of Russia" (1944). The extent to which "The North Star" incorporated official Soviet propaganda about collective farms prompted British anti-communist writer Robert Conquest, a member of the British Foreign Office's Information Research Dept. in the 1950s, to later write "a travesty great than could have been shown on Soviet screens to audiences used to lies, but experienced in to a degree requiring of least a minimum of restraint."

Blood on the Sun 1945

Producer: William Cagney Script: Garrett Fort, Lester Cole Director: Frank Lloyd Cinematography: Theodor Sparkuhl CAST: James Cagney, Silvia Sidney, Porter Hall Music: Miklos Rozsa Production: William Cagney Productions Release: June 28, 1945 94 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American anti-Japanese espionage propaganda war film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring James Cagney, Silvia Sidney and Porter Hall. This obvious propaganda film is based on the fictional account behind the Tanaka Memorial document which was an alleged Japanese strategic planning document from 1927 in which Japanese Prime Minister Baron Tanaka Gilchi had laid out a strategy to take over the world for Emperor Hirohito. "Blood on the Sun" won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction for a Black and White Film in 1945.

Four Steps in the Clouds 1942

Producer: Giuseppe Amato Script: Giuseppe Amato (co-writer), Alessandro Blasetti, Aido De Bendetti, Piero Tellini, Cesare Zavatinni Director: Alessandro Blasetti Cinematography: Vaclav Vich CAST: Gino Cervi, Adriana Benetti, Guiditta Rissone, Carlo Romano Music: Alessandro Cicognini Production: Societa Italiania Cines 87 min. B/W sound Italian dialog.
Italian comedy-drama film directed and co-written by Alessandro Blasetti, starring Gino Cervi, Adriana Benetti, Guiditta Rissone, Carlo Romano and others. The story concerns married man who agrees to act as the husband of a young pregnant woman who has been abandoned by her boyfriend. "Four Steps in the Clouds" was produced during the fascist era.

Alice in Wonderland 1931

Producer: Hugo Maienthau Script: Lewis Carroll (novel), John E. Goodson (adaptation), Ashley Ayer Miller (script) Director: Bud Pollard Cinematography: Charles Levine CAST: Ruth Gilbert, Leslie T. King, Ralph Hertz, Vie Quinn Production: Metropolitain Studios Relese: September 30, 1931 22 min. B/W silent w/music score English Inter-titles.
American silent independently produced Pre-Code fantasy film based on Lewis Carroll's 1865 novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," directed by Bud Pollard filmed entirely in Fort Lee, NJ in 1931. This was originally designed as the first sound version of the timeless literary classic but ended up having to be a "silent" production due to an inferior dialogue soundtrack so inter-titles were added and a new music score. Cinema historians and film scholars consider Polland's film to be a lost classic.

Tomfoolery 1936

Producer: Fritz Klotsch Script: Jochen Huth, Willi Forst Director: Willi Forst Cinematography: Werner Bohne, Theodore J. Pauie CAST: Renate Mueller, Jenny Jugo, Anton Walbrook, Heinz Ruehmann Music: Peter Kreuder Production: Cine-Allianz Release: June 12, 1936 96 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German comedy film directed by Willi Forst and starring Renate Mueller, Jenny Jugo, Anton Walbrook, Heinz Ruehmann and others. The story concerns a pair of friends who manage to fall in love with the same woman, before realizing they are already in love with two other women. Racing to his romantic interest, one of the friends essayed by Heinz Ruehmann takes by chance part in the Monaco Grand Prix.

Old Heart Goes on a Journey 1938

Producer: Georg Witt Script/Director: Carl Junghans Cinematography: Hebert Koerner CAST: Eugen Kloepfer, Malay Delschaft, Helga Marold, Gerhard Bienert Music: Werner Egk Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: 1938 (1947) 86 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German light-hearted romantic film written and directed by Carl Junghans and starring Eugen Kloepfer, Malay Delschaft, Helga Marold, Gerhard Bienert and others. The film was based on the novel of the same title by Hans Fallada (1936) and adpated for the German screen by Carl Junghans. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels banned the film in 1938 due to the fact that Carl Junghans had not adhered to the approved version of the screenplay. The production was not released until 1947 in West Germany.

Anna and Elisabeth 1933

Producer: Hermann Ephraim, Frank Wisbar Script: Gina Fink, Frank Wisbar Director: Frank Wisbar Cinematography: Franz Weihmayr CAST: Dorthea Wieck, Hertha Thiele, Mathias Wieman, Maria Warick Music: Paul Dessau Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH 74 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German drama film directed by Frank Wisar and starring Dorthea Wieck, Hertha Thiele, Mathias Wieman, Maria Warick and others. The story concerns a wealthy young aristocratic woman who uses a wheelchair, hears of Anna, a young peasant girl who is apparently able to work miracles. She brings the reluctant village girl to live with her, and appears to have been cured simply through her sheer belief in Anna's powers. However, an attempt to demonstrate Anna's skills to the public fails, and in her despair, Elisabeth throws herself off a cliff while Anna returns to her simple village life.

Uproar in Damascus 1939

Producer: Otto Lehmann Script: Jacob Geis, Phillip Lothar Mayring, Herbert Tjadens Director: Gustav Ucicky Cinematography: Paul Rischke, Oskar Schnirch CAST: Brigitte Horney, Joachim Gottschalk, Hans Nielsen, Paul Otto Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH 93 min. Color sound German dialog.
German action-thriller film directed by Gustav Ucicky and starring Brigitte Horney, Joahim Gottschalk, Hans Nielsen, Paul Otto and others. The story is set during W.W.I. with German Reichswehr (Army) troops battling the Arab Revolt led by T.E. Lawrence and the British Army.

Bel Ami or the Tale of a Scoundrel 1939

Producer/Script (co-writer)/Director: Willi Forst Script (additional writers): Guy de Maupassant (novel), Axel Eggebregt Cinematography: Theodore J. Pahle CAST: Willi Forst, Olga Chekhova, Hilfe Hildebrandt, Ilse Werner Music: Theo Mackeben Production: Forst-Films/Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH 96 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German musical film produced, co-written and directed by Willi Forst for his own production company Forst-Films and starring Forst, Olga Chekhova, Hilde Hildebrandt, Ilse Werner and others. Forst's production is loosely based on Guy de Maupassant's 1885 novel of the same title, but with considerable changes for the film's plotline. "Bel Ami" was produced on the eve of the outbreak of W.W.II., at the time when Nazi Germany was planning on waging war against France. The production was controlled by Joseph Goebbels' Ministry of Propaganda. While the film was not conceived as an outright propaganda film, the theme of corruption in French society and politics - primarily present in the original Maupassant novel had been well suited to the thrust of Nazi propaganda at the same time the film was being produced.

Berlin Alexanderplatz 1931

Producers: Arnold Pressburger, William A. Szekeley Script: Alfred Doeblin (novel), Karlheinz Martin, Hans Wilhelm Director: Phil Jutzi Cinematography: Nicholas Farkus, Erich Giese CAST: Heinrich George, Maria Bard, Bernhard Minetti, Albert Florath, Kaethe Haack Music: Allan Gray Production: Cine-Allianz-Tonfilm /Sued-Film 90 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German social drama film directed by Phil Jutzi for Cine-Allianc-Tonfilm and starring Heinrich George, Maria Bard, Bernhard Minetti, Albert Florath, Kaethe Haack and others. The production was adapted from the 1929 novel by Alfred Doeblin. who also penned the screenplay. The social drama concerned a blue collar German Berlin worker (and small-time criminal) recently released from prison finds himself being drawn into the Berlin underworld of the twenties after his prostitute-lover is found murdered. "Berlin Alexanderplatz" is regarded as a cinematic masterpiece of the Weimarian cinema.

Court Theatre 1936

Producer/Script (co-writer)/Director: Willi Forst Script (additional writer): Jochen Huth Cinematography: Theodore J. Pahle CAST: Werner Krauss, Carl Esmond, Hortense Raky, Olga Chekhova Music: Peter Kreuder Production: Willi Forst-filmproduktion/Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH Release: November 13, 1936 102 min. sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
Austrian drama film produced, co-written and directed by Willi Forst for his own production company Forst-Filmproduktion starring Werner Krauss, Carl Esmond, Hortense Raky, Olga Chekhova and others. Although produced during the Third Reich in 1936, the film contains no propaganda.

City of the Dead aka Horror Hotel 1960

Producer: Seymour S. Dorner, Max Rosenberg, Millton Subotsky, Donald Taylor Director: John Liewellyn Moxey Cinematography: Desmond Dickenson CAST: Christopher Lee, Patrica Jessel, Dennis Lotis, Betta St. John Music: Douglas Gamley, Ken Jones Production: Vulcan/British Lion 78 min. Color sound English dialog.
British supernatural horror film directed by John Liewellyn Moxey and starring Christopher Lee, Patricia Jessel, Dennis Lotis, Betta St. John and others The story concerns a young New England student doing a paper on the history of witchcraft visits a secluded Massachusetts village only to discover the original 17th century inhabitants are still very much part of a diabolical satanic coven bent on destructive bloodlust of humankind. A cult classic.

Colonel Tateo Kato's Flying Squadron 1944

Producer: Toho Script (co-writer)/Director: Kajiro Yamamoto Additional Script: Kenta Yamazaki Cinematography: Akira Mimura CAST: Susumu Fujita, Minoru Takada, Denjiro Okochi, Takashi Shimura Music: Seiichi Suzuki Production: Toho 111 min. B/W sound Japanese dialog w/English subtitles.
Japanese war propaganda feature film co-written and directed by Kajiro Yamamoto and starring Susumu Fujita, Minoru Takada, denjiro Okachi, Takashi Shimuro and others. The story concerns the military missions of an imperial Japanese air combat squadron serving the empire of Japan. This film introduced sophisticated special effects featured for the first time directed by Eji Tsuburaya, best known for his cinematic work on the "Godzilla" and "Ultraman" film franchises. This film is regarded as a Japanese militarist propaganda feature film.

Back Then 1943

Producer: Walter Botz Script: Bert Roth, Peter Groll, Rolf Hansen Director: Rolf Hansen Cinematography: Franz Weihmayr CAST: Zarah Leander, Hans Stuewe, Rossano Brazzi, Jutta von Alpen Music: Ralph Benatsky, Lothar Bruhne Production: Ufa Release: March 3, 1943 94 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German drama feature film co-written and directed by Rolf Hansen and starring Zarah Leander, Hans Stuewe, Rossana Brazzi, Jutta von Alpen and others. This film drama was produced during the Third Reich but contains no propaganda.

The Mountain Calls 1938

Producer: Heinrich Schier Script: carl Haensel, Richard Billinger, Hanns Sassmann, Luis Trecker Director: Luis Trencker Cinematographer: Sepp Allgeier, Albert Benitz, Otto Martini, Walter Riml, Klaus von Rautenfeld CAST: Luis Trencker, Heidemarie Hatheyer, Peter Eisholz, Herbert Dirmoser Music: Giuseppe Beece Production: Trencker-Film Release: January 6, 1938 95 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German "mountain" adventure feature film co-written and directed by Luis Trencker for his own production company Trencker-Film. The stylish production takes as its subject matter the struggle between Edward Whymper (English mountaineer and explorer) and Jean-Antoine Carrel (Italian mountain climber and guide) for the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. "The Mountain Calls" is one of two 1938 Trencker remakes of "Struggle for the Matterhorn" (Der Kampf ums Matterhorn) in which Trencker acted in the 1928 silent version, the other being the British "The Challenge" (1936). Although produced during the Third Reich, this film does not contain propaganda.

A Vilna Legend - The Rabbi's Power 1933

Producer/dDrector: George Roland Script: Jacob Mestel Commentator: Joseph Buloff Cinematography: Chas Handley Art Director: Joseph Crain CAST: Jacob Mestel, L. Kodeson, B. Fishbein, Ben Basenko , Ida Kaminska, Siegmund Turkoff Production: Leo-Forbert Release: 1933 60 min. B/W sound Yiddish dialog w/English subtitles.
Yiddish language film classic produced and directed by George Roland starring Jacob Mestel, L. Kodeson, . Fishbein, Ben Basenko, Ida Kaminska, Siegmund Turkoff and others. This rare Yiddish language film is a cinematic precursor to the 1937 classic "Dybbuk," featuring the same classic tale of frustrated love and destiny and the breaking fulfillment of sacred vows. A Yiddish cultural classic film.

Rules of the Game 1939

Producer: Claude Renoir Script: Carl Koch, Claude Renoir Director: Claude Renoir Cinematography: Jean Bachelet CAST: Nora Gregor, Paulette Dubost, Marcel Dalio Music: Roger Desormiere, Joseph Kosma Production: Nouvelle Edition Francaise Release: July 7, 1939 110 min. B/W sound French w/English subtitles.
French satirical comedy drama film directed by Jean Renoir and starring Nora Gregor, Paulette Dubost, Marcel Dalio and others. Renoir's cinematic depiction of the wise, mournful Octave anchors the fatalistic mood of this pensive comedy of manners. "Rules of the Game" depicts members of upper class French society and their servants just before the outbreak of W.W.II., revealing their moral callousness on the eve of destruction. Renoir's film is regarded as a cinematic masterpiece by contemporary film historians and scholars.

High School 1934

Producer: Reinhold Meisner Script: Heinrich Oberlaender Director: Erich Engel Cinematography: Bruno Mondi CAST: Rudolf Forster, Angela Salloker Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: ABC-Film Release: December 31, 1934 90 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
Austrian drama film directed by Erich Engel and starring Rudolf Forster and Angela Salloker. "High School" is an outstanding example of the genre of the "Vienna Film," Engel's bittersweet love story is set in the Austrian officer classes turned out to be one of the most successful German language releases of 1935.

The Fledermaus 1946

Producer: Alf Teichs, Viktor von Struewe Script: Richard Genee (libretto), Karl Haffner (libretto), Ernst Marisschka Director: Geza von Bolvary Cinematography: Willy Winterstein CAST: Willy Fritsch, Marte Harell, Johannes Heesters, Siegfried Breuer Music: Johann Strauss (operetta), Allois Melichar Production: Terra-Filmkunst/DEFA Release: August 16, 1946 100 min. Color sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
East German epic operetta film directed by Geza von Bolvary and starring Willy Fritsch, Marte Harell, Johannes Heesters, Siegfried Breuer and others. The lavish Sovcolor production was based on Austrian composer Johann Strauss's 1874 work of the same title. The film had been originally engaged in production with Terra-Filmkunst during the war in 1945, which had been one of the major movie studios used by the Nazis during the Third Reich. Although the elaborate production had begun in 1944, "The Fledermaus" was not released until 1946 when it was distributed by the communist-controlled DEFA (formally Ufa) film studios in the Soviet Zone of East Germany.

The Unknown 1936

Producer/Script (co-wrter)/Director: Frank Wisbar Additional literary adaptation: Reinhold Conrad Muschler (novel) Cinematography: Werner Bohne, Alexander von Lagorio CAST: Sybille Schmitz, Joan Galland, Ilse Abel, Edwin Juergensen Music: Hans-Otto Borgmann, Herbert Windt Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: November 12, 1936 92 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German drama film produced, co-written and directed by Frank Wisbar for Terra-Filmkunst and starring Sybille Schmitz, Joan Galland, Ilse Abel, Edwin Juergensen and others. The story had been inspired by "The Unknown Woman of the Seine" (1900) and based on a novel of the same title by Reinhold Conrad Muschler.

Dear Stupid Mom 1934

Producer: Otto Ernst Lubitz Script: Walter Wassermann Director: Carl Boese Cinematography: Franz Koch CAST: Leopold Konstantin, Luise Ullrich, Hermann Thimig, Gustav Waldau Music: Hans Carste Production: Atalanta-Film Release: March 1, 1935 90 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film directed by Carl Boese for Atalanta-Film starring Leopold Konstantin, Luise Ullrich, Hermann Thimig, Gustav Waldau and others. The story concerned a youngster who takes over an upmarket hotel that the mother has been running into the ground and turns it into a successful enterprise.

1984 (1954)

Producer/Director: Rudolph Cartier Script: Nigel Kneale CAST: Peter Cushing, Andre Morell, Donald Pleasance, Richard Williams (commentator) Music: John Hotchkis Production: BBC-TV Release; 1954 107 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British television adaptation of George Orwell's 1949 novel of the same title as produced and directed by Rudolph Cartier, originally broadcast on BBC Television in December 1954. The production starred British cinema greats Peter Cushing, Andre Morell, Donald Pleasance and others. The production proved to be hugely controversial with serious questions asked in Parliament and many viewer complaints over its supposed subversive nature and horrific content.

Hollywood Funtime: The Havana-Madrid Show 1941

Producer: Minoeo Prods. CAST: Carlos & Zerda Music: Maya's Pan-American Orchestra Production: Minoeo Productions Release: 1941 48 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American variety program film produced by Minoeo Productions featuring the Havana-Madrid Show showcasing Maya's Pan-American Orchestra.

S.O.S. Iceberg 1933

Producer: Carl Laemmle, Paul Kohner Script: Tom Reed Director: Dr. Arnold Fanck, Tay Garnett (U.S. version) Cinematography: Richard Angst, Hans Schneeberger CAST: Leni Riefenstahl, Rod La Rocque, Sepp Rist, Ernst Udet, Walter Riml Music: Paul Dessau Production: Deutsche Universal-Film AG, Universal Pictures Release: September 22, 1933 76 min. B/W sound English dialog version..
German/American pre-Code mountain adventure film produced by Carl Laemmle and directed by Dr. Arnold Fanck for Deutsche Universal/Universal Pictures and starring Leni Riefenstahl, Rod La Rocque, Sepp Rist, Ernst Udet, Walter Riml and others. The storyline of the production follows the real-life account of Alfred Lothar Wegener's polar expedition of 1929-1930. Although produced during the Third Reich, this film contains no propaganda.

The Birds of Rhiannon 1930

Producer/:Script/Director: Waldemar Young Production: Bohemian Grove Productions 16 min. B/W sound silent w/music score Inter-titles.
American silent Arthurian play produced, written and directed by Waldemar Young for Bohemian Grove Play Productions in 1930.

1860 (1934)

Producer/Script (co-writer): Emilio Cecchi Script (additional writers): Gino Mazzuchi, Alessandro Blasetti, Emilio Cecchi Director: Alessandro Blasetti Cinematography: Anchise Brizzi, Giulio De Luca CAST: Giuseppe Gulino, Aida Bella, Gianfranco Giachetti, Mario Ferrari Music: Nino Medin Production: Societa Italiana Cines Release: April 2, 1934 75 min. B/W sound Italian dialog.
Italian historical fascist propaganda film produced, co-written and directed by Alessandro Blasetti starring Giuseppe Gulina, Aida Bella, Gianfranco Giachetti, Maria Ferrari and others. Blasetti's historical production presages Italian neorealism in that it was filmed mainly on location while some scenes were shot at the Cines Studios in Rome. At the time most contemporaneous historical film epics used a well-known movie star to focus on grand historical characters. "1860" focuses on a character who no one knows or will ever know, a true patriot riding to get the assistance of Giuseppe Garabaldi.

Boycott 1930

Producer/Script (co-writer)/Director: Robert Land Script: Arnold Ulitz (novel), Alfred Schirokauer, Karl Wilczynski, Eugen Kuerschner Cinematography: Franz Koch CAST: Lil Dagover, Theodor Loos, Max Schreck, Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur Music: Franz Grothe, Alexander Laszlo Production: Muenchener Lichtspielkunst Release: December 15, 1930 75 min. German dialog w/English subtitles.
German drama film produced, co-written and directed by Robert Land for Muenchener Lichtspiel starring Lil Dagover, Theodor Loos, Max Schreck, Ernst Stahl- Nachbaur and others . The story concerns young German pupils of a posh Berlin gymnasium in their final term and their class instructor teaching them about tolerance and humanism, a lesson that would be badly needed three years later during the birth of the Third Reich. A Weimarian period cinematic classic.

A Gentleman for Hire 1930

Producer: Julius Heimann Script: Walter Reisch Director: Geza von Bolvary Cinematography: Willy Goldberger CAST: Willi Forst, Paul Hoerbiger, Else Elster, Trude Lieske Music: Robert Stolz Production: Super-Film Release: December 19, 1930 80 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German musical comedy film directed by Geza von Bolvary starrinf Willi Forst, Paul Hoerbiger, Else Elster, Trude Liescke and others. One of the outstanding, entertaining German musical cinematic classics of the Weimarian period.

Darling of the Gods 1930

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Hans Mueller (play), Robert Liebmann, Richard Rillo Director: Hans Schwarz Cinematography: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Guenther Rittau CAST: Emil Jannings, Renate Mueller, Olga Chekhova, Eduard von Winterstein Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Ufa Release: October 13, 1930 95 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German musical drama film directed by Hanns Schwarz starring Emil Jannings, Renate Mueller, Olga Chekhova, Eduard von Winterstein and others. The story was based on the play "Die Tokaier" by Hans Mueller. Schwarz's uplifting, lighthearted production is an example of cinematic musical films produced during the heyday of the Weimar Republic.

The Three at the Filling Station 1930

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Franz Schultz, Paul Frank Director: Wilhelm Thiele Cinematography: Franz Planer CAST: Lillian Harvey, Willy Fritsch, Fritz Kampers, Kurt Gerron Music: Werner Richard Heymann Production: Ufa Release: 1930 90 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German operetta film directed by Wilhelm Thiele starring Lillian Harvey, Willy Fritsch, Fritz Kampers, Kurt Gerron and others. Thiele's lighthearted musical is typical of the style of filmmaking during the Weimarian period.

Burglars 1930

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Robert Liebmann, Louis Vernuil (play) Director: Hanns Schwarz Cinematography: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Guenther Rittau CAST: Lillian Harvey, Willy Fritsch, Heinz Ruehmann, Ralph Arthur Roberts Music: Friedrich Hollaender, Franz Waxman Production: Ufa Release: December 16, 1930 93 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German musical comedy film directed by Hanns Schwarz starring Lillian Harvey, Willy Fritsch, Heinz Ruehmann, Ralph Arthur Roberts and others. "Burglars" is based on the French play "Guignol le cambrioleur" by Louis Verneuil, who also penned the screenplay. One of Weimar Germany's enchanted musical comedy productions.

The Fire at the Opera House 1930

Producer/Director: Carl Froelich Script: Walter Reisch, Walter Supper Cinematography: Reimar Kuntze, Fritz Arno Wagner CAST: Gustav Froehlich, Gustaf Gruendgens, Alexa Engstrom, Hans Peppier Music: Hanson Milde-Meissner Production: Carl Froelich-Film Release: October 14, 1930 85 min. German dialog w/English subtitles.
German drama film produced and directed by Carl Froelich for his own company starring Gustac Froehlich, Gustaf Grundgens, Alexa Engstrom, Hans Peppier and others.

The Song is Ended 1930

Producer: Julius Haimann Script: Walter Reisch Director: Geza von Bolvary Cinematography: Willy Godberger CAST: Liane Haid, Willi Forst, Margarete Schiegel, Otto Wallburg Music: Robert Stolz Production: Super-Film Release: October 7, 1930 95 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German romantic musical film directed by Geza von Bolvary starring Liane Haid, Willi Forst, Margarete Schiegel, Otto Wallburg and others. One of the bittersweet, lighthearted romantic musicals produced during the Weimarian period.

The Theft of the Mona Lisa 1931

Producer: Julius Haimann Script: Walter Reisch Director: Geza von Bolvary Cinematography: Willy Goldberger CAST: Trude von Molo, Willi Forst, Gustaf Gruendgens, Fritz Odemar, Paul Kemp Music: Robert Stolz Production: Super-Film Release: August 25, 1931 82 min. B/W German dialog.
German drama film directed by Geza von Bolvary starring Trude von Molo, Willi Forst, Gustaf Gruendgens, Fritz Odemar, Paul Kemp and others. This film was based on a true account from 1911.

No More Love 1931

Producer: Noe Bloch, Arnold Pressbuerger, Gregor Rabinovich Script: Irma von Cube, Anatole Litvak, Felix Jackson, Curt J. Braun, Felix Falkenstein Director: Anatole Litvak Cinematography: Robert Baberske, Franz Planer CAST: Lillian Harvey, Harry Liedtke, Felix Bressart, Margo Lion Music: Mischa Spoilansky Production: Bloch-Rabinovich-Produktion Release: July 27, 1931 76 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German musical comedy film directed by Anatole Litvak starring Lillian Harvey, Harry Liedtke, Felix Bressart, Margo Lion and others. The story was based on Julius Berstl's novel "Dover-Calais." One of the extremely popular musical comedies of the Weimarian period.

Inquest 1931

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Max Alsberg (play), Ernst Hesse (play), Robert Liebmann, Hans Mueller, Robert Siodmak Director: Robert Siodmak Cinematography: Otto Baecker, Konstantin Irmen-Tschet CAST: Albert Bassermann, Gustav Froehlich, Hans Brausewetter, Charlotte Ander Production: Ufa Release: April 20, 1931 86 min. B/W sound German dialog w/German subtitles.
German crime drama co-written and directed by Robert Siodmak starring Albert Bassermann, Gustav Froehlich, Hans Brausewetter, Charlotte Ander and others. Siodmak's production was a precursor to the film noir entertainment genre which had been based on a 1927 play by Max Alsberg and Ernst Hesse. The story concerned a prostitute whom is murdered in a cheap Berlin boarding house. An investigating judge suspects that the murderer is in reality her boyfriend, unaware that his own son and daughter are also mixed up in the criminal case.

Bombs on Monte Carlo 1931

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Jeno Heltal, Hans Mueller, Franz Schultz Director: Hanns Schwarz Cinematography: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Guenther Rittau CAST: Hans Albers, Heinz Ruehmann, Ida Wuest, Kurt Gerron, Peter Lorre Music: Werner R. Heymann Production: Ufa Release: August 31, 1931 100 min. B/W sound German dialog..
German musical comedy directed by Hanns Schwarz starring Hans Albers, Heinz Ruehamnn, Ida Wuest, Kurt Gerron and others. The story is based on the 1930 novel "Bomben auf Monte Carlo" by Fritz Reck. The production is known for the German a capella band Comedian Harmonists, who perform the well-known song "Das ist die Liebe der Matrossen."

The Virtuous Sinner 1931

Producer: Arnold Pressburger Script: Valentin Katanev (novel), Alfred Polgar (play), Fritz Kortner Director: Fritz Kortner Cinematography: Guenther Krampf CAST: Max Pallenberg, Heinz Ruehmann, Dolly Haas, Josefine Dora Music: Nicholas Brodszky Production: Cine-Allianz-Tonfilm Release: October 22, 1931 87 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film co-written and directed by Fritz Kortner starring Max Pallenberg, Heinz Ruehmann, Dolly Haas, Josephine Dora and others. The production was based on the play "The Embezzlers" by Valentin Katanev which in turn was based on a novel penned by the same author. The story concerns Pichler and Wittek, two junior employees of a bank from a provincial Austrian village, journey to Vienna, where they become accidentally embroiled in their employer's scheme to embezzle the bank's funds and flee with his mistress. Events manage to sort themselves out and the dishonest banker is arrested, and Pichler is appointed to replace him while Wittek is able to marry Pichler's daughter Hedwig.

Jim, the Man with the Scar aka The Man who Seeks His Killer 1931

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Ludwig Hirschfeld, Curt Siodmak, Billie Wilder Director: Curt Siodmak Cinematography: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Otto Baecker CAST:Heinz Ruehmann, Lien Deyers, Raimund Jamitschek, Hans Leibelt Music: Friedrich Hollander Production: Ufa Release: 1931 50 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film co-written and directed by Curt Siodmak starring Heinz Ruehmann, Lien Deyers, Raimund Jamitschek, Hans Leibelt and others. This film was banned by order of Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels on October 1, 1937.

Love Command 1931

Producer: Julius Haimann Script: Fritz Gruenbaum, Roda Roda Director: Geza von Bolvary Cinematography: Willy Goldberger CAST: Dolly Haas, Gustav Froehlich, Anton Pointier, Walter Erdhofer Music: Robert Stolz Production: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH Release: 1931 100 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German romantic comedy directed by Gez von Bolvary starring Dolly Haas, Gustav Froehlich, Anton Pointier, Walter Erdhof and others. The story is set in the time of the Austro-Hungarian empire when a young girl substitutes her brother in a prestigious military academy.

Ariane 1931

Producer: Seymour Nebenzahl, Ernst Wolff Script: Paul Czinner, Carl Mayer Director: Paul Czinner Cinematography: Adolf Schlassy CAST: Elisabeth Bergner, Rudolf Forster, Theodor Loos, Annemarie Steinsieck Music: Andre Roubaud Production: Nero-Film AG Release: February 20, 1931 79 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German drama film co-written and directed by Paul Czinner starring Elisabeth Bergner, Rudolf Forster, Theodor Loos, Annemarie Steinsieck and others. The production is an adaptation of the 1920 French novel of the same title by Claude Anet. "Ariane" was the original inspiration for the 1957 Billy Wilder film "Love in the Afternoon." Billy Wilder regarded "Ariane" as "touching and funny."

The Trunks of Mr. O.F. 1931

Producer: Mark Asarow, Hans Conradi, Ernst Nolle Script: Alexis Granowsky, Hans Homberg, Leo Lania Director: Alexis Gronowsky Cinematography: Heinrich Balasch, Reimar Kuntze CAST: Alfred Abel, Peter Lorre, Harold Paulsen, Ludwig Stossel, Hedy Lamar Music: Karol Rathaus, Kurt Schroeder Production: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH Release: December 2, 1931 75 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film co-written and directed by Alexis Granowsky starring Alfred Abel, Peter Lorre, Harold Paulsen, Ludwig Stossel, Hedy Lamar and others. The story concerned thirteen suitcases arrive at a hotel in a small village, labeled "As belonging to the mysterious Mr. O.F.," provoking much curiosity and speculation.

The Ugly Girl 1933

Producer: Conrad Flockner Script (co-writer)/Director: Henry Kosterlitz Script (co-writer): Felix Joachimson Cinematography: Robert Baberske CAST: Dolly Haas, Max Hansen, Otto Wallburg, Genia Nikolaieva Music: Otto S. Fenes Production: Avanti-Film Release: September 8, 1933 75 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film co-written and directed by Henry Kosterlitz starring Dolly Haas, Max Hansen, Otto Wallburg, Genia Nikolaieva and others. This film was produced during the transition from the Weimar Republic to Nazi Germany, and had its Reich premiere in September that same year. The premiere of the film was greeted with riots led by Nazi brown-shirts protesting the male lead, Max Hansen, who was supposedly "too Jewish." The producton's representation of "the ugly girl" as an outsider has been described by contemporary cinema critics as "a metaphorical way to explore the outsider existence of the Jews." "The Ugly Girl" was a particular target of the Nazis at the time due to its Jewish characterization and Propaganda Minister Goebbles banned the film following a brief release due to the general reaction by the German moviegoing public at the time.

Tugboat M17 1933

Producers/Direction: Werner Hochbaum, Heinrich George Script: Willy Doll Cinematography: A.G. Weitzenberg CAST: Heinrich George, Bertha Drews, Joachim Steubel, Betty Amann Music: Will Meisel, Alex Stone Production: Orbis-Film Release: April 19, 1933 75 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German drama film produced and directed by Werner Hochbaum and Heinrich George starring George, Bertha Drews, Joachim Steubel, Betty Amann and others. The story concerns average life on a German tug boat on the country's waterways in the vicinity of Berlin.

Crimson Romance 1934

Producer: Nat Levine Script: Milton Krims, Doris Schroeder, Al Martin, Sherman L. Lowe Director: David Howard Cinematography: Ernest Miller CAST: Erich von Stroheim, Ben Lyon, James Bush, Jason Robards, Sr. Production: Mascot Pictures Release: October 12, 1934 60 min. B.W sound English dialog.
American romantic drama directed by David Howard for Mascot Pictures and starring Erich von Stroheim, Ben Lyon, James Bush, Jason Robards, Sr. and others. The story concerned two civilian pilots who volunteer for air service with the German Luftstreikkraefte (Air Strike Force) during W.W.I.

The Student of Prague 1935

Producer/Script (co-writer)/Director: Arthur Robinson Script (co-writers): Hanns Heinz Ewers, Henrik Galeen, Hans Kyser Cinematography: Bruno Mondi CAST: Anton Walbrook, Theodor Loos, Dorthea Wieck, Erich Fiedler Music: Theo Mackeben Production: Cine-Allianz Release: December 10, 1935 75 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German horror film produced, co-written and directed by Arthur Robinson starring Anton Walbrook, Theodor Loos, Dorthea Wieck, Erich Fiedler and others. The story is based on the eponymous novel by Hanns Heinz Ewers, which had previously been adapted into several celebrated silent classics (available from FILMMUSEUM) on two separate occasions. Though the first two German screen versions had been praised by the-then German cinema critics during the silent era, the Nazi era version was not as well received as its predecessors. Writing for "The Spectator" in 1936, Graham Greene characterized Robinson's production as "dull and a curiosity, a relic of the Classical German film of silent days." Negatively comparing the 1935 production to Henrik Galeen's 1926 version, Greene found that the story was "less believable and the acting less memorable." In favor of the Robinson's 1935 film, Greene noted "one can say at any rate that it is on the right side."

Ferryman Maria 1936

Producer: Eberhard Schmidt Script: Frank Wisbar, Hans-Juergen Nierentz Director: Frank Wisbar Cinematography: Franz Weihmayr CAST: Sybille Schmitz, Aribert Moog, Peter Voss, Karl Platen Music: Herbert Windt Production: Pallas-Film Release: January 7, 1936 80 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German supernatural film co-written and directed by Frank Wisbar starring Sybille Schmitz, Aribert Moog, Peter Voss, Karl Platen and others. Wisbar's eerie production had its official Reich premiere in Hildesheim on January 7, 1936. The Nazis had changed film censorship standards in 1934. Propaganda Minister Goebbels, when considering nominating "Ferryman Maria" for an award dismissed Wisbar's production as "an experiment, but not a good one.," although Goebbels did honor the film with a special accolade for "artistic value."

Lumpacivagabundus 1936

Producer: Heinrich Haas Script: Max Wallner Director: Geza von Bolvary Cinematography: Werner Brandes CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Paul Hoerbiger, Hans Holt, Hilde Krahl Music: Hans Lang Production: Styria-Film Release: 1936 85 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian film comedy film directed by Geza von Bolvary starring Heinz Ruehmann, Paul Hoerbiger, Hans Holt, Hilde Krahl and others. The comedy film is based on the play "The Evil Spirit of Lumpacivagabundus" by Johann Nestroy. One of the memorable comedies produced in Austria during the 1930s.

The Man Who was Sherlock Holmes 1937

Producer: Alfred Greven Script: Karl Hartl, Robert Adolf Stemmle Director: Karl Hartl Cinematography: Fritz Arno Wagner CAST: Hans Albers, Heinz Ruehmann, Hilde Weissner, Paul Bildt Music: Hans Sommer Production: Ufa Release: July 15, 1937 107 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy mystery film co-written and directed by Karl Hartl starring Hans Albers, Heinz Ruehmann, Hilde Weissner, Paul Bildt and others. The outrageous story concerned Detetcive Morris (Albers) and his wily assistant Mackey McMacpherson (Ruehmann), masquerading as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, investigate two attractive sisters, Mary and Jane Berry, and the theft and forgery of valuable postage stamps. This film was a popular cinematic attraction in Germany in 1937.

The Grand Illusion 1937

Producer: Albert Pinkvich, Frank Rollmer Script: Charles Spaak, Jean Renoir Director: Jean Renoir Cinematography: Christian Matras CAST: Jean Gabin, Marcel Dallo, Erich von Stroheim, Dita Parlo Music: Joseph Kosma Production: Realisation d-Art Cinematographie Release: June 8, 1937 114 min. B/W sound French dialog w/English subtitles.
French war drama film co-written and directed by Jean Renoir starring Jean Gabin, Marcel Dallo, Erich von Stroheim, Dita Parlo and others. The story concerns class relationships among a small group of French officers who are German POWs during W.W.I. and are plotting to escape. The title of "The Grand Illusion" is taken from the 1909 literary work of the same title by British journalist Norman Angell, which argued that war is futile because of the common economic interests of all European nations. Renoir's production is regarded by contemporary critics and film historians as one of the great cinematic masterpieces of French film and among one of the greatest motion pictures ever produced. Orson Welles regarded "The Grand Illusion" as one of the two motion pictures he would take with him "on the ark." Director Sidney Pollack chose Renoir's film as one of his ten favorite movies of all time."

The Step from the Past 1939

Producer: Gustaf Gruendgens, Eduard Kubat Script: Georg C. Klaren, Eckart von Naso Director: Gustaf Gruendgens Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Marriane Hoppe, Karl Ludwig Diehl, Paul Hartmann, Max Guelstorff Music: Mark Lothar Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: February 9, 1939 101 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical drama film co-written and directed by Gustaf Gruendgens starring Marriane Hoppe, Karl Ludwig Diehl, Paul Hartmann, Max Gulstorff and others. The production is an adaptation of Thedor Fontaine's 1896 novel "Effi Briest."

Kitty and the World Conference 1939

Producer/Script (co-writer)/Director: Helmut Kaeutner Script (additional writer): Stefan Donat (play) Cinematography: Willy Winterstein CAST: Hannelore Schroth, Fritz Odemar, Paul Hoerbiger, Maria Nicklisch Music: Michael Jary Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: August 25, 1939 97 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film produced, co-written and directed by Helmut Kaeutner starring Hannelore Schroth, Fritz Odemar, Paul Hoerbiger, Maria Nicklisch and others. The storyline is that of a screwball comedy set against the backdrop of an international peace conference. Following the outbreak of W.W.II. in 1939, Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels ordered the production withdrawn from theatrical exhibition as he felt it presented a too favored view of England.

I am Sebastian Ott 1939

Producer/Director: Willi Forst Script: Axel Eggebrecht, Eberhard Keindorff Cinematography: Carl Hoffmann, Karl Loeb CAST: Willi Forst, Gustav Diessel, Paul Hoerbiger, Trude Marien Music: Theo Mackeben Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: August 11, 1939 95 min. B/W sound German dialog .
German crime thriller produced, directed and starring Willi Forst with a cast of players, including, Gustav Diessel, Paul Hoerbiger, Trude Marien and others. The story concerns art fraud with Willi Forst essaying the dual role of twins, one honest and the other a criminal.

Operetta 1940

Producer: Karl Hartl, Willi Forst Script: Axel Eggebrecht, Willi Forst Director: Willi Forst Cinematography: Hans Schneeberger CAST: Willi Forst, Maria Holst, Paul Hoerbiger, Leo Slezak, Curt Juergens, Siegfried Breuer Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Wien-Film Release: December 20, 1940 110 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German musical extravaganza co-produced, written, directed and starring Willi Forst with a supporting cast, including, Maria Holst, Paul Hoerbiger, Leo Slezak, Curt Juergens, Siegfried Breuer and others. "Operetta" was produced by Wien-Film, a Vienna, Austria-based company set-up after Austria was absorbed into Nazi Germany following the 1938 "Anschluss" (annexation). This was the first motion picture Willi Forst's "Viennese Trilogy" followed with "Wienerblut" (1942) and "Wiener Maedeln" (1945) NOTE: (these titles are available from FILMMUSEUM.) "Operetta" portrays the life of Franz Jauner (1832-1900), a major musical figure in the city of Vienna. The production is classified as both an operetta film and a "Wiener Film."

