The Film Detective

Two brothers, including one wanted for murder, are shipwrecked on an island inhabited by beautiful woman who possess a cache of valuable pearls. What the brothers don't know is that the island women worship a shark god, and are known to make human sacrifices! With a cast that includes the smoldering Lisa Montell, this intense adventure was directed by drive-in movie king Roger Corman. For movie buffs: Corman made the most of location shooting, filming Shark Reef in the same Hawaiian setting as...

A young woman is believed to be the reincarnation of an egyptian maiden driven to suicide in this drama from the silent era. Gloria Swanson (Sunset Boulevard) is Sunya, a young singing student torn between two lovers. With the aid of a mystic who helps her see into the future, she makes her decision. The great cast includes John Boles, Pauline Garon, and Ivan Lebedoff, with direction by Albert Parker (The Black Pirate, Eyes of Youth).

Randolph Scott (Ride the High Country) stars as Clint Belmet, the leader of a wagon train on the way to Oregon. Along the route he and his crew deal with various hardships, including Indian attacks and a fellow named Murdock (Monte Blue) who is out to stop them at any cost. With a cast that includes the likes of Gail Patrick and Billy Lee, this adventure saga was based on a novel by the western master, Zane Grey (Riders of the Purple Sage, Fighting Caravans). Trivia note: The film's original...

Rudolph Valentino stars in this tale of an engaged woman blackmailed into marrying a count in order to save her father from prison. Other cast members include Vera Sisson, Frank Newburg, and Lillian Leighton, but as Count Roberto di San Fraccini, Valentino steals the show. This was one of Valentino's earliest performances; the film was rereleased years later to take advantage of Valentino's growing stardom.

This musical feature from the producing/directing team of Jack Goldberg and Arthur Leonard (The Devil's Daughter, Jitterbug Senorita) was part of a series of movies made for segregated theaters of the 1940s. Musical numbers include 'Long Legged Lizzy', performed by Deek Wilson and the Brown Dots, 'Ring Around My Rosie' by Billy Daniels, and 'Oh, Ho! It's a Lovely Day', by Rubie Blakey. Film buffs may notice Sidney Poitier as an extra in a nightclub scene. It was his first acting job!

Find out if money changes everything in this memorable adaptation of George Barr McCutcheon's famous novel. When Montague L. Brewster (Dennis O'Keefe) returns from the war to marry his sweetheart, his plans are disrupted by the reading of his uncle's will. Montague has inherited 8-million dollars, but can only get it if he can spend a million before his 30 Walker, June Havoc and Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, and features an Oscar nominated musical score by Louis Forbes.

Anna Neagel's first Hollywood performance! Featuring a star-making performance from then largely unknown actress Anna Neagel as the eponymous Cavell, Nurse Edith Cavell is a thrilling and heartbreaking biography of a woman who made an indelible mark on World War I history. Directed by frequent Neagel collaborator Herbert Wilcox, and with a supporting cast composed of Hollywood legends like Oscar Nominee Edna May Oliver (Little Women) and Oscar Winner George Sanders (All About Eve), this film...

Iron ships and men of iron -- the monitors of liberty. One of the earliest examples of History Film, Hearts in Bondage is a loose depiction of actual events that took place during the American Civil War. This film follows the friendship of Kenneth Reynolds and Raymond Jordan; best friends who find their friendship tested across party lines. This story of friendship is helmed by legendary actor Lew Ayres (who appeared in the now-immortalized All Quiet on the Western Front just six years prior)...

This period piece set in 1820s Maine follows the exploits of Jenny Hager (Hedy Lamarr), a woman who sees nothing wrong with preying on men for their money! With a cast that includes George Sanders, Louis Hayward, Gene Lockhart, and Rhys Williams, cult director Edgar G. Ulmer weaves a tale of intrigue and seduction. Also, look for Alan Napier, best known for his role as Alfred on the classic Batman TV series!

Crooked political leaders! Corrupt newspaper publishers! You'll swear you've never met such people! Pat O'Brien, Edward Arnold, Broderick Crawford, and Eve Arden star in this comical crime drama about a lawyer framed for murder. This madcap misadventure was directed by Tay Garnett (The Postman Always Rings Twice), beautifully shot by cinematographer Merritt B. Gerstad (A Night at The Opera), written by Ken Englund (who'd go on to write for the likes of Jerry Lewis and Jacky Gleason), and...

Thornton Wilder's touching story of life in a New Hampshire town stars William Holden and Martha Scott as a young couple looking to the future. Six Oscar nominations went to director Sam Wood's version of this Pulitzer Prize winning drama, including one for Best Picture, and one for Aaron Copland's original score. Also, look for two of Hollywood's great character performers, Guy Kibbee and Beulah Bondi as Mr. and Mrs. Webb, and Thomas Mitchell as good ol' Doc Gibbs!

Roy Rogers gets involved when his buddy finds himself at odds with a rival rodeo operator. There's plenty of singing in this musical western, plus enough action to make you realize that Roy Rogers was much more than a singing cowboy! With a cast that includes Dale Evans, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Lloyd Corrigan, and Tom Keene, director Frank McDonald gives us a fun thrill ride through old Santa Fe. Trigger is here, too!