Tonight's Movie: The Falcon Strikes Back (1943)

Six months after George Sanders exited the FALCON series in THE FALCON'S BROTHER (1942), Tom Conway took over the franchise starring solo in THE FALCON STRIKES BACK.

Conway, who was Sanders' older brother in real life, had been introduced as Tom Lawrence, the brother of Sanders' Gay Lawrence, in THE FALCON'S BROTHER. This time around Tom picks up where Gay left off, waking up with a hangover and immediately involved with three beautiful women: perky reporter Marcia Brooks (Jane Randolph), first met by Tom in THE FALCON'S BROTHER; resort manager Gwynne Gregory (Harriet Hilliard, better known as Harriet Nelson); and the mysterious Mia Bruger (Rita Corday).

Tom becomes entangled with a ring to steal war bonds; along the way he's involved with a group of volunteer knitters and conducts an investigation at the elegantly rustic Pinecrest Hotel.

Harriet Hilliard looks especially lovely as the hotel manager who may or may not be a crook. It's always a treat to see her from the earlier part of her career, before she was better known as Ricky and David's mother!

THE FALCON STRIKES BACK is an especially good entry in the series, 66 well-paced minutes filled with colorful characters and an attractive setting. The hotel makes an especially pleasing backdrop for the mystery; I'd love to know where the exterior swimming pool scenes were shot. (It's also fun to spot the smooth editing in of Rita Corday's diving double.) Tom Conway plays the Falcon as though it's been his part from Day One, and the whole formula works very well.

It's interesting to note this title was directed by Edward Dmytryk, who would soon show his talent on Grade "A" films such as MURDER, MY SWEET (1944), TILL THE END OF TIME (1946), and CROSSFIRE (1947).

The Velma Dawson Puppets add an unusual bit of color to the film; Dawson was the creator of the Howdy Doody marionettes. It's interesting to note that one of the puppets is of Disney's Goofy; RKO, which made the FALCON series, released Disney films in that era.

Jane Randolph returned to the series for the second and final time as Marcia Brooks. Marcia fills the same type of role Wendy Barrie played in the first two films, dazzled by the Falcon's kisses and jealously fending off other women, while occasionally serving as his Gal Friday. In between making THE FALCON'S BROTHER and THE FALCON STRIKES BACK, Randolph and Conway costarred with Kent Smith and Simone Simon in the Val Lewton-Jacques Tourneur classic CAT PEOPLE (1942).

Rita Corday would go on to appear in four more FALCON films, in a variety of roles. Despite a significant number of credits under the name Rita Corday, in 1947 she was billed in Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s THE EXILE (1947) under the name Paule Croset. Then in the '50s she began acting under yet another name, Paula Corday.

Jean Brooks, who plays the Spanish-speaking girl asking the Falcon's help at the end of the movie, would also appear in four more FALCON films, playing a different role in each one!

Cliff Clark and Edward Gargan return as long-suffering Inspector Donovan and the hapless Detective Bates, while Richard Loo succeeds Keye Luke, the most recent actor to have played the Falcon's houseboy, Jerry. Loo is quite delightful in an expanded role, showing up undercover at Pinecrest to help solve the mystery. Cliff Edwards picks up the part of the Falcon's right-hand man, Goldie Locke, from Allen Jenkins, who played the role in the first three films; Don Barclay's Lefty of THE FALCON'S BROTHER is absent.

One almost needs a scorecard to follow the revolving cast members and characters throughout the series -- although, truth to tell, it doesn't really matter very much, except to those of us who like to keep track of such things! Each film is a self-contained story which can be enjoyed by anyone new to the series.

The earlier films in the Falcon series, preceding THE FALCON'S BROTHER, were THE GAY FALCON (1941), A DATE WITH THE FALCON (1942), and THE FALCON TAKES OVER (1942).

THE FALCON STRIKES BACK is available on DVD-R from the Warner Archive in The Falcon Mystery Movie Collection, Volume I.

It can also be seen on Turner Classic Movies.

Tonight's Movie: The Falcon in Hollywood (1944)

THE FALCON IN HOLLYWOOD is an especially entertaining entry in the long-running series, notable for a bevy of lovely leading ladies, a fun cameo, and a lengthy tour of the RKO Studios lot.

