Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
Legacy posts about films from the silent and classic Hollywood film eras.
The Canary Murder Case (1929) was originally shot as a silent film. However, the Paramount Studio executive thought it would be better as a talking picture. The studio delayed the release until they could add sound to the film. The addition of sound was not without its challenges. Unfortunately, one of the main stars of the film, Louise Brooks, had
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) released After The Thin Man (1936), the sequel to the popular Thin Man (1934), on Christmas Day 1936. The film is one of 14 films William Powell and Myrna Loy made together. Powell and Loy play Dashiell Hammet’s characters Nick and Nora Charles respectively. Nick Charles formerly worked as a private detective before marrying the wealthy heiress Nora.
On December 16, 1937, Paramount Pictures released the second “Bulldog” Drummond film starring John Howard as Drummond. Ronald Coleman and Ralph Richardson played Captain Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond in the past. By the time Bulldog Drummond’s Revenge (affiliate link) was released, the series had become a formula “B” movie franchise. Despite Captain Drummond being married to Phyllis Clavering in The Return
British International Pictures (BIP) released The Return of Bulldog Drummond (1934) (affiliate link) on April 19, 1934. Ralph Richardson takes his only turn as the English hero Captain Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond. Drummond recently married long-time love interest Phyllis Clavering. Politics and the presence of old foe Carl Peterson intrude on Drummond’s wedded bliss. When Peterson kidnaps Phyllis, Drummond determines to
On August 2, 1947, Max M. King Productions released Killer Dill (1947), a crime film that professional wrestler Mike Mazurki plays “Little Joe”, a henchman playing both sides of a gang feud. Stuart Erwin stars as Johnny “Killer” Dill, a lingerie designer and salesperson, who people mistake for a gangster. After accidentally involving himself in a gang war, his
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942) (affiliate link) is the second of the Universal film versions of the stories and the fourth movie starring Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. Lionell Atwill makes an appearance as Dr. Moriart This movie is set during the early years of World War II, when Holmes sneaks a scientist out
On March 18, 1938, Paramount Pictures released Bulldog Drummond’s Peril (1938). John Howard portrays Drummond for the third time. In this film (affiliate link), Drummond and his fiance’ Phyllis Clavering are traveling to Switzerland to complete their long-awaited wedding plans. The Longworths, Drummond’s and Clavering’s best friends, arrive in Switzerland for the wedding. Gwen Longworth gives Phyllis a perfect synthetic
In the sixth of eight Mr. Moto films released between 1937 and 1939, Interpol police officer Kentaro Moto pursues a group of international saboteurs. Twentieth Century – Fox Film Corporation released Mr. Moto’s Last Warning (1939) (affiliate link) on January 20, 1939. Peter Lorre returns as the cerebral but deadly Mr. Moto. Ricardo Cortez plays Fabian the Great, a ventriloquist,
In his first time playing the role of Captain Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond, John Howard plays the captain desperately trying to rescue his kidnapped fiancé’. Paramount Pictures released Bulldog Drummond Comes Back (affiliate link) on September 24, 1937. Prior to John Howard taking over the role, Ronald Coleman and Ralph Richardson both played the fictional British hero. The film begins with
On March 19, 1942, RKO Radio Pictures released the second film starring the Old Time Radio comedy team Lum and Abner. The Bashful Bachelor (1942) (affiliate link) starred Chester Lauck as Lum Edwards and Norris Goff as Abner Peabody, the owners of the Jot’Em Down Store in Arkansas. In this film, longtime bachelor Lum Edwards wants to become a hero