John Boles
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. John Boles (October 28, 1895 – February 27, 1969) was an American singer and actor best known for playing Victor Moritz in the 1931 film Frankenstein. He started out in Hollywood in silent movies, but became a huge star with the advent of talkies. After the war, Boles moved to New York to study music. He quickly became well known for his talents and was selected to replace the leading man in the 1923 Broadway musical Little Jesse James. He became an established star on Broadway and attracted the attention of Hollywood producers and actors. Boles' Broadway credits include One Touch of Venus (1943), Kitty's Kisses (1925), Mercenary Mary (1924), and Little Jessie James (1923). He was hired by MGM to appear in a silent film in 1924. He starred in two more films for that studio before returning to New York and the stage. In 1927, he returned to Hollywood to star in The Love of Sunya (1927) opposite Gloria Swanson, which was a big success for him. Unfortunately, because the movies were still silent he was unable to show off his singing ability until late in the decade. In 1929, Warner Brothers hired him to star in their lavish musical operetta The Desert Song (1929). This film featured sequences in Technicolor and was a box-office success. Soon after, Radio Pictures (later known as RKO) selected him to play the leading man in their extravagant production (the last portion of the film was photographed in Technicolor) of Rio Rita, opposite Bebe Daniels. Audiences were enthralled by his beautiful voice, and John Boles suddenly found himself in huge demand. RCA Victor even hired him to make phonograph records of songs that he had sung in his films. As soon as Rio Rita was completed, Boles went back to Warner Brothers as the leading man in an even more extravagant musical entitled Song of the West (1930) that was filmed entirely in Technicolor. Shortly after this film, Universal Pictures offered John Boles a contract, which he accepted. He starred in a number of pictures for them, most notably the all-Technicolor musical revue entitled The King of Jazz (1930) and a historical operetta entitled Captain of the Guard (1930). In 1931, he starred in One Heavenly Night (1931), which would prove to be his last major musical. Boles portrayed Victor Moritz in Frankenstein (1931). He starred with Irene Dunne in a 1934 film adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel The Age of Innocence directed for RKO Radio Pictures by Philip Moeller, and took the role of Edward Morgan in Curly Top (1935), starring Shirley Temple In 1937, Boles starred alongside Barbara Stanwyck in the King Vidor classic Stella Dallas. In 1943, he co-starred with Mary Martin and Kenny Baker in One Touch of Venus. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Boles, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: October 27, 1895
Deathday: February 27, 1969
Popularity:
Known For
Frankenstein
1931-11-21
Frankenstein
Overview: Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life; the mad scientist's dreams are shattered by his creation's violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.
Genres: Drama Horror Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-11-21
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Wild Gold
1934-06-08
Wild Gold
Overview: A young man desperately in love with a nightclub singer sees an opportunity to spend some time alone with her when they're traveling through the Nevada gold country, and he takes the carburetor off her car and throws it in the river, stranding them there. They wind up staying at the cabin of a crusty old prospector, and soon the manager of a nightclub act shows up with his bevy of beautiful showgirls.
Genres: Romance Adventure Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-06-08
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Curly Top
1935-07-26
Curly Top
Overview: Wealthy Edward Morgan becomes charmed with a curly-haired orphan and her pretty older sister Mary and arranges to adopt both under the alias of "Mr. Jones". As he spends more time with them, he soon finds himself falling in love with Mary.
Genres: Family Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-07-26
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Thousands Cheer
1943-09-13
Thousands Cheer
Overview: Acrobat Eddie Marsh is in the army now. His first act is to become friendly with Kathryn Jones, the colonel's pretty daughter. Their romance hits a few snags, including disapproval from her father. Eddie's also plagued by fear of having an accident during his family's trapeze act in the army variety show, which also features a gallery of MGM stars.
Genres: Music Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-09-13
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Stella Dallas
1937-08-06
Stella Dallas
Overview: After divorcing a society man, a small-town woman tries to build a better life for their daughter.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-08-06
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The Littlest Rebel
1935-12-27
The Littlest Rebel
Overview: Virgie Cary's father, a rebel officer, sneaks back to his rundown plantation to see his dying wife and is arrested. A Yankee officer takes pity and sets up an escape. Everyone is captured and the officers are to be executed. Virgie and Uncle Billy beg President Lincoln to intercede.
