Mari Blanchard
Biography: Petite, attractive Mari Blanchard rarely managed to get the lucky breaks. The daughter of an oil tycoon and a psychotherapist, she suffered from severe poliomyelitis from the age of nine, which denied her a hoped-for dancing career. For several years, she worked hard to rehabilitate her limbs from paralysis, swimming and later even performing on the trapeze at Cole Brothers Circus. At the urging of her parents, she then attended the University of Southern California, where she studied international law before dropping out nine units short of a degree. Her university studies did not lead to a career either. Sometime in the late 1940s, she joined the Conover Agency as an advertising model and, at the same time, was promoted by famed cartoonist and writer Al Capp, becoming the inspiration for one of his Li'l Abner characters. As the result of an advertisement on the back page of the Hollywood Reporter, Mari was signed to a contract with Paramount. However, her early experience in the movie business proved an unhappy one, most of her roles being walk-ons and bit parts. Ten Tall Men (1951), for example, limited her to a token stroll down a street, twirling a parasol and smiling seductively at members of the Foreign Legion. It wasn't until Mari joined Universal that her fortunes improved somewhat, with a co-starring role (opposite Victor Mature) in The Veils of Bagdad (1953). After that, it was all downhill again. Burt Lancaster, co-producer and star (with Gary Cooper of the excellent A-grade western Vera Cruz (1954), had requested Mari as his leading lady, but Universal refused her release to United Artists and forbade her to accept the lucrative role (Denise Darcel ended up getting the part). Mari then lost the lead in a much lesser picture,Saskatchewan (1954), to Shelley Winters. Instead, she was cast as Venusian Queen Allura in one of the least exciting outings by Universal's leading comic duo, Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953). Mari did end up with a respectable starring role in the western Destry (1954) opposite Audie Murphy. A remake of the classic Destry Rides Again (1939), she was cast in the Marlene Dietrich part and took great pains to affect a totally different look, darkening her hair so as not to be compared to the great star. Even the name of her character was changed from 'Frenchy' to 'Brandy'. "Destry" was not all smooth sailing. There was tension between her and director George Marshall (who had also directed the original version) and Mari suffered a facial injury as the result of a fight scene. The film was critically well received, but unfortunately Universal failed to renew its contract with Miss Blanchard, and her career then went into free fall. Freelancing for lesser studios, she played a TB victim injected with a serum turning her into a Mr. Hyde-like killer in the lurid She Devil (1957) (during filming she nearly died of acute appendicitis). Mari then appeared for Republic in the eminently forgettable No Place to Land (1958) before briefly starring in her own short-lived adventure series Klondike (1960). Her last role of note was as the cheerful and likeable town madam in the rollicking John Wayne western comedy McLintock! (1963). Sometime that year, Mari Blanchard developed the cancer which was to claim her life in 1970 at the age of just 47.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: April 13, 1923
Deathday: May 10, 1970
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Known For
Son of Sinbad
1955-06-02
Son of Sinbad
Overview: Legendary pirate and adventurer Sinbad is in single-minded pursuit of two things: beautiful women and a substance called Greek Fire--an early version of gunpowder.
Genres: Adventure Fantasy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1955-06-02
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Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
1953-04-06
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
Overview: Lester and Orville accidentally launch a rocket which is supposed to fly to Mars. Instead it goes to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. They are then forced by bank robber Mugsy and his pal Harry to fly to Venus where they find a civilization made up entirely of women, men having been banished.
Genres: Comedy Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1953-04-06
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The Cruel Tower
1956-10-28
The Cruel Tower
Overview: The story of a bunch of hard-drinking steeplejacks.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1956-10-28
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Twice-Told Tales
1963-09-01
Twice-Told Tales
Overview: 3 horror stories based on the writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne. In the 1st story titled "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment", Heidegger attempts to restore the youth of three elderly friends. In "Rappaccini's Daughter", a demented father is innoculating his daughter with poison so she may never leave her garden of poisonous plants. In the final story "The House of the Seven Gables", The Pyncheon family suffers from a hundred year old curse and while in the midst of arguing over inheritance, a stranger arrives.
