lugonian
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CHINA CLIPPER (Warner Brothers, 1936) directed by Ray Enright, stars Pat O'Brien in another typical drama in the best Pat O'Brien tradition. With screenplay credited by Frank "Spig" Wead, CHINA CLIPPER is no story about a Chinese barber but an aviation story using plenty of aerial photography and flying time for its pilot actors. Taken from opening credits as a fictional story, it plays more like a biography of an ambitious individual minus the character's childhood story for its opening and aging climax and reminiscing of the past. Overall, an interesting tribute to vision and courage in the pioneering of international airways and the achievement of the first transpacific air route.
Though the beginning doesn't specify the year of its start, the mention of the Great War having ended nine years ago and news about Charles A. Lindburg's historic flight is obvious to historians to be 1927 and beyond. Dave Logan (Pat O'Brien), an importer for the James Horn Company, returns from an unsuccessful business trip in Shanghai via steamboat due to lateness of his arrival there. Upon his return to the states, he's greeted by his wife Jean (Beverly Roberts), whom he affectionally calls "Skippy." After watching the parade celebration of Charles Lindburg's thirty-six-hour solo flight from New York to Paris, Dave feels he can accomplish more in the aviation business by quitting his routine job under James Horn (Joseph King) to pursue a career forming his very own commercial air service. Being a flyer himself in the World War, Dave hires former aviation buddies as Tom Collins (Ross Alexander) and Bill Andrews (Alexander Cross), with B. C. Hill (Addison Richards) as financial backer and "Dad" Brunn (Henry B. Walthall) the airplane designer. Determined to pursue his dream regardless of discouragements, failures and financial disappointments, with the arrival of another aviator friend, "Hap" Stuart (Humphrey Bogart) to join forces with him, Dave intends on expanding the system forming test pilots flying from Key West to Havana, and having Dad Brunn working himself ragged designing an even bigger airplane called the China Clipper to race against time across the Pacific. With Dave becoming more ruthless and unreasonable as ever, he begins to find himself at further risk by losing both his crew and his wife.
Other members of the include Joseph Crehan, Ruth Robinson, Anne Nagel and Milburn Stone. Marie Wilson adds for comedy relief as Tom's (Ross Alexander) tag-along girlfriend. Look fast for Wayne Morris (a year before his 1937 breakthrough performance as KID GALAHAD) visible as one of the commercial flyers.
Aside from being known as another one of Humphrey Bogart's early film roles before his superstardom in the 1940s, CHINA CLIPPER is also noted for the final screen appearance of silent screen actor Henry B. Walthall, having died before the film's completion. In true essence, Walthall looked tired and frail in certain scenes, which may have been true to life in the process. With good production values along and impressive supporting cast of familiar stock players, CHINA CLIPPER is an interesting 89-minute story that should have ranked among one of the finest films of the year. Instead, it's a standard production of routine material made watchable during a cold rainy afternoon or past the after-midnight hours.
Never distributed to home video but available on DVD, CHINA CLIPPER can be seen occasionally on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (**1/2)
Though the beginning doesn't specify the year of its start, the mention of the Great War having ended nine years ago and news about Charles A. Lindburg's historic flight is obvious to historians to be 1927 and beyond. Dave Logan (Pat O'Brien), an importer for the James Horn Company, returns from an unsuccessful business trip in Shanghai via steamboat due to lateness of his arrival there. Upon his return to the states, he's greeted by his wife Jean (Beverly Roberts), whom he affectionally calls "Skippy." After watching the parade celebration of Charles Lindburg's thirty-six-hour solo flight from New York to Paris, Dave feels he can accomplish more in the aviation business by quitting his routine job under James Horn (Joseph King) to pursue a career forming his very own commercial air service. Being a flyer himself in the World War, Dave hires former aviation buddies as Tom Collins (Ross Alexander) and Bill Andrews (Alexander Cross), with B. C. Hill (Addison Richards) as financial backer and "Dad" Brunn (Henry B. Walthall) the airplane designer. Determined to pursue his dream regardless of discouragements, failures and financial disappointments, with the arrival of another aviator friend, "Hap" Stuart (Humphrey Bogart) to join forces with him, Dave intends on expanding the system forming test pilots flying from Key West to Havana, and having Dad Brunn working himself ragged designing an even bigger airplane called the China Clipper to race against time across the Pacific. With Dave becoming more ruthless and unreasonable as ever, he begins to find himself at further risk by losing both his crew and his wife.
