Reviews (1)

Boring Grade B western with uncomfortable cast.
Despite Mr. Maltin's high opinion, this is definitely a Grade B western, despite Claire Trevor's attempts to act as if it weren't. Albert Dekker is a boring Bat Masterson and Barry Sullivan his befuddled rival. Girlfriend shared - Trevor - tries to get Bat to give up his guns for journalism. Inexplicable Oscar nom for a mediocre score. Avoid this one unless you have insomnia. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bob Hope puts his best talents forward as Nicky Nelson, a fast-talking promoter with more angles than a funhouse. Originally titled Some Like It Hot (and since renamed for obvious reasons), the film follows the desperate schemes of a would-be entrepreneur seemingly on the verge of success. He's got Gene Krupa's band under his management and he's in love with aspiring singer Shirley Ross, but after gambling away all his chances he's left in the cold while his discoveries rise to glory without him, and he has one last shot to prove his worth. Hope's scrappy, risk-taking hustler buoys the razor-thin plot with deadpan wisecracks and quipping asides, but this persona soon melted away in a career redefined by self-deprecating humor and coward gags. The film is a remake of 1934's Shoot the Works, which is in turn based on a play by Ben Hecht and Gene Fowler. By 1939 little evidence of its roots are left--it's a Bob Hope vehicle all the way. The other reason to see the film is, of course, the hot swing music of Krupa and his band, which performs three Frank Loesser tunes, including "Heart and Soul."--Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Classic, But Doesn't Hold Up
I'm sure it would have been hilarious if I hadn't already seen "Mrs. Doubtfire" and countless other movies with cross-dressing men. Yet this is the grand-daddy of them all; unfortunately, his off-spring have overshadowed him. A Marilyn Monroe fan may want to watch, but I hardly laughed at all throughout this movie, supposedly one of the top one hundred funniest movies. In this story, the two men need to hide from the mob. It's worth a watch, if just for the fact that it's a classic. ... Read more

Amazon.com

To the distinctive yells of "Hi-Yo, Silver!" a phenomenon from the early days of television rides again. The Lone Ranger, starring Clayton Moore as the mysterious and righteous gunslinger and Jay Silverheels as his faithful sidekick Tonto, began on radio and made the transition to the small screen more than 50 years ago. In the three vintage programs on this tape the scripts are far from complicated, and the acting by Clayton Moore is at times absurdly awkward, yet the shows have an endearing innocent charm to them. Typically, the Lone Ranger and Tonto happen upon a situation about to turn bad, they intercede on the side of law and order with the Lone Ranger firing off some trademark silver bullets, and just as the happy citizens ask, "Who was that masked man?" the two heroes ride off in a cloud of dust. In the episode "Finders Keepers" the Lone Ranger encourages an outlaw to go straight and accept the consequences, and in "The Masked Rider" he bravely endeavors to infiltrate a gang of outlaws. In the concluding episode on this tape, "The Legend of the Old Timers," the Lone Ranger and Tonto enlist a posse of elderly cowhands to come to the rescue of a young man--played by DeForest Kelley, of later Star Trek fame--who is being swindled out of the ranch he's inherited. These shows are a campy and entertaining glimpse at what television offered way back in 1949. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Join With Me In Yesteryear.....
Hi-Yo Silver, Awaaaaaayyyy!

Are you old enough to recall being glued to your TV set watching the Lone Ranger? Are you even older, and remember listening on the radio? Are you younger, and always wondered what the older folks meant by Hi-Yo Silver?

Here's your chance to re-live those days, or live them again for the first time!

Nobody ever said the acting was stellar, but some of it ain't bad, and that's besides the point. This is the ORIGINAL Lone Ranger TV series, the first, the making of, and the masking of, the origin of the Masked Man who brought Law and Order to the Old West.

You didn't think it happened in New York City didja?

Thrill as the anticipated massacre occurs, feel for the Rangers, glory in the telling of the survivor's recovery in Tonto's care, see how he came to be called "Kemosabe", join with me now as the LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN!

