Dick Purcell
Also Known As: Richard Gerold Purcell Jr., Richard Gerold Purcell, Richard G. Purcell, Richard Purcell
Biography: Dick Purcell (born Richard Gerold Purcell, Jr.) was an American screen and stage actor. He is best known for playing Marvel Comics' Captain America in the 1944 film serial. The serial was released on February 5, and Purcell, age 38, died two months later, on 10 April 1944, the result of a fatal heart attack.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
Birthday: August 06, 1905
Deathday: April 10, 1944
Adult: No
Gender: Male
Popularity:
Known For:
The Bank Dick
Overview: Egbert Sousé becomes an unexpected hero when a bank robber falls over a bench he's occupying. Now considered brave, Egbert is given a job as a bank guard. Soon, he is approached by charlatan J. Frothingham Waterbury about buying shares in a mining company. Egbert persuades teller Og Oggilby to lend him bank money, to be returned when the scheme pays off. Unfortunately, bank inspector Snoopington then makes a surprise appearance.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-11-29
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The Old Homestead
Overview: In this entry in the "Weaver Family" series, the town of Farmington is being plagued by a crime wave. The angry citizens are ready to impeach the mayor, June Weaver, and the police chief, Leon Weaver. To end the crime and preserve her career, June feigns corruption and hires a real gangster to get rid of the local mobs. Unfortunately, a bona fide crooked councilman intervenes and makes real mob connections causing an earnest journalist to launch a front page attack.
Genres: Comedy Drama Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-08-17
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King of the Zombies
Overview: During World War II, a small plane somewhere over the Caribbean runs low on fuel and is blown off course by a storm. Guided by a faint radio signal, they crash-land on an island. The passenger, his manservant and the pilot take refuge in a mansion owned by a doctor. The quick-witted yet easily-frightened manservant soon becomes convinced the mansion is haunted by zombies and ghosts.
Genres: Horror Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-05-14
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Outside the Three-Mile Limit
Overview: Government Agent Conway, posing as a crew member of a ship, is investigating the flood of counterfeit money that seemingly is originating for a gambling ship, moored off-shore beyond the three-mile limit and operated by gangster Dave Reeves.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-03-07
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Bullets or Ballots
Overview: After Police Captain Dan McLaren becomes police commissioner, former detective Johnny Blake publicly punches him, convincing rackets boss Al Kruger that Blake is sincere in his effort to join the mob. "Bugs" Fenner, meanwhile, is certain that Blake is a police agent.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-06-06
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New Moon
Overview: A revolutionary leader romances a French aristocrat in Louisiana.
Genres: Romance Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-06-28
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Nancy Drew… Detective
Overview: After a wealthy dowager who has made a substantial donation to her alma mater suddenly disappears, Nancy Drew sets out to solve the mystery.
Genres: Comedy Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-11-19
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Blackwell's Island
Overview: A reporter gets himself sent to prison to expose a mobster.
Genres: Comedy Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-01-24
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Times Square Playboy
Overview: A stock broker's small-town best friend thinks the bride-to-be and her family are gold-diggers so he does everything he can to prevent the wedding.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-05-09
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Mystery House
Overview: When a banker is found shot dead with a gun in his hand, his daughter refuses to believe it is a suicide. With the help of a detective, she hopes to get to the bottom of the case.
Genres: Adventure Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-05-21
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Flight Command
Overview: A rookie flyer, Ens. Alan Drake, joins the famous Hellcats Squadron right out of flight school in Pensacola. He doesn't make a great first impression when he is forced to ditch his airplane and parachute to safety when he arrives at the base but is unable to land due to heavy fog. On his first day on the job, his poor shooting skills results in the Hellcats losing an air combat competition. His fellow pilots accept him anyways but they think he's crossed the line when they erroneously conclude that while their CO Billy Gray is away, Drake has an affair with his wife Lorna. Drake is now an outcast and is prepared to resign from the Navy but his extreme heroism in saving Billy Gray's life turns things around.
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-12-27
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Reveille with Beverly
Overview: Beverly Ross, the switchboard operator at a local radio station, jumps at the chance to be the DJ for an early morning show before the soldiers at a nearby army camp assemble for reveille. Beverly, with her modern music, camp bulletins and chatter, is a hit with the soldiers. Beverly's younger brother and his two buddies are soldiers at the camp. The buddies vie for Beverly's attentions.
Genres: Comedy Music Romance War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-02-04
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Captain America
Overview: Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations.
Genres: Action Adventure Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-02-05
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No Hands on the Clock
Overview: A wise-cracking private detective's honeymoon is interrupted by a kidnapping case.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-12-01
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Arise, My Love
Overview: A dashing pilot and a vivacious reporter have romantic and dramatic adventures in Europe as World War II begins.
Genres: Comedy Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-11-08
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Over the Wall
Overview: When a singing, song-writing prizefighter is framed for murder and sent to the state pen, his girlfriend sets out to prove his innocence.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-04-02
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Phantom Killer
Overview: Well-known philanthropist and deaf-mute John G. Harrison is identified leaving the scene of several murders but evades successful prosecution as there are hundreds of witnesses who have also seen him emceeing benefits at the exact same time as the murders.
Genres: Romance Mystery Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-10-02
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The Mystery of the 13th Guest
Overview: A woman of twenty-one opens her grandfather's will left to her thirteen years earlier, per his instructions. Murder soon follows.
Genres: Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-11-05
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The Case of the Velvet Claws
Overview: Perry and Della are finally married by his old friend, Judge Mary. They plan to go on a honeymoon, but before it can start, Perry is retained by a woman with a gun and $5000.
Genres: Mystery Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-07-03
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Brides Are Like That
Overview: Fred, the wealthy owner of apple groves, has sent his nephew to college, but the only job that his nephew has after graduating is the job of not working. Bill is a dreamer, a talker and a golf player and he has a lot of ideas, but still lives off Fred. When Hazel gets engaged to Doc Jenkins, it takes a while, but Bill talks her into marrying him instead. The only problem is that now, he needs to find a job.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-04-18
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Men in Exile
Overview: An ex-con takes flight after he's framed for a jewelry store robbery and murder.
Genres: Crime Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-04-04
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Wine, Women and Horses
Overview: An ex-gambler hooks up with an old flame after his old habit resurfaces and drives off his wife.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-09-11
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Public Enemy's Wife
Overview: Judith has just been paroled for a crime which her vindictive, jealous, violent husband, Gene, fingered her for. Gene is in prison for life. She claims that she had no knowledge of Gene's criminal activity, but FBI agent Lee Laird doesn't buy it.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-07-24
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Missing Witnesses
Overview: A detective and his bumbling sidekick join the crackdown on racketeering in '30s New York City.
Genres: Romance Action Adventure Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-12-11
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X Marks the Spot
Overview: A private detective, soon to enlist in the army, is drawn into one final case when his police officer father is killed in the line of duty. Soon his prime suspect is murdered as well, and he finds himself framed for the crime. As more witnesses get murdered, he finds himself on the run from both the police and former Prohibition violators who seem to have found a new racket.
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-11-04
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Valley of the Giants
Overview: A lumberman takes on a sleezy corporate giant wanting to move in and do whatever it takes to drive everyone else out of business.
Genres: Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-09-17
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Penrod's Double Trouble
Overview: When a young boy disappears, a man desperate for the offered reward money turns up with an identical child.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-07-23
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Melody for Two
Overview: A singing bandleader signs on with an all-girls band.
Genres: Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-05-01
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Accidents Will Happen
Overview: A married insurance claims adjuster investigates a gang of accident-fraud racketeers, but they retaliate by targeting his wife.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-04-09
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Navy Blues
Overview: A sailor bets his friends he can get a date with any woman they choose. They pick out a librarian with glasses and a bookish appearance. When he pursues her, he discovers that she is quite beautiful and that he has competition -- but his rival has more sinister intentions than anyone imagines.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-03-29
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King of Hockey
Overview: Gamblers try to pressure a star hockey player into throwing a game.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-12-19
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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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Trocadero
Overview: A newspaper columnist and host of his own national network radio program, interviewing more film personalities on his show than any other commentator, is searching for a story for a Sunday column carried by newspaper from coast to coast. Hanging out in Hollywood's famed Trocadero restaurant and night-spot, he gets his story when "Troc" owner and band-leader Eddie LeBaron, relates to him the sage of the famed screenland nitery. And hears plenty of music furnished by four of the top name-bands in the land, including that of Bob Chester, who formed his own swing band in 1935 after being top saxophonist with the bands of Ben Pollack and Ben Bernie. Singer Ida James and the Chester band led off with "Shoo Shoo Baby" in their screen debut.
Genres: Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-04-24
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I Live on Danger
Overview: A cocky radio reporter sets out to prove an ex-convict is innocent in the murder of a mob boss.
Genres: Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-06-16
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Irish Luck
Overview: A spunky young bellhop investigates the murder of a hotel guest.
Genres: Comedy Action Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-08-22
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Follow the Fleet
Overview: When the US Navy fleet docks at San Francisco, sailor Bake Baker tries to rekindle the flame with his old dancing partner, Sherry Martin, while Bake's buddy Bilge Smith romances Sherry's sister, Connie. But it's not all smooth sailing—Bake has a habit of losing Sherry's jobs for her and, despite Connie's dreams, Bilge is not ready to settle down.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-02-20
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Air Devils
Overview: Two daredevil pilots go after the same girl.
Genres: Action Adventure Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-05-13
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Heroes in Blue
Overview: Family heartbreak: A dedicated New York City policeman raises two sons, one following in his dad's footsteps as a cop while the other turns to crime and is arrested for murder.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-11-07
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The Law in Her Hands
Overview: A female lawyer sets up her own practice but only achieves success as an attorney for the mob.
Genres: Drama Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-05-16
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Timber Queen
Overview: Russ Evans, A WWII veteran army pilot, decides to check up on the widow of an old war buddy of his, Elaine Graham. The logging company she inherited is doing poorly, but Elaine gets an order in for a huge shipment of lumber. Russ and his friend Squirrel volunteer to help her cut the timber for the shipment, along with her friends Smacksie Golden and his girlfriend Lil Boggs, who are not used to doing physical labor. Russ pilots the plane to deliver the lumber before the company falls to a slimy businessman.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-01-13
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Reported Missing
Overview: A gang is sabotaging planes so that when they crash, the corpses can be robbed.
Genres: Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-08-15
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The Daredevil Drivers
Overview: To spite his girlfriend, the owner of a successful bus company, an auto racer goes to work for her rival.
Genres: Action Crime Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-02-12
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Bullets for O'Hara
Overview: A detective courts a gangster's ex-wife to lure him into a trap.
Genres: Romance Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-07-19
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Garden of the Moon
Overview: Don Vincente is determined to make a success of himself and his band. He gets his break by performing at the Garden of the Moon, which is broadcast over the radio. The problem is that John Quinn is the club's ruthless, scheming manager who will do anything to keep Vincente under his thumb. John's assistant, Toni Blake, falls for Vincente, complicating the escalating war.
Genres: Comedy Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-09-23
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Public Wedding
Overview: The operators of a bankrupt carnival sideshow hope to restore their fallen fortunes by staging a fake 'public wedding' in the mouth of their unprofitable giant whale. But the intended 'bridegroom' absconds with the proceeds, arranging a substitute. The bride, Flip Lane (Jane Wyman), much to her surprise, finds herself really married to a handsome stranger, whose career as an artist she decides to manage, much to his dismay.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-07-09
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Jailbreak
Overview: A reporter gets himself sent to prison so he can solve a murder behind bars.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-08-05
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Man Hunt
Overview: A bored small-town teacher gets mixed up with an escaped bank robber.
Genres: Crime Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-01-29
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Tough Kid
Overview: Skipper Murphy is serving as trainer and inspiration for his brother Red Murphy training for a world championship title bout. Trouble comes for the Murphys when Red runs up against a gambling syndicate and is put on the spot to throw the fight.
Genres: Crime Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-12-28
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Alcatraz Island
Overview: A man who has been railroaded into prison is framed for the murder of a fellow inmate and must prove his innocence.
Genres: Romance Drama Action Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-10-13
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The Pittsburgh Kid
Overview: Unable to sign boxer Joe Louis to movie contract, Republic Pictures had to make do with the losers of Louis' heavyweight championship bouts. One of these was Billy Conn, who after being knocked out by Louis in the 13th round awakened to star in the Republic programmer The Pittsburgh Kid. The story finds clean-limned pugilist Conn (playing himself) being managed by pretty Patricia Mallory.
Genres: Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-08-29
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No Place for a Lady
Overview: A private detective and a blonde acquaintance whom he has rescued from a misdirected murder charge, discover a body in his beachside cottage; only it has disappeared by the time the police arrive, leaving him to be charged with hoaxing the police. With his license in jeopardy, his would-be fiancee and an inquiring reporter set out to investigate.
Genres: Crime Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-02-11
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Torpedo Boat
Overview: Richard Arlen and Phil Terry star as Skimmer and Tommy, two lifelong buddies who've invented a lightweight, high-speed torpedo boat (hence the title). Their copacetic business relationship is strained when nightclub singer Grace Holman (Jean Parker), having been jilted by Skimmer, marries Tommy on the rebound.
Genres: War Action Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-01-24
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Aerial Gunner
Overview: Old rivals are pitted against each other in basic training and fight for the same woman.
Genres: War Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-03-20
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In Old California
Overview: Boston pharmacist Tom Craig comes to Sacramento, where he runs afoul of local political boss Britt Dawson, who exacts protection payment from the citizenry. Dawson frames Craig with poisoned medicine, but Craig redeems himself during a Gold Rush epidemic.
Genres: Action Romance Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-05-31
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Freshman Love
Overview: A star rower is forced to join a good school under a pseudonym because his wealthy dad doesn't like schools that have high academic standards.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-01-18
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Talent Scout
Overview: A Hollywood heartthrob helps a small-town girl achieve stardom.