Ride between the Fronts (Comrades) 1941

Producer: Hans Schweikart Director: Curt Prickler Script: R. Nicholas, K. Seifert, .E. Luethge, Emil Burri, Peter Francke Cinematography: Franz Koch CAST: Willy Birgel, Karin Hardt, Maria Nicklisch, Hedwig Wangel, Alexander Golliing Music: Alois Melichar Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: 1941 90 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical-militarist drama film directed by Curt Prickler starring Willy Birgel, Karin Hardt, Maria Nicklisch, Hedwig Wangel, Alexander Golling and others. The story concerns the suffering in the Kingdom of Prussia under the yoke of Napoleon.

Anuschka 1942

Producer: Gerhard Staab Script: Helmut Kaeutner, Axel Eggebrecht Director: Helmut Kaeutner Cinematography: Erich Claunigk CAST: Hilde Krahl, Siegfried Breuer, Friedl Czepa, Rolf Wanka Music: Bernhard Eichhorn Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: March 24, 1942 101 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical drama film co-written and directed by Helmut Kaeutner starring Hilde Krahl, Siegfried Breuer, Friedl Czepa, Rolf Wanka and others. The story is set in rural Moravia where a young woman by the name of Anuschka manages to lose the family farm when her father passes away heavily in debt. She accepts an offer to travel to Vienna for employment as a domestic maid to the surgeon named Felix von Hartberg who had previously treated her father following an accident. However, his wife Eva is having an affair and when he gives her husband's gift of an expensive lighter to her lover, she allows Anuschka to wrongly take the blame.

The Rainer Case 1942

Producer: Herbert Engelsing Script: Jacob Geis, Wilhelm Krug, Herbert Reinecker (novel), Paul Verhoeven Director: Paul Verhoeven Cinematography: Fritz Arno Wagner CAST: Luise Ullrich, Paul Hubschmid, Sepp Rist, Karl Schoenboeck Music: Norbert Schultze Production: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH Release: May 12, 1942 82 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German legal drama co-written and directed by Paul Verhoeven starring Luise Ullrich, Paul Hubschmid, Sepp Rist, Karl Schoenboeck and others. The story is set in November 1918 during the closing stages of W.W.I.

Melody of a Great City 1943

Producer: Heinrich Jonen Script: Geza von Cziffra, Maria von der Busche, Else Feldbinder, Wolfgang Leibeneiner Director: Wolfgang Leibeneiner Cinematography: Richard Angst, Walter Pindler CAST: Hilde Krahl, Werner Hinz, Karl Johns, Paul Henckels, Beppo Brem Music: Werner Bochmann, Michael Jary, Rudolf Perak Production: Berlin-Film Release: October 4, 1943 107 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German musical drama film co-written and directed by Wolfgang Leibeneiner for Berlin-Film starring Hilde Krahl, Werner Hinz, Karl Johns, Paul Henckels, Beppo Brem and others. The story concerned an ambitious young girl who moves to Berlin in order to seek employment as a press photographer in contemporary Nazi Germany. Although produced during the tainted period of the Third Reich, this film does not contain direct propaganda.

The Golden Spider 1943

Producer: Eduard Kubat Script: Erich Ebermayer, Erich Engels, Wolf Neumeister, Ulrich Vogel Director: Erich Engels Cinematography: E.W. Fiedler CAST: Franz Arzdorf, Wilhelm Bendow, Traute Bengen, Robert Burkner Music: Werner Eisbrenner Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: December 23, 1943 88 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German thriller film co-written and directed by Erich Engels for Terra-Filmkunst starring Franz Arzdorf, Wilhelm Bendow, Traute Bengen, Robert Burkner and others. Considered a wartime German thriller containing no propaganda.

The Black Robe 1944

Producer: Franz Vogel Script: Erich Ebermayer, Iva Raffay, Fritz Peter Buch Director: Fritz Peter Buch Cinematography: Kurt Schulz CAST: Lotte Koch, Richard Haeussler, Kirsten Heiberg, Peter Widmann Music: Werner Bochmann Production: Berlin-Film Release: September 4, 1944 107 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German courtroom drama film co-written and directed by Fritz Peter Buch for Berlin-Film starring Lotte Koch, Richard Haeussler, Kirsten Heiberg, Peter Widmann and others. The story concerns an ambitious public prosecutor who rejects her husband in order ot pursue her career, but is forced to change when her husband becomes caught up in an intense court case.

The Great Freedom Nr. 7 1944

Producer: Hans Tost Script: Helmut Kautner, Richard Nicholas Director: Helmut Kautner Cinematography: Werner Krien CAST: Hans Albers, Ilse Werner, Hans Soehnker, Hilde Hildebrandt, Gustav Knuth Music: Werner Eisbrenner Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: December 10, 1944 111 min. Color sound German dialog.
German musical drama film co-written and directed by Helmut Kautner for Terra-Filmkunst starring Hans Albers, Ilse Werner, Hans Soehnker, Hilde Hildebrandt, Gustav Knuth and others. The main title of the production was taken by a Hamburg street named "Grosse Freiheit" (Great Freedom), next to the Hansatic shipping city's Reeperbahn red-light district in the St. Pauli section. The story concerns the tale of the blond "singing sailor" Hannes Kroger (essayed by Hans Albers) who is employed by a St. Pauli nightclub located on Grosse Freiheit Street Nr. 7 and manages to fall in love with an attractive young girl essayed by Ilse Werner. But Kroger acts too slowly and she falls in love with his rival Wilhelm (Hans Soehnker) so Hannes returns to sea once again. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels was extremely dissatisfied with "The Great Freedom Nr. 7," and demanded many countless changes to make the production more "German," for instance by renaming the lead role from Jonny to Hannes. Following an entire year of re-editing, Goebbels ended up banning the film anyway on December 12, 1944, and was only exhibited outside of Germany proper, with the official Reich premiere on December 15, 1944 in Nazi-occupied Prague. Kautner's color film remained banned during the Third Reich, opening on September 6, 1945 at Berlin's Filmbuehne Vienna following the victory of the Allies.

In Flagranti 1944

Producer/Director: Hans Schweikart Script: Ernst Marischka, Hans Schweikart Director: Hans Schweikart Cinematography: Franz Koch CAST: Ferdinand Marian, Margot Hielscher, Oskar Sima, Fritz Kampers Music: Peter Kreuder Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: January 31, 1944 85 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German crime film produced, co-written and directed by Hans Schweikart for Bavaria-Film starring Ferdinand Marian, Margot Hielscher, Oskar Sima, Fritz Kampers and others. The story concerns a rookie police detective's first case is to observe an engineer, but she behaves so clumsily in her job, that she is mistaken for a thief and con artist.

Seven Letters 1944

Producer/Director: Vladimir Slavinsky Script: Eberhard Keindorff, W. Ulrici Cinematography: Josef Strecha CAST: Elfriede Datzig, Mady Rahl, O.W. Fischer, Harold Paulsen Music: Jara Benes Production: Prag-Film Release: March 29, 1944 80 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German romantic drama produced and directed by Vladimir Slavinsky for Prag-Film starring Elfriede Datzig, Mady Rahl, O.W. Fischer, Harold Paulsen and others. The story concerns a newspaper photographer and wanna-be writer who falls in love at first sight with the daughter of his employer unknowingly. He tries to win her heart with seven letters, which tell the events of the story.

Dreaming 1944

Producer: Fritz Thiery Script: Harold Braun, Herbert Witt Director: Harold Braun Cinematography: Robert Baberske CAST: Hilde Krahl, Mathias Wieman, Friedrich Kayssler, Paul Henckels Music: Werner Eisbrenner Production: Ufa Release: May 3, 1944 110 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical musical drama produced, co-written and directed by Harold Braun for Ufa starring Hilde Krahl, Mathias Wieman, Friedrich Kayssler, Paul Henckels and others. The story portrays the lives of the pianist Clara Schumann and her composer husband Robert Schumann. "Dreaming" was an important national film, receiving funding from the German government. The production had its official Reich premiere at Zwickau, the birthplace of Robert Schumann, two days prior to the screening at the Mamorhaus theatre in Berlin. It is an important historical film containing no propaganda.

The Evening After the Opera 1945

Producer: Alf Teichs, Walter Tost Director: Arthur Maria Rabenalt Script: Franz Nahl, Johanna Sibelius Cinematography: Albert Benitz CAST: Gustl Huber, Siegfried Breuer, Erich Ponto, Albert Florath Music: Albert Fischer Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: August 31, 1945 94 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German romantic drama directed by Arthur Maria Rabenalt for Terra-Filmkunst starring Gustl Huber, Siegfried Breuer, Erich Ponto, Albert Florath and others. The story concerns a man by the name of Rudolf who has done prison time for murdering his wife in a jealous rage. Rudolf does not tell his second wife Julia, however. However, fate manages to repeat itself when Johannes learns the grim truth of Rudolf's dreaded secret and falls in love with Julia.

The Angel with the Stringed Instrument 1944

Producer: Heinz Ruehmann Script: Carl Johannes Braun, Helmut Weiss, Alois Johannes (radio play) Director: Heinz Ruehmann Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Hertha Feller, Hans Soehnker, Hans Nielsen, Otto Graf Music: Werner Bochmann Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: 1944 95 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German romantic film produced and directed by comic actor turned director Heinz Ruehmann for Terra-Filmkunst starring Hertha Feller, Hans Soehnker, Hans Nielsen, Otto Graf and others. The production was one of the few directorial cinematic works by Heinz Ruehmann, who cast his own wife Hertha Feller in a leading role, however, Ruehmann himself does not appear in the production.

Thank You, I'm Fine 1945

Producer: Hans von Wolzogen, Luggi Waldleitner Script: Gerhard T. Buchholz, (play), Gustav Kampendonk Director: Erich Waschneck Cinematography: Kurt Schulz CAST: Ernst von Klipstein, Karin Hardt, Sonja Ziemann, Gunnar Moeller Music: Werner Eisbrenner Production: Berlin-Film Release: January 23, 1948 74 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film directed by Erich Waschneck for Berlin-Film starring Ernst von Klipstein, Karin Hardt, Sonja Ziemann, Gunnar Moeller and others. This film was produced the last year of W.W.II. by the independent company Berlin-Film. The production had been left unfinished at the end of the war in 1945 and had to be completed by the Soviet-controlled East German DEFA studio in East Berlin and released across the occupied eastern sector of the DDR. "Thank You, I'm Fine" was one of several film productions of the Nazi period that was forced to delay releases in the years after the fall of the Third Reich.

The Old Song 1945

Producer: Franz Tapper Script: Gerhard T. Buchholtz, Fritz Peter Buch Director: Fritz Peter Buch Cinematography: Oskar Schnirch CAST: Winnie Markus, Ernst von Klipstein, Grethe Weiser, Lotte Koch Music: Werner Bochmann Production: Berlin-Film Release: 1945 94 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German romantic drama film produced, co-written and directed by Fritz Peter Buch for Berlin-Film starring Winnie Markus, Ernst von Klipstein, Grethe Weiser, Lotte Koch and others. The story is set in Berlin during the 1880s when the young Count Erwin von Haldern meets the shy flower arranger Stine at a celebration. He quickly falls in love with the modest girl, who in turn is hesitantly courted by gardener Franke, and pays her a visit a short time later. Stine begins to return the Count's advances and the two cautiously get closer which opens the door for further complications in their relationship.

The False Bride 1945

Producer: Ottmar Ostermayr Script: Erna Fentsch Director: Joe Stoeckel Cinematography: Kurt Duernhofer, Heinz Schnackertz CAST: Elfriede Datzig, Josef Eichheim, Beppo Brem, Joe Stoeckel Music: Hans Diernhammer Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: 1945 81 min. B/W German dialog.
German comedy film directed by Joe Stoeckel for Bavaria-Film starring Elfriede Datzig, Josef Eichheim, Beppo Brem, Joe Stoeckel and others. The story concerned the farmer Korbinian Assbichler who is in financial debt, therefore he has come to the decision that his son Toni should marry Rossl, the daughter of the wealthy Pius Ming. But Toni is afraid that Rossl might actually be ugly and does not agree to the plan after all.

The Cross Pen 1945

Producer/Director: Eduard von Borsody Script: Otto Bielen, Eduard von Borsody Cinematography: Friedl Behn-Grund CAST: Emil Hess, Charlotte Schellhorn, Willy Dansk, Fritz Kampers Music: Werner Bochmann Production: Tobis-Tonild-Syndikat Release: 1950 (DEFA postwar release) 88 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film produced, co-written and directed by Eduard von Borsody starring Emil Hess, Charlotte Schellhorn, Willy Dansk, Fritz Kampers and others. The story concerned a prosperous farmer from Grundidorf who wants to ensure that the new planned railway line is constructed through his village and not through nearby Zwentdorf. By the end of W.W.II., "The Cross Pen" remained unfinished due to the fall of the Third Reich as it was in the dubbing stage at the close of the war and was forced to be completed by the East German DEFA studio in East Berlin. The film was first screened by Soviet officials in February 1950. The official East German premiere occurred on April 7, 1950 in East Berlin.

A Man Like Maximillian 1945

Producer: Fred Lyssa Script: Axel Eggebrecht, Resi Flied, Peter Francke Director: Hans Deppe Cinematography: Erich Chaunigk CAST: Wolf Albach-Retty, Karin Hardt, Lizzi Waldmueller, Fritz Odemar Music: Michael Jary Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: March 13, 1945 86 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film directed by Hans Deppe starring Wolf Albach-Retty, Karin Hardt, Lizzi Waldmueller, Fritz Odemar and others. The story concerned a daughter who has recently become engaged to a respectable attorney. Her mother is delighted as she sees her fiancé as being like her own husband Maximillian. However, suspicions begin to arise that he may very well be concealing a dark secret from them. This was one of the final motion pictures released during the end of the Third Reich and was mainly being exhibited in Berlin movie theaters in the spring of 1945.

Woman Overboard aka The Girl Juanita 1945

Producer: Heinrich George Script: Curt J. Braun Director: Wolfgang Staudte Cinematography: Friedl Behn-Grund CAST: Heinrich George, Axel von Ambesser, Charlotte Schellhorn, Karl Schoenboeck Music: Werner Bochmann Poduction: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH Release: 1952 86 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film produced and starring actor Heinrich George as directed by Wolfgang Staudte with a supporting cast, including Axel von Ambesser, Charlotte Schnellhorn, Karl Schoenboeck and others. This film remained uncompleted by the end of the war and had to be completed but not released in West Germany until 1952.

Friends 1945

Producer: Karl Kuenzel Director: E.W. Emo Script: Gerhard Menzel cinematography: Hans SchneebergerCAST: Attila Hoerbiger, Ferdinand Marian, Hana Vitova, Rudolf Reiff Music: Alois Melichar Production: Wien-Film Release: August 3, 1945 87 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian romance film directed by E.W. Emo for Wien-Film starring Attile Hoerbiger, Ferdiand Marian, Hana Vitova, Rudolf Reiff and others. The story concerns juvenile friends Gottfried and Guido swear that never a woman must threaten their friendship. Some years afterwards, they remeet and Gottfried introduces Guido to his fiance. However, Guido realizes that she is in reality his former lover, Hanna.

I Believe in You aka My Heart Belongs to You 1945

Produce: Franz Tapper Director: Rolf Hansen Script: Gustav Kampendonk Cinematography: Oskar Schnirch CAST: Heidemarie Hatheyer, Viktor Staal, Paul Klinger, Hedwig Wangel Music: Werner Eisbrenner Release: 1950 77 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German drama film produced and directed by Rolf Hansen starring Heidemarie Hatheyer, Viktor Staal, Paul Klinger, Hedwig Wangel and others. The story is based on Theodor Fontaine's 1914 novel "Mathilde Moenning." Like many feature films produced during the closing days of the Third Reich, "I Believe in You" remained unfinished at the end of the war and had to be completed at the East German DEFA studios in Berlin. The film was however, exhibuted in Cologne, West Germany on June 9, 1950

Loves Marriage 1945

Producer: Fred Lyssa Script: Theo Lingen, Franz Gribitz Director: Theo Lingen Cinematography: Erich Chaunigk CAST: Hans Holt, Winnie Markus, Theo Lingen, Beppo Brem Music: Lothar Bruehne Production: Anton E. Dietz-Film Release: 1949 76 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German romantic comedy film co-written, directed and starring Theo Lingen for Anton E. Dietz-Film featuring co-stars Hans Holt, Winnie Markus, Beppo Brem and others. The premiere of "Love Marriage" took place in Bamberg, West Germany on May 6, 1949. The official West German premiere took place on September 23, 1949 in West Berlin.

Melusine 1945

Producer/Director: Hans Steinhoff Script: Richard Billinger (play), Werner Eplinius, Hans Steinhoff Cinematography: Richard Angst CAST: Olga Chekhova, Siegfried Breuer, Angelika Hauff, Friedrich Domin Music: Michael Jary Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: 1945 92 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German drama film produced, co-written and directed by Hans Steinhoff starring Olga Chekhova, Siegfried Breuer, Angelika Hauff, Friedrich Domin and others. The film is considered one of the high cinematic achievements during the cinema of the Third Reich. Contains no propaganda.

Ulli and Marei 1945

Producer: J.A. Vessely Director: Leopold Hainisch Script: Eduard Koeck, Leopold Hainisch Cinematography: Guenther Anders, Richard Angst, E.W. Fielder CAST: Eduard Koeck, Attile Hoerbiger, Ludwig Auer, Hermann Erhardt Music: Alois Melichar Production: Wien-Film Release: April 23, 1948 81 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian "heimat" drama film co-written and directed by Leopold Hainisch starring Eduard Koeck (also co-writer), Attila Hoerbiger, Ludwig Auer, Hermann Erhardt and others. Hainisch's production is classified as a "heimat" (homeland) film and was filmed in the Tyrolean Alps. "Ulli and Marei" was completed in 1945 towards the end of the war and was not given a general release until 1948.

The Long Way to You 1945

Producer: Director: Hans Thimg Script: Georg Zoch, Hans Thimig Cinematography: Jaroslav Tuzar CAST: Marte Harell, Richard Romanowsky, Christl Mardayn, Hans Schlenk Music: Anton Profes Production: Wien-Film Release: 1947 81 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian romance film produced and directed (and co-written) by Hans Thimig starring Marte Harell, Richard Romanowsky, Christl Mardayn, Hans Schlenk and others. The story concerns a man by the name of Theodor who is married to the much younger Fritzi. When Fritzi visits her friend Alfred, Theodor receives an anonymous tip. Theodor becomes enraged entering Alfred's apartment but finds only Fritzi's sister, Lony. Now Alfred wants to propose to Lony, but by this time she has disappeared.

Via Mala 1945

Producer/Director: Josef von Baky Script: John Nittel (novel), Thea von Harbou Cinematography: Carl Hoffmann CAST: Karin Hardt, Carl Wery, Viktor Staal, Hilde Koerber Music: Georg Haentzschel Production: Ufa Release: April 7, 1945 88 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German drama film produced and directed by Josef von Baky ("Muenchhausen," 1943) starring Karin Hardt, Carl Wery, Viktor Staal, Hilde Koerbner and others. The production is an adaptation of the 1934 Swiss novel of the same title by John Knittel which was an international success at the time. The story is set in a rural village where the tyrannical Jonas Laureletz intimidates his family, mistress and neighbors. Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels had problems with the production and referred to Baky's film as "too gloomy" but the film, although being forced to halt production until the green light gave the go-ahead to resume production in 1944. The finished production would not be realized until March 1944. Yet after further difficulties with the Reich censors, the film was again halted needing re-editing and not released until January 1945 less than three months until the fall of the Third Reich.

Viennese Girls 1945

Production/Script (co-writer)/Director: Willi Forst Cinematography: Viktor Meihsl, Jan Stallich, Hannes Staudinger CAST: Willi Forst, Anton Erdhofer, Judith Holzmeister, Dora Komar Music: Karl Pausperti, Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Wien-Film Release: August 19, 1949 102 min. Color sound German dialog.
Austrian historical musical film produced, co-written, directed and starring Willi Forst. Co-stars in the production were Anton Erdhofer, Judith Holzmeister, Dora Komar and others. This was the third film in Forst's "Viennese Trilogy" which also included "Operetta" (1940) and "Wienerblut" (1942). (all available from FILMMUSEUM). "Viennese Girls" was completed in the final days of W.W.II. in 1945 which led to severe delays in its theatrical release, which eventually took place in 1949 in two separate versions. One of the versions was released by the Soviet-backed Sovexport-Film in the Eastern Bloc and the other version by Forst himself. The story concerned composer Carl Michael Ziehrer who produces twenty-two operettas during his career, although he is overshadowed by the more successful Johann Strauss, son of the Strauss family.

Follow the Legion 1942

Producer/Director: Juan de Orduna Script: Raul Cancio, James Garcia--Herranz, Luis Lucia Cinematography: Alfredo Fraile CAST: Alfredo Mayo, Luis Pena, Manuel Luna, Miguel Pozanco Music: Juan Quintero Production: Cifesa Release: May 11, 1942 80 min. B/W sound Spanish dialog.
Spanish political propaganda film produced and directed by Juan de Orduna starring Alfredo Mayo, Luis Pena, Manuel Luna, Miguel Pozanco. The story is set in North Africa and in the "Legion," it illustrates the friendship between soldiers, which leads 'El Grajo' to investigate a murder to exonerate a fascist comrade in arms and friend. The official promotional line for "Follow the Legion" proclaimed: "Exaltation of a model soldier of the era in Spain and the life of the military values." A contemporary film critic for Fotogramas magazine stated: "She is the mythical legionaire that had so much prestige during the Franco regime and that some nostalgics continue to yearn for." This film is considered a political propaganda film of Franco's fascist regime.

A Farewell to Arms 1932

Producer: Edward A. Blatt, Benjamin Glazer Script: Oliver H.P. Barnett, Benjamin Glazer Director: Frank Borsage Cinematography: Charles Lang CAST: Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjoui, Mary Phillips Music: Herman Hand, W. Franke Harling, Bernhard Kaun, John Leipold, Paul Marquardt, Ralph Rainger, Milan Roder Production: Paramount Pictures Release: December 8, 1932 80 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American pre-Code melodrama war film directed by Frank Borsage starring Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou, Mary Phillips and others. The production is based on Ernest Hemmingway's autobiographical 1929 novel of the same title. The story concerns a tragic romantic love affair between an American ambulance driver and a British nurse in Italy during W.W.I. "A Farewell to Arms" received the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and Best Sound and was nominated for Best Picture and Best Direction. Theatrically, the film received much postitive critical praise such as Mae Tinee of the Chicago Tribune: "A Farewell to Arms' is rich with all the attributes that make for a completely satisfying screenplay. Horror, pathos, suspense, romance, tragedy - all are there. And it has the human touch that endears."

A Shriek in the Night 1933

Producer: M. H. Hoffmann, M.H. Hoffmann, Jr. Script: Francis Hyland, Kurt Kempfer Director: Albert Ray Cinematography: Tom Galligan, Harry Neumann CAST: Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot, Harvey Clark, Purnell Pratt Music: Abe Meyers Production: Allied Pictures Release: July 22, 1933 67 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American pre-Code mystery crime film with romance elements directed by Albert Ray starring Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot, Harvey Clark, Purnell Pratt and others. The story concerns rival newspaper reporters Pat Morgan and Ted Rand find themselves unraveling the mystery behind the death of a millionaire philanthropist who fell from his penthouse balcony.

A Star is Born 1937

Producer: David O. Selznick Script: William A. Wellman, Alan Campbell, Robert Carson Director: William A. Wellman Cinematography: W. Howard Greene CAST: Janet Gaynor, Fredric March, Adolphe Menjou, May Robson, Andy Devine, Edgar Kennedy Music: Max Steiner Production: Selznick International Pictures Release: April 20, 1937 111 min. Color sound English dialog.
American showbiz drama film co-written and directed by William A. Wellman starring Janet Gaynor, Fredric March, Adolphe Menjou, May Robson, Andy Devine, Edgar Kennedy and others. The storyline was based on a previous Hollywood production entitled "What Price Hollywood?," released in 1932 though not widely known. The production would, however, would garner significant popularity and kickstart a cinematic legacy which to the franchise being remade three times. Unlike the original, however, all three remakes were all musicals. At the 10th Academy Awards, "A Star is Born" became the first Technicolor motion picture to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. Janet Gaynor was given the first Academy Award for Best Actress at the first Oscar ceremony on May 16, 1929. The Selznick production had its world premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on April 20, 1937. The official New York premiere took place two days later at Radio City Music Hall. Critical reception was positive upon its release. At the Radio City Music Hall premiere, Frank S. Nugent of the New York Times called the production "one of the year's best shows as well as good entertainment by any standards, including the artistic and convincing proof that Hollywood need not travel to Runtania for its plots, there is drama aplenty in its own backyard." "A Star is Born" is considered a Technicolor cinematic masterpiece by contemporary film and cinema critics.

A Yank in Libya 1942

Producer: Geo M. Merrick Script: Arhir St. Claire, Sherman Lowe Director: Albert Herman Cinematography: Edward Lindon, ASC CAST: H.. Warner, Walter Woolf King, Joan Woodbury, Duncan Renaldo Music: Lee Zahler Production: M & H Productions Release: July 24, 1942 67 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American W.W.II. propaganda thriller film directed by Albert Herman starring H. B. Warner, Walter Woolf King, Joan Woodbury, Duncan Renaldo and others. The story concerns a planned uprising in Libya. An American correspondent and a British intelligence agent are aware of the scheme, and they try to free them from the camp of a pro-British sheikh who has been targeted the assassination of the conspirators. "A Yank in Libya" is considered as an anti-Nazi propaganda film.

Abe Lincoln of New York 1939

Producer: Scott R. Dunlap, William T. Lackey Script: Robert Hardy Andrews Director: William Nigh Cinematography: Harry Neumann CAST: Jackie Cooper, Martin Spellman, Marjorie Reynolds, Dick Purcell, George Cleveland Music: Edward J. Kay Production: Monogram Pictures Release: April 12, 1939 73 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American drama film directed by William Nigh starring Jackie Cooper, Martin Spellman, Marjorie Reynolds, Dick Purcell, George Cleveland and others. The production is considered a "programmer."

Abilene Town 1946

Producer: Jules Levy Script: William Haycox, Harold Shumate Director: Edwin L. Mann Cinematography: Archie Stout CAST: Randolph Scott, Edgar Buchanan, Rhonda Fleming, Lloyd Bridges Music: Gerard Carbonara, Albert Glasser, Charles Koff, James Mayfield, Max Terr Production: Guild Productions Release: January 11, 1946 89 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western adventure directed by Edwin L. Mann starring Randolph Scott, Edgar Buchanan, Rhonda Fleming, Lloyd Bridges and others. The story was adapted from Ernest Haycox's 1941 novel "Trail Town,' the production's plot is set in the Old West, in the cattle town of Abilene, Kansas in 1870.

Abraham Lincoln 1930

Producers: D. W. Griffith, Joseph M. Schenck Script: Stephen Vincent Benet, John W. Considine, Jr., Gerrit Lloyd Director: D. W. Griffith Cinematography: Karl Struss CAST: Walter Huston, W. L. Thomas, Otto Hoffman, Jason Robards Music: Hugo Riesenfeld Production: United Artists Release: August 25, 1930 94 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American is a pre-Code historical biographical film concerning Abraham Lincoln co-produced, co-written and directed by D. W. Griffith starring Walter Huston, W. L. Thomas, Otto Hoffman, Jason Robards and others. This production was the first of only two sound films directed by D. W. Griffith. The story concerns the first act which covers Lincoln's early life as a storekeeper and rail-splitter in New Salem and his early romances with Ann Rutledge, and his early years as an attorney and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois. The remainder of "Abraham Lincoln" deals with Lincoln's presidency during the American Civil War and culminates with Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox and Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Griffith's historical production received many countless positive critical reviews from contemporary film critics. Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times referred to "Abraham Lincoln" as "quite a worthy pictorial offering with a genuinely fine and inspiring performance by Walter Huston in the role of the martyred President!" and the film was later to put the production on his year-end list of the ten best films of 1930.

Africa Screams 1949

Producers: Huntington Hartford, Edward Nassour Script: Martin Ragaway, Leonard B. Stern Director: Charles Barton Cinematography: Charles Van Enger CAST: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Max Baer, Clyde Beatty Music: Walter Schumann Production: Huntington Hartford Productions Release: May 4, 1949 79 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American adventure comedy film directed by Charles Barton starring Abbott and Costello, boxer Max Baer, Clyde Beatty and others. The title of the production comes from the 1930 documentary film "Africa Speaks!" "Africa Screams" The film was a popular theatrical cinematic attraction at the time and is considered a classic by contemporary film historians.

The Iron Crown 1941

Producer: Richardo Gualino, Giacomo Paulucci di Caboli Script: Alessandro Blasetti, Renato Castellani, Corrado Pavolini, Guglielmo Zorzi, Giuseppe Zucca Director: Alessandro Blasetti Cinematography; Mario Craveri, Vaclav Vich CAST: Elisa Cegani, Luisa Ferida, Rina Morelli, Gino Cervi Music: Alessandro Cicognini Production: Ente Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche Release: October 1941 105 min. B/W sound Italian dialog.
Italian wartime adventure film co-written and directed by Alessandro Blasetti starring Elisa Cegani, Luisa Ferida, Rina Marelli, Gino Cervi and others. The story concerns a sacred iron crown and a king who is prophesized to lose his kingdom to his nephew. The lavish production blends cinematic motifs from numerous European myths, legends and modern works of popular fiction. The epic production won the purportedly distinguished fascist 'Mussolini Cup' award at the Venice Film Festival in 1942. "The Iron Crown" stands out in Blasetti's extensive filmography, as several of his most well-known productions were instead filmed on location and used non-professional actors, whereas this picture was produced on a huge budget and was a thoroughly controlled and structured film production. The film belongs to what is sometimes regarded as a tetralogy of motion pictures by the director which dealt with mythological themes. "The Iron Crown" is an ambiguous cinematic work, while its message underlined a common sentiment among regular Italians at the time - the desire for peace and the cessation of hostilities during W.W.II. - the symbolic implications of the search for a charismatic leader who would restore a magic, sacred crown to its rightful place in Rome may also point to Mussolini, 'Il Duce' of a newly revived Rome. Blasetti's epic film is considered as Italian fascist propaganda.

Alexander Nevsky 1938

Producer: MosFilm Script: Sergei Eisenstein, Dmitri Vasilyev Direction: Sergei Eisenstein, Pyotr Pavlenko Cinematigraphy: Eduard Tisse CAST: Nikolay Charkasov, Nikolay Okhlopkov, Dmitry Orlov, Vasili Novikov Music: Sergei Prokofiev Production: MosFilm Studio Release: December 1, 1938 111 min. B/W sound Russian dialog w/Spanish subtitles.
Soviet pseudo-historical propaganda film co-written and directed by Sergei Eisenstein and Pyotr Pavlenko starring Nikolay Charkasov, Nikolay Okhlopkov, Dmitry Orlov, Vasilli Novikov and others. Eisenstein's epic historical film depicts the attempted invasion of Novgorod in the 13th century by the German Teutonic Knights of the Holy Roman Empire and their defeat by Prince Alexander (1220-1263). Eisenstein directed "Alexander Nevky," his first completed motion picture in ten years, during the Stalinist era, at a time of strained relations between the USSR and Nazi Germany. The picture contains elements of obvious allegory that reflect the political situation between the two dictatorships at the time of production. "Alexander Nevsky" is considered one of the great cinematic masterpieces of Sergei Eisenstein and is regarded as one of the greatest motion pictures of all time.

Algiers 1938

Producer: Walter Wanger Script: Henri La Barthe (novel), John Howard Lawson, James M. Cain (additional dialogue) Director: John Cromwell Cinematography: James Wong Howe CAST: Charles Boyer, Hedy Lamar, Alan Hale, Sigrid Gurie Music: Vincent Scotto, Mohamed Igurboucherie Production: Walter Wanger Productions Release: August 5, 1938 99 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American drama film directed by John Cromwell starring Charles Boyer, Hedy Lamar, Alan Hale, Sigrid Gurie and others. The story concerns a notorious French jewel thief hiding in the labyrinth native quarter of Algiers known as the Casbah. The Walter Wanger production was a remake of the successful 1937 French film "Pepe le Moko," which derived its plot from the Henri La Barthe novel of the same title. "Algiers" was honored for Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor (Charles Boyer), Best Supporting Actor (Gene Lockhart), Best Art Direction (AlexanderToluboff), and Best Cinematography (James Wong Howe). Actor Joseph Calleia received the 1938 National Board of Review Award for his performance as Slimane. "Algiers" is considered a great American feature film.

Alias John Law 1935

Producer: A. W. Hacket. Script: Forbes Parkhill (story), Robert N. Bradbury Director: Robert N. Bradbury Cinematography: William Nobles CAST: Bob Steele, Buck Connors, Roberta Gale, Earl Dwire Production: Supreme Pictures Release: November 5, 1935 59 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western adventure film written and directed by Robert N. Bradbury starring Bob Steele, Buck Connors, Roberta Gale, Earl Dwire and others. "Alias John Law" is regarded by contemporary cinema critics to be a classic sound Western film.

The Old and the Young King 1935

Producer: Alfred Greven Script: Thea von Harbou, Rolf Lauckner Director: Hans Steinhoff Cinematography: Karl Puth CAST: Emil Jannings, Werner Hinz, Claus Clausen, Theodor Loos Music: Wolfgang Zeller Production: Deka-Film Release: January 29, 1935 101 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical drama film directed by Hans Steinhoff starring Emil Jannings, Werner Hinz, Claus Clausen, Theodor Loos and others. Part of the tradition of Prussian historical films of the Weimar Republic and Nazi periods, "The Old and the Young King" ostensibly deals with the intense conflict between Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I. and his son and royal heir, Crown Prince Friedrich - the future king Friedrich II. "The Great." In Steinhoff's specific presentation of this historical theme, the film was basically a work of Nazi propaganda aimed at extolling the 'Fuehrerprinzip' (leadership principle), i.e. blind obedience to Hitler. The king in the production's central plot, Hitler was presented in reality for which the film was a parable as complaining about "encirclement" and the need for 'Lebensraum' (living space) also feature prominently in the film. "The Old and the Young King" was banned by the Allied occupation military government following the defeat of the Third Reich in the spring of 1945. Following the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany, the West German censorship board known as the FSK reviewed the film again on August 4, 1958 and ruled that, unlike other film productions created during the Nazi era, the propaganda element in the film was not so blatant as to justify its inclusion in the list of "Forbidden Films."

Ambush Valley 1936

Producer: Benard B. Ray, Harry S. Webb Script: Bennett Cohen (story), Forrest Sheldon Director: Benard B. Ray (credited as Franklin Shamray) Cinematography: Paul Ivano CAST: Bob Custer, Jimmy Aubrey, Philip Phillips, Vane Calvert Production: Reliable Pictures Release: October 24, 1936 57 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western action film directed by Bernard B. Ray starring Bob Custer, Jimmy Aubrey, Philip Phillips, Vane Calvert and others. The story concerns familial relations, government land, impertinent landowners and incoming settlers combine in tragedy and gunplay.

American Empire 1942

Producer: Harry Sherman, Dick Dickson Script: J. Robert Bren, Gladys Atwater, J. Robert Bren, Ben Grauman Kohn Director: William C. McGann Cinematography: Russell B. Harlan CAST: Richard Dix, Leo Carrillo, Preston Foster, Frances Gifford Music: Gerard Cabonara Production: Paramount Pictures Release: December 11, 1942 82 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western adventure film directed by William C. McGann starring Richard Dix, Leo Carrillo, Preston Foster, Frances Gifford and others. The story concerns three Civil War veterans who head to Texas and build a cattle empire, and battle rustlers, bad weather and each other. The first veteran abandons ship, and he is soon followed by the second veteran. That leaves the "good guy" to defend his property from the vengeful traitors.

Angel and the Badman 1947

Producer: John Wayne Script/Director: James Edward Grant Cinematography: Arthur J. Stout CAST: John Wayne, Bruce Cabot, Lee Dixon, Irene Rich Music: Richard Hageman Production: John Wayne Productions, Patnal Productions Release: February 14, 1947 100 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western adventure film produced by John Wayne, written and directed by James Edward Grant starring John Wayne, Bruce Cabot, Lee Dixon, Irene Rich and others. The story concerns an injured gunfighter who is nursed back to health by a young Quaker woman and her family whose way of life influences him and his violent gunfighter ways. Grant's production is considered a great American Western film.

Angel on my Shoulder 1946

Producer: Charles A. Rogers Script: Harry Segall, Roland Kibbee Director: Archie Mayo Cinematography: James Van Trees CAST: Paul Muni, Claude Rains, Anne Baxter, George Cleveland Music: Dimitri Tiomkin Production: Premier Productions Release: September 20, 1946 101 min. B.W sound English dialog/
American supernatural film directed by Archie Mayo starring Paul Muni, Claude Rains, Anne Baxter, George Cleveland and others. Mayo's 1946 production was one of the leading ox-office cinematic attractions in 1946.

Anna Karenina 1935

Producer: David O. Selznick Script: S.N. Behrman, Clemence Dane, Saika Viertel Director: Clarence Brown Cinematography: William H. Daniels CAST: Greta Garbo, Fredric March, Freddie Bartholomew, Maureen O'Sullivan, Basil Rathbone Music: Herbert Strothart Production: David O. Selznick Productions Release: August 30, 1935 95 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's 1877 novel of the same title directed by Clarence Brown starring Greta Garbo, Fredric March, Freddie Bartholomew, Maureen O'Sullivan, Basil Rathbone and others. "Anna Karenina" is considered one of the great historical costume epics by MGM in 1935.

Apache Blood 1975

Producer: Vern Piehl, Rowd Sanders Script: Dewitt Lee, Jack Lee Director: Tom Quillen Cinematography: Vincent Powers CAST: Ray Danton, Dewitt Lee, Troy Nabors, Diane Taylor Music: Ed Norton Production: Rowd Sanders Productions Release: July 13, 1973 86 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Western film directed by Tom Quillen starring Ray Danton, Dewitt Lee, Troy Nabors, Diane Taylor and others. The story is set in 1860s Arizona, a peace treaty had been established between Moscalero Apaches and the U.S. government. In 1866, a U.S. Cavalry troupe massacred an Apache tribe, leaving only a few survivors, including a warrior named "Yellow Shirt" who seeks vengeance by pursuing injured cavalry officer Sam Glass.

Arizona Days 1937

Producer: Edward Finney Script: Lindsley Parsons (story), Sherman L. Lowe (script) Director: John English Cinematography: Gus Peterson CAST: Tex Ritter, Sid Saylor, Glenn Strange, William Faversome Music: Frank Sanucci Production: Boots and Saddles Pictures Release: January 30, 1937 42 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western film directed by John English starring Tex Ritter, Sid Saylor, Glenn Strange, William Faversome and others. This is the third "Western singing cowboy" Tex Ritter made for producer Edward Finney for Grand National Pictures. Considered a vintage Western film classic.

