Star of the Month: Barbara Stanwyck.

Forty Guns (1957). A western film written and directed by Samuel Fuller. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan and Gene Barry.

Reformed gunslinger and now a lawman Griff Bonnell and his brothers Wes and Chico arrive in an Arizona town. They are looking to arrest Howard Swain for mail robbery. Swain, is one of landowner Jessica Drummond’s hired guns.

She runs the territory and her brother, Brockie Drummond, who is a drunken and bully, who shoots and kills Marshal Chisolm in cold blood.

Wes, falls in love with Louvenie Spanger and then decides to settle down and become the town's sheriff. Griff, falls in love with Jessica after she is dragged by her horse during a storm.

Logan and Savage, try to ambush of Griff in an alley. He is saved by youngest brother Chico, who kills Savage. Jessica's brother and hired guns try to turn the town against the Bonnell brothers.

On his wedding day, Wes is killed and Brockie is jailed for the murder. He tries to escape by using his sister as a shield, daring Griff to shoot ... which Griff does.. only wounding Jessica. Brockie, is the first man Griff has had to kill in 10 years. Chico, decides to take the sheriff's job. Griff, believes that Jessica hates him for killing her brother, but he maybe in for a surprise.

 

The Maverick Queen(1956). A Pinkerton detective goes undercover to investigate a gang of thieves whose boss is a lady saloonkeeper. Video one of ten.

 

The Violent Men(1955). A Western/drama directed by Rudolph Mate. Cast: Glenn Ford along with Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Brian Keith and Diane Foster. Based on the novel Smoky Valley by Donald Hamilton.

Union Army ex-officer Parrish, wants to sell his land and move east with his fiancee, Caroline, but the low price offered by Lew Wilkison and after one of Parrish's men is murdered, he changes his mind about leaving.

Things become more complicated when the evil owner's wife, Martha, has taken up with his brother, Cole, who has a Mexican spy in town.

When Wilkisons' daughter, Judith, comes to see what her family has done she decides join forces with Parrish and make things right with the cattlemen in their small town.

 

Trooper Hook (1957). After Indian warriors kill a troop of soldiers, Sergeant Hook captures them and their chief Nanches. Among the prisoners is Nanches' son and the boy's white mother. Hook's, job is to escort the mother and son back to the woman's husband. Traveling by stagecoach, they learn that Nanches, has escaped and that he and his warriors and are planning to take back his son.

The Moonlighter(1953). A Western film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. A cattle rustler escapes a lynch mob and returns to his life of crime. His ex-girlfriend is deputized and vows to bring him to justice.

Annie Oakley (1935). Annie Oakley is a 1935 biographical film about the life of Annie Oakley. It stars Barbara Stanwyck in the title role and Preston Foster.

The story begins when Annie Oakley delivers six dozen quail she has shot to the owner of the general store. He sends them to the MacIvor hotel in Cincinnati, where the mayor is holding a dinner to honor Toby Walker, the "greatest shot in the whole world".

At the dinner Jeff Hogarth makes Walker, part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. MacIvor arranges for "Andy" Oakley to compete against Walker. The contest ends up in a tie, so they compete to sudden death. The two sharpshooters continue hitting their targets. Oakley's mother tells her to deliberately miss her next shot.

When the Oakleys return home, Annie promises to pay back all those who bet on her. Hogarth shows up and tells Annie that he never bet her money. He then invites her to join the Wild West Show. Oakley, having developed a crush on Walker, jumps at the chance.

Later, Walker overhears Buffalo Bill telling Hogarth that he might have to fire Oakley, because she lacks showmanship, he teaches her some 'fancy shootin' tricks.

At the first show, Chief Sitting Bull is in the audience with his translator, Iron Eyes Cody. Ned Buntline, Buffalo Bill's publicist, tries to sign him up for the show, but the chief is bored with the acts.. until he sees Annie, shoot five targets thrown in the air.

Oakley and Walker fall in love, despite Hogarth, who also has feelings for Oakley.