Tom Lawrence, aka the Falcon, is relaxing at the racetrack when he meets up with a gorgeous but nutty numerologist (Rita Corday) and a pretty young movie actress (Barbara Hale), not to mention the actress's shady former employer (Sheldon Leonard).

 The Falcon attempts to help the ladies when there's a mix-up with their purses, and that leads him to a fast-driving lady cabbie (Veda Ann Borg) and then a movie studio murder, with one of the suspects being a costume designer (Jean Brooks). A pair of L.A. cops (Emory Parnell and Frank Jenks) are constantly on the Falcon's tail, always just a bit slow to catch up with the latest developments.

I found this movie to be a great deal of fun. Like Lew Landers' CRASHING HOLLYWOOD (1938) a few years before, it's filmed all over the RKO lot, masquerading this time around as "Sunset Pictures." The settings include the prop and miniatures departments along with random walkways and soundstages. I noted that it feels like a more authentic peek at moviemaking than the recently seen LADY KILLER (1933).

Be watching for a hilarious cameo which I almost missed. During the scene where Tom is arguing with the studio guard for admission onto the lot, Conway's real-life brother, previous FALCON star George Sanders, walks past them; he's wearing a hat and turns his head away from Conway with a sly smile. He's so close to the camera it's almost difficult at first to realize it's him if you're not watching carefully.

There's also an ultra-obvious blooper: Early on in the film, the taxi driver takes the Falcon on a wild ride to Sunset Pictures, with him sliding around in the backseat, yet when they pull up at the gate, he's driving and she gets out of the backseat! Either a scene was cut where the Falcon insisted on taking over the wheel or the filmmakers completely lost track of continuity there.

One of the murders in the film takes place inside the empty Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. There's not really much story reason for the scene to take place there, but the location shoot adds some visual interest.

This was Barbara Hale's second FALCON film; she had previously starred as a different character in THE FALCON OUT WEST (1944). Rita Corday and Jean Brooks were FALCON veterans; before the series came to an end they would each appear in half a dozen FALCON entries apiece, never as the same character. I sometimes wonder if the same faces appearing over and over was confusing for audiences who saw these films as they were released!  I imagine, though, audiences became used to it, just as actors would later play different roles in episodic TV series.

THE FALCON IN HOLLYWOOD was directed by Gordon Douglas. It was the only film he directed in the series. Photography was by Nicholas Musuraca; it was also his only work in the series. The movie runs 67 minutes.

THE FALCON IN HOLLYWOOD was just released on DVD in the Warner Archive's remastered The Falcon Mystery Movie Collection, Vol. 2. It's also available on Region 2 DVD in Europe.

Reviews of the earlier films in the series: THE GAY FALCON (1941), A DATE WITH THE FALCON (1942), THE FALCON TAKES OVER (1942), THE FALCON'S BROTHER (1942), THE FALCON STRIKES BACK (1943), THE FALCON IN DANGER (1943), THE FALCON AND THE CO-EDS (1943), THE FALCON OUT WEST (1944), and THE FALCON IN MEXICO (1944).

Tonight's Movie: The Falcon and the Co-Eds (1943)

THE FALCON AND THE CO-EDS is a fun entry in the long-running FALCON series.

Number 7 in the series has the usual RKO stock company, including Tom Conway as the Falcon and Cliff Clark and Edward Gargan as Inspector Donovan and Detective Bates. Jean Brooks and Rita Corday, who appeared in different roles in five FALCON films apiece, both have leading roles, and Amelita Ward and Ian Wolfe, who were in the previous film THE FALCON IN DANGER, both show up again here.

Student Jane Harris (Ward) believes a teacher at her girls school, Bluecliff Seminary, has been murdered and goes to great lengths to have the Falcon come investigate. Suspects include several teachers (Brooks, Isabel Jewell, and George Givot) and a student with "second sight" (Corday).

The campus setting is fun, especially as the alert viewer will notice future Oscar-winning actress Dorothy Malone in a background role as one of the students. This was Malone's second screen credit.