Arizona Kid 1939

Producer: Joseph Kane Script: Luci Ward, Gerald Geraghty Director: Joseph Kane Cinematography: William Nobles, Edgar Lyons CAST: Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, Sally March, Stuart Hambien Music: Floyd Morgan Production: Republic Pictures Release: September 29, 1939 54 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western film produced, co-written and directed by Joseph Kane under the Republic Pictures banner starring Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, Sally March, Stuart Hambien and others. The story places Roy Rogers as a Confederate Army officer set during the Civil War of the 1860s.

Arizona Stagecoach 1942

Producer: Dick Ross, Anna Bell Weeks, George W. Weeks Script: Oliver Drake (story), Arthur Hoert (adaptation) Director: S. Roy Luby Cinematography: Robert E. Cline CAST: Ray Corrigan, John "Dusty" King, Max Terhune, Neil O'Day Music: Frank Sanucci Production: Monogram Pictures Release: September 4, 1942 58 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby starring Ray Carrigan, John "Dusty" King, Max Terhune, Neil O'Day and others. This is the final film in the series with the original main cast. The story concerns the Range Busters who take on a gang of stagecoach robbers who are operating with the assistance of crooked employees of Wells Fargo.

Babyface Morgan 1942

Producer: Leon Fromkess, Jack Schwarz Script: Edward Dein, Jack Rubin Director: Arthur Dreifuss Cinematography: Arthur Reed CAST: Richard Cromwell, Mary Carlisle, Robert Armstrong, Chuck Chandler Music:: Leo Erdody Production: Producers Releasing Corp. Release: September 15, 1942 63 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American crime comedy thriller film directed by Arthur Dreifuss starring Richard Cromwell, Mary Carlisle, Robert Armstrong, Chuck Chandler and others. The production was a notable "B" film effort for Producers Releasing Corp at the time.

Escape to Paradise 1938

Producer: Barney Brisken Script: Ian McLLallan Hunter, Herbert Clyde Lewis Driector: Erie C. Kenton Cinematography: Charles Edgar Schoenbaum CAST: Bobby Breen, Kent Taylor, Maria Shelton, Rudolph Anders Music: Victor Young Production: Bobby Breen Productions, Sol Lesser Productions Release: December 22, 1939 60 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American romantic drama film directed by Erie C. Kenton starring Bobby Breen, Kent Taylor, Maria Shelton, Rudolph Anders and others. The story concerns jaded playboy Richard Fleming who travels to the South American country of Rosanta. Through his motorcycle riding guide, Roberto discovers his true love and a new career as a Yerba male exporter.

Becky Sharp 1935

Producer: Kenneth MacGowan, Rouben Mamoulian, Robert Edmund Jones Script: William Makepeace Thackereray, Langdon Mitchell Director: Rouben Mamoulian Cinematography: Ray Rennahan CAST: Miriam Hopkins, Cedric Hardwicke, Billie Burke, Nigel Bruce Music: Roy Webb, William Faversham Production: Pioneer Pictures Release: June 13, 1935 86 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Technicolor historical drama film produced and directed by Rouben Mamoulian for Pioneer Pictures. The film featured an all-star cast, including Mirian Hopkins, Cedric Hardwicke, Billie Burke, Nigel Bruce and others. The story is based on the 1899 play by Langdon Mitchell, which in turn had been based on William Makepeace Thackeray's 1848 novel "Vanity Fair." The story concerns the tale of a lower-class girl who insinuates herself into an upper class family, only to see her life and the lives of those around her destroyed. "Becky Sharp" is considered a landwork cinematic work as the first feature film to use the newly developed three-strip Technicolor process. The film is hailed as a great cinematic classic by contemporary film historians and scholars.

Bells of San Angelo 1947

Producer: Edward J. White Script: Paul Gangelin, Alexander Nibely Director: William Whitney Cinematography: Jack A, Marta CAST: Roy Rogers, Trigger, Dale Evans, Andy Devine Music: Charles Maxwell Production: Republic Pictures Release: April 16, 1947 75 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Truecolor Western adventure film directed by William Whitney starring Roy Rogers, Trigger, Dale Evans, Andy Devine and others. This modern-day Western mixes half a dozen songs combined with mystery, international smuggling of silver, violence, a pack of wild dogs and significant comedy relief with one character packing a "16-shooter" from which twenty-two shots can be heard during the musical number "Hot Lead" performed by the Sons of the Pioneers. "Bells of San Angelo" is considered a classic Western film.

Beyond Tomorrow 1940

Producer: Lee Garmes Script: Adele Comandini, Mildred Cram Director: A. Edward Sutherland Cinematography: Lester White, ASC CAST: Harry Carey, C. Aubrey Smith, Maria Ouspenskya, Alex Melesh Music: Frank Tours Production: Academy Productions Release: May 10, 1940 86 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American fantasy film directed by A. Edward Sutherland starring Harry Carey, C. Aubrey Smith, Maria Ouspenskya, Alex Melesh and others. The story concerns the ghosts of three elderly industrialists killed in an airplane crash return to Earth to help reunite a young couple they initially brought together. "Beyond Tomorrow" is considered a vintage fantasy classic from 1940.

The Big Trees 1952

Producer: Louis F. Edelman Script: Kenneth Earl, John Twist, James Webb Director: Felix E. Feist Cinematography: Bert Glennon CAST: Kirk Douglas, Edgar Buchannan, Alan Hale, Jr., John Archer Music: Heinz Roemheld Production: Warner Bros. Release: February 5, 1952 90 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American lumberjack Western film directed by Felix E. Feist starring Kirk Douglas, Edgar Buchanan, Alan Hale, Jr., John Archer and others. The story concerns Kirk Douglas who essays the starring role as a greedy lumber baron who seeks to exploit the Sequoia forest, while facing protest from the Quaker colonists.

Billy the Kid Returns 1938

Producer: Charles E. Ford Script: Jack Natteford Director: Joseph Kane Cinematography: Ernest Miller CAST: Roy Rogers, Smiley Burnett, Lynne Roberts, Morgan Wallace Music: William Lava Production: Republic Pictures Release: September 4, 1938 54 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western film directed by Joseph Kane starring Roy Rogers, Smiley Burnett, Lynne Roberts, Morgan Wallace and others. The story is set in the Wild West following the shooting of Billy the Kid by his former friend Sheriff Pat Garrett, lookalike deputy sheriff essayed by Roy Rogers, assisted by his traveling musical instrument salesman Frog Millhouse, takes his place in order to defend the honest settlers of Lincoln County, New Mexico, from evil ranchers. "Billy the Kid Returns" is considered a fine Western genre film.

Billy the Kid Trapped 1942

Producer: Sigmund Neufeld Script: Joseph O'Donnell Director: Sam Newfield Cinematography: Jack Greenhaigh CAST: Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Malcolm "Bud" McTaggart Production: Sigmund Neufeld Productions Release: February 27, 1942 59 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western adventure film directed by Sam Newfield starring Buster Crabb, Al St. John, Malcolm "Bud" McTaggart and others. The story concerns Billy the Kid and Fuzzy Q. Jones who have been imprisoned and sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit, the two cowboys decide to stage a jalbreak. The three escapees discover there are three impersonators who dress as them committing the crimes. On their mission to clear their names and bring the three to justice, the two discover the town of Mesa Verde where outlaws are given sanctuary in exchange for paying for legal protection.

The Bulldog Drummond Serial Collection 1934-1939

Producers: Sig Neufeld, Leslie Simmonds Direction: Walter Summers, Roy Del Ruth, Walter Forde, Norman Lee, James P. Hogan, Louis King, etc. CAST: Ralph Richardson, Ronald Coleman, Loretta Young, Jack Hulbert, Fay Wray Production: Puritan Pictures 3 hours B/W sound English dialog.
American serial movie collection featuring seven original "Bulldog Drummond" serials, including "Bulldog Drummond in Africa," "Bulldog Drummond's Peril," "Bulldog Drummond's Revenge," "Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police," "Bulldog Drummond's Courage," "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back," and "Bulldog Drummond Escapes." The Bulldog Drummond Series follows Captain Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, a wealthy former W.W.I. officer who seeks adventure and becomes a gentleman adventurer and private detective.

Chapaev 1934

Producers/Direction: Georgi Vasilyev, Sergei Vasilyev Script: Dimitri Furmanov (novel) Cinematography: Aleksandr Ksenofontov, Aleksandr Sigaev CAST: Boris Babochkin, Boris Buenov, Varvara Myasnikova, Leonoid Kmit Music: Gavrill Popov Production: LenFilm Release: 1934 95 min. B/W sound Russian dialog.
Soviet biographical war propaganda film produced and directed by the Vasilyev starring Boris Baachkin, Boris Buenov, Varvara Myasinkova, Leonid Kmit and others. "Chapaev" is a thoroughly fictionalized biography of Vasily Ivanovich Chapaev (1887-1919), a Red Army notable commander of the Russian Civil War, based on the novel of the same title by Dimitri Furmanov, a Russian writer and Bolshevick kommisar who fought together with Chapeav. The film follows the socialist realist style, the dominants form of art in the Soviet Union during the time period. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement in 2014, "Chapeav" is his favorite motion picture of all time.

Check and Double Check 1930

Producer: William LeBaron Script: Bert Kalmar, J. Walter Rubin, Harry Ruby Director: Melville W. Brown Cinematography: William Marshall CAST: Freeman Gosdin (Amos), Charles Correll (Andy), Sue Carroll Music: Talat Artemel, Azis Basmaci, Vedat Orfi Bengu, Hulusi Kentmen Production: RKO Radio Pictures Release: October 25, 1939 77 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American pre-Code comedy film directed by Melville W. Brown starring Freeman Gosdin (Amos), charles Corell (Andy), Sue Carroll and others. "Check and Double Check" was produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, based on the well-known "Amos n' Andy Radio Show." The title is derived from a catchphrase associated with the radio show. The production also featured Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra. Contemporary film historians and cinema scholars consider "Check and Double Check" a vintage cinematic comedy classic.

Children of Hiroshima 1952

Producer: Kozaburo Yoshimura Script: Kaneto Shindo, Arata Osada (novel) Director: Kaneto Shindo Cinematography: Takeo Ito CAST: Nobuko Otowa, Osamo Takizawa, Miwa Saito, Hideji Otaki Music: Akira Ifukube Production: Hiroshima City Prods., Hiroshima Peace Cultural Center Release: August 6, 1952 98 min. B/W sound Japanese dialog w/English subtitles.
Japanese postwar pacifist drama film directed by Kaneto Shindo for Hiroshima City Productions and Hiroshima Cultural Center starring Nobuka Otawa, Osamo Takizawa, Miwa Saito, Hideji Otaki and others. "Children of Hiroshima" was commissioned by the Japan Teachers Union and was based on first-person testimonies gathered by Japanese educator Arata Osada, collected in the 1951 book "Children of the Atomic Bomb." The production was exhibited at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953. Contemporary film historians and cinema critics consider "Children of Hiroshima" a moving drama confronting the serious issues of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and its terrible aftermath.

Things to Come 1936

Producer: Alexander Korda Script: H.G. Welles (novel) Director: William cameron Menzies Cinematography: Georges Perinal CAST: Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, Cedric Hardwicke,, Edward Chapman Music: Arthur Bliss Production: London Films Productions Release: February 20, 1936 108 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British sci-fi fantasy film produced by Alexander Korda directed by William Cameron Menzies starring Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, Cedric Hardwicke, Edward Chapman and others. Author H.G. Welles conceived his film treatment as "a new story" meant to display the "social and political forces and possibilities" that he outlined in his 1933 novel "The Shape of Things to Come," a literary work he considered less a novel than a "dicsussion" in fictional form that presented itself as the notes of a twenty-two second century diplomat. "Things to Come" is considered a landmark in early sci-fi cinema.

Black Dragons 1942

Producers: Jack Dietz, Sam Katzman Script: Robert Kehoe, Harvey Gates Director: William Nigh Cinematography: Arthur Reed CAST: Bela Lugosi, Jack Barclay, George Pembroke, Clayton Moore Music: Johnny Lange, Lew Porter, Heinz Roemheld Production: Banner Pictures Corp. Release: March 6, 1942 64 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American anti-Axis Powers propaganda film directed by William Nigh for Banner Pictures Corp starring Bela Lugosi, George Pembroke, Clayton Moore and others. The story is set prior to America's entry into WWII, and Japan's fiendish Black Dragon Society is hatching an evil plot with the Nazis. The film was rushed into production following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and released the following year.

Bluebeard 1944

Producers: Leon Fromkess, Martin Mooney Script: Arnold Phillips, Werner H. Furst Director: Edgar G. Ulmer Cinematography: Jockey Arthur Feindel, Eugen Schuefftan CAST: John Carradine, Jean Parker, Nils Asther, Ludwig Stoessel Music: Leo Erdody, Charles Gounod Production: Producers Releasing Corp. Release: November 11, 1944 sound B/W English dialog.
American historical film noir directed by Edgar G. Ulmer starring John Carradine, Jean Parker, Nils Asther, Ludwig Stoessel and others. The film is based on the famous French tale "Barbie bleue" that tells the story of a violent nobleman in the habit of murdering his wives and the attempts of one wife to avoid the fate of her predecessors.

The Bowery Blitzkrieg 1941

Producer: Sam Katzman Script: Brendan Wood, Donn Mullahy, Sam Robins, Carl Foreman Director: Wallace Fox Cinematography: Marcel Le Picard CAST: Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Donald Haines Music: Johnny Lange, Lew Porter Production: Sam Katzman Productions Release: August 1, 1941 64 min. sound B/W English dialog.
American comedy film directed by Wallace Fox starring Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Donald Haines and others. The production is the sixth installment of the "East Side Kids" series.

Captain Kidd 1945

Producer: Benedict Bogeaus Script: Norman Reilly Raine Director: Rowland V. Lee Cinematography: Archie Stout CAST: Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, John Carradine, Gilbert Roland Music: Werner Janssen Production: Benedict Bogeaus Productions Release: November 22, 1945 90 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American adventure film directed by Rowland V. Lee starring Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, John Carradine, Gilbert Roland and others. "Captain Kidd" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 18th Academy Awards. The film was purportedly Joseph Stalin's favorite movie.

Clancy Street Boys 1943

Producer: Sam Katzman, Jack Dietz Script: Harvey Gates Director: William Beaudine Cinematography: Mack Stengler CAST: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Benny Bartlett Music: Edward J. Kay Production: Monogram Pictures Corp. Release: April 23, 1943 66 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American comedy film directed by William Beaudine starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Benny Bartlett and others. Considered a cinematic comedy classic.

Coming Back to their Unit 1947

Original vintage Chinese propaganda film produced in 1947 contrasting the humanity of the Chinese communist soldiers is contrasted with the brutality of Chinese nationalists is the theme of this political propaganda film.

Comrade X 1940

Producer: Gottfried Reinhardt, Kng Vidor Script: Ben Hecht, Charles Lederer, Hermann J. Mankiewicz Director: King Vidor Cinematography: Joseph Ruttenberg CAST: Clrk Gable, Hedy Lamar, Oskar Homolka, Felix Bressart Music: Bronislav Kaper Production: MGM Release: December 13, 1940 90 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American comedy espionage film directed by King Vidor starring Clark Gable, Hedy Lamar, Oskar Homolka, Felix Bressart and others. The story is set in 1940, where a foreign journalist, "Comrade X," is busy bypassing censors and sending out critical reports on Stalin's Soviet Union.

Cowboy and the Senorita 1944

Producer: Herschel Goldberg Script: Bradford Ropes, Gordon Kahn Director: Joseph Kane Cinematography: Reggie Lanning CAST: Roy Rogers, Trigger, Dale Evans, Mary Lee Music: Joseph Dubin, Mort Glickman Production: Republic Pictures Release: May 13, 1944 78 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western film directed by Joseph Kane starring Roy Rogers, Trigger, Dale Evans, Mary Lee and others.
The story concerns Roy and his sidekick Teddu Bear are mistaken for being kidnappers of a runaway teenager.

Cyrano de Bergrac 1950

Producer: Stanley Kramer Script: Carl Foreman, Brian Hocker Director: Michael Gordon Cinematography: Franz Planer CAST: Jose Ferrer, Mala Powers, William Prince Music: Dimitri Tiomkin Production: Stanley Kramer Productions Release: November 16, 1950 113 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American comedy adventure film based on the 1897 French Alexandrin verse drama "Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rosland. The production was directed by Michael Gordon starring Jose Ferrer, Mala Powers, William Prince and others. The film is considered a cinematic masterpiece.

D.O.A. 1950

Producer: Leo C. Pepkin Script: Russell Rouse, Clarence Greene Director: Rudolph Mate Cinematography: Ernest Laszio CAST: Edmund O'Brien, Luther Adler, Beverly Garland Music: Dimitri Tiomkin Production: United Artists Release: April 21, 1950 84 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American film noir crime drama directed by Rudolph Mate starring Edmund O'Brien, Luther Adler, Beverly Garland and others. The story concerns a fatally poisoned man who attempts to discover who poisoned him and why. "D.O.A." is considered a cinematic masterpiece.

The Will of Dr. Mabuse 1933

Producer: Seymour Nebenzal Script: Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang Director: Fritz Lang Cinematography: Karl Vash, Fritz Arno Wagner CAST: Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Otto Wernicke, Theodor Loos, Gustav Diesel Music: Hans Erdmann Production: Nero-Film AG Release: April 21, 1933 2 hours B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German crime thriller directed by Fritz Lang starring Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Otto Wernicke, Theodor Loos, Gustav Diesel and others. The production is a sequel to Lang's "Dr. Mabuse the Gambler" (1922) and features many of the original characters. Lang intended the film to overtly suggest the Mabuse-like qualities of Hitler, who was on his rise to become Chancellor of Germany while Lang's wife, Thea von Harbou was still penning the screenplay. Due to this fact after the Nazis came to power in January 1933, Goebbels banned Lang's production on the basis it contained anti-Nazi references.

The Blue Angel 1930

Producer: Erich Pommer Script: Carl Zuckmayer, Karl Vollmoeller, Robert Liebmann, Josef von Sternberg Director: Josef von Sternberg Cinematography: Guenther Rittau CAST: Emil Jannings, Marlene Dietrich, Kurt Gerron, Rosa Valetti, Hans Albers Music: Friedrich Hollaender, Robert Liebmann (lyrics), Franz Waxman Production: Ufa Release: April 1, 1930 108 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German musical comedy film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Emil Jannings, Marlene Dietrich, Kurt Gerron, Rosa Valetti, Hans Albers and others. The production was based on Thomas Mann's 1905 novel "Professor Unrat" (Professor Filth") and set in an unspecified northern German port city. "The Blue Angel" presents the tragic transformation of a respectable academic professor into a ridiculous cabaret clown and his eventual descent into madness. Sternberg's film was the first German feature-length sound production and brought instant international fame to Marlene Dietrich. The original Berlin Reich premiere was to take place on April 1, 1930, however, the production company Ufa's chairman and industrialist Alfred Hugenberg objected to the "socialist" Thomas Mann's literary classic and refused to open it in the German capital. But "The Blue Angel" became an overnight international success - Sternberg brought Marlene Dietrich to Hollywood under contract to Paramount, the movie studio she would act in many box-office hits.

The Daredevil 1931

Producer: Richard Eichberg, Joseph Than Script: Franz Hoellering (novel), Richard Eichberg Director: Richard Eichberg Cinematography: Heinrich Gaertner, Bruno Mondi CAST: Hans Albers, Sigurd Loehde, Ernst Stahl-Nachbauer Music: Hans May Production: Richard Eichberg-Film Release: November 26, 1931 92 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German crime film produced, co-written and directed by Richard Eichberg starring Hans Albers, Sigurd Loehde, Ernst Stahl-Nachbauer and others. "The Daredevil" is set in the port of Hamburg, where a policeman, known by his colleagues as "The Daredevil" due to his propensity for action, manages to rescue a young woman from the water. Eichberg's production is considered one of the cinematic classics produced during the Weimarian period.

The Captain of Koepenick 1931

Producer: Richard Oswald, Gabriel Pascal Script: Carl Zuckmayer, Albrecht Joseph Director: Richard Oswald Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Max Adalbert, Kaethe Haack, Friedrich Kayssler, Paul Otto Music: Anton Rubinstein Production: Richard Oswald-Filmproduktion GmbH Release: 1931 85 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German classic comedy film co-produced and directed by Richard Oswald for his own production company Oswald-Filmproduktion starring Max Adalbert, Kaethe Haack, Friedrich Kayssler, Paul Otto and others. The film is based on the play of the same title by Carl Zuckmayer who also co-wrote the screenplay. "The Captain of Koepenick" premiered on December 31, 1931 in Germany. The production is considered a high bar in Weimarian cinema at the time of its release.

The Last Act 1955

Producer: Carl Szokoll Script: Fritz Habeck, Michael A. Musmanno, Erich Maria Remarque Director: G.W. Past Cinematography: Guenther Anders Set Design: Otto Preminger CAST: Albin Skoda (as Hitler), Oskar Werner, Lotte Tobisch (as Eva Braun), Willy Krause (as Goebbels), Erich Stuckmann (as Himmler), Curt Eilers (as Bormann), and so on. Music: Erwin Halletz Production: Cosmopol-Film Release: April 14, 1955 113 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian/West German co-production directed by noted German director G.W. Past who had directed many notable productions during the Third Reich. It was this film that Past attempted to rehabilitate his career as a director. The production starred Albin Skoda, Oskar Werner, Lotte Tobisch, Willy Krause, Erich Stuckmann and Curt Eilers. "The Last Act" was the first such feature film production to tackle the taboo topic of Hitler and Nazi Germany focusing on the last ten days of the German chancellor in an underground Berlin This film version is considered the best on the final days in the bunker.

The Enchanted Day 1944

Producer: Viktor von Struwe Script: Peter Pewas, Renate Uhl Director: Peter Pewas Cinematography: Georg Krause CAST: Winnie Markus, Hans Struwe, Eva Maria Meinecke Music: Wolfgang Zeller Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: July 6, 1944 79 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German wartime romantic drama film was directed by Peter Pewas, and starring Winnie Markus, Hans Struwe, Eva Maria Meine cke, etc. The productions' release was considerably delayed by Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels following an initial screening in 1944 which led to numerous objections in the minister's opinion. Ultimately Goebbels was completely dissatisfied with the final cut of the film making "The Enchanting Day" not have a premiere until a screening in Sweden in 1947. The production went into general release in West Germany in 1951. While produced during the Third Reich, the film does not contain any direct Nazi propaganda, however, it should be noted the story is set in contermporary Nazi Germany in 1943 so the NS symbols and SS uniforms are self-evident when viewing the picturte today.

The Emperor of California 1936

Producer/Script/Director: Luis Trenker Cinematography: Albert Benitz, Heinz von Jaworsky CAST: Luis Trenker, Viktoria von Ballasko, Werner Kunig, Bernhard Minetti Music: Giuseppe Becca Production: Luis-Trenker-Film Release: May 7, 1937 95 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles,
German Western film produced, written, directed and starring Luis Trenker, Viktoria von Ballasko, Werner Kunig, Bernhard Minetti, etc. The story concerns the true account pf Swiss immigrant Johannes Sutter, the owner of Sutter's Mill, famous as the birthplace of the great California Gold Rush of 1849. "The Emperor of California" had its official Reich premiere at Ufa-Palast am Zoo theater on May 7, 1937 with Hitler and Goebbels in attendance. Trenker's production is, however, not considered a Nazi propaganda film.

The Postmaster 1940

Producer: Karl Hartl, Erich von Neusser Script: Alexander Pushkin (short story), Gerhard Menzel Director: Gustav Ucicky Cinematography: Hans Schneeberger CAST: Heinrich George, Hilde Kraehl, Siegfried Breuer, Hans Holt, Ruth Heliberg Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Wien-Film Release: April 24, 1940 92 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
Austrian /German co-production literary classic directed by Gustav Ucicky for Wien-Film starring Heinrich George, Hilde Kraehl, Siegfried Breuer, Hans Holt, Ruth Heliberg, etc. The story was very loosely based on "The Stationmaster" "The Postmaster" was released during the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact of 1939, depicting the Russians in a highly sympathetic light, unlike their crude depiction in such Nazi films as "Frisians in Peril" (1935) or as vicious brutal killers in "G.P.U." (1942). Though not a direct Nazi propaganda film, "The Postmaster" is today considered a cinematic literary classic by contemporary cinema historians.

The Broken Jug 1937

Producer: Karl Julius Fritzsche, Fritz Klotzsch Script: Thea von Harbou, Heinrich von Kleist (play) Director: Gustav Ucicky Cinematography: Fritz Arno Wagner CAST: Emil Jannings, Friedrich Kayssler, Max Guelsstorff, Lina Carstens Music: Wolfgang Zeller Production: Tobis-Film GmbH Release: October 19, 1937 87 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German comedy film directed by Gustav Ucicky and starring Emil Jannings, Friedrich Kayssler, Max Guelstorff, Lina Carstens, etc. The story is an adaptation of Heinrich von Kleist's classic play of the same title. "The Broken Jug" concerns a small village county judge tries a case to determine who broke the jug in question. The film was reportedly a favorite of Hitler and was among the movies the German chancellor would watch when he was in a bad mood. Today, "The Broken Judge" is considered a cinematic classic of the German sound film and contains no propaganda.

Detour 1945

Producer: Leon Fromkess Script: Martin Goldsmith Director: Edgar G. Ulmer Cinematography: Benjamin H. Kline CAST: Tom Neal, Ann Savage, Claudia Drake, Edmund MacDonald Music: Leo Erdody Production: PRC Pictures Release: November 15, 1945 68 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American independent film noir directed by Edgar G. Ulmer starring Tom Neal, Ann Savage, Claudia Drake, Edmund MacDonald, etc. "Detour" was generally well received in its initial release, with very positive reviews in the Los Angeles Times, Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. Ulmer's picture is today considered an American film noir cinematic classic by contemporary cinema critics.

The Fire-Tongs Bowel 1944

Producer: Heinz Ruehmann Script: Heinrich Spoerl (novel + screenplay) Director: Helmut Weiss Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Erich Ponto, Paul Henckels, Hilde Sessak Music: Werner Bochmann Production: Ufa Release: January 28, 1944 97 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film directed by Helmut Weiss based on the novel by author and screenwriter Heinrich Spoerl. The picture featured an all-star Ufa cast, including Heinz Ruehmann, Erich Ponto, Paul Henckels, Hilde Seesak, etc. The story closely followed Spoerl's novel, telling the story of a famous author going undercover as a student of a small town secondary school after his friends tell him that he missed out on the best part of growing up by being educated at home. The storyline of the movie takes place during the time of the Wilhelmmine Empire in Germany. "The Fire-Tongs Bowl" was produced and released during the final years of WWII, and has been called "a masterpiece of timeless, cheerful escapism." The release of the picture was in question when Bernhard Rust, Nazi Minister of Education and former high school teacher, bristled at the way the production poked fun at teachers. However, to circumvent a ban by the NS Censorship Board, executive producer Heinz Ruehmann presented a print of the film to Hermann Goering at Hitler's headquarters in East Prussia, where it proved to be a big success and received its official Reich premiere at two Ufa Palace theaters in Berlin on January 28, 1944. Interestingly enough, "The Fire-Tong Bowl" received cult status during the 1980s at many West German universities. At these screenings at party-like gatherings in university auditoriums, attending students were allowed to bring movie props to participate live in front of the projection screen similar to audience participation in the ultimate cult midnight movie experience in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Contemporary cinema scholars and historians consider "The Fire-Tong Bowl" as a cinematic masterpiece.

The Woman of My Dreams 1944

Producer/Script (co-writer)/Director: Georg Jacoby Script: Jamos Vaszary, Herbert Witt, Georg Jacoby Cinematography: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet CAST: Marika Roekk, Wolfgang Lukschy, Walter Muller, Georg Alexander Music: Franz Grothe Production: Ufa Release: August 25, 1944 93 min. Color sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German musical comedy directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Roekk, Wolfgang Lukschy, Walter Muller, Georg Alexander, etc. The lavish color Ufa production was free of propaganda and only contained pure entertainment. The film is considered a cinematic masterpiece by contemporary film historians.

Dixiana 1930

Producer: William LeBaron Script: Anna Caldwell (story), Fred Fleck (screenplay) Director: Luther Reed Cinematography: J. Roy Hunt CAST: Bebe Daniels, Everett Marshall, Bill "Bogangles" Robinson, Eugene Jackson, Dorothy Lee Music: Harry Tierney, Max Steiner, Victor Baravalle Production: RKO Radio Pictures Release: August 1, 1930 100 min. Color sound English dialog.
Lavish American pre-Code Technicolor comedy musical film directed by Luther Reed and starring Bebe Daniels, Everett Marshall, Bill "Bogangles" Robinson, Eugene Jackson, Dorothy Lee, etc. This is the picture in which composer Max Steiner received his first screen credit for orchestration. During early previews, in May 1930, "Dixiana" received very good reviews from theater audiences. "Dixiana" is considered a lavish vintage Technicolor production by contemporary cinema historians and film scholars.

Two-Time Lotties 1950

Producer: Guenther Stapenhorst Script: Erich Kaestner Director: Josef von Baky Cinematography: Walter Riml, Franz Weihmayr CAST: Isa Guenther, Jutta Guenther, Hans Olden, Maria Krahn Music: Alois Melichar Production: Carlton-Film Release: December 1, 1950 105 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film directed by Josef von Baky and starring Isa Guenther, Jutta Guenther, Hans Olden, Maria Krahn, etc. The story is based on the 1840 children's novel of the same title by Erich Kaestner, who also wrote the screenplay and supplied the commentary. "The Double Lotties" is a faithful adaptation of the novel adaptation compared to Walt Disney's better known version known as "The Parent Trap" (1961) released eleven years later. Much of the creative talent in the picture had been involved in the cinema of the Third Reich, including both Josef von Baky and Erich Kaestner ("Muenchhausen," 1943.)

Dreams That Money can Buy 1947

Producer: Kenneth Macpherson, Hans Richter Script: Joseph White, Man Ray, Hans Rehfisch, Hans Richter, David Vern Director: Hans Richter Cinematography: Werner Brandes, Arnold S. Eagle, Peter Glushhanok, Meyer Rosenblum, Herman Shulman, Victor Vicas CAST: Jack Bittner, Libby Holman, John White, Norman Cazanijan Music: Louis Appelbaum, John Cage, Darius Milhaud Production: Art of This Century Films, Inc. Release: September 1947 99 min. Color sound English dialog.
American drama film written, produced and directed by Hans Richter, a German with a background in the dadasist and constructivist art movements. The unusual picture starred Jack Bittner, Libby Holman, John White, Norman Cazanijan, etc. The color film consists of a frame story and a series of dream sequences that were created by different modernist artists. Collaboration included Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, Alexander Calder, Darius Milhaud and Fernand Leger. Richter's production received the award for Best Original Contribution to the Progress of Cinematography at the 1947 Venice Film Festival. The New York Times critic Bosley Crowther wrote of the film: "As with most things experimental - at least, in the cinema form - this effort of Mr. Richter's and of his collaborators, has obvious flaws." However, Harvard Professor Deirdre Barrett greatly appreciated the film's language of the unconscious more: "The best dream sequence is the opening one by Max Ernst which appears to be based on the same dream as his painting "Two Children Are Menaced by a Nightingale." Richter masterfully captures the growing chaotic horror of a nightmare. "Dreams That Money Can Buy" is considered by contemporary film historians as a cinematic masterpiece.

Eagle in a Cage 1972

Producer: Millard Lampell, Albert Schwartz Script: Millard Lampell Director: Fiedler Cook Cinematography: Frano Vodopivec CAST: Kenneth Haigh, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Ralph Richardson, Ferdy Mayne, Billie Whitelaw Music: Marc Wilkinson Production: Group W Productions, Ramona Productions Release: December 22, 1971 103 min. Color sound English dialog.
American /British historical film directed by Fiedler cook starring an all-star cast, including Kenneth Haigh, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Ralph Richardson, Ferdy Mayne, Billie Whitelaw, etc. The story is set following the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and surrender to the British Empire, Napoleon Bonaparte is delivered into exile and imprisonment on St. Helena, setting the scene for a psychological character study of the fallen Emperor and those upon the island with him as he takes over the ashes of his career. "Eagle in a Cage" was well received at the box-office upon release. The New York Times wrote: "It should be obvious that the filmmaker's imagination working at this level will create roles to tax the most imaginative of actors. But from his awesome cast, with a few exceptions, what he generally gets is a fair professional elaboration of clichés." Variety wrote: "It is a dramatically fascinating entry for the class market" while the Los Angeles Times said: "completely involving."

Earth 1930

Producer: Kyivska Kinofabryka Script/Director: Oleksandr Dovzhenko Cinematography: Danylo Demutsky CAST: Stephan Shkurat, Semen Svashenko, Yuliya Sointseva, Yelena Maksimova Music: Levko Revutsky, Vyachesandrovich Ovchinnikov Production: Vseukrainske Foto Kino Upravlinnia (VUFKU) Release: October 17, 1930 89 min. B/W sound Ukrainian dialog w/English subtitles.
Ukrainian political propaganda film produced in the USSR written and directed by Oleksandr Dovzhenko for Kyivska Kinofabryka and Vseukrainske Foto Kino Upravlinnia (VUFKU) starring Stephan Shkurat, Semen Svashhenko, Yuliya Sointseva, Yelena Maksimova, etc. Dovzhenko's production concerns the process of collectivization and the hostility of Kulak landowners under the First Five Year Plan of Joseph Stalin. It is the third motion picture, with "Zvenigora" (1928) and "Arsenal" (1929) (both available from FILMMUSEUM HOME VIDEO), of Dovzhenko's famed "Ukraine Trilogy". "Earth" is commonly regarded as Dovzhenko's cinematic masterpiece and as one of the greatest motion pictures ever produced list. "Earth" was voted number ten on the prestigious Brussels 12 list at the 1958 World Expo.

East of Borneo 1931

Producer: Carl Laemmle, Jr., Paul Kohner, John Melford Script: Edwin H. Knopf, Dale Van Every Director: George Melford Cinematography: George Robinson CAST: Rose Hobart, Charles Bickford, Georges Renavent, Lupita Tovar Production: Universal Pictures Release: August 1, 1931 77 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code adventure film produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. and directed by George Melford starring Rose Hobart, Charles Bickford, Georges Renovet, Lupita Tovar and others. The story concerns a woman by the name of Linda Randolph looks for her husband on the island of Marado just east of Borneo. "East of Borneo" is considered an early sound film classic of the new Universal Pictures company in 1931.

Days of Jesse James 1939

Producer: Joseph Kane Script: Jack Nattleford (story), Earl Snell (screenplay) Director: Joseph Kane Cinematography: Reggie Lanning CAST: Roy Rogers, Gabby Hayes, Don "Red" Barry, Pauline Moore Music: William Lava, Floyd Morgan Production: Republic Pictures Release: December 20, 1939 63 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western film produced and directed by Joseph Kane starring Roy Rogers, Gabby Hayes, Don "Red" Barry, Pauline Moore, etc. The story concerns Roy Rogers (essayed by himself), who has been brought in in order to bring in notorious bank robber Jesse James ("Don "Red" Barry). Considered a "programmer" product of Republic Pictures.

Dead Men Walk 1943

Producer: Sigmund Neufeld Script: Fred Myton Director: Sam Newfield Cinematography: Jack Greenhaigh CAST: George Zucco, Mary Carisle, Nedrick Young, Dwight Frye Music: Leo Erdody Production: PRC Pictures Release: February 10, 1943 64 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American horror film directed by Sam Newfield for PRC Pictures starring George Zucco, Mary Carisle, Nedrick Young, Dwight Frye, etc. The story concerns a kindly small town physician, Dr. Lloyd Clayton, who has secretly murdered his twin brother Elwyn, because of Elwyn's deep involvement in Satanic occult practices. A genuine cinematic work of horror and an instant American classic.

The Gleiwitz Case 1961

Producer/Director: Gerhard Klein Script: Wolfgang Kohlhasse, Guenther Ruecker, Klaus Wischnewski Cinematography: Jan Curik CAST: Hannjo Hasse, Christoph Beyertt, Wolfgang Kalweit , Georg Leopold Music: Kurt Schwaen Production: DEFA Release: August 25, 1961 70 min. B/W German dialog.
East German propaganda war film directed by Gerhard Klein and starring Hannjo Hasse, Christoph Beyertt, Wolfgang Kalweit, Georg Leopold, etc. The story concerns the Gleiwitz Indicent which was a false flag attack on the radio station staged by Himmler's SS. The fake attack was carried out to justify the German invasion of Poland as a defensive attack before the international community. "The Gleiwitz Case" is considered an East German propaganda feature film.

The Roundabouts of Handsome Karl 1938

Producer: Herbert Engelsing, Carl Froelich Script: Paul Enderling, Harald Braun, Jacob Geis, Philiip Lothar Mayring, Klaus S. Richter Director: Carl Froelich Cinematography: Reimar Kuntze CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Karin Hardt, Sybille Schmitz, Ernst Legal Music: Hansome Milde-Meissner Production: Carl Froelich-Film Release: January 31, 1938 101 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film produced and directed by Carl Froelich starring Heinz Ruehmann, Karin Hardt, Sybille Schmitz, Ermst Legal, etc. The story concerns the experiences of a young writer during the Great Depression years. Considered as a cinematic classic by contemporary film critics.

Doomed to Die 1940

Producer: Paul Malvern, Scott R. Dunlap Script: Hugh Wiley, Ralph Gilbert Bettison, Michael Jacoby Director: William Nigh Cinematography: Harry Neumann CAST: Boris Karloff, Marjorie Reynolds, Grant Withers, William Sterling Music: Edward J. Kay Production: Monogram Pictures Release: August 22, 1940 68 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American mystery film directed by Willian Nigh and starring Boris Karloff, Marjorie Reynolds, Grant Withers, William Sterling, etc. The production is a sequel to the 1940 film "The Fatal Hour", which also featured Grant Withers and Marjorie Reynolds. The picture is considered a "programmer."

Drums in the Deep South 1951

Producer: Frank King, Maurice King Script: Phillip Yordan, Sidney Harmon Director: William Cameron Menzies Cinematography: Lionel Lindon CAST: James Craig, Barbara Peyton, Guy Madison, Barton MacLane Music: Dimitri Tiomkin Production: King Brothers Productions Release: October 16, 1951 87 min. Color sound English dialog.
American historical Civil War Western film directed by William Cameron Menzies and starring James Craig, Barbara Peyton, Guy Madison, Barton MacLane, etc. The film was based on an original story by Civil War author Hollister Noble. According to the King Brothers who sold the picture to RKO Radio Pictures and claimed it was "extremely profitable" at the time. "Drums in the Deep South" is considered a cinematic film classic.

Episode 1935

Producer/Script/Director: Walter Reisch Cinematography: Harry A. Stradling CAST: Karl Ludwig Diehl, Paula Wessley, Walter Janssen, Erika von Wagner Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Viktoria-Film Release: 1935 105 min. German w/English subtitles.
Austrian light romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Walter Reisch starring Karl Ludwig Diehl, Paula Wessley, Walter Janssen, Erika von Wagner, etc. "Episode" is a "Wiener Film, an Austrian entertainment genre, consisting of a combination of romance, comedy and melodrama in a historical setting, mostly of the Viennese culture and society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The German premiere took place on August 23, 1935 at the Gloria-Palast in Berlin. The Austrian premiere took place on September 13, 1935. "Episode" is considered a cinematic classic of the Austria.

It Happened on July 20th 1955

Producer: Jochen Genzow, Franz Seitz Script: Hans W. Hagen, Gustav Machaty, Jochen Wilke Director; G.W. Pabst Cinematography: Kurt Hasse CAST: Benhard Wicki, Karl Ludwig Diehl, Carl Wery, Kurt Mesiel Music: Johannes Weissenbach Production: Arca-Filmproduktion 75 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical film directed by the noted Georg Wilhelm Pabst and starring ernhard Wicki, Karl Ludwig Diehl, Carl Wery, Kurt Meisel, etc. Pabst's historical film concerns the July 20th anti-Hitler plot by leading German Army officers in 1944. This film is also known under the title "Jackboot Mutiny." This film is considered an accurate historical representation of the events being depicted on screen.

Teenage Wolf Pack 1956

Producer: Wenzel Luedecke, Arthur Brauner Script: Will Tremper, Georg Tressler Director: Georg Tressler Cinematography: Heinz Pehlke CAST: Horst Buchholz, Karen Baal, Christian Doermer, Jo Herbst Music: Martin Biecher Production: Interwest-Film Release: September 27, 1956 97 min. B/A sound German dialog.
German youth crime action drama directed by Georg Tressler starring Horst Buchholz, Karen Baal, Christian Doermer, Jo Herbst, etc. The story concerns a youth triangle among gang leader Freddy (Buchholz), his brother Jan (Doermer), and a bad girl known as Casey (Baal), in one of the screen portrayals of juvenile delinquency in postwar West Germany.

Schrammeln 1944

Producer: Wien-Film Script: Ernst Marischka, Hans Gustl Kernmayr Director: Gez von Bolvary Cinematography: Guenther Anders CAST: Marte Harell, Hans Holt, Hans Moser, Paul Hoerbiger Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner, Hans Schrammel, Josef Schrammel Production: Wien-Film Release: March 3, 1944 99 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian historical musical heritage film directed by Geza von Bolvary and starring Marte Harell, Hans Holt, Hans Moser, Paul Hoerbiger, etc. The story concerns the Austrian violinist Schrammel writes Viennese songs, but leaves them dusty in his drawer. His brother, also a musician, discovers them and wishes to secretly produce and perform them in public. Considered a cinematic classic film.

Enemy of Women 1944

Producer: W.R. Frank Script: Alfred Zeisler, Herbert O. Phillips Director: Alfred Zeisler Cinematography: John Alton CAST: Paul Andor, H.B. Warner, Claudia Drake, Sigrid Gurie Music: Artur Guttmann Producton: W.R. Frank Productions Release: November 10, 1944 85 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American wartime anti-Nazi propaganda film directed by Alfred Zeisler starring Paul Andor (as Goebels), H.B. Warner, Claudia Drake, Sigrid Gurie, etc. The exploitative story concerns Joseph Goebbels, a down-on-his-luck playwright, boards with military German pensioner Col. Eberhardt Brandt. While there, Goebbels falls in love with Brandt's daughter, Maria, an aspiring actress who does not return his affections. When Goebbels tries to kiss Maria, Col. Brandt kicks him out of the house, demanding Joseph never return. Then Goebbels attends a Nazi Party rally and hears Hitler speak which changes his life. This inspires his to join the ranks of the Nazi Party, where he achieves great success. Later, after becoming Minister of Propaganda, Goebbels manipulates Maria's movie career to beefit her, but again attempts to force her into a relationship. Maria again rejects him, and he uses his authority to have her blacklisted.

Fiesta 1941

Producer: LeRoy Prinz Script: Cortland Fitzsimmons, Kenneth Higgins, Alfred Gilks Director: LeRoy Prinz Cinematography: Robert Pittack CAST: Ann Ayars, Jorge Negrete, Amida, George Civol Music: Edward Ward Production: Hal Roach Studios Relase: November 28, 1941 45 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
Ameirican Technicolor musical film produced and directed by LeRoy Prinz starring Ann Ayars, Jorge Negrete, Amida, George Civol, etc. The story concerns Don Juan Hernandez's niece Cholita returns to her village from Mexico City announcing she will not marry Jose, her village boyfriend, but rather the radio star Fernando Gomez who has accompanied her home. "Fiesta" is considered a vintage Technicolor classic of Hal Roach Studios and is instantly recognized as a cinematic classic.

Fighting Elegy 1966

Producer: Kazu Otsuza Script: Kaneto , Takashi Suzuki (novel) Director: Seijun Suzuki Cinematography: Kenji Hagawara CAST: Hideki Takahasi, Junko Asano, Yusuke Kawazu Music: Naozumi Yamamoto Production: Nikkatsu Release: November 9, 1966 86 min. B/W sound Japanese dialog w/English subtitles.
Japanese war action film directed by Seijun Suzuki starring Hideki Takahosi, Junko Asano, Yusuke Kawazu, etc. The story is based on the novel "Kenka erejii" by Takashi Suzuki. "Fighting Elegy" is considered a fine cinematic Japanese sound film.

The Stars Shine 1938

Producer: Helmut Schreiber Script/Director: Hans H. Zerlett Cinematography: Georg Krause CAST: La Jana, Ernst Fritz Fuerbringer, Vera Bergman, Fridjof Greverus Music: Leo Leux, Paul Lincke, Mathias Perl, Franz R. Friedel Production: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH Release: 1938 95 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German musical review showstopper film produced during the Third Reich was written, produced and directed by Hans H. Zerlett for Tobis-Filmkunst starring La Jana, Ernst Fritz Fuertbringer, Vera Bergman, Fridjof Greverus, etc. The story concerns a young secretary who quits her job and travels to Berlin to try to become a movie star. She enters Gloria-Film as an extra where there are many German and international film stars appearing in motion pictures of the day. Musical numbers by the talented La Jana and others are featured in this Hollywood-style musical courtesy of Joseph Goebbels.

Fear in the Night 1947

Producer: William H. Pine, William C. Thomas Script/Director: Maxwell Shane Cinematography: Jack Greenhaigh CAST: Paul Kelly, DeForest Kelley, Ann Doran, Kay Scott Music: Rudy Schrager Production: Pine Thomas Productions 72 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American film noir crime film written and directed by Maxwell Shane and starring Paul Kelly, DeForest Kelly (his screen debut; "Star Trek" TV series, 1966), Ann Doran, Kay Scott, etc. The story is based on the 1943 Cornell Woolrich story "And So to Death" (retitled "Nightmare" in 1943. Shane's "Fear in the Night" is recognized as a film noir cinematic classic.

Fire over England 1937

Producer: Erich Pommer, Alexander Korda Script: Clemence Dane, Sergei Nolbandov Director: William K. Howard Cinematography: James Wong Howe CAST: Flora Robson, Raymond Massey, Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, James Mason Music: Richard Addinsell Production: London Film Productions Release: March 5, 1937 92 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British historical drama film produced by Erich Pommer and Alexander Korda directed by William K. Howard and starring Flora Robson, Raymond Massey, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, James Mason, etc. This impressive film historical film production is most notable for bringing Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh to the screen. The story is based on the 1936 novel of the same title by A.E.W. Mason. The picture is a historical drama set during the reign of Elisabeth I. focusing on England's victory over the Spanish Armada. "Fire over England" was the first British movie to have its U.S. premiere in Hollywood and garnered many positive reviews. In Variety, the critics comment stressed there "is a handsomely mounted and forcefully dramatic depiction of the glorification Queen Bess. it holds a succession of brilliantly played scenes, a wealth of choice diction, pointed excerpts from English history and a series of impressive tableaux." The League of Nations Committee on Motion Pictures awarded the 1937 Cinema Medal of Honor to "Fire over England." The impressive historical production is considered a cinematic classic.

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe Serial Collection 1936-1940

Producer: Henry Mac Rae Script: George H. Plympton, Basil Dickey, Barry Shipman, Alex Raymond Direction: Ford Beebe, Raymond Taylor Cinematography: Jerome Ash, William A. Sickner CAST: Buster Crabbe, Carol Hughs, Frank Shannon, Charles B. Middleton, Roland Drew Production: Universal Pictures Release: March 3, 1940 200 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American sci-fi 12-chapter movie serial from Universal Pictures directed by Ford Beebe and Raymond Taylor starring Buster Crabbe, Csrol Ash, William A. Sickner, etc. "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was adapted from Alex Raymond's syndicated newspaper comic strip of the same title from King Features Syndicate. According to American short story author Jim Harmon and writer Don Glut stated that "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe "was the most picturesque of the trilogy but surrendered much compelling charm for its cinematic sophistication."

Flying Deuces 1939

Producer: Boris Moros Script: Ralph Spence, Charley Rogers, Fred Schiller, Harry Langdon Director: A. Edward Sutherland Cinematography: Art Lloyd CAST: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Jean Parker, Reginald Gardinier, Charles Middleton Music: John Leipold, Leo Shuken Production: Boris Moros Productions Release: November 3, 1939 69 min. Color sound English dialog.
American buddy comedy film directed by A. Edward Sutherland starring Laurel and Hardy, in which the comic duo join the French Foreign Legion. "Flying Deuces" is considered a great comic film produced during the 1930s/

Foreign Correspondent 1940

Producer: Walter Wanger Script: Charles Bennett, Joan Harrison Director: Alfred Hitchcock Cinematography: Rudolph Mate, A.S.C. CAST: Joel McCrea, Herbert Marshall, George Sanders, Albert Bassermann, Martin Kosleck Music: Alfred Newman Production: Walter Wanger Productions Release: August 16, 1940 120 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American political espionage thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock starring Joel McCrea, Herert Marshall, George Sanders, Albert Bassermann, Martin Kosleck, etc. The story concerns an American journalist who becomes based in England who tries to expose Nazi spies engaged in a fictional continent-wide conspiracy in a prelude to WWII. "Foreign Correspondent" was one of two Hitchcock movies nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1940, the other being "Rebecca" which went on to win the award. "Foreign Correspondent" was nominated for six Academy Awards, including one to actor Albert Bassermann for Best Supporting Actor.

Women are No Angels 1943

Producer/Director: Willi Forst Script: Geza von Cziffra Cinematography: Jan Stallich, Hannes Staudinger CAST: Marte Harell, Axel von Ambesser, Margot Hielscher, Curd Juergens Music: Walter Leschititzky, Theo Mackeben Production: Wien-Film Release: March 23, 1943 80 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German (Austrian) musical comedy film produced and directed by Willi Forst starring Marte Harell, Axel von Ambesser, Margot Hielscher, Curd Juergens, etc. The story concerns movie director Richard Anden and his scriptwriter take a cruise on luxury liner, avoiding all feminine attempts to get a film contract, including the ship's singer. When he unexpectantly discovers that a charming, beautiful passenger becomes involved in a murder mystery and is chased by law enforcement, he will attempt to save her from prison, yet everyone has a secret in this Austrian (though annexed to Germany) musical comedy produced during wartime in 1943.

Friday the 13th 1933

Producer: Michael Balcon Script: Sidney Gilliat, George Williams, George White Director: Victor Saville Cinematography: Charles Van Enger CAST: Jessie Mathews, Sonny Hale, Muriel Aked, Cyril Smith Music: Bretton Byrd Production: Gainsorough Pictures Release: November 1933 89 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British mystery/drama film directed by Victor Saville starring Jessie Mathews, Sonny Hale, Muriel Aked, Cyril Smith, etc. "Friday the 13th" concerns the lives of various passengers in the hours they are involved in a tragic bus crash.

The Front Page 1931

Producer: Lewis Milestone, Howard Hughes Script: Barttlett Cormack, Charles Lederer Director: Lewis Milestone Cinematography: Glen MacWilliams CAST: Adolphe Menjou, Pat O'Brien, Mary Brien, Edward Everett Horton Production: Caddo Company Release: April 4, 1931 101 B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code screwball comedy was produced by Howard Hughes and Lewis Milestone (also director) starring Adolphe Menjou, Pat O'Brien, Mary Brien, Edward Everett Horton, etc. The story is based on the 1928 Broadway play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. At the 4th Academy Awards, "The Front Page" was nominated for Best Picture, Lewis Milestone for Best Director, and Adolphe Menjou for Best Actor. The picture is considered an early vintage sound American cinematic classic.

The Jazz Singer 1927

Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck Script: Alfred A. Cohn Director: Alan Crossland Cinematography: Hal Mohr CAST: Al Jolson, Bobby Gordon, Warner Oland, Eugene Besserer Music: Louis Silvers Production: Vitaphone Corp./Warner Bros. Release: October 6, 1927 96 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American part-talkie musical drama film produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Alan Crosland for Vitaphone and Warner Bros. Pictures in 1927. The popular film stars Al Jolson, Bobby Gordon, Warner Oland, Eugene Besserer, etc. "The Jazz Singer" is history first feature-length motion picture with both synchronized recorded music and lip-synchronous singing and speech. The theatrical release of this particular film heralded the commercial ascendance of sound movies and had effectively marked the end of the silent era with the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, featuring six songs performed by Al Jolson. The production was based on the 1925 play by Samson Raphaelson, the plot adapted from his short story "The Day of Atonement." Darryl F. Zanuck won an Academy Honorary Award for producing the picture. Alfred A. Cohn was nominated for Best Writing (Adaptation) at the 1st Academy Awards on august 1, 1927. "The Jazz Singer" is considered a landmark motion picture due to the advent of sound.

Gold 1934

Producer: Alfred Zeisler Script: Rolf E. Vanloo Director: Karl Hartl Cinematography: Otto Baecker, Werner Bohne, Guenther Rittau CAST: Hans Albers, Friedrich Kayssler, Brigitte Helm, Michael Bohnen, Rudolf Platte Music: Hans-Otto Biorgmann Production: Ufa Release: October 21, 1934 120 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German sci-fi fantasy film directed by Karl Hartl starring Hans Albers, Friediruch Kayssler, Brigitte Helm, Michael Bohnen, Rudolf Platte, etc. "Gold" concerns a German scientist's attempt to create a machine that transforms base materials into gold, a project that attracts the unwelcome attention of a British industrialist. Hartl's film had its official Reich premiere in Berlin on March 29, 1934 at the Ufa-Palast am Zoo Theater. Following the end of the war in 1945, Allied film censors reviewed Hartl's picture and pondered whether or not Nazi scientists had actually been able to construct the first nuclear reactor long before it had been originally thought they had done so. Today, "Gold" is considered a classic German film.

Friedrich Schiller 1940

Producers: Fritz Klotsch, Gustav Rathje Script: Paul Josef Cremers, Walter Wassermann, Lotte Neumann, Norbert Jacques Director: Herbert Maisch Cinematography: Fritz Arno Wagner CAST: Horst Casoar, Heinrich George, Lil Dagover, Friedrich Kayssler, Eugen Kloepfer Music: Herbert Windt Production: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH Release: December 17, 1940 98 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German literary historical drama film directed by Herbert Maisch for Tobis-Filmkunst starring Horst Caspar (as Friedrich Schiller), Heinrich George, Lil Dagover, Friedrich Kayssler, Eugen Kloepfer, etc. The story is based on the novel "Passion" by Norbert Jacques who also collaborated on the screenplay. The story concerns the life and struggle of German poet Friedrich Schiller. Nazi Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels was concerned that German audiences would not fully understand the propaganda content in the picture. The production was, however, finally approved by the Reich censors on November 11, 1940 and special "test" screenings were held in Stuttgart and Strasbourg on November 13, 1940. The results had proven successful and "Friedrich Schiller" had its official Reich premiere in Berlin at the Capitol am Zoo Theater on December 17th, 1940.

The Great Dictator 1940

Producer/Script/Director: Charlie Chaplin Cinematography: Karl Struss, Roland Totheroh CAST: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Maurice Moscovich, Emma Dunn Music: Charlie Chaplin, Meredith Wilson Production: Charlie Chaplin Film Corp. Release: October 16, 1940 125 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American political satire black comedy written, produced, directed and starring Charlie Chaplin co-starring Paulette Goddard, Maurice Moscovich, Emma Dunn, etc. Having been the only Hollywood director to continue to produce silent movies well into the era of silents, Chaplin produced "The Great Dictator" as his first chosen sound film. His production furthered a stirring condemnation of the German Nazi and Italian fascist dictators Hitler and Mussolini, as well as fascism in general as well as anti-Semitism, and the Nazi movement. At the time of its initial release in the U.S.A., the democratic nation was still at peace with Nazi Germany and neutral during what were essentially the early days of WWI. Chaplin essays both leading roles - a ruthless fascist dictator and a persecuted Jewish barber. Chaplin's film was immensely popular with audiences, becoming the director's most commercially successful film. Contemporary film critics have praised "The Great Dictator' as a historically significant motion picture and one of the greatest comedy movies ever produced in the history of world cinema. Chaplin's landmark movie was nominated for five Academy Awards: Outstanding Production, Best Actor, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Supporting Actor for Jack Oakie, and Best Music (Original Score).

Guliver's Travels 1939

Producer: Max Fleischer Script: Daniel Gordon, Calvin Howard, Edward Pierce, Isadore Sparber, Edmond Seward Director: Dave Fleischer Cinematography: Charles Shettler CAST (voice): Sam Parker, Max Smith, Pinto, Colvig, Jack Mercer Music: Victor Young, Leo Robin, Ralph Rangier, Al Neiburg, Wnston Sharples, Sammy Timberg Producton: Fleisher Studios Release: December 22, 1939 76 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American animated musical fantasy film directed by Dave Fleischer for Fleischer Studios featuring voice actors Sam Parker, Max Smith, Pinto Colvig, Jack Mercer, etc. "Gulliver's Travels" premiered in New York on December 20, 1939, and went into general release in the U.S.A. two days later on December 22nd. The Technicolor production received Academy Award nominations for Best Music, Original Score and Best Music, Original Song ("Faithfully Forever") at the 12th Academy Award, loosing both to MGM's "The Wizard of Oz" the same year. Contemporary film critics consider "Gulliver's Travels" as a high achievement in animated motion pictures.

Gung-Ho! 1943

Producer: Walter Wanger Script: Lucien Hubbard, Joseph Hoffman, Lt. W.S. LeFrancois, USMCR Director: Ray Enright Cinematography: Milton R. Krasner CAST: Randolph Scott, Alan Curtis, Noah Beery, J. Carroll Naish, Sam Levene Music: Frank Skinner Production: Walter Wanger Productions Release: December 20, 1943 88 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American WWII adventure film directed by Ray Enright starring Randolph Scott, Alan Curtis, Noach Beery, J. Carroll Naish, Sam Levene, etc. The story concerns the real-life WWII Makin Island raid led by Lt. Col. Evans Carlson's 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. "Gung-Ho" is considered an historically accurate war film produced at the height of WWII.

Hearts of Humanity 1932

Producer: John Clein Script: Edward T. Lowe, Olga Prinzlau (story) Director: Kristy Cabanne Cinematography: Charles J. Stumar CAST: Jean Hersholt, John Searl, J. Farell Macdonald, Claudia Dell Music: Brown Spencer Production: Majestic Pictures Release: Seotember 1, 1932 66 min. B/W sound English dialog.
Americna drama film directed by Kristy Cabonne starring Jean Hersholt, John Searl, J. Farell MacDonald, Claudia Dell, etc. The story concerns genial Irish New York policeman Tom O'Hara looking forward to the arrival of his young son, Shandy from Ireland.

Homeland 1938

Producer/Director: Carl Froelich Script: Hermann Sudermann (play), Carl Froelich, Harold Braun, Hans Brennert, Otto Ernst Hesse Director: Carl Froelich Cinematography: Franz Weihmayr CAST: Zarah Leander, Heinrich George, Paul Hoerbiger, Leo Slezak Music: Theo Mackeben Production: Tonstudio Carl Froelich, Ufa Release: June 25, 1938 98 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German historical melodrama film produced and directed by Carl Froelich starring Zarah Leander, Heinrich George, Paul Hoerbiger, Leo Slezak, etc. The melodramatic storyline of "Homeland" concerns the return of a famous singer to her small village, where he father wishes her to settle down and marry. The production is based on the 1803 play by Hermann Sudermann. Carl Froelich won Best Director for "Homeland" at the Venice Film Festival in 1938. The film is considered a cinematic classic even if produced during the Third Reich.

Heinz in the Moon aka (Between Three Brides) 1934

Script/Director: Robert A. Stemmle Cinematography: Carl Drews CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Rudolf Platte, Oskar Sima, Enka Glaessner Music: Franz Grothe Production: Cicero-Film Release: September 5, 1934 82 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film written and directed by Robert Stemmle starring comedian Heinz Ruehmann, Rudolf Platee, Oskar Sima, Erika Glaessner, etc. Robert Stemmle renamed the film's title from "Hans" to "Heinz" in order to take full advantage of the movie star's (Heinz Ruehmann) popularity.

Hell Town 1937

Producer: William T. Lackey, William LeBaron Script: Stuart Anthony, Robert Yost Director: Charles Barton Cinematography: Deveraux Jennings CAST: John Wayne, Marsha Hunt, John Mack Brown, John Patterson Production: Paramount Pictures Release: December 10, 1937 59 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Western adventure film directed by Charles Barton starring John Wayne, Marsha Hunt, John Mack, John Patterson, etc. Based on the novel by Western author Zane Grey. The picture is considered a Western movie classic.

Hell House 1932

Producer: B.F. Zeidman Script: Paul Gangelin, B. Harrison Orkow Director: Howard Higgin Cinematography: Allen G. Siegler CAST: Bette Davis, Pat O'Brien, Charley Grapervine, Morgan Wallace Production: .F. Zeidman Productions Ltd. Release: February 10, 1932 72 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code drama film was directed by Howard Higgin starring Bette Davis, Pat O'Brien, Charley Grapervine, Morgan Wallace, etc. The story is set in the days of the Prohibition era, based on an original story by Howard Higgin.

Hitler - Dead or Alive 1942

Producer: Ben Judell Script: Sam Neuman, Karl Brown Director: Nick Grinde Cinematography: Paul Ivano CAST: Ward Bond, Dorothy Tree, Warren Hymer, Paul Fox Music: Leo Erdody Production: Ben Judell Productions Release: November 12, 1942 70 min. B/w sound English dialog.
American wartime political propaganda film directed by Nick Grinde starring Ward Bond, Dorothy Tree, Warren Hymer, Paul Fox, etc. The picture was purportedly based on historical facts, however, the film took on a quasi-comic tone throughout the production. "Hitler - Dead or Alive" is considered a wartime propaganda film.

House on Haunted Hill 1959

Producer: William Castle, Robb White Script: Robb White Director: William Castle Cinematography: Carl E. Guthrie CAST: Vincent Price, Richard Long, Elisha Cook, Carol Ohmart Music Von Dexter Production: William Castle Productions 75 min. Color sound English dialog.
American ghost story horror film produced and directed by William Castle starring Vincent Price, Richard Long, Elisha Cook, Carol Ohmart, etc. The story concerns an eccentric millionaire (Vincent Price), who along with his wife, has invited five guests to the house for a "haunted house party". Whoever remains in the house for one night received &10,000. As the night progresses, the guests become trapped within the house with an assortment of frights and terrors. "House on Haunted Hill" is one of the best and fondly remembered horror movies from the 1950s.

Immense Sea 1943

Producer: Erich Holder Executive Producer/Director: Veit Harlan Script: Theodor Sttorm (novel), Alfred Braun, Veit Harlan Director: Veit Harlan Cinematography: Bruno Mondi CAST: Kristina Soederbaum, Carl Raddatz, Paul Klinger, Otto Gebuhr Music: Wolfgang Zeller Production: Ufa-Filmkunst GmbH Release: December 26, 1943 88 min. Color sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German melodrama produced, written and directed by Veit Harlan starring Kristina Soederbaum, Carl Raddatz, Paul Klinger, Otto Gebuhr, etc. "Immense Sea" was a popular cinematic attraction and a box-office success and, with its propaganda theme of a brave German woman remaining faithful to her husband, was important to raising the morale of Nazi military forces, the picture continued to remain popular in war-torn postwar occupied Germany.

Ivan the Terrible Parts I & II 1944/1945

Producer/Script/Director: Sergei Eisenstein Cinematography: Andrei Moskvin, Eduard Tisse CAST: Nikolay Cherkasov, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Serafima Birman, Pavel Kadochnikov Music: Sergei Prokofiev Production: MosFilm Release: January 1945 (Part I), September 1, 1945 (Part II)177 min. B/W + Color (Sovcolor) sound Russian dialog w/English subtitles.
Soviet two part epic historical drama was written, produced and directed by Sergei Eisenstein for MosFilm. Eisenstein's historical epic chronicles the reign of Ivan the Terrible and details his formation of the 'oprichnina' ('state law making Ivan ruler') and conflict with the boyars, particularly with his aunt and cousin. Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin commissioned Eisenstein to produce the costume epic in early 1941. Part I of the production was released in January 1945, and met with significant box-office success, receiving the Stalin Prize. Part II, however, although completed in 1946, was banned due to an official order from Stalin himself and thus not released until 1958. The director had plans of producing a Part III, but with the banning of the second part, preproduction and initial shooting ceased. Eisenstein passed away in 1946, leaving his film epic incomplete. The production has had a polarized reception, being both harshly criticized and highly praised. Since its release, the picture was named in several official film lists of the best motion pictures of all time., and has often been referred to as one of Eisenstein;s best and greatest complex productions.

Blood of a Poet 1932

Producer: Charles de Noailles Script/Director: Jean Cocteau Cinematography: Georges Pennal CAST: Enrique Riveros, Elisabeth Lee Miller, Pauline Carton. Ordette Talazar Music: Georges Auric Production: Tamasa Productions Release: January 20, 1932 55 min. B/W sound French dialog English titles.
French avant-garde film written and directed by Jean Cocteau starring Enrique Riveros, Elisabeth Lee Miller, Pauline Carton, Ordette Talazar, etc. "Blood of a Poet: is the first part of "The Orphic Trilogy," which continued with additional productions. Cocteau's art film is considered a cinematic masterpiece by contemporary movie critics, including Leonard Maltin who awarded the production three out of four stars, calling it "imaginative, dreamlike, and still a visual delight."

Clothes Make the Man 1940

Producer: Arthur Kiekebusch-Breknken Script/Director: Helmut Kaeutner Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Hertha Fieler, Fritz Odemar, Rudolf Schuedler Music: Bernhard Einhorn Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: September 16, 1940 91 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German historical comedy written and directed by Helmut Kaeutner starring comic genius Heinz Ruehmann, Hertha Fieler, Fritz Odemar, Rudolf Schuendler, etc. The story is based on Gottfried Keller's 1874 realist novella of the same title. The only theatrical release in the USA occurred in 1958 in New York but contained no subtitles. Though produced during the Third Reich, the picture contains no propaganda.

Commander of the Ship 1954

Producer/Director: Vladimir Braun Cinematography: V. Filippov, Aleksei Gerasimov CAST: Mikhail Kuznetsov, Anatoly Verbitsky, Boris Smirnov, Viktor Dobrovolsky Music: Vadim Gomoolyaka Production: Dovzhenko Film Studios Release; 1954 95 min. Color sound Russian dialog.
Soviet war drama produced and directed by Vladimir Braun starring Mikhail Kuznetsov, Anatoly Verbitsky, Boris Smirnov, Viktor Dubrovolsky, etc. The story concerned a typical day of Russian sea battle during the "Great Patriotic War" (WWII). Considered a Soviet propaganda film.

Comedians 1941

Producer: Hans Schweikart Script: Olly Boeheim, Axel Eggebrecht, G.W. Pabst, Walter von Hollander Director: G.W. Pabst Cinematography: Bruni Stephan CAST: Kaethe Dorsch, Hilde Krahl, Henny Porten, Gustav Diesel Music: Lothar Bruehne Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: September 5, 1941 111 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German historical drama film directed by noted Weimarian director Georg Wilhelm Pabst starring Kaethe Dorsch, Hilde Krahl, Henny Porten, Gustav Diesel, etc. The story is based on the novel "Philine" by Olly Boeheim which is set in the 18th century and portrays the historical development of German theatre. The story concerns a woman by the name of Karoline Neuber (Kaethe Dorsch) who attempts to improve the group of stage actors, who are locked down upon as vagabonds. When the Duchess (Henny Porten) refuses to let her son marry a stage actress, she defends them with such vehemence that she is driven from the country and finally passes away in solitude. Though produced in Nazi Germany during wartime, "Comedians" does not contain propaganda.

The Stolen Sun 1943

Producer/Director: Ivan Ivanov -Vano Cinematography: Nikolay Voinov Animation: Yevgeny Migunov, Anatoly Sazonov Music: Yury Nikolsky Production: Soyuzmultfilm Release: 1943 12 min. B/W sound Russian dialog.
Soviet animated film produced and directed by Ivan Ivanov featuring the animation technique of Yevgeny Migunov and Anatoly Sazanov. This cartoon was exhibited in the Soviet Union during WWII in 1943.

The Blue Light 1932

Producer: Harry Sokal, Leni Riefenstahl Script: Bela Balazs, Leni Riefenstahl Director: Leni Riefenstahl Cinematography: Hans Schneeberger, Walter Riml CAST: Leni Riefenstahl, Mathias Wieman, Max Holzboer, Franz Maldacea Music: Giuseppe Beece Production: Sokal-Film, Leni Riefenstahl-Produktion Release: March 24, 1932 87 min. German dialog.
German fantasy film produced, written, directed and starring Leni Riefenstahl co-starring Mathias Wieman, Max Holzboer, Franz Maldacea, etc. The story concerns a witch by the name of Junta (Leni Riefenstahl) is intended as a sympathetic character. "The Blue Light" had a moderate commercial and critical success in Weimar Germany proper as well in other neighboring European countries. Numerous left-wing news publications derided the picture's success, while right-wing groups (such as the Nazi Party) applauded the film. The picture enjoyed considerable commercial and critical success in London and Paris, where "mountain film" cinema had been a novelty. "The Blue Light" was screened at the Venice Film Festival in 1932. The New York Sun said of Riefenstahl's production: "the sheer pictorial beauty" and referred to the director/actress as "an expert climber as well as handsome woman." The New York Times remarked "a summary of the story gives no adequate idea of the beauty of the action and the remarkable camera work, especially in connection with the light effects." Both Hitler and Goebbels had seen the film in 1932 and felt Riefenstahl's cinematic technique could be keenly employed once they came to power in Germany. "The Blue Light" is considered a cinematic masterpiece by contemporary film historians.

La Habanera 1937

Producer: Bruno Duday Script: Gerhard Menzel Director: Detlef Sierck (Douglas Sirk) Cinematography: Franz Weihmayr CAST: Zarah Leander, Ferdinand Marian, Karl Martell, Paul Bildt Music: Lothar Bruehne Production: Ufa Release: December 18, 1937 100 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German romantic melodrama directed by Detlef Sierck (Douglas Sirk) starring Zarah Leander, Ferdinand Marian, Karl Martell, Paul Bildt, etc. "La Habanera" proved a great box-office commercial success in Germany proper and is fondly remembered as an afternoon matinee popular attraction in its day. Though containing no direct propaganda, the picture played right into the hands of Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels who regarded the movie as a theme to repatriate German citizens. However, "La Habanera" can also be viewed as being critical of the Nazi regime. For in the production, a dictator imperils his own people, is hostile to foreigners, and has a secret he wishes to hide the facilities not unlike the concentration camps of the Third Reich.

Lady of Burlesque 1943

Producer: Hunt Stromberg Script: James Gunn Director: William A. Wellman Cinematography: Robert De Grasse CAST: Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O' Shea, J. Edward Bromberg, Iris Adrian Music: Arthur Lange Production: Hunt Stromberg Productions Release: May 1, 1943 91 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American musical comedy mystery directed by William A. Wellman starring Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O 'Shea, J. Edward Bromberg, Iris Adrian, etc. "Lady of Burlesque" is a faithful, somewhat santizied adaptation of the 1941 novel "The G-String Murders" by burlesque performer and stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. The picture is considered a Hollywood cinematic classic by contemporary film historians.

The Last Time I Saw Paris 1954

Producer: Jack Cummings Script: Julius J. Epsetin, Phillip G. Epstein Director: Richard Brooks Cinematography: Joseph Ruttenberg CAST: Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Donna Reed, Eva Gabor Music: Conrad Salinger Production: Jeffy Productions, MGM Release: November 18, 1954 118 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American Technicolor comic dilemma film directed by Richard Brooks starring Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Donna Reed, Eva Gabor, etc. The story is loosely based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1931 short story "Babylon Revisited." At the time of the picture's initial theatrical release, Variety called the film "an engrossing romantic drama. "The Last Time I Saw Paris" is considered a Technicolor cinematic classic by contemporary film historians.

The Tale of the Fox 1930

Producers: Louis Nalpas, Roger Richebe Script: Roger Richebe Direction: Ladislas Starevich, Irene Starevich Cinematography: Ladislas Starevich CAST (voices): Claude Dauphin, Roman Bouquet, Laine, Sylvain Itkine Music: Vincent Scotto Production: Wladyslaw Starewicz Production Release: 1937 66 min. B/W sound French dialog w/English subtitles.
French stop-motion animation film directed by Ladislas Starevich and Irene Starevich starring (voiceover artists) Claude Dauphin, Roman Bouquet, Laine, Sylvain Itkine, etc. The story is based on the tales of "Reynard the Fox," which was a literary cycle of medieval allegorical Dutch, English, German, and French fables. The story is set in the kingdom of animals, the fox Renard is used to tricking and fooling virtually everyone. Consequently, the King (the lion) receives more and more complaints. Finally, he orders Renard to be arrested and brought before his royal throne. "The Tale of the Fox" was released eight months before Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", the production is the world's sixth ever totally animated feature film and the third surviving animated motion picture, as well as the second film to use puppet animation, following "The New Gulliver" from the Soviet Union. The picture was released in France in 1941 during the Nazi Occupation.

Storm Over Mount Blanc 1930

Producer: Gabriel Levy, Harry R. Sokal Script/Director: Dr. Arnold Fanck Cinematography: Hans Schneeberger, Richard Angst, Sepp Allgeier CAST: Leni Riefenstahl, Sepp Rist, Ernst Udet, Mathias Wieman Music: Paul Dessau Production: AAFA (Radio-Film) Release: December 25, 1930 94 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German "mountaineering" adventure written and directed by Dr. Arnold Fanck starring Leni Riefenstahl, Sepp Rist, Ernst Udet, Mathias Wieman, etc. Fanck's picture is part of the German film genre of "mountaineering," popularized by Dr, Fanck. The story revolves around a man who works alone at the Mount Blanc weather station gathering vital data. His only contact with the world below is via Morse Code signals. He is joined by a woman friend (Leni Riefenstahl), who helps him survive in a terrible snowstorm over the mountain. Trick pilot and future Luftwaffe general Ernst Udet is featured in the film as a pilot who is involved in a dangerous mountain rescue. "Storm Over Mount Blanc" had its official Reich premiere in Dresden on December 25, 1930. Although the studio promoted the production as a sound film, most of the scenes were shot silent, with long, lingering camera shots of mammoth mountain peaks. Author James H. Farmer ("Celluloid Wings," 1984) described the aerial scenes in the picture, as "outstanding aerial sequences, including a hazardous landing on the Mount Blanc glacier." "Storm Over Mount Blanc" is considered a cinematic classic by contemporary film historians.

Love Premiere 1943

Producer: Walter Tost Script: Geza con Cziffra, Ellen Fechner, Willy Clever, Ralph Benatsky Director: Arthur Maria Rabenalt Cinematography: Jan Roth CAST: Hans Soehnker, Kirsten Heilberg, Fritz Odemar, Margot Hielscher Music: Franz Grothe Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH Release: June 11, 1943 88 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German wartime comedy film directed by Arthur Maria Rabenalt starring Hans Soehnker, Kirsten Heilberg, Fritz Odemar, Margot Hielscher, etc. Rabenalt's picture is based on the stage play "Axel an der Himmelstur" ("Axel at the Gate of Heaven"), that was a great success for Zarah Leander and established her career as a leading German screen actress in 1936. She was replaced by Kirsten Heilberg for the 1943 production when she wished to return to her native Sweden. "Love Premiere" is a totally non-political feature film produced during the Third Reich and contained no propaganda content and is still regarded as one of the best German sophisticated comedies produced.

The Lost City Serial 1935

Producer: Sherman S. Krellberg Script: Zelma Carroll, George Merrick, Robert DillionEddie Granemann, Leon O'Usseau, Perley Sheehan Director: Harry Revier Cinematography: Edward Linden, Roland Price CAST: William "Stage" Boyd, Kane Richmond, Claudia Dell, josef Swickard Production: Super Serial Productions Release: March 6, 1935 240 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American independently produced 12 chapter sci-fi film serial created and produced by Sherman S. Krellberg and directed by Harry Revier starring William "Stage" Boyd, Kane Richmond, Claudia Dell, Josef Swickard, etc. The story concerns scientist Bruce Gordon who arrives at a secluded area in Africa after concluding that a series of electrically induced natural disasters had originated from in the area.

Louise, Queen of Prussia 1931

Producers: Wilhelm von Kaufmann, Henny Porten Script: Fred hildenbrand Stuart, Friedirich Raff, Julius Urgiss Director: Carl Froelich Cinematography: Friedl Behn-Grund CAST: Henny Porten, Gustaf Gruendgens, Ekkehard Arendt, Vladimir Gajdarov Music: Hanson Milde-Meissner Production: Henny Porten Filmproduktion Release: December 4, 1931 115 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical mdrama film directed by carl Freoelich starring Henny Porten (also co-producer), Gustav Gruendgens, Ekkehard Arendt, Valdimir Gajdarov, etc. Froelich's production depicts the life of Queen Louise of Mecklenburg-Streiitz (1776-1810), the wife of Fredrich William III of Prussia and forms the a part of the Prussian historical film genre. Contemporary cinema histoirans regard this as a cinematic masterpiece.

Masquerade 1934

Producer: Karl Julius Fritzsche Script: Willi Forst, Walter Reisch Director: Willi Forst Cinematography: Franz Planer CAST: Paula Wessley, Hilde von Stolz, Adolf Wohlbrueck, Olga Chekhova Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Wien-Film Release: September 26, 1934 98 min. sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
Austrian operetta film and an instant classic of German language cinema co-written and directed by Willi Forst for Wien-Film starring the lovely Paula Wessley, Hilde von Stolz, Adolf Wohlbrueck, Olga Chekhova, etc. The story is set in Viennese high society around the year 1900. After a masked carnival ball, Gerda Harrandt, wife of the surgeon Carl Ludwig Harrandt, allows the fashionable artist Ferdinand Heideneck to paint a portrait of her wearing only a mask and a muff. This muff, however belongs to Anita Keller, in secret the partner's lover but also the financee of the court orchestra director Paul Harrandt, the brother of Gerda's husband. "Masquerade" was the only the second motion picture directed by Forst, but is nevertheless without a doubt one of his major cinematic masterpieces produced in Austria. This picture was the first screen role for Austrian stage actress Paula Wessley. The production was distinguished with an award at the Venice Film Festival in 1934. Contemporary film critics consider "Masquerade" an important cinematic masterpiece.

