Mention the name of Munich, Germany, born Franz Reicher, and my reader is sure to ask, WHO? Mention the character name of "Captain Englehorn"and my reader is sure to answer, "KING KONG"!
As I just mentioned, Franz Reicher was born in Munich, Germany, on December 2, 1875. His father was German stage actor, Emanuel Reicher, and his mother, German opera prima donna Hedwig Reicher, whose singing range covered both soprano and contralto. Franz's parents divorced in 1881, and his mother died two-years-later. He would become a stage actor like his father, his half-sister Hedwiga Reicher, also became an actress, and like Franz would come to the United States and act both on the Broadway stage and in feature films. While Franz's half brother, and Hedwiga's brother, Ernst Reicher, stayed in Germany, and became a motion picture actor, director, and screenplay writer creating a "Sherlock Holmes" like character named "Stuart Webbs" in a successful series of silent mysteries.
Franz came to the United States in 1899, prior to leaving Germany, the actor had married his wife, Ella Helene Sartorius. She had been born in Oldenburg, Germany, on March 14, 1878. Ella did not follow her husband to the United States until 1900, and the two remained married until her death in 1948.
In 1899, upon arriving in New York City, "FRANK" Reicher, first appeared on the American stage, on Broadway, in the role of "Lord Tarquin", in producer Harrison Fiske's, "Becky Sharp", based upon English novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray's, 1848 novel, "Vanity Fair".
On January 17, 1911, at the Garrick Theatre, 67th West 35th Street, Frank Reicher, starred in Percy MacKaye's, "The Scarecrow".
By 1912, Frank Reicher was an established Broadway actor and would appear at "The Little Theatre", now "The Hayes Theatre", named for actress Helen Hayes, at 240 West 44th Street, in "The Pidgeon", by English novelist and playwright John Galsworthy, Frank ia seen below as "Ferrand" in the production.
Followers of Lon Chaney, Sr., know that he starred in 1924's, "He Who Gets Slapped". In the original English language Broadway production of the play by Russian dramatist, Leonid Andreyev, 5th-billed, Frank Reichter, portrayed "Count Mancini, Consuelo's father". The production ran from January 9, 1922 through May 20, 1922.
Above left to right, Margalo Gilmore portraying "Consuelo, a horseback rider", "Frank Reicher, and Richard Bennett portraying "He", a "mysterious stranger always wearing clown make-up.
The American silent motion picture industry started in New York and New Jersey. Seven-years before "He Who Gets Slapped", Frank Reicher had become a part of it. His first directing assignment was in the same motion picture containing his first film acting role.
THE CASE OF BECKY released on September 13, 1915
The two "Presenter's (credit for the producers)" for the picture were Jesse L. Lasky and David Belasco. Their third-partner's name is in the lower right corner of the above ad to get movie theater bookings,"Director General, Cecil B. DeMille". In the upper left corner is the name of their distribution company, "Paramount Pictures". For those interested in the founding of "Paramount", or the three partners, my article is "Cecil B. DeMille: December 1913 to December 1923" at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2024/07/cecil-b-demille-december-1913-to.html
Although his name wasn't on the above ad, as I just mentioned, this was Frank Reicher's first directing assignment, and his first on-screen appearance in the uncredited role of "One of Dr. Emerson's patients".
The screen scenario starred popular actress Blanche Sweet in the dual roles of "Dorothy" and "Becky". Actually, when "Dorothy" is hypnotized, her second personality, "Becky", is revealed.
Above, going over the scene, left to right, Blanche Sweet, Frank Reicher, and possibly, Gertrude Kellar portraying "Miss Emerson - Dr. Emerson's sister".
Frank Reicher's next acting role wasn't until 1921's, "Wise Husbands", also directed by him, but what the role is not identified in the credits. However, his next motion picture, of his 43, as a director, was "Witchcraft", released on October 16, 1916, with his added credit as a presenter.
Above center, is star Fannie Ward portraying "Suzette". The motion picture is considered lost and I could not locate who the other two actors in the scene were.
Frank Reicher only produced 4-motion pictures, and that was between 1917 and 1921. He also directed those same four feature films.
On November 17, 1928, "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" released "The Masks of the Devil", starring John Gilbert, Alma Rubens, Theodore Roberts, and Frank Reicher. This was a drama of seduction, as "Baron Reiner", portrayed by John Gilbert, is in love with his best friend, "Manfred's", portrayed by Ralph Forbes, fiancee, "Virginia", portrayed by Eva von Berne, and arranges for "Manfred" to go on a long oceanographic expedition, so he can seduce her. This was a silent movie, but synchronized sound was added to sell to the audiences that the movie was a "Sound Feature Film".
Above Frank Reicher portraying "Count Zellner", at the bedside of "Virginia", portrayed by Eva von Berne.
Frank Reicher, also tried his hand at co-writing screenplays, but only twice. The first of his two feature films was 1929's, "Big News", a comedy-crime-drama. The picture starred Carole Lombard, billed as Carol Lombard, and more importantly, an actor Reicher's own film acting would cross with, Robert Armstrong.
The second motion picture screenplay involved translating the English language screen adaption by Francis Marion of playwright Eugene O'Neil's, "Anna Christie", into a German language version. Each feature film had different casts and directors, except that Greta Garbo had the title role in both. The two films where Garbo's first "Talking" motion pictures and used the famous tag line: GARBO TALKS for her first words in each:
"Whisky – aber nicht zu knapp!" ("Whiskey, but not too short")
On October 18, 1930, Frank Reicher had been seen portraying the ex-Union army Civil War Hero, and author of the novel "Ben Hur", New Mexico governor, General Lew Wallace. This was in director King Vidor's, "Billy the Kid", starring Johnny Mack Brown in the title role, and Wallace Beery portraying Pat Garrett.
The following year was the last motion picture directed by Frank Reicher, but his third feature in the German language.
Wir schalten um auf Hollywood (We Switch to Hollywood) premiered in Berlin, Germany, on June 10, 1931
German screenplay writer and actor, Paul Morgan came to the United States to film this motion picture. Morgan had written the story and portrayed a "Ein Erfinder und Reporter (An inventor and reporter)". Who tours a Hollywood movie studio, "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer", and meets the Hollywood stars at the studio and watches some of them perform.
Above left to right, Buster Keaton, German actor, Heinrich George. Who died on September 25, 1946, in Soviet Special Camp No. 7, Oranienberg, Brandenberg, Germany, and the movie's star, Paul Morgan. Who died on December 10, 1938, in Buchenwald concentration camp, Thuringia, Germany.
Six-months later, on December 26, 1931, "MGM" released the highly censored, "Mata Hari", starring Greta Garbo, Ramon Navarro, Lionel Barrymore, and Lewis Stone. Frank Reicher portrayed "The Cook - Spy", and had the final credited role in the motion picture.
Three-days short of an exact year from "Mata Hari", Frank Reicher was the uncredited "German language teacher"in"Rasputin and the Empress", starring John, Ethel, and Lionel Barrymore, that premiered, in New York City, on December 23, 1932.