Other members of the include Joseph Crehan, Ruth Robinson, Anne Nagel and Milburn Stone. Marie Wilson adds for comedy relief as Tom's (Ross Alexander) tag-along girlfriend. Look fast for Wayne Morris (a year before his 1937 breakthrough performance as KID GALAHAD) visible as one of the commercial flyers.
Aside from being known as another one of Humphrey Bogart's early film roles before his superstardom in the 1940s, CHINA CLIPPER is also noted for the final screen appearance of silent screen actor Henry B. Walthall, having died before the film's completion. In true essence, Walthall looked tired and frail in certain scenes, which may have been true to life in the process. With good production values along and impressive supporting cast of familiar stock players, CHINA CLIPPER is an interesting 89-minute story that should have ranked among one of the finest films of the year. Instead, it's a standard production of routine material made watchable during a cold rainy afternoon or past the after-midnight hours.
Never distributed to home video but available on DVD, CHINA CLIPPER can be seen occasionally on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (**1/2)
PARNELL (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937), produced and directed by John M. Stahl, became the studio's attempt in rebuilding the Clark Gable image by starring him in something completely different, that of a biographical drama based on the life of an actual person, Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891), an Irish Nationalist Leader. Taken from the play by Elsie T, Schauffler, MGM and Gable must have had great expectations for this lavish two-hour scale production. The results were unfortunately disappointing. Though the biography toys with the facts, substituting Gable's sideburns for Parnell's full facial beard, it's a wonder whether the fault lies on its somewhat slow direction, the scripting or the miscasting of Gable in the title role. For many, possibly all three. Had PARNELL been enacted by Edward Arnold, Fredric March or Brian Aherne under the direction of John Ford, had the casting and direction been an improvement will never be known. Every actor, no matter how great, is entitled to at least one failure. PARNELL was Gable's.
The story opens in 1880 where Charles Stewart Parnell (Clark Gable), "the great patriot in all Irish history," completes his two-month stay visiting the birthplace of his mother - AMERICA. Upon his return to his homeland Avondale in IRELAND to a welcoming committee of cheering citizens, Parnell is soon outraged learning the land he loves filled with evictions, outrage and home burnings. Attempting to pay the rent for the homeless, his money is refused by its landlord, Pat Hogan (Frank McGlynn Sr.) for reasons of his own. Parnell is soon placed under arrest for seditious utterances. His time in prison leads to citizen protest and unrest. Upon his release, Parnell intends in obtaining Home Rule for Ireland. Captain William O'Shea (Alan Marshal), a new member of Parliament, wants to use Parnell for his own political gain by making friends with him. Though in a loveless marriage to Katie (Myrna Loy), who refuses her divorce, O'Shea, hoping to become an elected member for County Clare, uses her to invite Parnell to their Eltham home for dinner. Through a series of complications keeping Parnell from fighting for Ireland and for refusing to appoint O'Shea in the position of Chief Secretary, Parnell is further humiliated being named co-respondent in a divorce case against his wife. Other members in the cast of thousands include Edna May Oliver (Aunt Ben Wood); Edmund Gwenn (Campbell); Donald Crisp (Michael Davitt); Billie Burke (Clara Wood), Montagu Love (William Ewart Gladstone); and George Zucco (Sir Charles Russell).
Somewhat long and drawn-out, highlights do occur, including Parnell's fight for home rule; Parnell fighting his good name in a murder trial and trying to convince jurors the letters supposedly written by him were forged; and Gable's fine chemistry opposite Loy for their solo scenes together.
Released at the time when bio-pics were box office attractions, Gable's performance paled in comparison with other actors whose attempts in authentic portrayal in biographical history (Paul Muni comes to mind as Louis Pasteur) to make it work for the betterment of the motion picture. It's a pity because PARNELL has potential for success. Sadly, even with such a top-notch cast in powerful performances doesn't always make a great movie.
Available on home video and DVD format, PARNELL, an appropriate showing for St. Patrick's Day (March 17th), can be seen on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. Though in recent years, due to its reputation, not often enough. (**1/2).