One day, Walker grabs a man's gun just as it goes off, saving Sitting Bull's life. His eyes are damaged by the closeness of the shot. He hides his injury, but ends up shooting Oakley in the hand and is fired from the show. Oakley, heartbroken cannot forget him. After touring Europe, the show travels to New York City, Walker's home town. Will the couple find each other and get back together?

 

Night Nurse (1931). Pre-Code, crime/drama/mystery directed by William A. Wellman. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon, Joan Blondell, Clark Gable, and Vera Lewis.

Lora Hart applies for a job as a trainee nurse in a hospital, but is rejected for not having graduated from high school. Fortunately, a meeting with the hospital's chief of staff, Dr. Arthur Bell she is hired. Lora's roommate and fellow nurse, Miss Maloney, becomes her best friend.

One day, Lora treats bootlegger Mortie, for a gunshot wound and they become friends when she does not report him to the police.

Later, Lora is hired for a private case, taking care of, Desney and Nanny Ritchie at the mansion of their alcoholic mother, where there is always a party going on. When a drunk guest makes a pass at her, the chauffeur Nick knocks him out. When she refuses his demand to pump out the stomach of a very drunk Mrs. Ritchie, he knocks Lora out and takes her to her room.

Lora, becomes concerned about the children's treatment prescribed by Dr. Ranger. She sees that the children are being slowly starved to death, but she can not get anybody to believe her. She quits and takes her suspicions to Dr. Bell. He advises her to return to the house so she can get more proof.

Nanny Ritchie becomes so weak, that Lora fears for her life. By chance, her friend Mortie is making a booze delivery to the mansion. Desperate, Lora sends Mortie for milk for a bath for the child. The worried housekeeper Mrs. Maxwell, confides to Lora that Nick and Dr. Ranger, both want the children out of the way in order to get at their trust fund.

Dr. Bell shows up and examines the little girl, but when Bell tries to get the child to the hospital, Nick punches him. Will Dr. Bell be able to save the child's life in time?

 

Star of the Month: Barbara Stanwyck.

Crime Of Passion (1957). Crime/noir directed by Gerd Oswald and written by Jo Eisinger. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Sterling Hayden, Raymond Burr and Fay Wray.

Video: Movie in full.



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The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947). Film noir directed by Peter Godfrey. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Barbara Stanwyck, Alexis Smith and Nigel Bruce.

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Cry Wolf (1947). Mystery. Cast: Errol Flynn and Barbara Stanwyck, based on the novel of the same name by Marjorie Carleton.

The story is about.. A woman, who shows up to claim the inheritance of her late husband and receives a cold reception.

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The Gay Sisters(1942). Drama film directed by Irving Rapper. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp, Gig Young and Nancy Coleman. Based on a novel by Stephen Longstreet.

After Fiona, Evelyn and Susanna's mother dies on the sunken RMS Lusitania and their army officer father, Penn Gaylord, is killed in France, they find themselves running their Fifth Avenue mansion alone. They do not know anything about their half billion dollar inheritance.

Fiona, is the oldest of the three girls and is now "the head of the household". Fiona, tells the servants that she will now be called... "Miss Gaylord".

Fiona marries Charles Barclay, so she can finalize the probate of Penn's will, which had been tied up in court for 25 years. Barclay, has done everything he could to keep the will from being settled, so he could force the sisters to sell him their mansion so he could develop the land. Barclay, says his reason for tying up the will of 10% of the estate was to give the money to a orphanage.

Fiona, has no objection to the orphanage, but she is opposed to the real estate development. She makes this known at a court proceeding before she and her sisters walk out.

 

Ladies They Talk About (1933). Pre-Code prison film about a woman, who is sent to San Quentin. Based on the play Women in Prison by Dorothy Mackaye and Carlton Miles. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster and Lillian Roth.

Nan Taylor, is accused of robbing a bank. David Slade, who in love with her, but when she confesses to the crime, he has her imprisoned. Inside, she meets inmates Linda, "Sister Susie" and Aunt Maggie and prison matron Noonan .

Unlike most films of the women in prison genre.. her fellow inmates are criminals, rather than women in prison by mistake. Taylor gets herself involved in a prison escape, has a year added to her sentence, and goes looking for revenge after she is released.

Video: First of 5.