Frank Reicher once again found himself in a motion picture starring John Barrymore. However, this time he had 7th-billing portraying "Dr. Stegg", in "Topaze". Which was a comedy-drama from "MGM", premiering in New York City on February 8, 1933. Barrymore's co-star was Myrna Loy, who was one-year away from teaming up with William Powell in the first of "The Thin Man", comedy mysteries. The previous year, Loy had portrayed the sadistic and overly sexed, "Fah Lo See", opposite Boris Karloff, in 1932's, "The Mask of Fu Manchu".
Above left, Frank Reicher, who wants to have the famed scientist, "Topaze", address "The Stegg Academy" graduation class, to up his future funding and enrollment. John Barrymore, portrayed the honest school teacher, who has become the innocent front for the selling of fake medical water, that he believes was made from his formula.
Which brings the career of Frank Reicher to a story about a very large gorilla.
KING KONG premiered in New York City on March 2, 1933
The screenplay was written by two other writers, the first was James Ashmore Creelman. Who had written Merian C. Cooper's, 1932, "The Most Dangerous Game", and 1935's, "The Last Days of Pompeii".
The second writer is the most important and the wife of the co-producer and business partner of Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, Ruth Rose. My article, which includes a biography of her husband, is "RUTH ROSE: The Real 'Ann Darrow', the 1933 'King Kong' Screenplay and More", at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/09/ruth-rose-real-ann-darrow-1933-king.html
Which brings me to the model for "Carl Denham", an adventurer, wild life documentary movie maker, and pre-Second World War spy for the "Office of Strategic Services (OSS)", producer, Merian Caldwell Cooper. My article is "MERIAN C. COOPER: BEFORE 'KING KONG' TO CINERAMA", available to explore at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/10/merian-c-cooper-before-king-kong-to.html
Merian C. Cooper hired two men to create "King Kong" and the other stop-motion creatures in the feature film. The main designer of the creatures was stop-motion animator Willis Harold O'Brien. My article is "WILLIS O'BRIEN: 1925's 'The Lost World' and the Story of Gwangi" at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/06/willis-obrien-1925s-lost-world-and.html
Usually overlooked was "Obie's" partner, the man that actually made the creatures. My article is "MARCEL DELGADO: The Artist The Built 'King Kong" found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/04/marcel-delgado-artist-that-built-king.html
Which brings me to the leading actors in the motion picture:
Fay Wray portrayed "Ann Darrow". My article that mentions the first two all-Technicolor horror movies is "FAY WRAY BEFORE 'KING KONG" at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/11/fay-wray-before-king-kong.html
Robert Armstrong portrayed "Carl Denham". My article is "ROBERT ARMSTRONG: It Wasn't All 'The Eighth Wonder of the World", His Brat, or Joe" found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/08/robert-armstrong-it-wasnt-all-eighth.html
Bruce Cabot portrayed "Jack Driscoll". Cabot just had 8th billing in the Richard Dix, drama, 1933's, "The Great Jasper" and followed "King Kong" with an uncredited role in the Tom Keene and Creighton (Before he became Lon) Chaney, 1933 drama, "Scarlet River".
Note: The billing at the "Capital Theater in Los Angeles in 1933.
Frank Reicher portrayed "Captain Englenhorn".
Noble Johnson portrayed the "Native Chief". My article is "Noble Johnson African-American Pioneer Actor" found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/06/noble-johnson-african-american-pioneer.html
A Very Basic Look at the Screenplay for Those Who Might Have Never Seen the Movie:
Wild life documentarian "Carl Denham" has hired "Captain Englehorn's" ship, "The Venture", to go to an unknown destination to make his latest motion picture. However, the producer and director is faced with two problems, he doesn't have a leading lady, and funding is about to be cut off.
"Denham" discovers a woman about to steal an apple, because she hasn't eaten for days. Remember, this was filmed during "The Great Depression" and is initially set in New York City. He convinces, "Ann Darrow", that he is an honest filmmaker and wants her to go on a great adventure as his leading lady. Out at sea, he starts making screen tests, and first mate "Jack Driscoll" starts to show concern for "Ann", especially after "Carl Denham" finally reveals their destination. He has a map of an island that is not on any known charts, and then asks "Englehorn" if he ever heard of "Kong". To which "Englehorn" replies, yes, as a native superstition, but "Denham" claims whatever it is, it lives on his map's island.
The "Venture" arrives at "Skull Island" and taking "Ann" with them, although "Jack" is against it. "Denham", "Englehorn" and a camera crew land on the beach.
There they watch some type of native ceremony with a young woman at the center of it. This is taking place in front of a very large gate on an even larger wooden wall, obviously made to keep something out. As they listen, they hear the word "Kong", repeated. "Carl Denham" has his crew start filming the ceremony, suddenly it stops, and all the natives turn toward the film crew.
It becomes obvious that the natives are interested in blonde, white skin, "Ann Darrow", and "Denham" tells "Captain Englehorn" to get her back to the ship. That night, natives arrive, one loses a bracelet, but they succeed in kidnapping "Ann". On deck for a breath of air, "Charlie the Cook", the uncredited Victor Wong, discovers the bracelet and gives the alarm. "Denham", "Driscoll", and "Englehorn" now lead some of the crew back to the native village and a rescue.
Rushing to the wall and looking through view points, "Denham", "Driscoll", and "Englehorn", see "Ann Darrow" roped to two pillars outside the wall. On the wall's platform over the doorway, the native chief has a gong struck and then silence follows. Moments later, the jungle starts to part and "Kong", a giant gorilla reveals himself.
"Kong" moves to the screaming "Ann Darrow", pulls her free and heads back into the jungle.
"Driscoll" leads a rescue party into the jungle, while "Denham", "Englehorn", and other crew members guard the wall on the village side.
While, out in the jungle the rescue party are attacked by dinosaurs, and giant insects in a cave below a log they had to cross, that sequence was originally edited down because of censors, that "King Kong" turned causing members of the rescue party to fall off. "Jack Driscoll" is the only one seemingly left alive. "Jack" is able to climb up the inside of "Kong's" cave to the ledge he has "Ann" upon and while the giant gorilla is engaged with a dinosaur, rescues her. The two jump into the water below the ledge, and now it's a race back to the village with "Kong" in pursuit.
The two make it back into the village and perceived safety. Where the villagers have been in hiding and "Englehorn" and "Denham's" crew seems to have free run.
Next, "Kong" appears and starts to push the huge gate. The villagers appear to help the "Venture's" remaining crew hold the gate shut, but "Kong" breaks through and starts a rampage killing crew members and villagers to get to his bride.
"Ann" had been taken back to the ship and gas grenades brought to the beach. It is there that "Kong" goes down and "Carl Denham" gets the idea of taking him to New York City as an attraction to raise lots of money for everyone.
Opening night for "Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World" has a theater full of people, "Carl Denham" introduces "Ann" and "Jack", the curtain opens, and the audience now sees "KING KONG"!
The camera reporters come on stage, but the flash bulbs scares "Kong" and he breaks free.
"King Kong" finds "Ann" and looking for familiar territory, climbs the Empire State Building. "Jack Driscoll" starts to work his way to the top of the building to rescue "Ann" as the Army Air Force is sent into the skies of New York City to shoot and kill the homesick giant gorilla. Fighting the biplanes, "Kong" puts "Ann Darrow" down on a ledge, "Jack Driscoll" is able to reach her, and the two enter the building to safety. As a biplane takes aim and "Kong" falls to his death on the street in front of the "Empire State Building".