Genres: Comedy Drama Family Music War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-12-27
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Rio Rita
1929-09-15
Rio Rita
Overview: Capt. James Stewart pursues the bandit "The Kinkajou" over the Mexican border and falls in love with Rita, though he suspects that her brother is the bandit.
Genres: Romance Western Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1929-09-15
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The Love of Sunya
1927-03-11
The Love of Sunya
Overview: A young woman at life's crossroads is granted mystic visions of how her decisions will affect her future life.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1927-03-11
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The White Parade
1934-11-16
The White Parade
Overview: The title represents the hopeful, ambitious students at a hospital training school and is primarily a story of the stern discipline and laborious physical and mental toil they endure in order to become nurses and join the White Parade. It is told mainly through the character of June Arden who finds romance with Ronald Hall III on the way, with side stories of the other girls who find failure, success, laughs and tears on the way.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-11-16
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Music in the Air
1934-12-13
Music in the Air
Overview: A songwriter's young daughter (June Lang) begins to dream of stardom when she's offered the lead role in a new operetta.
Genres: Comedy Romance Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-12-13
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Fazil
1928-06-04
Fazil
Overview: An Arab prince born and raised in the desert and a beautiful Frenchwoman from Paris fall in love and marry, but the tremendous differences in their backgrounds and the cultural differences between their two different societies put strains on their marriage that may well prove irreparable.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-06-04
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Craig's Wife
1936-09-25
Craig's Wife
Overview: Harriet, Walter Craig's wife, is an upper-class woman obsessed with control, material possessions and social status whose behavior makes difficult her relationship with domestic service and family members.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-09-25
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Back Street
1932-08-04
Back Street
Overview: A woman's love for and devotion to a married man results in her being relegated to the "back streets" of his life.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-08-04
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The Age of Innocence
1934-09-14
The Age of Innocence
Overview: An engaged attorney and a divorcee fall for each other in 1870s Manhattan.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-09-14
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Only Yesterday
1933-11-01
Only Yesterday
Overview: On the back of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, a young business man is about to commit suicide. With the note to his wife scribbled down and a gun in his hand, he notices a thick envelope addressed to him at the desk. As he begin to read, we're taken back to the days of WW1 and his meeting with a young woman named Mary Lane.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-11-01
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A Message to Garcia
1936-04-10
A Message to Garcia
Overview: A fiery Cuban woman guides an emissary from the U.S. president through the jungles of war-torn Cuba.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-04-10
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Bottoms Up
1934-04-12
Bottoms Up
Overview: Promoter "Smoothie" King helps a pair of phonies con their way into a movie company. As Wanda heads toward stardom, she turns more and more from King toward the matinée idol. King must decide between his plans and her happiness.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-04-12
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Sinners in Paradise
1938-05-19
Sinners in Paradise
Overview: The survivors from a plane crash are washed up on an island where the only inhabitants are Mr. Taylor and his servant, Ping. The mismatched group must learn to get along and work together if they are to convince Taylor to let them borrow his boat and return to the main land.