Genres: Horror Fantasy Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1963-09-01
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The Crooked Web
1955-11-30
The Crooked Web
Overview: Following WWII, ex-G.I. Stan opened up a drive-in restaurant. His girlfriend, Joanie, is one of the car hops. They want to get married someday, but the less-than-stellar business the restaurant takes in puts a hold on that plan. One day, Joanie's ne’er-do-well brother Frank blows into town with a money-making scheme. She's against it, but Stan - an inveterate gambler - finds the promise of riches too seductive to resist…
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1955-11-30
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The Unknown Man
1951-11-09
The Unknown Man
Overview: A scrupulously honest lawyer discovers that the client he's gotten off was really guilty.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-11-09
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No Questions Asked
1951-06-15
No Questions Asked
Overview: With the help of some seedy gangsters, young attorney Steve Keiver makes some quick cash by bending the law, and in the process, he impresses the mobsters so much that they invite him to work for them on a regular basis. But when Police Inspector Matt Duggan realizes that Steve is working as a middleman for the mob, the young lawyer finds himself in a life-threatening situation. In order to clear his name, he must betray the deadly crooks he's been working for.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-06-15
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Machete
1958-12-01
Machete
Overview: This 1959 film-noir take on "Othello," filmed in Puerto Rico, stars Mari Blanchard as flirtatious Jean, who marries an older man, plantation owner Don Luis, for financial security and finds herself falling for his virile foster son, Carlos. Fearing that Jean will inherit Luis's money, his greedy cousin, Miguel, poisons the bridegroom against his new wife, informing him about her passion for another.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1958-12-01
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Destry
1954-12-01
Destry
Overview: Western remake of "Destry Rides Again", starring Audie Murphy, Mari Blanchard, Thomas Mitchell, Lori Nelson and Lyle Bettger.
Genres: Western War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-12-01
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She Devil
1957-04-01
She Devil
Overview: Biochemists give fruit-fly serum to a dying woman, with side effects.
Genres: Science Fiction Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-04-01
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Stagecoach To Fury
1956-12-13
Stagecoach To Fury
Overview: A group of stagecoach passengers are held hostage by bandits waiting for a shipment of gold they plan to steal.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1956-12-13
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Jungle Heat
1957-07-22
Jungle Heat
Overview: Japanese communists attempt to take over Hawaii and only Dr. Jim Ransom can stop them.
Genres: Action Adventure Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-07-22
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The Brigand
1952-06-24
The Brigand
Overview: Carlos Delargo, the banished son of a royal princess of Mandorra, is returned to the kingdom to be tried for a murder change. However, he is freed by King Lorenzo, whom bears a remarkable resemblance to Delargo. When the king is wounded by assassins sent by Napoleon, Delargo takes over the throne at the request of the Prime Minister in a plot to thwart the traitors. He also falls in love with Princess Teresa, the king's fiancée.
Genres: Adventure Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-06-24
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Rails Into Laramie
1954-04-14
Rails Into Laramie
Overview: A federal agent arrives in Laramie to try to find out who is behind the efforts to stop the construction of a new railroad track.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-04-14
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Bannerline
1951-10-12
Bannerline
Overview: A young crusading reporter in a small town tackles civic corruption.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-10-12
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The Return of Jack Slade
1955-10-09
The Return of Jack Slade
Overview: To redeem his father's wrongdoings, Ericson joins the law to fight outlaws.
Genres: Western Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1955-10-09
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Don't Knock the Twist
1962-04-13
Don't Knock the Twist
Overview: A TV executive tries to create a musical special to save his network.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1962-04-13
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Back at the Front
1952-10-01
Back at the Front
Overview: Further misadventures of comic soldiers Willie and Joe, now in Japan.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-10-01
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Basket of Mexican Tales
1956-05-17
Basket of Mexican Tales
Overview: Strong-willed Luisa attracts lots of men, but her intelligence and sharp tongue often sends them running. When she meets Carlos, who is equally cagey, sparks fly. The two of them marry, and quickly begin clashing on a daily basis, humiliating each other as they try to teach one another lesson after lesson.
