Louis Hayward

The Man in the Iron Mask (1939)

by user
September 20, 2024September 8, 2024

James Whale’s exciting adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) centers on twin heirs to France’s throne who are separated at birth. The first-born Louis, is raised as a prince, but Phillippe is brought up ignorant of his true identity. When Phillippe is arrested with his companions, D’Artagnan and the three Musketeers, he meets his brother, now the king, face-to-face. The tryrannical Louis decides Phillippe could be useful to him as a look-a like, but complications arise when Phillippe meets the king’s beautiful Fiancé. Whale’s film is a swashbuckling adventure tale, full of palace intrigues and thrilling sword fights.

by user
October 19, 2018September 21, 2021

Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) starring Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara

Dance, Girl, Dance is the story of hard-working ballet dancer Judy O’Brien (Maureen O’Hara). She and her street-wise gal-pal Bubbles (Lucille Ball) work as members of a small-time dance troupe operated by Madame Basilova (Maria Ouspenskaya). The story begins with their dance troupe performing in a seedy nightclub in Akron, Ohio. A rich young man named Jimmy Harris (Louis Hayward) is there drowning his sorrows — his marriage is falling apart. No sooner do the dancers finish their number when the place is raided by the police for illegal gambling. Jimmy makes eyes at Judy — which irritates Bubbles, since she’s always the first to get a man’s attention. Since Judy reminds him of his wife, however, he goes off with Bubbles. This leaves Judy behind to focus on her true love – ballet dancing.