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The Phantom Creeps
''The Phantom Creeps'' is a 1939 12-chapter science fiction horror serial starring Bela Lugosi as mad scientist Doctor Zorka, who attempts to rule the world by creating various elaborate inventions. In a dramatic fashion, foreign agents and G-Men try to seize the inventions for themselves. It is the 112th serial released by Universal Pictures and the 44th to have sound. It was adapted in ''DC's Movie Comics #6'', cover date September–October 1939, the final issue of that title. In 1949, to broadcast on television, the 265-minute serial was edited to a 78-minute feature film. Plot Dr. Zorka, a rogue scientist, is the creator of various weapons of warfare, including a devisualizer belt which renders him invisible; an eight-foot tall slave robot ( Ed Wolff), robot spiders that can destroy life or paralyse it and he also has a deadly meteorite fragment from which he extracts an element which can induce suspended animation in an entire army. Foreign spies, operating under the gui ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ford Beebe
Ford Beebe (November 26, 1888 – November 26, 1978) was a screenwriter and Film director, director. He entered the film business as a writer around 1916 and over the next 60 years wrote and/or directed almost 200 films. He specialized in B-movies – mostly Westerns – and action serials, working on the "Buck Rogers" and "Flash Gordon" serials for Universal Pictures. Life Ford Beebe was born on November 26, 1888, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Before moving to Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood he was a freelance writer who was also experienced in advertising. He arrived in Hollywood in 1916 and began working as a writer for Western films. His first credit was as scenario writer for the 1916 film ''A Youth of Fortune''. Beebe directed for the first time when Leo D. Maloney, who had been directing a film called ''The Test'', fell ill. Beebe became known as a director of low-budget films and serials. He was once described as being "an expert at making something out of nothing." The fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Feature Film
A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originally referred to the main, full-length film in a cinema program that included a short film and often a newsreel. Matinee programs, especially in the US and Canada, in general, also included cartoons, at least one weekly serial and, typically, a second feature-length film on weekends. The first narrative feature film was the 60-minute ''The Story of the Kelly Gang'' (1906, Australia). Other early feature films include ''Les Misérables'' (1909, U.S.), ''L'Inferno'', ''Defence of Sevastopol'' (1911), '' Oliver Twist'' (American version), '' Oliver Twist'' (British version), '' Richard III'', ''From the Manger to the Cross'', ''Cleopatra'' (1912), '' Quo Vadis?'' (1913), ''Cabiria'' (1914) and ''The Birth of a Nation'' (1915). Description The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Newsreel
A newsreel is a form of short documentary film, containing news stories and items of topical interest, that was prevalent between the 1910s and the mid 1970s. Typically presented in a cinema, newsreels were a source of current affairs, information, and entertainment for millions of moviegoers. Newsreels were typically exhibited preceding a feature film, but there were also dedicated newsreel theaters in many major cities in the 1930s and ’40s, and some large city cinemas also included a smaller theaterette where newsreels were screened continuously throughout the day. By the end of the 1960s television news broadcasts had supplanted the format. Newsreels are considered significant historical documents, since they are often the only audiovisual record of certain cultural events. History Silent news films were shown in cinemas from the late 19th century. In 1909 Pathé started producing weekly newsreels in Europe. Pathé began producing newsreels for the UK in 1910 and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frankenstein (1931 Film)