Looking over the body of "King Kong", "Carl Denham" replies to the police chief who claims it was the airplanes that finally killed "King Kong";
"That it was BEAUTY that KILLED THE BEAST!"
Both characters got it wrong, the audience had seen the pilot and gunner of the biplane that shoots "King Kong" off of the "Empire State Building".
Trivia: The pilot was portrayed by Merian C. Cooper, and the gunner by Ernest Schoedsack. They felt that they had created "King Kong" and were the only ones who could kill him.
Frank Reicher followed "King Kong" with 15th-billing in the 1933, musical-comedy-drama, "A Bedtime Story", starring Maurice Chevalier, Helen Twelvetrees, and Edward Everest Horton.
Front left to right, Ethel Wales, Frank Reicher, and Maurice Chevalier. Actor in back is unidentified.
Two motion pictures after "A Bedtime Story", was a forgotten, 1933, horror-thriller in a haunted house entitled, "Before Dawn", starring Warner Oland portraying "Dr. Cornelius". The Swiss actor had portrayed Al Jolson's father in 1927's, "The Jazz Singer". He would portray Hawaiian-Chinese detective "Charlie Chan" in 16-feature films, portray "Dr. Fu Manchu" twice, and was the first werewolf seen in 1935's, "Werewolf of London".
The screenplay for "Before Dawn" was based upon another Edgar Wallace story, 1932's, "Death Watch". The screenplay writer was Garret Fort, who wrote both 1931's, "Dracula" and "Frankenstein", and 1936's, "Dracula's Daughter". The director was Irving Pichel, who had directed Cooper and Schoedsack's, 1932, "The Most Dangerous Game", their 1935 version of British author H. Rider Haggard's, "SHE", and producer George Pal's, 1950, "Destination Moon".
Below, 7th-billed, Frank Reicher, as the dying gangster "Joe Valerie". Who asks "Dr. Cornelius", for some type of injection to end his life. The doctor is reluctant, but in exchange, "Valerie" reveals the location of one-million-dollars in stolen money he hid 15-years earlier in a haunted house. Others show interest in the money and mysterious deaths start happening within the house around ghostly apparitions.
Three more roles followed and then Frank Reicher's final feature for 1933.
SON OF KONG released December 22, 1933
The following, with slight modifications in the biography sections, comes from part of my article on Helen Mack's career "HELEN MACK - Not Fay Wray - The Son - Not the King" for your reading at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2024/06/helen-mack-not-fay-wray-son-not-king.html
Noble Johnson returned portraying "The Native Chief of Skull Island".
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The somewhat haunted house story, it takes place in an inn, think the classic "The Cat and the Canary", is about "Dr Redmayne", played by John Halliday. "Redmayne" has been accused of a series of poison murders, fakes insanity at his trial, escapes the asylum, and ends up at the Inn with a group of people, one of which is "The Terror", the real murderer.
One thing about being a "B" character actor, you routinely work with the same actors, such as Fay Wray. Frank Reicher found himself working once more with Swedish actor Warner Oland, in his 8th-"Charlie Chan" mystery.
CHARLIE CHAN IN EGYPT released on June 21, 1935
I'd like to point out three things on the above poster for the "Grand Theatre".
First, it says below the word "Egypt", "A Fox Picture with WARNER OLAND". William Fox lost control of "Fox Films" as a result of a 1930 hostile takeover. This was one of the last motion pictures with the "Fox" name on it. The picture was shot between April 1, 1935 and April 21, 1935. The actual merger of "Fox Pictures" and "Twentieth Century Pictures" took place on May 31, 1935, one month and ten-days after this movie had finished filming.
Two, a racial sign of those times, which maybe not over yet. African American actor Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, was an excellent vaudevillian comedian, using the stage name of "Stepin Fetchit". In this motion picture his character is named "Snowshoes", and on the poster he's billed as "Chan's reluctant aide". Among his roles was "Joe", in the 1929 silent version of Edna Ferber's novel "Show Boat", "Jeff Poindexter", in Will Rodgers, 1934, "Judge Priest", "Sass", in Will Rodgers, 1935, "The County Chairman", and "Jonah", in Rodgers, 1935, "Steamboat Round the Bend". Fetchit also portrayed "Zero", in the Oliver Hardy and Harry Langdon, 1939, "Zenobia".
Three, is 4th-billed Rita Cansino portraying "Nayda".
Above is Warner Oland portraying "Charlie Chan" and Rita Cansino portraying "Nayda".
Don't recognize Miss Cansino? Perhaps my article will help you, "Rita Hayworth aka: Margarita Carmen Cansino" at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/03/rita-hayworth-aka-margarita-carmen.html
In this "Charlie Chan" mystery, Frank Reicher had 12th-billing as "Dr. Jaipur". "Chan" is sent to Egypt by the "French Archaeological Society" to investigate the expedition of "Professor Arnold", portrayed by George Irving, that is excavating the tomb of "Ameti". When the mummy is x-rayed, there is a bullet in its heart, and when the wrappings are removed, it is the body of the missing "Professor Arnold". Leading to the two obvious questions, where's the real mummy, and who murdered "Arnold"?
Frank Reicher would appear in various size roles in several horror movies. His first premiered in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 24, 1935.
This was the odd story, because Bela Lugosi's, "Dr. Feliz Benet", is the good-guy scientist in the motion picture. Boris Karloff's "Dr. Janos Rukh" is the kindly scientist who discovers "Radium X", in a meteor from the Andromeda Galaxy, and destroys his life, along with glowing in the dark from radium poisoning.
Frank Reicher is 8th-billed, as a character with a confusing name, because of whomever made the closing credits. Throughout the motion picture he is known as "Professor Meiklejohn", but the end credits show Frank Reicher portraying "Professor Mendelssohn".
Above, Boris Karloff's "Dr. Janos Rukh" meets with Frank Reicher's "Professor Meiklejohn Mendelssohn".
After a string of eleven films that included an uncredited role in the Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor, 1935, "Magnificent Obsession", having his scenes deleted in Melvyn Douglas's, 1935, "The Lone Wolf Returns", portraying "Dr. Pfeiffer", with 11th-billing, in the classic 1936, "The Story of Louis Pasteur", starring Paul Muni, and portraying a "French General" in 1936's, "Under Two Flags", starring Ronald Coleman, Claudette Colbert, Victor McLaglen, and Rosalind Russell.
Frank Reicher found himself in another uncredited role, as a "Doctor", in director Tod Browning's horror classic, 1936's, "The Devil Doll", starring Lionel Barrymore and Maureen O'Sullivan.
On August 8, 1936, movie audiences saw Frank Reicher portraying "Dr. Hoffenreich" in "Girls' Dormitory", starring Herbert Marshall and Ruth Chatterton. The movie is interesting because of two actors in it.
One of the two was being pushed on audiences by "20th Century Fox", was the French actress Simone Simon. Who went nowhere for the studio and was soon dropped and returned to her native France, but in 1942, was brought back to the United States and cast as "Irena Dubrovna Reed", by producer Val Lewton, for "Cat People", directed by Jacques Tourneur, and returned as her ghost in 1944's, "Curse of the Cat People", directed by Robert Wise.
