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Higgins Family
The Higgins Family films was Republic Pictures' response to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's popular Andy Hardy series, as well as 20th Century Fox's Jones Family series. Nine films were released between 1938 and 1941. In the first seven movies, James Gleason, his wife Lucile and their son Russell played Joe, Lillian and Sydney Higgins, while Harry Davenport played Grandpa (though his name changed from William Jordan in ''The Higgins Family'' to Higgins in ''Should Husbands Work?'' to Ed Carson the rest of the time). In the last two, they were all replaced, by Roscoe Karns, Ruth Donnelly, George Ernest and Spencer Charters, respectively. Tommy Ryan played Tommy in the second through sixth movies. Betty was played by Mary Beth Hughes in the fourth and Lois Ranson in the last five. Lynne Roberts played Marian in the first, then Jean for the second and third. Gus Meins directed all of the Gleason pictures, and produced some of the later ones. Films * ''The Higgins Family'' (1938) * ''My Wif ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City and a movie ranch in Encino. It was best known for specializing in Westerns, serials, and B films emphasizing mystery and action. Republic was also notable for developing the careers of John Wayne, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers. It was also responsible for the financing and distribution of a few A films directed by John Ford during the 1940s and early 1950s and one Shakespeare film, ''Macbeth'' (1948), directed by Orson Welles. Under Herbert J. Yates, Republic was considered a mini-major film studio. Company history Created in 1935 by Herbert J. Yates, a longtime investor in film (having invested in 20th Century Pictures at its founding in 1933) and owner of the film processing laboratory Consolidated Film Industries, Republic was initial ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lois Ranson
Lois Ranson (November 7, 1921 – July 4, 2021) was an American film actress from 1939 to 1943 who appeared in Western films and serials. Ranson was born on November 7, 1921, in Los Angeles, California. She made 15 films, including '' Under Texas Skies'' (1940) in which she was the female lead alongside The Three Mesquiteers. She made five appearances in the Higgins Family series, playing the part of Betty Higgins. Ranson was married to Charles Abbott Root, and they had a daughter. Ranson died on July 4, 2021. Filmography * ''Winter Carnival'' (1939) as Patsy (uncredited) * '' What a Life'' (1939) as student (uncredited) * '' Money to Burn'' (1939) as Betty Higgins * '' Grandpa Goes to Town'' (1940) as Betty Higgins * '' The Crooked Road'' (1940) as street girl (uncredited) * '' Grand Ole Opry'' (1940) as Susie Ann Weaver * ''Earl of Puddlestone'' (1940) as Betty Higgins * '' Under Texas Skies'' (1940) as Helen Smith * '' Friendly Neighbors'' (1940) as Nancy Williams * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meet The Missus (1940 Film)
''Meet the Missus'' is an American comedy film released in 1940. The eighth in the 1938–41 nine-film Higgins Family series, this entry features Alan Ladd in a small role. Plot Valentine's Day is approaching fast, when Joe Higgins gets a call from his boss, Mr. Simpson, interrupting the grand preparations for the celebration. It turns out that $5,000 in bonds, that was supposed to be paid as a security for the company through Sidney Higgins, Joe's son, haven't been delivered. When Joe confronts Sid about the money, it turns out they are lost. A desperate search for the money begins, and the last time the papers were seen was in the hands of little Millie Lou, the neighbor's daughter, as she picked them up, but she is now gone too. John Williams, who is Joe's daughter Betty Higgins' boyfriend, and a lawyer, tells Sid that the loss of the bonds papers could ultimately send him to jail. To save their son from incarceration, Joe and his wife Lil try to borrow money as collateral, fir ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Earl Of Puddlestone
