Reviews (5)

A solid member of the Charlie Chan series
This is a terrific film that shows the quality of the Charlie Chan series. Set in a theatre showing an opera, Chinese private detective Chan and his son solve a baffling murder mystery with plenty of false leads.

The opera being performed was actually written for the film by Oscar Levant and the recording is still available today. One of the main suspects Karloff seems to have wondered in from a Universal horror film, but it does not detract from the overall quality of the film. It is great fun.

It is not possible today to watch Charlie Chan without seeing some racial undertones. It is worth noting that it is an Asian character who is mentally faster and far more polite than his counterparts that solves the mysteries. He never resorts to violence and is calm in all situations. Rather than being racist, perhaps the films were a slap in the face to those who considered whites to be superior. But it must be said some scenes do jar a bit.

The mystery is played fair. All the clues are there. So go and enjoy it.

Karloff Used His Own Singing Voice
Warner Oland played Chan for the thirteenth time and Boris Karloff co-starred in this somewhat overrated film. Music credits were shared with two others by none other than Oscar Levant. Boris Karloff's role was that of an operatic baritone. He actually used his own singing voice. Lee Chan was again played by Keye Luke.

One of the finest in the series
Charlie Chan films are frequently accused of pandering to racial stereotypes. There is a certain truth to this, but Charlie Chan and company were neither more nor less stereotypical than such other popular series as the "Blondie" or "Dr. Kildare" series, and--while we may occasionally roll our eyes at a few 1930s sensibilities--its stereotypes are never mean-spirited and Charlie (along with his various sons) is always presented in a positive light.

CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA is certainly one of the finest--and some argue the single best--of the series for the film was not made as quickly or inexpensively as most in the series. OPERA is given the first class treatment, and producers even went so far as to have Oscar Levant write an opera ("Carnival") for use in the film. The film pits Warner Oland's Chan, played with typical drop-dead aplomb, against none other than Boris Karloff, who plays a mysterious patient escaped from an insane asylum and now haunting an opera house during a stellar performance. Keye Luke appears as Chan's "number one son" Lee, and the supporting cast also includes such notables as Netta Harrigan and the always welcome William Demarest. The story and script are slight, but every one concerned is clearly having a terrific time with the project, and the result is quite a bit of fun. Fans of the series will enjoy it, and it is a recommended introduction to Charlie Chan for newcomers as well.

Boris Karloff makes this the best of the Charlie Chan films
"Charlie Chan at the Opera" is one of the best films in the series starring Warner Oland as the great sleuth, with Keye Luke as his Number One Son. The reason is that the villain this time around is played by Boris Karloff, who plays the great operatic baritone Gravelle. Everyone thinks the singer died in a theater fire, but he survived and ended up as an amnesiac in a mental asylum. One day he sees a newspaper photo of his wife, the soprano Lilli Rochelle (Margaret Irving), and suddenly Gravelle remember that she and her lover, Enrico Barelli (Gregory Gaye), tried to murder him by locking him in his dressing room when they set the place on fire. When Lilli learns her life is in danger, she calls Charlie Chan to save her. During a performance of "Faust" the two lovers are stabbed to death on stage. Is Gravelle the murderer or does Chan have another suspect?

Seeing Karloff dressed up as Mephistopheles is a treat, but what I like best about "Charlie Chan at the Opera" is that the script, by W. Scott Darling and Charles S. Belden, actually makes good use of the opera "Faust." Oland and Luke continue to work well off of each other, but the scenes between Oland and Karloff have a nice spark. This 1937 film was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, who directed three other films in the series. But this one is the best, even taking into account the inherent racism of these films. Ironically, the following year Karloff made the first of his movies as the other great Chinese detective of cinema James Lee Wong in "Mr. Wong, Detective."

good mystery//great music
This Charlie Chan entry is 1st rate.The racial slurs might offend some people///remember it was made in the 30's//. The original operatic music was composed by Oscar Levant and it is quite good. Boris Karoff is an extra added attraction. The production is excellent and the supporting cast is in top form. This is an enjoyable 30's who done it..Sit back and enjoy this film ... Read more

Reviews (9)

An entertaining film
A nice, interesting film. Story holds your interest. Shirley Temple fans will enjoy her personality in this film.

Shirley's First Lead Role for Fox
I love this film!! Since there are many reviews giving you a synopsis of the picture's plot, I'll skip that part and tell you what I enjoyed with this film. Shirley is delightful and at her highest entertainment in this film, and its amazing since this is one of her first lead roles. She's tiny and irrestible- its like you just want to climb into the movie and pinch her rosy cheeks!

She was lucky to get to work with a talented cast including James Dunn (one of her best partners) and Claire Trevor. The best part of the movie is when the officers at the end of the movie ask James Dunn's character if he's alright (he was just shot in the shoulder mind you) and he says- OH ITS JUST A SCRATCH! I always die on the floor laughing! God love the classic movies of the 30s. And of course James Dunn doesnt need any medical attention and it all ends pleasantly! And there is another part where Shirley Temple is help letting lose the bad guy (well she of course doesnt know hes bad until later) and she uses a knife to cut him lose- Just look at Shirley's face when she picks up the knife. She looks like a pyscho killer! It is excellent! Its little Shirley gone bad!

Dont get me wrong- I'm a die hart Shirley fan- I own practically all of her movies (all of the them under her fox contract from 1934-1940) and have read Child Star her autobiography which is like 700 pages. I just find these little things greatly humorous! I recommend Baby Take a Bow to any Temple fan- its one of her bests!

Awwwwww .......Shirley Take a Bow
This has to be one of her best in the opinion of me! It is one of her most modern movies.She lives in a n apartmentr with her mom and dad and she even gets to play herself. Her daddy is a criminal going straight and when a clients neclace is stolen it messes everything up. Well they throw shirley's b-day party and she is amazing in the little ballerina dress and singing. Then the thief gives shirley the neclace to worsen things up,she thinks its a birthday gift (it is but) and makes a hide and go seek game out of it and puts it in her daddys pocket!yIKES then a very annoying guy comes to look he begins to look in their fathers coatjacket and just before he goes into the pcoket and say it would never be in there he then meets shirley and the father discovers it yikes!they then hide it in a duster/vacum/thing and the cleaner lady comes to get it ! they are safe it goes on until the criminal comes into the house and while the father tied him up shirley unties him because he gave her the gift! HE THEN TAKES HER and is in his hands for a whole 5 minutes ...its a little spooky for a 4/5 year old but all will turn out well as always

a good shirly temple movie
This is defianently the best shirly temple movie. It's a very good movie for kids.

Cute Shirley Temple film, but not for kids!
This is a cute movie and Shirley Temple is just adorable in it, but there is a scene at the end of the movie in which little Shirley is--literally--in the clutches of the bad guy. She is bodily carried to the rooftop of her apartment building, screaming, "Mommy! Daddy! Help me!!" for about six or seven minutes while the police are in pursuit with guns drawn and bullets being fired. I didn't find this appropriate for my young daughter, who currently is enamored with little Shirley Temple. At 2 1/2 years old, my child is too young to understand that "Baby Take a Bow" is just a movie and that the little girl was not in mortal danger during the making of the film. I will let her watch other movies by Shirley Temple rather than this one.