The other was billed as "Junior", because his father was still alive and acting. Right above, Frank Reicher, portraying "Count Vallias", was Tyrone Power, Jr., still two more movies before stardom with 1936's, "Lloyd's of London" as Tyrone Power.
On April 18, 1937, was "Night Key", a crime drama starring Boris Karloff. The title refers to a burglar alarm invented by "David Mallory", Karloff, that crooks want to know how to operate so they can make undetectable robberies.
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British intelligence is informed that a Naval officer is the doppelgänger of a top German officer, "Baron Kurt von Rohbach", who has now been captured. A plan is hatched to have "Naval Lieutenant Michael Bruce" return to Germany and gather information from "von Rohbach's" contacts. However, German intelligence officer "Major Sigfried Gruning" believes there is something too perfect with "von Rohbach" and hatches his own plan to capture the imposture. However, he doesn't consider the possibility that his own spy, his trusted "Dolores Daria Sunnel", might betray him by falling in love with the British agent, or is she also a British agent?
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Above, Lionel Atwill portraying "Colonel Fenwick" and Lynn Bari portraying "Miss Fenwick".
George Sanders portrayed "Naval Lieutenant Michael Bruce" and "Baron Kurt von Rohbach".
Dolores del Rio portrayed "Dolores Daria Sunnel".
Peter Lorrie portrayed "German Major Sigfried Gruning". My article is "PETER LORRIE: Overlooked, or Forgotten Performances" to be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/11/peter-lorre-overlooked-or-forgotten.html
Next, on December 31, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, movie goers saw Frank Reicher, portraying "The President of the Assize Court", sentencing Boris Karloff, portraying "Dr. Charles Gaudet", to the movie's title, "Devil's Island".
The story turns entirely on a neat melodramatic trick. Mr. Veidt as a simple, unpretentious and loyal naturalized American is coerced by his twin, a Nazi consul, into assisting with some spy activities. But the moment comes when he is able to kill his brother without any one seeing the deed, and he takes this opportunity to place himself in the evil brother's shoes. His purpose thereby is, of course, to spy upon the spies ...
I knew it was you, Otto, when I saw the old bayonet-scar on your back as I was helping you dress after your shower; remember that I myself tended that wound for you.
with Mystery's Quntessential Thrill Team!
Followed by the names:
BELA LUGOSI
LIONEL ATWILLMakes a great audience draw for this "Universal Picture", but a poster doesn't necessary equate to reality. Bela Lugosi is only the "Butler, Rolf", and Lionel Atwill's, "Dr. King", is the first of the three doctor's that are killed off by the "Night Monster". The other two are Frank Reicher portraying "Dr. Timmons", and Francis Pierlott portraying "Dr. Phipps".
This is a very good "who", or "what" done it thriller. The critics split on the story and acting, but "Leonard Maltin's Classic Film Guide" described the picture as an: intriguing grade-B thriller
Around a small town is an area of swamp bordering the home of a leg and armless recluse named "Kurt Ingston", who uses a wheelchair pushed by "Laurie". A series of mysterious murders have taken place in town and on the swamp.
Just arriving at "Kurt Ingston's" house, are the three invited doctors, who had tried to cure him of an unknown illness. Instead a paralysis set in resulting in the amputation of his arms and legs. Already at the household are his butler, "Rolf", his chauffeur "Laurie", a mannish housekeeper, "Miss Sarah Judd" portrayed by Doris Lloyd, Eastern mystic, "Agar Singh", portrayed by Nils Asther and "Margaret Ingston", portrayed by Fay Helm, alleged to be mentally ill. While at the front gate, apparently guarding it from unwanted intruders is a hunchback named "Torque", portrayed by Cyril Delavanti.
Unexpected by "Kurt" is the arrival of "Dr. Lynne Harper", portrayed by Irene Hervey, and invited by "Margaret Ingston", to help prove she is not insane and as a means to escape her brother and "Miss Judd's" control of her. Accompanying "Dr. Harper" is her boyfriend, mystery writer "Dick Baldwin", portrayed by Don Porter.
If you've never seen this feature film, it is worth a look and I will not reveal what, or who "The Night Monster" is.
"Night Monster" was immediately followed by:
THE MUMMY'S TOMB released on October 23, 1942
This was the second film in "The Mummy" series with "Kharis", and the first of three starring Lon Chaney in the role created by "B" Cowboy actor, Tom Tyler, the movies first "Captain Marvel", in 1940's, "The Mummy's Hand". My article is "Tom Tyler: the "B" Cowboy Star Who Became a Mummy, Captain Marvel and a Classic John Wayne Bad Guy" to be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/01/tom-tyler-b-cowboy-star-who-became.html
The new "Kharis" screenplay was by the same two writers who had written, 1940's, "The Mummy's Hand", Griffin Jay, and Henry Sucher.
However, with "The Mummy's Tomb", they created a plot problem. "The Mummy's Hand", clearly takes place in May 1940, and there is nothing to indicate otherwise in the screenplay. However, this feature, released two-years-later, supposedly takes place 30-years after the first, or what should be 1970. EXCEPT, the vehicles, clothing, etc, look like 1942, the year "The Mummy's Tomb" was made, and "Dr. John Banning", portrayed by John Hubbard, receives his Second World War draft notice at the story's conclusion.
Above in 1940's, "The Mummy's Hand", below in 1942's, "The Mummy's Tomb".
Also aged between the two films were George Zucco as "Andoheb", and Wallace Ford as "Babe Hanson". Actress Peggy Moran is not in the sequel and it is explained that she has passed away, but she had married "Steve Banning" and they had a son, "Dr. John Banning".
The 30-years Later In Mapleton, Massachusetts:
"Andoheb" turns over control of "Kharis" to "Mehemet Bey", portrayed by Turhan Bey". "Andoheb" dies before "Kharis" and "Mehemet Bey" leave for the United States to take revenge on those who disturbed the rest of the "Princess Ananka". No explanation is given as to why this wasn't done even 29-years earlier.
The murder of "Steve Banning" takes place, followed by his sister, "Jane Banning", portrayed by Mary Gordon, "Mrs. Hudson" in all the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce "Sherlock Holmes" movies.
"Babe Hanson" goes to the "Sheriff", portrayed by Cliff Clark, and the "Coroner", portrayed by Emmett Vogan, with his fantastic story of a living "Mummy". They, of course, don't buy it and in a local bar tells his story to a local newspaper reporter, "Babe" leave and becomes the next victim of "Kharis".
Shortly after telling his story, "Kharis" kills babe, but "Mehemet" has fallen for "Isobel Evans", portrayed by Elyse Knox, the girlfriend of "John Banning". Meanwhile, "John" goes to "Professor Matthew Norman" for help identifying the "grayish marks" on the victim's necks. "Professor Norman" determines that the substance is mold from a 3,000-year old mummy and confirm "Babe's" fantastic story as fact. Next, "Norman" is questioned by the reporter and some others interested in the story.
At the film's climax, the Sheriff has several towns people with him as they search for "Kharis". The mob corners "Mehemet", who is killed by the sheriff, but "Kharis" has "Isobel" and takes her to the "Banning House".
During a fight with the mummy on the second floor, "John" is able to rescue "Isobel", but sets his family home on fire. Where the mummy apparently burns to death.
Later, as the wedding of "John" and "Isobel" takes place, he receives his draft notice and heads for the Second World War in the year 1970 (?)