Girls in Uniform 1931

Producer: Carl Froelich Script: Christa Winsloe, Friedrich Dammann Director: Leotine Sagen Cinematography: Reimar Kuntze, Franz Weihmayr CAST: Emilia Unda, Dorthea Wieck, Hertha Thiele, Ellen Schwannecke Music: Hansom Milde-Meissner Production: Deutsche Film Gemeinschaft Release: Novemer 27, 1931 88 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German Weimarian LGBTQ+ romantic drama directed by Carl Froelich starring Emilia Unda, Dorthea Wieck, Hertha Thiele, Ellen Schwannecke, etc. The production is based on Christa Winsloe's play "Yesterday and Today" ("Gestern und Heute"). Due to the film's overt and openly lesbian themes, "Girls in Uniform" remains an international cult film classic and still enjoys widespread acclaim from movie critics. On October 1, 1931, an official ban was placed on Froelich's production at the first inspection committee showing which forbade German youths from viewing the film. On April 8, 1932, the decision for a 2480 meter greatly shortened version was confirmed. Froelich's "Girls in Uniform" was released internationally and was extremely successful. The picture had equal box-office success in the USA, Japan, France, Britain, and Mexico. During the Nazi regime in Germany, "Girls in Uniform" was banned by Propaganda Minister joseph Goebbels. The movie was only allowed to be exhibited abroad. The ban was not su much about the then taboo lesbian theme, but rather the depictions of Prussian ruthlessness and the criticisms on German authority and discipline. After the WWII, the film was allowed to be shown again in West Germany on December 8, 1949 as the ban had been lifted by the FSK (film censorship board). "Girls in Uniform" was nearly banned in the USA as well until Eleanor Roosevelt spoke quite highly of the picture, getting the movie a limited theatrical release in the USA in 1932. However, during the early 1970s, the film was again heavily censored and it was not shown again in West Germany until 1977 when it was broadcast on television. Froelich's masterpiece was shown at the Roxie Cinema in San Francisco in 1978 and was a tremendous hit. Contemporary film historians consider "Girls in Uniform" to be a cinematic masterpiece.

Marihuana 1936

Producers: Dwain Esper, Hildegarde Stadie Script: Hildegarde Stadie Director: Dwain Esper Cinematography: Roland Price CAST: Harley Wood, Hugh McArthur, Pat Carlyle, Paul Ellis Production: Roadshow Attractions Release: May 1936 57 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American drug exploitation film directed by Dwain Esper starring Harley Wood, Hugh McArthur, Pat Carlyle, Paul Ellis, etc. "Marihuana" is considered a drug exploitation midnight movie classic much like the ultimate "weed" cult film "Reefer Madness" (1936) released the same year.

Mr. Imperium 1951

Producer: Edwin H. Knopf Script: Don Hartman, Edwin H. Knopf Director: Don Hartman Cinematography: George J. Folsey CAST: Lana Turner, Ezio Pinza, Barry Sullivan, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Debbie Reynolds Music: Bronislaw Kaper Production: MGM Release: March 2, 1951 87 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American romantic musical film co-written and directed by Don Hartman for MGM starring Lana Turner, Ezio Pinza, Barry Sullivan, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Debbie Reynolds, etc. "Mr. Imperium" was the first of two musicals that MGM attempted with "South Pacific" stage star and former Metropolitan Opera singer Ezio Pinza. Regretfully for MGM, "Mr. Imperium" was not as great a box-office success as they might have hoped resulting in a financial loss of $1,399,000 and a cancellation of singer Enzio Pinza's contract at the studio.

Mr. Robinson Crusoe 1932

Producer: Douglas Fairbanks Script: Thomas J. Geraghty, Douglas Fairbanks Director: A. Edward Sutherland Cinematography: Max Dupont CAST: Douglas Fairbanks, William Farnum, Earle Browne, Maria Alba Music: Alfred Newman Production: Elton Productions Release: August 19, 1932 76 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code South Seas adventure film produced, co-written, and starring Douglas Fairbanks along with co-stars William Farnum, Earle Browne, Maria Alba, etc. This picture is one of the few "talkie" movies starring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., in his penultimate screen role. Contemporary film historians consider "Mr. Robinson Crusoe" an early classic "talkie."

Muenchhausen 1943

Producer: Eberhard Schmidt Script: Erich Kaestner (as Berthold Bueger), Rudolf Erich Raspe (novel) Director: Josef von Baky Cinermatography: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Werner Krien CAST: Hans Albers, Brigitte Horney, Ferdinand Marian, Eduard von Winterstein Music: Georg Haentzschel Production: Ufa Filmkunst GmbH Agfacolor 132 min. sound German dialog.
German outrageous fantasy production directed by Josef von Baky for Ufa Filmkunst starring Hans Albers, Brigitte Horney, Ferdinand Marian, Eduard von Winterstein, etc. In 1938, the German film studio UFA was to celebrate its 25th silver anniversaries' in 1943 and Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels wanted no expense spared to produced the epic. The result was the literary classic by Rudolf Erich Raspe's 1785 novel which became the basis for the story. The writer for the project, however was noted children's author Erich Kaestner - only one problem: he was on the official Nazi "banned author" list. Nazi officials allowed Kaestner to pen the script but only if he would used an assumed name - Berthold Buerger. The production was one of the largest ever created in Germany - with a budget over 6.5 Reichsmarks. It was Goebbels' intentions to "surpass the special effects and color artistry" of Alexander Korda's Technicolor film "Thief of Bagdad" (1940). Other Hollywood fantasy classics and feature films were meticulously studied by German special effects experts, including "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) and even "Gone With the Wind" (1939) for its awesome Metrocolor process. Hitler hated the film and only insisted cinema should only be used to "hammer into the heads of the dunderhead masses National Socialoist (Nazi) propaganda." Contemporary historians and film regards are mixed on their praise of Josef von Baky's epic production - some praise it for the colorful fantasy film that is was, while still others condemn the picture for being the cinematic showpiece of the cinema of the Third Reich.

Night of the Living Dead 1968

Producers: Russel W. Streiner, Karl Hardman Script: John Russo, George A. Romero Director/Cinematography: George A. Romero (also editor) CAST: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Russell W. Streiner, Marilyn Eastman Production: Image Ten Release: October 1, 1968 (Pittsburgh, PA), October 4, 1968 (U.S. release) 96 Color sound English dialog.
American independent zombie horror film classic co-written, directed and edited by George A. Romero starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Russell W. Streiner, Marilyn Eastman, etc. The story follows several people trapped in a farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania, under assault by flesh-eating reanimated corpses. "Night of the Living Dead" premiered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1968 to horrified theater audiences. Romero's shock film ended up grossing more than 250 times its initial production budget making it easily one of the most profitable motion pictures of all time. The film's groundbreaking explicit gore and violence led to a national controversy and negative critical reviews at first. "Night of the Living Dead" eventually garnered a cult film following as well as critical acclaim and has appeared on top film review lists containing the greatest and most influential movies by such news outlets as The New York Times, Total Film and Empire. Frequently identified as a touchstone in the development of the horror film genre, retrospective scholarly analysis has focused on its reflection of the social and cultural changes in the USA during the sixties, with particular attention towards the casting of Duane Jones, a Black man, in the leading starring role. George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" is considered not only a classic horror film but also a cinematic masterpiece by noted film historians.

Night Train to Munich 1938

Producer: Edward Black Script: Gordon Wellesley (short story), Sidney Gillet, Frank Launder Director: Carol Reed Cinematography: Otto Kanturek CAST: Rex Harrison, Margaret Lockwood, Paul Henreid, Basil Rafdord Music: Louis Levy Production: 20th Century Productions Release: July 25, 1940 (UK), December 29, 1940 (USA) 95 min. Color sound English dialog.
British wartime espionage thriller directed by Carol Reed starring Rex Harrison, Margaret Lockwood, Paul Henreid, Basil Radford, etc. The story is based on Gordon Wellesley's 1939 short story "Report on a Fugitive" concerning an inventor and his daughter who are kidnaped by the Nazi Gestapo after the Germans march into Prague, Czechoslovakia in the prelude to the opening guns of WWII. A British secret service agent follows them, disguised as a senior Wehrmacht army officer pretending to woo the daughter over to the Nazi cause. "Night Train to Munich" first premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square Cinema in London on July 26, 1940. Variety noted at the time in a review: "Much of the film's merit obviously stems from the compact, propulsive screenplay and the razor-edge direction. There are countless touches of atmosphere and comedy that add immeasurable flavor and zest to the picture." Contemporary cinema historians consider Carol Reed's "Night Train to Munich" is a film masterpiece.

No Man's Land 1931

Producer: George Shdanoff Script: Leonhard Frank (story/adaptation), Victor Trivas, George Shdanoff Direction: Victor Trivas, George Shdanoff Cinematography: Georg Stilianudis, Alexander von Lagario CAST: Ernst Busch, Vladimir Sokoloff, Renee Slobrawa, Elisabeth Lennartz Music: Hanns Eisler Production: Resco-Filmproduktion Release: April 3, 1933 93 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American version of the German pacifist antiwar drama was directed by Victor Trivas and George Shdanoff starring Ernst Busch, Vladimir Sokoloff, Renee Slobrawa, Elisabeth Lennart, etc. The story is set in a dugout, formed from a basement, in the "niemannsland" ("no man's land") between the trenches and front lines on the war-torn battlefield during WWI.
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "No Man's Land" to be a cinematic masterpiece.

Nora 1944

Producer: Fritz Thiery Script: Henrik Ibsen (play), Jaco Geis, Harald Braun Director: Harald Braun Cinematography: Franz Weihmayr CAST: Luise Ullrich, Viktor Staal, Gustav Diesel, Albert Florath Music: Mark Lothar Production: Ufa-Filmkunst GmbH Release: Februasry 14, 1944 101 min. B/W sound Germasn dialog w/English subtitles.
German wartime drama film co-written and directed by Harald Braun starring Luise Ullrich, Viktor Staal, Gustav Diesel, Albert Florath, etc. "Nora" is an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's 1879 play "A Doll's House." The picture uses Ibsen's alternate ending where the unhappy couple are reconciled at the end. The story concerns a young woman by the name of Nora who ends up forging her father's signature in order to borrow a large sum from financier Brack. However, when Brack's criminal past thwarts his social advancement, he uses Nora's secret to blackmail her and her banker husband Robert into supporting his schemes. Although produced during the Third Reich during late wartime, "Nora" does not contain propaganda.

Nothing Sacred 1937

Producer: David O. Selznick Script: James H. Street (short story), Ben Hecht, Budd Schulberg Director: William A. Wellman Cinematography: W. Howard Greene CAST: Carole Lombard, Fredric March, Charles Winninger, Sig Ruman Music: Oscar Levant Production: Selznick International Release: November 25, 1937 77 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American Technicolor screwball comedy film produced by Davod O. Selznick and directed by William A. Wellman starring Carole Lombard, Fredric March, Charles Winninger, Sig Ruman, etc. The story was based on the 1937 story "Letter to the Editor" by James H. Street, and an array of uncredited contributors. "Nothing Sacred" was the first screwball comedy filmed in color, and represented the very first usage of color motion picture of process effects, montage and rear screen projection. Although Wellman's Technicolor extravaganza was certainly one of Hollywood's biggest budget pictures and even though it received substantial critical acclaim at the time of its release, "Nothing Sacred" recorded a financial loss of $350,000 at the box-office. Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Nothing sacred" a popular screwball comedy worthy of note.

Odessa in Flames 1942

Producer/Director: Carmine Gallone Script: Nicolae Kritescu, Gherando Gherardi Cinematography: Anchise Brizzi CAST: Maria Cebotari, Carlo Ninchi, Filippo Sceizo, Olga Sobelli Music: Pietro Sassoli, Ion Vasilescu Production: Grandi-Film 86 min. B/W sound Italian dialog w/Romanian subtitles.
Italian fascist/Romanian propaganda war film was produced and directed by Carmine Gallone starring Maria Cebotari, Carlo Ninchi, Filippo Sceizo, Olga Sabelli, etc. "Odessa in Flames" concerns the Battle of Odessa in 1941, where the city was seized in a military operation that was primarily conducted by Romanian troops and elements of the German Wehrmacht's 11th Army. Gallone's picture is an anti-communist propaganda film chiefly focusing on a family trapped in Soviet-occupied Bessarabia and its eventual liberation by Axis forces during Operation Barbarossa. The story concerns opera singer Maria Teodorescu from Bessarabia, who is in Chisinau with her eight-year old son at the time of the Nazi invasion. The boy is taken to someplace in Odessa. The mother is informed that he will be maintained in a camp where he will be educated as a man and a Soviet. In order to get her son back, she agrees to sing Russian songs in taverns and theaters. While there, she shares photographs of her past. One such image is discovered by chance by her husband, who is in the Romanian Army with the rank of captain. In the end of the picture, the family is able to at long last reunite with each other.
Due to the Soviet invasion of Bucharest in 1944, the film ended up getting banned and all the actors were arrested. Many such motion pictures either became censored or destroyed. "Odessa in Flames" was thought lost for many years and Gallone's film nearly completely disappeared until it had been rediscovered in Italian film archives in Rome, Italy in 2006. Contemporary film historians consider "Odessa in Flames" an Axis wartime propaganda film.

The Great Sacrifice 1944

Producer/Director: Veit Harlan Script: Rudolf G. Binding (novel), Alfred Braun, Hans Radtke, Veit Harlan Cinematography: Bruno Mondi CAST: Kristina Soederbaum, Carl Raddatz, Irene von Meyendorff, Franz Schafheitlin Music: hans-Otto Borgmann Production: Ufa Release: 1944 96 min. Agfacolor sound German w/English subtitles.
German Agfacolor melodrama produced during late wartime produced and directed by Veit Harlan starring Kristina Soederbaum, Carl Raddatz, Irene von Meyendroff, Franz Schafheitlin, etc. The story is based on Rudolf G. Binding's novel, with alterations for film propaganda purposes. Unlike other Veit Harlan film productions produced during the Third Reich, "The Great Sacrifice" does not include any direct explicit propaganda messages, but instead features more subtle Nazi cinematic motifs and themes. Owing much to the shortage of raw Agfacolor motion picture film stock, the picture only had a very limited release in war-torn Germany. "The Great Sacrifice" was not formally released until 1954 in West Germany. Slovenian Marxist philosopher Savoj Zizak dubbed Veit Harlan's production as "a masterpiece."

Obsession 1943

Producer: Libero Solaroli Script: James M. Cain (novel), Luchino Visconti, Mario Allcata, Giuseppe De Santis, Gianni Puccini Director: Luchino Visconti Cinematography: Aldo Tonti, Domenico Scala CAST: Clara Calamai, Massimo Cirotti, Juan de Landis, Vittorio Duse Music: Giuseppe Rosati Production: Industrie Cinematografiche Italiane 135 min. B/W sound Italian dialog.
Italian romantic drama film co-written and directed by Luchino Visconti starring Clara Calamai, Massimo Cirotti, Juan de Landis, Vittorio Duse, etc. Produced in Fascist Italy during late wartime, "Obsession" is an unauthorized and uncredited adaptation of American author James M. Cain's 1934 novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice. This picture was Visconti's directorial effort and is considered to be the first Italian neorealist film. Visconti's production was banned and ostracized by the Italian Fascist regime under Mussolini during its initial release, however, the contemporary Italian Ministry of Culture has since placed "Obsession" on its list of 100 Italian Films to be Preserved.
When "Obsession" was finished and released in 1943, the production was far from the innocent murder mystery the authorities had expected, after a few screenings in Rome and northern Italy, which promoted outraged reactions from Fascist and Church authorities, the picture was banned by the Italian Fascist government that had been established in the German-occupied part of Italy after the September 1943 armistice. Eventually, the Fascists saw to it the film was destroyed, but Visconti managed to keep a duplicate negative from which all existing prints have been produced (including the FMHV master).
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Obsession" as a cinematic masterpiece.

Our Town 1940

Producer: Sol Lesser Script: Thornton Wilder (play), Harry Chandlee, Frank Craven Director: Sam Wood Cinematography: Bert Glennon CAST: William Holden, Martha Scott, Fay Bainter, Tim David Music: Aaron Copeland Production: Sol Lesser Productions 90 min. Color sound English dialog.
American romance drama film directed by Sam Wood for Sol Lesser Productions starring William Holden, Martha Scott, Fay Bainter, Tim David, etc. "Our Town" is an adaptation of Thornton Wilder's 1938 play which was a faithful version except for two significant changes - the picture used scenery, whereas the play had not, the events of the third act, which in the original play revolve around the death of one of the main characters, were turned into a dream from which she awakens, allowing her to resume a normal life.
The story concerns the residents of the small town of Grover's Corners in New Hampshire who live peacefully and in harmony. Dr. Gibbs, his wife Julie, and their two children George and Rebecca are the neighbors of the Webbs, who have a lovely daughter, Emily, and a younger son, Wally. George and Emil fall in love, and after three years of courting they finally get married. Time goes by and Emily becomes very ill after the birth of her second child. While she is dying, she meets all the people who have left this world in the years before. Emily, who remains in a kind of in-between world, remembers her previous lifetime, but, in the end, she decides to live, and she wakes up from her dream.
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Our Town" a cinematic masterpiece.

Paracelsus 1943

Producer: Fred Lyssa Script: Pert Peternel (play), Kurt Heuser Director: G.W. Pabst Cinematography: Bruno Stephan CAST: Werner Krauss, Mathias Wieman, Fritz Rasp, Herbert Huebner Music: Herbert Windt Production: Bavaria-Film AG 104 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical drama film directed by G.W. Pabst starring Werner Krauss (as Paracelsus), Mathias Wieman, Fritz Rasp, Herbert Huebner, etc. "Paracelsus" is the story of the Renaissance era Swiss physician/alchemist/astrologer Philippus Aureolus Bomastus von Hohenheim (Paracelsus). G.W. Pabst's period production was ordered to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Paracelsus's death in 1541. Paracelsus's rather unorthodox healing methods are opposed bt the established physicians and wealthy trader Pfefferkorn. However, when Paracelsus helps harness the Black Plague and manages to heal Pfefferkorn's daughter, the villagers learn to value his true merits.
Though produced during the Third Reich, "Paracelsus" does not contain any tainted Nazi propaganda messages. German film historians consider G.W. Pabst's "Paracelsus" to be a cinematic masterpiece.

The Return of the Vampire 1943

Producer: Sam White Script: Randall Faye, Griffin Jay, Kurt Neumann Director: Lew Landers Cinematography: L. William O'Connell CAST: Bela Lugosi, Nina Foch, Roland Varno, Frieda Inescort Music: Mario Castelnuevo-Tedesco Production: Columbia Pictures 69 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American vampire horror film directed by Lew Landers and starring Bela Lugosi, Nina Foch, Roland Varno, Frieda Inescort, etc. The story concerns a vampire named Armand Tesla, who has two encounters with Englishwoman Lady Jane Ainsley, the first taking place during WWI, and the second during WWII. "The Return of the Vampire" is not an official sequel to Universal's 1931 "Dracula," but the picture interpreted by cultural film author David J. Skal as an unofficial follow-up, with Lugosi's character renamed only because the film was not produced by Universal Pictures. "Return of the Vampire" was released theatrically in the USA on November11, 1943. While film critics were not as pleased with the picture as Columbia might have hoped for, "Return of the Vampire," for all its faults is as close as theater audiences got to see Bela Lugosi in a straight horror movie. And low-budget as it was, the film is in certain respects more ambitious than Universal's film factory horrors, at least story wise, and very notable for its imitation-Universal look, a remarkable achievement for such an inexpensive motion picture.

Quax the Crash Pilot 1941

Producer: Heinz Ruehmann Script: Hermann Grote (novel), Robert A. Stemmle Director: Kurt Hoffmann Cinematography: Heinz von Jaworsky CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Karin Himbildt, Lothar Firmans, Harry Liedtke Music: Werner Bochmann Production: Terra-Filmkunst GmbH 92 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film produced by Heinz Ruehmann and directed by Kurt Hoffmann starring Ruehmann, Karin Himbildt, Lothar Firmans, Harry Liedtke, etc. The story is set during the 1930s prior to the outbreak of WWII and based on an aviation story by Hermann Grote concerning an everyday man who wins a newspaper contest that offers free aircraft flying lessons. Despite his initial difficulties, he gradually shows himself to be a good aircraft pilot. "Quax the Crash Pilot" was very popular with wartime Luftwaffe flight crews during WWII. Though produced during the Third Reich, Hoffmann's film does not contain any tainted Nazi propaganda references.

Race 1942

Producer: Francisco Franco (aka "Jamie de Andrade") Script: Jose Luis Saenz de Heredia, Antonio Roman, Director: Jose Luis Saenz de Heredia Cinematography: Heinrich Gartner CAST: Alfredo Mayro, Ana Mariscal, Jose Nieto, Bianca de Silos Music: Manuel Parada Production: Cancilleria del Consep de la Hispanidad 113 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German version of the Spanish Fascist propaganda film produced (executive producer) by General Francisco Franco and directed by Jose Luis Saenz de Heredia starring Alfredo Mayo, Ana Mariscal, Jose Nieto, Bianca de Silos, etc. "Race" was utilized as propaganda by the Fascist dictatorship of General Franco in praise of the regime and against the supporters of the deposed Second Spanish Republic. The story is based on a semi-biographical novel by Spanish caudillo General Francisco Franco under the pseudonym of "Jamie de Andrade. "Race" won "the Prize of the National Syndicate of Spectacle."
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Race" as a Fascist propaganda film under General Franco.

Reaching for the Moon 1930

Producers: Joseph M. Schenck, Douglas Fairbanks Script/Director: Edmund Goulding Cinematography: Ray June, Robert H. Planck CAST: Douglas Fairbanks, Bebe Daniels, Edward Everett Horton, Bing Crosby Music: Alfred Newman Production: Joseph M. Schenck Productions 91 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code musical film produced by Douglas Fairbanks and written and directed by Edmund Goulding starring Fairbanks, Bebe Daniels, Edward Everett Horton, Bing Crosby, etc. "Reaching for Moon" was originally intended to be purely a musical production with a special selection of songs written by Irving Berlin, however problems had existed. From the beginning, Irving Berlin found Edmund Goulding, the director, difficult to work with. Also by mid 1930 the studio realized that the public's demand for musicals had since disappeared. Goulding had jettisoned many of Berlin's songs from the score. Although just five Berlin songs had already been recorded, the picture, even in its scaled-down form, proved very expensive to produce. By the time principal photography was completed, the costs had come to nearly one million dollars, a huge production budget for those days, and one that virtually ruled out the possibility of the film ever returning a profit. The story concerns a Wall Street wizard by the name of Larry Day, new to the ways of love, is coached by his valet. He follows Vivian Benton on an ocean liner, where cocktails, laced with a "love potion," work their magic. He then loses his fortune in the stock market crash and feels he has also lost his girl as well.
Contemporary film critics and historians consider "Reaching for the Moon" an entertaining attraction typical of early Hollywood movie musicals.

The East is Red 1965

Producer/Script (play): Zhou Enlai Director: Wang Ping Cinematography: L.J. Enjie Production: August First Film Studio 122 min. Color sound Chinese dialog w/English subtitles.
Chinese Communist political propaganda film directed by Wang Ping based on an operettic color production assembled by Zhou Enlai and presents an abridged history of the Chinese Communist Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under Mao Zedong's leadership. The impressive super production traces the Communist Revolution from the May Fourth Movement to the Civil War against the Nationalist Party, culminating in the Communist victory and the founding of the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC).
"The East is Red" had previously been a peasant love song that became a call to arms in the Sino-Japanese War. This particular song was also very much a paean extolling the virtues of Mao. The song was written in the early 1930s as a folk song. In 1938, the song was rewritten in order to provoke the people in the fight against the Japanese invaders. Following the rise of Mao as the leader of the Chinese Communist Party in the early 1940s, the song was rewritten once again but this time from a teacher.
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "The East is Red" to be a Communist propaganda film.

Ripening Youth 1933

Producer/Director: Carl Froelich Script: Max Dreyer (play), Robert A. Stemmle, Walter Supper Cinematography: Reimar Kuntze CAST: Heinrich George, Hertha Thiele, Paul Henckels, Albert Lieven Music: Walter Gronostay Production: Carl Froelich-Film 115 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German drama film produced and directed by Carl Froelich starring Heinrich George, Hertha Thiele, Paul Henckels, Albert Lieven, etc. The story concerns three young girls who transfer to an elite school in Luebeck, Germany so they can sit their upcoming university entrance examinations, this causes disruptions amongst the male students and teachers. One of the girls, Elfriede, becomes the subject of romantic interest from both a classmate and her strict teacher, ultimately opting for the latter. At the end of the picture, all three girls manage to pass their exams with full marks. "Ripening Youth" was well received in Germany by the Nazi press on its initial release, and obviously drew much inspiration from "Maedchen in Uniform" (1931) which was admired y film journalists of the Third Reich. Contemporary film historians consider "Ripening Youth" a non-political drama containing no evidence of tainted Nazi propaganda even though it was produced in 1933.

Ride to Freedom 1937

Producer: Alfred Greven Script: Edmund Strzgowski, Walter supper, Karl Hartl Director: Karl Hartl Cinematography: Otto Baecker, Guenther Rittau CAST: Willy Birgel, Viktor Staal, Hansi Knoteck, Heinz von Cleve Music: Wolfgang Zeller Production: Ufa 92 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German historical war film co-written and directed by Karl Hartl starring Willy Birgel, Viktor Staal, Hansi Knoteck, Heinz von Cleve, etc. The story is set in the 1830s during Poland's November Uprising against the Russian Empire. It portrays the rehabilitation of a Polish cavalry officer whose initial reluctance to engage the enemy leads to the death of his comrades, but who later dies fighting bravely in battle. Although produced during the Third Reich period, this film does not contain tainted Nazi propaganda.

Romance in a Minor Key 1943

Producer: Hermann Grund Script: Guy de Maupassant (play), Willy Clever Director: Helmuy Kaeutner Cinematography: Georg Bruckbauer CAST: Mariane Hoppe, Ferdinand Marian, Paul Dahlke, Siegfried Breuer, Elisabeth Flickenschildt Music: Lothar Bruehne, Werner Eisbrenner Production: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH 98 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German historical drama directed by Helmut Kaeutner starring Marianne Hoppe, Ferdinand Marian, Paul Dahlke, Siegfried Breuer, Elisabeth Flickenschildt, etc. "Romance in a Minor Key" has been described as "the moist artistic film produced during the entire Third Reich" by film historian and author of "Film in the Third Reich," David Stewart Hull. The story of the picture is a timeless one concerning two people who do not want to love but then try to love but are not allowed this pleasure after all. The unassuming wife of a conservative Parisian account falls in love with a cultured, sophisticated symphony composer. When her husband's superior blackmails her, she is forced to make a momentous decision which costs her life. "Romance in a Minor Key" was produced in 1943 Germany during the "second propaganda wave" of Nazi filmmaking, the picture stands out with its aesthetic opposition - filmed in fantastic chiaroscuro in a film studio setting, the film was Kaeutner's mst densely atmospheric production, interweaving different narrative perspectives in flashback scenes to create a most unique German 'film-noir.'

Royal Wedding 1951

Producer: Arthur Freed Script: Alan Jay Lerner Director: Stanley Donen Cinematography: Robert Planck CAST: Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Keenan Wynn, Peter Lawford Music: Burton Lane, Alan Jay Lerner Production: MGM Release: March 8, 1951 (NYC), March 23, 1951 (LA) 93 min. Color sound English dialog.
American color musical comedy film directed by Stanley Donen starring Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Keenan Wynn, Peter Lawford, etc. The story is set in 1947 London at the time of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, the picture follows an American brother/sister song and dance duo who, while performing, each manages to fall in love - he with a female dancer and she, with an impoverished but well connected nobleman. The picture marked Stanley Donen's second directorial effort on a feature film. Donen's film was released as "Wedding Bells" in the UK.
Upon release in March 1951, The New York Times wrote: "the film had a lively lot of dancing and some pleasantly handled songs."
The song "Two Late Now" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 24th Academy Awards.
Contemporary film historians consider "Royal Wedding" to be a competent musical film produced by MGM.

Sex Madness 1934

Producer/Cinematography/Director: Dwain Esper Script: Joseph Seiden, Vinvcent Valentino CAST: Vivian McGill, Rose Tapley, Al Rigali, Mark Daniels Production: Cinema Service Corp. 57 min. Color sound English dialog.
American morality exploitation film written, produced, directed and shot by Dwain Esper for Cinema Service Corporation starring Vivian McGill, Rose Topley, Al Rigali, Mark Douglas, etc. Dwain Esper's exploitation picture was produced along the same lines as "Reefer Madness" (1936 [also available from FMHV], purportedly as a warning to American teenagers at the time of the dangers of venereal diseases, specially syphilis. It is important to note this particular exploitation film belongs to the social guidance entertainment genre of quasi-documentary narratives, which exhort young adults to follow particular moral and social prescriptions related to sexuality and narcotic use.. "Sex Madness" centers on Paul Lorenz, a "concerned" citizen alarmed at the spread of venereal diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea. Wild sex parties, lesbianism, and primatial sex are depicted or strongly implied in various scenes. The promotion of "Sex Madness" for "educational purposes" allowed it to portray very taboo subjects that were otherwise forbidden by the Motion Picture Production Code of 1930, especially after those restrictions had been strictly imposed on Hollywood film productions after July 1934.

Shame aka The Intruder 1962

Producer: Roger Corman Script: Chalres Beaumont Director: Roger Corman Cinematography: Taylor Byars CAST: William Shatner, Frank Maxwell, Beverly Lansford, Robert Emhardt Music: Herman Stein Production: Los Altos Productions 84 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American pre Civil Rights movement drama film produced and directed by Roger Corman for Los Altos Productions starring William Shatner, Frank Maxwell, Beverly Lansford, Robert Emhardt, etc. "Shame" is adapted by Charles Beaumont from his 1959 novel, depicting the machinations of a racist named Adam Cramer (William Shatner), who arrives in the fictitious small Southern town of Caxton with the sole mission of inciting White townspeople to racial violence against Black townspeople as well as court-ordered integration. "Shame" received numerous positive film reviews during its initial theatrical release but had encountered difficulty obtaining a release in the first place. Pathe had released the picture in New York, but was eventually forced to pull the movie from general distribution so the Corman brothers took over its release and distributed it themselves. The New York Times wrote: a less than positive review in May 1962 of Corman's production stating: "An angry film that spews out so much anti-Negro venom and so many ugly epithets that it makes one squirm with distaste and uneasiness. The film is crudely fashioned from obvious clichés and stereotypes. However, the film does break fertile ground to the area of integration that has not yet been opened on the screen. And it does so with obvious and good intentions and a great deal of raw, arresting power in many if its individual details and in the aspects of several characters."
The New Republic wrote after praising the picture's camerawork, editing and mostly for its dramatic performances: "Shame forcefully reports on a contemporary ugliness, but that report is no longer news. Its lack of context, its irrelevant sexual excursions, its final falseness, its air of a daring descent into moral slums, insure that it will have little helpful effect on the appalling situation it depicts so vividly."
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Shame" to be one of the earliest racial dramas on the pre Civil Rights Movement during the early 1960s.

Such a Rascal 1934

Producer: Felix Pfitzer Script: Hans Reimann, Robert A. Stemmle Director: Robert A. Stemmle Cinematography: Carl Drews CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Jakob Tiedtke, Inge Conradi, Oskar Sima Music: Harold Boehmelt Production: Cicero-Film 81 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German comedy film co-written and directed by Robert Stemmle starring Heinz Ruehmann, Jakob Tiedtke, Inge Conradi, Oskar Sima, etc. "Such a Rascal" was based on the novel "Die Feuerzangenbowle" by Heinrich Spoerl. Comedian Heinz Ruehmann starred in the double role of the Pfeiffer brothers in this lesser known picture a decade prior essaying the role of Hans Pfeiffer in the much more popular wartime 1944 version. Today, "Such a Rascal" is regarded as a popular German comedy film.

The Spanish Earth 1937

Producer: Herman Shumlin Script: Ernest Hemingway, John dos Pasos Director: Joris Ivens Cinematography: John Ferno, Joris Ivens Commentary: Orson Welles, Ernest Hemingway, Jean Renoir Music: Marc Blitzstein Production: Contemporary Historians 52 min. B/W sound English dialog.
Multi-national anti-Fascist film produced during the Spanish Civil War in support of the democratically elected Republicans, whose forces included a wide range from the political left-like communists, socialists, anarchists, to moderates like centrists, and liberalist elements.
A review of "The Spanish Earth" appeared in The New York Times during its initial release referred to Ernest Hemmingway's commentary in the film "a definite propaganda effort" and preferred the camerawork that "argues gentle and persuasively, with the irrefutable argument of pictorially recorded fact, that the Spanish people are fighting, not for broad principles of Muscovite Marxism, but for the right to the productivity of a land denied them through years absentee landlord ship. "Contemporary Historians, Inc. are Iven's employers and it is their right to dispose of his product as they see fit. They have used it as a violent outcry against Fascism. Ivens might have made it lasting as well."
U.S. President Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt invited Ernest Hemingway and Joris Ivens to the White House in advance of its world premiere. The version screened for the Roosevelts on July 6, 1937, was narrated by Orson Welles, which is contained in the FMHV version.
Ten years later, The New York Times wrote: "The best film we've seen yet seen on the Spanish tragedy is still Joris Ivens' long released "The Spanish Earth."
"Spanish Earth" is considered a film masterpiece by cinema historians and critics.

Stagecoach 1939

Producer: Walter Wanger Script: Ernest Haycox (short story), Dudley Nichols Director: John Ford Cinematography: Bert Glennon CAST: John Wayne, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Tim Holt Music: Richard Hageman, Frankie Harling, Luis Gruenberg, John Leipold, Leo Shuken, Gerard Cabonara Production: Walter Wanger Productions Release: February 2, 1939 (LA), March 3, 1939 (U.S.) 96 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Western film directed by John Ford starring John Wayne, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Tim Holt, etc. "Stagecoach" is an adaptation of Ernest Haycox's 1937 short story "The Stage to Lordsburg" which was published in Collier's Magazine and follows an eclectic group of travelers riding on a stagecoach through dangerous Apache territory in the Wild West. John Ford's production has long been recognized as an important cinematic work that transcends the Western film genre. However, "Stagecoach" has not avoided controversy. Like most Western pictures of the period, its depiction of Native Americans as "simplistic savages" has been created. Ford's Western epic was the first of many of the genre that the director ended up shooting in Monument Valley, on the Arizona-Utah border in the American Southwest.
"Stagecoach" was released on March 2, 1939, and met with immediate critical and entertainment trade paper praise. The film cemented actor John Wayne's standing as an "A" list Hollywood leading man, and made a profit of $297,000. The film has been lauded as one of the most influential motion pictures ever produced. Orson Welles argued that "Stagecoach" was "a perfect textbook of filmmaking" and claimed to have watched Ford's picture "more than 40 times in preparation for the making of "Citizens Kane" (1941)." John Ford's production has been recognized as transcending the Western genre. American philosopher Robert B. Pippen has observed that both the collection of characters and their journey "are archetypical rather than merely individual" and that the film is a "mythic representation of the American aspiration toward a form of politically meaningful equality."
Contemporary film historians and critics consider John Ford's "Stagecoach" a cinematic masterpiece.

The Star of Bethlehem 1956

Producers: Louis Hagen, Richard Kapaln, Vivian Milroy Script: Elaine Friedrich Direction: Lotte Reiniger, Vivian Milroy, Jan Sadlo Animation: Carl Zoch, Lotte Reiniger Commentary: Anthony Jacobs, Barbara Ruick Music: Peter Gellhorn Production: Cathedral Films, Primrose Productions 12 min. Color sound English dialog.
British animated short film directed by Lotte Reiniger, Vivian Milroy and Jan Sadlo featuring the animation of Ms. Reiniger proper along with Carl Zoch who worked with the director on previous film projects in Germany. "The Star of Bethlehem" is the Nativity story from the Holy Bible as told through silhouette animation, with music performed by the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus. The production is based on the 1921 German film "Die Stern von Bethlehem" (1912, available from FMHV) directed by Lotte Reiniger.

Pillars of Society 1935

Producer: Ernst Krueger, Fred Lyssa, Robert Nepach, Hans Herbert Ulrich Script: Henrik Isben (play), Karl Peter Gillmann, Georg C. Klaren Director: Detlef Sierck Cinematography: Carl Drews CAST: Heinrich George, Maria Krahn, Horst Teetzmann, Albrecht Schoenhals Music: Franz R. Friedl Production: Ufa 88 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German drama film directed by Detlef Sierck (Douglas Sirk) and starring Heinrich George, Maria Krahn, Horst Teetzmann, Albrecht Schoenhals, etc. "Pillars of Society" is based on the eponymous play by Henrik Isben. Sierck's picture had its Reich premiere in Berlin on December 21, 1935. Its official American premiere on November 6, 1936. Even though Sierck's picture was produced during the Third Reich, it does not contain tainted Nazi propaganda.
Contemporary film historians regard "Pillars of Society" as a cinematic masterpiece.

Svengali 1931

Producer: Jack L. Warner Script: George du Maurier (novel)J. Grubb Alexander Director: Archie Mayo Cinematography: Barney McGill CAST: John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Donald Crisp, Bramwell Fletcher Music: David Mendoza Production: Warner Bros. - First National 88 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code mystery/drama directed by Archie Mayor for Warner Bros. - First National starring John Barrymore (Svengali), Marian Marsh, Donald Crisp, Bramwell Fletcher, etc. "Svengali" is based on 1894 novel "Trilby" by George Maurier and was one of the first screen adaptations to the novel. The novel was titled after the story's doomed heroine, but the character that caught the public's attention was the super villain Svengali himself, a Jewish hypnotist and pianist who manages to hypnotize Tilby into becoming a great vocalist.
"Svengali" opened in New York at Warner's Hollywood Theatre on May 1, 1931 and in Los Angeles at Warner Hollywood and Downtown Theatres on May 22, 1931. The picture had huge crowds opening day in Los Angeles, but other the box-office results were disappointing to the studio.
The Film Daily reviewed Mayo's production following its New York premiere, stating that the picture was "creeping, intense, human and at times unbelievable," noting that the lead John Barrymore was "brilliant" in the role and that the production was "elaborate, the cast splendid, and the background kept with the feline atmosphere of the story.
The New York Times film critic Mordaunt Hall praised Barrymore's Sverngali, stating that his performance "surpasses anything he has done for the screen, including motion pictures of Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1920; also available from FMHV) and Clyde Fitch's "Beau Brummel" (1924)."
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Svengali" a cinematic masterpiece of the highest order.

