Lionel Houser — Playwright (10)
Smashing the Rackets (1938) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
Smashing the Rackets
director: Lew Landers actor: Chester Morris / Frances Mercer
Jim 'Socker' Conway, former boxer and FBI hero, is maneuvered for political reasons into a do-nothing job in the district attorney's office. Meanwhile, he meets wild debutante Letty Lane, girlfriend of mob mouthpiece Steve Lawrence; and Letty's much nicer sister Susan. Now the slot machine gang brutally beats Jim's friends Franz and Otto. And Jim finds a way to use his nominal position to go into the racket- busting business. But his success puts Letty in deadly peril...
Dark Command (1940) [Movie] IMDb Douban
Dark Command
other title: 黑色命令 / 黑色使命
When transplanted Texan Bob Seton arrives in Lawrence, Kansas, he finds much to like about the place--especially Mary McCloud, daughter of the local banker, but politics is in the air: it's just prior to the Civil War and there is already a sharp division in the Territory as to whether it will remain slavery-free. When he gets the opportunity to run for marshal, Seton finds himself running against respected local schoolteacher William Cantrell. Not all is what it seems, though: While acting as the upstanding citizen in public, Cantrell is dangerously ambitious and prepared to do anything to make his mark, and his fortune, on the Territory. When he loses the race for marshal, he forms a group of raiders who run guns into the territory and rob and terrorize settlers throughout the territory. Eventually donning Confederate uniforms, it is left to Seton and the good citizens of Lawrence to face Cantrell and his raiders in one final clash.
Border Cafe (1937) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
Border Cafe
director: Lew Landers actor: Harry Carey / John Beal
The spoiled, hard-partying son of a senator runs away from home after being reprimanded by his father, finds himself down-on-his luck in a tiny western town, and is rehabilitated through the friendship and wisdom of a kind and patient rancher.
Night Spot (1938) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
Night Spot
director: Christy Cabanne actor: Harry Parke / Allan Lane
other title: 夜總會秘密
A young singer, Marge Dexter, becomes involved in trouble when she works in a nightclub in which two of the band-members are in reality undercover-police officers who believe that the club is the headquarters of a dangerous gang of crooks.
The Girl from Mexico (1939) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
The Girl from Mexico
director: Leslie Goodwins actor: Lupe Vélez / Donald Woods
other title: La chica de Méjico
Carmelita Fuentes is a fiery-Latin singer/dancer in Mexico City who has designs on Dennis Lindsay, an American publicity agent, for unclear reasons, while Lindsay's shiftless uncle Matthew Lindsay aids and abets her every step of the way to the marriage altar.
The Lone Wolf Returns (1935) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
The Lone Wolf Returns
Once a jewel thief always a jewel thief? Yes and no. Yes if you consider the fact that Michael Lanyard also known as the Lone Wolf once retired from the "trade" but relapses back into his old habits when he is tempted by the emerald pendant of beautiful socialite Marcia Stewart. The trouble (?) is that he falls for the belle and he soon gets more interested in getting the girl than the jewels that adorn her. What he wants now is to return the pendant but a rival gang interfere and force him to take part in a big-time caper.
Third Finger, Left Hand (1940) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
Third Finger, Left Hand
director: Robert Z. Leonard actor: Myrna Loy / Melvyn Douglas
other title: Dritter Finger, linke Hand / 偷香聖手
Magazine editor Margot Merrick pretends to be married in order to avoid advances from male colleagues. Unfortunately, things don't go to plan when Jeff Thompson, a potential suitor, uncovers the deception and decides to show up at Margot's family home posing as her husband!
First Love (1939) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
First Love
director: Henry Koster actor: Deanna Durbin / Robert Stack
other title: Premier Amour / 初恋
In this reworking of Cinderella, orphaned Connie Harding is sent to live with her rich aunt and uncle after graduating from boarding school. She's hardly received with open arms, especially by her snobby cousin Barbara. When the entire family is invited to a major social ball, Barbara sees to it that Connie is forced to stay home. With the aid of her uncle, who acts as her fairy godfather, Connie makes it to the ball and meets her Prince Charming in Ted Drake, her cousin's boyfriend.