The caretaker's young daughters who sing and aid the Falcon in his detective work are played by Juanita Alvarez (later known as Nita Hunter), Ruth Alvarez, and Nancy McCollum. They add a nice dose of energy to the film without being obnoxious. The scene where they track down Vicky (Brooks) and the Falcon rewards them with ice cream money is quite cute.

As a side note, I feel sure I've seen the mansion which is the main school building in at least one other film noir, but I haven't been able to remember which one.

Those who enjoy the FALCON films will find this an agreeable way to pass 67 minutes.

This was the second of three FALCON entries directed by William Clemens. The cast also includes Barbara Brown and Olin Howlin.

This is the seventh and final film included in The Falcon Mystery Movie Collection, Volume 1, from the Warner Archive.

It's also available on a Region 2 DVD.

Reviews of the earlier films in the series: THE GAY FALCON (1941), A DATE WITH THE FALCON (1942), THE FALCON TAKES OVER (1942), THE FALCON'S BROTHER (1942), THE FALCON STRIKES BACK (1943), and THE FALCON IN DANGER (1943).

A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 1

Last spring we paid a return visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills and spent several hours strolling the grounds.

We paid our respects at the final resting places of a number of filmmakers that day, starting with the great fashion designer Orry-Kelly. His extensive credits included many great pre-Code films, designing for actresses such as Kay Francis, and later classics such as CASABLANCA (1942).

Character actor Jerome Cowan is a great favorite. His memorable roles include Sam Spade's ill-fated partner Miles Archer in THE MALTESE FALCON (1941) and the District Attorney in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947).

Leon Ames was another wonderful actor whose films included one of my very favorites of all time, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944).

Alvy Moore, known for TV's GREEN ACRES (1965-71), was also in the delightful SUSAN SLEPT HERE (1954).

Ub Iwerks was an animation great who was a key part of Disney history. Among other things, he was the designer of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

As sometimes happens, by mere chance I noticed that the plaque immediately below this lovely statue was for animator Walter Lantz, creator of Woody Woodpecker.

Rita Corday, also known as Paula Corday and Paule Croset. She played numerous small roles in RKO films of the '40s.

Iris Adrian appeared in supporting roles for over half a century.

I love Pamela Britton as "Brooklyn" in ANCHORS AWEIGH (1945); she was also memorable as Edmond O'Brien's secretary-girlfriend in D.O.A. (1950). On TV she was known for MY FAVORITE MARTIAN (1963-66).

Lovely Joy Page appeared as the young bride, Annina, in CASABLANCA (1942). She played Ronald Colman's daughter Marsinah in KISMET (1944) and costarred in Budd Boetticher's great film BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY (1951). The stepdaughter of Jack L. Warner, she was married to actor-producer William T. Orr.

Joy Page's husband, William T. Orr, played small roles in films of the late '30s and early '40s. He later became a successful TV producer of shows such as MAVERICK (1957-62).

Jean Parker played Beth in my favorite version of LITTLE WOMEN (1933). Her other films included BEYOND TOMORROW (1941) and THE GUNFIGHTER (1950).

Singer Donald Mills of the Mills Bros. I love their sound and especially treasure their Christmas album.

Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills is a huge cemetery, at over 300 acres, and many famous people are interred in the grounds. Links to previous visits may be found below, including at the linked Western RoundUp columns.

I'll be sharing a second post from this visit in the next few days. Update: Here is Part 2.