Dance on the Volcano 1938

Producer: Werner Kortwich Script: Hans Rehberg, Hans Steinhoff, Peter Hagen Director: Hans Steinhoff Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Gustaf Gruendgens, Sybille Schmitz, Ralph Arthur Roberts, Theo Lingen Music: Theo Mackeben Production: Majestic-Film 88 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German historical musical/comedy co-written and directed by Hans Steinhoff for Majestic-Film starring Gustaf Gruendgens, Sybille Schmitz, Ralph Maria Roberts, Theo Lingen, etc. "Dance on the Volcano," though produced during the Third Reich, is a light-hearted costume epic, and was a significant departure for both its director (Hans Steinhoff), best known for his pro-Nazi propaganda films, and its star Gustaf Gruendgens, celebrated as a classic German actor.
The story is set in Paris, France in 1830, the popular singer Jean-Gaspard Deburau performs in front of huge crowds at the Theatre des Funambules every evening in the day he secretly and covertly writes satirical ballads against the reactionary reign of Charles X. When both men compete for the romantic affections of Countess Cambouilly, Deburau begins to openly sing his attacks on the royal monarch. He is sentenced to death, but is rescued on the steps of the guillotine when the people of Paris rise up and overthrow the King, driving him from the country and placing his cousin Louis Philippe on the French throne.
Significant changes to the historical story, including turning Jean-Gaspard Deburau from a mime into a singer. Gustaf Gruendgens was quite displeased with his dramatic performance, while both Hitler and Goebbels were very critical of the entire production. This led them and others in the Reich who had suggested "Dance on the Volcano" be banned or at least immediately released the picture and it appears to have been very popular with contemporary German audiences. Today, "Dance on the Volcano" is considered a cinematic masterpiece in Germany.

The Big Road aka The Great Road 1934

Producer: Lu Jie, Lo Ming Yau Script/Director: Sun Yu Cinematography: Hong Weille CAST: Jin Yan, Zhang Yi, Zhang, Luo Peng Music: Nie Er, Sun Shi Yi Production: Lianhua Film Co. 104 min. B/W sound Chinese dialog w/English subtitles..
Chinese leftist anti-Japanese war film written and directed by Sun Yu for Lianthua Film Co. starring Jin Yan, Zhang Yi, Zhang, Luo Peng, etc. "The Big Road" is mostly a silent film with music and sound effects. Along with "Wild Rose" (1931) and "Little Toys" (1933), the picture was part of the National Defense Cinema containing anti-Japanese propaganda elements. While the production was critically titled as a "hard film," Sun Yu made no explicit direct references to the fact that "the enemy nation" in the picture was Imperial Japan, and the film contained no direct confrontation with "the enemy on the battlefield," under the Kuominfang government's censorship policy designed to prevent provoking the Japanese. Instead, Sun Yu used the construction of a road to defeat "the enemy" invaders to express the spirit of the Second Sino-Japanese War in "an elegant and romantic' way. Sun Yu referred to "The Great Road' as his "representative work." The film is generally considered to be a leftist production for characteristics such as opposition against foreign invasion and suppression, positive portrayal of lower classes, and collective violence. Sun Yu's film was among outright leftist productions coitized or denounced by left-wing filmmakers and film critics of the day due to depictions of pre-Japanese military aggression of rural life as peaceful. The picture was sent to the 1935 Moscow International Film Festival as one of China's first motion pictures to participate in the festival.
Contemporary film historians regard "The Great Road" as a leftist Chinese propaganda film.

The New Earth: Daughter of the Samurai 1937

Producer: Dr. Arnold Fanck, Nagamasa Kitakawa, Yoshio Osawa Script: Dr. Arnold Fanck Direction: Dr. Arnold Fanck, Mansaku Itami Cinematography: Richard Angst, Walter Riml CAST: Setsuko Hara, Ruth Eweler, Sessue Hayakawa, Isamu Kosugi Music: Kosaku Yamada Production: J.O. Studios, Nikkatsu Corp. 120 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German/Japanese co-production drama film directed y Dr. Arnold Fanck and Mansaku Itami, which wss the first of two co-productions between Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany. Fanck, who was famous for directing 'mountaineering' films, was chosen as director because of his close connections to the Nazi Party. Fanck and Itami often clashed a great deal during production, and in effect created two separate versions for release in their respective nations.
However, "The New New Earth: Daughter of the Samurai" was poorly received in Japan. It was viewed as a condescending treatment if Japan as an exotic, Oriental country that needed German political ideas as if it had none of its own, and the racist ideology of "Blut und Boden" ('Blood + Soil') was considered strange and disturbing to say the least.
The film critics' jury is out on Fanck's co-production as the picture was obviously tainted with Nazi propaganda. As one film critic put it: "Holding up a Buddhist 'manji' to resemble a swastika, he (Fanck) portrayed religious temples as if they were the sole repository of the Japanese spirit. Great Buddhist statues were treated as if they wielded an absolute power. He (Fanck) applied the Nazi spirit of self-sacrifice indiscriminately to the Yamato spirit. It is Germany that is requiring the New Order." Fanck's picture is recognized as containing tainted Nazi propaganda.

The Great Gabbo 1929

Producer: James Cruze Script: Hugh Herbert Director: James Cruze, Erich von Stroheim (uncredited) Cinematography: Ira H. Morgan CAST: Erich von Stroheim, Betty Compson, Donald Douglas, Marjorie Kane Music: Howard Jackson Production: James Cruze Productions 94 min. Multi-Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code early sound drama film produced and directed by James Cruze for his own production company starring Erich von Stroheim (also uncredited director), etty Compson, Donald Douglas, Marhorie Kane, etc. "The Great Gabbo" features songs by Lynn Cowan, Paul Titsworth, , Donald McNamee and King Zany. Touted in the picture's advertising and promotion campaign as an "all-dialog singing, dancing and dramatic spectacle," this early sound film oddly interweaves stark drama with gratuitous full-length, large scale, on-stage musical production numbers such as "Every Now and Then," "I'm in Love with You," "The New Step," "The Web of Love." The FMHV version includes the previously missing "The Ga Ga Bird,' which was originally shot in color. "The Web of Love" number, in which the performers wear stylized spider and fly costumes, is constantly and fondly regarded. The original production was filmed in a color process known at the time as Multi-Color (known commonly as the Prizma color system process) which were previously thought lost forever.
FMHV is proud to present the new color digital restoration version of "The Great Gabbo" for the first time.
Cruze's picture opened to lukewarm film review, however. Erich von Stroheim received positive praise though, but the film did nothing to enhance the actor's career. Photoplay wrote: "A bitter disappointment. Cruze seems to have lost his sense of humor, and the lighting and scenario are terrible."
Contemporary film critics and historians continue to praise Cruze's "The Great Gabbo" as an early sound film classic.

The Inspector General 1949

Producer: Jerry Wald Script: Nikolai Gogol (play), Philip Rapp, Harry Kurnitz Director: Henry Koster Cinematography: Elwood Bredell CAST: Danny Kaye, Walter Slezak, Elsa Lancaster, Gene Lockhart, Alan Hale Music: Sylvia Fine, Johnny Green Production: Warner Bros. Pictures 100 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American Technicolor musical comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring Danny Kaye, Walter Slezak, Elsa Lancaster, Gene Lockhart, Alan Hale, etc. "The Inspector General" is loosely based on Nikolai Gogol's 1836 play where the plot is relocated from the Russian Empire into an unspecified corrupt region of a European nation that suddenly finds itself under ther supervision of the First French Empire under Napoleon.
Contemporary film historians and critics consider Henry Koster's "The Inspector General" as a colorful Technicolor musical comedy picture.

The Last Man on Earth 1964

Producer: Robert L. Lippert Script: Richard Matheson (novel), Logan Swanson, William F. Leicester Director: Stanley Salkow Cinematography: Franco Delli Celli CAST: Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia, Emma Danielli, Giacomo Rossi Stuart Music: Paul Sawtell, Bert Shefter Production: Associated Producers Release: May 6, 1964 86 min. Color sound English dialog.
Italian/American sci-fi horror Italian/American co-production written by Richard Matheson and directed by Stanley Sallow starring Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia, Emma Danielli, Giacomo Rossi Stuart, etc. The story concerns an individual survivor of the earth following a nuclear disaster is forced to become the reluctant vampire hunter after a disease turns all of humanity into the living dead (vampires).
"The Last Man on Earth" is based on the 1954 novel "I am Legend" by Richard Matheson, this adaptation is the truest to the original story following adaptations such as "The Omega Man" (1971) and "I am Legend" (2007).
Contemporary film critics and sci-fi/horror movie buffs consider "The Last Man on Earth" to be the best version of Richard Matheson's acclaimed novel of the same title.

The Stranger 1946

Producer: S.P. Eagle Script:Victor Trivas (adapation), Decla Dunning (adaptation), Anthony Veiller, Orson Welles, John Huston Director: Orson Welles Cinematography: Russell Metty CAST: Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young, Richard Long Music: Bronislaw Kaper Production: International Pictures Release: July 2, 1946 (LA + Salt Lake City, USA) 96 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American anti-Nazi mystery/thriller film co written (along with John Huston), directed and starring Orson Welles along with co-stars Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young, Richard Long, etc. The story concerns an Allied War Crimes investigator (Edward G. Robinson) tracking a high-ranking Nazi fugitive to a Connecticut small town. This is the first Hollywood production to feature authentic documentary footage of the Holocaust. "The Stranger" was the only production Welles' directed to have had a bona fide box-office hit upon its theatrical release. Welles' picture exists as an answer to the film critics who had complained that the director could not make a "program picture," wrote film noir scholar Carl Macek: "He did, and it has found a niche in the canon of the film noir."
At the 19th Academy Awards, Victor Trivas received an Oscar nomination for Writing (Original Motion Picture Story).
Contemporary film critics and cinema historians consider Orson Welles' "The Stranger" to be a film noir masterpiece.

The Dance of Life 1929

Producer: David O. Selznick Script: George Manker Watters, Arthur Hopkins, enjamin Glazer, Julian Johnson Direction: John Cromwell, A. Edward Sutherland Cinematography: J. Roy Hunt CAST: Hal Skelly, Nancy Carroll, Dorothy Revier, Ralph Theodore Production: Paramount Famous Lasky Players 115 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code musical film produced by David O. Selznick and directed by John Cromwell and A. Edward Sutherland starring Hal Skelly, Nancy Carroll, Dorothy Revier, Ralph Theodore, etc. "The Dance of Life" is the first of three musical film adaptations of the popular 1927 Broadway play "Burlesque."
Contemporary cinema historians and film critics consider "The Dance of Life" a vintage early sound musical film classic.

The Man Who Laughs 1928

Producer: Carl Laemmle Script: Victor Hugo (novel), J. Grubb Alexander, Walter Anthony, Mary McLean, Charles E. Whittaker Director: Pal Leni Cinematography: Gilbert Warrenton CAST: Conrad Veidt, Mary Philbin, Brandon Hurst, Cesare Gravina, Olga Baklanova Music: Jeff Rapsis Production: Universal Pictures 110 min. B/W sound English Inter-titles.
American synchronized sound romantic melodramatic film directed by German expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni starring Conrad Veidt, Mary Philbin, Brandon Hurst, Cesare Gravina, Olga Baklanova, etc. While Leni's production contains no audile dialog in the production, it was released with a synchronized musical score with sound effects using both sound-on-disc and sound-on-film processes. "The Man Who Laughs" is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1869 novel and is most well-known for the grotesque grin on the main character Gwnpiane's face (Conrad Veidt), which often leads the picture to be classified as a horror film.
"The Man Who Laughs" is a romantic melodrama similar to motion picture classics such as Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923). The picture was one of the earliest vintage Universal Pictures movies that successfully made the transition to sound films using the Movietone sound system introduced by William Fox. The production was completed by August 1927 but was set for a general theatrical release as a "sound film" in October 1928 with added sound effects and a music score which included the song "When Love Comes Stealing."
"The Man Who Laughs" was released on April 27, 1928, at New York's Central Theatre as a special benefit. The picture was released in a general release in the USA on November 4, 1928. The picture also received a release in the UK opening in May 1928, completely silent, with a music score provided by musicians in attendance.
Noted film critic Roger Ebert stated: "Th Man Who Laughs" is a melodrama, at times even a swashbuckler, but so steeped in expressionist gloom that it plays like a horror film."
Likewise, other cinema historians and film critic concur, Paul Leni's "The Man Who Laughs" is recognized as a cinematic classic.

The Return of Dracula 1958

Producer: Jules V. Levy, Arthur Gardner Script: Paul Fielder Director: Paul Landres Cinematography: Jack McKenzie CAST: Frances Lederer, Norma Eberhardt, Ray Stricklyn, John Wengraf Music: Gerald Fried Production: Gramercy Pictures 77 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American vampire horror film directed by Paul Landres and starring Frances Lederer, Norma Eberhardt, Ray Stricklyn, John Wengraf, etc. The story follows Count Dracula, who murders a Bohemian artist aboard a train in Central Europe, and then proceeds to impersonate the artist, traveling to meet with his extended American family in a small California town. The production is primarily shot in black & white, aside from a brief color sequence. "The Return of Dracula" was released on May 21, 1958, in Los Angeles by United Artists. To promote the picture, United Artists advertised that twelve insurance companies had refused to assume any liability risk for those admitted to see the feature film. When shown on American television, the picture was retitled "Curse of Dracula" in the UK, it was released theatrically as amazingly "The Fantastic Disappearing Man."
Film critics did not receive Paul Ledres' picture particularly well as it was dismissed as an exploitation horror film.

The White Devil 1930

Producer: Noe Bloch, Gregor Rabinovitch Script: Leo Tolstoy (novella), Michael Linsky, Alexandre Volkoff Director: Alexandre Volkoff Asst. Director: Anatole Litvak Cinematography: Curt Courant, Reimar Kuntze, Nikolai Toporkoff CAST: Ivan Mozzhukhin, Lil Dagover, Harry Hardt, Fritz Alberti Music: Michael Lewin, Marc Roland, Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Ufa Release: January 1930 110 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German historical drama film co-written and directed by Alexandre Volkoff and starring Ivan Mazzhukhin, Lil Dagover, Harry Hardt, Fritz Alberti, etc. "The White Devil" is based on the 1912 novella "Hadji Murat" by Leo Tolstoy, originally produced as a silent production, with a soundtrack added later. Future director Anatole Litvak worked as the project's assistant director and production manager.
"The White Devil" premiered in Berlin at the Ufa-Palast am Zoo Theatre in January 1930.
Contemporary film critics and cinema historians consider Alexandre Volkoff's "The White Devil" to be a masterpiece.

Lowland 1954

Producer: Leni Riefenstahl, Josef Plesner Script: Leni Riefenstahl, Harold Reinl Director: Leni Riefenstahl Cinematography: Albert Benitz CAST: Leni Riefenstahl, Bernhard Minetti, Aribert Waescher, Karl Skraup Music: Herbert Windt, Giuseppe Becce Production: Leni Riefenstahl-Film-Produktion 98 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German operettic film co-written, co-produced, directed and starring Leni Riefenstahl, Bernhard Minetti, Aribert Waescher, Karl Skroup, etc. The story is based on the 1903 eponymous opera composed by Eugen d'Albert and a libretto by Rudolph Lothar based on the 1896 Catalan play "Terra baixa" by Angel Guirnera. Although the ambitious production had been started in 1939, the war situation provided many difficulties and hardships in completing the project which delayed production for some years until it finally was completed after the war but not released until 1954. The world premiere of "Lowland"took place on February 11, 1954 in Stuttgart, West Germany. Riefenstahl entered the picture in several film festivals, including the 1954 Cannes Film Festival where it was screened in the "out of competition" category.. The film was also not without its major controversy. The director had borrowed Roma-Sinti concentration camp inmates from Theresienstadt to participate in the film as extras. Following shooting, they were sent back to the camp but shortly shipped off to Auschwitz-Birkenau where they were never heard from again. The hot issue came up on numerous occasions prior to the early 1980s until in 2002, when Riefenstahl had reached her 100th birthday, she was taken to a court by a Roma-Sinti group for denial of the extermination of the Romani/Sinti. As a consequence of the case Riefenstahl made the following apology: "I regret that Sinti and Roma had to suffer during the period of National Socialism. It is known today that many of them were murdered in concentration camps."
Today, contemporary German film critics and cinema historians recognize Leni Riefenstahl's "Lowland" as a fine operettic production; however, due to the fact of her usage of concentration camp prisoners in the film, few in the new Germany can hardly bring themselves to forgive Ms. Riefenstahl for her artistic indiscretions in her past association with Hitler and the Third Reich.

Till the Clouds Roll By 1946

Producer: Arthur Freed Script: Gut Bolton (story), Myles Connolly, Jean Holloway, George Wells (adaptation) Direction: Richard Wharf, Busby Berkley, Henry Koster, Vincente Minelli, George Sidney Cinematography: George J. Folsey, Harry Stradling CAST: June Allyson, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Van Hefflin, Lena Horne, Tony Martin, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Cyd Charisse, Angela Landsbury Music: Jerome Kern Production: MGM 132 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American Technicolor star-studded super musical production featuring the directorial efforts of multi filmmakers Richard Wharf, Busby Berkley, Henry Koster, Vincente Minelli, and George Sidney. The super MGM production features major Hollywood star talent, including June Allyson, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Van Hefflin, Lena Horne, Tony Martin, Dinah Short, Frank Sinatra, Cyd Charisse, Angela Landsbury, etc. "Till the Clouds Roll By" was the first in a series of MGM biopics concerning Broadway composers. The light-hearted picture, though certainly all the big Hollywood studio elements were certainly in place, MGM only made a profit of $732,000 due to the expensive production budget that was required, although it ended up grossing total box-office receipts of $4,748,000. Though not all the critical reviews were positive, Variety's opinion differed somewhat from the rest stating: "Why quibble about the story? The picture is likened by another such venture, Cary Grant's 'Night and Day' (1946)."
In a film retrospective review, noted cinema critic Pauline Kael wrote of the picture: "This monster thing, spawned at MGM, was meant to be the life of Jerome Kern."
In 2006, the American Film Institute honored the film by recognizing the production on its 2006 AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals (nominated).
Contemporary film historians and critics consider MGM's "Till the Clouds Roll By" as a Technicolor Hollywood musical classic.

Tomorrow the World! 1944

Producer: Lester Cowan, David Hall Script: James Gow (play), Arnaud d'Usseau (play), Ringgold Leopold, Jr., Leopold Atlas Director: Leslie Fenton Cinematography: Henry Sharp CAST: Fredric March, Agnes Morehead, Skip Homeier, Betty Field Music: Louis Applebaum Production: United Artists 86 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American anti-Nazi propaganda drama directed by Louis Fenton and starring Fredric March, Agnes Morehead, Skip Homeier, Betty Field, etc.
The story concerns a young German boy (a former Hitler Youth member) comes to live with his American uncle residing in the USA, who tried to teach him to reject Nazism. The story was based on the highly successful Broadway play of the same title during wartime.
"Tomorrow the World" was regarded as a "B-programmer" picture produced during the height of WWII as anti-Nazi propaganda. Leslie Fenton's picture was one of a handful of movies of the period, among them "The Seventh Cross" (1944), that sought to depict the everyday average German during the war. Instead of chiefly focusing on cruel Nazi stereotypes as was seen in most American propaganda pictures at the time, "Tomorrow the World" concerned itself with those individuals who were victimized or misguided by Hitler's vicious regime.

Dreamer 1936

Producer/Directors: Carl Froelich Script: Oskar Jerschka (play), Arno Holz (play), Erich Ebermayer, Robert A. Stemmle Cinematography: Reimar Kuntze CAST: Emil Jannings, Harald Paulsen, Hannes Stelzer, Hilde von Stolz Music: Hanson Mide-Meissner Production: Carl Froelich-Film 100 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical academic drama produced and directed by Carl Froelich for his own company and starring Emil Jannings, Harald Paulsen, Hannes Stelzer, Hilde von Stolz, etc. "Dreamer" is based on the play by German playwrights Oskar Jerschka and Arno Holz.
The story concerns a traditional German educator (Emil Jannings) in a small 19th century Prussian village who realizes he has been living in a dream world, and begins to awaken to reality when his favorite student has a bad experience at a shady nightclub and commits suicide.
Carl Froelich's "Dreamer" is considered a product of the Third Reich and contains some references to Nazi propaganda, but overall this is limited throughout the film. Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Dreamer" a fine dramatic production, despite its past association.

Under the Bridges 1946

Producer: Walter Ulbrich Script: Leo de Laforgue, Helmut Kauetner, Walter Ulbrich Director: Helmut Kaeutner Cinematography: Igor Oberberg CAST: Carl Raddatz, Hannelore Schroth, Gustav Knuth, Erich Dunskus Music: Bernhard Eichhorn Production: Ufa-Filmkunst GmbH 100 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German drama film co-written and directed by Helmut Kauetner starring Carl Raddatz, Hannelore Schroth, Gustav Knuth, Erich Dunskus, etc.
"Under the Bridges" utilizes poetic realism to portray the everyday lives and romances of two Havel boatmen.
"Under the Bridges" was shot in Berlin during the summer of 1944, but was not able to be released until following the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. The picture premiered in Locarno, Switzerland in September 1946 and was not released in West Germany until 1950 when the picture was acquired for distribution by Gloria-Film.
Contemporary German cinema historians and critics consider Helmut Kaeutner's "Under the Bridges" to be a fine realist drama produced at the end of WWII.

Vampire 1932

Producer/Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer Script: Sheridan Le Fanu (story), Christen Jul, Carl Theodor Dreyer Cinematography: Rudolph Mate CAST: Nicholas de Gunzberg, Maurice Schultz, Sybille Schmitz, Rena Mandel Music: Wolfgang Zeller Production: Carl Theodor Drey Filmproduktion Release: May 6, 1932 (Germany), September 1932 (Paris) 75 min. Color sound German dialog version.
Multi-national Gothic vampire horror film produced and directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer starring Nicholas de Gunzberg, Maurice Schultz, Sybille Schmitz, Rena Mandel, etc. "Vampire" is based on Sheridan Le Fanu's 1872 collection of supernatural stories entitled "In a Glass Darkly."
The official German premiere was delayed y the Berlin studio Ufa for approximately nine months, as the studio wanted the Hollywood movies "Dracula" (1931) and "Frankenstein" (1931) to be release first in Germany, but the picture was still a flop at the box-office. When Dreyer's film finally premiered in Berlin on May 6, 1932, where audiences booed the picture, and Dreyer was forced to remove certain scenes from the film in order to make it more playable. When "Vampire" was shown in Vienna, audiences demanded their ticket prices refunded. When this was denied, a riot broke out, and Viennese police were forced to restore civil order with night sticks. The film was better received when it premiered in Paris at the new cinema on the Boulevard Raspail. French audiences took to "Vampire" much better more than likely be cause the director's "Passion of Joan of Arc" (1928) had previously played in the French capital with rave reviews.
when Dreyer's production premiered New York in 1932, The New York Times wrote: "Whatever you think of the director Charles Theodor Dreyer, there is no denying that he is 'different.' He does things that make people talk about them. You may find his films ridiculous - but you won't forget them. Although in many ways 'Vampyr' was one of the worst films I have ever attended, there are some scenes in it that gripped with brutal directness."
Today, "Vampire" is considered a great cinematic masterpiece worthy of other iconic horror masterpieces such as "Dracula" and "Frankenstein. A true Gothic horror classic.

The Bartered Bride 1932

Producer: Hermann Rosenfeld, Ludwig Scheer Script: Curt Alexander, Max Ophuls, Karel Sabrina Director: Max Ophuls Cinematography: Franz Koch, Reimar Kuntze CAST: Jarmila Novotna, Willi Domgraf Fassbender, Otto Wernicke Music: Theo Mackeben Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: August 18, 1932 78 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German musical comedy film directed by Max Ophuls starring Jarmila Novotna, Willi Domgraf Fassbender, Otto Wernicke,, etc. "The Barted Bride" is based on 1866 opera by Czech composer Bedfich Smetana.
The story is in Bohemia during the 19th century, stage-coach driver Hans, is in love with the local mayor's daughter Marie, but she is promised Wenzel, the son of another wealthy farmer. Marie refuses to marry Wenzel because of Hans, however the marriage facilitator tried to "purchase" Marie from Hans. But when Wenzel informs Hans that he does not wish to marry her either due to the fact he is in love with circus director Brummel's daughter, Hans decides to accept the offer of finance for not interfering in the relationship of Marie and Hans. However, when Marie learns this, she does not wish to see Hans ever again.
Contemporary cinema historians and film critics alike concur Max Ophul's "The Bartered Bride" is a classic of the German sound era.

Bwana Devil 1952

Producer/Script/Director: Arch Oboler Cinematography: Joseph F. Biroc, William D. Synder CAST: Robert Stack, Barbara Britton, Nigel Bruce, Ramsay Hill Music: Godon Jenkins Production: Gulu Productions, Arch Oboler Productions Release: November 26, 1952 79 min. Color sound English dialog.
American 3-D adventure "B" film written, produced and directed by Arch Oboler starring Robert Stack, Barbara Britton, Nigel Bruce, Ramsay Hill, etc. "Bwana Devil" is based on the true account of the 'Tsavo maneaters' and shot with Natural Vision 3-D movie craze in the fifties, as well as being the first full-length 3-D film in color and the first 3-D sound feature film produced in English.
The story is set in British East Africa during the early 20th century. Thousands of manual laborers are constructing the Uganda Railway, Africa's first railroad, and intense sickness and heat make it a formidable task. Two men in charge of the mission are Bo Hayward and Dr. Angus McLean. A pair of man-eating lions are on the loose and completely disrupt the undertaking. Hayward desperately attempts to overcome the situation, but the slaughter continues unabated. Britain send three big-game hunters to kill the lions, Bob sets out once and for all to kill them. A grim battle between Bob and the lions endanger both Bob and his wife. Bob ends up killing the lions and proves that he is not a weakling after all.
"Bwana Devil" premiered under the 'Arch Oboler Productions' banner on November 26, 1952, with a twin theatrical engagement at the Hollywood Paramount Theatre and the Paramount Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The picture opened to the general public the next day. Sadly, "Bwana Devil" was a critical failure, however, but nevertheless a runaway success with audiences due to the 3-D effect. The picture then opened in engagements in San Francisco on December 13, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio on Christmas Day, and New York on February 18, 1953.
Natural Vision had stated they had feature film production plans for at least tweleve more film projects.
"Bwana Devil" is recognized as the first full-length color feature film to be filmed in the 3-D process.

Victor and Victoria 1933

Producer: Alfred Zeisler, Edmund Kubat Script/Director: Reinhold Schuenzel Cinematography: Konstantin Irem-Tschet CAST: Renate Mueller, Hermann Thimig, Anton Walbrook, Fritz Odemar Music: Franz Doelle Production: Ufa Release: December 23, 1933 100 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German musical comedy film directed by Reinhold Schuenzel starring Renate Mueller, Hermann Thimig, Anton Walbrook, Fritz Odemar, etc. The story concerns Susanne, an aspiring singer, steps in to replace Viktor, a mediocre stage actor, at a small cabaret in Berlin where he performs as a female impersonator. She manages to catch the attention of an agent, who mistakenly believes that she is actually a man. As a result, Susanne rises to fame, but her situation becomes complicated when she finds herself falling in love with Robert.
Contemporary film historians and critics consider Reinhold Schuenzel's "Victor and Victoria" to be a cinematic masterpiece.

Suburban Variety Show 1935

Producer: Ernst Neubach Script: Felix Salten (novel), Ernst Neubach, Werner Hochbaum Director: Werner Hochbaum Cinematography: Eduard Hoesch CAST: Mathias Wieman, Luise Ullrich, Oskar Sima, Lina Wolwode Music: Anton Profes Production: Styria-Film Release: January 17, 1935 93 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian musical drama film co-written and directed by Werner Hochbaum and starring Mathias Wieman, Luise Ullrich, Oskar Sima, Lina Wolwode, etc. "Suburban Variety Show" was based on Felix Salten's play. The story concerns a Viennese architect who opposes his fiancé's ambitions as a cabaret performer and turns away from her in order to do his duty in the infantry and prepare for the approaching war. The picture is considered an Austrian musical film classic.

Battle of the Waltzes 1933

Producer: Guenther Stapenhorst Script: Robert Liebmann, Hans Mueller Director: Ludwig Berger Cinematography: Carl Hoffmann CAST: Willy Fritzsch, Renate Mueller, Paul Hoerbiger, Anton Walbrook, Theo Lingen Music: Franz Grothe, Joseph Lanner Production: Ufa Release: October 4, 1933 92 min. B/W sound German w/English subtitles.
German musical comedy film directed by Ludwig Berger starring Willy Fritzsch, Renate Mueller, Paul Hoerbiger, anton Walbrook, Theo Lingen, etc. "Battle of the Waltzes" is loosely based on the famous rivalry between classic waltz composers Joseph Lanner and Johann Strauss I, as well as the life of the Austrian ballet dancer Katti Lanner (Joseph Lanner's daughter) who eventually settled in Victorian England.
Though produced during the first year of the Third Reich, "Ludwig Berger's "Battle of the Waltzes" does not contain tainted Nazi propaganda. Contemporary cinema historians and critics consider Berger's musical production to be a film masterpiece.

Spaceship I Launches 1937

Producer/Script/Director: Anton Kutter Cinematography: Gustav Weiss CAST: Carl Wery, Rolf Wernicke, Fritz Rasp Music: Ludwig Kusche Production: Bavaria-Film AG Release: 1940 25 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German sci-fi short film written, produced and directed by Anton Kutter starring Carl Wery, Rolf Wernicke, Fritz Rasp, etc. "Spaceship Launches" is a cultural film concerning the fictional launch of a German spacecraft that manages to land back on Earth after orbiting the moon. Though produced during the Third Reich, this film does not contain propaganda.

Crows and Sparrows 1949

Producer: Xia Yunhu, Ren Zongde Script/Director: Zheng Junli Cinematography: Zenhua Hu, Zhenhua Miao CAST: Dan Zhao, Yinyan Wu, Daolin Sun, Yunzhu Shangguan Music: Yunjie Wang Production: The Peak Industries 111 min. B/W sound Chinese dialog.
Chinese pre-Commmunist propaganda film written and directed by Zheng Junlki starring Dan Zhao, Yinyan Wu, Daolin Sun, Yunzhu Shangguan, etc.
"Crows and Sparrows" was produced by the left-leaning Kunlun Studios on the eve of the Communist victory notable for its extremely critical view of corrupt Nationalist bureaucrats, the picture was produced as Chang-Kai-shek's Nanking-based government was on the verge of collapse, and was not actually completed and released until after the Chinese Civil War had ended
"Crows and Sparrows" was fairly popular upon its release in a new revised edited version in 1950. in which it won its first film prize. The production received a second prize from the Ministry of Culture of New China in 1956. The Chinese Premier at the time, Zhou Enlai, expressed dissatisfaction with the final result of the production stating: "These people put their lives on the line and made such a great film. Why did they get only the second prize?
Mao Zedong expressed a similar dissatisfaction with the film's poor reception, believing it deserved a higher rating."
Contemporary film historians and critics consider "Crows and Sparrows" a Communist propaganda film, though artfully created by a true film artist.

Zero for Conduct 1933

Producer/Script/Director/Editor: Jean Vigo Cinematography: Boris Kaufman CAST: Gerard de Bedarieux, Louis Lefebvre, Gilbert Pruchon, Coco Golstein Music: Maurice Jaubert Production: Argul-Films 50 min. B/W sound French dialog w/English subtitles.
French featurette written, produced, directed and edited by Jean Vigo "Zero for Conduct" was first screened on April 7, 1933 and was subsequently banned in France until November 1945.
The production draws extensively on Jean Vigo's boarding school experience in order to depict a very repressive and bureaucraticatised educational establishment in which surreal acts of sudden rebellion occur, reflecting Vigo's anarchist view of his own childhood.
"Zero for Conduct" was first shown on April 7, 1933, in Paris which outwardly shocked many audience members who in turn hissed and booed Vigo. Other theatre audiences, however, most notably French poet and scriptwriter Jacques Prevert, loudly applauded their approval by clapping. French cinema critics were largely divided about the film. As stated, Vigo's picture was promptly banned in France, with some believing that the French Ministry of the Interior considered it a threat capable of "creating disturbances and hindering the maintenance of order." However, following its re-release in 1945, Vigo's picture was still not an immediate commercial success with French audiences, although it has over time proven to be quite enduringly influential. French film director Francois Truffaut paid homage to "Zero for Conduct" in his film "The 400 Blows" (1959). The anarchic recess and classroom scenes in Truffaut's film borrow from Vigo's production, as does a classic scene in which a mischievous group of schoolboys are led through the streets by one of their schoolmasters.
Contemporary cinema critics and historians consider Jean Vigo's "Zero for Conduct" a film masterpiece.

Zou-Zou 1934

Producer: Arys Nissotti Script: Carlo Rim Director: Marc Allegret Cinematography: Michel Kelber, Jacques Mercanton CAST: Josephine Baker, Jean Gabin, Pierre Larquey, Claire Gerard Music: Vincent Scotto, Georges Van Parys, Alain Romans Production: Les Films H. Roussillion 86 min. B/W sound French dialog.
French musical dance film directed by Marc Allegret starring Josephine Baker, Jean Gabin, Pierre Larquey, Claire Gerard, etc.
The story concerns a young girl named Zou-Zou who tries to help her childhood friend in order to prove his innocence after being accused of murder. Josephine Baker's appealing performance as Zou-Zou, along with Jean Gabin's good supporting performance as Jean, make this an entertainment motion picture.
Marc Allegret's "Zou-Zou" is an entertaining cinematic classic from the thirties presenting the lovely Josephine Baker in musical dance numbers on film.

To New Shores 1937

Producer: Bruno Duday Script: Lovis Hans Lorenz (novel), Kurt Heuser, Detlef Sierck Director: Detlef Sierck (Douglas Sirk) Cinematography: Franz Weihmayr CAST: Zarah Leander, Willy Birgel, Viktor Staal, Carola Hohn Music: Ralph Benatzky Production: Ufa Release: August 31, 1937 106 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German melodrama co-written and directed by Detlef Sierck (Douglas Sirk in the USA) for Ufa starring Zarah Leander, willy Birgel, Viktor Staal, Carola Hohn, etc.
"To New Shores" was Zarah Leander's first motion picture for the Ufa Film Studio, and its huge commercial success brought the actress into the front rank of the studio's biggest box-office stars in Germany.
The story is set in 1846 where the stage actress Gloria Vane is performing at the Adelphi Theatre, London. Gloria is in love with the destitute nobleman Albert Finsbury, who is shortly departing to Australia to become an officer in the Queen's regiment. Albert is supposed to pay his debts before departing and uses an forged check to accomplish this. After Albert departs, the forgery is discovered. In order to protect him, Gloria claims responsibility for the crime and is sentenced to seven years prison time. From the notorious Paramatta prison in Sydney, she sends a note to him pleading for help, however he does not reply. An Australian merchant falls in love with her and asks to marry him. She agrees, only so she can get out of prison. When she discovers Finsbury is planning to wed the Governor's daughter, she is heartbroken. But Finsbury eventually finds her, but alas, she is no longer in love with him.
Today, Detlef Sierck's "To New Shores" is recognized a cinematic classic.

The Great Citizen 1938

Producer: Yakov Antselovich Script: Mikhail Bleiman, Manuel Bolsintsov, Fridrikh Ermler Director: Fridrikh Ermler Cinematography: Arkadi Koltsaty CAST: Nikolay Bogolyubov, Ivan Bersenev, Oleg Zhakov, Zoya Fyodorova Music: Dmitri Shostakovich Production: LenFilm 206 min. B/W sound Russian dialog.
Soviet biopic propaganda film written and directed by Fridikh Ermler for LenFilm starring Nikolay Bogolyubov, Ivan Bersenev, Oleg Zhakov, Zoya Fyodorova, etc.
"The Great Citizen" is a fictionalized biography of Sergei Kirov, the production was intended as propaganda ideological promotion during "The Great Purges," this film depicts life in the USSR during the twenties and thirties.
Ermler's picture follows the life of Pyotr Shakhov, a prominent CPSUU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union) leader, across two political time periods during 1925 and 1934. The story concerns Shakhov's relentless struggle against members of the 'Trotskyist-Zinovievite bloc' and their leader, Kartashov.
Joseph Stalin made direct interventions in Mikhail Bierman and Manuel Bolsintsov's script. During production of "The Great Citizen,' four people associated with it were arrested.
Today, contemporary film historians and critics consider Fridikh Ermler's "The Great Citizen" a Soviet propaganda film.

1914, The Last Days Before the World War 1931

Producer/Director: Richard Oswald Script: Heinz Goldberg, Fritz Wendhausen Cinematography: Mutz Greenbaum CAST: Albert Bassermann, Reinhold Schuenzel, Theodor Loos, Oskar Homolka Production: Richard-Oswald-Filmproduktion 113 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical drama film produced and directed by Richard Oswald for his own production company and starring Albert Bassermann, Reinhold Schuenzel, Theodor Loos, Oskar Homolka, etc.
"1914, The Last Days Before the World War" focused on the outbreak of WWI in 1914, culminating in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Gavrilo Princip. At the special request of the German Foreign Office, a special filmed introduction was presented in the beginning of the picture. A special screening had been arranged at the German Reichstag in Berlin on March 3, 1931.
Oswald's production had its premiere in the city of Berlin at the Tauentzien-Palast Theatre on January 20, 1931. While a screening had been arranged for Reich President Paul von Hindenburg and former Field Marshal Erich von Ludendorff, there is no facts to confirm they actually attended the screening. However, both Hitler and Joseph Goebbels had attended a performance of the picture when it opened in Berlin the same year.
Today, Richard Oswald's "1914, The Last Days Before the World War" is considered a historical film documenting the days in Germany and Europe before the dark clouds of war hung over the continent.

The Flute Conzert of Sans-souci 1930

Producer: Guenther Stapenhorst Script: Johannes Brandt, Walter Reisch Director: Gustav Ucicky Cinematography: Carl Hoffmann CAST: Otto Gebuehr, Renate Mueller, Friedrich Kayssler, Hans Rehmann Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Ufa 89 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German historical Prussian militarist war drama directed by Austrian filmmaker Gustav Ucicky starring Otto Gebuehr (as Fredrich the Great), Renate Mueller, Friedrich Kayssler, Hans Rehmann, etc.
"The Flute Concert of Sans-souci" was part of a film cycle of Prussian history movies concerning, for the most part the life and career of Prussia's King Fredrich the Great.
Although Gustav Ucicky's historical costume epic was not produced during the Third Reich, after WWII and the defeat of Germany, the Allied Occupation Government placed the production on the official "banned list" of motion pictures promoting nationalist or patriotic perspectives which put it directly in line with the "banned" German film list put forth by the victorious Allies.
Contemporary film historians and critics consider Gustav Ucicky's "The Flute Concert of Sans-souci" to be a cinematic masterpiece from the "golden age" of classic German cinema.

