Welcome To Poverty Row

Time now for "The Trackless Trail," the fifth chapter of The Vanishing Legion , our 1931 Mascot serial.

From Tower Productions in 1932, we present "Red Haired Alibi." In this one, a young girl, new to the big city, lands a job as a man's companion.  What she doesn't know is that this gentleman is a notorious gangster.  WHOOPS! This movie stars Myrna Kennedy, Grant Withers, and, in her feature-film debut, Shirley Temple. Screenplay and dialogue by Edward T. Lowe, Jr., based on Wilson Collison's same-named novel. Produced by Sig Neufeld and directed by Christy Cabanne.

From Republic Pictures in 1943, we present John Wayne and Martha Scott starring in "War of the Wildcats." The film was originally released as "In Old Oklahoma." Albert Dekker, George "Gabby" Hayes, Marjorie Rambeau, Dale Evans, and Grant Withers co-star. Original story and adaptation by Thomson Burtis; screenplay by Ethel Hill and Eleanor Griffin. Directed by Albert S. Rogell. Re-issue print.

From Lippert Pictures in 1949, we present "Square Dance Jubilee." This flick stars Don Barry, Mary Beth Hughes, Wally Vernon, and Spade Cooley and His Band. A Donald Barry Production. Screenplay by Ron Ormond and Daniel B. Ullman, based on William Nolte's story. With Robert L. Lippert as executive producer, this movie was produced by Ron Ormond and directed by Lew Landres.

From Monogram Pictures in 1940, we present Leon Janney, Eleanor Hunt, and Esther Muir starring in "Stolen Paradise." Wilma Francis and Doris Blaine co-star in this one. Lawrence Meade wrote the original story with screenplay by Robert Spafford and scenario by Arthur Hoerl. Produced by George A. Hirliman and directed by Louis Gasnier (the team that brought to you "Refer Madness"). TV syndication print.

Time for another 1934 Monogram-released Lone Star Western as John Wayne stars in "The Star Packer." Verna Hillie, George "Gabby" Hayes, Yakima Canutt, and Billy Franley co-star with John in this flick. Produced by Paul Malvern and directed by Robert North Bradbury (who wrote the story and screenplay).

From Monogram Pictures in 1934, we present John Wayne starring in "Blue Steel." George "Gabby" Hayes, Eleanor Hunt, Edward Peil, and Yakima Canutt join the Duke in the cast. This Lone Star Production was produced by Paul Malvern and directed by Robert North Bradbury (who wrote the story and screenplay).

Our 1931 Nat Levine-produced Mascot Pictures serial, The Vanishing Legion , continues with chapter four, "The Fatal Message."

From William Berke Productions in 1933, we present Evalyn Knapp (sister of bandleader Orville Knapp) and Preston Foster starring in "Corruption." In this one, a young lawyer is elected mayor of the city and promises to rid it of the corruption it's famous for. The problem is that most of the corruption he's vowed to eliminate is caused by the crooked political machine that helped elect him. Charles Delaney, Tully Marshall, Natalie Moorhead, and Warner Richmond are also in the cast. This film, distributed by Imperial Distributing Corporation, was produced by William Z. Pizor and written and directed by Charles E. Roberts.

Time for Western action, pardners, as Reb Russell and his horse Rebel star in "Border Vengeance." This flick co-stars Mary Jane Carey and Kenneth MacDonald. In this one,  a rancher is murdered after discovering that 40 head of his cattle have been rustled. A neighboring family is accused of the crime and flees across the border, then tries to find the real killers to clear their name! Adapted from The Return of the Muley Kid by R. Craig Christiansen. This 1935 movie was produced by Willis Kent and directed by Raymond R. Heinz.

Let's go back to 1947 for film noir , Republic Pictures style as John Carroll, Vera Ralston, Robert Paige, and Broderick Crawford star in "The Flame." Lawrence Kimble wrote the screenplay, based upon Robert T. Shannon's story. Directed by the associate producer John H. Auer.

From Grand National Films in 1937, we present Tex Ritter and his horse White Flash starring in "The Mystery of the Hooded Horseman." Iris Meredith, Horace Murphy, Charles King, Earl Dwire, Forrest Taylor, and Ray Whitley and His Range Ramblers join Tex in the cast. Edmond Kelso wrote both the story and screenplay. Produced by Edward F. Finney, supervised by Lindsley Parsons, and directed by Ray Taylor.

From Monogram Pictures in 1933, we present Arline Judge, Preston Foster, Marion Burns, and Kenneth McKenna starring in "Sensation Hunters." Among the featured players is young whippersnapper (and future three-time Oscar winner) Walter Brennan. Paul Schofield's screenplay and Albert E. DeMond's dialogue were based upon Whitman Chambers' story Cabaret . With Trem Carr as vice-president in charge of production, this movie was produced by Robert Welsh. Directed by Charles Vidor. TV syndication print.

From Willis Kent Productions and Progressive Pictures Corporation in 1934, we present Claudia Dell starring in "The Woman Condemned." In this one, Jerry Beall, a young newspaper reporter, intrigued by the charm and beauty of Barbara Hammond, a girl accused of murdering a female radio-star, sets out to prove her innocence in the face of a damaging array of circumstantial evidence, abetted by the lack of truth in many of Barbara's statements. But Barbara winds up in a romantic clinch instead of the electric chair, after a series of sequences that reveal the fallacy of jumping to conclusions. Lola Lane, Richard Hemmingway, Jason Robards, Mischa Auer, and Louise Beavers are also in this one. Directed by Mrs. Wallace Reid (a.k.a. Dorothy Davenport).

"The Invisible Enemy" is the third installment in our 1931 Mascot chapter play, The Vanishing Legion .

From PRC in 1945, we present James Lydon, Sally Eilers, and Warren William starring in "Strange Illusion." In this one, a young man's dreams of death and destruction start to come true. Screenplay by Adele Comandini, based on Fritz Rotter's original story. Leo Erdody composed and conducted the musical story. Produced by Leon Fromkess. Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer.

From Invincible Pictures in 1934, we present Johnny Mack Brown starring in "Cross Streets." In this one, a man falls in love with a young woman, only to discover that she's the daughter of a former girlfriend who dumped him nearly 20 years earlier. OUCH! Claire Windsor and Anita Louise co-star. Gordon Morris wrote the original story and Anthony Coldewey penned the continuity and dialogue. This picture was produced by Maury M. Cohen and directed by Frank R. Strayer.

From Monogram Pictures in 1944, we present "Detective Kitty O'Day," starring Jean Parker in the title role. In this one, secretary and aspiring detective Kitty, after her boss had been murdered, sees an opportunity to put her skills to the test to the annoyance of police Inspector Casey who was in charge of the police investigation of the murder. When the inspector would not properly investigate the victim's widow, it's up to our intrepid heroine Kitty to take it upon herself to unmask the murderer----with the reluctant assistance of her boyfriend. Peter Cookson, Tim Ryan (who co-wrote the screenplay with Victor Hammond, who in turn, penned the original story), Veda Ann Borg, and Edward Gargan co-star. Produced by Lindsley Parsons and directed by William Beaudine.

From Republic Pictures in 1937, we present Gene Autry starring in "Springtime In The Rockies." The film also stars Smiley Burnette, Polly Rowles, Ula Love, Ruth Bacon, Jane Hunt, and George Chesebro. Gilbert Wright and Betty Burbridge wrote the original screenplay. With Sol C. Siegel as associate producer, this movie was directed by Joe Kane. TV syndication print.

From Grand National Films in 1936, we present Tex Ritter starring in "Song of the Gringo." In this one, when Tex investigates a string of murders he ends up getting accused of the killings. Joan Woodbury, Fuzzy Knight, Monte Blue, and Forrest Taylor were also in the cast. Screenplay by John McCarthy, Robert Emmett, and Al Jennings; John and Robert also wrote the original story. This movie was produced by Edward F. Finney, supervised by Lindsley Parsons,  and directed by John McCarthy.

Time for an East Side Kids Monogram picture as Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and Bobby Jordan headline the cast of "Ghosts on the Loose." The movie co-stars Bela Lugosi, a young Ava Gardner, and Rick Vallin. Sammy Morrison, Billy Benedict, and Stanley Clements are also in the cast. The boys, in this one, try to fix up a house for newlyweds, only to find the place next door "haunted" by mysterious men. Kenneth Higgins wrote the screenplay. Produced for Banner Productions by Sam Katzman and Jack Dietz and directed by William Beaudine.

Time now, boys and girls of all ages, for "The Queen of the Night Riders," the second chapter of our 1931 Mascot serial, The Vanishing Legion .

From Principal Productions in 1934, we bring you "Fighting To Live," starring Reb Russell, Marion Shilling, Steve Pendleton, and a pair of dogs, Captain and Lady. Robert Ives wrote the story and screenplay. This picture was directed by Eddie Cline.

From Republic Pictures in 1955, we present "No Man's Woman." This movie stars Marie Windsor, John Archer, Patric Knowles, and Nancy Gates. John K. Butler wrote the screenplay and Don Martin wrote the story. With Rudy Ralston as associate producer, this film was directed by Franklin Adreon.

From Consolidated Pictures in 1935, we present "Captured in Chinatown," Distributed by Stage and Screen Productions. In essence, it's a Weiss Brothers operation. This flick stars Marion Shilling, Charles Delaney, and Tarzan, the Police Dog. In this one, a feud between two Chinatown gangs breaks out into a tong war. Story by Arthur Durlam with continuity and dialogue by Elmer Clifton and Arthur Durlam. Supervised by Bert Sternbach and directed by Elmer Clifton.

From Chesterfield Pictures in 1936, we present "Ring Around The Moon." This film stars Donald Cook, Erin O-Brien-Moore, Ann Doran, Alan Edwards, and Douglas Fowley. Paul Perez's screenplay was based from Vere Hobart's same-named novel. This movie was produced by George R. Batcheller and directed by Charles Lamont.

From Invincible Pictures in 1936 (released by sister company Chesterfield Pictures), we bring you "Brilliant Marriage," starring Joan Marsh, Ray Walker, Hugh (John) Marlowe, Inez Courtney, Doris Lloyd, Ann Codee, Olive Tell, Holmes Herbert, Robert Adair, and Barbara Bedford. Paul Perez wrote the screenplay adapted from Ursula Parrott's same-named novel. This flick was produced by Maury M. Cohen and directed by Phil Rosen.

From Monogram Pictures in 1931, we present Marion Shilling, Beryl Mercer, Rex Bell, and Gordon De Main starring in "Forgotten Women." In this one, we follow the triumphs and heartaches of women who try to succeed in the movie industry. Adaptation and continuity by Adele Buffington and story by Wellyn Totman. Directed by Richard Thorpe.

Today, we start another serial, this time from Nat Levine's Mascot Pictures, as we present the opening chapter of the 1931 chapter play The Vanishing Legion , starring Harry Carey, Edwina Booth, and Rex, "King of the Wild Horses.". "The Voice From The Void" is the first of twelve chapters. Story by supervising editor Wyndham Gittens, Ford Beebe, and Helmer Bergman. Directed by B. Reeves (Breezy) Eason. Please join us next Saturday for the next thrilling chapter!