Tucson, Arizona, circa 1910: Emily Hefferan wants a divorce. In flashback, she recalls twenty years of marriage to Jim Hefferan, who sinks every cent of each new windfall in harebrained investments. Emily only keeps a roof over the family by taking in boarders…more and more of them. But Jim’s latest deal goes just a little too far.
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Tag Archives: 1940s
Gaslight (1940) Thorold Dickinson, Anton Walbrook, Diana Wynyard, Frank Pettingell, Mystery, Thriller
Twenty years ago, old Mrs. Barlow was killed in her home at 12, Pimlico Square for her priceless rubies. The murderer searched the whole house without finding them, then disappeared. The house has been empty since then, but now Paul and Bella Mallen move into the apartment.
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Caravan (1946) Arthur Crabtree, Stewart Granger, Jean Kent, Anne Crawford, Adventure, Drama, Romance
During the last half of the 19th century writer Richard Darrell saves Don Carlos from two robbers, and is entrusted by Don Carlos to take a valuable necklace to Spain. Richard leaves his fiancé, Oriana, and starts the trip. He meets Wycroft, a henchman for Sir Francis Castteldow, an aristocrat out to steal Oriana from Richard. The latter is assaulted, robbed and nearly killed and, as a result, loses his memory. He marries a gypsy girl, Rosal, while Oriana, thinking him dead marries the dastardly Sir Francis. Everybody will meet again. Complications will arise.
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Sensation Hunters / Club Paradise (1945) Christy Cabanne, Robert Lowery, Doris Merrick, Eddie Quillan, Drama, Film-Noir
A naive young girl, looking to escape from a bad family situation, falls in love with a man who turns out to be a cad, and leads her down the road to ruin.
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Young People (1940) Allan Dwan, Shirley Temple, Jack Oakie, Charlotte Greenwood, Drama
Shirley’s last film on her 20th Century Fox contract (aged 12). Her parents (Oakie, Greenwood) decide to retire from show biz so she can have a normal life.
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Magnificent Doll (1946) Frank Borzage, Ginger Rogers, David Niven, Burgess Meredith, Drama, History
Dolly Payne is adored by two leaders of the fledgling American government, James Madison and Aaron Burr. She plays each against the other, not only for romantic reasons, but also to influence the shaping of the young country. By manipulating Burr’s affections, she helps Thomas Jefferson win the presidency, and eventually she becomes First Lady of the land herself.
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Look for the Silver Lining (1949) David Butler, June Haver, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Drama, Musical, Romance
This musical biopic chronicles the vaudeville-to-Broadway story of 1920s’ star Marilyn Miller (June Haver). From her start on the boards in Findlay, Ohio, Marilyn sings and dances her way to Broadway stardom, frequently in company with her mentor, dancer Jack Donahue (Ray Bolger).
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Pagliacci (1948) Mario Costa, Tito Gobbi, Gina Lollobrigida, Onelia Fineschi, Drama, Musical
The fiery performance, conducted by Giuseppe Morelli with the Rome Opera Chorus and Orchestra, knocks all recent digital efforts into a cocked hat. A few cinematic liberties seem permissible to me and this is surely one of the best films of an opera.
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Podobizna (1948) Jirí Slavícek, Otomar Krejca, Ljuba Skorepová, Vladimír Smeral, Drama, Horror
People are afraid of the usurer Chazaj and are convinced that he is the bearer of evil. One day Chazaj pays a visit to the poor artist Simon Jordán and asks him to paint his portrait. Simon agrees but as he progresses with the work his mind conjures up terrible thoughts and in the end he commits suicide.
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The Phantom Rider (1946) Spencer Gordon Bennet, Robert Kent, Peggy Stewart, LeRoy Mason, Action, Adventure, Western
Indian agent Fred CArson is secretly the leader of a band of outlaws, using his official position to loot the U.S. Government if Indian allotment money. Aided by Ceta, the tribal Medicine Man, Carson directs raiding and robbing activities, both against the Indians and the local ranchers.
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