The Purchase Price(1932). Pre-Code directed by William Wellman and adapted from Arthur Stringer's novel, The Mud Lark (1932).

Singer Joan Gordon, who has been performing on Broadway, runs away from her gangster boyfriend Eddie Fields, to marry Don Leslie, who promises her a better life. Her plans are ruined when, Don's father finds out about her past relationship with Eddie. After, Don breaks it off with her, she decides to run away from town, rather than returning to Eddie.

In Montreal, she changes her name and starts working as a performer.

Things are going well until one of Eddie's men recognizes her and informs her boss. Joan, decides to trade places with the hotel's maid, who had used her picture when writing a North Dakota farmer, named Jim Gilson. She then pays the maid a lot of money for the farmer's address and Joan becomes the mail-order bride.

They begin their relationship has a rocky start, when Joan suggests that they sleep apart.

Over time, Joan, falls in love with him and tries to win his affection, but.. Jim is not interested. He is more worried that he will lose his land if he can not make any money. Even though he is certain that his wheat can save his land, but.. he has to convince farmer Bull McDowell, who has offered to buy his land in exchange for Joan's company.

Despite, not being in love with Joan, he is unhappy with another man showing any interest in her and starts a fight with him.

Sometime later, Joan drives out to an woman who is giving birth. She helps the woman and her adolescent daughter, and then travels through a snow storm to return home to her husband. Once she arrives, Jim tells her that he has taken in a man who was injured during the storm. She sees that the man is Eddie. She pretends not to know him, but Eddie tries to take her with him.

Realizing that his wife's past is a big lie, Jim suggests that she leave with Eddie. Joan, refuses to leave him and even goes as far as asking Eddie for a loan to save Jim's land. Through the loan, Jim is allowed to pay of his debts until after the harvest.

Bull, has set the farm on fire and Joan and Jim, are able to put out the fire. But...will Jim ever forgive her lies and admit that he loves her?

Forbidden (1932). A melodrama film directed by Frank Capra. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, who plays a librarian who falls in love with a married man played by Adolphe Menjou, with a tragic ending.

Ten Cents A Dance (1931). Is a romantic drama film starring Barbara Stanwyck, who plays as a married dancer who falls in love with one of her customers. The film was inspired by the popular song of the same name, which is sung over the title sequence.

Star of the Month: Barbara Stanwyck.

Double Indemnity(1944). Is a film noir, directed by Billy Wilder, co-written by Wilder and Raymond Chandler, and produced by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom. The script was based on James M. Cain's 1943 novella.

The film stars Fred Mac Murray as an insurance salesman, Barbara Stanwyck as a sexy housewife who plan the death of her husband. Edward G. Robinson, plays the claims adjuster whose job it is to find phony claims.

The term double indemnity is when life insurance policies doubles the payout in cases in accidental deaths.

The film, Double Indemnity was nominated for seven Academy Awards but did not win any. Many believe this was the film noir that set the standard for the films that followed in that genre.

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The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers(1946). Is a film noir starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott and Kirk Douglas in his film debut.

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Sorry, Wrong Number(1948). A film noir directed by Anatole Litvak. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards, Wendell Corey, Ed Begley, Leif Erickson and William Conrad.

The story begins when, Leona Stevenson, a bedridden daughter of a millionaire, is listening to two men planning a woman's murder over the phone. Leona calls the phone company and police, to report what she over heard, only to be ignored. To make matter worse.. Leona's husband Henry is missing. Leona, begins to piece together the puzzle. Her husband, who works for her father, turns out to be who she first thought he was and Leona, soon realizes she is the woman that she heard the two men talking about.

The movie is shot with many flashbacks through out the film. Stanwyck's, bedroom window overlooks the beautiful night skyline of Manhattan, with looming shadows and circling camera shots used to keep you at the edge of your seat.

 

Clash By Night(1952). A drama with some film noir twists, directed by Fritz Lang. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan, Marilyn Monroe and Keith Andes. This was the first film in which Monroe was credited before the movie's title. During the shooting, the now famous nude calendar photos of Monroe surfaced and reporters swarmed around the actress, causing problems for the film makers.

