James Dunn
Biography: James Dunn worked on the stage, in vaudeville and as an extra in silent movies before he was signed by Fox in 1931. His first movie with Fox was 1931's Sob Sister (1931). While at Fox, he appeared with Shirley Temple in her first three features: Baby Take a Bow (1934), Stand Up and Cheer! (1934) and Bright Eyes (1934). Dunn's screen character was usually the boy next door or the nice guy. In 1935 musicals at the new 20th Century-Fox were out and Dunn would move to the "B" list, from which he would never return. In The Payoff (1935) he plays the nice guy newspaper columnist whose wife ruins his career. By the late 1930s he was drinking heavily and become unemployable. He would appear in small roles in films during the early 1940s, but those parts were few. In 1945 he was able to make a comeback and win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945), but his rejuvenated career would not continue. By 1951 he would again be unemployed and bankrupt. Television would later supply some work and he would be a regular on the series It's a Great Life (1954). Dunn was born 2 November 1901, New York City, New York, USA, and he died 1 September 1967, Santa Monica, California, USA (following abdominal surgery)
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: November 02, 1901
Deathday: September 03, 1967
Popularity:
Known For
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
1945-02-28
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Overview: In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1945-02-28
Popularity:
Baby Take a Bow
1934-06-30
Baby Take a Bow
Overview: Eddie Ellison is an ex-con who spent time in Sing-Sing prison. Kay marries him as soon as he serves his time. Five years later, Eddie and his ex-convict buddy Larry, have both gone straight, and Eddie and Kay have a beautiful little girl named Shirley. However, Welch has kept a close eye on them for years. He believes in "once a criminal, always a criminal." Then, when Eddie's employer's wife's pearls go missing, it comes out that Eddie and Larry both spent time in prison, and they're fired. Welch suspects that Eddie and Larry have something to do with the theft of the pearls. Will Welch prove that Eddie and Larry had something to do with the theft, or will the truth prevail?
Genres: Drama Family Romance Crime Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-06-30
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Welcome Home
1935-08-09
Welcome Home
Overview: A con artist attends a reunion in his hometown and discovers that his former classmates are trying to trick an old millionaire into returning to build a factory.
Genres: Comedy Crime Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-08-09
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The Living Ghost
1942-08-11
The Living Ghost
Overview: A detective investigating kidnapping case discovers the victim, who may be a zombie.
Genres: Thriller Horror Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-08-11
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Bright Eyes
1934-12-28
Bright Eyes
Overview: An orphaned girl is taken in by a snobbish family at the insistence of their rich, crotchety uncle, even as her devoted aviator godfather fights for custody.
Genres: Drama Family Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-12-28
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Stand Up and Cheer!
1934-05-04
Stand Up and Cheer!
Overview: President Franklin Roosevelt appoints a theatrical producer as the new Secretary of Amusement in order to cheer up an American public still suffering through the Depression. The new secretary soon runs afoul of political lobbyists out to destroy his department.
Genres: Comedy Music Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-05-04
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The Ghost and the Guest
1943-04-19
The Ghost and the Guest
Overview: Newlyweds Webster and Jackie Frye spend their honeymoon in a sinister old country house. Before long, they are besieged by a gang of crooks, searching for a fortune in diamonds. With the help of chauffeur Harmony Jones, the honeymooners attempt to outsmart the villains.