Additional photo posts on the final resting places of historic Hollywood figures: A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale, Part 1, A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale, Part 2, A Visit to the Forest Lawn Museum, A Visit to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (2014), A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - The Musicians, A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - The Comedians, A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - The Actors, A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - Writers, Directors, and More, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery, Part 1, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery, Part 2, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery, Part 3, A Visit to Desert Memorial Park, Los Angeles National Cemetery, A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 1 (2017), A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 2 (2017), A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 3 (2019), A Visit to Forest Lawn Cathedral City, A Visit to Oakwood Memorial Park, A Visit to Hillside Memorial Park, Part 1, A Visit to Hillside Memorial Park, Part 2, A Visit to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (2019), A Visit to Woodlawn Cemetery, A Visit to Valley Oaks Memorial Park, A Visit to Valhalla Cemetery, A Visit to Pacific View Memorial Park, A Visit to Glen Haven Memorial Park, A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale (2020), A Visit to Calvary Cemetery, A Visit to Home of Peace Memorial Park, Visits to Sedona and Las Vegas Cemeteries, A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale (2022), Visits to Orange County Cemeteries (Holy Sepulcher Cemetery and El Toro Memorial Park), A Visit to Inglewood Park Cemetery, A Visit to Mt. Sinai Memorial Park, A Visit to Palm Springs (Coachella Valley Public Cemetery), A Visit to Marysvale Cemetery, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery (2022), Part 1, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery (2022), Part 2, A Visit to Rose Hills Memorial Park, and A Visit to San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Articles on the final resting places of Western film stars from my Western RoundUp column at Classic Movie Hub: May 2019, February 2022, November 2, 2022, November 29, 2022, and April 2023.

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Tonight's Movie: The Falcon's Alibi (1946)

THE FALCON'S ALIBI, the 12th Falcon film, is an especially enjoyable, well-paced entry in the long-running detective series.

This was Tom Conway's penultimate performance as the Falcon; he concluded his run as the title character later that year with THE FALCON'S ADVENTURE (1946).

This time around the Falcon is mixed up with fake jewels and murder at a California resort. There are lots of lovely ladies involved in the mystery, not to mention Elisha Cook Jr. as a creepy late-night DJ who broadcasts from a record-filled room on the top floor of the hotel.

Cook's secret wife is a beautiful nightclub songbird played by Jane Greer, who puts over two nice songs in what certainly sounds like her own singing voice. She would later sing in STATION WEST (1948). She makes a very nice impression in this film, showing the beauty and intriguing personality which would take her to stardom the next year in OUT OF THE PAST (1947) and THEY WON'T BELIEVE ME (1947).

Rita Corday, in her fifth and final FALCON film, is the damsel in distress aided by the Falcon. Jean Brooks, also in the last of her five Falcon films, has a small throwaway role without much to do. It almost seems as though Brooks is hanging around simply because she was in so many films in the series, so that it's expected for her to pop up at some point.

Viewers can also be on the lookout for a couple more of RKO's beautiful contract actresses, with Myrna Dell having a fleeting scene as the Falcon's dance partner and Nan Leslie as the nightclub cashier who sells the Falcon her lunchbox.

This time around the Falcon's righthand man, Goldie Locke, is played by Vince Barnett. The cast also includes Esther Howard, Emory Parnell, Al Bridge, Jason Robards Sr., and Paul Brooks. Brooks' real name was Paul Brinkman; off the screen he was married to Jeanne Crain, with whom he had seven children. This was one of his last films.

THE FALCON'S ALIBI runs 61 minutes. It was directed by Ray McCarey, brother of director Leo McCarey. It was shot by Frank Redman.

This film is available on DVD in a very nice print in the Warner Archive's The Falcon Mystery Movie Collection, Vol. 2.

It's also had a release on Region 2 DVD.

Reviews of the earlier films in the series: THE GAY FALCON (1941), A DATE WITH THE FALCON (1942), THE FALCON TAKES OVER (1942), THE FALCON'S BROTHER (1942), THE FALCON STRIKES BACK (1943), THE FALCON IN DANGER (1943), THE FALCON AND THE CO-EDS (1943), THE FALCON OUT WEST (1944), THE FALCON IN MEXICO (1944), THE FALCON IN HOLLYWOOD (1944), and THE FALCON IN SAN FRANCISCO (1945).

Tonight's Movie: The Falcon in San Francisco (1945)

THE FALCON IN SAN FRANCISCO is a solid entry in the long-running series, featuring a bit of nice location photography along with a good story.

The movie starts with Tom Lawrence, also known as the Falcon, and his friend Goldie Locke (Edward Brophy) on a train to San Francisco.  As someone who loves "train movies," watching Tom and Goldie enjoy drinks while relaxing in the club car is a great start to the film.  Those were the days!

Tom and Goldie befriend a little girl, Annie (Sharyn Moffett), whose nursemaid is murdered in her berth. Annie has a pretty older sister in San Francisco, Joan (FALCON series veteran Rita Corday); Joan owns a shipping company and is mixed up with a strange smuggling scheme.