Genres: Adventure Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-05-19
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Orchids to You
1935-08-09
Orchids to You
Overview: An unlikely courtroom romance blooms between a flower-shop owner and her unscrupulous landlord's married attorney.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-08-09
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The Life of Vergie Winters
1934-06-14
The Life of Vergie Winters
Overview: A small town politician, kept from marrying the love of his life, eventually marries another woman and his career ascends, but he secretly continues the relationship with his true love.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-06-14
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Seed
1931-05-14
Seed
Overview: Bart is a clerk for a publishing company; he has written a novel. His wife Peggy and he have five children. Bart's former girlfriend Mildred is manager of the company's Paris office. She manages to get the novel published and talks Bart into marrying her after he divorces Peggy. Initially successful, Bart must turn to writing trash to keep Mildred in money. When he sees how well his four sons and daughter Margaret have grown without his help, he asks Peggy to let them all come live with him and Mildred. Peggy agrees, but the arrival of his beloved children puts Mildred's future in jeopardy. Written by Ed Stephan
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-05-14
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Fight for Your Lady
1937-11-05
Fight for Your Lady
Overview: Wrestling trainer puts himself in charge of a singer's love life when the singer is jilted by a rich girl.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-11-05
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The Desert Song
1929-04-08
The Desert Song
Overview: French General Birabeau has been sent to Morocco to root out and destroy the Riffs, a band of Arab rebels, who threaten the safety of the French outpost in the Moroccan desert. Their dashing, daredevil leader is the mysterious "Red Shadow". Margot Bonvalet, a lovely, sassy French girl, is soon to be married at the fort to Birabeau's right-hand man, Captain Fontaine. Birabeau's son Pierre, in reality the Red Shadow, loves Margot, but pretends to be a milksop to preserve his secret identity. Margot tells Pierre that she secretly yearns to be swept into the arms of some bold, dashing sheik, perhaps even the Red Shadow himself. Pierre, as the Red Shadow, kidnaps Margot and declares his love for her.
Genres: Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1929-04-08
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Song of the West
1930-03-15
Song of the West
Overview: Captain Stanton, who because of a misunderstanding over a woman with Major Davolo, has been cited for a court martial. As a scout, he is sent to escort a wagon train which is under military escort. It turns out that this escort is his own former regiment. When he meet Davolo, there is another fight and between Stanton and Davolo in which Davolo is killed.
Genres: Music Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-03-15
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The Last Warning
1928-12-25
The Last Warning
Overview: A producer decides to reopen a theater, that had been closed five years previously when one of the actors was murdered during a performance, by staging a production of the same play with the remaining members of the original cast.
Genres: Horror Mystery Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-12-25
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6 Hours to Live
1932-10-15
6 Hours to Live
Overview: A murder victim is brought back to life by a scientific experiment. However, the effects only last for six hours, and he must find his killer in that time.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-10-15
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Good Sport
1931-12-12
Good Sport
Overview: Marilyn Parker decides not to accompany her husband Rex on his business trip to Europe when she receives a surprise visit from her mother.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-12-12
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One Heavenly Night
1930-12-25
One Heavenly Night
Overview: A poor but basically honest flower woman agrees to impersonate a wicked opera star.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-12-25
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She Married an Artist
1937-11-27
She Married an Artist
Overview: Because Thornwood's portraits of comely model Sally Dennis are in such great demand, he is obliged to spend virtually all his time with Sally, which prompts Toni to seek retribution in divorce court.
Genres: Comedy Romance Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-11-27
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Captain of the Guard
1930-03-28
Captain of the Guard
Overview: In this operetta, the captain of the king's guard secretly works for the rebellion during the French Revolution and is in love with the movement's symbolic leader.
Genres: War Drama Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-03-28
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My Lips Betray
1933-11-04
My Lips Betray
Overview: In a make-believe, mittleuropean kingdom, a vivacious but dim country girl sings in a beer garden for her rent money. Meanwhile, the king is facing bankruptcy for his little nation, unless he marries a rich but undesirable queen of another comic opera principality. Eventually he takes in the struggling young singer, and they fall in love, despite possible ruin.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-11-04
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Careless Lady
1932-04-02
Careless Lady
Overview: Innocent Sally Brown thinks men are only attracted to experienced women, so she poses as the wife of an unmarried businessman on a trip to Paris.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-04-02
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King of Jazz
1930-04-20
King of Jazz
Overview: Made during the early years of the movie musical, this exuberant revue was one of the most extravagant, eclectic, and technically ambitious Hollywood productions of its day. Starring the bandleader Paul Whiteman, then widely celebrated as the King of Jazz, the film drew from Broadway variety shows to present a spectacular array of sketches, performances by such acts as the Rhythm Boys (featuring a young Bing Crosby), and orchestral numbers—all lavishly staged by veteran theater director John Murray Anderson.