Genres: Comedy Thriller Mystery Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-04-19
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Government Girl
1943-11-05
Government Girl
Overview: An aviation engineer and a government secretary are thrown together by the war effort.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-11-05
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Bad Girl
1931-08-13
Bad Girl
Overview: A man and woman, skeptical about romance, nonetheless fall in love and are wed, but their lack of confidence in the opposite sex haunts their marriage.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-08-13
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The Oscar
1966-03-04
The Oscar
Overview: An amoral lowlife accidentally stumbles into an acting career that sets him on a trajectory to Hollywood stardom. But everyone on whom he steps on the way to the top remembers when he is nominated for an Oscar and he runs a dirty campaign in an attempt to win.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-03-04
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Killer McCoy
1947-12-01
Killer McCoy
Overview: Tommy McCoy grew up poor and scrappy. As a young man he discovers that he can fight with his powerful right arm. He becomes successful at boxing, however he has an alcoholic father.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-12-01
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Hearts in Bondage
1936-05-26
Hearts in Bondage
Overview: Best friends Kenneth Reynolds and Raymond Jordan are U.S. Navy officers, and Kenneth is engaged to Raymond's sister. But the eruption of the Civil War divides them, as Raymond stands by his native Virginia while Kenneth remains on duty as a Northern officer. Kenneth's uncle, John Ericsson, designs a new kind of ship, an ironclad he calls the Monitor. Eventually the war pits Kenneth, on board the Monitor, against his friend Raymond, serving aboard the South's own ironclad, the Merrimac (as it is called here). A naval battle ensues, one that will go down in history.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-05-26
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Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man
1962-07-25
Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man
Overview: Young and restless Nick Adams, the only son of a domineering mother and a weak but noble doctor father, leaves his rural Michigan home to embark on an eventful cross-country journey. He is touched and affected by his encounters with a punch-drunk ex-boxer, a sympathetic telegrapher, and an alcoholic advanceman for a burlesque show. After failing to get a job as reporter in New York, he enlists in the Italian army during World War I as an ambulance driver. His camaraderie with fellow soldiers and a romance with a nurse he meets after being wounded propel him to manhood.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1962-07-25
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The Caribbean Mystery
1945-06-01
The Caribbean Mystery
Overview: The Caribbean Mystery is a remake of Mr. Moto on Danger Island (1939)-which in turn was a remake of Murder in Trinidad. James Dunn stars as Mr. Smith, a Columbo-like Brooklyn detective who pops up on a tropical island to track down some missing geologists.
Genres: Crime Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1945-06-01
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Two-Fisted Gentleman
1936-08-15
Two-Fisted Gentleman
Overview: Mickey, is a prizefighter whose bright career hits the skids when he comes under the guidance of Ginger, a female fight promoter, when he becomes involved with June Prentice and her high-society crowd.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-08-15
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The Girl in 419
1933-05-26
The Girl in 419
Overview: A hospital surgeon (James Dunn) protects a mystery woman (Gloria Stuart) who knows too much about a card-game murder.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-05-26
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Arizona to Broadway
1933-07-22
Arizona to Broadway
Overview: A team of con men trying to double-cross a woman they are supposedly helping to get some stolen money back wind up getting crossed themselves... by the mob.
Genres: Crime Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-07-22
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Mr. Broadway
1957-05-11
Mr. Broadway
Overview: A musical television special chronicling the early career of playwright George M. Cohan, focusing primarily on his vaudeville years as part of his family singing group "The Four Cohans."
Genres: Music Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-05-11
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George White's 1935 Scandals
1935-03-29
George White's 1935 Scandals
Overview: A Broadway producer discovers new talent in a small Georgia town and brings them to New York for his new show.
Genres: Romance Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-03-29
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The Payoff
1935-01-09
The Payoff
Overview: An honest sports columnist's greedy wife persuades him to go easy on a cheat, famous for crooked sports deals.
Genres: Romance Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-01-09
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Hold That Woman!
1940-06-28
Hold That Woman!
Overview: A skip tracer--someone who collects late payments from people who've purchased appliances, etc., or takes them back them when they don't pay--repossesses a small radio from a deadbeat who's skipped payments. What he doesn't know is that a gang that has stolen diamonds from a Hollywood movie star has stashed them inside the radio, and they start hunting for him.