While part of the San Francisco setting is done via better-than-average back projections, I was impressed that a crew actually went to San Francisco and filmed Conway in spots such as on a cable car and at Coit Tower. These shots add some nice atmosphere.

This was Brophy's first time playing the Falcon's sidekick Goldie, a role previously played by Allen Jenkins and Cliff Edwards. While I especially liked Jenkins in the role, Brophy is fine. He would play the part again in THE FALCON'S ADVENTURE (1946), with Vince Barnett also playing the role that year in THE FALCON'S ALIBI (1946).

Sharyn Moffett was a talented child actress who also appeared in films such as THE LOCKET (1946) and MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE (1948). She also starred in BANJO (1947); at the recent TCM Festival actress Jacqueline White told an amusing story about working with the recalcitrant title dog in that film.

According to a 2009 Classic Images interview with Sharyn's brother Gregory, who was also a child actor, Sharyn and her husband have both served as Episcopalian ministers. Gregory said, "She is heavily involved in her church, probably one of the great prayer warriors or [sic] all time. She is a marvelous lady. She has had a great life."

The cast also includes Robert Armstrong, Fay Helm, Carl Kent, Dorothy Adams, and Myrna Dell.

THE FALCON IN SAN FRANCISCO runs 66 minutes and was directed by Joseph H. Lewis. The same year he directed the excellent "B" suspense film MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS (1945). He went on to direct titles such as GUN CRAZY (1950) and THE BIG COMBO (1955).

There are two credited cinematographers, Virgil Miller and William Sickner. Perhaps one of them did the San Francisco shots and the other did the rest of the film; it seems like a good guess, in any event.

This film is available on DVD in a very nice print in the Warner Archive's The Falcon Mystery Movie Collection, Vol. 2.

It's also had a release on Region 2 DVD.

Reviews of the earlier films in the series: THE GAY FALCON (1941), A DATE WITH THE FALCON (1942), THE FALCON TAKES OVER (1942), THE FALCON'S BROTHER (1942), THE FALCON STRIKES BACK (1943), THE FALCON IN DANGER (1943), THE FALCON AND THE CO-EDS (1943), THE FALCON OUT WEST (1944), THE FALCON IN MEXICO (1944), and THE FALCON IN HOLLYWOOD (1944).

Tonight's Movie: The Chase (1946) at the UCLA Festival of Preservation

THE CHASE was a dream of a film noir experience, seen tonight in 35mm at the UCLA Festival of Preservation.

This 1946 movie, based on a book by noir favorite Cornell Woolrich, quickly draws the viewer into its surreal atmosphere and never lets go.  I don't know if any of the film's magic would be lost watching it on DVD, but as seen in a pristine print on a big screen, its mesmerizing effect was tremendous. What a joy to discover this film for the first time.

THE CHASE has some significant plot twists so I'm going to be fairly limited in my description. I don't typically care much about spoilers myself, but this is a film which is especially fun to approach with no preconceptions.

Robert Cummings plays Chuck Scott, a veteran who finds and returns a wallet belong to wealthy Eddie Roman (Steve Cochran). Eddie likes Chuck's honesty -- which is ironic as Eddie is clearly anything but an honest businessman -- and hires him as a chauffeur.

Chuck is broke and, happy to have a roof over his head, he moves into Eddie's Florida mansion, where the residents also include Eddie's righthand man, the creepy Gino (Peter Lorre), and Eddie's depressed and withdrawn wife, Lorna (Michele Morgan).

Lorna forms the habit of asking Chuck to take her on a drive to the ocean every evening.  She begins to confide in him, and then she asks Chuck to help her escape her husband and flee to Havana...

This was a fascinating movie with many interesting layers. The bizarre atmosphere includes odd touches such as a car with backseat controls of the accelerator and brakes; a pony-sized, none-too-friendly dog; a knife with a jade monkey engraved on the handle; and a sobbing woman who manages to distract a homicide detective with her endless tears. As a frightened man runs for his life down shadowy streets, it just doesn't get any more "noir" than that.