 

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Jeopardy(1953). A suspense film directed by John Sturges. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck and Barry Sullivan as a married couple and Ralph Meeker as an escaped killer. The film was based on a 22-minute radio play, "A Question of Time."

The Stilwins, vacationing in Baja California, looking for a deserted fishing spot. Are stopped by roadside barricade where they are inspected by police, but... are not told about the killer who has escaped from prison and is in the area.

Once there, young Bobby goes walking along the pier. Soon he begins having trouble getting back and when his Dad comes to his rescue, the pier gives way. Trapping the Dad's leg, just as the tide is coming in.

The Stilwins, are now worried that if Dad isn't freed within a few hours, he will drown in the rising surf. They can not move the log and wife Helen takes the car to get help. The escaped criminal kidnaps her. Can she get back to her husband before he drowns?

 

Witness To Murder(1954). Is a suspense film starring Barbara Stanwyck. The theme is a little like another movie released that year, Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, it was filmed to compete with the film Hitchcock was preparing at Paramount.

Witness to Murder was released on April 15, 1954, and received moderately positive reviews. Rear Window, which opened less than a month later and earned Oscar nominations for director, screenplay (by John Michael Hayes) and cinematography (by Robert Burks).

 
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Star of the Month: Barbara Stanwyck.

To Please A Lady (1950). A drama film produced and directed by Clarence Brown and starring Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck. The climactic race scene was shot at the Indianapolis Speedway, Indiana, USA.

Columnist Regina Forbes tries to interview race car driver Brannan, but he refuses. Regina then sees Brannan involved in a crash in which another driver is killed. Her story suggests that Brannan caused the accident deliberately, which causes him to be bared from racing. Brannan, begins driving in a stunt show and earns enough money to buy his own car and enter the big race.

The Bride Walks Out(1936). A romantic comedy film featuring Barbara Stanwyck.
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Breakfast for Two (1937). A screwball comedy directed by Alfred Santell. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall and Glenda Farrell. Stanwyck made Breakfast for Two immediately following the movie Stella Dallas (1937), receiving an Oscar nomination. Stanwyck and Marshall worked together once more, in the drama, Always Goodbye (1938).

After drunken night playboy Jonathan Blair, wakes up to find that Valentine Ransome, who he really does not know, has spent the night in his mansion. Valentine, is in love with Jonathan and wants to change his wild ways and marry him. First she has to get past Jonathan's girlfriend, actress Carol Wallace.

Jonathan, is now worried about his families business which is in trouble. Valentine, jumps at the chance to buy up controlling interest in the company and moves into his home. When he learns that she is the new owner, he thinks that she only went out with him to get information about the company.

Jonathan, tells her that he will fight to get the company back, but later, to his valet, Butch , he admits he has hit rock-bottom. Butch, likes Valentine and wants things to work out for them .

Valentine, makes Jonathan vice president, but.. he visits the office only to tell her that he is going to marry Carol.

That afternoon at the wedding, Sam Ransome, bursts in and makes the claim that Carol is the mother of his children. The wedding is off, but one of the guests recognizes Sam and informs Jonathan that it is a lie.

The next day, Jonathan goes to the board with his new plan to get the company back on its feet. The board members accepts his plan and return control of the business to him. Valentine is happy ... until he tells her that the wedding with Carol is back on.

Butch, comes up with a forged marriage certificate showing that Valentine and Jonathan were married on that one drunken night. Will his plan work?

The Mad Miss Manton(1938). Is a comedy and mystery film. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck as fun-loving socialite Melsa Manton and Henry Fonda as newspaper editor Peter Ames.

Melsa and her silly debutante friends hunt for a murderer while eating bonbons, flirting with Ames, and behaving badly. Ames, is also after the murderer, as well as Melsa's hand in marriage. This was the first of three screen pairings for Stanwyck and Fonda, the others being: The Lady Eve and You Belong to Me.

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The Woman In Red(1935). Directed by Robert Florey and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gene Raymond.

The story begin's when Shelby Barret, a stable hand who rides show horses for wealthy widow, Nicko, meets Johnny Wyatt, the son of a once-wealthy family who plays polo for Nicko. Gene Fairchild, a horseman who rides his own entries, is in love with Shelby, while Nicko is in love with Johnny.