I don't know how many films Temple had made by the time "Baby Take a Bow" was filmed, but it certainly shows that she had tremendous talent at a very young age. She was truly a child star and entirely deserving of that title. What a wonderful little actress! ... Read more

Reviews (36)

"Next, They'll Probably Give Me A Velocipede..."
In a number of films, W. C. Fields played a variation on the theme of the hen-pecked husband, but it all came together to perfection in "It's A Gift," an hilarious comedy directed by Norman Z. McLeod. Harold Bissonette (Fields) owns a small grocery store, has an overbearing wife, Amelia (Kathleen Howard), a daughter, Mildred (Jean Rouverol), who is in love, a son, Norman (Tommy Bupp), with a penchant for leaving roller skates in the wrong places, and aspirations to a better life that includes wealth, leisure, respect and gin (not necessarily in that order). He has his eye on an orange grove in sunny, Southern California, complete with a house, that he's seen a picture of in a magazine. When "Uncle Bean" passes away, Harold parlays a modest inheritance into the purchase price, and the pursuit of the dream becomes a reality, much to the chagrin of Amelia, who thinks he's a fool. And lets him know about it in no uncertain terms. A cross country foray to the promised land with the entire family follows, and when they finally arrive in California, they find the house in disrepair and nary an orange to be seen; at least not in their grove. Harold refuses to give up, of course, and with a little luck, and some shrewd bargaining with a land developer in need of a parking lot, by the end he's living his dream. The humor in this film is vibrant and punctuated throughout by the inimitable Fields, with his trademark delivery, body language and, of course, the "proboscis," that have made him an icon of Americana. There's one uproarious scene after another, especially one in which Harold tries to take a nap on the porch while contending with noisy neighbors upstairs and down, an ice pick wielding child, and an insurance salesman (T. Roy Barnes) looking for a man named LaFong: "LaFong, Carl LaFong. Capital 'L' small 'a,' capital 'F' small 'o' small 'n' small 'g.' LaFong!" he says. "I don't know LaFong," Harold replies, "And if I did, I wouldn't tell you!" Another memorable scene takes place in the store, and involves the blind Mr. Muckle (Charles Sellon), who has an encounter with a display of light bulbs, and a young lad who discovers the tap on a vat of molasses; all of which produces the anticipated results. With a supporting cast that includes Julian Madison (John, Mildred's fiance), Baby LeRoy (Baby Dunk), Tammany Young (Everett Ricks), Josephine Whittell (Mrs. Dunk) and Diana Lewis (Miss Dunk), "It's A Gift" is a laugh-out-loud movie that can be watched over and over again; this is Fields at his best, in a timeless classic comedy that gets funnier every time you see it. For Field's fans, or for anyone who just wants to laugh and have a good time, this film is a definite "must see."

FIELD'S FUNNIEST FILM.
In New Jersey, inept storekeeper Harold Bissonette is constantly nagged and badgered by his domineering wife, Amelia, his obnoxious son Norman and his lovestruck daughter Mildred. When his Uncle Bean dies, Harold uses his $5,OOO inheritance to buy an orange ranch in California through Mildred's boyfriend, John Durston, but does not tell Amelia...The unique enjoyment which is derived by those who cherish this film comes from watching Fields in a variety of classic situations: his reactions and fine timing. As Amelia, Harold's shrike of a wife, Kathleen Howard is hilariously right on the money. Trivial footnotes: Charles Bogle, who is credited as story writer, was a pseudonym of W.C. himself. The famous porch scene was filmed at Jesse Lasky's ranch and the final shot was filmed at Field's home in Encino, California. Jean Rouveral, who plays Mildred, won the part via a "Search for Beauty" contest offered by Paramount. The campfire singers were played by Chill Wills and the Avalon Boys.

It Really Is A Gift
I have recently become a big W.C. Fields fan. I enjoy the classic comedies of the 20s - 40s and watching such people as Laurel & Hardy, the Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, & Charlie Chaplin, but Fields was never a favorite. I think the reason for this was because I was too young to truly understand the character. I was only 5 years old or so. But, after receiving a DVD showing 6 short films it restored a new interest in Fields' work. I have seen films such as "You Can't Cheat An Honest Man", "My Little Chickadee", and "The Bank Dick", but I hadn't seen "It's A Gift" until recently. I think it is an absolute comedy masterpiece that was a perfect vehicle to showcase the Fields persona.

Fields plays Harold Bissonette owner of a grocery store and has been married to Amelia, his annoying wife, for twenty years. They have two children, or brats as Fields might call them, who make life difficult for him. Fields has a grand idea, he wants to go into the orange business and buy an orange ranch. He plans on getting enough money to do so after his beloved (?) uncle dies. And that is the set-up. You wont get another bit of information out of me concerning the plot, namely because there's nothing more to tell. The film now consist of gags built in the story. Only I don't recall ever laughing so much.

The movie is directed by Norman Z. McLeod. Most fans of early comedies may know that name. He directed several Bob Hope films ("My Favorite Spy", "Casanova's Big Night", & "Paleface") along with two Marx Brother comedies ("Horse Feathers" & "Monkey Business") so I think some credit should be thrown his way as well. He understood comedy and brought out the best in his actors.

Fans of "The Great Man" are really going to appreciate this film. It reminds me of a Harold Lloyd film "Hot Water". But now after seeing this, I must admit, Fields seems to have much more fun with the character. Not to say that Lloyd was trying to play that type of character. This is honestly one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Get ready to laugh.

Bottom-line: One of Fields' best films. A comedy masterpiece showing the Fields persona in great stride. For my money and time one of the funniest films ever!

Tony Soprano's favorite comedy!
Surely one of the greatest comedies ever made. I first saw "It's a Gift" as a 7 year-old, on my family's ancient black & white Zenith console around 1968 or so. His films were making a huge comeback on college campuses across the country at the time. He was being celebrated by a new generation for his so-called anti-establishment "message". I only knew that it was one of the funniest movies I'd ever seen, and it inspired a lifelong interest in all things Fieldsian. I've screened it perhaps a dozen times since, and I can report that after all these years it still holds up beautifully, as damn few relics of one's childhood ever do. An excellent introduction to Fields for the uninitiated, too: I've shown it to various family and friends over the years and it never fails to delight and entertain. Like fine wine, Fields only gets better with age...

"Go West , Old Man"
"It's a Gift" may very well be W.C.Fields' most brilliant film. Certainly, it is his most consistently hilarious one, but at the same time his darkest. The paradox loving critic who once maintained that comedy was a sadder art than tragedy as it left people unchanged in their follies and vices could well have had a film like this in mind as an illustration of that doctrine. One inch below its hilarious surface, there is pretty consistent domestic misery. Stuffed full of marvelously funny sequences,"It's a Gift" details the automobile move from East Coast to West sometime during the 30's by a sorely beset grocery store owner, his nagging wife ("I've never had a servant, probably never shall!"), his selfish affianced daughter, and his pip of a bratty son. Unlike happier Fields comedies in which he has at least one good human relationship, usually that with his daughter, here to the entire family he is merely odd man out. Added to this alienation, there's the fact that the entire human and physical universe is against him, both on his trip across the States as well as before it. Thus he is thwarted in due course by an ill-placed roller skate, a selfish blind man, Baby LeRoy, an enabling mother, a molasses spill, clinking milk bottles, a bouncing coconut, a persistent insurance salesman, a noisy street peddler, grapes dropped into his open mouth during sleep, an unfoldable folding chair, a gated mansion, a statue in its park that "runs right in front of his car," and finally an orange grove that's without oranges, much less a single tree. Though the Fields character pulls off something of an economic triumph in the final sequences, it is the continuing alienation of his character that is reinforced in the final frame. As his ever selfish family sets off to some new snobbish event in fancy clothes and in an even fancier car, Fields by choice remains alone, essentially as he was before the trip to California, though he does have a new companion of sorts now, a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice which he can generously spike with his always present flask of hard liquor. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

An entertaining film
A nice, interesting film. Story holds your interest. Shirley Temple fans will enjoy her personality in this film.