In keeping with the movie's heated, dreamlike tropical atmosphere, the film was surprisingly steamy for 1946, with love scenes which showed absolutely nothing by today's standards, or lack thereof...but...wow. It's pretty rare to watch a 1940s film and actually be thinking that the couple really need a hotel room, and fast. I overheard others commenting on that aspect at intermission. The relationship does at first seem to be from out of nowhere, but the actors sold me and I was willing to buy into it.

Robert Cummings brings his everyman, slightly sarcastic quality to a character who, initially rather vague and aimless, has nothing to lose but his new meal ticket...and then, suddenly, he has everything to lose, just as he is sucked into an ever-spiraling nightmare.

Michele Morgan is effective as the wife who is little more to her husband than an exotic caged bird, and Steve Cochran is simply terrific as a man who is pure evil. I've become quite a fan of Cochran since seeing TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY (1951), and he does not disappoint. Lorre, of course, is the perfect partner in crime.

Jack Holt has a small but key role as a Navy doctor, and Lloyd Corrigan is a businessman who makes the mistake of annoying Eddie.

The UCLA audience was fortunate to have an introduction provided by Harold Nebenzal, the son of the film's producer, Seymour Nebenzal. He mentioned that Peter Lorre was tiring of playing villains, but agreed to be one of the bad guys in THE CHASE because Seymour Nebenzal had produced M (1931), the film that gave Lorre his breakout role and put him on the path to a successful movie career.

Mr. Nebenzal also said that his father had been having trouble booking the largest soundstage on the Goldwyn lot for the Havana scenes, and when he went to Goldwyn about it directly, Goldwyn told Nebenzal that if he hired Steve Cochran -- who was then under contract to Goldwyn -- he could have the use of the soundstage along with the actor. The deal worked out perfectly for all involved.

I was later very interested to learn that Harold Nebenzal is the widower of actress Rita Corday, who appeared in half a dozen films in the FALCON series. Regular readers know how much I've been enjoying the Falcon movies over the last year or so!

This 86-minute movie was directed by Arthur Ripley from a screenplay by Philip Yordan. The black and white cinematography was by Frank (Franz) Planer.

There have been multiple DVD releases of THE CHASE, which seems to have fallen into the public domain. The VCI DVD release is paired as a set with BURY ME DEAD (1947), which I reviewed almost exactly a year ago. According to a couple comments seen online, the VCI print is much better than the one released by Alpha. It does not appear to be available from Netflix, but it can be rented from ClassicFlix.

THE CHASE is a movie I look forward to seeing again. It would make a great double bill with REPEAT PERFORMANCE (1947), as the movies share some surprising thematic similarities. And as a matter of fact, the second film on tonight's double bill, HIGH TIDE (1947), would be perfect paired with TRY AND GET ME (1950), as they each explore tabloid journalism. My review of HIGH TIDE can be found here.

THE CHASE was a wonderful movie experience, one of my favorite films seen so far this year. Recommended.

2015 Update: I had the opportunity to see this again at the Noir City Hollywood festival.

May 2017 Update: I enjoyed THE CHASE all over again at the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival in Palm Springs.

Tonight's Movie: Gangway for Tomorrow (1943) - A Warner Archive DVD Review

GANGWAY FOR TOMORROW (1943), a World War II morale-boosting film, has just been released on DVD by the Warner Archive.

Like the prior year's Warner Bros. film WINGS FOR THE EAGLE (1942), this RKO movie pays tribute to defense plant workers. It's a bit unusual in that it's something of an anthology film; as Jim Benson (Charles Arnt) drives five of his coworkers to the factory, each of their unique stories is told in flashback, emphasizing how people from all backgrounds and walks of life are working together to win the war.

The most gripping story belongs to Lisette (Margo), a singer who worked with the French Resistance. Lisette's friends are executed by the Nazis, but she escapes and is able to warn others in their network and then ultimately makes her way to America. This sequence is both memorable and disturbing, including an execution scene in which Lisette must part with her pianist boyfriend Jean (Richard Martin, who later played Chito in Tim Holt Westerns).

Joe (Robert Ryan) was a race car driver seriously injured in a crash just before he was due to enlist; sad that he's now unable to serve, he tells his friends "I'll make 'em and you fly 'em." The film is a good opportunity to see Ryan in an early role, released just ahead of his breakthrough part the same year in TENDER COMRADE (1943).