Master of the World 1934

Producer/Director: Harry Piel Script: Georg Muehlen-Schulte, Harry Piel Cinematography: Ewald Daub CAST: Harry Piel, Walter Janssen, Sybille Schmitz, Siegfried Schuerenberg Music: Fritz Wenneis Production: Ariel-Film Release: December 15, 1935 111 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German Sci-Fi fantasy produced, co-written and directed by Harry Piel starring Piel, Walter Jannsen, Sybille Schmitz, Siegfried Schuerenberg, etc.
"Master of the World" is based on themes from three of Harry Piel's earlier silent films "The Big Bet" (1915), "The Secret of D 14" (1915), and "Rivals" (1923).
The story concerns a German scientist who designs and constructs a machine that will perform very dangerous tasks instead of placing human beings in jeopardy. However, the machine itself turns out to have disastrous effects on those who participate.
"Master of the World" is considered as an important early entry into the Sci-Fi entertainment genre in Germany.
The picture had its Reich premiere on August 11, 1935 at the Ufa-Palast am Zoo Theatre in Berlin.

Uncanny Stories 1932

Producers: Richard Oswald, G. Pascual Script: Heinz Goldberg, Eugen Szatman Director: Richard Oswald Cinematography: Heinrich Gaertner CAST: Paul Wegener, Eugen Kloepfer, Maria Kloppenhofer, Harald Paulsen Music: Bert Reisfeld, Rolf Marbot Production: Roto-Film, G. P. Films Release: September 7, 1932 103 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German satirical black comedy/horror film produced and directed by Richard Oswald starring Paul Wegener, Eugen Kloepfer, Maria Kloppenhofer, Harald Paulsen, etc.
"Uncanny Stories" is a remake of Richard Oswald's 1919 silent film classic of the same title.
The story concerns three seperate short stories, Eddgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat," "The System of doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" and Robert Louis Stevensen's "The Suicide Club," set within a framework story of a journalist's search for a mad scientist. The picture is also very much a black comedy revisiting many of the classic themes of the horror entertainment genre.
Richard Oswald's "Uncanny Stories" was released to German theatres on September 7, 1932. The picture was released in the USA under the title "The Living Dead" in 1940.
In contemporary film reviews, Variety wrote in 1932: "Oswald has succeeded in creating an effectively gruesome picture. "
The New York Times wrote at in 1940: "The Living Dead is a nightmare reminder of the old pre-Nazi macabre school of German films, which did right by such things as "M," but apparently had its bad moments too."
Contemporary cinema historians and critics recognize Richard Oswald's "Uncanny Stories" as a cinematic classic.

Enthusiasm 1931

Producer: Ukrainianfilm Script/Director: Dziga Vertov Cinematography: B. Cejtlin Music: Dmitri Shostakovich, Nikolai Timofeyev Production: VUFKU, Ukrainianfilm Release: April 2, 1931 67 min. B/W sound Russian dialog.
Soviet 1931 sound Avant-Garde film written and directed by Dziga Vertov for VUFKU/Ukrainianfilm. "Enthusiasm" was Vertov's first sound film and the first production of the Ukrainianfilm company in association with the Soviet VUFKU.
Dziga Vertov described "Enthusiasm" as "the lead icebreaker in the column of sound newsreels. The production's complex interaction of sound and image to be the works most significant achievement." Vertov viewed his film as an extended experiment in which the juxtaposition and misalignment of sound were completely intentional.
"Enthusiasm" is also notable for the fact that it is a pseudo-documentary completely shot on location.
The film's music score is considered avant-garde and experimental due to its incorporation of industrial, factory, and other machine sounds, human speech plays a rather a minor role in the production.
"Enthusiasm" was released on April 2, 1931. Regretfully, Soviet audiences were confused by the work and sadly there were not many positive film reviews either. Therefore, the picture did not fare very well in Russian theatres and was quickly withdrawn from circulation. Despite the film's loss at the box-office during the Stalinist era, the film did regain a new resurgence in the interest in Vertov's production during the sixties due to renewed interest in Soviet avant-garde in the West.
Contemporary film historians and critics consider Dziga Vertov's "Enthusiasm" to be a cinematic masterpiece.

Escape by Night 1937

Producer/Script: Harold Shumate Director: Hamilton McFadden Cinematography: Edward Syder CAST: Willian Hall, Anne Nagel, Dean Jagger, Steffi Duna Music: Alberto Columbo Production: Republic Pictures Release: September 1, 1937 65 min. Color sound English dialog.
American crime drama written and produced by Harold Shumate and directed by Hamilton McFadden starring William Hall, Anne Nagel, Dean Jagger, Steffi Duna, etc.
The story concerns a group of gang members by the name of the Capper who rent a room from a blind man and his daughter and help them restore their farm. Another member of their gang arrives and demands their return, leading to much conflict and trouble.
Following the premiere of the picture on September 1, 1937, The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "A swell little cops and robbers picture, with an out-of-the-ordinary story. It is well acted, moves rapidly, and a lightly written script makes the improbable theme: regeneration of crooks by farm life seem unbelievable."

Hitler's Children 1943

Producer: Edward A. Golden Script: Emmet Lavery Dirction: Edward Dmytryk, Irving Reis (resigned) Cinematography: Russell Metty CAST: Tim Holt, Bonita Granville, Kent Smith, Otto Kruger, H. B. Warner, Hans Conned Music: Roy Webb Production: RKO Radio Pictures Release: March 19, 1943 84 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American anti-Nazi wartime propaganda film directed by Edward Dmytryk starring Tim Holt, Bonita Granville, Kent Smith, Otto Kruger, H. B. Warner, Hans Conned, etc.
"Hitler's Children" was among the most successful produced by RKO Studios. The picture is known for its Nazi brutality associated with the Hitler Youth organization, represented particularly by two young HJ participants.
The story plays more like an expose of the Hitler Youth which follows the troubles and woes of an German/American girl declared legally "German" by the Nazi government.
Contemporary cinema historians and film critics consider Edward Dmytryk's "Hitler's Children" a wartime anti-Nazi propaganda cinematic vehicle.

The Dybbuk 1937

Producer: Zygmunt Mayfluer Script: S. Ansky (play), S. A. Kacyzna (writer) Director: Michal Waszynski Cinematography: Albert Wywerka CAST: Abraham Morewski, Azyk Samberg, Mojresz Lipman, Lilli Lilirna Music: Henryk Kon Production: Warsawskie Biuro Kinematograficzne Faniks 125 min. B/W sound Yiddish dialog w/English subtitles.
Yiddish language Polish supernatural fantasy drama directed by Michal Waszynski starring Abraham Morewski, Azyk Samberg, Mojresz Lipman, Lilli Lilima, etc.
"The Dybbuk" is based on the well-known play by Shloyme Ansky relates the story of a young bride who becomes possessed by the Dybbuk, a malicious-possessing demonic spirit, believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead human on the evening of her wedding. "The Dybbuk" is considered a seminal play in its history of the Jewish theatre, and play an important role in the development of Yiddish theatre in Israel. The original play had been based on many years of meticulous and painless research of Shloyme Ansky, who traveled between Jewish 'shetels' in the Ukraine and Russia, documenting folktale beliefs and stories from the Hassidic Jews
The original picture, with certain changes in the plot structure features many of the characters in the production. Aside from the language of the film, itself, "The Dybbuk" is most noted among cinema historians for the overall striking scenes of Leah's grand wedding, which is shot in German Expressionism, not utilized since the Weimarian period. The picture is generally considered one of the finest motion pictures produced in the Yiddish language.
During the Third Reich, the Nazis attempted to destroy all negatives and prints of "The Dybbuk" but fortunately, they were unable to complete their task as the film ended up surviving both the war and the Holocaust.
Contemporary cinema historians and critics consider "The Dybbuk" a Yiddish language cinematic masterpiece.

The Hitler Gang 1944

Producer: B. G. DeSylvia, Joseph Sistrom Script: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hacket Director: John Farrow Cinematography: Ernest Laszlo CAST: Robert Watson, Roman Bohnen, Martin Kosleck, Victor Varconi, Luis van Roden Music: David Buttolph Production: Paramount Pictures Release: April 25, 1944 101 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American anti-Nazi propaganda film directed by John Farrow starring Robert Watson (as Hitler), Roman Bohnen (as Ernst Roehm), Martin Kosleck (as Joseph Goebbels), Victor Varconi (as Rudolf Hess), Luis van Roden (as Heinrich Himmler), etc.
"The Hitler Gang" was original described by Paramount Pictures as a "documentary-propaganda'. The story is based on "documented fact" and marks the first serious cinematic effort to portray Hitler and his deputies in motion pictures during WWII.
The producers of the picture deliberately chose to avoid casting major film stars to essay the lead roles, assembling instead a remarkable compny of lookalike players to essay Hitler, Goebbels, Goering, Hess, Himmler, and other leading Nazis at the time.
The plot of "The Hitler Gang" is set in 1918 where a young German Reichswehr (Army) soldier named Adolf Hitler recovers from being gasses in the trenches in WWI. At the behest of his superiors at the army following the war, Hitler is ordered to spy and infiltrate nationalist political parties in Munich, espousing wild theories that Germany lost the war because they were stabbed in the back at home. He soon becomes Chancellor of Germany and thus dictator of the Third Reich.
"The Hitler Gang" was recommended by the National Board of Review, which called it "an interesting film purporting to be the real story of Hitler's rise to power and the part played by Roehm, Goebbels, Hess, Himmler, Goering and other Nazis, Many of the well-known historic episodes such as the Munich beet hall "putsch," the burning of the Reichstag, and the 'blood purge' of 1934 are dramatically shown. The film is honest in its effort to render an accurate account of the Nazis, but suffers from an over simplification of history."
Life Magazine featured "The Hitler Gang" as "Movie of the Week" in its issue dated May 15, 1944: "The Hitler Gang is best when it follows the narrative of history."
The New York Times wrote: "We caution that the emphasis in this picture is so heavily upon 'The Hitler Gang' and upon the inside intrigues by which it gained and held its power, that the impression conveyed is that these leaders are entirely responsible for the Nazi state. It means that the grave responsibility of the German citizens for what they have allows has been neatly tossed onto the shoulders of a few ruffians, Army officers and industrialists."
John Farrow's "The Hitler Gang" is considered a wartime anti-Nazi propaganda film by contemporary cinema historians, scholars and critics.

Song of Russia 1944

Producer: Joe Pasternak, Pandro S. Berman Script: Leo Mittler (story), Victor Trivas (story), Guy Endore, Paul Jerrico (script), Richard Collins (script) Direction: Gregory Ratoff, Laszlo Benedek Cinematography: Harry A. Stradling, Jr. CAST: Richard Taylor, Susan Peters, John Hodiak, Felix Bressart Production: MGM Release: February 10, 1944 107 min. B/S sound English dialog.
American anti-Nazi war film directed by Gregory Ratoff and Laszlo Benedek (Ratoff's replacement) and starring Richard Taylor, Susan Peters, John Hodiak, Felix Bressart, etc.
"Song of Russia" concerns an American orchestra conductor by the name of John Meredith (Taylor) and his manager, Hank Higgins (Robert Benchley), travel to the USSR shortly before the country is invaded by Nazi Germany. Meredith manages to fall in love with a beautiful Soviet pianist named Nadya (Susan Peters) while they tour the nation on a forty city tour. Their bliss, however is destroyed by the German invasion on June 22, 1941.
Despite the criticism "Song of Russia" received in later years, cinema historians claiming it is nowadays much more remembered for its content rather than its quality. The New York Times wrote: "Taylor makes a very good impression as a young American caught in Russia by love and war."
The positive perception of Soviet Russia in the production was clearly linked to the wartime alliance of the USSR and the USA
Following the end of WWII and the outbreak of the Cold War, the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) cited "Song of Russia" as one of the three noted examples of "pro-Soviet propaganda films" produced by Hollywood (the others being "The North Star" (1943) and "Mission to Moscow" (1943).
Despite these accusations, contemporary film critics and cinema historians consider "Song Russia" a well-made wartime propaganda feature film.

Wild Boys of the Road 1933

Producer: Robert Presnell, Sr. Script: Earl Baldwin Director: William Wellman Cinematography: Arthur L. Todd CAST: Frankie Darro, Edwin Phillips, Rochelle Hudson, Sterling Holloway Music: Bernhard Kaun Production: First National Pictures Release: October 7, 1933 67 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code Great Depression era drama directed by William Wellman and starring Frankie Darro, Edwin Phillips, Rochelle Hudson, sterling Holloway, etc.
"Wild Boys of the Road" tells the story of several American teenagers forced to become "hobos." The story is based on the story "Desperate Youth" by Daniel Ahem.
In 2013, "Wild Boys of the Road" was selected for preservation in the United States National film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

The Wild Party 1929

Producers: Adolph Zucker, Jesse L. Lasky Script: Samuel Hopkins Adams, E. Lloyd Sheldon Director: Dorothy Arzner Cinematography: Victor Milner CAST: Clara Bow, Fredric March, Jack Oakie, Marceline Day Music: John Leipold Production: Paramount Pictures Release: April 6, 1929 77 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code academic drama produced by Adolph Zucker and Jesse L. Lasky as directed by Dorothy Arzner and starring Clara Bow in his very first "talkie" picture with co-stars Fredric March, Jack Oakie, Marceline Day, etc.
The story concerns wild university seem to pat more attention to partying than their academic studies. However, when one of the party girls, Stella Ames, goes too far at a local drinking establishment and manages to land herself in trouble, her professor is forced to rescue her. However, there is much gossip around campus linking the two which escalates until Stella Ames is able to prove that she is above board by shielding an innocent girl and winning her professor's respect in the very end.
When "The Wild Party" was released, the picture had mixed reviews and Clara Bow's obvious Brooklyn, NY accent was the key point of discussion. One film critic wrote: "Miss Bow's voice is a smooth contralto, vigorous and natural."
Variety wrote: "Miss Bow's voice was good enough to survive the transition to sound."
Nevertheless, Dorothy Arzner's "The Wild Party" performed quite well at the box-office and confirmed its director's abilities as a filmmaker in Hollywood.

The Amazing Adventure 1936

Producer: Alfred Zeisler Script: E. Phillips Oppenheim (novel), John L. Balderston Director: Alfred Zeisler Cinematography: Otto Heller CAST: Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne, Henry Kendall Music: Werner Bochmann Production: United Artists Release: July 26, 1936 (UK), February 27, 1937 (USA) 80 min. Color sound English dialog.
British romantic comedy produced and directed by Alfred Zeisler starring Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne, Henry Kendall, etc.
"The Amazing Adventure" is a remake of the 1920 silent film "The Amazing Quest of Mr. Ernest Bliss," based on the 1919 novel "The Curious Quest" by E. Phillips Oppenheim.
Variety wrote at the time of the picture's release: "A bit old-fashioned and present-day teenagers may regard it as implausible."
Alfred Zeisler's "The Amazing Adventure" is considered a pleasant British romantic comedy produced during the 'golden age' of vintage sound films.

Steamboat Willie 1928

Producer/Director: Walt Disney Script: Walt Disney Animation: Wilfred Jackson, Johnny Cannon, Les Clark Music: Wilfred Jackson, Bert Lewis Production: Walt Disney Studio Release: November 18, 1926 (USA) 10 min. Color sound English dialog.
American animated short film produced, written and directed by Walt Disney.
"Steamboat Willie" is considered the public debut of Mickey Mouse, although both had appeared months earlier in a test screening of "Plane Crazy" (1929) and the then unreleased "The Gallopin's Gaucho" (1928). "Steamboat Willie" is the third of Mickey's cartoons to have been produced, but it is the first to have been distributed, because Walt Disney has seen "The Jazz Singer" (1927) and further became determined to produce one of the fully synchronized sound cartoon.
"Steamboat Willie" became the most popular cartoon of its day, it has received wide acclaim, for introducing one of the world's most popular cartoon characters and for its technical innovation and is often considered one of the most influential cartoons ever produced.
Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie" premiered at Universal's Colony Theater in New York on November 18, 1928.. The short cartoon was distributed by Celebrity Productions, and its initial run was screened five time a day for two weeks. It was the tremendous success of "Steamboat Willie" which led to international fame for Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.
Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie" is considered a timeless animated classic cartoon which paved the road for both Walt and his Mickey Mouse's future box-office success.

Picture Brides 1934

Producer: M.H. Hoffman Script: Charles E. Blaney (novel), Adele Buffington Director: Phil Rosen Cinematography: Tom Galligan CAST: Dorothy Mackaill, Alan Hale, Regis Toomey, Harvey Clark Music: Darrell Raby, Talat Artemel Production: MGM 66 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code adventure/comedy film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Dorothy MacKaill, Alan Hale, Regis Toomey, Harvey Clark, etc.
The story concerns four mail order brides from New Orleans and a young girl conned into a non-existing employment in Brazil find much adventure, danger and romance in the jungle.
Phil Rosen's "Picture Brides" is considered a "B" programmer cinematic attraction by contemporary film critics and historians.

Deluge 1933

Producer: Sam Bischoff Script: S. Fowler Wright (novel), Warren B. Duff, John F. Goodrich Director: Felix E. Feist Cinematography: Norbert Brodine CAST: Peggy Shannon, Sidney Blackmeer, Lois Wilson, Matt Moore Music: Val Burton Production: Admiral Productions Release: August 13, 1933 70 min. Color sound English dialog.
American apocalyptic sci-fi film directed by Felix E. Feist and starring Peggy Shannon, Sidney Blackmeer, Lois Wilson, Matt Moore, etc.
"Deluge" is loosely based on the 1928 novel by S. Fowler Wright, with the setting changed from the UK to the USA. The story follows a small group of survivors following a series of unexpected natural disasters which erupt around the world and manage to destroy civilization, including a massive tsunami which inundates New York.
"Deluge" was released on August 13, 1933 and received mixed but mostly positive reviews and was a modest hit for its distributor RKO in 1933.

The Purple Heart 1944

Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck Script: Darryl F. Zanuck (story; as Melville Crossman), Jerome Cady Director: Lewis Milestone Cinematography: Arthur C. Miller CAST: Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, Farley Granger, Kevin O'Shea Music: Alfred Newman Production: 20th Century-Fox 99 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American wartime anti-Japanese propaganda film produced and written by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Lewis Milestone starring Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, Farley Granger, Kevin O'Shea, etc.
"The Purple Heart" is a dramatization of the "show trial" of a number of American airmen by the Imperial Japanese government during WWII. The story is loosely based on the trial of eight U.S. airmen who took part in the April 18, 1942, Doolittle Raid on Japan. Three of the eight were subsequently executed and one later died as a POW. This picture was the first to deal directly with the Japanese treatment of Allied POWs and ran into opposition from the U.S. War Department, which was afraid that such movies would provoke reprisals from the Japanese government.
Released during late wartime, "The Purple Heart" greatly encouraged movie theatre patrons to purchase virtually thousands of dollars of War Bonds, and opened to good reviews from critics. Variety wrote: "An intensely moving piece, spellbinding, though gory at times, gripping and suspenseful for the most part."
The New York Times wrote: "An overpowering testimonial it is, too, a splendid tribute to the bravery of young men who have maintained their honor and dignity despite the brutal tortures of the Japanese, and a shocking and debasing indictment of the methods which our enemies have used Americans cannot help but view this picture with a sense of burning outrage and hearts full of pride and admiration for our men who have finely fought and died."
Lewis Milestone's "The Purple Heart" is considered a powerful wartime anti-Japanese propaganda film by cinema historians and scholars.

The Magic Sword 1962

Producer/Director: Bert I. Gordon Script: Bernard Schoenfeld Cinematography: Nicholas Vogel, Paul C. Vogel CAST: Basil Rathbone, Gary Lockwood, Estelle Winwood, Anne Helm Music: Richard Markowitz Production: Bert I. Gordon Enterprises Release: February 22, 1962 80 min. Color sound English dialog.
American adventure fantasy film produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon and starring Basil Rathbone, Gary Lockwood, Estelle Winwood, Anne Helm, etc.
"The Magic Sword" is loosely based on the medieval legend of Saint George and the Dragon. The story concerns the son of a sorceress, armed with medieval armor, weapons and six magically summoned knights, embarks on a sacred quest to save a princess from an evil, vengeful wizard.
"The Magic Sword" had a comic book adaptation in September 1962
Bert I. Gordon's "The Magic Sword" is considered "an unappreciated film classic" by contemporary cinema critics.

The Broadway Melody 1929

Producer: Irving Thalberg, Lawrence Weingarten Script: Edmkund Goulding (story), Sarah Y. Mason, Norman Houston, James Gleason Director: Harry Beaumont Cinematography: John Arnold CAST: Anita Page, Bessie Love, Charles King, Jed Prouty Music: Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed Production: MGM Release: February 1, 1929 (L.A.), February 8, 1929 (NYC), June 12, 1929 (USA) 100 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code musical sound film produced by Irving Thalberg and Lawrence Weingarten directed by Harry Beaumont starring Anita Page, Bessie Love, Charles King, Jed Prouty, etc.
"The Broadway Melody" is the first sound film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and was one of the early musicals to feature a Technicolor sequence, which sparked the future trend of Technicolor being used in a flurry of musical movies that would hit screens during 1920-1930.
"The Broadway Melody" was written by Norman Houston and James Gleason from a story by Edmund Goulding. Original music was written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, including the popular hit "You Were Meant For Me." The George M. Cohan classic song "Give My Regards to Broadway" is used under the opening establishing shots of New York, its film debut. Bessie Love was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. "The Broadway Melody" was nominated for three Academy Awards at the 1930 ceremony: Best Actress (Bessie Love), Best director (Harry Beaumont), and Outstanding Picture. The picture was produced and distributed by MGM and was Hollywood's first all-talking musical film.
"The Broadway Melody" was a substantial commercial success and made a profit of $1.6 million dollars for MGM. It was the top grossing picture of 1929 and as noted won an Oscar for Best Picture.
Contemporary film critics were generally positive at the time of the picture's initial release. Variety wrote: "It has everything a silent picture should have outside of its dialog. A basic story with some sense to it, action, excellent direction, laughs, a tear, a couple of great performances and plenty of sex."
The Film Daily wrote: "Has everything. Sure-fire moneymaker that will drag 'em in everywhere."
Historically, "The Broadway Melody" is often considered the first complete example of a Hollywood musical. Contemporary critics now view the film as cliché-ridden and mostly melodramatic, despite the fact that it was considered innovative for its time and contributed to the concept and structure of musical motion pictures.

The Hollywood Revue 1929

Producer: Irving Thalberg, Harry Rapf Script: Al Boasberg, Robert E. Hopkins, Joseph W. Farnham Director: Charles Reisner Cinematography: John Arnold, Max Fabian, Irving G. Ries, John M. Nikolaus CAST: Charles Nagel, Jack Benny, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer Music: Gus Edwards, Arthur Freed Production: MGM Release: June 20, 1929 (L.A.) 130 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code Technicolor sound musical film produced by Irving Thalberg and Harry Rapf and directed by Charles Reisner starring Charles Nagel, Jack Benny, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, etc.
"The Hollywood Revue" was MGM's second sound musical production and one of their earliest sound motion pictures. Produced by Irving Thalberg and Harry Rapf, the picture features nearly all of MGM's stars in a two hour review that includes three segments in Technicolor. The master of ceremonies are Conrad Nagel and Jack Benny..
The production includes the hit song "Sing'n in the Rain" composed by Arthur Freed which appears in the finale Technicolor sequence sung by the entire cast in unison.
"The Broadway Melody" was shot in twenty-five days with a production budget of $426,000, and was extremely popular with audiences and film critics alike, especially in its initial metropolitan engagements.
The New York Times wrote: "Brimming over with good fun and catchy music."
Film Daily commented: "A smash and a wow. Smart revue with plenty of comedy beautifully dressed and a cast that is gilt-edged."
The New York Times commented additionally, stressing: "The most extravagant and expensive musical comedy so far presented by the talking pictures, and is in itself a complete evening's entertainment."
"The Broadway Melody" went on to make a profit of $1.1 million dollars and was considered for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Contemporary cinema historians and scholars consider Charles Reisner's "The Broadway Melody" a fine sound film musical picture from the 'golden age' of Hollywood's vintage history.

Hallelujah 1929

Producer/Director: King Vidor Script: King Vidor (story), Wanda Tuchock (scenario), Richard Shayer, Ransom Rideout Cinematography: Gordon Avil CAST: Daniel L. Haynes, Nina Mae Mckinney, Willian Fountaine, Harry Gray Music: Irving Berlin Production: King Vidor Productions/MGM Release: April 20, 1929 109 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code sound musical film produced, co-written and directed by King Vidor for MGM. The picture stars an all-Black cast, including, Daniel L. Haynes, Nina Mae Mckinney, William Fountaine, Harry Gray, etc.
"Hallelujah" was King Vidor's first sound film, and combined synchronized sound record on location and sound recorded for post-production in Hollywood.
Shot in Arkansas and Tennessee and chronicled the troubled quest of a sharecropper, and his relationship with the seductive Chick, the picture was one of the first motion pictures containing an all-Black cast produced by a major Hollywood studio. "Hallelujah" has often been touted as Hollywood's first all Black-cast musical. The project was considered so risky a venture by MGM that they required its director (King Vidor) to invest his own salary in the production. Vidor expressed "an interest in showing the Southern Negro as he is" and attempted to present a relatively non-stereotyped view of Black-American life at the time.
The picture contains two sequences of "trucking" a contemporary dance craze where the participant makes movements backward and forward, but with no actual change of position, while moving the arms like a piston on a locomotive wheel..
Vidor's production gives, in some sequences, an authentic representation of Black entertainment and religious music in the twenties.
Theatre exhibitors were worried that white audiences would stay away due to the Black cast. Two premieres were hosted, one in New York and one in Harlem. The Black people that came to see "Hallelujah" in Manhattan were forced to sit in the theatre balcony. Despite this, Vidor's picture was very critical and commercially successful. Photoplay praised the film stating: "Every member of Vidor's cast is excellent. Although none of them ever worked before a camera or a microphone before, they give unstudied and remarkably spontaneous performances. That speaks a lot for Vidor's direction."
King Vidor's "Hallelujah" is considered a cinematic masterpiece by contemporary film critics and historians.

Welcome Danger 1929

Producer: Malcolm St. Clair Script: Paul Gerard Smith, Felix Adler, Lex Neal, Clyde Bruckman Direction: Clyde Bruckman, Malcolm St. Clair Cinematography: Henry O. Kohler, Walter Lundin CAST: Harold Lloyd, Barbara Kent, Noah Young, Charles H. Middleton Music: C. Bakaleinikoff Production: Harold Lloyd Corp. Release: October 12, 1929 115 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code comedy sound film produced by Malcolm St. Clair and directed by Clyde Bruckman and Malcolm St. Clair starring Harold Lloyd, Barbara Kent, Noah Young, Charles H. Middleton, etc.
"Welcome Danger" was Harold Lloyd's first "talkie" who had already completed the production as a silent feature film when the distributor, Paramount Pictures, was heavily promoting "talking pictures." Lloyd decided to make "Welcome Danger" with synchronized sound, going so far as to recast some of the supporting roles with stage-trained actors familiar with sound dialog.
Moviegoers in the USA began to hear for the first time the voice of many of their favorite stars as Hollywood released more and more "talking pictures" beginning in 1929. Many reviewers at the time, in addition to expressing their opinions about a film's plot and production values, provided readers with their initial impressions after hearing an actor actually speak on screen. Since "Welcome Danger" was Harold Lloyd's first venture into the sound era, there was significant public interest in his voice. In October 1929, the influential New York entertainment publication Variety have overall high marks to the production and to Barbara Kent's spoken lines but offered a somewhat mixed review regarding Lloyd's recorded voice.
In its October 3, 1929 issue, the popular NYC based trade paper The Film Daily covered the official premiere of "Welcome Danger": "Harold Lloyd is scheduled to arrive in New York, Monday to attend the world premiere of his latest Paramount release, "Welcome Danger," opening at the Rivoli Theatre, October 12, according to telegraphic information received from Hollywood today."
Notably, the premiere took place just two weeks prior to the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
Clyde Bruckman and Malcolm St. Clair's 1929 "Welcome Danger" is considered a sound comedy classic masterpiece.

On with the Show 1929

Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck Script: Humorehy Pearson (story), Robert Lord Direction: Alan Crossland, Larry Ceballos Cinematography: Tony Gaudio (Technicolor) CAST: Betty Compson, Louise Fazenda, Sally O'Neil, Joe E. Brown Music: Harry Akst Production: Warner Bros. Pictures 103 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code 'all talking' musical film produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Alan Crossland and Larry Ceballos starring Betty Compson, Louise Fazenda, Sally O'Neil, Joe E. Brown, etc.
"On With the Show" was filmed in two-color Technicolor, the picture became the first 'all-talking', all color feature-length motion picture, and the second color film released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The story concerns unpaid actors and staff, the stage show "Phantom Sweetheart" seems doomed. To complicate matters, the box-office revenue has been stolen and the leading lady refuses to make an appearance.
Warner Bros. Pictures promoted "On With the Show!" as filmed in "natural color." This picture was the first in a series of productions planned as color feature films. This particular motion picture generated significant interest in Hollywood and virtually overnight, most other major studios began filming in the color process.
Regretfully, "On With the Show!" reviews were mostly mixed. The New York Times wrote: "The film is too felicitated on the beauty of its pastel shades, which were obtained by the Technicolor process."

Pandora's Box 1929

Producer: Seymour Nebenzahl Script: Frank Wedekind (play), Ladislaus Vajda, G. W. Pabst Director: G. W. Pabst Cinematography: Guenther Krampf CAST: Louise Brooks, Fritz Kortner, Frances Lederer, Carl Goetz Music: Stuart Oderman, Peer Raben, William P. Perry Production: Nero-Film AG Release: January 30, 1929 133 min. B/W silent w/music score German dialog.
"Pandora's Box" is a German silent drama produced by Seymour Nebenzahl and co-written and directed by G. W. Pabst starring Louise Brooks, Fritz Kortner, Frances Lederer, Carl Goetz, etc.
"Pandora's Box" follows Lulu (Louise Brooks), a seductive young woman whose uninhibited nature brings ruin to herself and those who love her. The story is based on Frank Wedekind's 1895 play "Erdgeist" ("Earth Spirit") and the 1904 play "Die Buechse der Pandora" ("Pandora's Box").
G. W. Pabst's production is known for its lesbian subplot in the attraction of Countess Augusta Geschwitz. The character of the countess is defined by her masculine look, as she wears a tuxedo.
"Pandora's Box" premiered on February 9, 1929 at the Gloria-Palast Theatre in Berlin. It was released in Germany as a nine reel production with a running time of 131 minutes at the time of the film's release.
Upon the picture's release, however, in Germany, Pabst was accused of making "a scandalous version" of Wedekind's plays, in which the Lulu character is presented as "a man-eater devouring her sexual victims."
As well as being censored in Germany proper, "Pandora's Box" was banned in Finland (1929), Norway (1929), and Sweden (1929). Despite the picture being banned in the Netherlands (1930), it was shown in Amsterdam at the De Uitkijk Theatre on October 18, 1935. However, with the rise of the Nazi Party, the film became banned in Germany from 1933 to 1945. The picture had also been banned in Portugal (1936-1945).
In the USA, "Pandora's Box" was screened in New York beginning on December 1, 1929, in a greatly edited version.
G. W. Pabst's "Pandora's Box" is recognized by film scholars and cinema historians as a Weimarian cinematic masterpiece.

The Black Watch 1929

Producer: Winfield R. Sheehan Script: Talbot Mundy (novel), James Kevin McGuinness, John Stone Director: John Ford Cinematography: Joseph H. August CAST: Victor McLaglen, Myrna Loy, David Torrence, David Rollins Music: William Kernell Production: Fox Films Release: May 8, 1929 93 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code 'all-talking' sound adventure film epic was directed by John Ford andf starring Victor McLaglen, Myrna Loy, David Torrence, David Rollins, etc.
"The Black Watch" is based on the 1916 novel "King of the Khyber Rifles" by Talbot Mundy. The picture features an uncredited 21-year old John Wayne working as an extra, he also worked in the arts and costume departments for the production. This picture was John Ford's first sound film.
The story concerns a captain in the British Army's Black Watch regiment assigned to a secret mission in India just as his company is called to France at the outbreak of WWI in August 1914. His covert assignment results in his being considered a coward by his comrades, a suspicion confirmed when he becomes involved in a drunken brawl in India that results in the apparent death of another fellow officer.

Say It With Songs 1929

Producer/Director: Lloyd Bacon Script: Joseph Jackson, Darryl F. Zanuck, Harvey Gates Cinematography: Lee Garmes CAST: Al Jolson, Davey Lee, Marian Nixon, Holmes Herbert Music: Dave Dreyer, Billy Rose Production: Warner Bros. Pictures Release: August 6, 1929 105 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code 'all talking' sound musical drama film produced and directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Al Jolson, Davey Lee, Marian Nixon, Holmes Herbert, etc.
"Say It With Songs" is a follow-up to the previous film productions "The Jazz Singer" (1927) and "The Singing Fool" (1928). The picture reunited Al Jolson with the child actor, Davey Lee, of "The Singing Fool" (1928) fame, who had enthralled theatre audiences in 1928. "Say It With Songs," as Jolson's third feature film, contains several firsts in his film career. His first full-length "talkie" unlike his previous efforts, which were part "talkies" with long sections of an essential silent picture with a synchronized music score - in addition to talking and singing sequences, his first not to present him singing a song in 'blackface,' and the first Al Jolson film to flop at the box-office. "Say It With Songs' was also one of the few motion pictures in his career in which his on-screen character is not named "Al," and the second and last to cast him as a married man.
Regretfully, "Say It With Songs" did not receive praise from film critics upon its release. In fact most were negative. Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times wrote that in "later episodes it lapses into sentimentality that makes it somewhat tedious, except for the singing of Mr. Jolson."
The New Yorker wrote at the time: "Long and blatantly sentimental. Even the fantastically happy ending, when the sound of his voice cures the child of aphasia, does not eradicate the general impression of dreary and spacious tragedy."

Dynamite 1929

Producer/Director: C. B. DeMille Script: Jeanie MacPherson, John Howard Lawson, Gladys Unger Cinematography: J. Perverall Marley CAST: Conrad Nagel, Kay Johnson, Charles Bickford, Julia Faye Music: William Axt, Arthur Lange Production; MGM Release: December 13, 1929 129 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code drama film produced and directed by C. B. DeMille (his first sound film) and starring Conrad Nagel, Kay Johnson, Charles Bickford, Julia Faye, etc.
"Dynamite" concerns a convicted murderer who is scheduled to be executed, whom a socialite marries simply to satisfy a condition of her grandfather's will.
Mitchell Leisen was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
The New York Times wrote at the time of the picture release: "An astonishing mixture, with artificially vying with realism and comedy hanging on the heads of grim melodrama."

The Silent Guest 1945

Producer: Fritz Thiery Script: Theodor Fontaine (novel), Kurt Heynicke, Harold Braun Director: Harold Braun Cinematography: Robert Baberske CAST: Rene Deltgen, Rudolf Fernau, Cartsa Loeck, Gisela Uhlen Music: Werner Eisbrenner Production: Ufa-Filmkunst GmbH Release: March 1945 100 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German wartime crime film co-written and directed by Harold Braun and starring Rene Deltgen, Rudolf Fernau, Carsta Loeck, Gisela Uhlen, etc.
"The Silent Guest" concerns a group of construction workers who accidentally dig up the body of missing merchant Oskar Kampmann in the cellar of Mathias Radschek's inn where he is charged with murder since Kampmann had harassed Mathias' wife Lisa before his disappearance.
Although "The Silent Guest" was produced during the late years of the Third Reich in wartime Nazi Germany, this picture contains no propaganda.
Like many of the motion pictures produced during Nazi Germany, very little has been written on this obscure film title so critics have not really had an opportunity to access their opinion on "The Silent Guest."

Final Chord 1936

Producer: Bruno Duday Script: Kurt Heuser, Detlef Sierck Director: Detlef Sierck Cinematography: Robert Baberske CAST: Willy Birgel, Maria von Tasnady, Lil Dagover, Theodor Loos Music: Kurt Schroeder Production: Ufa-Filmkunst GmbH Release: July 24, 1936 100 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German melodrama co-written and directed by Detlef Sierck (Douglas Sirk) starring Willy Birgel, Maria von Tasnady, Lil Dagover, Theodor Loos, etc.
"Final Chord" contrasts German and American culture and a "decadent past" (the Weimar Republic) with a "healthy, hopeful present (the Third Reich) that reaffirms the values of the "old" (Imperial Germany) Second Reich. The production was directed by Detlef Sierck, who later had a career in Hollywood under the name Douglas Sirk and specialized in melodramas. "Final Chord" shows stylistic features later developed by Sierck and makes thematic and symbolic usage of music scores.
"Final Chord" had two premieres - on June 27, 1936 at the annual Theatre Owner's Convention in Dresden, and on July 24, 1936 at the Gloria-Palast Theatre in Berlin, after which it was placed in general theatrical release. The picture was successful and attracted positive reviews from film critics in Germany. Film-Kurier wrote: "Praise for Detlef Sierck for managing to blend the various emotional and affective elements of the plot into a moving musical unity with appropriate emphases and sustaining dramatic tension from start to finish."
In 1969, author of "Film in the Third Reich," David Stewart Hull wrote: "Final Chord" was done with much of the same flair which Sierck was to evidence. Two decades later in the United States but was also that the excellent musical sequences saved from banality."

Noah's Ark 1928

Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck Script: Darryl F. Zanuch (story), Anthony Coldeway (adaptation) Director: Michael Curtiz Cinematography: Barney McGill, Hal Mohr CAST: Dolores Costello, George O'Brien, Noah Beery, Myrna Loy Music: Louis Silvers, Alois Reisner Production: Warner Bros. Pictures Release: November 1, 1928 (original version), June 15, 1928 (US release) 135 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American part "talkie" Pre-Code biblical disaster film produced and written by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Michael Curtiz starring Dolores Costello, George O'Brien, Noah Beery, Myrna Loy, etc.
In addition to sequences with audile dialog or talking scenes, "Noah's Ark" featured a synchronized musical score and sound effects along with English titles. The soundtrack was recorded utilizing the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system. However, most of the scenes are silent with a synchronized music score and sound effects, in particular the biblical sequences, whole some scenes contain actual recorded sound dialog.
Future Hollywood stars John Wayne, Andy Devine and Ward Bond are among the hundreds of extras used in the "great flood" scene. John Wayne was also employed in the Warner Bros. Prop department as well.
During production, there were 7,500 extras employed in the film. During the shooting of the climatic "Great Flood" scene, the 600,000 U.S. gallons of water was used was so overwhelming that three people drowned, and one was so badly injured that his leg had to be amputated, and a number suffered broken limbs and other serious injuries.
"Noah's Ark" premiered in Hollywood in late 1928, with a running time of 135 minutes. Following the picture being pulled from circulation by Warner Bros. for extensive revisions, the film was finally released opening across the country in reserved-seat engagements, after which it concluded its successful run at popular admission prices, even though by that time "part talking" feature films such as "Noah's Ark" were considered near obsolete. The production had cost the studio more than any other motion picture to date - over one million dollars and ultimately the picture grossed twice its original production budget.
Despite its immense production budget, the critical reception of "Noah's Ark" did not appear to be in favor of the epic motion picture at the time of its release. The New Yorker wrote: "Noah's Ark was widely conceded to be the worst picture ever made."
The New York Times wrote: "With this cumbersome production , one feels that it is a great test of patience."

