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Leo C. Popkin
Leo C. Popkin (1914–2011) was a film director and producer in the United States. His brother Harry M. Popkin was the executive producer of Million Dollar Productions, a partnership that included Ralph Cooper. He managed African American movie theaters in Los Angeles. He is known for his gangster films. He and his brother Harry M. Popkin (1906 – October 7, 1991) worked on movies together. Filmography *''The Flaming Crisis'' (1924), co-director *''The Duke Is Tops'' (1938), producer *''Gang Smashers'' (1938), director *''Reform School (1939) *''While Thousands Cheer'' (1940), director *''Four Shall Die'' (1940), co-director *''My Dear Secretary'' (1948), producer *''D.O.A. (1949), producer *''Impact (1949 film)'', producer *''Champagne for Caesar'' (1950), co-producer *''The Well The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, normally shortened to The WELL, was launched in 1985. It is one of the oldest continuously operating virtual communities. By 1993 it had 7,000 members, a staff of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Life Goes On Lobby Card
Life is a quality that distinguishes matter that has biological processes, such as signaling and self-sustaining processes, from that which does not, and is defined by the capacity for growth, reaction to stimuli, metabolism, energy transformation, and reproduction. Various forms of life exist, such as plants, animals, fungi, protists, archaea, and bacteria. Biology is the science that studies life. The gene is the unit of heredity, whereas the cell is the structural and functional unit of life. There are two kinds of cells, prokaryotic and eukaryotic, both of which consist of cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane and contain many biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Cells reproduce through a process of cell division, in which the parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells and passes its genes onto a new generation, sometimes producing genetic variation. Organisms, or the individual entities of life, are generally thought to be open systems that maint ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Million Dollar Productions
Million Dollar Productions was a movie studio in the United States active from 1937 until 1940. It was established to produce films with African American casts. It was a partnership between Harry M. Popkin, Leo C. Popkin and Ralph Cooper. History Ralph Cooper was an experienced black actor nicknamed "Dark Gable" who was also a singer, dancer, comedian and emcee at the Apollo Theatre Amateur Night in Harlem. While contracted to 20th Century Fox, Cooper learned film making skills. Together with George Randol, he formed Cooper-Randol Productions to produce ''Dark Manhattan'' (1937). Using the experience he went into partnership with the Popkin brothers, Harry and Leo to form Million Dollar Productions. Harry Popkin owned and managed a chain of Circle Theatres in Los Angeles. One of these was the Million Dollar Theatre that catered to a black clientele. The production company made several fast moving genre pictures with budgets, despite its name, of approximately $8,000 to $10,000 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ralph Cooper
Ralph Cooper (January 16, 1908 – August 4, 1992), was an American actor, screenwriter, dancer and choreographer. Cooper is best known as the original master of ceremonies and founder of amateur night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City in 1935. He wrote, produced, directed and acted in ten motion pictures. Titles include, ''The Duke Is Tops'', ''Dark Manhattan'', '' Gangsters on the Loose'' and '' Gang War''. Because of his debonair good looks, he was known as "dark Gable" in the 1930s. Biography Cooper was born on January 16, 1908 in Harlem, New York City. He worked as a dancer in small downtown clubs near New York University, which he attended with plans of becoming a medical doctor. In July 1935, Cooper began the Apollo's Amateur Night which ran every Wednesday night. In 1937, Cooper formed Cooper-Randol Productions with black actor George Randol and soon afterwards Million Dollar Productions with white producers Harry Popkin and his brother Leo Popkin to p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Flaming Crisis