''Frankenstein'' is a 1931 American pre-Code science fiction horror film directed by James Whale, produced by Carl Laemmle Jr., and adapted from a 1927 play by Peggy Webling, which in turn was based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus''. The Webling play was adapted by John L. Balderston and the screenplay written by Francis Edward Faragoh and Garrett Fort, with uncredited contributions from Robert Florey and John Russell. ''Frankenstein'' stars Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein, an obsessed scientist who digs up corpses with his assistant in order to assemble a living being from body parts. The resulting creature, often known as Frankenstein's monster, is portrayed by Boris Karloff. The make-up for the monster was provided by Jack Pierce. Alongside Clive and Karloff, the film's cast also includes Mae Clarke, John Boles, Dwight Frye, and Edward Van Sloan. Produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film was a commercial success up ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Invisible Ray (1936 Film)
''The Invisible Ray'' is a 1936 American science-fiction horror film directed by Lambert Hillyer. It stars Boris Karloff as Dr. Janos Rukh, a scientist who comes in contact with a meteorite composed of an element known as "Radium X". After exposure to its rays begins to make him glow in the dark, his touch becomes deadly, and he begins to be slowly driven mad. Alongside Karloff, the film's cast includes Bela Lugosi, Frances Drake, Frank Lawton, Walter Kingsford, Beulah Bondi, Violet Kemble Cooper, and Nydia Westman. Prior to production, Universal Pictures was originally developing the film ''Bluebeard'' for Karloff and Lugosi. When that production did not start, Universal wanted a release by the end of 1935 with Karloff and Lugosi, and hired director Stuart Walker and screenwriter John Colton to make the film ''The Invisible Ray''. As Walker was dissatisfied with Colton's script, he requested a three-day delay before production was set to begin and after being denied this, he lef ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stock Footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures, and file footage is film or video footage that can be used again in other films. Stock footage is beneficial to filmmakers as it saves shooting new material. A single piece of stock footage is called a "stock shot" or a "library shot". Stock footage may have appeared in previous productions but may also be outtakes or footage shot for previous productions and not used. Examples of stock footage that might be utilized are moving images of cities and landmarks, wildlife in their natural environments, and historical footage. Suppliers of stock footage may be either rights managed or royalty-free. Many websites offer direct downloads of clips in various formats. History Stock footage companies began to emerge in the mid-1980s, offering clips mastered on Betacam SP, VHS, and film formats. Many of the smaller libraries that specialized in niche topics such as extreme sports, technological or cultural collections were boug ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Vanishing Shadow
''The Vanishing Shadow'' is a 1934 Universal science fiction film serial directed by Lew Landers. It features what is believed to be the first appearance of a hand-held ray gun in film. (apart from '' The Death Ray''). Many science fiction gadgets, including a robot and The Destroying Ray, are also featured in the serial. Plot Stanley Stanfield is the inventor of the Vanishing Ray, a wearable device which, when active, leaves only the user's shadow still visible. After meeting with fellow scientist, Carl Van Dorn, a prototype Ray is built. Stanley intends to sell bonds to finance his invention. He inherited them from his late father, the publisher and editor of the local ''Tribune'' newspaper, but the stockbroker he meets is corruptly involved with Wade Barnett, the businessman who hounded Stanley's father to his death. Barnett wants the bonds and will go to any length to acquire them. A conflict ensues between Stanley and Barnett during the 12 chapter serial. However, Stanley's ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reed Howes
Reed or Reeds may refer to: Science, technology, biology, and medicine * Reed bird (other) * Reed pen, writing implement in use since ancient times * Reed (plant), one of several tall, grass-like wetland plants of the order Poales * Reed reaction, in chemistry * Reed receiver, an outdated form of multi-channel signal decoding * Reed relay, one or more reed switches controlled by an electromagnet * Reed switch, an electrical switch operated by an applied magnetic field * Reed valve, restricts the flow of fluids to a single direction * Reed (weaving), a comb like tool for beating the weft when weaving * Reed's law, describes the utility of large networks, particularly social networks * Reed–Solomon error correction, a systematic way of building codes that can be used to detect and correct multiple random symbol errors * Reed–Sternberg cell, related to Hodgkin's disease Organizations * Reed (company), offering employment-related services (UK) * Reed and Stem, forme ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eddie Acuff