For Frank Reicher a familiar pattern emerged with his next 14-films, 9 of which were uncredited roles, and the remaining 5-very small. However, Reicher found himself in a Super-Hero Cliff-Hanger, or at least "Chapter One".
CAPTAIN AMERICA Chapter One: The Purple Death released on February 5, 1944
This revised version of "Captain America" is part of my article "America's Super Heroes VS the Axis Powers in World War 2 Cliff Hangers" fighting evil at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/02/americas-super-heroes-vs-axis-powers-in.html
Except, "Captain America" doesn't fight the Axis powers and isn't "Steve Rodgers". The following is from my linked article:
"Republic Pictures" dropped all reference to the "Timely Comics" character, and now, "Captain America", was a local city "District Attorney" named "Grant Gardner", portrayed by Dick Purcell.
Returning to the subject of my article, Frank Reicher portrayed "Professor Lyman".
Above, a still from the serial's reissue in 1953, a the "Return of Captain America", no real reason with adding the word "Return" in the title. Lorna Gray looks out of a window with Frank Reicher. Uncredited, Hal Craig, portrays "Patrolmn #2.
In Chapter One, before being killed by "The Scarab", as have the others tied to an expedition to a Mayan Temple. "Professor Lyman" goes to the other surviving member, "Dr. Cyrus Maldor". Only to discover he is "The Scarab" wanting revenge, because everyone else connected to the expedition gained fame and fortune from their discovery, but in his mind, kept him from the same fame and fortune. "Maldor" also wants control of "Lyman's" invention, the "Dynamic Vibrator". A machine to improve the digging on mining operations, but the unimaginative "Professor Lyman" doesn't realize it can become a terrible unstoppable weapon creating earthquakes. Threatening "Lyman" with his "Purple Death", a hypnotic chemical causing anyone to commit suicide, "Maldor" learns the location of the drawings and blueprints for the invention, but now is be stopped by "Captain America".
If my reader bought into the idea that between 1940's, "The Mummy's Hand", and 1942's, "The Mummy's Tomb", 30-years had passed. Have I got another one for you ----
THE MUMMY'S GHOST released first in Mexico on July 1, 1944
Stupid question for those who designed the above poster, but how can "The Mummy's Ghost" be "Nameless"? When the poster clearly states:
LON CHANEY as Kharis, The Mummy
Our two favorite screenplay writers, Griffin Jay, and Henry Sucher, are back for the third entry in the series. You would reasonably think that these two would know what they were doing after the mistake in 1942's, "The Mummy's Tomb", but then again ---
In 1940's, "The Mummy's Hand", Jay and Sucher introduced the audience to the new "High Priest of Karnak", George Zucco's, "Andoheb". Two-years-later, in 1942's, "The Mummy's Tomb", George Zucco's, "Andoheb", dies after giving his instructions to Turban Bey's, "Mehemet Bey", apparently the new "High Priest of Karnak".
Well, another two-years later, welcome back to the afterlife George Zucco, in 1944's, "The Mummy's Ghost", because Griffin Jay, and Henry Sucher, have brought Zucco's "Andoheb" back to life. This reincarnated (?) "Andoheb", gives similar instructions to John Carradine's, "Yousef Bey", as he did, Turhan Bey's, "Mehemet Bey", and dies once again. Raising the question, who's been into the "Tana Leaves"?
Also, make-up artist Jack Pierce has a younger looking George Zucco, then in the previous motion picture.
John Carradine is one of the five main characters of the story. Besides, Lon Chaney portraying "Kharis", the other three are:
Robert Lowery portraying "Tom Hervey". He had fought mad-scientist John Carradine in 1943's, "Revenge of the Zombies", after this movie, Lowery fought George Macready in 1945's, "The Monster and the Ape", in 1946, he was the hero in the previously mentioned, "House of Horrors", and speaking of playing the hero. In 1949, Robert Lowery was the second actor to portray "Batman" in the Cliff-Hanger, "Batman and Robin". However, to 1956 television audiences, Lowery was "Big Tim Champion", helping to take care of 12-years-old, Mickey Dolenz, as "Circus Boy".
Ramsay Ames portrayed "Amina Ramsori". She had an uncredited role in the Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson, comedy, 1944's, "Ghost Catchers". Ames followed this feature in the Elyse Knox musical comedy, 1944's, A Wave, a WAC and a Marine".
Frank Reicher returned as "Professor Matthew Norman". Reicher just had an uncredited role in 1944's, "The Adventures of Mark Twain", starring Fredric March, and followed this motion picture with the 1944 comedy, "Gilderleeve's Ghost", the last movie based upon the popular "NBC Radio" program.
The Basic Screenplay:
The story opens with "High Priest Andoheb" contacting "Yousef Bey" to come to him. However, not only is George Zucco's, "Andoheb" alive, but he is no longer the "High Priest of Karnak", but the "High Priest of Arkham", had one of the screenwriters recently discovered H. P. Lovecraft?
Switch to "Professor Matthew Norman" conducting his Egyptian history class, among his students is "Tom Hervey".
The subject is "Kharis", whom the students obviously know about, and the legend of the "Priests of Arkham". After the class is over, "Tom" meets his girlfriend, "Amina Ramsori". She is of Egyptian descent and, recently, whenever Egypt is mentioned, her memories seem clouded.
Switch again to the meeting between "Andoheb" and "Yousef Bey".
"Yousef Bey" is now told that "Kharis" was not destroyed in the fire at the "Banning" house, but still lives. He is told how to find the mummy by making a fluid of 9-tana-leaves, and "Kharis" will find him to be able to drink it. How long has passed between "The Mummy's Tomb" and "The Mummy's Ghost" isn't really clear, or how come nobody in Mapleton hasn't seen "Kharis" since the fire. However, first "Yousef Bey" must travel to the United States from Egypt, before he can lure "Kharis" to him.
Meanwhile, "Professor Norman's" wife, portrayed by Claire Whitney, wants him to stop working at such a late hour and come to bed, but he has found the box that contains the tana-leaves and tells her he will in just a little while.
"Professor Norman" decides to brew nine-tana-leaves to see the fluid that was suppose to give life to the mummy. As he is making it, "Kharis" now senses the life giving fluid and starts toward the "Norman" house. As he walks the streets of Mapleton, "Kharis" passes "Amina's" house, and in a trance she comes out and starts to follow him.
"Kharis" enters "Professor Norman's" house, drinks the tana-fluid and strangles "Matthew Norman".
"Amina" sees "Kharis" leave "Professor Norman's" house, snaps out of her trance, faints, and falls to the ground, and when she awakens, there is a strange birth mark on his wrist. After examining the body of "Professor Norman" and seeing the grayish mold on his neck, both "Sheriff Elwood", portrayed by Harry Shannon, and the "Coroner", portrayed by Emmett Vogan, realize that the mummy stalks Mapleton once again.
Meanwhile, "Sheriff Elwood" questions "Amina Mansori" about the night "Professor Norman" was murdered and doesn't seem to notice she now has a definite white streak in her hair that wasn't there before.