Shirley's First Lead Role for Fox
I love this film!! Since there are many reviews giving you a synopsis of the picture's plot, I'll skip that part and tell you what I enjoyed with this film. Shirley is delightful and at her highest entertainment in this film, and its amazing since this is one of her first lead roles. She's tiny and irrestible- its like you just want to climb into the movie and pinch her rosy cheeks!

She was lucky to get to work with a talented cast including James Dunn (one of her best partners) and Claire Trevor. The best part of the movie is when the officers at the end of the movie ask James Dunn's character if he's alright (he was just shot in the shoulder mind you) and he says- OH ITS JUST A SCRATCH! I always die on the floor laughing! God love the classic movies of the 30s. And of course James Dunn doesnt need any medical attention and it all ends pleasantly! And there is another part where Shirley Temple is help letting lose the bad guy (well she of course doesnt know hes bad until later) and she uses a knife to cut him lose- Just look at Shirley's face when she picks up the knife. She looks like a pyscho killer! It is excellent! Its little Shirley gone bad!

Dont get me wrong- I'm a die hart Shirley fan- I own practically all of her movies (all of the them under her fox contract from 1934-1940) and have read Child Star her autobiography which is like 700 pages. I just find these little things greatly humorous! I recommend Baby Take a Bow to any Temple fan- its one of her bests!

Awwwwww .......Shirley Take a Bow
This has to be one of her best in the opinion of me! It is one of her most modern movies.She lives in a n apartmentr with her mom and dad and she even gets to play herself. Her daddy is a criminal going straight and when a clients neclace is stolen it messes everything up. Well they throw shirley's b-day party and she is amazing in the little ballerina dress and singing. Then the thief gives shirley the neclace to worsen things up,she thinks its a birthday gift (it is but) and makes a hide and go seek game out of it and puts it in her daddys pocket!yIKES then a very annoying guy comes to look he begins to look in their fathers coatjacket and just before he goes into the pcoket and say it would never be in there he then meets shirley and the father discovers it yikes!they then hide it in a duster/vacum/thing and the cleaner lady comes to get it ! they are safe it goes on until the criminal comes into the house and while the father tied him up shirley unties him because he gave her the gift! HE THEN TAKES HER and is in his hands for a whole 5 minutes ...its a little spooky for a 4/5 year old but all will turn out well as always

a good shirly temple movie
This is defianently the best shirly temple movie. It's a very good movie for kids.

Cute Shirley Temple film, but not for kids!
This is a cute movie and Shirley Temple is just adorable in it, but there is a scene at the end of the movie in which little Shirley is--literally--in the clutches of the bad guy. She is bodily carried to the rooftop of her apartment building, screaming, "Mommy! Daddy! Help me!!" for about six or seven minutes while the police are in pursuit with guns drawn and bullets being fired. I didn't find this appropriate for my young daughter, who currently is enamored with little Shirley Temple. At 2 1/2 years old, my child is too young to understand that "Baby Take a Bow" is just a movie and that the little girl was not in mortal danger during the making of the film. I will let her watch other movies by Shirley Temple rather than this one.

I don't know how many films Temple had made by the time "Baby Take a Bow" was filmed, but it certainly shows that she had tremendous talent at a very young age. She was truly a child star and entirely deserving of that title. What a wonderful little actress! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

CORNY BUT FUN
Joan is a riverboat queen who runs her casino with the aid of political boss Wayne. I saw this movie years ago in California and thought it was corny but cute. Certain scenes are rather ludicrous such as the raven in the window foretelling evil ahead and the malevolent presence of Blanche Yurka as Julia Alderson lingers in the memory for her campy playing. Yurka tries to poison Blondell when she tries marrying into the Alderson clan, but alas the potion is drank by a family member and guess who is charged? There are several musical numbers such as Blondell singing "Up in a Balloon" . A harmless way to while away an hour.

AN OKAY FILM
If you don't expect anything amazing, you'll enjoy this film. It's well-intentioned and could have been more, but it just doesn't have that magical chemistry that makes for a great movie. The plot is a bit hokey and predictable, but it wasn't trying to be anything more than that in the first place. Not a must-see, but a nice southern romance full of intrigue type of movie to sit back and relax with. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An unusual politcal drama from the Great Depression
A somewhat bizarre Depression-era political drama, which transforms the Capra-style populist comedy into a grim, protofascist litany. And I don't use the term "fascist" lightly -- it's meant quite literally. Walter Huston stars as Judson Hammond, a newly elected Republican President, appropriately cynical and snugly placed in the pockets of big business, who faces the same challenges as Roosevelt did in '32, namely, the continuing misery of the Great Depression and the disaffection and anger of millions of working class poor. Hammond has no intention of meeting any of his lofty campaign promises, and sees the Presidency itself as a bit of a lark. An ardent isolationist, he even jeers at the congratulatory telegrams sent to him by other world leaders ("Siam? Where's that?" he asks, in an early scene, prompting an easy comparison to our own geographically-challenged G.W. Bush, back in the days of the 2000 campaign...)

Everything changes, however, when Hammond has an automobile-related brush with death, and comes back from the brink with a newfound commitment to saving his fellow man. Initially his impulses are markedly Rooseveltian -- he asks Congress to authorize a gigantic public works program to get the working poor back on their feet, and fires any of his old cronies who object. Faced with a backlash from his own party, and legislative opposition in Congress, he counters the accusation that he seeks to become a tyrant by embracing the idea, claiming that a benevolent dictatorship is more moral than neglecting the interests of "the People." Later, as he confronts an ongoing wave of gangster-related violence, Hammond takes a can-do attitude, and annihilates a Mob boss who won't buckle under... The scene in which the criminal kingpin is sentenced to die is spectacularly fascistic: Hammond's aide-de-camp (played by an under-used Franchot Tone), dressed in a gleaming military outfit, sits behind a huge Greco-Roman, art deco tribunal bench, and ardently praises Hammond's ability to "cut through the red tape of legal procedures and get back to the first principles -- an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life." Finally, Hammond uses a gigantic display of American military power to blackmail and intimidate the other nations into disarming, summoning an apocalyptic (and sadly, somewhat prophetic) vision of the horrors that await the world if the arms race should continue.

The film is quite remarkable in its outright emulation of fascistic, authoritarian politics, and is unlike practically any other American political film of the era (which were much more prone to upholding the nation's fundamental democratic ideals). Still, it does capture the zeitgeist of the times -- the anxiety and desperation, the urge to find stability and salvation, and the fear of a renewed global war -- it just comes down on a side which didn't get much credence on this side of the Atlantic. Admittedly, this film is a dramatic failure -- for one thing, Huston was a horrid actor; and secondly the script is a bit brusque, talky and shrill -- but historically speaking, it's a fascinating document and deserves consideration in that regard. Those who see it as a parable for the New Deal are sadly mistaken, however -- I think the film's creators may have been far more enamored of Mussolini than they were of good old FDR, who actually did pull us back from the brink.