Now how can you pass that up? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A film for a Saturday matinee for kids
It is not a B-series film, but rather a C-series film, or even something somewhat more advanced in the alphabet. But you will get the crooks and the good marshall, the rotten apple in the community, in this case the banker, and we know that from the very beginning, the calvacades and other chases in the « wild » landscape with many horses and quite a few casual or planned casualties, a love affair and even a sacrifice for a woman, a lot of drinking and some card-playing, and all other typical western elements. But do not ask for subtlety in this film : even the timeline is not very correct and some shortcuts are longer, quite longer, than the longcuts, but, well, we can do with that. It is funny.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Richard Dix---should be better known....
THE KANSAN appeared in 1943, and was for all intents and purposes, the last major role for actor Richard Dix. Dix had starred in the 1931 classic CIMARRON, and throughout the 1930s and early '40s starred in some well-done Westerns. Perhaps his biggest role came in Republic Pictures' MAN OF CONQUEST (a retelling of the Sam Houston saga). THE KANSAN is one of his better Westerns, and certainly deserves a viewing from time to time. The present video release, THE KANSAN, is a traditional Western yarn, released by UA, with good production values, and a strong cast, including Jane Wyatt, Albert Dekker, Victor Jory, Rod Cameron, Eugene Pallette, Clem Bevans, and Willie Best (who adds comic relief). The action is swift and true to form. Dix is very solid as the marshall out to clean up the town and undo the machinations of the corrupt clique that originally put him in power. All in all, enjoyable.
This release is in Standard Play speed, and the video quality is fairly decent.

Brisk Grade B western with a twist.
This "small" western has the unusual plot of a town marshall turning on the corrupt politicians who put him in place and equally battling them and the usual outlaws. Dix is fine in the role. Jane Wyatt is love interest. Victor Jory suave as the all too human villain. Oscar nom for Original Score. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Before he first hit the road with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope was a quipping comedian who turned his radio success into a film career after a single appearance in The Big Broadcast of 1938. In that film he sang a duet with Shirley Ross, "Thanks for the Memory," that became his theme song and the title of this quickly produced comedy. In what is less a plot than apremise, Hope stars as an aspiring novelist who lives a comfortable urban existence with his loving wife Ross in a New York apartment that nightly fills with their well-dressed but perpetually short on cash friends (notably Charles Butterworth whose underplayed wit is drier than a martini and rubber-faced Roscoe Karns as a wisecracking bachelor who hitches his fortunes to a wealthy, overbearing widow). When a publisher suggests Hope quit his day job to devote himself full-time to writing, Ross goes back to the runway as a fashion model while househusband Hope becomes so jealous that he huffs out in a puff of misunderstandings. There's hardly enough story to satisfy a sitcom, but Hope and Ross make an engaging screen couple with their smart repartee and easy chemistry, and their cocktail companions deadpan the sparkling dialogue with the flip grace the 1930s seemed to embody. Hope and Ross sing "Two Sleepy People" and reprise the title song in the heartwarming climax. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FEATHERWEIGHT COMEDY.
Hope is a frustrated writer who stays home and takes care of the house while trying to pen his novel. Ross plays his wife who leaves each morning because she works at a job. This odd (for 1938) arrangement soon leads to a break-up, but there's the expected happy ending. Songs include TWO SLEEPY PEOPLE and the title tune, both engagingly sang by Hope and Ross (who had a genuinely pleasant voice). Seeing how popular the sequence where Bob Hope and Shirley Ross sang THANKS FOR THE MEMORY in THE GREAT BROADCAST OF 1938, Paramount threw together this "quick flick" in order to capitalise on the situation; the results are unfortunately a bit stale. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fan-dang-tastic! My favorite Hoppy flick!
I have NEVER been truly disappointed by ANY of Boyd's Hoppy outings, and this is my very favorite of all the great Sherman/Boyd productions.

Hoppy goes undercover as a wimpy, sappy eastern dude to (what else?) infiltrate an outlaw gang that's after a young girls' ranch. (sound familiar?) The situation gives Boyd a chance to really ham it up and its a wonder to watch. Throw in Andy Clyde (Hoppy's best sidekick outside of Gabby) and a really cool villian and you've got an UNBELIEVABLY entertaining matinee oater.

Highly recommended! AL ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Serves a Writ?...WOW
While I have not viewed the film, by the title alone, I must give this film 5 stars. Not since "Arnold Delivers the Milk" has a picture promised such excitement by it's title alone. Best yet is the sequel, "Hoppy gets a Mortgage"

Another Hoppy Adventure
Hopalong Cassidy was always a favourite with the ladies, with his voice, laugh and white hair. This one was no exception. He crosses the border disguised as a cattle buyer and brings a criminal to justice. Well written story line as usual for these type films. Lots of Action. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fan-dang-tastic! My favorite Hoppy flick!
I have NEVER been truly disappointed by ANY of Boyd's Hoppy outings, and this is my very favorite of all the great Sherman/Boyd productions.