Genres: Animation Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-04-20
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Child of Manhattan
1933-02-11
Child of Manhattan
Overview: Paul Vanderkill is extraordinarily wealthy because his grandfather happened to buy farmland in what was to become Midtown Manhattan. The Loveland Dance Hall is one of the tenants of the Vanderkill estates. To reassure his aunt Sophie, Vanderkill visits Loveland to determine whether it is as disreputable as Sophie suspects. There he meets a dime-a-dance girl, Madeleine MacGonagal, who charms him with her quaint proletarian accent. They begin a secret affair, which turns into a secret marriage when pregnancy ensues. When the baby fails to survive, Madeleine decides that since he had married her only for the baby's sake, she should make haste to Mexico to secure a divorce. There she meets Panama Canal Kelly, a former suitor who now owns a silver mine. Her plans for divorce and quick remarriage are complicated when Vanderkill arrives to confront her.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-02-11
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Rose of the Rancho
1936-01-09
Rose of the Rancho
Overview: It is California in 1852 that only recently being surrendered by Mexico to the United States and admitted into the union. Most of the land-owners of California were the descendants of the Dons who had colonized it a hundred years before and whose title deeds bore the signature and seal of a long-dead Spanish king. But, by a loop-hole in the law, the title-deeds of the Dons could not be recognized, and this opened the door of organized gangs of land-grabbers, such as the one led by Joe Kincaid, to operate with a prime excuse for legitimate plunder and robbery. In most cases the law was unable to cope with the situation. Then Rosita Castro, the daughter of Don Pasqual Castro, masked and disguised as a man, organized a band of vigilantes to fight against the tyranny of the outlaws, aided by an undercover federal agent, Jim Kearney.
Genres: Music Romance Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-01-09
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Babes in Bagdad
1952-12-07
Babes in Bagdad
Overview: The Kadi of Bagdad has harem troubles in this low budget comedy from Edgar Ulmer.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-12-07
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The Sixth Commandment
1924-06-01
The Sixth Commandment
Overview: John Brant, a devoted minister, is in love with Marian Calhoun, but must keep it a secret because she is engaged to Robert Fields. However is playing around with a variety of different women.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1924-06-01
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Road to Happiness
1941-12-19
Road to Happiness
Overview: A struggling singer, devoted to his young son, fears the child's super-spoiled, unloving but wealthy mother will gain custody of the boy.
Genres: Drama Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-12-19
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Between Us Girls
1942-09-04
Between Us Girls
Overview: A 20-year-old stage actress takes on her most challenging role when she pretends to be her own mother's 12-year-old daughter.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-09-04
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Hollywood on Parade No. B-9
1934-04-28
Hollywood on Parade No. B-9
Overview: Jimmy Durante asks popular song writing team Mack Gordon and Harry Revel to demonstrate some of their songs. There is interplay with impersonator Florence Desmond, Ben Turpin, Rudy Vallee and many others.
Genres: Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-04-28
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Redheads on Parade
1935-09-07
Redheads on Parade
Overview: A film star finds herself in trouble with her co-star when she has to flirt with the backer to prevent him from withdrawing his support.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-09-07
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Beloved
1934-01-22
Beloved
Overview: Story about four generations in a family of musicians.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-01-22
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Romance of the Underworld
1928-11-10
Romance of the Underworld
Overview: When a gangster's speakeasy is raided by the police, one of the people picked up is the gangster's pretty young girlfriend. A kind-hearted cop takes pity on her and helps her get out of that life. While waitressing to earn money for college, she meets a wealthy and handsome young man and they fall in love--but he doesn't know about her somewhat shady past and her relationship with the gangster.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-11-10
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As Good as Married
1937-05-09
As Good as Married
Overview: When a boss proposes marriage to his secretary, she discovers that the arrangement is solely for tax purposes.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-05-09
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I Believed in You
1934-04-09
I Believed in You
Overview: An aspiring writer and her boyfriend, a professional agitator head off to the Big Apple in search of good fortune. Unfortunately, the agitator soon finds himself in trouble with the cops. Meanwhile the writer attempts to become a Greenwich Village Bohemian type. She and her new friends are all starving for their art until a kindly gent offers them financial assistant. They refuse on principle. Tragedy pays a call when the writer learns that her boyfriend has been untrue.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-04-09
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Resurrection
1931-01-27
Resurrection
Overview: Katusha, a country girl, is seduced and abandoned by Prince Nekludov. Nekludov finds himself, years later, on a jury trying the same Katusha for a crime he now realizes his actions drove her to. He follows her to imprisonment in Siberia, intent on redeeming her and himself as well.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-01-27
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We Americans
1928-05-06
We Americans
Overview: We Americans was based on the Broadway play of the same name. Returning to the "melting pot" themes that he handled so well, director Edward H. Sloman concentrates on the trials and tribulations of three first-generation American families: The Jewish Levines, the German Schmidts and the Italian Albertinis.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-05-06
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Romance in the Dark
1938-03-24
Romance in the Dark
Overview: A baritone aids a young servant in making her dream of singing professionally come true.