Genres: Crime Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-06-28
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Have a Heart
1934-09-07
Have a Heart
Overview: Sally (Jean Parker) is engaged to be married, loves dancing and kids. But her life is ruined when an accident cripples her and her betrothed magnanimously offers to not back out of the marriage. After rejecting his offer she starts a doll shop and tries to save for an operation. From her doll shop window she watches children and talks to Jimmie (James Dunn) the ice cream man. She wants to know Jimmie better, but is terrified of rejection.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-09-07
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That Brennan Girl
1946-12-23
That Brennan Girl
Overview: Raised by Natalie Brennan, a flamboyant and irresponsible mother, Ziggy Brennan gets involved in hustling men at a young age. She hangs around with a wild crowd and learns gets her "street smarts" first from her mother, who wants everyone to think they are sisters, and then from Denny Reagan, an older man. He starts teaching her his tricks of the trade and she falls right in line with his crooked ways. Then one night she meets Martin J. 'Mart' Neilson, a tall, handsome, honest farmer boy who's a sailor and they fall in love. While he's away fighting the war, she discovers she's pregnant.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1946-12-23
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Leave It to the Irish
1944-08-26
Leave It to the Irish
Overview: A private eye (James Dunn) investigates the murder of a fur dealer. Monogram.
Genres: Mystery Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-08-26
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We Have Our Moments
1937-03-28
We Have Our Moments
Overview: A trio of American crooks board a ship bound for Europe, intending to get rid of $100,000 in stolen dough. With detective John Wade breathing down their necks, the crooks stash the loot in the trunk belonging to vacationing schoolmarm Mary Smith.
Genres: Comedy Mystery Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-03-28
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Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
1948-07-16
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
Overview: Eddie Tayloe's grandfather leaves him six thousand dollars and the money belt it came in, freeing Tayloe to leave his dull newspaper job in Texas and move to New York to become a playwright. Along the way, his car breaks down and a girl walking along the highway asks for a lift. It turns out she's a nice girl, named Perry, running away from a job at a gasoline station. Soon they're off to New York together, but part ways once they arrive. Time passes and Eddie is failing to sell his play; Perry is failing to find a job. Odd circumstances, involving an old pickpocket named Mandy, bring them together again.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-07-16
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Change of Heart
1934-05-18
Change of Heart
Overview: Catherine and Mack and their close friends Chris and Madge graduate from a West Coast college and fly to New York City to find work.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-05-18
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Hello, Sister!
1933-04-14
Hello, Sister!
Overview: Peggy and her friend Millie are strolling down Broadway while Jimmy and Mac are trolling Broadway, and the four get together...
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-04-14
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Society Girl
1932-05-29
Society Girl
Overview: Johnny is training for a championship fight. Judy distracts him, so his manager Briscoe walks out on him. Then so does Judy.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-05-29
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Over the Hill
1931-11-29
Over the Hill
Overview: In their farm house in a New York village, Ma Shelby prepares breakfast for her four children, Isaac, Tommy, Johnny and Susan, and then awakens them. The racket the boys make as they play and fight awakens their father, who spanks the eldest, Isaac. When a visitor chides Pa for not working, Ma sticks up for her husband, saying that he has a weak back and that he is waiting for a promised government job.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-11-29
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Sailor's Luck
1933-03-17
Sailor's Luck
Overview: U.S. sailor Jimmy Harrigan, on shore leave in San Pedro, meets and falls for Sally Brent She promises to wait for him when he ships out to San Francisco, but Jimmy becomes jealous and tells her off when he learns Sally has entered a marathon dance contest sponsored by a lecherous snake named Baron Portola. Along with several of his Navy pals, Jimmy goes to the ballroom the night of the dance marathon, to try to change Sally's mind and win her back.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-03-17
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Shadows Over Shanghai
1938-10-14
Shadows Over Shanghai
Overview: A pilot carrying a valuable amulet is shot down over China by a ruthless Russian agent, who also wants the amulet.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-10-14
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365 Nights in Hollywood
1934-12-11
365 Nights in Hollywood
Overview: Down-on-his-luck film director Jimmie Dale takes a job at a fly-by-night acting school. He is drawn into the plans of the school's owner to bilk a wealthy young man out of the funds he has supplied to shoot a movie starring pretty student Alice Perkins. But Jimmie hopes to bilk the bilkers by actually completing the movie as ostensibly planned.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-12-11
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Bad Boy
1935-10-25
Bad Boy
Overview: An unemployed loafer who spends his time playing pool decides he's ready to look for a job so he can secure his girlfriend's parents' approval for their marriage.