Edward DeKalb Acuff (June 3, 1903 – December 17, 1956) was an American stage and film actor. He frequently was cast as a droll comic relief, in the support of the star. His best-known recurring role is that of Mr. Beasley, the postman, in the '' Blondie'' movie series that starred Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. Early years Acuff was born in Caruthersville, Missouri. He was the son of DeKalb Acuff (1880-1916) and his wife Grace (later known as Mrs. H. N. Arnold),. Career Before beginning his Hollywood film career in 1934, Acuff performed in Broadway theatre in the early-1930s. His Broadway credits include ''Jayhawker'' (1934), ''Yellow Jack'' (1934), ''John Brown'' (1934), ''Growing Pains'' (1933), ''Heat Lightning'' (1933), and ''The Dark Hours'' (1932). In 1935, Warner Bros. signed Acuff to a long-term contract and scheduled him to debut on film in ''Anchors Aweigh''. He had a recurring role as the postman in the '' Blondie'' film series. Acuff was seen in three fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
James Farley (actor)
James Farley (January 8, 1882 – October 12, 1947) was an American character actor of the silent and sound film eras. Biography Born in Waldron, Arkansas, on January 8, 1882, Farley made his film debut in the 1916 silent film '' Sins of Her Parent''. During his thirty-year film career he appeared in over 200 films and film shorts, including over 175 feature films. Farley worked right up until his death; his final film was released after his death, 1948's '' The Man from Texas''. The production of the film ended in early June 1947, and Farley died shortly after, on October 12, 1947, in Pacoima, California. Filmography (Per AFI database) * '' Sins of Her Parent'' (1916) * ''The Highway of Hope'' (1917) * '' Desert Law'' (1918) * ''The White Lie'' (1918) * ''The Spirit of '17'' (1918) * ''Believe Me, Xantippe'' (1918) * ''Her Country First'' (1918) * '' A Lady's Name'' (1918) * '' Desert Law'' (1918) * ''An Innocent Adventuress'' (1919) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frank Mayo (actor)
Frank Lorimer Mayo (June 28, 1889 – July 9, 1963) was an American actor. He appeared in 310 films between 1911 and 1949. Biography He was born in New York City, the son of actor Frank M. Mayo, and he died in Laguna Beach, California, from a heart attack. He was married to actress Dagmar Godowsky from 1921 to 1926. The marriage was annulled in August 1926 on the ground that Mayo had another wife. Mayo was buried at the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Selected filmography * '' The Red Circle'' (1915) * ''Shadows'' (1916) * ''Sold at Auction'' (1917) * ''The Bronze Bride'' (1917) * '' Easy Money'' (1917) * ''Betsy Ross'' (1917) * '' The Burglar'' (1917) * ''The Purple Lily'' (1918) * ''The Interloper'' (1918) * ''Tinsel'' (1918) * ''Lasca'' (1919) * '' The Rough Neck'' (1919) * ''The Girl in Number 29'' (1920) * '' Hitchin' Posts'' (1920) * '' Burnt Wings'' (1920) * '' Through Eyes of Men'' (1920) * ''Colorado'' (1921) * ''The Fighting Lover'' (1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Edward Van Sloan
Edward Van Sloan (born Edward Paul Van Sloun; November 1, 1882 – March 6, 1964) was an American character actor best remembered for his roles in the Universal Studios horror films such as ''Dracula'' (1931), ''Frankenstein'' (1931), and ''The Mummy'' (1932). Early years Edward Paul Van Sloun was of Dutch and German descent and was born in New Trier, Minnesota, on November 1, 1882 the son of Martinus Van Sloun and Theresa ( Breher) Van Sloun. He was living in San Francisco by 1900 with his aunt Mary (''née'' Breher) Baumann and her daughter Alma. His mother settled in San Francisco, where young Edward resided with his siblings (the artist Frank J., Mary D., Leonora M., Alma K., Josephine) and mother as he launched his acting career in theaters. Career In 1915, Van Sloan was the leading man with the Forsberg Players, based at the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Van Sloan's roles in Universal's films date from the 1930s, including ''Dracula'' (1931), ''Fran ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