Genres: Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-03-24
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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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Starlit Days at the Lido
1935-09-28
Starlit Days at the Lido
Overview: Basically this is a commercial for Hollywood's Lido Lounge and for MGM contract players. The Lido is a large watering hole; we visit one afternoon with an orchestra playing, all sorts of stars and would-be stars sitting at tables near the pool alongside paying customers, and bathing beauties parading and diving. The Lido's manager, Reggy Denny, introduces the stars in the audience. He's sometimes interrupted by someone who does a bit, sings a song, or otherwise entertains: most of these are novelty acts. By the end, everyone's having a swell time.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-09-28
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The Water Hole
1928-08-25
The Water Hole
Overview: Judith Endicott, the daughter of a wealthy eastern banker, vamps Philip Randolph, an Arizonan, when he comes east to talk business with her father. Philip proposes and discovers that Judith has only been kidding him along. He returns angrily to Arizona, and the elder Endicott, accompanied by his daughter, follows him west. With her father's permission, Richard "kidnaps" Judith and takes her to a deserted Indian cliff dwelling, where she must cook and care for him. Bert Durland, Judith's fiancé, follows after her, and his Indian guide steals all of the horses. Judith and Bert and Philip start back to civilization across the desert, and Bert goes berserk from the heat. They are rescued by cowboys, and Judith returns east, "kidnaping" Philip and taking him with her.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-08-25
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Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
1936-09-11
Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
Overview: Viewers are provided a visit to Ken Maynard's private circus; Bette Davis poses for her portrait; Frank McHugh plays with his children; a visit to the West Side Tennis Club affords glimpses of many stars.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-09-11
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Excuse Me
1925-01-19
Excuse Me
Overview: A sailor and his would-be bride search their train for a clergyman to marry them.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1925-01-19
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The Shepherd of the Hills
1928-01-01
The Shepherd of the Hills
Overview: David Howitt, a stranger, comes among the mountain folk of the Missouri hills and, taken in by an Ozark family, becomes known as The Shepherd because of his gentle and kindly ways. Years earlier, his son betrayed a mountaineer's daughter, and The Shepherd hopes to atone for his error. When a continued drought threatens the people with starvation and ruin, they lose faith in the "miracle man" and mock him, though he begs them to keep the faith.
Genres: Western Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-01-01
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Man-Made Women
1928-09-09
Man-Made Women
Overview: The man who loved her showed her how to hold the man she loved. A novel picture story packed with drama, thrills and laughs.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-09-09
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Virgin Lips
1928-07-25
Virgin Lips
Overview: In a banana republic, way south of the Texas border, a dumb-Dora American girl, Norma (Olive Borden), lets her ruby-red lips promise more than she is willing to deliver, and she finds herself a prisoner in a notorious dance-hall/brothel. But her American aviator boyfriend, Barry Blake (John Boles), is flying to her rescue. He does just that but, alas, they are quickly captured by a gang of outlaws. Possibly the many expensive pieces of jewelry she has gathered from the many male friends she has made along the way, including El Presidente, captured the outlaws' attention.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-07-25
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So This Is Marriage?
1924-11-26
So This Is Marriage?
Overview: The only known copy of this film copy was reported to have been destroyed in the 1967 MGM Vault fire.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1924-11-26
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Scandal
1929-04-27
Scandal
Overview: 1929 picture starring Laura La Plante, Huntley Gordon, and John Boles.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1929-04-27
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