Air Raid Wardens (MGM, 1943)
Two unsuccessful businessmen try to contribute to the war effort. After being turned down by all the uniformed services, the well-meaning bumblers hope to make good in their town’s civil defense organization, but even here their talent for accidental destruction makes them misfits. Will they get a chance to serve their country and redeem themselves …
The Plot Thickens (RKO, 1936)
James Gleason gets top billing in this Hildegarde Withers movie, the fifth in RKO’s series, in which Zasu Pitts takes over the role of the spinster detective, and it’s easy to see why. His performance as Inspector Oscar Piper is polished and fun, and this time around, he’s the one who brings the investigation to …
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The Crime of Helen Stanley (Columbia, 1934)
Inspector Trent (Ralph Bellamy) returns in the third of four movies in the short series, and once again, though called in ahead of time by someone worried about a possible crime, he proves unable to prevent a murder. Gail Patrick does a fine turn as the title character, though the character’s viciousness leaves ample scope …
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You Got Mice
Terror Island (Paramount, 1920)
An inventor of a new submarine (Harry Houdini) helps a woman whose uncle wishes to ignore her captive father’s pleas for help and instead steal a map to an island near a treasure-filled wreck. There are perils aplenty for both hero and heroine, and costar Lila Lee shows herself a game sport. Although unfortunately the …
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Pardon My Rhythm (Universal, 1944)
Gloria Jean, Deanna Durbin’s successor at Universal, plays a teen eager to secure success for the drummer she adores (Mel Tormé) and his band, piling up schemes to win a contest, to gain his affection, to thwart those who would co-opt his talent for their own ends. Patric Knowles portrays her long-suffering but somewhat scattered …
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Voodoo Tiger (Columbia, 1952)
While a researcher investigates reports of a tribe worshipping a tiger (trying learn whether this is true, and if so why, as tigers are not native to Africa), a government agent looks for a Nazi war criminal who holds the secret to some stolen art. Add in some crooks also after the art and a …
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Range Law (Monogram, 1944)
A rancher is framed for rustling as part of a crook’s scheme to get control of land with a silver deposit, and it’s up to U.S. Marshals Sandy Hopkins and Nevada Jack Mackenzie to set things right, even if it involves foiling the actions of the local sheriff. These Brown-Hatton movies are consistently entertaining, but …