Hoppy goes undercover as a wimpy, sappy eastern dude to (what else?) infiltrate an outlaw gang that's after a young girls' ranch. (sound familiar?) The situation gives Boyd a chance to really ham it up and its a wonder to watch. Throw in Andy Clyde (Hoppy's best sidekick outside of Gabby) and a really cool villian and you've got an UNBELIEVABLY entertaining matinee oater.

Highly recommended! AL ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Third Episode
This episode is the third Lone Ranger episode, which is a continuation of the first two episodes. You can't buy just this tape and expect to know what's going on. To get the rest of the story, you need to get the first two episodes. There are two tapes that have the first three episodes: "Enter the Lone Ranger" and "Legend of the Lone Ranger." I have both of those, and I would recommend "Enter the Lone Ranger" because it has superior quality to "Legend of the Lone Ranger." However, "Legend of the Lone Ranger" does have one scene that for some reason "Enter the Lone Ranger" doesn't have, so maybe you'll want to get both. In any case, these tapes are definitely a must-have for any Lone Ranger fan.

The Masked man does it again
George Seitz Jr. does it again. A classic Lone Ranger hit. Plenty of action on the part of the Lone Ranger and Tonto. A must have for all Lone Ranger fans. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

GOOD EARLY TALKIE ADVENTURE.
It's rough-and-ready action set against the background of Alaskan salmon fishing. McCrea, in his first he-man part, is fighting both for control of a fishery as well as control of his love life. Dance hall floozy Evelyn Brent helps the macho man defeat Gavin Gordon, who plays Fred Marsh, a villainous competitor. Brent proves to be the real lady for him, not the high class Mildred Wayland (Jean Arthur). It's a fair piece of early talking cinema which works as well as can be expected. The scenes showing the canneries in action are interesting for their documentary style. It is seen best as a curio: Jean Arthur hasn't much to do here, as her comedic talents weren't realised yet. The great silent star, Blanche Sweet is shown in the inconsequential role of Queenie, and it belied her status in motion pictures (this was her swan song performance). Raymond Hatton, who plays McCrea's comic side-kick, Fraser is okay. Based on the hugely popular novel by Rex Beach, who also wrote THE SPOILERS.

Entertaining Adventure yarn
Thanks to Amazon I had the chance to watch a movie, not even listed in Maltin's Movie Guide, a real rarity. The vhs copy is ok, considering its age, and the plotline is entertaining indeed. You have silent movie star, Evelyn Brent, in the leading role, as the tough , hard-boiled, Cherry Malotte, so perfect for the role, that makes you wonder why didn't she achieve greatest stardom in the talkies. Physically speaking she resemebles ingenue Frances Dee (Joel McCrea's wife since 1933), but her screen persona is in the style of an early '30s Barbara Stanwyck type. Also in the cast, a young Joel McCrea, as the regular guy Cherry falls for, a pre-Capra Jean Arthur, as McCrea's silly and spoiled rich fiancée, Gavin Gordon, who the same year co-starred with Garbo sans-moustache in "Romance", as the bad guy, Louis Wolheim and Raymond Hatton, as McCrea's sidekicks, and Silent Screen Star Blanche Sweet, as Queenie, in her final film appearance as a floozy who's Cherry's pal. In all it's a pleasent experience and film buffs will have a field day with it. Very realistic footage of the Salmon Business and some fine location filming in Alaska. '30s fanatics, give it a try. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Hi Yo Silver, Away!!!!!
This Lone Ranger tape contains three episodes: "The Tenderfeet," in which the Lone Ranger and Tonto thwart the plot of Hardrock Jones and Rusty Bates to steal the silver claim of Dick and Bob Larrabee, two brothers from the East; "High Heels," in which the Lone Ranger and Tonto uncover Monk's plot to buy up various ranches in an effort to control some of the railroad (disappearing ink plays a vital role in this episode); and "The Renegades," in which Tonto gets himself mistaken for a renegade Indian while trying to help his friend Chief Swift Eagle. This is a very enjoyable collection of episodes, something everyone who loves the Lone Ranger should get! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Shoulds be called the lost episodes- and the best.
Even though I have been a Lone Ranger fan since the 50's, I was surprised that I had never seen the first three television episodes from 1949. I don't recall ever seeing any of these in syndication. I was also surprised at how good they were- actually better than many of the later episodes.

