Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
Posts about films which played first on a double bill between 1931 and 1949.
On November 18, 1941, Columbia Pictures released Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring (1941). In this film, Ralph Bellamy portrays Ellery Queen for the fourth and final time. The film opens with a wealthy widow, Mrs. Augusta Stack, seeking the help of the police department. Mrs. Stack suspects Dr. Jannery, who operates her hospital, of negligence in the death of
On November 30, 1940, Columbia Pictures released the first of seven Ellery Queen films starring Ralph Bellamy as Ellery Queen. Ellery is the son of Inspector Queen, the Chief of New York Detectives. Ellery is a novelist, who also assists his father with solving crimes. In Ellery Queen, Master Detective (1940), a health guru has committed suicide but Ellery Queen
RKO Pictures brought the Dick Tracy comic strip character to the big screen on December 1, 1945. While the film is definitely a “B” film meant to be first on the double bill, it still would have been of interest to the many fans of the popular comic strip. Chester Gould created the strip in October 1931 for the Detroit
On August 19, 1943, Columbia Pictures released Passport to Suez (1943). Warren William plays Michael Lanyard, the Lone Wolf, for the final time in this film (affiliate link). The film opens in Alexandria, Egypt, where Lanyard has just arrived. Lanyard meets up with his old friend Johnny Booth, a successful cafe’ owner. However, Lanyard’s real purpose is a mission for
Monogram Pictures released Behind the Mask (1946), the second of three films (affiliate link) based on the popular Shadow radio program, on May 25, 1946. “B” Film leading actor Kane Richmond returns as Lamont Cranston, the alter ego of the mysterious Shadow. The film begins by following the activities a blackmailing newspaper reporter Jeff Mann, played by James Cardwell. After
On July 7, 1939, Twentieth Century-Fox Films released the final Mr. Moto “B” film starring Peter Lorre as Inspector Kentaro Moto. Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation finds Mr. Moto accompanying the Queen of Sheba’s Crown from its discovery in an Egyptian archaeological site to a San Francisco museum. Mr. Moto suspects the arch criminal Metaxess, who authorities believed was dead, intends
Bulldog Drummond’s Secret Police (1939) is the second-to-last Bulldog Drummond film (affiliate link) starring John Howard as Drummond. Drummond is once again preparing for his marriage to Phyllis Clavering. As usual, the marriage plans are disrupted by the revelations of Professor Downey regarding Rockingham Towers, the Drummond Estates. The treasure of an English king is hidden in the catacombs underneath
In Shanghai Chest (1948), Inspector Charlie Chan must solve three murders. At each murder scene, police find a dead man’s fingerprints. Charlie Chan must solve both the murders and the mystery of the fingerprints. Monogram Pictures released this enjoyable film on July 11, 1948. The film opens in Judge Armstrong’s house where a burglar is lurking around. The burglar murders
John Howard took over the Bulldog Drummond role in 1937, when it became a “B” film franchise for Paramount Pictures. Paramount insured higher production quality than the average “B” movie. The series had more capable actors and actresses which resulted in its higher than normal quality. Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1939) (affiliate link) was released on January 11, 1939. Besides the
On August 5, 1938, Paramount Pictures released another film in the Bulldog Drummond series (affiliate link) starring John Howard as Drummond. Bulldog Drummond in Africa (1938) is one of the best films in the series primarily due to a strong cast. Besides John Howard, Heather Angel returns as Drummond’s fiance’ Phyllis Clavering. She is joined by series regular H. B.