Genres: Drama Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-07-24
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Flight Into Nowhere
Overview: When headstrong pilot Bill Kellogg disobeys orders and takes a plane to photograph potential landing fields in uncharted Latin American country, he ends up running out of gas and crashing. The members of a nearby tribal village save Bill from the wreckage, but arent willing to help him get home.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-04-19
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The Captain's Kid
Overview: In this children's adventure, the children of a small town are enthralled by the tales of the town drunk.
Genres: Music Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-11-14
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Flying Blind
Overview: A spy steals a secret military device, then hijacks an airliner to get away. The airliner crashes in the wilderness & the survivors are threatened by a raging forest fire.
Genres: Drama Comedy Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-08-29
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Broadway Musketeers
Overview: Three women who grew up in an orphanage cross paths later in life: one unhappily married with a young daughter, one an office secretary, and one a nightclub performer.
Genres: Music Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-10-08
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Drunk Driving
Overview: In this Crime Does Not Pay series entry, John Jones is an up and coming businessman who drinks too much but denies he has a problem. One day he mixes drinking and driving, and the tragic consequences hit very close to home.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-10-28
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While America Sleeps
Overview: An episode in the "Crime Does Not Pay" series. Dave Miller, an aircraft plant worker, is actually selling secret bomber plans to foreign agents. United States Intelligence Department agents plan to trap him and the spies he works for.
Genres: Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-04-14
Popularity:
Idaho
Overview: A deputy sets out to prove that a respected judge, who had once been a criminal, is being framed for crimes committed by a crooked saloon owner.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-03-10
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Breakdowns of 1938
Overview: Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1938.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-12-31
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Ceiling Zero
Overview: War veteran pilots Dizzy Davis, Texas Clark and Jake Lee are working in an airline. Dizzy is fooling with one of the younger pilot's girl-friend and due to this he changes flights with Texas.
Genres: Adventure Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-01-16
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Fighting Men: Crack That Tank
Overview: A tank driver explains the nature of the armored combat vehicle and the techniques of how the infantry can deal with them in combat.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-01-24
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The Doorway to Hell
Overview: A vicious crime lord decides that he has had enough and much to the shock of his colleagues decides to give the business to his second in command and retire to Florida after marrying his moll. Unfortunately, he has no idea that she and the man are lovers.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-10-18
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Private Affairs
Overview: A girl decides to consult her natural father, whom she's never seen, for advice on her mixed-up love life.
Genres: Romance Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-07-05
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Bengal Tiger
Overview: After causing his friend's death, an animal trainer marries the man's daughter to atone.
Genres: Action Adventure Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-07-29
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Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8
Overview: Ice skating is the theme; at the Tropical Ice Garden, in Westwood Hills, are seen a flock of skating stars including Irene Dare and Phyllis Ann Thomoson, as well as Hollywood luminaries such as Franklyn Pangborn, Norma Shearer, Rita Hayworth, Mickey Rooney, Dick Purcell and Ann Sheridan.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-04-08
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Streets of New York
Overview: Jimmy, an idealistic and hard-working young man, has just arrived in New York City with dreams of making his fortune. Along the way he faces numerous obstacles, opportunities and temptations, but through it all, he considers the actions of his hero, Abraham Lincoln, for guidance. Will Jimmy see his dreams come true, or will he be another of the countless hopefuls chewed up and spit out by New York's mean streets?
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-04-12
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Draegerman Courage
Overview: After a mine cave in, the rescue crew risks their lives to search for two trapped miners.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-05-15
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Two in a Taxi
Overview: An ambitious but financially strapped taxi driver becomes involved with mobsters to obtain money to buy a gas station.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-07-10
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High Explosive
Overview: Mike Douglas (Barry Sullivan), owner of a nitroglycerin concern hires his old friend "Buzz" Mitchell (Chester Morris), a race-driver of midget-auto cars who has been banned from racing, to go to work hauling nitro. "Buzz" makes a play for Connie Baker (Jean Parker), Mike's secretary and girlfriend, and also for Doris Lynch (Barbara Lynn), fiancée of Connie's younger brother, Jimmy ('Rand Brooks'), and gets Jimmy to replace him on a dangerous nitro haul and Jimmy, of course, has an accident and gets killed. But "Buzz" finds a way to redeem himself. The hard way.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-03-27
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Snowed Under
Overview: Alan Tanner's new play opens in a week, but Tanner just can't finish the third act. He's retreated to a snowbound cottage to work, but blonde neighbor Pat Quinn wants to play. Producer Arthur Layton sends Alice, Alan's first wife, to help him stick to business. But then Daisy, his second wife, shows up wanting her alimony. Stranded with two wives, a girlfriend, and a jug of applejack, Alan still has to finish his play!
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-03-29
Popularity: