Welcome To Poverty Row

From Monogram Pictures in 1943, we present the East Side Kids, headlined by Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and Bobby Jordan,  in "Clancy Street Boys." The cast includes Noah Beery, Lita Ward, Benny Bartlett, Rick Vallin, Billy Benedict, and Sunshine Sammy Morrison. Screenplay by Harvey Gates. This Banner production was produced by Sam Katzman and Jack Dietz and directed by William Beaudine.

We present the first American release from Eagle-Lion Films, "It's A Joke Son," which stars Kenny Delmar as Senator Beauregard Claghorn, a character he played on Fred Allen's radio show. The cast includes June Lockhart, Una Merkel, Jimmy Conlin, Douglas Dumbrille, Kenneth Farrell, and Daisy the Dog. Original screenplay by Robert Kent and Paul Gerard Smith. With Bryan Foy in charge of production, this 1947 film was produced by Aubrey Schenck and directed by Ben Stoloff.

From Majestic Pictures in 1933, we present "The World Gone Mad," starring Pat O'Brien, Neil Hamilton, J. Carroll Naish, and Evelyn Brent. Edward T. Lowe wrote the screenplay. This movie was produced by Phil Goldstone and directed by Christy Cabanne.

Time for "A Treaty With Treason," the eighth installment in our 1936 Republic Pictures chapter play, The Vigilantes Are Coming .

From Film Classics in 1948, we present John Calver starring as The Falcon in "Devil's Cargo." The cast includes Rochelle Hudson, Roscoe Karns, and Lyle Talbot (of future Plan 9 From Outer Space fame---or infamy). Don Martin wrote the screenplay and Robert Tallman and Jason James wrote the original story. Based on the character The Falcon by Michael Arlen. Produced by Philip N. Krasne and directed by John F. Link.

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" quite like the most famous film in the history of Producers Releasing Corporation----"Detour" from 1945, starring Tom Neal and Ann Savage. Claudia Drake, Edmund MacDonald, Tim Ryan, Esther Howard, and Pat Gleason were also in the cast. Martin Goldsmith wrote the screenplay and original story . Leo Erdody wrote the musical score. This motion picture was produced by Leon Fromkess and directed by Edgar G. Ulmer . Merry Christmas from all of us at Welcome to Poverty Row !

From PRC in 1945, we present "Club Havana," starring Tom Neal, Margaret Lindsay, Don Douglas, and Isabelita. Raymond L. Schrock wrote the screenplay and Fred Jackson the original story. This flick was produced by Leon Fromkess and directed by Edgar G. Ulmer.

From Monogram Pictures in 1942, we present Ricardo Cortez, Rochelle Hudson and Bill Henry starring in "Rubber Racketeers." Two future TV stars, Milburn ("Doc") Stone of future Gunsmoke fame and Alan Hale, Jr., the future Skipper from Gilligan's Island , also appear in this film.   Henry Blankfort wrote the original screenplay. Produced by Michael King and directed by Harold Young. A K-B production. A reissue print.

From PRC in 1942, we present Lee Tracy starring in "The Pay Off." In this one, the city's District Attorney is murdered and a newspaper reporter investigates.  He starts finding out that everything isn't quite as cut and dried as it appeared to be. Tom Brown, Tina Thayer, Evelyn Brent, Lack LaRue, and Ian Keith were also in the cast. Edward Dein wrote the screenplay; Arthur Hoerl the original story. With Leon Fromkess in charge of production, this motion picture was produced by Jack Schwarz and directed by Arthur Dreifuss.

We start the second half of our 1936 Republic Pictures serial, The Vigilantes Are Coming , with chapter seven, "Wings of Doom."

From PRC in 1943, we present  Patsy Kelly and Roscoe Karns starring in "My Son, The Hero." The cast includes Joan Blair, Carol Hughes, Maxie Rosenbloom, and Luis Alberni. In this Atlantis Pictures Corporation production, a small-time con man, upon learning that his long-unseen son is arriving in town for a visit, enlists his cronies to help him pretend to be a wealthy and important businessman. Doris Malloy and the film's director, Edgar G. Ulmer (!) wrote the original screenplay. Sam Newfield wrote the additional dialog. With Leon Fromkess in charge of production, this flick was produced by Peter R. Van Duinen and directed by the aforementioned Mr. Ulmer. No "Detour" this.

