Big-city mouthpiece Richard Dix seeks to bring his brother’s killers to justice in a Nevada mining town in Special Investigator, a 1936 RKO “B” entry based on an Erle Stanley Gardner story.
Behind the Green Lights (1935), Cops Vs. Mouthpiece in Mascot Indie
Based on a book by Captain Cornelius Willemse, the NYPD’s original “gang buster,” Behind the Green Lights pits the police vs. a crooked mouthpiece and features a romance between cop and lawyer. Easily found independent release is fast-paced and entertaining.
J. Edgar Hoover’s Persons in Hiding (1939) With Patricia Morison
A Bonnie and Clyde tale predating Gun Crazy (1950) by eleven years. Persons in Hiding is the first of four movies adapted from J. Edgar Hoover’s book of the same name. Electrifying debut by Patricia Morison with J. Carrol Naish strong opposite her.
Black Fury (1935) – Paul Muni Stars in Another Ripped from the Headlines Story
Paul Muni stars as a mine worker who is duped into breaking the union in 1935’s Black Fury from Warner Bros. Post includes background about real-life John Barcoski murder from 1929 and other notes about the origins of the film.
Big City Blues (1932), Pre-Code Party in Depression-Era New York
Eric Linden finds fun, trouble and Joan Blondell in Depression-era New York in Warner Bros.’ Big City Blues (1932). Directed by Mervyn LeRoy with an unbilled supporting appearance by Humphrey Bogart along with several others.
Captain Blood (1935) Action Energized by Errol Flynn and Korngold’s Score
A look at my own favorite action adventure movie of all time, Captain Blood starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, both in breakout roles. A tale of piracy, slavery, patriotism and romance, Korngold’s score keeps you cheering for Blood throughout.
The Southerner (1945) starring Zachary Scott and Betty Field
A look at Jean Renoir’s The Southerner (1945) starring Zachary Scott as head of a dirt-poor family fighting to have their own farm. Also starring Betty Field.
