Someone Could Get Killed Out There!

From Colonnade Pictures Corporation in 1941, it's time for "Murder on Lexon Avenue."  This picture was produced and directed by Arthur Dreifuss, with original story by Frank Wilson and screenplay and adaptation by Vincent Valentini and Bryna Ivens.  In this one, dramatic events at a Harlem apartment house center around the new head of the Better Business League (played by Gus Smith), elected to replace his corrupt predecessor (Norman Astwood), who wants revenge, and the new BBL head's young ward (Ernie Ransom), a two-timing Romeo, whose affairs are coming to a crisis.  Hanging around is the murderous henchman (Herman Green) of the ousted BBL chief.  This movie also stars Alberta Perkins, Sidney Easton, Alex Lovejoy, Dene Larry, and Earl Sydnor.

Lena's First Movie

From Million Dollar Productions in 1938, here is "The Duke Is Tops," starring Ralph Cooper, who invested his savings to back his sweetheart (played by Lena Horne, in her motion picture debut) in a road show, in which both had been performers since they were kids.  A New York talent scout makes an offer to the female star as a single, and to induce her to take the offer, the title character writes a fake check, made out to him, for $5000, pretending to have sold her contract to this talent scout.  Heartbroken, Lena Horne's character accepts and becomes a big hit in New York.  This film, produced by Harry Popkin,  was directed by William Nolte with Leo C. Popkin as associate producer.

 

BCS: Ducks Still Rule Roost

Following their Saturday beatdown of Washington, Oregon (by .9638 to .9611 over Auburn) maintained their #1 ranking in the Bowl Championship Series standings that were released on Sunday.

Auburn is ranked second, followed by Texas Christian University, Boise State, then Louisiana State University.

The Ducks remained atop the Associated Press media poll (with 49 of a possible 60 first-place votes) and USA Today/Coaches Poll (with 50 of a possible 61 first-place votes).

What support Oregon State had in the AP poll evaporated following their tough setback at UCLA. 

Riders End Losing Skid, Eliminate Eskimos From Playoffs

At Regina, Saskatchewan:

Quarterback Darian Durant threw for 345 yards and one touchdown ran for another as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-8) ended their four-game losing streak on Saturday with a 31-23 victory over Edmonton (7-11), eliminating the Eskimos from the Canadian Football League Grey Cup playoffs, which begin next weekend.  The 'Riders will host a Western Division semifinal playoff next Sunday, against the British Columbia Lions. 

Bruins Knock Off Beavers At The Gun

At Pasadena, California:

Kai Forbath kicked a 51-yard field goal on the game's final play as the UCLA Bruins (4-5, 2-4 in Pac-10 play) knocked off the Oregon State Beavers (4-4, 3-2) 17-14 on Saturday. 

Ducks Break Open Close Game And Rout Huskies

At Eugene, Oregon:

LaMichael James ran for 121 yards and three touchdowns, while Darron Thomas threw for a score and ran for two more as the top-ranked (BCS, AP, USA Today/Coaches) Oregon Ducks (9-0, 6-0 in Pac-10 play) broke open what had been a surprisingly competitive contest and horsewhipped the visiting Washington Huskies (3-6, 2-4) 53-16 on Saturday. 

Early Ginger

From 1933, here's Ginger Rogers starring in one of her earlier feature films, "A Shriek in the Night."  In this one, a madman shrieks as the body of a man falls from the upper floor of an apartment building, bringing unwanted attention from a rival reporter to a racketeering case an undercover reporter is covering.  Lyle Talbot co-stars.  M. H. Hoffman, Jr.  produced this picture from Allied Pictures Corporation (NOT to be confused with Allied Artists, formerly the re-incartion of Monogram Pictures) which was directed by Albert Ray.  Story by Kurt Kempler and screenplay by Frances Hyland.

Time For A Movie!