The story opens in 1880 where Charles Stewart Parnell (Clark Gable), "the great patriot in all Irish history," completes his two-month stay visiting the birthplace of his mother - AMERICA. Upon his return to his homeland Avondale in IRELAND to a welcoming committee of cheering citizens, Parnell is soon outraged learning the land he loves filled with evictions, outrage and home burnings. Attempting to pay the rent for the homeless, his money is refused by its landlord, Pat Hogan (Frank McGlynn Sr.) for reasons of his own. Parnell is soon placed under arrest for seditious utterances. His time in prison leads to citizen protest and unrest. Upon his release, Parnell intends in obtaining Home Rule for Ireland. Captain William O'Shea (Alan Marshal), a new member of Parliament, wants to use Parnell for his own political gain by making friends with him. Though in a loveless marriage to Katie (Myrna Loy), who refuses her divorce, O'Shea, hoping to become an elected member for County Clare, uses her to invite Parnell to their Eltham home for dinner. Through a series of complications keeping Parnell from fighting for Ireland and for refusing to appoint O'Shea in the position of Chief Secretary, Parnell is further humiliated being named co-respondent in a divorce case against his wife. Other members in the cast of thousands include Edna May Oliver (Aunt Ben Wood); Edmund Gwenn (Campbell); Donald Crisp (Michael Davitt); Billie Burke (Clara Wood), Montagu Love (William Ewart Gladstone); and George Zucco (Sir Charles Russell).
Somewhat long and drawn-out, highlights do occur, including Parnell's fight for home rule; Parnell fighting his good name in a murder trial and trying to convince jurors the letters supposedly written by him were forged; and Gable's fine chemistry opposite Loy for their solo scenes together.
Released at the time when bio-pics were box office attractions, Gable's performance paled in comparison with other actors whose attempts in authentic portrayal in biographical history (Paul Muni comes to mind as Louis Pasteur) to make it work for the betterment of the motion picture. It's a pity because PARNELL has potential for success. Sadly, even with such a top-notch cast in powerful performances doesn't always make a great movie.
Available on home video and DVD format, PARNELL, an appropriate showing for St. Patrick's Day (March 17th), can be seen on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. Though in recent years, due to its reputation, not often enough. (**1/2).
THOSE WERE THE DAYS (Paramount, 1940) directed by Jay Theodore Reed, is a light comedy-drama set mostly on a college campus based on the famous Siwash stories by George Fitch. Starring the then up-and-coming William Holden in one of his early screen credits, having made an impression in his first major role pf Clifford Odet's GOLDEN BOY (Columbia, 1939) starring Barbara Stanwyck, followed by his work opposite George Raft and Humphrey Bogart in INVISIBLE STRIPES (Warner Brothers, 1939), and appearing in Thornton Wilder's screen adaptation to his stage success of OUR TOWN (United Artists, 1940), Holden gets his opportunity for a leading part of a minor film with those were the days nostalgic feel to it.
The story opens at a banquet of the 35th wedding anniversary of Petey J. (William Holden) and Martha Simmons (Bonita Granville) hosted by her father, Judge Malachi Scroogs (Vaughn Glaser) and granting them the deed to Twin Oaks as his gift to them. For a union that almost didn't happen, Scroggs tells his version of the story on how Petey and Martha got together. In flashback dating back to 1904, the story introduces Petey of Siwash College playing part of the shenanigans by his upper classmen. Petey is roommate friends to Alexander "Allie" Bangs (Ezra Stone) who both pick out names out of a hat that will cast the girl to become their dates for the upcoming freshman party. Petey gets Martha Scroggs while Allie gets Mirabel Allstairs (Judith Barrett). At first Martha likes Peter until she finds his arrogance in dancing with the other girls and ignoring her hard to endure. Landing himself in trouble by moving all the clocks on campus a half hour early to make Professor Sillicocks (Lucien Littlefield) late for class and accidentally driving a streetcar full of people off the tracks and into a building, Petey is brought to court facing a judge with intentions of giving him a very strict sentence. After learning the judge to be Martha's father, Petey plans on getting on the good graces which gets him into further trouble.