''Earl of Puddlestone'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Ewart Adamson and Val Burton. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Lois Ranson and Tommy Ryan. The film was released on August 31, 1940, by Republic Pictures. Plot Cast *James Gleason as Joe Higgins *Lucile Gleason as Lil Higgins *Russell Gleason as Sidney Higgins *Harry Davenport as Grandpa Ed Carson *Lois Ranson as Betty Higgins *Tommy Ryan as Tommy Higgins *Eric Blore as Horatio Bottomley *Betty Blythe as Millicent Potter-Potter *Forrester Harvey as Tittington *William Halligan as Henry Potter-Potter *Mary Ainslee as Marian Potter-Potter *William Brady as Bill Connolly * Ben Carter as Homer *James C. Morton as Officer Brannigan *Aubrey Mather Aubrey Mather (17 December 1885 – 16 January 1958) was an English character actor. Career Mather was born in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, and began his career on the stage in 1905. He deb ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grandpa Goes To Town
''Grandpa Goes to Town'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Lois Ranson and Maxie Rosenbloom. The film was released on April 14, 1940, by Republic Pictures. Plot After selling their house, the Higgins family is convinced by a crafty real estate agent to invest the proceeds in a hotel at Coyote Wells, Nevada, sight unseen. Upon arriving at their new establishment, the Higginses find that what has been described as a thriving western community is actually a ghost town, inhabited by a gang of mobsters fleeing from the law. Things look bleak until two film actors, dressed as prospectors, appear in town and the Higginses mistake them for real gold miners and spread word of a gold strike. This announcement results in a rush of miners which transforms Coyote Wells into a boom town and the Higgins' hotel into a profitable enterprise. Their prosperity is short li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Money To Burn (1939 Film)
''Money to Burn'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Lois Ranson and Tommy Ryan. The film was released on December 31, 1939, by Republic Pictures. Plot Cast *James Gleason as Joe Higgins *Lucile Gleason as Lil Higgins *Russell Gleason as Sidney Higgins *Harry Davenport as Grandpa Ed Carson *Lois Ranson as Betty Higgins *Tommy Ryan as Tommy Higgins *Thurston Hall as Ellis *Winifred Harris as Mrs. Lucy Davis *Douglas Meins as Bill Davis *Lucien Littlefield as Irving *Herbert Rawlinson as Dover *Jack Rice as Thorne *Andrew Tombes as Brown *Gladys Blake Gladys Blake (born Gladys Timmons, May 12, 1910 – May 21, 1983) was an American character actress from the 1930s to the 1950s. Biography Blake was born on January 12, 1910 in Luray, Virginia. Her mother, Ada Timmons, died when Gladys was l ... as Miss Pitts *Jean Fenwick as Miss Murphy References ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Covered Trailer
''The Covered Trailer'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Mary Beth Hughes and Tommy Ryan. The film was released on November 10, 1939, by Republic Pictures. In this entry in the comedy series the "Higgins Family," the group must cancel a cruise to South America after the check they needed does not arrive. To save face before their neighbors, the family embarks upon a wilderness fishing trip. The family made a wise decision to forgo the cruise as the boat sinks and everyone is lost. This creates havoc for the Higgins family neighbors who believe they went down with the ship. Cast *James Gleason as Joe Higgins * Lucile Gleason as Lil Higgins *Russell Gleason as Sidney Higgins *Harry Davenport as Grandpa Ed Carson *Mary Beth Hughes as Betty Higgins *Tommy Ryan as Tommy Higgins * Maurice Murphy as Bill Williams *Maude Eburne as Widow Ella Jones *Spencer Ch ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Should Husbands Work?
''Should Husbands Work?'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Taylor Caven and Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Berton Churchill and Marie Wilson. The film was released on July 26, 1939, by Republic Pictures. Plot Joe Higgins' wife Lil gets hired into a job that was meant for Joe, so now he has to stay home and do housework while she goes to work. Cast *James Gleason as Joe Higgins *Lucile Gleason as Lil Higgins *Russell Gleason as Sidney Higgins *Harry Davenport as Grandpa Higgins *Berton Churchill as Barnes * Marie Wilson as Myrtle *Lynne Roberts as Jean Higgins *Tommy Ryan as Tommy Higgins *Henry Kolker as Taylor *Arthur Hoyt as Roberts *Barry Norton as Ronald McDonald *Mary Forbes Mary Forbes (born Ethel Louise Young; 1 January 1883 – 22 July 1974) was a British-American film actress, based in the United States in her latter years, where she died. She appeared in more than 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
My Wife's Relatives
''My Wife's Relatives'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Lynne Roberts and Tommy Ryan. The film was released on May 20, 1939, by Republic Pictures. The film is the second of the nine-film Higgins Family series. Plot Joe Higgins is going to offer an expensive ring to his wife Lil to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, but gets fired from his job at the candy factory on the same day. Then Joe losses the ring and his son Sidney offers a reward to who finds it, meanwhile Grandpa begins to worry about the Higgins' finances and decides to marry a wealthy widow. Cast *James Gleason as Joe Higgins * Lucile Gleason as Lil Higgins *Russell Gleason as Sidney Higgins *Harry Davenport as Grandpa Ed Carson * Lynne Roberts as Jean Higgins *Tommy Ryan as Tommy Higgins *Purnell Pratt as Mr. Ellis *Maude Eburne as Widow Ella Jones *Marjorie Gateson as Mrs. Elli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Higgins Family
''The Higgins Family'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Paul Gerard Smith and Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Lynne Roberts, Harry Davenport and William Bakewell. The film was released on August 29, 1938, by Republic Pictures. Plot Cast *James Gleason as Joe Higgins * Lucile Gleason as Lillian Higgins *Russell Gleason as Sidney Higgins * Lynne Roberts as Marian Higgins *Harry Davenport as Grandpa William Jordan *William Bakewell as Eddie Davis *Paul Harvey as Ollie Thornwald *Wallis Clark as George W. Bradshaw *Sally Payne as Lizzie *Richard Tucker as Burgess * Doreen McKay as Miss Keene *Franklin Parker as Reynard *Gay Seabrook Gay Seabrook (born Gladys Johnson; April 1, 1901 – April 18, 1970) was a film, Broadway and radio actress. Early years Seabrook was the daughter of Rufus Johnson, a newspaper circulation manager. Career In the mid 1920s, Seabrook portrayed M ... as Lydia Ameswort ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gus Meins
Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American film director. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Career Meins started out in the 'teens as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Evening Herald before becoming a comedy writer for Fox in 1919. In the 1920s, Meins directed a number of silent short subjects film series for Universal Pictures, including the '' Buster Brown'' comedies. He is best known as senior director of Hal Roach's ''Our Gang'' comedies from 1934 to 1936, and also as director of Laurel and Hardy's '' Babes in Toyland'' (1934). His assistant director was a young Gordon Douglas, who became senior director in 1936 when Meins left ''Our Gang'' for other directing jobs at Roach. Meins left Roach in 1937 over creative differences. Death In the summer of 1940, Meins faced prosecution of "morals charges", having been accused of sex offenses against six youths. The director swore his innocence but stated that the case would r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lynne Roberts
Lynne Roberts, also credited as Mary Hart, born Theda May Roberts (November 22, 1922 – April 1, 1978) was an American film actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She appeared exclusively in what were referred to as B-movies. Early years Born in El Paso, Texas, Roberts was the daughter of Hobart M. Roberts, a bookkeeper, and May Holland. The family moved to Los Angeles in the 1920s. Career Roberts began working as an actress in the 1930s, under contract to Republic Pictures. At the age of 14, in 1936, she played a role in ''Bulldog Edition''. In 1938, at age 16, she starred in the cliffhangers: ''The Lone Ranger'' and ''Dick Tracy Returns'', and played a role in ''The Higgins Family''. She was officially listed in studio records as having been born in 1919. In 1941 she starred with Sonja Henie and John Payne in ''Sun Valley Serenade'', while under contract to 20th Century-Fox. She returned to Republic Pictures in 1944, and stayed under contract there until 1948. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