From 1931, here's a flick entitled "Night Life In Reno"  starring Virginia Valli, with Jameson Thomas, Dorothy Cristy, Arthur Houseman, and Dixie Lee (the first Mrs. Bing Crosby).  Distributed by the Weiss Brothers, this film came from Artclass Pictures Corporation via Supreme Features, Inc., Ltd.  Written by Gloria Stiratt and directed by Raymond Cannon.

Here's A Show With Something For Everyone

Here's a kinescope of the May 2, 1954 ABC Network telecast of Super Circus, originating from Chicago, with ringmaster and emcee Claude Kirchner and assistant Mary Hartline, along with a gaggle of clowns and commercials for M & M candy bars.

Time For The News

I may have already embeded this video on this weblog, but I've decided to embed it again.  Here is a kinescope of the complete December 13, 1953 ABC Network telecast of the Walter Winchell Show, a blend of news, gossip, and commentary by the famed newspaper columnist. Complete with commercials and ABC Network ID.

Back Then, They Did Not Have Those Intrusive and Outrageous Security Measures

Here's an Encyclopaedia Brittanica film from 1948, "The Airport."

Here's A Film For Fraidy Cats

Here's a Coronet Instructional Films production from 1950, "Overcoming Fear."

He May Be Eligible-----------------------------Now

The question is, will he still be in the future?

Time For Another Paramount Cartoon

From 1964, it's time for "Homer on the Range," an installment of Paramount's Noveltoon series.  This cartoon, made in New York City, was produced, written, and directed by Howard Post with animation by William B. Pattengill, scenics by Robert Little, and music by Winston Sharples.

Attention Department Store Employees: Be On The Lookout For Little Lulu!

From 1946, here's Little Lulu starring in "Bargain Counter Attack," a Famous Studios production.  In this one, our heroine causes havoc at a city department store.  This cartoon, produced in New York City and released theatrically by Paramount Pictures, and based upon the Saturday Evening Post character created by Marjorie Henderson (Marge) Buell, was directed by Isidore Sparber, with story by Bill Turner and Fexil the Cat creator Otto Messmer, animation by Nick Tafuri, John Walworth, and Tom Golden, scenics by Anton Loeb, and music by Winston Sharples.

How 'Bout Some Short'nin' Bread?

From 1948, here's a Famous Studios Screen Song cartoon entitled "Short'nin' Bread."  This cartoon, made in New York City and released theatrically by Paramount Pictures, was directed by Isidore Sparber with story by Larz Bourne and Larry Riley, animation by Myron Waldman and Gordon Whittier, scenics by Anton Loeb, and musical arrangement by Winston Sharples.

Another Shot At Crooning For The Duke

From 1934, here's John Wayne starring in "The Man From Utah."  In this one, the Duke is sent by the Marshall to a rodeo to see if he can find out who's killing the rodeo riders who are about to win the prize money.  This picture, produced by Paul Malvern for Lone Star Productions and released by the original Monogram Pictures, was directed by Robert North Bradbury with story and screenplay by Lindsley Parsons.

Sparky Anderson, R. I. P.

Hall of  Fame manager Sparky Anderson, who guided the Cincinnati Reds to World Series titles in 1975 and 1976 and the Detroit Tigers to the 1984 World Series crown, passed away on Thursday at Thousand Oaks, California at age 75 of complications from dementia.

Time For The Three Mesquiteers

Time for a 1937 movie from Republic Pictures, "Range Defenders," starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan, and Max Terhune at The Three Mesquiteers.  When the brother of one of the Mesquiteers is framed for murder by the town boss, it's up to Stony (Robert Livingston) and his buddies to clear his brother and bring the town boss and his henchmen to justice.  Produced by Sol C. Siegel and directed by Mack V. Wright.

Swan Song For Chesterfield Pictures

Comedy veteran Andy Clyde stars in "Red Lights Ahead," produced by George R. Batcheller and directed by Roland Reed, with screenplay by Robert Ellis and Helen Logan.  In this one, Grandpa moves in with his brood and stuff happens. This 1936 movie marked the final production and release for Chesterfield Pictures, which had already been folded into the newly-formed Republic Pictures Corporation.