Pulp Centenary: Weird Tales, January 1924
Last year, I kicked off an effort to increase my reading of old pulp magazines, with a particular focus on those issues celebrating their centenary (i.e., issues from 1923). I started the focused project with Volume 1, Issue 1 of Weird Tales, as that famed magazine began publication in early 1923, and all issues from …
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Monogram Monday: Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944)
After a hiatus, star Sidney Toler brought Charlie Chan to Monogram Pictures in this wartime mystery. A inventor working on an advanced torpedo design is killed for the plans of his invention, though the exact means of the crime are unclear initially. Charlie is called upon to sift through a houseful of suspects, including a …
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Monogram Monday: Snow Dog (1950)
Mountie Rod Webb (Kirby Grant) investigates attacks by a wolf, and his pal Chinook (“the Wonder Dog”) thus gets a chance to face a canine combatant. This well-scripted entry in the series moves along at a good clip, with plenty of action and interest. Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.
Funny Friday: Tactful
Monogram Monday: Cowboy Cavalier (1948)
Bad guys set their sights on a stage line owned by a supposed widow, Mary Croft (Claire Whitney), whose husband, Patrick Collins (Steve Clark), is actually in prison. The crooks are helped by an inside man, Lance Regan (Douglas Evans), who met Mary and Patrick’s daughter, Pat Croft (Jan Bryant), on a stage and who …
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Monogram Monday: House of Mystery (1934)
A muddled mess of a mystery from Monogram has the “Curse of Kali” striking down those who claim a share in riches that an archaeologist who has gone bad, and who is now in a wheelchair, brought back from his expedition. The performers and the performances are undistinguished at best. Even the presence of a …
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Monogram Monday: Yukon Gold (1952)
Mountie Rod Webb (Kirby Grant) investigates a murder with the help of his dog Chinook; he is also aided by the victim’s niece (Martha Hyer). This is another enjoyable entry in our dog’s favorite movie series. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK.
Funny Friday: Sleep Sheep
Monogram Monday: Fighting Fools (1949)
After a friend is killed in the boxing ring, the Bowery Boys (Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and the rest) go after crooked fight promoters. Frankie Darro has a decent role as a comeback kid with a tie to the victim, and Lyle Talbot makes an effective heavy. The thirteenth entry in the series is a …
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