The following day at the "Scripps Museum", "Yousef Bey" shows up looking at the "Princess Ananka" exhibit and her mummy. "Kharis" breaks in, kills "The Museum Watchman", portrayed by Oscar O'Shea, then - - -
- - - "Kharis" goes over to the exhibit, breaks the glass covering the body of his princess, reaches to lift it up, and the body turns to dust.
"Yousef Bey" realizes that the soul of the "Princess Annaka" is in another person and she has been reincarnated. While, "Tom Hervy" and "Amina Mansori" make plans to leave Mapleton in the morning for New York. "Yousef Bey" sends "Kharis" out to find the vessel that contains the soul of "Princess Ananka", and he heads toward the old "Banning" house. Once again, as he passes "Amina's" house, she comes out in a trance and seeing "Kharis", faints. The mummy picks her up and starts to carry "Amina Ananka" to the old mill that "Yousef Bey" is hiding in. Note the change in "Amina's" hair.
"Kharis" brings his love to the old mill and "Yousef Bey" recognizes the birthmark on "Amina's" wrist as the symbol of the "Priests of Arkham".
Looking upon "Princess Ananka's" beauty, 'Yousef Bey" wants to keep her alive as his bride. As "Amina Ananka's" hair and face start to age rapidly.
"Yousef Bey's" plan enrages "Kharis" and he throws him out of a window to his death. "Tom" arrives just a head of a mob, enters the mill, but fails to stop "Kharis", who leaves with his 3,000-years-old love. The two are chased by the Sheriff and a mob of townspeople, as "Ananka" continues to age. Before the mob can catch him, "Kharis" and now the living mummy of his "Princes Ananka" enter a swamp and are caught in and sink in quicksand. On December 22, 1944, with an entirely new cast of characters, except for Lon Chaney portraying "Kharis". The final entry in the series, "The Mummy's Curse" opened. Griffin Jay, and Henry Sucher did not write either the story, or screenplay.
The new owners of "Universal Pictures" came up with an idea for a monster fest of sorts and Frank Reicher was in the cast.
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN released on December 1, 1944
Initially the studio's executives approached novelist and screenplay writer Curt Siodmak, 1940's, "Black Friday", 1940's, "The Invisible Man Returns", 1941, "The Wolf Man", and producer Val Lewton's, 1943, "I Walked with a Zombie", to write a story and screenplay featuring two, or three of the "Universal Picture's" monsters. The novel was entitled "The Devil's Brood", and on June 7, 1943, the trade paper, "The Hollywood Reporter", announced that the studio was planning a movie co-starring Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Jr, Claude Rains, Peter Lorrie, and George Zucco, based upon Siodmak's story, now entitled, "Chamber of Horrors". That story never materialized and Curt Siodmak, according to Tom Weaver, and brothers Michael and John Brunas's, 1990, "Universal Horrors", stated:
the idea was to put all the horror characters into one picture. I only wrote the story. I didn't write the script. I never saw the picture
My article is "CURT and ROBERT SIODMAK: Horror and Film Noir" at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/11/curt-and-robert-siodmak-horror-and-film.html
What resulted was over a year later, as the "House of Frankenstein", from a screenplay by Edward T. Lowe, Jr. with story credit to Curt Siodmak. Lowe would go one to write 1945's, "House of Dracula". Prior to this feature film, he was one of three writers on Lon Chaney's, 1923, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", his only prior horror screenplay was, 1933's, "The Vampire Bat", starring Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray. Edward T. Lowe, Jr. was basically a mystery-detective writer and had worked on multiple entries in both the "Charlie Chan" and "Bulldog Drummond" series.
The only thing going for this feature was the director, Erle C. Kenton. Kenton's two previous horror entries were the 1932 classic "Island of Lost Soul's", starring Charles Laughton portraying H.G. Wells' "Dr. Moreau", and 1942's, "Ghost of Frankenstein".
The Cast vs the Curt Siodmak Story:
Boris Karloff was to have played the "Frankenstein Monster", instead he became the mad-scientist "Dr. Gustav Niemann".
Instead, "B" Cowboy actor and Western singer, Glenn Strange portrayed the actual "Frankenstein Monster". My article is "GLENN STRANGE: The Monster Sings!" found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/07/glenn-strange-monster-sings.html
Bela Lugosi was supposed to portray "Dracula", instead the feature has John Carradine portraying "Baron Latos", the alias for "Count Dracula".
Lon Chaney, Jr. returned as "Larry Talbot" aka: "The Wolf Man". Initially he was also to portray "Kharis".
Claude Rains was to portray "The Invisible Man", instead neither are in the motion picture.
George Zucco portrayed "Professor Bruno Lampini", if this was the original Curt Siodmak character, I could not find out.
As I mentioned above, Peter Lorrie was also scheduled to be in "Chamber of Horrors", in an unknown role. He was not in the "House of Frankenstein".
The following comes modified from my linked article about Glenn Strange.
The 73-Minute Monster Mash of Edward T. Lowe Jr's screenplay:
"Dr. Niemann" and his hunchback assistant "Daniel", portrayed by J. Carrol Naish, escape from prison. When the walls literally come down in an Earthquake. "Niemann" finds the traveling Horror show of "Professor Lampini", kills him, assumes his name, and goes after those that put him in prison.
The victim on the left, I could not identify, but the victim of the right is Frank Reicher portraying "Ullman".
One of "Lampini's" exhibits is "Dracula's" skeleton, "Niemann" pulls the stake out and as "Baron Latos", "Dracula" comes back to life (?)
"Baron Latos" seduces the granddaughter, "Rita Hussman", of the burgomaster and kills "Burgomaster Hussman", played by Sig Ruman. Being chased by the townspeople, "Neimann" pushes "Latos'" coffin out of his wagon into the sunlight and the "Baron-Count" becomes a skeleton once again.
"Niemann" and "Daniel" now move to the flooded ruins of "Castle Frankenstein" in Visaria. The two find the bodies of the "Frankenstein Monster" and "Larry Talbot" frozen in ice under the castle. "Niemann" frees them and promises to cure "Larry" of being a werewolf.
"Dr. Niemann" is, of course, lying to "Talbott" and wants the "Frankenstein Monster" to kill two more of the men who sent him to prison. Meanwhile, "Larry" turns into the Wolf Man and kills a villager.
"Niemann" and "Daniel" save a gypsy girl named "Ilonka", portrayed by Elena Verdugo, and "Daniel" falls in love with her, but she has fallen for "Larry Talbot". "Daniel" tells "Ilonka" what "Talbot" is, but that doesn't stop her love.
The "Frankenstein Monster" is revived and "Larry" becomes the "Wolf Man".
"Larry" fatally attacks "Ilonka", but because of her love for him. She shoots and kills "Lawrence Talbot" with a silver bullet, before dying herself.
"Niemann" blames "Daniel" for what has gone wrong, and during their argument. The "Frankenstein Monster" throws "Daniel" out of a window to his death. Next, the villagers show up and chase the "Frankenstein Monster", holding the squirming "Dr. Niemann" into a swamp, and they both sink into quicksand.
Any of my readers think Edward T. Low, Jr. saw "The Mummy's Ghost"?
