The Phantom (1931)

guinn-big-boy-williams

On November 1, 1931, Weiss Brothers Artclass Pictures released The Phantom (1931), a low-budget thriller. The film (affiliate link) opens with a death row inmates escape from the prison on the day of his execution. After he jumps from the prison wall to the top of the train, a plane with a rope ladder picks up the prisoner. While the

Share
» Read more

The Bat Whispers (1930)

chester-morris-1934

On November 13, 1930, Roland V. West released The Bat Whispers (1930) (affiliate link), the talkie version of his silent classic, The Bat (1926). The film follows faithfully the script of the original. However, West is able to experiment with film techniques like tracking shots, still a novelty in early sound cinema. Editing still dominated as the continuity and story

Share
» Read more

The Lodger (1927)

The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927) is one of Alfred Hitchcock’s early silent films.  It is based on the Marie Belloc Lowndes story and play based on the Jack the Ripper murders.  Hitchcock directed the film (affiliate link) in 1926; it was released in February 1927 in London.  It made it to the United States in 1928. The film begins with the

Share
» Read more

Expressionism and Nosferatu (1922)

max-schreck-count-orlock

On March 4, 1922, F.W. Murnau released Nosferatu (1922).  Nosferatu (affilaite link) was Murnau’s adaptation of the Dracula novel by Bram Stoker.   Murnau neglected to purchase the rights to film the story from Stoker’s estate, which almost led to this film being lost to film viewers. Stoker’s widow successfully sued Murnau and the German film company that produced the motion picture. 

Share
» Read more

Mr. Moto’s Gamble (1938)

still-thank-you-mr-moto

Peter Lorre reprises his role as Mr. Kentaro Moto, Interpol Agent, in Mr. Moto’s Gamble (1938). James Tinling directed this film and Charlie Chan in Shanghai (1937). Tinling’s participation caused Lorre to portray Mr. Moto more like Inspector Chan with a little jujitsu thrown in. In this film, Mr. Moto teaches a criminal investigation class to several budding investigators including

Share
» Read more

Mr. Moto Takes a Chance (1938)

still-thank-you-mr-moto

Twentieth Century – Fox Film Company released the fourth Mr. Moto film, Mr. Moto Takes a Chance (1938), on June 24, 1938. Lou Breslow and John Patrick set the film in Cambodia allowing Twentieth-Century Fox to use stock footage of the recently discovered ruins of Angkor Wat. The discovery of Angkor Wat captured the attention of the American public. Many

Share
» Read more

The Fat Man (1950)

j-scott-smart-from-an-old-radio-show-public-domain

Since the beginning of commercial film making, production companies are always looking for new content. Film companies have always used popular books as a source of content and inspiration. Since the 1950s, popular television shows provided film adaptations and inspiration. In the early days of talking films, popular radio shows led to many film adaptations. Lum and Abner, Jack Benny,

Share
» Read more
1 2 3 10