1939

The Cat and the Canary, starring Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard

The Cat and the Canary [1939]

by user
April 16, 2016October 19, 2024

The Cat and the Canary, starring Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard

Synopsis of The Cat and the Canary

The classic “old dark house” motif is given sterling treatment in The Cat and the Canary. Bob Hope’s status as a star was assured with his role as Wallie Campbell. He becomes the cowardly protector of Joyce Norman (Paulette Goddard). She, in turn, who must spend one night in the eerie mansion of her late, eccentric, millionaire uncle. If she can make it through the night without losing her mind, Joyce stands to inherit her uncle’s entire fortune. Of course, all the other potential heirs now have a motive to drive her insane.

by user
April 15, 2016December 26, 2023

Rhythm Romance, starring Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Gene Krupa, Una Merkel

Editorial review of Rhythm Romance courtesy of 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.

by user
January 24, 2015March 8, 2024

The Three Musketeers (1939), starring Don Ameche and the Ritz Brothers

I’ve known of the Ritz Brothers for some time, although I’ve not seen many of their movies. Previously, the only one of their movies that I saw was The Gorilla (with Bela Lugosi). And I wasn’t impressed with their comedy. The Three Musketeers, however, has totally changed my opinion of the Ritz Brothers.

by user
July 8, 2014July 26, 2024

The Gorilla (1939) starring the Ritz Brothers, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Edward Norris, Anita Louise

In short, The Gorilla is a “haunted house” mystery. Lionel Atwill’s character is threatened to become the next victim of “The Gorilla” — a serial killer. His niece drops in to visit with her fiance. And she announces that they’ll be married in two days. Adding to the creepiness of the house is the butler, Peters, and Patsy Keller as the easily-frightened maid round out the household staff. Peters is played by Bela Lugosi. He is half the reason to watch the film. As I watched The Gorilla with my children, they were all convinced that he must be doing something villainous … Lionel Atwill has hired detectives–the Ritz Brothers–to safeguard him … despite their comical ineptness.