It’s tempting to call RKO’s Hell’s Highway (1932) a knockoff on I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang. However the Richard Dix movie came first. A long essay looking at Hell’s Highway, Dix, the Etude Ethiopian Chorus and that other Chain Gang movie.
Mary Burns, Fugitive (1935) Starring Sylvia Sidney with Melvyn Douglas
Sylvia Sidney stars in Mary Burns, Fugitive (1935) her first film under contract to Walter Wanger for Paramount. Introduces Alan Baxter as gangster Babe Wilson. Also featuring Melvyn Douglas, Wallace Ford, Brian Donlevy and Pert Kelton.
Johnny Apollo (1940) starring Tyrone Power and Dorothy Lamour
Tyrone Power stars as Johnny Apollo (1940) for Henry Hathaway at 20th Century Fox. The film fits nicely between the 1930’s gangster cycle and later film noir. With Dorothy Lamour and Lloyd Nolan.
The Criminal Code (1931) Starring Walter Huston with Boris Karloff
A spoiler-free look at Howard Hawks’ The Criminal Code starring Walter Huston and providing Boris Karloff with his most important role to date. With a special focus on Phillips Holmes.
Today in 1901 – Birth of Chester Morris
Happy birthday to Boston Blackie, Chester Morris (1901-1970), with brief review of his film career, a quick film clip, plus movie cards and collectible images.