Other members of the cast include Richard Denning, Phillip Terry, Douglas Kennedy and Aldrich Bowker. Look quickly for future leading man Alan Ladd in a small role as Keg Rearick. While Ladd is credited in the cast listing, it's surprising that William Frawley, with a long list of credited movies behind him seen briefly as a complaining jail prisoner, is not.
Somewhat reminiscent to those latter "Henry Aldrich" film series starring Jimmy Lydon (1941-1944), THOSE WERE THE DAYS does feature the original Henry Aldrich (Ezra Stone) from the stage version of "What a Life" where Vaughan Glaser, as the judge here, played the high school principal in both stage and screen version to WHAT A LIFE (Paramount, 1939) starring Jackie Cooper as Aldridge, and subsequent installments with Lydon replacing Cooper as Henry Aldrich. Though Ezra Stone (who makes one think of William Tracy and speaks like Eddie Bracken), later became a movie and television director, it's interesting in seeing this former stage actor and Henry Aldrich character on radio in a very rare screen appearance. With the youthful presence of William Holden years before his superstardom decade of the 1950s would be one of the sole reasons for viewing this seldom televised and hard to find movie edition of THOSE WERE THE DAYS.
Unseen on commercial television since the early 1970s, and to date never shown in cable television, THOSE WERE THE DAYS can be seen on YOUTUBE or found on DVD from a private collector. Quaint little 74-minute presentation with costumes and sets close to accurate 1904 with playback background songs from that era giving that nostalgic feel that would make this one worth discovering. (**1/2)
The story opens at a banquet of the 35th wedding anniversary of Petey J. (William Holden) and Martha Simmons (Bonita Granville) hosted by her father, Judge Malachi Scroogs (Vaughn Glaser) and granting them the deed to Twin Oaks as his gift to them. For a union that almost didn't happen, Scroggs tells his version of the story on how Petey and Martha got together. In flashback dating back to 1904, the story introduces Petey of Siwash College playing part of the shenanigans by his upper classmen. Petey is roommate friends to Alexander "Allie" Bangs (Ezra Stone) who both pick out names out of a hat that will cast the girl to become their dates for the upcoming freshman party. Petey gets Martha Scroggs while Allie gets Mirabel Allstairs (Judith Barrett). At first Martha likes Peter until she finds his arrogance in dancing with the other girls and ignoring her hard to endure. Landing himself in trouble by moving all the clocks on campus a half hour early to make Professor Sillicocks (Lucien Littlefield) late for class and accidentally driving a streetcar full of people off the tracks and into a building, Petey is brought to court facing a judge with intentions of giving him a very strict sentence. After learning the judge to be Martha's father, Petey plans on getting on the good graces which gets him into further trouble.
Other members of the cast include Richard Denning, Phillip Terry, Douglas Kennedy and Aldrich Bowker. Look quickly for future leading man Alan Ladd in a small role as Keg Rearick. While Ladd is credited in the cast listing, it's surprising that William Frawley, with a long list of credited movies behind him seen briefly as a complaining jail prisoner, is not.
Somewhat reminiscent to those latter "Henry Aldrich" film series starring Jimmy Lydon (1941-1944), THOSE WERE THE DAYS does feature the original Henry Aldrich (Ezra Stone) from the stage version of "What a Life" where Vaughan Glaser, as the judge here, played the high school principal in both stage and screen version to WHAT A LIFE (Paramount, 1939) starring Jackie Cooper as Aldridge, and subsequent installments with Lydon replacing Cooper as Henry Aldrich. Though Ezra Stone (who makes one think of William Tracy and speaks like Eddie Bracken), later became a movie and television director, it's interesting in seeing this former stage actor and Henry Aldrich character on radio in a very rare screen appearance. With the youthful presence of William Holden years before his superstardom decade of the 1950s would be one of the sole reasons for viewing this seldom televised and hard to find movie edition of THOSE WERE THE DAYS.
Unseen on commercial television since the early 1970s, and to date never shown in cable television, THOSE WERE THE DAYS can be seen on YOUTUBE or found on DVD from a private collector. Quaint little 74-minute presentation with costumes and sets close to accurate 1904 with playback background songs from that era giving that nostalgic feel that would make this one worth discovering. (**1/2)