These three shows explain everything that I was curious about as a kid: the origin of the Lone Ranger, Where Tonto came from, how he found Silver, the meaning of the silver bullets, the vow to never shoot to kill.... It is all there, everything I wondered about as a boy.

I supposed some people will consider the dialog and the acting to be old fashion. I ,however, liked the fact that the actors took the ideals of the show seriously (justice, law, order, decency, fairness and good) There is no tongue-in-check "spoofing" or laughing at these ideals. I rate these three episodes right up there with any western that I have ever seen- and I've seen alot.

Legend of the Lone Ranger
A great movie about how the Lone Ranger became the Lone Ranger.. I have purchased Legend of the Lone Ranger, Enter the Lone Ranger and The Lone ranger Triumph. These three videos are one and the same just in diffenent format. By purchasing the Legend of the Lone Ranger you will have all three of these videos.

Premiere Episode, and Origin!
This video features the first three episodes of the classic TV series with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels. It chronicles the origin of the Lone Ranger, how he met Tonto and became the Lone Ranger, where his silver bullets come from, and his quest to bring the Cavendish Gang (who murdered his brother, and several other Texas Rangers) to justice.

This is definitely *THE* Lone Ranger video to have. It features:

"Enter the Lone Ranger" - The Texas Rangers were the only law and order in the Old West until they were double-crossed, ambushed and slaughtered by the notorious Cavendish Gang. Now, only one ranger survives and he dedicates his life to their memory. With the help of his long lost friend Tonto, the Lone Ranger vows to bring back law and order to the frontier.

"The Ranger Fights On" - After burying his true identity by the graves of his brother and other Texas Ranger companions, the Lone Ranger disguises himself with a black mask and goes after the Cavendish Gang on the back of a wild silver stallion.

"The Cavendish Gang" - Butch Cavendish and his band of outlaws escape again and it is up to the Lone Ranger and Tonto to put and end to The Cavendish Gang.

First Episode of Lone Ranger Series
This is it! If you are a Lone Ranger fan, this is a must have. Somewhat stiff and hokey action and script, but that is the kitsch of the series. Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels in b & w not as picturesque as the color series, but all in all very interesting three story arc. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A film for a Saturday matinee for kids
It is not a B-series film, but rather a C-series film, or even something somewhat more advanced in the alphabet. But you will get the crooks and the good marshall, the rotten apple in the community, in this case the banker, and we know that from the very beginning, the calvacades and other chases in the « wild » landscape with many horses and quite a few casual or planned casualties, a love affair and even a sacrifice for a woman, a lot of drinking and some card-playing, and all other typical western elements. But do not ask for subtlety in this film : even the timeline is not very correct and some shortcuts are longer, quite longer, than the longcuts, but, well, we can do with that. It is funny.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Richard Dix---should be better known....
THE KANSAN appeared in 1943, and was for all intents and purposes, the last major role for actor Richard Dix. Dix had starred in the 1931 classic CIMARRON, and throughout the 1930s and early '40s starred in some well-done Westerns. Perhaps his biggest role came in Republic Pictures' MAN OF CONQUEST (a retelling of the Sam Houston saga). THE KANSAN is one of his better Westerns, and certainly deserves a viewing from time to time. The present video release, THE KANSAN, is a traditional Western yarn, released by UA, with good production values, and a strong cast, including Jane Wyatt, Albert Dekker, Victor Jory, Rod Cameron, Eugene Pallette, Clem Bevans, and Willie Best (who adds comic relief). The action is swift and true to form. Dix is very solid as the marshall out to clean up the town and undo the machinations of the corrupt clique that originally put him in power. All in all, enjoyable.
This release is in Standard Play speed, and the video quality is fairly decent.

Brisk Grade B western with a twist.
This "small" western has the unusual plot of a town marshall turning on the corrupt politicians who put him in place and equally battling them and the usual outlaws. Dix is fine in the role. Jane Wyatt is love interest. Victor Jory suave as the all too human villain. Oscar nom for Original Score. ... Read more