''The Flaming Crisis'' is a 1924 American short silent Western film written and directed by William H. Grimes. Plot A young black newspaperman is convicted of murder on circumstantial evidence and sentenced to prison. He escapes and makes his way to the southwestern cattle country, where he falls in love with Tex Miller, a beautiful cowgirl. Having rid the territory of an outlaw band, he gives himself up to the law, thinking that he will be sent back to prison. After discovering that the real murderer has confessed, he returns to Tex and the country he has come to love. Cast * Calvin Nicholson as Newspaperman * Dorothy Dunbar Dorothy Dunbar Lawson (May 28, 1902 – October 23, 1992) was an American actress and socialite, who appeared in silent film, silent movies in the 1920s. Early years Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dunbar became an actress despite her fat ... as Tex Miller * Talford White * Henry Dixon as Mark Lethler * Kathryn Sherman * Marie Chester * Arthe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Duke Is Tops
''The Duke Is Tops'' is a 1938 American musical film released by Million Dollar Productions and directed by William Nolte. The film was later released in 1943 under the title ''The Bronze Venus''. It features top-billed Lena Horne in her film debut. The film was one of the low-budget musical film " race movies" made in the 1930s and 1940s for the African-American market. The casts and production teams of these films were almost all black, and the music reflected current tastes in jazz and rhythm and blues. The film was scripted, co-directed and featured Ralph Cooper who also acted as the film's production manager. Casting Ralph Cooper planned to star alongside Nina Mae McKinney as the female lead but her delayed return from her appearances in Australia led to the role to be recast. ''The Duke Is Tops'' features the film debut of singer Lena Horne, then aged 20, who had yet to develop the style she would use in her later films for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She has a rare major acting ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gang Smashers
''Gang Smashers'', also released as ''Gun Moll'', is an American film released in 1938. It features an African American cast. Leo C. Popkin directed the Million Dollar Productions film from a screenplay by Ralph Cooper. The University of South Carolina libraries have an 8-page pressbook for the film. Nina Mae McKinney stars in the film a thriller about the Harlem underworld and racketeering. The opening of the film is a dedication to African American in law enforcement signed by Harry M. Popkin. Cast *Nina Mae McKinney *Laurence Criner *Monte Hawley *Mantan Moreland *Reginald Fenderson * Eddie Thompson *Neva Peoples Neva Mary Peoples was a singer and dancer who appeared in several films in the United States. She performed as a singer, dancer, and chorus girl. Peoples was from San Francisco. A 1936 news clipping refers to her as the "colored blues singer and da ..., performing a song References {{Reflist 1938 films 1930s English-language films Films directed by Leo C. Popki ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reform School (film)
''Reform School'' is an American film produced by Million Dollar Productions in 1939, starring Louise Beavers. The film was directed by Leo C. Popkin. In 1944 the film was re-released as ''Prison Bait''. Beavers plays as Mother Barton, a probation officer of a large city that believes in a plan for an "honor system" at a reform school. When the previous superintendent of the school is ousted, she becomes superintendent and has to address a brutal guard, the previous superintendent's "henchmen", and teens at the school. Reginald Fenderson played a supporting role as "Freddie Gordon", one of the boys at the school. The film debuted a group called the "Harlem Tuff Kids", which included Eugene Jackson playing as "Pete", DeForrest Covan as "Bill", Eddie Lynn as "Joe" and Bob Simmons as "Johnny". The Harlem Tuff Kids also appeared in the 1942 film ''Take My Life''. The executive producer of the film was Harry M. Popkin. The writers were Jos. O'Donnell and Hazel Jamieson. Posters fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
While Thousands Cheer
''While Thousands Cheer'' is a lost American film released in 1940. Leo C. Popkin directed. It was the only football-themed film with an African American lead character for decades. It starred Kenny Washington, a football star from UCLA who went on to become the first African American in the NFL after initially being refused an opportunity to play in the league due to segregation. Plot The film is a football melodrama. The plot was said to be based on true stories about gambling and corruption in football at a specific Black college. The story follows a star football player and his brother as they get involved with, and later break up, a gambling ring's attempting to " fix" a college game. Cast The film featured a mostly African American cast, including UCLA football star Kenny Washington, who was denied entry to the segregated NFL for several years. The film was Washington's first movie role. Jeni Le Gon played the leading actress. * Kenny Washington as Kenny Harringt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Four Shall Die
