The Film Detective

Warren Oates is Frank Mansfield, a down on his luck competitor in the sordid world of cockfighting. Broke, and ignoring his fiance's demand that he settle down to a normal life, he's vowed to never speak again until he wins the coveted Cockfighter of the Year medal. With a cast that includes Harry Dean Stanton and Steve Railsback, a screenplay by noir novelist Charles Willeford (Miami Blues) and cinematography by Oscar winner Nestor Almendros, director Monte Hellman (Two-Lane Blacktop) creates...

Documentary about a bombing mission over Germany by the American Eighth Air Force. Director William Keighley (The Adventures of Robin Hood, Each Dawn I Die) follows the intricate path of the mission from its initial planning to its finish.

The theft of Norma Shearer's jewelry sets the plot in motion for this star studded promotional short. The production, which includes cameos by Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Edward G. Robinson and Wallace Beery, was made to raise funds for the National Variety Artists tuberculosis sanatorium. And get this it was produced in association with a cigarette company! Also, keep an eye out for several of the lovable Our Gang kids, including Norman "Chubby" Chaney and Matthew "Stymie" Beard!

Lionel Atwill plays a duel role in this intriguing mystery from Monogram Pictures. Murder, double crosses, wisecracking reporters, and a dramatic trial all add up to create a thrilling entertainment. Director Phil Rosen was truly a veteran of the movie business, having started out in 1912 as a cinematographer for Thomas Edison!

Johnny Carpenter (who also wrote the screenplay) stars as Red River Johnny, a gunslinger returning to his home town to clear his name of some heinous accusations. This low budget howler was the only feature directed by Reg Brown, who was better known as an editor and a director of television shows. If Ed Wood directed a western, it might have looked like this one. Enjoy!

Keye Luke steps into the role of Mr. Wong, the celebrated detective. This time Wong is investigating the murder of a famous architect. This little pearl from Monogram Pictures, which also stars Grant Withers and Lotus Long, was directed by Phil Rosen, a well known director of the silent film era who later became known for directing many of Monogram's Charlie Chan movies. Also, keep an ear open for the musical score by five time Oscar nominee Edward Kay!

Fireman Larry Baker ( Norman Foster) lets publicity go to his head after he makes a series of dramatic rescues. His fellow firemen and his girlfriend begin to shun him, but when his best girl is stuck in a blazing inferno, Larry gets a chance to prove whether or not he's a real hero after all. Joyce Compton also stars in this feature from director Bernard Ray, who would later go on to direct several of the classic Rin Tin TIn movies!

Renowned novelist and screenwriter Horace McCoy (They Shoot Horses, Don't They?) had a hand in this story of postal inspectors tracking down stolen money. Ricardo Corte, Patricia Ellis, and Bela Lugosi head the cast for director Otto Brower, while the cinematography was by one of Universal's ace photographers, George Robinson (Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, The Mummy's Tomb).

Buster Keaton plays the son of a steamboat captain in this classic comedy from the silent era. Regarded by many as one of Keaton's best, he not only turns in a fine acting job as an effete young man trying to show his worth, but he also creates some of the greatest action sequences in the history of the movies. Our only advice is that you wait for the hurricane scene, and keep an eye on the falling building! Also starring Tom McGuire and Marion Byron, this production will have you rooting for...

Matt Stevens (John Ashley) comes from a wealthy family. He even has his own nanny to look after him. But at school he leads a gang of thugs. When he's not shaking down kids for money, he's rigging the election for class president. Eventually, the kids grow tired of Matt's harassment and decide to fight back! Filmed in Chillicothe, Missouri by director O'Dale Ireland (Date Bait, Dragstrip Riot), this little gem features a rockin' soundtrack and shows you what can happen when mob rule takes over...

Nelson Leigh portrays Jesus of Nazareth in this rare production. This historical saga also stars Richard Hale and John Doucette, and features cinematography by Oscar nominee Walter Strenge (Stagecoach to Fury) as well as music by Oscar nominee Alberto Colombo (Portia on Trial). Movie buffs might be interested to know that make up for this feature about Jesus was done by Jack Pierce, known for creating the faces of the Frankenstein monster, the Wolfman, and the Mummy!

The films Buster Keaton starred in at MGM during the 1930s are often dismissed as inferior to the work he did during the silent era, but the truth is that many of them are delightful. In Speak Easily he plays a shy professor who inherits some money, falls for a showgirl, and decides to become a Broadway producer. Jimmy Durante, and Hedda Hopper also star in this feature from director Edward Sedgwick, who happened to be behind some of Keaton's best movies, including The Cameraman and Spite...