Out of jealousy Nicko, fires Shelby, which causes Johnny to quit his job, so they can elope. Johnny brings Shelby to his family's home, but they do not approve of Shelby and give her the cold shoulder. Things become more complicated when the newlyweds start handling the horses of their neighbors.

Shelby, expecting a loan from her grandfather to start their own business, but is very disappointed when he does not come through. Where no where else to go Shelby borrows the money from Fairchild, without telling Johnny. Nicko, shows up starting gossip about Shelby, which make things even worse.

Later, Fairchild asks Shelby to help him entertain a wealthy client on his yacht and after she tries to contact Johnny, with no luck she accepts the job. The client and his date chorus girl Olga, show up drunk. Olga accidentally falls overboard and drowns.  When Fairchild, is accused of her murder, he tries to keep Shelby's name out of the case even though it looks bad for him.

In court... one of the ship's officers says that he saw Fairchild leaving the ship with a mysterious "woman in red,". Shelby, can't take it anymore.. confesses that she is the "woman in red", knowing that she is risking her marriage. Will Johnny understand and forgive her?

 

The Secret Bride(1935). District Attorney Robert Sheldon is secretly married to Governor Vincent's daughter Ruth.

When the governor is charged of taking a bribe, Sheldon is put in charge of the investigation. Ruth, thinks it best to keep their marriage a secret, so no one will think he is a prejudiced investigator.

Everyone believes that the money was a reward for Vincent's pardon of Holdstock, who commits suicide before he can confirm or deny this. Everything seems to point to Vincent's guilt, but Ruth continues to believe her father is innocence.

Alone, one night in the apartment, Ruth witnesses Bredeen's murder. She saw that Hazel Normandie, Sherman's secretary, did not do the shooting, but.. she refuses to testify because she would have to reveal her marriage.

Determined to clear her father, Ruth tracks down Martin. He admits that Holdstock was murdered, but he escapes before she can stop him. Will Ruth testify in court to save Hazel from murder charges?

Ever In My Heart (1933). A drama film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Otto Kruger.

Mary Archer, is engaged to her cousin Jeff, but when he comes home from studying in Europe, he brings his German friend, Hugo Wilbrandt, who she falls in love with. Despite her family's objection, the two are married and Hugo lands a teaching job at the college.

They soon welcome a birth of a baby boy, after which, Hugo proudly becomes a United States citizen. After, the war breaks out, Hugo is fired from his job because of his anti-German sentiment.

After their son dies, some neighborhood kids stone their dog nearly to death, Hugo, taking pity on his beloved pet, puts the dog out of his misery. Mary's grandmother offers Hugo a job in the family mill if he will change his German name, being proud man, he refuses.

After Mary becomes ill, Hugo sends her to live with her family and leaves for Germany. Later, Mary receives a letter in which Hugo writes, "They let me be a citizen, but they won't let me be an American," and tells her that he is going to fight for his people.

Mary divorces Hugo to marry Jeff, who joins the army and is sent to France. Mary follows him and goes to work in a canteen. There, she sees Hugo dressed as an American soldier and learns from Jeff that a German spy is in the area.

Later that night, Hugo meets Mary in her room and she realizes that she is still  loves him. Certain that he is the spy, she must choose between her own feelings and her duty to her country.

 

Shopworn (1932).Pre-Code romantic drama film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Regis Toomey.


 

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Illicit (1931). Even though, the wealthy Dick wants to marry Anne, she's afraid to marry because she does not want to lose the romance in their relationship. They soon learn from Georgie Evans and from Dick's father that they have become the subject of scandal, so they decide to marry.

After a year of marriage, Dick starts seeing, Margie True, who has always been in love with him. Anne learns about his affair when she goes to a nightclub with friends Georgie and Helen Dukie Childes and sees Dick with Margie.

She leaves him and takes her own apartment. Dick and Anne continue to see each other, but when he finds an old boyfriend Price at Anne's apartment, he begs her to come home with him. When Anne refuses, Dick makes plans to go abroad with Margie. But.. can he go through with it.