''Four Shall Die'' is a 1940 American supernatural crime film directed by William Beaudine. It features Dorothy Dandridge in her first credited film role. Cast * Niel Webster as Pierre Touissant * Mantan Moreland as Beefus, Touissant's Chauffeur * Laurence Criner as Roger Fielding * Dorothy Dandridge as Helen Fielding * Vernon McCalla as Doctor Webb * Monte Hawley as Dr. Hugh Leonard (as Monty Hawley) * Reginald Fenderson as Hickson (as Reggie Fenderson) * Jack Carr as Lew Covey * Jess Lee Brooks Jess Lee Brooks (June 10, 1894 – December 13, 1944), also known as Jesse Brooks, was an American actor. He is perhaps most famous for playing the African-American church preacher in the critically acclaimed motion picture ''Sullivan's Travels'', ... as Bill Summers * Edward Thompson as Sgt. Adams References External links * 1940 films 1940s crime films American crime films American black-and-white films Films directed by William Beaudine American supernatural films ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
My Dear Secretary
''My Dear Secretary'' is a 1948 American comedy film written and directed by Charles Martin (1910-1983) and starring Laraine Day, Kirk Douglas, Keenan Wynn, and Helen Walker. The supporting cast features Rudy Valee, Alan Mowbray and Irene Ryan. Plot Successful novelist and playboy Owen Waterbury (Kirk Douglas) hires aspiring writer Stephanie 'Steve' Gaylord (Laraine Day) as his secretary; a dream come true for Steve who admires Owen and his work. Steve soon finds out that the egomaniacal Owen has gone through a series of secretaries who have left when they are fed up with his behaviour. He is constantly in debt and cannot begin to write a contracted novel that will pay his bills including a lucrative advance by his publisher. Steve and Owen end up marrying, and Steve perseveres until the novel, based on the events of Steve's life and that mentions a character based on his publisher shown in an unflattering light, is refused publication. Owen claims he cannot have a wife and a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Impact (1949 Film)
''Impact'' is a 1949 American film noir drama film directed by Arthur Lubin, starring Brian Donlevy and Ella Raines. Filmed entirely in California, the film included scenes filmed in Sausalito, and at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf and other locations around the city. ''Impact'' was based on a story by film noir writer Jay Dratler. The supporting cast features Charles Coburn, Helen Walker, Anna May Wong, Philip Ahn and William Wright. Plot The San Francisco-based millionaire industrialist Walter Williams (Brian Donlevy) has a young wife, Irene (Helen Walker), who is trying to kill him with the help of her young lover, Jim Torrence (Tony Barrett). After Walter and Irene make plans to drive to Lake Tahoe, Irene feigns illness and asks Walter to instead give Torrence, who is pretending to be Irene's "cousin" from Illinois, a lift to Denver, allowing Torrence a chance to murder Walter en route. The plan falls apart when Williams survives a hit on the head from the would-be kil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Champagne For Caesar
''Champagne for Caesar'' is a 1950 American comedy film about a quiz show contestant. It was directed by Richard Whorf and written by Fred Brady and Hans Jacoby. The movie stars Ronald Colman, Celeste Holm, Vincent Price, Barbara Britton and Art Linkletter. The film was produced by Harry M. Popkin for his Cardinal Pictures and released by United Artists. Plot Beauregard Bottomley is a polymath who lives in Los Angeles with his piano-instructor sister Gwenn and an alcohol-guzzling parrot they found named Caesar (voiced by Mel Blanc). Beauregard is knowledgeable on any subject—except how to hold a job. In front of a store window, Beauregard and Gwenn watch a quiz show, ''Masquerade for Money'', hosted by Happy Hogan, and sponsored by Milady Soap. Each contestant dresses up in a particular costume in which their costume determines the type of questions asked, with the prize money doubling with each correct answer, starting at $5 and reaching up to a maximum of $160. A contes ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
