Contemporary reaction to William A. Wellman’s Wild Boys of the Road (1933), plus writer Danny Ahearn, and a peek at Thomas Minehan’s study “Boy and Girl Tramps of America.”
Lightning Review: Chinatown Nights (1929) Starring Wallace Beery
Lightning review takes a brief look at transitional Paramount talkie Chinatown Nights (1929) starring Wallace Beery, Florence Vidor, and Warner Oland. Directed by William A. Wellman.
Midnight Mary (1933) Starring Loretta Young, Ricardo Cortez, Franchot Tone
William Wellman directs and Loretta Young stars in MIDNIGHT MARY (1933) a fast-paced MGM pre-code movie that inherits a Warner Brothers feel from director, cinematographer and star.
Safe in Hell (1931), Talkie Triumph for Tough Dorothy Mackaill
Safe in Hell (1931) nearly starred Barbara Stanwyck, but no matter as Dorothy Mackaill makes the part her own. A bit about the film and what happened to this otherwise forgotten star.
Eleven Men and a Girl (1930) starring Joan Bennett and Joe E. Brown
Joan Bennett’s early career with a focus on Eleven Men and a Girl aka Maybe It’s Love, a 1930 Warner Brothers football comedy directed by William Wellman and co-starring Joe E. Brown and the College Football All Americans.
Watching Wings (1927) for the First Time
A look at William Wellman’s Wings (1927) after watching it for the first time. Air battles and It Girl Clara Bow highlight this first Best Picture Oscar winner.
The Conquerors (1932) Starring Richard Dix and Ann Harding
I watched a pair of Richard Dix films this week, the Oscar winning Cimarron from 1931 and The Conquerors released the following year. This review focuses on the film I liked better.
The Women star in Westward the Women (1951) with Robert Taylor
Based on a story by Frank Capra sold to MGM for William Wellman, Robert Taylor may be top-billed in Westward the Women, but the end credits get it right, The Women are the true stars here.
Robert Taylor and Janet Gaynor star in Small Town Girl (1936)
Robert Taylor and Janet Gaynor star in MGM’s Small Town Girl (1936) directed by William Wellman and nothing special for any of the main participants.
Louise Brooks stars in William Wellman’s Beggars of Life (1928)
Louise Brooks and Richard Arlen star in William Wellman’s Beggars of Life (1928) based on the novel by Jim Tully. Also starring Wallace Beery, a pre-Depression tale of hobo life.