It took five writers to come up with a story and write a screenplay for this average "B" western, but the picture has an interesting cast and that's worth looking at:
THE BIG BONANZA released December 30, 1944
Richard Arlen portrayed "Captain Jed Kelton". In 1927, Arlen co-starred in director William "Wild Bill" Wellman's First World War movie, "Wings", the first motion picture to get the "Best Picture Academy Award". In 1929, he co-starred with Fay Wray and Clive Brook, in the Merian C. Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack version of British author A. E. W. Mason's, "The Four Feathers". While in 1932, Richard Arlen co-starred with Charles Laughton in H. G. Wells, "Island of Lost Souls". The actor also starred in 1944's, "The Lady and the Monster", based upon Curt Siodmak's novel "Donovan's Brain".
Robert "Bob" Livingston portrayed "Sam Ballou". Livngston had a couple of first's to his credit. In 1936, he was the original "Stoney Brooke", in the first 9-western movies of "The Three Mesquiteers" series. He skipped #10, for the future motion picture "Dick Tracy", Ralph Byrd, and came back to the role in #11, for the next 6-films. Being replaced by someone named John Wayne, for #17 through #24, then, Bob Livingston returned to the role for #25 through #38, and left the series for good. Tom Tyler finished the series in the role through #51. My article is "An Overview of 'THE THREE MESQUITEERS': A Classic 'B' Western Series" riding and roping at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/11/an-overview-of-three-mesquiteers.html
Also in 1936, Robert Livingston portrayed "Don Diego Vega" aka: "El Zorro", in the first sound "Zorro" motion picture, "The Bold Caballero". Which was also the first "Zorro" movie in color. Not forgetting that Bob Livingston had the title role in the Cliff-Hanger, "The Lone Ranger Rides Again".
Jane Frazee portrayed "Chiquita McSweeny". She started out in a vaudeville act with sister Ruth, but Hollywood broke the act up. Ruth McSweeny couldn't pass her screen test, although as a singing act the two appeared in seven movies between 1936 and 1939. Jane received 4th billing in 1941's, "Buck Privates", starring first and second billed Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Prior to this feature, she was 7th-billed, as a vocalist, in the Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, 1944, "Practically Yours".
Above Jane Frazee and Robert Livingston
George "Gabby" Hayes portrayed "Hap Selby". He often portrayed the villain, but is better known as the sidekick for many a "B" western actor. My article is "George 'Gabby' Hayes: Being a 'B' Cowboy Sidekick" riding the range at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/03/george-gabby-hayes-being-b-cowboy.html
Above, Robert Livingston, Richard Arlen, and George "Gabby" Hayes/
Lynne Roberts portrayed "Judy Parker". Roberts was a "B"actress and just before this feature film, she portrayed authoress "Emily Bronte", in 1944's, "Three Sisters of the Moors", starring Sir Cedric Hardwicke portraying the "Reverend Bronte", and co-starring Molly Lamont portraying "Charlotte Bronte", and "Heather Angel portraying "Anne Bronte". Lynne Roberts followed this feature film by co-starring with Richard Arlen in the 1945, horror-mystery, "The Phantom Speaks".
Above left to right, Jane Frazee, George "Gabby" Hayes, Richard Arlen, and Lynne Roberts.
Bobby Driscoll portrayed "Spud Kilton". Fans of Walt Disney movies, know Bobby Driscoll for the controversial 1946, "Song of the South", 1948's, "So Dear to My Heart", 1950's, "Treasure Island", and as the voice of 1953's, "Peter Pan". My article is "Bobby Driscoll: The Darkside of Child Acting, 'Peter Pan's Real Neverland" second star to the right at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/08/bobby-driscoll-darkside-of-child-acting.html
Frank Reicher portrayed "Dr. Ballou, Sam's father", I could not locate a photo of the actor. Frank Reicher followed this feature film with the Sidney Tolar, "Charlie Chan" entry, 1945's, "The Jade Mask".
The Basic Screenplay:
During the Civil War, Union Captain Jed Kelton is unfairly courtmartialed for cowardliness, but escapes and immediately goes to the home of Dr. Ballou, the man that reared him with his son Sam. Jed had left his young brother Spud in the doctor's care, but discovers that for the boys safety. Dr. Ballou sent him out west to be raised by Sam. Accompanied by his old friend, Hap Selby, they head for the town of Nevada Springs, a boom town they discover is run by the town boss, Sam Ballou. Who owns the very profitable saloon, the "Silver Queen". Jed is angry that his brother is being raised in a saloon by Chiquita McSweeny, who adores Spud. Jed is happy though to see his childhood friend, but doesn't know that Sam had pocketed a wanted poster for him. Sam appears to buy Jed's story that he's on furlough. When some men attack Sam in his saloon, Jed and Hap help fight them, but they don't know that Sam is attempting to take over the other men's gold mines. Later, Jed meets school teacher Judy Parker, who will ask her father if Spud can live with them. So starts the love story.
Eventually the truth about Sam Ballou comes out and Jed Kelton and Hap Selby join the miners against him. When Jed attempts to have Sam arrested for harassment of one of the miners, instead Jed finds himself arrested on the desertion charge. After Sam Ballou produces the wanted poster as a means of getting him out of his way.
Next, Spud upset that his beloved brother is a deserter, runs away. Hap breaks Jed out of jail and the two go looking for the boy, find him, and discover he witnessed the murder of a miner by Sam's men. Meanwhile, Sam orders his men to kill the boy, Judy and Chiquita, now a friend of Jed's, protect Spud. While, Jed and Hap organize the miners to go after Sam, but he has their homes set on fire, leading to a shootout. During the shootout, a large burning timber falls on Sam killing him. His gang is rounded up and peace restored. Later, Spud is in Sunday school with Judy and Hap. Chiquita arrives with a telegram from Jed. In it, he tells them that his name has been cleared and he's been promoted, adding to have Judy get a wedding dress.
Back in 1932, "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" turned Austrian writer, Hedwig "Vicki" Baum's, 1929 novel about the lives of hotel's guests, "Menschen im Hotel (People at a Hotel)", by using the English translation title, "Grand Hotel", into a major all-star-cast feature film.
Now it was "Warner Brothers" turn with another of Vicki Baum's novels, 1943's, "Hotel Berlin".
HOTEL BERLIN released March 2, 1945
This was a very political, exploitation in a sense, anti-Nazi motion picture. It should be noted that one-month after this motion picture's release, on April 30, 1945, Adolph Hitler committed suicide.
One of the above tag lines, at the bottom of the poster reads:
ASTOUNDING! The inside story of the plot to assassinate Hitler!
Like in "Grand Hotel", the audience meets the guests of "Hotel Berlin", portrayed by some major and minor actors under contract with "Warner Brothers", and learns who they are and their connections to each other.
This is a work of fiction and one of the guests of the "Hotel Berlin", is the fictional last remaining member of the plot to assassinate Hitler, "General Arnim von Dahnwitz", portrayed by Raymond Massey. He has gone to, Henry Daniell portraying "Baron Von Setten", to see if he can join "Von Setten's" group and escape Germany. The baron will have nothing to do with the very visible general.
Among those interacting at the "Hotel Berlin", is "Lisa Dorn", portrayed by Andrea King. "Dorn"" is a noted German actress and the ex-girlfriend of "General von Dahnwitz". She is invited by the general to marry him and flee to Sweden, she refuses and he commits suicide.