Genres: Comedy Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-10-25
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Mysterious Crossing
1936-12-27
Mysterious Crossing
Overview: While crossing on the train ferry to New Orleans, roving reporter Addison Francis Murphy borrows money from singing hillbilly "Carolina," then loses it all in a crap game. Outside on deck, Murphy sees two men shaking hands, and after he looks away, hears a splash of water and discovers both men have disappeared...
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-12-27
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The Biggest Little Star of the 30's
1976-01-01
The Biggest Little Star of the 30's
Overview: A compilation of Shirley Temple newsreel appearances from the 1930's.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-01-01
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A Wonderful Life
1950-08-10
A Wonderful Life
Overview: Sponsored by The Protestant Film Commission, this religiously-affiliated tale centers around citizen Henry Wood (played by Oscar winner James Dunn from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"), who loved family and church, gave to the needy, and donated most of his money to charity. Now deceased, his somewhat neglected daughter reflects on his past and ponders that age-old question, did he indeed have such "a wonderful life"?
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-08-10
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Living on Love
1937-11-12
Living on Love
Overview: A man and woman, who've never met, are forced by circumstances to share the same apartment. A remake of the 1933 film "Rafter Romance".
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-11-12
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Shadow Over Elveron
1968-03-05
Shadow Over Elveron
Overview: A corrupt sheriff knows the secrets of everyone in town and uses that information to go unchallenged. But after the arrest of an innocent teenager, the new doctor cannot keep quiet and tries to get the community to stand up for what is right.
Genres: Crime Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-03-05
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The Daring Young Man
1935-07-17
The Daring Young Man
Overview: The Daring Young Man is hotshot-reporter Don McLane, played by James Dunn. Always on the prowl for a good story, McLane is persistently outscooped by his rival, sob sister Martha Allen (Mae Clarke). After several reels of double-crossing one another, hero and heroine give in to the inevitable and fall in love. But as Martha waits at the altar in her wedding gown, McLane is off on another crusade, this time getting himself arrested to expose corruption within the prison system.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-07-17
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Pride of the Navy
1939-01-23
Pride of the Navy
Overview: A disruptive Annapolis naval cadet refuses to tow the line and so gets booted out of the prestigious academy. Later, he takes to designing speedboats. They are innovative and soon the Navy comes a-knocking in hopes that he will design a fast and easily maneuverable boat to carry torpedoes.
Genres: Action Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-01-23
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Hold That Girl
1934-03-23
Hold That Girl
Overview: "That girl" is newspaper sob-sister Tony Bellamy (Claire Trevor), whose nose for news gets her into one jam after another, especially when she poses as an exotic dancer to get the goods on a gangster.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-03-23
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Mercy Plane
1939-12-04
Mercy Plane
Overview: Air-race champions "Speed" Leslie and Branda Fowler combine to open a very profitable airplane service that flies patients to other cities for special treatment. Gangsters soon move in and offer to take over, without an invitation.
Genres: Action Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-12-04
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The Golden Gloves Story
1950-03-22
The Golden Gloves Story
Overview: Joe Riley is a boxing referee whose life-code is the same as the sporting rules of the prizefight ring. Two Golden Glove (a tournament for amateur prizefighters) contestants Nick Martel, a tough, pugnacious kid from Chicago who has had to fight for everything he has in life, and Bob Gilmore, from the other side of life's tracks, are also competing for the affections of Riley's daughter, Patty.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-03-22
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The Bramble Bush
1960-02-24
The Bramble Bush
Overview: A young doctor returns to his Massachusetts home town at the request of a terminally ill old friend.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1960-02-24
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The Ninth Day
1957-01-10
The Ninth Day
Overview: After World War III a small group of people live in the desert. A young man tries to run away, hoping to find other communities of survivors, but is told by the elders that he must stay and marry the group's only young woman.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-01-10
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Dance Team
1932-01-17
Dance Team
Overview: Jimmy Mulligan and Poppy Kirk, both out of work, strike up a conversation outside a radio shop and discover a shared dream of hitting it big dancing and decide to team up. As “Mulligan & Kirk” they have their highs and lows while falling in love but eventually find enormous success. Their personal relationship, however, hits a few snags on the way to a happy ending.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-01-17
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Son of the Navy
1940-03-30
Son of the Navy
Overview: A runaway boy pretends to be the son of a Navy man, only to turn both their lives upside down.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-03-30
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Take a Chance
1933-11-25
Take a Chance
Overview: Take a Chance was based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name, though only one of the original songs, Eadie Was a Lady, has been retained. The thinnish plot involves the misadventures of a pair of pickpockets, played on Broadway by Jack Haley and Sid Silvers and on film by James Dunn and Cliff “Ukelele Ike” Edwards.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-11-25
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The Song Plugger
1930-06-08
The Song Plugger
Overview: 'Blind Bob' has written a song and the folks at the music publishing company think that Joe Frisco, his old friend from the Bowery is just right for it. So we see Joe at stage doing his peddler routine. He goes over to the publishing company, where he flirts with a girl act, and then tries out some eccentric dancing to the new song, which happens to be 'Get Happy.'