In the 1930's MGM was a movie assembly line, just
cranking out one movie after another. This one, at first, kind of flew under the radar. It was released at a sensitive time, that is, the start of FDR's administration & the "New Deal".
A dispicable man is elected president, a puppet to his powerfull rich friends & the politicians of his party thet helped him get elected(Republican?). How this happens isn't made clear. MGM hated wasting time on exposition in it's movies. This president is totally corrupt cares nothing for the people except to exploit their misery & enrich his cronies.
He suffers a life threatening injury & is visited by the arch-angel, Gabriel. This is a life changing experience & he becomes a changed man, taking on dictatorial powers. He feeds the starving masses, solves unemployment, wipes out organized crime & with the help of the military, forces peace on the rest of the world.
There is a scene on the waterfront. He has gangland criminals lined up to be shot, without due process. The Statue of Liberty is framed in the background. Quite effective.

The Spirit that watches over the Republic
Based on the popular novel of the early Great Depression this is a rather unique tale of a cheap, corrupt political crook who becomes President of the United States- only to become possessed by the spirit of the archangel Gabriel. It is hinted at, that this is the same spirit that moved Abraham Lincoln.

The country in this tale is in deep crisis. Economic collapse has left millions unemployed- millions on the point of starvation. The political bosses cynically ignore the crisis. The military make plans to cut down the million unemployed men who start a great march on Washington. Crime bosses play on the corruption and misery to become still richer.

And then a spirit enters a President that has otherwise been the most inadequate of men, the most unworthy of stewards. In short order, the poor are fed, the unemployed are put back to work, the bosses are forced to resign, the military is forced to help, the crime bosses are lined up and shot, even the war-mongering nations of the world are forced into signing a Pax Americana at the threat of overwhelming American strength of arms.

Yes, this film does uncannily presage many actions of the Roosevelt administration from the Civilian Conservation Corps to the fireside chats. The death of the president at the moment of his greatest triumph over the Europeans is also here. Maybe, this was deliberate propaganda- or maybe not. In any case, I like it. May the spirit of Gabriel return to the White House soon....

extraordinary fascist wish fulfillment
This is an amazing film, which should be viewed by every history student. Made shortly after the Crash, this film glorifies a despotic (and angel anointed) presidency that uses military might to further seemingly reasonable goals. And sure enough, the wish was granted in the election of an imperial president who ruled for 4 terms, tempered only by the checks and balances of the constitution. An remarkable example of the ability of cinema to tap into the dark dreams of a nation in crisis.

PLEASINGLY DATED "NEW DEAL" FANTASY.
A crook becomes President and mysteriously reforms...Definitely a curiousity from the thirties: this is a bizarre but wholly fascinting film. Because of the honest performance of the great Walter Huston, this was a big springtime hit in 1933. Much of the story first indicts the Republican administrations which had occupied the White House, notably that of Warren G. Harding's. Later on, it takes on the newly appointed personality of the Roosevelt adiministration: this wasn't a fluke: William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper czar, urged producer Wanger to put this on film. When Wanger - worried about what his boss, M-G-M mogul Mayer would say - Production chief Irving Thalberg replied "Don't worry about him". At the time, Louis B. Mayer despised Roosevelt (although he later supported him) and wanted the film to be canned. But Mayer really didn't have the power to shelve the film. Almost eerily, Huston is seen addressing the US via radio broadcasts: a preview of FDR's famed Fireside Chats! Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is Roy Rodgers first starring role
This is the first Movie that Leonard Sly starred in as Roy Rogers and rode Trigger. It is a must have for a RR fan and collector. It Premeried in my Hometown Dallas, Texas, 1939. They say Gene Autry did not show up for this, or possibly another, movie at Republic Pictures so Roy was promoted from a member of the Sons of The Pioneers and a bit actor to Star, to give Gene some competition. It didn't bother Gene much, he still made more pictures and recorded more songs that Roy. Obviously I am a fan of them both. Some say Gene was going into the army at this time and flying supply planes. Roy appeare in many of Gene's films previous to this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

An entertaining film
A nice, interesting film. Story holds your interest. Shirley Temple fans will enjoy her personality in this film.

Shirley's First Lead Role for Fox
I love this film!! Since there are many reviews giving you a synopsis of the picture's plot, I'll skip that part and tell you what I enjoyed with this film. Shirley is delightful and at her highest entertainment in this film, and its amazing since this is one of her first lead roles. She's tiny and irrestible- its like you just want to climb into the movie and pinch her rosy cheeks!

She was lucky to get to work with a talented cast including James Dunn (one of her best partners) and Claire Trevor. The best part of the movie is when the officers at the end of the movie ask James Dunn's character if he's alright (he was just shot in the shoulder mind you) and he says- OH ITS JUST A SCRATCH! I always die on the floor laughing! God love the classic movies of the 30s. And of course James Dunn doesnt need any medical attention and it all ends pleasantly! And there is another part where Shirley Temple is help letting lose the bad guy (well she of course doesnt know hes bad until later) and she uses a knife to cut him lose- Just look at Shirley's face when she picks up the knife. She looks like a pyscho killer! It is excellent! Its little Shirley gone bad!

Dont get me wrong- I'm a die hart Shirley fan- I own practically all of her movies (all of the them under her fox contract from 1934-1940) and have read Child Star her autobiography which is like 700 pages. I just find these little things greatly humorous! I recommend Baby Take a Bow to any Temple fan- its one of her bests!

Awwwwww .......Shirley Take a Bow
This has to be one of her best in the opinion of me! It is one of her most modern movies.She lives in a n apartmentr with her mom and dad and she even gets to play herself. Her daddy is a criminal going straight and when a clients neclace is stolen it messes everything up. Well they throw shirley's b-day party and she is amazing in the little ballerina dress and singing. Then the thief gives shirley the neclace to worsen things up,she thinks its a birthday gift (it is but) and makes a hide and go seek game out of it and puts it in her daddys pocket!yIKES then a very annoying guy comes to look he begins to look in their fathers coatjacket and just before he goes into the pcoket and say it would never be in there he then meets shirley and the father discovers it yikes!they then hide it in a duster/vacum/thing and the cleaner lady comes to get it ! they are safe it goes on until the criminal comes into the house and while the father tied him up shirley unties him because he gave her the gift! HE THEN TAKES HER and is in his hands for a whole 5 minutes ...its a little spooky for a 4/5 year old but all will turn out well as always

a good shirly temple movie
This is defianently the best shirly temple movie. It's a very good movie for kids.

Cute Shirley Temple film, but not for kids!
This is a cute movie and Shirley Temple is just adorable in it, but there is a scene at the end of the movie in which little Shirley is--literally--in the clutches of the bad guy. She is bodily carried to the rooftop of her apartment building, screaming, "Mommy! Daddy! Help me!!" for about six or seven minutes while the police are in pursuit with guns drawn and bullets being fired. I didn't find this appropriate for my young daughter, who currently is enamored with little Shirley Temple. At 2 1/2 years old, my child is too young to understand that "Baby Take a Bow" is just a movie and that the little girl was not in mortal danger during the making of the film. I will let her watch other movies by Shirley Temple rather than this one.

I don't know how many films Temple had made by the time "Baby Take a Bow" was filmed, but it certainly shows that she had tremendous talent at a very young age. She was truly a child star and entirely deserving of that title. What a wonderful little actress! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another "Wong" Winner!
This is a terrific DVD for the atmosphere, the clever Mr. Wong, This is a B picture, to be sure, shot on a budget, but its great fun as Mr. Wong solves his case. The transfer is very good considering there is no restoration. The sound is very good as well. I love this series and Boris is the man to play the character.