Helmut Dantine portrayed "Martin Richter", a leader of the German underground who has just escaped from the Dachau Concentration camp. He is being hunted by "S. S. Gruppenfuhrer Joachim Helm", portrayed by George Coulouris. Who happens to have one of his offices in the "Hotel Berlin".
Above Helmut Dantine, below George Coulouris and Andrea King
Peter Lorre portrayed Nobel laureate,"Johannes Koenig", also an escapee from Dachau, and a friend of "Martin Richter". They knew each other before the war and within the concentration camp.
Above, Peter Lorrie with Helmut Dantine and below with Frank Reicher portraying "Fritz".
The problem for "Mitty" and the audiences is that "Rosalind van Hoorn" looks exactly like his dream girl. So, is this a fantasy, or reality? However, "Mitty" agrees to accompany "Rosalind" to the docks to meet a friend, "Karl Maasdam", portrayed by Frank Reicher. When their cab reaches the docks, a nervous "Walter Mitty" jumps out of it, leaving his briefcase in the cab. "Maasdam" hides a notebook in the briefcase, before handing it back to "Mitty". The first cab now drives away, after some discussion, another cab arrives called by "Maasdam" for him and "Rosalind", he invites "Mitty" to join them. Before the cab leaves, "Karl Maasdam" drops dead, and "Mitty" and "Rosalind" take the cab to the police station. As he starts to tell the story, the cab, the body, and "Rosalind" disappear.
Frank Reicher continued in both very small, walk-ons in many cases, and some slightly larger roles in forgotten motion pictures. One motion picture was not a forgotten title, a biblical tale full of biblical sex, and came from producer and director Cecil B. DeMille, and was 1949's, "Samson and Delilah". However, Frank Reicher's role had full-credit, but was only "The Village Barber". Shown two fully credited roles above "The Village Barber", was a "Wounded Messenger", portrayed by George Reeves. These two actors would appear together again in the last on-screen appearance of Frank Reicher, but first there were five more forgotten roles and then - - -
Frank Reicher was cast as "Doc' Darius Green"in a production by William Cagney for his brother James.
KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE premiered in New York City on August 4, 1950
After the cops are gone, Cotter says they need a lawyer to help them. Jinx gives the name of ‘Doc’ Darius Green (Frank Reicher), whom he says is no lawyer or doctor, and he can’t be trusted. Doc is a new age philosopher, and Jinx says he is nuts also. Inside, they are giving new-age philosophy classes and reading.From my article:
"Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" is a brutal story containing characters without redemption, or morality. A trademark of Horace McCoy's written work, and why it took until 1969 for somebody to decide to make his excellent, but depressing, "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?".
This picture, as directed by Gordon Douglas, is a true gangster story and not a film-noir. Although some reviewers still used that term for this feature, because it had become the norm for crime movies by 1950. As written, directed, and portrayed by James Cagney, "Ralph Cotter", isn't even close to a film-noir character. My reader can compare him to any of the characters from the same year's, classic film-noir, "Asphalt Jungle", co-written and directed by John Huston.
Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.'
Look! Up in the sky!
It's a bird!
It's a plane!
It's Superman!
For his last on-screen appearance, Frank Reicher appeared in a movie that would become the pilot for televisions "The Adventures of Superman". My article is "SUPERMAN, SUPERBOY, SUPERGIRL: Their Origins and Beginnings in Motion Pictures and Television" coming at you straight from "Krypton" at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/03/superman-superboy-supergirl-their.html
SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN released on November 6, 1951
The following is modified from the linked article above:
Playing "Superman" was George Keefer Brewar, who took the film name of George Reeves. A piece of trivia is that George Reeves played Brent Tarleton, one of the two brothers who are Scarlet O'Hara's suitors at the start of the 1939 classic motion picture "Gone With the Wind".
In 1949, Reeves was working at Columbia studios and starred in the title role of producer Sam Katzman's, 15 Chapter serial "The Adventures of Sir Galahad", seen below is Reeves as Galahad.
Playing Lois Lane was actress Phylliss Coates, born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell. Coates had been acting since 1947 in small roles. After leaving "The Adventures of Superman", Phylliss Coates had the title lead in one of the last of the Chapter serials, below, Republic's 1955 "Panther Girl of the Kongo".
Another piece of trivia is found in the 1952, Science Fiction/Thriller "Invasion U.S.A.". This low budget picture was one of the first to deal with the Cold War fear of the Soviet Union attacking and taking over the United States. In this movie, you have Phyllis Coates playing Mrs. Mulfory and Noel Neill as the Second Airline Attendant in the only film with both Lois Lane actresses in it.
The Basic Screenplay:
Clark Kent and Lois Lane are sent to the small mining community of Silsby where the World's deepest oil well is to be opened. What is unknown to everyone is that the well has reached the inner world of the Mole Men. At night they come out and initially frighten to death the night watchmen.
The townspeople are also becoming frightened of the Mole Men, because everything is suddenly glowing and it is believed to be radium. A popular radioactive element used in many Science Fiction stories like "The Invisible Ray".
In reality the glowing substance is nothing more than phosphorus rubbing off the hands of the Mole Men. One of the Mole Men is shot by the leader of a mob Luke Benson, portrayed by Jeff Corey, and needs medical assistance. Superman helps the doctor with an operation, because the doctor's nurse is too frightened to touch the tiny creature. After the successful operation, Lois Lane and Clark Kent discuss it with the Hospital Superintendent, portrayed by Frank Reicher, and the doctor portrayed by John Baer.
The townspeople led by Benson go to the hospital to take the injured Mole Men, but emerging from the Oil Well are others with a ray gun as normal for Lois, Clark Kent disappears.
Above left to right, Phyliss Coates portraying Lois Lane, George Reeves portraying Clark Kent, Walter Reed portraying drilling engineer Bill Corrigan, and Jeff Corey portraying Luke Benson.
The Mole Men aim their gun at Benson, but Superman steps between the laser ray and the mob leader. Afterwards he brings the injured Mole Man back and the others take him down the oil shaft and blow it up. Preventing anyone from ever entering their world.
This 58-minute feature would become the first two-episodes of the television series, "The Adventures of Superman", but renamed "The Unknown People" and with all mention of "Mole Men" removed from the re-edit for television.
You had to be living in the United States at the start of the Cold War to understand the underlining theme of this story. It reflected American's fear of the Soviet Union and the idea that anyone you did not know could be one of "them", a Communist, or even your next door neighbor.
This film came out at the start of the "Black Listings" of members of the motion picture industry. Who were suspected of being, or who had actually been a member of the Communist Party. Problem here was the Russians were our allies during the Second World War and many patriotic Americans joined the party to show their support of our Communist friends.
Jeff Corey was called in front of the "House Committee on Un-American Activities" and refused to give names of those he knew in the film industry who were still, or had been Communists. His last film before he was "Black Listed" was 1951's, "Superman and the Mole Man". The next time Jeff Corey acted was providing a voice in a "Mr. Magoo" cartoon in 1960. His first on screen role was in a 1961 episode of the television series "The Untouchables".
Should my reader want to get an idea of the McCarthy Era impact on the Motion Picture Industry. You may find my blog article about Screen Writer/Novelist Guy Endore and what happened to him as a result of actually being a member of the Communist Party interesting at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/12/guy-endore-communism-in-motion-picture.html
Character actor Frank Reicher passed away on January 19, 1965, at the age of 89.
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