From newly-formed Puritan Pictures in 1935, we present Eddie Nugent, Frank Coghlan, and Margaret Mann starring in "Kentucky Blue Streak." Screenplay by Homer King Gordon, suggested by C.B. Carrington's story; Edward K. O'Brien wrote the special dialog. This picture was produced by C.C. Burr and directed by Raymond K. Johnson.

From his pre- Durango Kid days, here's Charles Starrett starring in "Sons of Steel," from Chesterfield Pictures in 1935. This film also stars Polly Ann Young and William Bakewell. Charles S. Belden wrote the story and adaptation. This movie was  produced by George R. Batcheller, supervised by Lon Young, and directed by Charles Lamont.

From Sam Katzman's Victory Pictures in 1939, we present Tim McCoy starring in "The Fighting Renegade." Also starring Joyce Bryant and Dave "Tex" O'Brien. William Lively wrote both the original story and screenplay. Directed by Sam Newfield.

Time for a 1946 visit from the King of the Cowboys! Here are Roy Rogers, Trigger (the Smartest Horse in the Movies), George "Gabby" Hayes, and Dale Evans starring in "Rainbow Over Texas." Sheldon Leonard and Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers were also in the cast. Gerald Garaghty wrote the screenplay that was based on Max Brand's magazine story. This Republic picture, with Edward J. White as associate producer, was directed by Frank McDonald.

From PRC in 1944, we present Jean Parker and Lionel Atwill starring in "Lady In The Death House." Here's the synopsis: A young woman is on death row for the murder of a man who was blackmailing her family, although she claims she was framed. Her fiance, a doctor who is conducting experiments on reviving the dead, also happens to be the state's executioner, and is assigned to pull the switch when she is strapped into the electric chair. A famous criminologist, believing her to be innocent, rushes to investigate the case and clear her before her execution date. Douglas Fowley, Marcia Mae Jones, Cy Kendall, and John Maxwell were also in the cast. Screenplay by Harry O. Hoyt with the original story by Frederick C. Davis. Produced by Jack Schwarz and directed by Steve Sekely.

Time for "A Tyrant's Trickery," chapter six of The Vigilantes Are Coming , our 1936 Republic Pictures serial.

Here's another PRC crime drama as we present "The Boss of Big Town." In this one, a criminal plot to control produce and dairy products during the wartime emergency is foiled by an undercover city market official. The cast is headlined by John Litel, Florence Rice, H.B. Warner, and John Miljan. Leon Fromkess was in charge of production. Edward Dein's screenplay was based from Arthur Hoerl's original story. This 1942 movie was produced by Jack Schwarz and directed by Arthur Dreifuss.

From PRC in 1942, we present Mary Carlisle and Richard Cromwell starring in "Baby Face Morgan." This film also stars Robert Armstrong of King Kong fame. In this flick, when gang chief Big Mike Morgan is rubbed out, his lieutenant, "Doc" Rogers, re-organizes the mob. Leon Fromkess was the executive in charge of production. Edward Dien and Jack Rubin wrote the screenplay, based on Oscar Brodney's and Mr. Rubin's story. Produced by Jack Schwarz and directed by Arthur Dreifuss.

Time for a 1933 Majestic Pictures Western, with Jack Hoxie starring in "Trouble Busters." The Trouble Busters come to the need of a crotchety old man and his daughter when a local gang plan to steal their rich land. Also in the cast were Lane Chandler, Kaye Edwards, Harry Todd, and Ben Corbett. Story and dialogue by Oliver Drake. Produced by Henry L. Goldstone and directed by Lewis D. Collins. A Western Star production.

Time for a 1942 PRC Western as Art Davis, Bill (Cowboy Rambler) Boyd, and Lee Powell star in "Prairie Pals." In this one, three prairie pals bust up a gangster plot to make synthetic gold out of vanadium ore. Original screenplay by Patricia Harper. Produced by Sigmund Newfeld and directed by Sam Newfield under the nom de plume of Peter Stewart.

From Willis Kent in 1935, we present Reb Russell and Rebel starring in "The Cheyenne Tornado." Also starring Victoria Vinton, Roger Williams (NOT the pianist), and Edmund Cobb. This picture was directed by William O'Conner.

From Tiffany Productions in 1930, we present "The Medicine Man." In this one, the son and daughter of an abusive shopkeeper turn to a medicine show salesman for help. Some young whippersnapper named Jack Benny (he wasn't even 39 yet) headlined this cast along with Betty Bronson, Georgie Stone, Tommy Dugan, E. Allyn Warren, and Eva Novak. Adaptation by Eve Unsell and screenplay by Ladye Horton. Based from Elliot Lester's same-named play. Phil Goldstone was the studio executive. Directed by Scott Pembroke.

From Monogram Pictures in 1934, we present Lionel Atwell starring in "Beggars in Ermine." Betty Furness, Henry B. Walthal, and Jamieson Thomas co-starred in this one. Tristram Tupper wrote the screenplay and dialog, adapted from Esther Lynd Day's same-named novel. Trem Carr was the executive vice-president in charge of production. This picture was produced by William T. Lackey and directed by Phil Rosen. This is a TV syndication print.

From Grand National Films in 1938, we present Stuart Erwin starring in "Mr. Hobbs Steps Out." In this off-beat comedy, when a dull statistician wins a load of cash after successfully determining the number of beans in a barrel, quits his job and buys a barrel factory! Trouble ensues when the nearby pickle factory is threatened by a shyster attempting to close it. Helen Chandler and Toby Wing (sigh!) also star in it. Original story by Clarence Budington Kelland; screenplay by Richard English. Produced by Ben Pivar. Directed by Gordon Wiles.

The Vigilantes Are Coming , our 1936 Republic serial, continues with chapter five, "Treachery Unmasked." Enjoy!

In one of the final hurrahs for Producers Releasing Corporation, we present Stuart Irwin, Glenda Farrell, and Russ Vincent starring in "Heading For Heaven." Also in the cast of this 1947 movie are TV's future Granny herself, Irene ( The Beverly Hillbillies ) Ryan; Milburn Stone, best remembered for his portrayal of Doc on TV's Gunsmoke ; George O'Hanlon, who, at the time, starred in the title role in a long-running series of Joe McDokes shorts for Warner Brothers, and who would be best remembered as the voice of George Jetson. The screenplay by Lewis D. Collins and Oscar Mugge was based on a play by Charles Webb and Daniel Brown. An Ace Pictures production with Jack Schwartz as executive producer. Produced by George Moskov and directed by Lewis D. Collins.

Time for a vintage 1936 effort from Republic Pictures as John Wayne stars in "Winds of the Wasteland." In this one, The Duke plays a Pony Express rider who goes into business with a friend running a stagecoach line. When they get swindled into owning a worthless stagecoach line, the boys enter a stagecoach race to win a government mail contract to stay in business. Also in the cast are Phyllis Fraser, Lew Kelly, Douglas Cosgrove, and  Lane Chandler. Joseph Poland wrote the original story and screenplay. This picture was produced by Nat Levine, supervised by Paul Malvern (who had produced John's Lone Star Westerns in 1933-35 for Monogram), and directed by Mack V. Wright.

Time for Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot starring in "A Shriek in the Night." In this one, rival newspaper reporters join forces to solve a murder case. Nope, Fred Astaire didn't appear in this picture. This 1933 film was produced and released by Allied Pictures Corporation (NOT related to the Allied Artists outfit that emerged in the 1950s from Monogram Pictures). Presented by M. H. Hoffman with M. H. Hoffman, Jr. as associated producer. Kurt Kempler wrote the original story while Frances Hyland wrote the screenplay. Directed by Albert Ray.

From 1942, we present Buster Crabbe as Billy the Kid in "Trapped," with Al (Fuzzy) St. John. Also in the cast: Bud McTaggart, Anne (billed as Ann) Jeffries, and Glenn Strange. Original screenplay by Joseph O'Donnell. This PRC motion picture was produced by Sigmund Neufeld. Directed by Sam Newfield under the nom de plume of Sherman Scott.

From Republic Pictures in 1936, we present Gene Autry starring in "Oh Susanna." This film co-stars Gene's sidekick, Smiley Burnette. Frances Grant, Earle Hodgins, Donald Kirke, Boothe Howard, The Light Crust Doughboys, and Gene's horse Champion join Gene and Smiley in the cast. Oliver Drake wrote the original story and screenplay. Produced by Nat Levine, supervised by Armand Schaefer, and directed by Joseph Kane.