Mr. Wong solves the murder of a shipping magnate
Boris Karloff does his fifth film as Mr. Wong, the Chinese detective in this 1940 film directed by William Nigh. Shipping magnate Cyrus Wentworth (Melvin Lang) is mysteriously murdered after one of his ships is sunk with over $1 million in bonds. Captain Street (Grant Withers) arrests Dick Fleming (William Sterling), the son of the dead man's rival since he was the last person to see Wentworth alive. But reporter Bobby Logan (Marjorie Reynolds) believes Dick is innocent and brings Mr. Wong into the case. This is one of the lesser films in the series. The mystery is rather obvious and the only real fun in the film is Mr. Wong having to deal with Bobby, who keeps trying in vain to outwit the ace detective. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Good sequel
Good sequel to "The Mummy's Hand" chronicles Kharis (Lon Chaney) who seeks to destroy every last member of the expedition from the previous film. All of the usual ingredients to making the perfect Universal horror film (Good acting, makeup, creepy atmosphere). The only problem is that there is far too much stock footage from "The Mummy's Hand", and in the final scenes with the angry mob, there even traces of "Frankenstein", and "Bride of Frankenstein." 4 1/2 stars.

Eerie entry in Universal's Mummy series
"The Mummy's Tomb", despite having an at times unimaginative narrative is my personal favourite of the 1940's cycle of Mummy films that basically found an audience with wartime moviegoers anxious to avoid the distressing news closing in on them in the real world outside.

The direction certainly is sluggish but what attracts me to this production is it's great atmosphere and the sense of eerieness that it manages to project despite its small budget. I agree totally with past reviewers that there is far too much use of stock footage from "The Mummy's Hand" and from the classic "Frankenstein", however once its own story gets under way it becomes a reasonably chilling tale with some great characters and sets utilised.

The main characters of the film are a fairly bland lot and as in most of these types of productions its the "baddies' who are the ones that steal the show. Dick Foran and Wallace Ford, the two holdovers from the earlier film are quickly dispatched by a rampaging Kharis (Lon Chaney Jnr) so centre stage is taken by John Hubbard in the role of Steve's son John Banning and Elyse Knox as his love interest. Both are not terribly exciting performers and the film is stolen from them in my belief by Turhan Bey in the role of the new sinister High Priest Mehemet Bey who is instructed by the dying George Zucco to take on the task of ensuring the proper revenge is handed out to the despoilers and their loved ones, of the Princess Anuka's tomb. Turhan Bey really makes this film with his sinister portrayal and his deep voice which suits the atmosphere to perfection. The best parts of the film are his scenes with Kharis and in the climax of the story when he tries to claim Isobel (Elyse Knox) as his own bride.

The film, despite its small budget, is I believe a very handsome looking production. Universal had a unique way of making alot of their second unit productions have an expensive look about them and "The Mummy's Tomb" is no exception. The eerie scenes in the graveyard, the temple sets and the night scenes with Kharis hunting down his next prey are extremely well done and the windy dark settings for alot of the story really set the scene for an enjoyable mystery. Universal's choice of background music is also well above par for this general type of film and really adds it the sense of drama. The idea of relocating the action to Mapleton in the USA is a great idea and the story has a logical flow to it as Turhan Bey brings Kharis over in a steam ship to carry out his revenge on the surviving members of the Banning exhibition. Bey's dialogue in instructing Kharis of his plans are very well done with alot of Egyptian lore used to make th eproceedings that bit more authentic.

Lon Chaney Jnr, son of the famed Lon Chaney of the silent era plays here for the first time Kharis, the man condemmned to eternal suffering for loving above his station. He would return in the role for the last two installments in Universal's Mummy sagas, "The Mummy's Ghost" and "The Mummy's Curse" both released in 1944. He is effective in a role which of course doesn't give him much acting scope however he does deliver the right elements of terror and even tragedy to make Kharis a more dimensional type of character if that is possible for an Egyptian Mummy that has been dead for 3 thousand years!

"The Mummy's Tomb" provides some good old fashioned thrills and as long as you aren't into excessive gore and violence you will find the film a good way to spend 70 minutes. I always enjoy it and find Turhan Bey in particular a real plus in making "The Mummy's Tomb" in (my opinion) the best of the Mummy cycle. Enjoy it late at night on a windy dark evening!

Not as good as the others
"The Mummy's Tomb" is most definitely the worst of all the mummy films. All the mummy does is "desecrate all those who defiled the tomb of Ananka". The way the killings are represented is just horrible because they come with no exciting turning points. The other thing about this movie is the fact that it is a review of what has happened in all this past time.

And as the killings slowly come to an end, the priest commanding Kharis is simply murdered by a gunshot, not because he betrays Kharis. I don't know why it is so, but it always seems better when the priests are killed by betraying Kharis. Plus, the mummy makes a stupid looking and boring escape, and isn't closely dealt with by the "star" of the show, which was meant to be the actor playing John Banning.

GO LON CHANEY
This movie is great. This movie is a sequal to THE MUMMYS HAND so if you havent seen that movie ,you should see it before you see this. The acting in this movie is great. Most of the people who were in THE MUMMYS HAND are in this. Like DICK FORAN AND WALLACE FORD. Its just they die throuout the movie.And if you like this movie why not watch THE MUMMYS GHOST and THE MUMMYS CURSE. Both follow ups to this movie.

Not as bad if one values the cinematics over the literal
The best thing this film has going for it, is the cinematic flourishes of once master DP George Robinson. Each frame after the other is beautifully composed and lit to perfection. In a film like this--rountine plot, tepid, dull, flat direction, and some rather dry, dim-witted acting. Why care? So just sit right back and saver the visual poetry and the technique that went into it all. The real Star is Robinson, forget about Harold Young. He was just some untalented hack director who got the job becasue Universal couldn't afford to hire any of the big-guns...u know like James Whale, Edgar G. Ulmer, Robert Siodmak..ect ect. Altold, on a pictorial stand-point, The Mummy's Tomb ranks as one on Universal's best looking chillers of the 1940's. Yet when it all boils down to the facts, what a visually dazzaling film becomes, is an embaresment to what was one of Universal's biggest grossing films of 1942. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Perhaps the Definitive Version of This Lugosi Classic
Among horror fans, Lugosi fans, and fans of psychotronic films in general, "The Devil Bat" holds a special place. Made by poverty row studio PRC in 1940, the film is a wonderfully ridiculous chiller about a mad scientist (Lugosi, of course)who takes revenge on his double-crossers (no, not the producers of this movie) by enlarging a normal bat to gigantic proportions through electrical treatments and using a new shaving lotion he perfected as the bait to attract the bat to its victim. ...)...

The film has kicked around the public domain for the last decade or so, with the result that VHS prints of it were either excellent or hardly watchable. DVD versions in general have been clear, but this version beats the others and comes close to being a definitive version of the picture, if one is possible.

Released by the Lugosi estate, "The Devil Bat" is the first in a proposed series of definitve versions of Lugosi films. (The unjustly overlooked "Bowery at Midnight" is the second movie in this series.)Extras on this DVD include stills from the movie, a poster card (very well done), and a commentary track featuring Bela Junior and film historian Ted Newsom. The commentary track is a laugh in itself as the two quickly run out of things to say about the movie (in fact, one wonders if Bela Jr. even saw it before this)and switch topics to Bela Junior's memories of life with father. As he provides some unusual insight into the life of his father, the commentary track is a must for all Lugosi fans, and, combined with the price, makes for one of the biggest bargains for film fans.

so bat it is goot
This would have simply been a terrible movie with laughable special effects if Bela Lugosi were not the star. As it is, he lends the film his uncanny talent of elevating even the worst flicks into pure entertainment.

It is funny. Some of the stock characters banter and talk real cool. A gigantic furry bat on a string shrieks like a teradactyl. Bela tells each of his victims "goodbye" before he sends them to their deaths at the maw of the devil bat.

Still Lugosi is worth watching as he plays yet another mad scientist bent on revenge. This time a brilliant perfume maker who is also capable of raising and training gigantic bats. There is a high body count for a film of this era, and unlike too many Lugosi films, Bela gets plenty of camera time.

The print looks good to my untrained eye--far better than my video copy. The extras aren't bad-- it's great to have any extras--most Lugosi films don't. The radio show is an interesting curio. I hope this DVD sells well so there will be more films in this series to recieve this deluxe treatment--such as The Corpse Vanishes...

Bela Goes Batty!
Dr. Paul Carruthers (Bela Lugosi) is a scientist who invents new fragrances for a successful aftershave maker. His failure to invest in the company has left him without the millions he feels he deserves. Carruthers is a bitter man who has sworn revenge. How? Does he plan to sue for his fair share of the profits? Nah, the sinister doc creates a small army of giant, mutant, killer bats to exact his vengeance! These fuzzy monsters are attracted by a new aftershave lotion he's formulated in his secret laboratory. He gets his intended targets to splash some on their faces. One by one, the victims are attacked, their throats ripped out by soaring, shrieking, stuffed devil bats! Bela is priceless as always. This movie belongs in every horror collection...

THE povery-row Lugosi film
Here's a nice treat: Bela Lugosi Jr. has acquired to rights to some of his famous father's lesser films, and the first offering is the lovable, laughable PRC programmer THE DEVIL BAT.

Bela is Dr. Carruthers, plotting the death of his enemies by training giant mutated bats to attack those who wear the doc's new experimental shaving lotion. Bela has some great, darkly-comic dialogue. When one intended victim comments on how smooth the new lotion is, Carruthers offers, "I don't think you'll ever wear anything else."

THE DEVIL BAT has, of course, been previously available on DVD and VHS, in various conditions. The best previous DVD release is certainly the one offered by Roan. This new "official" version compares favorably to the Roan disc, though acute listeners might find the sound is a touch clearer on this new disc. Bela Lugosi Jr. partners with genre critic Ted Newsom for an interesting commentary track, which unfortunately shows how little Bela Jr. actually knows about the film.

There are 2 other Lugosi theatrical trailers (but not one for Devil Bat?), some archival photos and a pretty neat audio-only feature: A radio play from the 1940's starring Bela.

If you're a fan of these type of "poverty row" horrors, DEVIL BAT will certainly make your day. If you're a fan of his more popular Universal features, this is a good introduction to a very different career path that poor ol' Bela got stuck on around 1940.

Just a few drops on the neck, where the skin is tender
OK. The plot of Devil Bat doesn't sound that impressive, but Bela Lugosi's performance earns the movie five stars from this reviewer. Lugosi plays Dr. Carruthers, a doctor and scientist beloved by everyone in the village of Heathville; he is the last person anyone suspects when a series of strange murders take place. The first three victims are all sons of the rich and powerful Heath and Morgan families. These two families made their fortunes, it turns out, on one of Dr. Carruthers' formulas, and all the doctor got out of the deal was a measly ten thousand dollars compared to their millions. Ah, yes, we have a motive. Of course, these are no ordinary murders; they seem to have been made by some type of unknown wild animal. It couldn't be a bat, of course, because the killer was definitely a pretty large specimen. Carruthers' plan is hokey but brilliant. He still works for the cosmetics firm, and he has just come up with an experimental new aftershave formula. Naturally, he wants the Heaths and Morgans to try the product out themselves before marketing it-just a few drops spread across the neck, where the skin is always tender. He doesn't bother to tell his victims that bats really, really hate the smell of the formula's secret ingredient, nor does he mention the fact that he has figured out a way to use electrical stimulation to turn a normal bat into a Devil Bat. Everything is going according to plan until a nosy reporter shows up and starts snooping around.

Lugosi is great in this movie. By 1940, he had the whole mad scientist act down to a science, and his secret scowls are enhanced by just the right touch of madness in his eyes. Best of all is the way he tells his victims "Goodbye" in a sinister voice once he has them in the soon-to-be clutches of his Devil Bat. One thing that bothers me about great old horror movies like this is the fact the moviemakers always felt compelled to provide some comic relief in the form of a goofy character-this time around, we have the newspaper photographer "One Shot" McGuire who is more interested in shooting pictures of the Heath's French maid than any silly old bat. The Devil Bat itself isn't very impressive; without the grainy, far from perfect black and white print, I am sure it would look quite ridiculous. It never even moves when Carruthers is handling it, it looks more like a hawk or eagle to me when it is flying, and its swoop attacks on unsuspecting victims make me think of the scene in Naked Gun where Frank Drebbin struggles against a towel thrown in his face. None of that matters, though, because Lugosi is just so much fun to watch. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Perhaps the Definitive Version of This Lugosi Classic
Among horror fans, Lugosi fans, and fans of psychotronic films in general, "The Devil Bat" holds a special place. Made by poverty row studio PRC in 1940, the film is a wonderfully ridiculous chiller about a mad scientist (Lugosi, of course)who takes revenge on his double-crossers (no, not the producers of this movie) by enlarging a normal bat to gigantic proportions through electrical treatments and using a new shaving lotion he perfected as the bait to attract the bat to its victim. ...)...

The film has kicked around the public domain for the last decade or so, with the result that VHS prints of it were either excellent or hardly watchable. DVD versions in general have been clear, but this version beats the others and comes close to being a definitive version of the picture, if one is possible.

Released by the Lugosi estate, "The Devil Bat" is the first in a proposed series of definitve versions of Lugosi films. (The unjustly overlooked "Bowery at Midnight" is the second movie in this series.)Extras on this DVD include stills from the movie, a poster card (very well done), and a commentary track featuring Bela Junior and film historian Ted Newsom. The commentary track is a laugh in itself as the two quickly run out of things to say about the movie (in fact, one wonders if Bela Jr. even saw it before this)and switch topics to Bela Junior's memories of life with father. As he provides some unusual insight into the life of his father, the commentary track is a must for all Lugosi fans, and, combined with the price, makes for one of the biggest bargains for film fans.

so bat it is goot
This would have simply been a terrible movie with laughable special effects if Bela Lugosi were not the star. As it is, he lends the film his uncanny talent of elevating even the worst flicks into pure entertainment.

It is funny. Some of the stock characters banter and talk real cool. A gigantic furry bat on a string shrieks like a teradactyl. Bela tells each of his victims "goodbye" before he sends them to their deaths at the maw of the devil bat.

Still Lugosi is worth watching as he plays yet another mad scientist bent on revenge. This time a brilliant perfume maker who is also capable of raising and training gigantic bats. There is a high body count for a film of this era, and unlike too many Lugosi films, Bela gets plenty of camera time.

The print looks good to my untrained eye--far better than my video copy. The extras aren't bad-- it's great to have any extras--most Lugosi films don't. The radio show is an interesting curio. I hope this DVD sells well so there will be more films in this series to recieve this deluxe treatment--such as The Corpse Vanishes...

Bela Goes Batty!
Dr. Paul Carruthers (Bela Lugosi) is a scientist who invents new fragrances for a successful aftershave maker. His failure to invest in the company has left him without the millions he feels he deserves. Carruthers is a bitter man who has sworn revenge. How? Does he plan to sue for his fair share of the profits? Nah, the sinister doc creates a small army of giant, mutant, killer bats to exact his vengeance! These fuzzy monsters are attracted by a new aftershave lotion he's formulated in his secret laboratory. He gets his intended targets to splash some on their faces. One by one, the victims are attacked, their throats ripped out by soaring, shrieking, stuffed devil bats! Bela is priceless as always. This movie belongs in every horror collection...

THE povery-row Lugosi film
Here's a nice treat: Bela Lugosi Jr. has acquired to rights to some of his famous father's lesser films, and the first offering is the lovable, laughable PRC programmer THE DEVIL BAT.

Bela is Dr. Carruthers, plotting the death of his enemies by training giant mutated bats to attack those who wear the doc's new experimental shaving lotion. Bela has some great, darkly-comic dialogue. When one intended victim comments on how smooth the new lotion is, Carruthers offers, "I don't think you'll ever wear anything else."

THE DEVIL BAT has, of course, been previously available on DVD and VHS, in various conditions. The best previous DVD release is certainly the one offered by Roan. This new "official" version compares favorably to the Roan disc, though acute listeners might find the sound is a touch clearer on this new disc. Bela Lugosi Jr. partners with genre critic Ted Newsom for an interesting commentary track, which unfortunately shows how little Bela Jr. actually knows about the film.

There are 2 other Lugosi theatrical trailers (but not one for Devil Bat?), some archival photos and a pretty neat audio-only feature: A radio play from the 1940's starring Bela.

If you're a fan of these type of "poverty row" horrors, DEVIL BAT will certainly make your day. If you're a fan of his more popular Universal features, this is a good introduction to a very different career path that poor ol' Bela got stuck on around 1940.

Just a few drops on the neck, where the skin is tender
OK. The plot of Devil Bat doesn't sound that impressive, but Bela Lugosi's performance earns the movie five stars from this reviewer. Lugosi plays Dr. Carruthers, a doctor and scientist beloved by everyone in the village of Heathville; he is the last person anyone suspects when a series of strange murders take place. The first three victims are all sons of the rich and powerful Heath and Morgan families. These two families made their fortunes, it turns out, on one of Dr. Carruthers' formulas, and all the doctor got out of the deal was a measly ten thousand dollars compared to their millions. Ah, yes, we have a motive. Of course, these are no ordinary murders; they seem to have been made by some type of unknown wild animal. It couldn't be a bat, of course, because the killer was definitely a pretty large specimen. Carruthers' plan is hokey but brilliant. He still works for the cosmetics firm, and he has just come up with an experimental new aftershave formula. Naturally, he wants the Heaths and Morgans to try the product out themselves before marketing it-just a few drops spread across the neck, where the skin is always tender. He doesn't bother to tell his victims that bats really, really hate the smell of the formula's secret ingredient, nor does he mention the fact that he has figured out a way to use electrical stimulation to turn a normal bat into a Devil Bat. Everything is going according to plan until a nosy reporter shows up and starts snooping around.

Lugosi is great in this movie. By 1940, he had the whole mad scientist act down to a science, and his secret scowls are enhanced by just the right touch of madness in his eyes. Best of all is the way he tells his victims "Goodbye" in a sinister voice once he has them in the soon-to-be clutches of his Devil Bat. One thing that bothers me about great old horror movies like this is the fact the moviemakers always felt compelled to provide some comic relief in the form of a goofy character-this time around, we have the newspaper photographer "One Shot" McGuire who is more interested in shooting pictures of the Heath's French maid than any silly old bat. The Devil Bat itself isn't very impressive; without the grainy, far from perfect black and white print, I am sure it would look quite ridiculous. It never even moves when Carruthers is handling it, it looks more like a hawk or eagle to me when it is flying, and its swoop attacks on unsuspecting victims make me think of the scene in Naked Gun where Frank Drebbin struggles against a towel thrown in his face. None of that matters, though, because Lugosi is just so much fun to watch. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Haunting Mr. Wong!
This is a terrific DVD for the atmosphere, the clever Mr. Wong and the great transfer. This is a B picture, to be sure, shot on a budget, but its great fun as Mr. Wong solves his case. The transfer is very good considering there is no restoration. The sound is very good as well. I love this series and Boris is the man to play the character.

loved it
I have found these Mr Wong movies very addictive! I'm glad Alpha has made these available! Mr Wong In Chinatown isn't the best mystery in the series, but it is still one of my favorites of the series. This one is a little stranger that other entries. Very unusual!

Mr. Wong searches for the murderer of Princess Lin Hwa
This film is third of Boris Karloff's turns as the Chinese detective James Lee Wong. Princess Lin Hwa (Lotus Long) visits Mr. Wong for help and is killed by a poisoned arrow. This time Mr. Wong is joined not only by Captain Street (Grant Withers) but the policeman's fiance, reporter Bobby Logan (Marjorie Reynolds). When the trio check out the apartment of the princess they find her maid murdered and the only witness a mute dwarf (Angelo Rosita) who suddenly disappears. This is a below average mystery which gives Karloff very little to do besides maintain his unruffled demeanor. The last reel picks up a bit as Mr. Wong falls into the hands of the murderer and has to be rescued by his companions. Like the other films in this series, this 1939 film was directed by William Nigh and based on the stories of Hugh Wiley. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

PATRIOTIC ENDING
THIS WAS THE LAST MOVIE THAT GENE AUTRY MADE BEFORE ENLISTING TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. IT HAS A VERY GOOD STORY LINE AND ENDS WITH A FINAL PLEA TO AMERICAN PEOPLE TO STAND BY THEIR COUNTRY WITH THE SONG "DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT'S FEEDING YOU". GENE AUTRY WAS A VERY PATRIOTIC PERSON AND HE BELIEVED IN DOING THE RIGHT THING. THAT'S WHY HE ENLISTED, WHEN HE DID NOT HAVE TO. FOR A GOOD LOOK AT THE PERSONALITY OF AMERICA'S GREATEST SINGING COWBOY, AND POSSIBLY THE GREASTEST COWBOY THAT EVER LIVED, WATCH THIS MOVIE. FROM ALL ACCOUNTS HE WAS THE SAME OFF THE STAGE AS ON. "THE BELLS OF CAPISTRANO" JUST GIVES YOU A GLIMPSE OF THAT GREAT PERSONALITY. HE WAS TRULY A GREAT PERSON. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Corpse and a Bat
In the Devil Bat, Dr. Carruthers (played by Bela Lugosi) raises oversize bats that are enlarged by a special electrical machine. When the company he works for becomes rich because of the perfumes and colognes he has developed, he seeks revenge with these large bats that he has trained to "hate" a particular shaving cologne. His revenge is against his employer and family but a reporter puts together the bats and cologne and douses it on Carruthers. One of the last scenes is a giant bat going after Carruthers.

In The Corpse Vanishes, Dr. Lorenz (played by Bela Lugosi) keeps his wife young by kidnapping young females brides and extracting glandular fluid from them and then uses the fluid for his wife. He does this by kidnapping young brides, using a special orchid that puts them in suspended animation. He keeps the brides in an underground vault until their "fluids" run out.

The Devil Bat and The Corpse Vanishes are not Bela's best work but I think most Bela Lugosi fans will enjoy these two.

The quality of the pictures on the DVD are not crisp - but there are times where some of the old movies need a little less quality to give them their flair.

Lugosi's best Poverty Row films on one disc!
First of all, you know whether or not these are "your" type of movies. They're cheap, short and have Bela Lugosi just as his star was beginning to fade. THE CORPSE VANISHES is a typical Mongram 40's programmer, but Bela's really pretty good in it. The real attraction here is THE DEVIL BAT. An unexpected dose of humor is sprinkled throughout the macabre events. Lugosi is perfect as Dr. Carruthers, fiendlishly plotting deaths with his giant mutated bats. And surely no other film in history has used shaving lotion for such a sinister purpose! Naturally, one wishes for more supplemental materials. But the picture quality (and for the most part, the sound) is up to the usual Roan standard of excellence. There are several other povery row Lugosi films available from Roan (The Invisible Ghost, Bowery at Midnight, etc.) but if you only buy ONE, this is the one to get.

Bela never looked better!
I must admit, I was sweating bullets when I brought this DVD home, I was convinced that there would be something wrong with it, either bad audio, bad video or both. I have both of these films on the digitally remastered versions of the "Bela Lugosi Collection" VHS tapes whose manufacturers name escapes me at the moment. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the picture and sound. And after seeing this DVD, I think it looks even better than the tapes, as well it should! No extras though, I was never big into the "extras" anyway, besides you can't expect many with films like these, but I still love 'em! My hat is off to the Roan Group...I know they've released quite a number of these films on DVD that the bigger studios won't touch, and I've passed them up a number of times, until now. So take my word for it, If you've held off on this DVD waiting for some sucker to "jump in" and write a crappy review, I hate to disappoint you. This is a pleasant surprise. So come on in, Bela fans, the water's fine!

Creaky old low-budget horror movie.
"Vampire Bat" is a Dracula movie without Dracula. Lionel Atwill plays the role of the resident good doctor/mad scientist who sends his mesmerized servant out for victims. The victims are drained of blood Atwill uses in his obscure experiments. Melvyn Douglas, in spite of his obvious American demeanor and manner of expression, has a German sounding name in the movie and plays the local inspector of police. Dwight Frye does well portraying a "Renfield" type madman who gets blamed initially for the mysterious vampire-like killings. Fay Wray is wasted as Atwill's lab assistant. There is a weak attempt at comedy relief via a goofy old woman who likes to pretend she's "doctor for a day" by diagnosing herself and others until she gets her just reward by means of a strong laxative. The atmosphere of the film is spooky; nice and dark and gloomy. Aside from the main characters the villagers all look and talk as authentic mid-Europeans (circa 1930). The real identity of the fiend is kept secret until later in the film. The film does a good job of creating an air of terror and suspense. All things considered, this little film is a good movie for Halloween or anytime when the winds howl in the mountains by night, the clock strikes midnight, and there is something scratching at your bedroom window. Well....we warned you! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

VCI edition just fine
As I've been trying to collect some classic serials, I've been frustrated by the lack of specific information on the various editions. So let me first say that while the print is far from pristine, for the price this VCI edition is hard to beat.

Second, let me say that I am astonished--to the point of feeling like my 10-year old self was had--how much of "Star Wars" Lucas lifted almost whole-cloth from this serial. Even the prologue as a steeply pitched crawl comes from Buck Rogers, not to mention countless scenes in the Millennium Falcon as the ship is chased by an evil-empire-like force of villains.

So here's the advice I would have been happiest to have had a few days ago when I was trying to decide whether to buy this disc: if you love science fiction on film, or are interested in the popular culture of the late 30's and early 40's, BUY THIS DISC.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
I think the whole sereise should come out on DvD do you have any ideas westher they are trying tro get permission to bring out the whole sereis please write me back at Silverdolphine@comcast.net.com

Worthwhile follow-up to the FLASH GORDON serials
Buck Rogers was the earlier space hero, first appearing in two featured novellas in Hugo Gernsbach's AMAZING STORIES, the earliest science-fiction pulp magazine. Then of course, he became a comic strip hero who was quite popular until the FLASH GORDON comic strip with superior illustrative art started competing.

Universal did well with Buck, though the serial didn't have the appeal of the Flash Gordon serials. It's not as imaginative, but it is a good action serial. Buster Crabbe shows a little of the calmer nature of the hero, compared to Flash Gordon's impetuousness.

If you don't have any of them, get especially FLASH GORDON: SPACE SOLDIERS and FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE first, but then be sure to get BUCK ROGERS.

A True THRILL-O-RAMA
The 12 chapter BUCK ROGERS serial, was shot between the Flash Gordon serials "Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars" and "Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe." Audiences seemed indifferent to it, so the plans for a sequel were scrapped in favor of continuing the Flash Gordon series. While the Flash Gordon serials are probably better, I really enjoy the Buck Rogers serial too.

Buck Rogers has STYLE. Not to say that Flash didn't, but the Buck Rogers serial has:

The Art Deco Headquarters of Killer Kane, with it's convenient topiary shrubs for hiding behind.

The swirling mirror pool monitor screens.

The equally Art Deco space ships, with sparklers as exhaust and that sound, something like a microwave oven and a car missing a muffler. These ships were so advanced, all they needed was a simple door with handle.

A future full of wimps. Flash and Buddy easily push away or tackle anyone who they clash with.

The groovy De-Gravity belts and the transporter.

The Saturnian tram system.

The exotic terrain of the planet Saturn, which in no way looked like a California desert.

The Saturnian MUGGS, who should have all been nominated for academy awards.

Okay, I'm being a little sarcastic. But I really do have a great love for this serial, even with all its many flaws. Terrible performances by some of the supporting characters, a few cases of severely bad stunt doubling, and the effects, well......they did their best with what they had to work with. I love the little dolls in the Saturnian tunnel trams.

And Buck himself--Larry "Buster" Crabbe was so handsome. That wavy hair and that killer smile were all he needed. I wonder if the producers ever realized what kind of confusion they would cause in the years that followed, by casting the same actor for both Flash and Buck. It's always interesting to see a VHS version of Buck Rogers with a picture from Flash Gordon on the cover, and vice versa.

Buck Rogers is a true pleasure to watch. It's so much fun, and it's the perfect length. It's over before it has worn out its welcome. And if you want more, then watch the next chapter. The menu screens are fun too, with the ships swinging around on visible wires. If only they would have included a booklet instead of advertising.

This is well worth checking out, especially if you enjoy the Flash serials. Like the cover proclaims, it's a 12 chapter Thrill-O-Rama!

'Buster' Crabbe was a Superhero
This takes me back to Saturday mornings as a ten year old, in the early 80's, when I first remember seeing Larry'Buster'Crabbe as Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers on the BBC.

So the wooden actors made local amateur dramatics look professional and the space ships looked like something made on Blue Peter, but it didn't matter because 'Buster' Crabbe WAS a Superhero.

Who cares about comparisons of productions and making analysis between Buck & Flash, they weren't meant for that, they're just pure fun and were made to be watched and enjoyed.

So anyone who saw these and enjoyed them, buy the DVDs, you'll be ten all over again. ... Read more