In the third flashback, Mary Jones (Amelita Ward), a former Miss America, gives up her floundering career in show business to build planes, hoping to help her boyfriend (William Terry) make it safely home from his wartime service.

The two strangest stories belong to to Tom (James Bell) and Mr. Wellington (John Carradine). Tom is a former prison warden who suffered through having to order his brother's execution, which led to their mother's death from the stress. Mr. Wellington was a hobo living "off the grid" who decides to do something to help when he realizes what's going on in the world.

With the movie running only 69 minutes, the flashback stories are necessarily fairly short. Overall they're moderately interesting, though I'm really not sure why Tom's ultra-downer story was included in this patriotic film; I felt it was a rather bizarre inclusion.

Those who share my interest in WWII morale-boosting films will find the film of the greatest value. The flag-waving final moments, as the workers march into the factory while war planes fly overhead to the music of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," is worth waiting for. I'm sure there are those who would find it over the top, but I like to imagine what the public would have felt in 1943, and I'm sure those working in the military and defense plants, along with their families, would have found it encouraging.

GANGWAY FOR TOMORROW was directed by John H. Auer and filmed in black and white by Nicholas Musuraca. The screenplay was by Arch Oboler, from an original story by Aladar Laszlo.

The cast also includes Harry Davenport, Sam McDaniel, Alan Carney, Wally Brown, Warren Hymer, and Rita Corday.

The Warner Archive DVD is a good print. There are no extras on the disc.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this DVD. Warner Archive releases are MOD (manufactured on demand) and may be ordered from the Warner Archive Collection at Amazon or from any online retailers where DVDs and Blu-rays are sold.

Tonight's Movie: West of the Pecos (1945)

WEST OF THE PECOS is a well-made RKO "B" Western starring the young Robert Mitchum and Barbara Hale.

Mitchum, who had appeared the previous year in the Western NEVADA (1944), stars as Pecos Smith, while Hale plays Rill, who accompanies her father (Thurston Hall) when he travels to Texas for his health.

Pecos and his friend Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin) help Rill and her father settle into their new ranch, while also bringing to justice those responsible for the death of Pecos's best friend, Tex (Bill Williams).

This is a nicely constructed 66-minute Western with an appealing cast and particularly fine use of the Alabama Hills; the movie is a must for those who love Lone Pine.

My only quibble with the movie is that Barbara Hale spends a significant part of the film's running time dressed as a boy. I can't say I enjoyed the cross-dressing aspect of the plotline, with Pecos calling her "Kid" and a variety of resulting awkward little situations. Otherwise, the film is quite enjoyable, with Mitchum and Hale both demonstrating why they would go on to have long, successful careers.

This was Mitchum's last "B" Western; his career took off with the release of THE STORY OF G.I. JOE (1945) the same year, and then it was on to TILL THE END OF TIME (1946), UNDERCURRENT (1946), THE LOCKET (1946), PURSUED (1947), CROSSFIRE (1947), OUT OF THE PAST (1947), and on and on his great list of credits continues, for another 50 years.

I particularly loved realizing that Bill Williams was riding shotgun on the stagecoach carrying his real-life future wife, Hale; I don't think they ever actually spoke in this film, but finding them on the same stage was rather delightful. Williams and Hale married in 1946 and would later costar in A LIKELY STORY (1947) and THE CLAY PIGEON (1949). Williams passed on two decades ago; Hale, who was also seen by me last weekend in HIGHER AND HIGHER (1943), is now 90.

Richard Martin played Chito Rafferty in RKO Westerns throughout the '40s, including in Mitchum's NEVADA and in many Tim Holt Westerns, including THUNDER MOUNTAIN (1947). In WEST OF THE PECOS he is well teamed with Rita Corday, playing Hale's French maid; together they provide just the right amount of comic relief without overdoing it.

The movie was directed by Edward Killy and filmed by Harry J. Wild.

WEST OF THE PECOS is available on DVD from Lions Gate in the Zane Grey Western Classics series. The C&C Television Corp. print is quite good.

It also had a release on VHS.