Q Ships 1928

Producer: E. Gordon Craig Script: Michael Barringer Direction: Geoffrey Barkas, Michael Barringer Cinematography: Sydney Blythe CAST: J. P. Kennedy, Roy Travers, Douglas Herald, Jack McEwan Production: British Intstructional Films Release: June 25, 1928 79 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British WWI wartime action/drama written and co-directed by Michael Barringer and Geoffrey Barkas starring J. P. Kennedy, Roy Travers, Douglas Herald, Jack McEwan, etc.
"Q Ships" is a British war film focusing on the British Navy's usage of armed merchant ships disguised as fighting sea boats and single merchantmen to lure German submarines for attack. This picture depicts the strategy of using Q-ships (disguised gunboats) to engage and sink enemy submarines. "Q Ships" is considered an early example of how the now-familiar drama of submarine warfare. The film features a German submarine commander portrayed as an imperial aristocrat who prefers to fight men over starving civilians, a departure from the war films of the First World War.

Rubber 1938

Producer: Ernst Krueger Script: Franz Eichhorn, Eduard von Borsody, Ernst von Salomon Director: Eduard von Borsody Cinematography: Willy Winterstein, Edgar Eichhorn CAST: Rene Deltgen, Gustav Diesel, Herbert Huebner, Hans Nielsen Music: Werner Bochmann Production: Ufa Release: January 15, 1939 104 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German adventure film co-written and directed by Eduard von Borsody starring Rene Deltgen, Gustav Diesel, Herert Huebner, Hans Nielsen, etc.
"Robber" tells the story of Englishman Henry Wickham, who smuggled rubber seeds to England in 1876 in order to break the Brazilian monopoly. This picture was awarded by Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels as being "politically and artistically valuable for the State."
According to the Lexicon of International Films, "Rubber" is a "historical adventure film with fascinating nature shots."
Many contemporary cinema historians and film scholars consider Eduard von Borsody's "Rubber" a Nazi propaganda film, however the jury is still out on that pronouncement.

Scarface 1932

Producer: Howard Hawks, Howard Hughes Script: Armitage Trail (novel), W. R. Burnett, John Lee Martin, Seton I. Miller, Ben Hecht Director: Howard Hawks Cinematography: Lee Garmes, L. W. O'Connell CAST: Paul Muni, George Raft, Boris Karloff, Ann Dvorak Music: Adolf Tandler, Gus Arnheim Production: Caddo Co. Release: April 9, 1932 95 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code gangster crime film produced by Howard Hawks and Howard Hughes. Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Paul Muni, George Raft, Boris Karloff, Ann Dvarak, etc.
"Scarface" is loosely based on the 1930 novel by Armitage Trail, which was inspired by the underworld crime legacy of Al Capone. The picture stars Paul Muni as Italian immigrant gangster Antonio "Tony" Camonte who violently rises to power through the Chicago gangland, with a supporting cast that includes George Raft and Boris Karloff. Camonte's rise to power dovetails with his relentless pursuit of his bosses' mistress while his own sister pursues his best hitman. In an overt tie to the criminal life and career of gangster Al Capone, a version of the notorious St. Valentine Day Massacre is depicted in the film.
Audience response to "Scarface" was positive upon its initial release, however, censors banned the production in several U.S. cities and states, forcing producer Howard Hughes to withdraw the film from circulation and shelf it in his vault. Alongside "Little Caesar" (1931) and "The Public Enemy" (1931), Howard Hawks' Scarface" is regarded as one of the most influential and significant motion picture gangster films ever produced.

Shanghai Express 1932

Producer: Adolph Zucker Script: Haeey Hervey (story), Jules Furthman Director: Josef von Sternberg Cinematography: Lee Garmes CAST: Marlene Dietrich, Clive Brook, Anna May Wong, Warner Orland Music: W. Franke Harling, Rudolph G. Kopp Production: Paramount Pictures Release; February 12, 1932 80 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code mystery/adventure film produced by Adolph Zucker and directed by Josef von Sternberg starring Marlene Dietrich, Clive Brook, Anna May Wong, Warner Orland, etc.
"Shanghai Express" concerns a group of railroad train passengers who are held hostage by a warlord during the Chinese Civil War. The story is based on Henry Harvey's story "Sky Over China,' which was loosely based on the Lincheng Incident that occurred on May 6, 1923, in which a Shandong warlord captured the Shanghai-to-Beijing Express train and took twenty-five Westerners, including Lucy Aldrich, and 300 Chinese people hostage who were all successfully ransomed.
"Shanghai Express" received praise upon its initial theatrical release. The New York Times wrote at the time of the picture's premiere: "Miss Dietrich gives an impressive performance. She is languorous but fearless like Lily. Clive Brooks' performance is also noteworthy. Warner Orland is excellent as Mr. Chang and Anna May Wong makes the most of the role of the brave Chinese girl."
Contemporary cinema historians and critics consider Josef von Sternberg's "Shanghai Express" to be a film masterpiece.

Beneath the 12-Mile Reef 1953

Producer: Robert Bassler Script: A. I. Bezzerides Director: Robert D. Webb Cinematography: Edward Cronjager CAST: Robert Wagner, Richard Boone, Terry Moore, Peter Graves Music: Bernard Hermann Production: 20th Century-Fox Release; December 2, 1953 102 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American Technicolor adventure film directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Robert Wagner, Richard Boone, Terry Moore, Peter Graves, etc.
"Beneath the 12-Mile Reef" was the third motion picture produced in Cinemascope, coming after "The Robe" (1953) and "How to Marry a Millionaire" (1953).
The story concerns Mike and Tony Petrakis are Greek/American father and son sponge-diving entrepreneurs who find themselves in competition with the Rhys family, Conch fishermen who are prepared to resort to violence and murder to maintain their established fishing grounds off the Gulf Coast of Florida. Run-ins between the two families lead to an exchange of threats and all-out brawls. Furth complication ensue when Tony meets Gwyneth Rhys, and the two manage to fall in love.
The critical reception for "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef" was, for the most part very positive. The New York Times wrote at the time of the picture's release: "Another and further extension of the range of Cinemascope is handsomely manifested in 'Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.' But that, when you come right down to it, is just about the only novelty provided by this third employment of the anamorphic lens. For the scenes shot above the surface, while large and imposing, are routine."

Moulin Rouge 1929

Producer/Script/Director: E. A. Dupont Cinematography: Werner Brandes CAST: Olga Checkhova, Andrews Engelmann, Eve Gray, Jean Bradin Music: Joseph Littau, Mike Westbrook Production: British International pictures Release: May 1928 Color sound English dialog.
British sound rom/com written, produced and directed by E. A. Dupont for British International Pictures starring Olga Checkhova, Andrews Engelmann, Eve Gray, Jean Bradin, etc.
While "Moulin Rouge" contains co audible dialog in the traditional sense, the picture was released with synchronized music score with sound effects utilizing both the sound-on-disc and sound-on-film process.
The story is set in and around the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris, France. In the story, Parysia is the rage of Paris, France. She has a doubter, secretly engaged to Andre, and the lad's aristocratic father objects to the union because of Margaret's mother being a Moulin Rouge revue artist.
"Moulin Rouge" featured a theme song entitled "My Wonderful Love' which was written by William Stone and Charles Wynn.
"Moulin Rouge" was director E. A. Dupont's last partially silent film production, although several of his later sound films were released with silent versions.
Contemporary cinema historians and film critics consider E.A. Dupont's "Moulin Rouge" to be an early vintage sound classic.

Hearts of Bondage 1936

Producer: Nat Levine Script: Wallace MacDonald (story), Benard Schubert, Olive Cooper, Karl Brown Director: Lew Ayres Cinematography: Jack A. Marta, Ernest Miller CAST: James Dunn, Henry B. Walthall, David Manners, Charlotte Henry Music: Hugo Riesenfeld Production: Republic Pictures Release: August 15, 1936 72 min. Color sound English dialog.
American color historical war drama directed by Lew Ayres and starring James Dunn, Henry B. Walthall, David Manners, Charlotte Henry, etc.
"Hearts of Bondage" is set during the American Civil War depicting the Union Navy's deliberate sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimack, the Confederate Navy's salvage and refitting of the ship as the ironclad CSS Virginia, the Union Navy's development of the ironclad U.S.S. Monitor to counter Virginia, and the subsequent engagement of the two vessels in the Battle of Hampton Roads. The film also features many historical characters, including U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, and Confederate States President Jefferson Davis. The fictional plot pits two friends and future brothers-in-law on opposite sides of the North-South conflict, dividing their families and threatening their very survival. "Hearts of Bondage" was noted for a rare example of a Hollywood motion picture film to depict the naval battles of the American Civil War.
"Hearts of Bondage" mainly had positive reviews by film critics. The New York Daily News wrote: "Vivid and arresting, if not completely authentic."
The Oklahoma News wrote: "One of the better dips into Civil War history as a gesture toward modern cinema pleasure."

Teenage Zombies 1959

Producer/Director: Jerry Warren Script: Jacques Lecoutier Cinematography: Allen Chandler CAST: Don Sullivan, Katherine Victor, Steve Conte, Mitch Evans Music: Jerry Warren, Paul Sawtell, Bert Shefter Production: GBM Productions Release: November 15, 1960 73 min. Color sound English dialog.
American color sci-fi/horror film produced and directed by Jerry Warren starring Don Sullivan, Katherine Victor, Steve Conte, Mitch Evans, etc.
"Teenage Zombies" follows a group of American teenagers who are stranded on an island inhabited by a female mad scientist, her pet gorilla and a zombie slave named Ivan. She manages to trap the teenagers in a cage in her laboratory, plotting to use them as subjects for her zombie-making experimentation, so she can test out the drug she is working on for an unnamed foreign country.
"Teenage Zombies" had an extremely limited theatrical release. Although the official release date was listed as November 15, 1960, according to the picture's own creator (Jerry Warren), the film was released in December 1960, on a double-bill with "The Incredible Petrified World" (1959)
In his review of "Teenage Zombies," film critic George Reis wrote: "It is often considered one of the worst horror films ever made, that the claustrophobic sets all look like they were shot in someone's house and the acting is appalling. However, bad movie lovers will find something fascinating enough to induce repeated viewings, all others will just deem it junk."
However, critic Nathaniel Thompson wrote: "The junky charms of this film are plentiful as it reels out pages and pages of ridiculous glee, wizl dialogue, a chunk soundtrack cobbled together with stock music from other '50's sci-fi films, and some juicy overacting and the film features 'minimalist' sets that would get thrown out of most high school plays, nevertheless this one's a keeper."
Jerry Warren's "Teenage Zombies" must be categorized as being in the "Le Bad Cinema" classification genre by most contemporary film critics.

The Man Who Knew Too Much 1934

Producer: Michael Balcon Script: Charles Bennett, D. B. Wynham-Lewis, Edwin Greenwood (scenario), A. R. Rawlinson (scenario) Director: Alfred Hitchcock Cinematography: Curt Courant CAST: Peter Lorre, Frank Vosper, Leslie Banks, Hugh Wakefield Music: Arthur Benjamin Production: Gaumont British Pictures Release: December 9, 1934 (U.K.) 75 min. Color sound English dialog.
British espionage thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Peter Lorre, Frank Vosper, Leslie Banks, Hugh Wakefield, etc.
Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much" is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed films of the master of suspense's British period. This production is Hitchcock's first motion picture using this title and was later followed with his own 1956 remake using the same title but featuring a significantly different script and plot with some modifications. The 1934 version had nothing except the title in common with G. K. Chesterfield's 1922 novel of the same title.
Contemporary reviews were positive at the time. The Observer wrote that they were "happy about this film because of its very recklessness, its frank refusal to indulge in subtleties, to be the most promising work that Hitchcock has produced since "Blackmail" (1929)."
The New York Times praised Hitchcock's thriller as "the raciest melodrama of the New Year. It is excitingly written and an excellently performed hit of story telling. Hitchcock is one of England's ablest and most imaginative filmmakers. Lorre lacks the opportunity to be the one-man chamber of horrors that he was in but is certainly something to be seen and not unlike the talents of Charles Laughton."
Contemporary film historians and scholars consider Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much" a cinematic masterpiece of suspense and mystery.

The Blue Dahlia 1946

Producer: John Houseman Script: Raymond Chandler Director: George Marshall Cinematography: Lionel Lindon CAST: Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, William Bendix, Howard de Silva Music: Victor Young Production: Paramount Pictures Release: April 19, 1946 199 min. Color sound English dialog.
American film noir crime film written by Raymond Chandler and starring Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, William Bendix, Howard de Silva, etc.
"The Blue Dahlia" was well-known author Raymond Chandler's first original screenplay of which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best original Screenplay.
In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther referred to "The Blue Dahlia" as "a legacy of a rough 'em-up romance. An air fo deepening mystery overhangs this tempestuous tale which shall render it none the less, intriguing to those lovers of the brutal and bizarre. George Marshall has directed from Mr. Chandler's crafty script. The fact of all this may be severely questioned, but it does make a brisk, exciting show."

My Favorite Brunette 1947

Producer: Danny Dare Script: Edmund Beloin, Jack Rose Director: Elliot Nugent Cinematography: Lionel Lindon CAST: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Peter Lorre, Lon Chaney, Bing Crosby, Alan Ladd Music: Robert Emmitt Dolan Production: Hope Enterprises Release: April 4, 1947 87 min. Color sound English dialog.
American rom/com directed by Elliot Nugent and starring Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Peter Lorre, Lon Chaney, Bing Crosby, Alan Ladd, etc.
"My Favorite Brunette" concerns a baby photographer on death row in San Quentin State Prison who tells reporters his history. While taking care of his private-eye neighbor's office, he is asked by an irresistible baroness to find a missing baron, which initiates a series of confusing but sinister events in a gloomy mansion and a private sanatorium.
Spoofing movie detectives and the film noir style, "My Favorite Brunette" features Lon Chaney, Jr. essaying the role of Willie, a character based on his "Of Mice and Men" (1939) role Lennie, Peter Lorre as Kismet, a comic take on his many film noir roles, and cameo appearances by film noir regular Alan Ladd and Bob Hope partner Bing Crosby.
"My Favorite Brunette" had positive reviews upon release. The New York Times wrote: "Paramount knows a good thing when it sees one, especially when it earns a pile of bucks. And it also knows that there is magic in the juxtaposition of Mr. Hope and a dame - any dame this side of Woodlawn - and a preposterously turbulent plot. That's why the Paramount's new picture, the aforementioned 'My Favorite Brunette,' which candidly observes these criteria, is a complementary funny film."

The Shadow Cliffhanger Serials 1940

Producer: Larry Darmour Script: Walter B. Gibson (comics), Joseph Poland, Ned Dandy, Joseph O'Donnell Director: James W. Horne Cinematography: James S. Brown, Jr. CAST: Victor Jory, Veda Ann Borg, Roger Moore, Robert Fiske Music: Leo Zahler Production: Columbia Pictures Release: January 5, 1940 285 min. Color sound English dialog.
"The Shadow Cliffhanger Serials " were the ninth serials released by Columbia Pictures and was based on the classic radio series and pulp magazine superhero character of the same title. The serials were directed by James W. Horne and starred Victor Jory, Veda Ann Borg, Roger Moore, Robert Fiske, etc. The filthen complete serials in color includes: "The Doomed City," "The Shadow Attacks," "The Shadow's Peril," "In the Tiger's Lair," "Danger Above," "The Shadow's Trap," "Where Horror Awaits," "The Shadow Rides the Rails," "The Devil in White," "The Underground Trap," "Chinatown Night," "Murder by Remote Control," "Wheels of Death," "The Sealed Room" and "The Shadow's Net Closes."

Gently, My Songs Entreat 1933

Producer: Gregpr Rabinovitch Script: Walter Reisch, Willi Forst Director: Willi Forst Cinematography: Albert Benitz, Franz Planer CAST: Martha Eggerth, Luise Ullrich, Hans Jerey. Otto Tressler Music: Willy Schmidt-Gentner Production: Cine-Allianz Tonfilm Relese: September 8, 1933 85 min. B/W sound German w/English subtitles.
Austrian/German co-produced musical film directed by Willi Forst and starring Martha Eggerth, Luise Ullrich, Hans Jerey, Otto Tressler, etc.
"Gently, My Songs Entreat" is an historical bio-pic of the classical composer Franz Schubert (1797-1828) and was Willi Forst's directorial debut. The original German title refers to the first line of the "Lied Standchen" ("Serenade") from Schubert's musical collection "Schwanengesang, the most famous serenade in the world," which Martha Eggerth performs in the production.

Whom the God's Love 1942

Producer/Director: Karl Hartl Script: Richard Billinger (novel), E. Strzygowski (novel), Eduard von Borsody Cinematography: Guenther Anders CAST: Hans Holt, Irene von Meyendorff, Paul Hoerbiger, Rene Deltgen Music: Alois Melichar, Elfi von Dassanowsky Production: Wien-Film Release: December 5, 1942 111 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
Austrian historical music film produced and directed by Karl Hartl and starring Hans Holt, Irene von Meyendroff, Paul Hoerbiger, Rene Deltgen, etc.
"Whom the God's Love" is an historical bio/pic of Austrian classical music composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The production was part of a wider attempt by the Nazis in Austria to portray Mozart as an authentic German hero. Like many such bio/pics produced in Germany and Austria during the war years, "Whom the God's Love" portrays the classical composer as a pioneering German visionary.
The title of the production refers to Mozart's middle name Amadeus (Latin for "love God") and to the aphorism "he whom the God's love, dies young" from Plautus' "Bacchides," and earlier Greek sources, including Homer's mention of "Trophonius."

Liane, Jungle Goddess 1956

Producer: Hellmuth Volmer Script: Anne Day Helveg (novel), Thomas Fough (idea/script), Ernst von Salomon (script) Director: Eduard von Borsody Cinematography: Bruno Timm CAST: Marion Michael, Hardy Krueger, Rudolf Forster, Herbert Huebner Music: Erwin Halletz Production: Arca-Filmgesellschaft mbH Release: October 4, 1956 88 min. Color sound German English dialog.
West German jungle adventure film directed by Eduard von Borsody and starring Marion Michael (as Liane), Hardy Krueger, Rudolf Forster, Herbery Huebner, etc.
"Liane, Jungle Goddess" is based on the 1956 novel "Liane, das Maedchen aus dem Urwald" by Anne Day Helweg.
Borsody's jungle picture was a commercial success in West Germany, mostly based on the presence of Marion Michael as a "female Tarzan who attracted considerable attention at the time due to the actor appearing topless in several scenes. The film was released in France as "Liane, la sauvageonne" and at the same time of the release of the sequel "Jeanne l'esclave blanche," director Jean=Luc Goddard praised production's and Ms. Liane's beauty.

Supernatural 1933

Producer: Edward Halperin Script: Brian Marlow, Harvey Thew Director: Victor Halperin Cinematography: Arthur Martinelli CAST: Carol Lombard, Randolph Scott, Alan Dinehart, H. B. Warner Music: Karl Hajos, Howard Jackson, Milan Roder Production: Paramount Pictures Release: May 12, 1933 65 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code supernatural horror film directed by Victor Halperin and starring Carol Lombard, Randolph Scott, Alan Dinehart, H.B. Warner, etc.
"Supernatural" follows a woman (Carol Lombard) who attends a staged séance only to find herself possessed by the spirit of an executed murderess.
Halperin's picture was a followup to his "White Zombie" (1932) and utilizes many members of the

The Three Passions 1929

Producer/Script/Director: Rex Ingram Cinematography: Leonce-Henri Burel CAST: Alice Terry, Ivan Petrovich, Andrews Engelmann, Gerald Fielding Production: St. George Productions Release: December 1928 (UK), January 1929 (USA) 70 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British sound drama film produced, written and directed by Rex Ingram starring Alice Terry, Ivan Petrovich, Andrews Engelmann, Gerald Fielding, etc.
"The Three Passions" contains no audible dialog, the picture was released with a synchronized musical score with sound effects using both the sound-on-disc and sound-on-film process. The production was made as a quota film for Allied Artists at the time and was based on a novel by Cosmo Hamilton and was shot in the French Riviera.

Luther 1928

Producers: Max Paetz, Rudolf Sieber Script: Cathedral Priest B. Doehring, Hans Kyser Director: Hans Kyser Cinematography: Otto Ewald, Sophus Wangee CAST: Eugen Kloepfer, Rudolf Lettinger, Elsa Wagner, Theodor Loos Production: Cob-Film Release: February 16, 1928 (Berlin), June 23, 1929 (NYC) 83 min. Color-tinted sound German/English dialog/Inter-titles.
German sound-on-film theological historical film co-written and directed by Hans Kyser and starring Eugen Kloepfer (as Martin Luther), Rudolf Lettinger, Elsa Wagner, Theodor Loos, etc
"Luther" was originally produced as a silent film which pertained to a historical depiction about the life and works of Martin Luther. The sound version with English commentary was produced for the official American premiere in New York on June 23, 1929.

Zorro's Fighting Legion Serial 1939

Producer: Hiram S. Brown, Jr. Script: Ronald Davidson, Franklin Adreon, Morgan Cox, Sol Shor, Barney A. Sarecky, Johnston McCulley Direction: William Witney, John English Cinematography: Reggie Lanning CAST: Reed Hadley, Sheila Darcy, William Corson, Edmund Cobb Music: Cy Feuer, William Lava, Joseph Nussbaum, David Tamkin Production: Republic Pictures Release: December 16, 1939 211 min. Color sound English dialog.
American serial adventure film directed by William Witney and John English starring Reed Hadley, Sheila Darcy, William Carson, Edmund Cobb, etc.
The plot of "Zorro's Fighting Legion" revolves around his alter-ego Don Diego's fight against the evil Don Del Oro. This serial is unusual in featuring a real-life personage, Mexican President Benito Juarez, as a minor character. It is also the second in a series of five "Zorro" serials - "Zorro Rides Again" (1937), "Zorro's Black Whip" (1944), "Son of Zorro" (1947), and "Ghost of Zorro" (1949). NOTE: all available from FMHV.
"Zorro's Fighting Legion" was officially released on December 16, 1939, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to Republic film exchanges. "Zorro's Fighting Legion" was re-released on March 24, 1958, making it the last serial released by Republic Pictures, which was re-released serials for several years following the release of their final serial "King of the Carnival" (1955).

Ghost of Zorro Serial 1949

Producer: Franklin Adreon Script: Royal K. Cole, William Lively, Sol Shor Director: Fred C. Brannon Cinematography: John MacBurnie CAST: Clayton Moore, Pamela Blake, Roy Barcroft, George J. Lewis Music: Stanley Wilson Production: Republic Pictures Release: March 24, 1949 (USA serial), June 30, 1959 (USA feature) 167 min. Color sound English dialog.
American serial adventure film directed by Fred C. Brannon and starring Clayton Moore, Pamela Blake, Roy Barcroft, George J. Lewis, etc.
"Ghost of Zorro" uses substantial footage from earlier "Zorro" serials, including "Son of Zorro" and "Daredevils of the West." The story is set in the year 1865 and the telegraph is heading westwards. George Crane, wanting to keep law and order out of his territory, is out to stop the construction. One of the main engineers on the job is Ken Mason, the grandson of the original Zorro. As Crane hires his men to stop the construction, Mason finds himself in the legendary role his ancestor originated from.
"Ghost of Zorro" was officially released on March 24, 1949, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to Republic film exchanges.

Zorro Rides Again Serial 1937

Producer: Sol C. Siegel Script: Franklin Adreon, Morgan Cox, Ronald Davidson, John Rathmell, Barry Shipman, Johnston McCulley Direction: William Witney, John English Cinematography: William Nobles CAST: John Carroll, Helen Christian, Reed Howes, Duncan Renaldo Music: Alberto Colombo, Walter Hirsch, Eddie Maxwell, Lou Handman Production: Republic Pictures Release: November 20, 1937 212 min. Color sound English dialog.
American serial adventure film directed by William Witney and John English starring John Carroll, Helen Christian, Reed Howes, Duncan Renaldo, etc.
"Zorro Rides Again" is the eighth of the sixty-six Republic serials, the third with a Western theme (a third of Republic's serials were Westerns) and the last produced in 1937.
The plot of "Zorro Rides Again" is a fairly standard Western storyline concerning a villain attempting to illicitly take valuable land (in the case of this picture a railroad). The setting is a hybrid of modern (1930s) and Western elements that were used occasionally in "B" Westerns such as the genre produced by Republic Pictures. "Zorro Rides Again" was also the first in a series of five "Zorro" serials, followed by "Zorro's Fighting Legion" (1939, above), "Zorro's Black Whip" (1944), "Son of Zorro" (1947), and "Ghost of Zorro" (1949, above).
"Zorro Rides Again" was officially released on November 20, 1937, although this is actually the date the sixth was made available to Republic film exchanges.

The Sphinx 1933

Producer: Albert S. Rogell Script: Albert DeMond Direction: Phil Rosen, Wilfred Lucas Cinematography: Gilbert Warrenton CAST: Lionel Atwell, Sheila Terry, Theodore Newton, Paul Hurst Music: Abe Meyer Production: Tremiel Carr Pictures Release: June 1, 1933 65 min. Color sound English dialog.
American Pre-Code mystery film directed by Rhil Rosen and Wilfred Lucas starring Lionel Atwell, Sheila Terry, Theodore Newton, Paul Hurst, etc.
"The Sphinx" concerns a man known to be a deaf mute who is suspected of committing murder, as he was spotted at the crime scene. But witnesses saw and heard him talking as he was departing the scene of the crime. The police must determine if he is the actual murderer or if he is being framed for the crime.

Drums of Fu Manchu Serial 1940

Producer: Hiram S. Brown, Jr. Script: Sax Rohmer (novel), Morgan B. Cox, Ronald Davidson, Norman S. Hall, Barney A. Sarecky Direction: William Witney, John English Cinematography: William Nobles CAST: Henry Brandon, William Royale, Robert Kellard, Dwight Frye Music: Cy Feuer, Karl Hajos, William Lava, Paul Sawtell Production: Republic Pictures Release: March 15, 1940 (U.S. serial), November 27, 1940 (U.S. feature) 269 min. Color sound English dialog.
American mystery/crime serial directed by William Witney and John English starring Henry Brandon, William Royale, Robert Kellard, Dwight Frye, etc.
Though using the title of the ninth novel in the series, "Drums of Fu Manchu" is actually based on numerous elements from throughout the series to that point, cherry-picked by the screenwriters and is often considered the best of the entire series.
The story concerns the diabolical Fu Manchu who attempts to conquer the world by acquiring the scepter of Genghis Khan, which will unite the people of Asia under his rule. Allan Parker allies himself with the traditional British literary nemeses of Fu Manchu, Sir Denis Nayland Smith and his wily associate, Dr. Finders Petrie after his father is kidnapped and murdered by Fu Manchu's dacoits.
"Drums of Fu Manchu" was released on March 15, 1940, although this is actually the date the seventh chapter was first made available to Republic film exchanges.

The Man Who Wouldn't Die 1942

Producer: Sol M. Wurtzel Script: Clayton Rawson (novel), Arnaud d'Usseau (script), Brett Halliday (character) Director: Herbert I. Leeds Cinematography: Joseph MacDonald CAST: Lloyd Nolan, Marjorie Weaver, Paul Harvey, Helene Reynolds Music: David Raksin Production: 20th Century-Fox Release: May 1, 1942 66 min. Color sound English dialog
American comedy horror/mystery film directed by Herbert I. Lewis and starring Lloyd Nolan, Marjorie Weaver, Paul Harvey, Helene Reynolds, etc.
"The Man Who Wouldn't Die" is the fifth of a series of seven of the Michael Shayne films produced by 20th Century-Fox between 1940 and 1942
The story concerns a man who is believed to be dead and burred escapes from his grave and returns to the scene of the crime seeking vengeance against his would be murderer..

Mandrake the Magician Serial 1939

Producer: Jack Fier Script: Phil Davis (comic strip), Lee Falk (comic strip), Joseph F. Poland, Basil Dickey, Ned Dandy Direction: Norman Deming, Sam Nelson Cinematography: Benjamin Harrison Kline CAST: Warren Hull, Doris Weston, Rex Downing, Edward Earle Music: Morris Stoloff Production: Columbia Pictures Release: May 6, 1939 215 min. Color sound English dialog.
American mystery/crime serial directed by Norman Deming and Sam Nelson starring Warren Hull, Doris Weston, Rex Downing, Edward Earle, etc.
"Mandrake the Magician" is the seventh serial produced by Columbia Pictures based on the King Features comic strip of the same title.
The story concerns Mandrake and his wily assistant Lothar who are working the cruise lines and make the acquaintance of a certain Professor Houston who has developed a radium energy machine, which is much coveted by a masked crime lord known as "The Wasp." "The Wasp" unleashes his army of accomplices in huge waves to steal the invention by any means necessary. Mandrake and his allies finally catch up to "The Wasp" and discover the crime lord is actually scientist Dr. Andre Bennett, posing as a close friend of Professor Houston.

Mr. Wong Detective 1938

Producer: William T. Lackey Script: Hugh Wiley (magazine article), Houston Branch (script) Director: William Nigh Cinematography: Harry Neumann CAST: Boris Karloff, Grant Withers, Maxine Jennings, George Lloyd Music: Edward J. Kay Production: Monogram Pictures Release: October 5, 1938 70 min. Color sound English dialog.
American crime film directed by William Nigh and starring Boris Karloff, Grant Withers, Maxine Jennings, George Lloyd, etc.
The story concerns Simon Dayton who is in fear for his life and seeks the help of private detective Mr. Wong (Boris Karloff) to protect him. Just prior to meeting Mr. Wong, Dayton is found dead in his office in San Francisco without a mark on him. Several witnesses testify Dayton was alone in his office that was locked from the inside. Though the police view Dayton's death as due from a heart attack, Mr. Wong discovers a broken glass ball that contained poison gas. Among the suspects are agents of a foreign power wishing to stop Dayton's chemicals being sent to use on the foreign power in the form of the same poison gas that killed Dayton. Dayton's business partners who will have Dayton's share of the business come to them after Dayton's death and the actual inventor of the chemical who has been cheated out of profits and recognition by Dayton.

The Spider's Web Serial 1938

Producers: Irving Briskin, Jack Fier Script: Norvell Page (magazine articles), Robert E. Kent (script), George H. Plympton (script), Basil Dickey (script), Martie Ramson (script) Direction: James W. Horne, Ray Taylor Cinematography: Allen G. Siegler CAST: Warren Hull, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske, Kenne Duncan Music: Mischa Bakaleinikov, Sidney Cutner Production: Columbia Pictures Release: October 10, 1938 5 hours Color sound English dialog.
American crime serial directed by James W. Horne and Ray Taylor starring Warren Hull, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske, Kenne Duncan, etc.
"The Spider's Web" is based on the popular pulp magazine character "The Spider" and was the fifth of fifty-seven serials produced by Columbia Pictures.
The story concerns a crime fighter known as "The Spider" battles a villain called "The Octopus," who is out to sabotage the USA and install his own government.
"The Spider's Web" was wildly successful when first released in 1938., as it was by far the most popular serial of the year, according to a tally published in 'The Motion Picture Herald' and its sister publication 'The Film Daily,' and was such an exhibitor favorite that Columbia had used it to launch a series of re-issues in 1947. A sequel, "The Spider Returns," was released in 1941, of "The Spider's Web" principal actors, only Warren Hull and Kenne Duncan returned in their original roles for the sequel. "The Spider's Web" has been noted as a major influence on "Spider Man" co-creator Stan Lee.

The Return of Chandu Serial 1934

Producer: Sol Lesser Script: Barry Barringer (adaptation), Henry A. Earnshaw (radio show), R. R. Morgan (radio show), Vera M. Oldham (radio show) Director: Ray Taylor Cinematography: John Hickson CAST: Bela Lugosi, Maria Alba, Clara Kimball Young, Dean Benton Music: Abe Meyer, Jean Beghon, Charles Dunworth, Rudolf Friml, Christoph Willibald Gluck Production: Sol Lesser Productions Release: October 1, 1934 208 min. Color sound English dialog.
American mystery/fantasy/horror serial directed by Ray Taylor and starring Bela Lugosi (as Chandu), Maria Alba, Clara Kimball Young, Dean Benton, etc.
"The Return of Chandu" was originally released in theatres in any one of three ways - as a conventional serial of twelve weekly chapters of equal running times, as a sixty minute feature film comprising of the first four episodes, to be followed by the remaining eight episodes in weekly serial format, or as a stand-alone feature film comprising the first four chapters.
"The Return of Chandu" marked one of the few occasions that Bela Lugosi essayed the role of a protagonist rather than the antagonist. Lugosi had essayed the role of Boxer, the main villain in the 1922 silent film "Chandu the Magician."

Glen or Glenda 1953

Producer: George Weiss Script/Director: Ed Wood Cinematography: William C. Thompson CAST: Bela Lugosi, Ed Wood, Timothy Farrell, Dolores Fuller Music: William Lava Production: Screen Classics Release: April 1953 71 min. Color sound English dialog.
American independent "high-camp" exploitation film written and directed by Ed Wood starring (Wood himself as Glen/Glenda), Bela Lugosi, Timothy Farrell, Dolores Fuller, etc.
"Glen or Glenda" is a pseudo docu-drama concerning cross-dressing and transvestism, and is a semi-biographical in nature. Ed Wood himself was a cross-dresser, and the picture is a plea for tolerance. "Glen or Glenda" is widely considered one of the worst motion pictures ever produced upon its release in 1953. However, it has since been considerably reevaluated and has been transformed into a "cult film" due to its low-budget production values, idiosyncratic style, and early cinematic themes of transgender acceptance.
Domestically, "Glen or Glenda" was limited in its theatrical release, having been pre-sold to some theatres under alternative release titles such as "I Led Two Lives," "He or She?" and "I Changed My Sex." Overseas, the picture also had a limited release - in France and Belgium the title was changed to "Louis ou Louise" and in South America - in Argentina the film was released under the title "Yo Cambie Mi Sexo"; the picture had a brief screening in the Republic of China as well.
According to Tim Dirks, "Glen or Glenda" was one of a wave of "cheap teen movies" released for the drive-in movie theater market at the time. Such movies consisted of "exploitative, cheap fare created especially for teens in a newly established teen/drive-in genre."
The picture was denied classification by the British Board of Film Classification upon submission on February 26, 1958.
"Glen or Glenda" was reevaluated in the 1980s. The New York Times wrote: "A half-mad old movie Paramount hasn't had so much rescued as disinterred. It's dreadful enough to have a certain comic appeal."
Film critic Leonard Maltin named "Glen or Glenda" as "possibly the worst movie ever made" while Richard Barrios described the picture as "one of the funniest movies ever made."
Iconic film director David Lynch named "Glen or Glenda" as "one of his favorites."

Maniac 1934

Producer: Dwain Esper, Louis Sonney, Hildagarde Stadie Script: Edgar Allan Poe (short story), Hildagarde Stadie Director: Dwain Esper Cinematography: William C. Thompson CAST: Bill Woods, Horace B. Carpenter, Ted Edwards, Phyllis Diller Production: Roadshow Attractions Release: September 11, 1934 51 min. Color sound English dialog.
American independent exploitation horror film produced and directed by Dwain Esper starring Bill Woods, Horace B. Carpenter, Ted Edwards, Phyllis Diller, etc.
"Maniac" is a loose adaptation of Edgard Allan Poe's 1843 short story "The Black Cat," with references to his "Murders in the Rue Morgue" (1841).
"Maniac" received many somewhat "positive" reviews and basically regarded as a movie that was "so bad it's good" and "a true trash masterpiece.
Film critic Leonard Maltin awarded "Maniac" the lowest rating of "Bomb," calling it "a typically hilarious Esper Shockfest filmed mostly in somebody's basement."
On Rotten Tomatoes, "Maniac" holds an approval rating of 89% based on nine reviews, with a weighted average rating of 6 6/10.

The One From the Fairground aka Fairground People 1930

Producer/Director: Karel Lamac Script: Charlie Roellinghoff, Vaclav Wasserman, Hans Heinz Zerlett Cinematography: Erich Giese, Otto Heller CAST: Anny Ondra, Kurt Gerron, Sig Arno, Viktor Schwannecke Music: Jara Benes Production: Ondra-Lamac-Film Release: August 14, 1930 98 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German musical comedy film produced and directed by Karel Lamac starring Anny Ondra, Kurt Gerron, Sig Arno, Viktor Schwannecke, etc.
"The One From the Fairground" was produced shortly after the advent of the sound film revolution, which had damaged Anny Ondra's career in British movies which led her return back to Germany. The picture showcased Ms. Ondra's screen talents as a musical comedy star who both sings and dances.
The story concerns talented young Anny who returns to her struggling family who operate a small venue at the local village fair. She not only enchants artist Hannes and singer Ordini but also agent Horbes who employs them for the celebrated Apollo Theatre in Berlin.

You Don't Need Money 1931

Producer: Arnold Pressburger Script: Ferdinand Altenkirch (play), Kaeroly Noti, Hans Wilhelm Director: Carl Boese Cinematography: Willy Goldberger CAST: Heinz Ruehmann, Hedy Lamar, Kurt Gerron, Hans Moser, Albert Florath Music: Artur Guttmann Production: Cine-Allianz Tonfilm Release: February 5, 1932 92 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German comedy film directed by Carl Boese and starring Heinz Ruehmannn, Hedy Lamar, Kurt Gerron, Hans Moser, Albert Florath, etc.
"You Don't Need Money" on the play by Ferdinand Alterkirch.
The story concerns a virtually bankrupt businessman in a small village manages to convince the villagers that his newly arrived cousin, who is equally impoverished, is in reality a millionaire.
A French version entitled "Pas besoin d'argent" was remade in 1933 and Carl Boese himself remade the production in 1953 under the title "The Uncle from America."

Old Heart Becomes Young Again 1943

Producer: Fritz Klotzsch Script: Walter Wassermann, C. H. Diller Director: Erich Engel Cinematography: Fritz Arno Wagner CAST: Eml Jannings, Viktor de Kowa, Elisabeth Flickenschildt, Will Dohm Music: Theo Mackeben Production: Fritz Klotzsch-Filmproduktion Release: 1943 85 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German drama film directed by Erich Engel and starring Emil Jannings, Viktor de Kowa, Elisabeth Flickenschildt, Will Dohm, etc.
"Old Heart Becomes Young Again" premiered in the Efa studio in Berlin=Haiensee on April 2, 1943 and was the last completed feature film on the part of actor Emil Jannings. The production was awarded the title of "artistically particularly valuable" by Joseph Goebbels. Engel's film also premiered in Sweden and Finland in August 1943. It was first presented to Swiss theatre audiences in October 1943 as part of the Basel Film exhibution "Art and Technology." The Danish premiere took place in December 1943. The Portugese premiere took place before the end of WWII, in March 1945.
The Great Biography of Film called the last two Emil Jannings films, "Old Heart Becomes Young Again" and the unfinished "Where is Mr. Belling?, also directed by Engel, two "harmless comedies from the industrial and social mileu