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-06-08
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Come Closer, Folks
1936-11-07
Come Closer, Folks
Overview: A fast-talking pitchman working the con-games on the streets, works himself up into an executive position of a large department store, with the aide of his shill, Mae. But the owner, Elmer Woods, of the department store has a blonde-beauty daughter, Peggy, who goes to work on him.
Genres: Romance Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-11-07
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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975-08-06
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Overview: Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American entertainment industry during the Great Depression.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-08-06
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Jimmy and Sally
1933-11-04
Jimmy and Sally
Overview: Jimmy is a wiseguy press agent whose efforts to promote a meat-packing firm come to naught. Our hero is fired from his job, whereupon his sweetheart Sally steps in, immediately succeeding where Jimmy had failed.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-11-04
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Venus Makes Trouble
1937-05-14
Venus Makes Trouble
Overview: A fast-talking, street-wise con-man forsakes the tank-towns of Pennsylvania for the greener pastures in Manhattan, and gains fame-and-fortune as New York City's number one merchandise promoter. A model and a society girl provide some complications along the way.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-05-14
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Take It or Leave It
1944-07-17
Take It or Leave It
Overview: A young husband becomes a game-show participant in the hopes of winning the cash to pay his pregnant wife's doctor.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-07-17
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Handle with Care
1932-12-25
Handle with Care
Overview: Bill Gordon (James Dunn), whose lot-in-life is rising, falls in love with Helen Barlow (Boots Mallory), who is raising two cute motherless children who nearly wreck her romance when they can't understand why grown-ups kiss...and other complications.
Genres: Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-12-25
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Hollywood’s Children
1982-02-24
Hollywood’s Children
Overview: A documentary about child actors, since the beginning of motion pictures (narrated by Roddy McDowell).
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-02-24
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Hold Me Tight
1933-05-20
Hold Me Tight
Overview: Newly married sweethearts Chuck Evans and Molly Roberts work at Blair's Department Store and Molly plans to quit to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. But Chuck unexpectedly and unfairly gets fired so Molly stays on. She catches the eye of Dolan, the crooked store detective, and he makes a play for her, trying to make Chuck, who is still unemployed, small in her eyes. Meanwhile, Dolan puts into action his plan to steal the store's fur coats by hiring his girlfriend, Trudie Holmes, and Molly to do a sham inventory one night, then hires Chuck to unwittingly drive the contraband away. Dolan arranges with his mugs for Chuck to be the fall guy if anything goes wrong. Molly & Chuck become suspicious and manage to foil the robbery. Blair appoints Chuck the head of the shipping department and the young couple see a bright future ahead.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-05-20
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Sob Sister
1931-10-25
Sob Sister
Overview: Jane Ray, a very clever reporter of crimes of passion, or "sob sister," for a New York tabloid, begins to feel depressed by the sordidness of her latest assignment, the investigation of a young woman's murder by her husband. Despite her growing distaste for her profession, Jane gets her story and, with typical ingenuity, frustrates her competitors' attempts to follow her lead.
Genres: Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-10-25
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In the Nick of Time
1929-10-01
In the Nick of Time
Overview:
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1929-10-01
Popularity: