James Oliver Curwood was an American action-adventure writer and conservationist. His books were often based on adventures set in the Hudson Bay area, the Yukon or Alaska and ranked among the top-ten best sellers in the United States in the early and mid 1920s, according to Publishers Weekly. At least one hundred and eighty motion pictures have been based on or directly inspired by his novels and short stories; one was produced in three versions from 1919 to 1953. At the time of his death, Curwood was the highest paid author in the world.
Producers Releasing Corporation was the smallest and least prestigious of the Hollywood film studios of the 1940s. It was considered a prime example of what was called "Poverty Row": a low-rent stretch of Gower Street in Hollywood where shoestring film producers based their operations. However, PRC was more substantial than the usual independent company that made only a few low-budget movies and then disappeared. PRC was an actual Hollywood studio -- albeit the smallest -- with its own production facilities and distribution network, and it even accepted imports from the UK. PRC lasted from 1939 to 1947, churning out low-budget B movies for the lower half of a double bill or the upper half of a neighborhood theater showing second-run films. The studio was originally located at 1440 N. Gower St. from 1936 to 1943. PRC then occupied the former Grand National Pictures physical plant at 7324 Santa Monica Blvd., from 1943 to 1946. This address is now an apartment complex.
Douglas Fowley was an American movie and television actor in more than 240 films and dozens of television programs, He is probably best remembered for his role as the frustrated movie director Roscoe Dexter in Singin' in the Rain (1952), and for his regular supporting role as Doc Holliday in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. He is the father of rock and roll musician and record producer Kim Fowley.
Crime Does Not Pay was an MGM anthology crime film series of shorts that ran from 1935-1947. Each episode was around 20 minutes in length and composer-conductor John Gart provided the music. It later spawned a radio series of the same name.
City Detective is a half-hour syndicated crime drama starring Rod Cameron as Bart Grant, a tough 1950s New York City police lieutenant.
The Lady Confesses is a 1945 American film noir directed by Sam Newfield.
Hold That Woman! is a 1940 American crime comedy film directed by Sam Newfield and starring the husband-and-wife team of James Dunn and Frances Gifford. The film follows the adventures of a skiptracer and his girlfriend as they attempt to repossess a radio that has not been paid for. Unbeknownst to them, a bag of stolen jewels has been concealed inside the radio by a gang of criminals.
Apology for Murder is a 1945 American film noir directed by Sam Newfield and starring Ann Savage, Hugh Beaumont, Russell Hicks and Charles D. Brown.
Gas House Kids is a 1946 American comedy-drama film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Robert Lowery, Billy Halop and Teala Loring. It was followed by two sequels, Gas House Kids Go West and Gas House Kids in Hollywood, both released in 1947. In the film, a group of unruly New York City children from the Gas House District battle a criminal gang. Along with several other series made at the time, it was inspired by the Dead End Kids.
If You Knew Susie is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas and written by Warren Wilson, Oscar Brodney, Bud Pearson and Lester A. White. The film was produced by, and starred, Eddie Cantor in his final starring role in a feature film. The film also stars Joan Davis, Allyn Joslyn, Charles Dingle and Bobby Driscoll. The film was released on February 7, 1948, by RKO Pictures.
Tenth Avenue Kid is a 1938 American crime film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and written by Gordon Kahn and Adele Buffington. The film stars Bruce Cabot, Beverly Roberts, Ben Welden, Horace McMahon, John Wray and Jay Novello. The film was released on August 22, 1938, by Republic Pictures.
Reaching from Heaven is a 1948 American drama film directed by Frank Strayer, which stars Hugh Beaumont, Cheryl Walker, and John Qualen. The screenplay was written by Charles Palmer, from an original story by Henry Rische and H. W. Gockel.
Paul Bryar was an American actor. In a career spanning nearly half a century, he appeared in numerous films and television series.
Blonde for a Day is a 1946 American action film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Hugh Beaumont, Kathryn Adams, Cy Kendall, Richard Fraser, Paul Bryar, Mauritz Hugo and Charles C. Wilson. The film was released on June 10, 1946, by Producers Releasing Corporation.
Murder Is My Business is a 1946 American action film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. It is based on the 1940 novel The Uncomplaining Corpses by Brett Halliday. The film stars Hugh Beaumont, Cheryl Walker, Lyle Talbot, George Meeker, Pierre Watkin, and Richard Keene. The film was released on March 7, 1946, by Producers Releasing Corporation.
How Doooo You Do!!! is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Ralph Murphy and written by Harry Sauber and Joseph Carole. The film stars Bert Gordon, Harry von Zell, Cheryl Walker, Ella Mae Morse, Frank Albertson and Claire Windsor. The film was released on December 24, 1945, by Producers Releasing Corporation.
Three on a Ticket is a 1947 American crime film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. It is based on the 1942 novel The Corpse Came Calling by Brett Halliday. The film stars Hugh Beaumont, Cheryl Walker, Paul Bryar, Ralph Dunn, Louise Currie, Gavin Gordon, Charles Quigley and Douglas Fowley. The film was released on April 4, 1947, by Producers Releasing Corporation.
Lady Chaser is a 1946 American mystery film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Robert Lowery, Ann Savage, Inez Cooper, Frank Ferguson, William Haade and Ralph Dunn. The film was released on November 25, 1946, by Producers Releasing Corporation.
Gordon Richards was an English actor who had an active international career on the stage and in television and film for more than 50 years. He began his career performing in theatres in London's West End in 1909, and made his Broadway debut in 1913. He appeared in numerous plays and musicals on Broadway through 1951. Active as a performer in both television and film, he appeared in 35 Hollywood films during his career.
Secrets of a Model is a 1940 American drama film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Cheryl Walker, Harold Daniels and Phyllis Barry. It was made as an independent exploitation film on Poverty Row.