Genres: Romance
Original Language: es
Release Date: 1956-05-17
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Overland Telegraph
1951-12-15
Overland Telegraph
Overview: Not to be confused with the 1929 film The Overland Telegraph, this Western from director Lesley Selander stars Tim Holt as a cowboy appropriately named Tim Holt. In order to hinder the construction of a new telegraph line for his own financial gain, scheming shopkeeper Paul Manning (George Nader) enlists the assistance of a gang of outlaws led by Brad Roberts (Hugh Beaumont in one of his many pre-Leave it to Beaver roles). Unfortunately for the bad guys, Holt and his cohort Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin) sense that there's foul play afoot and embark on an investigation.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-12-15
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No Place to Land
1958-10-03
No Place to Land
Overview: A cropduster pilot finds himself caught between two women—one who loves him and the other, who doesn’t handle rejection well, who’s out to destroy him.
Genres: Adventure Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1958-10-03
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Black Horse Canyon
1954-06-01
Black Horse Canyon
Overview: The story of a wild black stallion and the cowboys who set out to capture him.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-06-01
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McLintock!
1963-11-12
McLintock!
Overview: Ageing, wealthy, rancher and self-made man, George Washington McLintock is forced to deal with numerous personal and professional problems. Seemingly everyone wants a piece of his enormous farmstead, including high-ranking government men and nearby Native Americans. As McLintock tries to juggle his various adversaries, his wife—who left him two years previously—suddenly returns. But she isn't interested in George; she wants custody of their daughter.
Genres: Western Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1963-11-12
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Karasu
1958-01-01
Karasu
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: tr
Release Date: 1958-01-01
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On the Riviera
1951-04-20
On the Riviera
Overview: In this fast-paced remake of the Maurice Chevalier vehicle Folies Bergère, talented Danny Kaye plays both a performer and a heroic French military pilot.
Genres: Comedy Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-04-20
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The Veils of Bagdad
1953-10-06
The Veils of Bagdad
Overview: Antar is sent by Suleiman, head of the Ottoman Empire, to Bagdad to prevent Hammam, Pasha of Bagdad, from purchasing the services of local leader Mustapha to unite the hill tribes and overthrow the emperor. The intrigue mounts as Antar falls in love with dancer Selima, who tries to avenge her father's death against Hammam's right-hand-man Kasseim, whose wife Rosanna has fallen in love with Antar!
Genres: Drama Action Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1953-10-06
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Something to Live For
1952-03-07
Something to Live For
Overview: Advertising executive Alan Miller, a recovered alcoholic who now does interventions on behalf of Alcoholics Anonymous, is called to help Broadway actress Jenny Carey whose developing career is threatened by an increasing dependence on alcohol. Alan's growing interest in Jenny strains his marriage to Edna, with whom he has two children.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-03-07
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Ten Tall Men
1951-10-26
Ten Tall Men
Overview: Sgt. Mike Kincaid of the French Foreign Legion learns, from a Riff prisoner, that an attack will soon be made by the villainous Hussin on the Legion's outpost of Tarfa. Kincaid volunteers to lead nine other Legionnaires on a mission to delay Hussin's attack till reinforcements arrive. When he discovers that Hussin plans to marry Mahla, a girl from a rival tribe, in order to build a coalition against the French, Kincaid kidnaps Mahla. Hussin forcefully takes her back, but by now his planned attack on Tarfa is crumbling and Mahla has begun to fall in love with Kincaid.
Genres: Action Adventure Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-10-26
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Assignment: Paris
1952-09-04
Assignment: Paris
Overview: Paris-based New York Herald Tribune reporter Jimmy Race (Andrews) is sent by his boss (Sanders) behind the Iron Curtain in Budapest to investigate a meeting involving the Hungarian ambassador.
Genres: Thriller Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-09-04
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