"Aces of Action" was the informal nickname given to the movie teaming of

Richard Arlen Richard Arlen (born Sylvanus Richard Mattimore, September 1, 1899 – March 28, 1976) was an American actor of film and television. Biography Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Arlen attended the University of Pennsylvania. He served in Canada as a ...

and

Andy Devine Andrew Vabre Devine (October 7, 1905 – February 18, 1977) was an American character actor known for his distinctive raspy, crackly voice and roles in Western films, including his role as Cookie, the sidekick of Roy Rogers in 10 feature fil ...

. They made a number of low budget action films together for

Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal ** Universal TV, a ...

. In February 1939 Universal announced they would make seven "outdoor pictures" starring the duo over the next year, all produced by Ben Pivar.Arlen, Devine Paired in Universal Series Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times11 Feb 1939: A9. The films were well received and the series continued until Arlen left Universal for

Pine-Thomas Productions Pine-Thomas Productions was a prolific B-picture unit of Paramount Pictures from 1940–1957, producing 81 films. Co-producers William H. Pine (February 15, 1896 – April 29, 1955) and William C. Thomas (August 11, 1903 – April 2, 1984) were kno ...

. Universal then tried Devine in a series of other "buddy" comedies, teaming him with Leo Carillo and Broderick Crawford.

Films

Richard Arlen & Andy Devine

*'' Mutiny on the Blackhawk'' (1939) *''

Tropic Fury ''Tropic Fury'' is a 1939 American action film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Richard Arlen, Andy Devine and Beverly Roberts.Kohner p.353 Cast * Richard Arlen as Dan Burton * Andy Devine as Tynan ('Tiny') Andrews * Beverly Roberts as ...

'' (1939) *''

Legion of Lost Flyers ''Legion of Lost Flyers'' (aka ''Legion of Lost Fliers'') is a 1939 American B movie drama film directed by Christy Cabanne. It stars Richard Arlen, Andy Devine, and Anne Nagel. ''Legion of Lost Flyers'' was released by Universal Pictures on Nove ...

'' (1939) *''

Man from Montreal ''Man from Montreal'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Christy Cabanne. It stars Richard Arlen, Andy Devine, and Kay Sutton, and was released on December 8, 1939. Cast list * Richard Arlen as Clark Manning * Andy Devine as Constable ...

'' (1939) *''

Danger on Wheels ''Danger on Wheels'' is a 1940 American film noir sport film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. Plot A test driver (Richard Arlen) tries racing with his girlfriend's ( Peggy Moran) father's new engine. Ca ...

'' (1940) *''

Hot Steel Hot Steel is a 1940 American film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Richard Arlen, Andy Devine, and Peggy Moran. Cast *Richard Arlen as Frank Stewart *Andy Devine as Matt Morrison * Peggy Moran as Babe Morrison *Anne Nagel as Rita Martin ...

'' (1940) *'' Black Diamonds'' (1940) *''

The Leather Pushers ''The Leather Pushers'' is a 1922 American film serial starring Reginald Denny (and Billy Sullivan in the fourth series), and based on boxing stories by H. C. Witwer originally published in ''Collier's Weekly''. The screenplays were written by ...

'' (1940) *'' The Devil's Pipeline'' (1940) *'' Lucky Devils'' (1941) *''

Mutiny in the Arctic ''Mutiny in the Arctic'' is a 1941 American action adventure film directed by John Rawlins and starring Richard Arlen, Andy Devine and Anne Nagel. It was part of their Aces of Action series produced and released by Universal Pictures. It was al ...

'' (1941) *''

Men of the Timberland ''Men of the Timberland'' is a 1941 American film starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. It was part of their Aces of Action series at Universal. Paul Jarrico worked on the script. He later said the film "dealt with the fight Richard Arlen, And ...

'' (1941) *''

Raiders of the Desert ''Raiders of the Desert'' is a 1941 American comedy adventure film directed by John Rawlins and starring Andy Devine, Richard Arlen and Linda Hayes. The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. It features an early appearance by ...

'' (1941) *'' A Dangerous Game'' (1941)

Leo Carillo & Andy Devine

*''

The Kid from Kansas ''The Kid from Kansas '' is a 1941 American drama set on a fictional island banana plantation owned by Juan Garcia Pancho (Leo Carrillo). Foreman Andy (Andy Devine) befriends newcomer Kansas (Dick Foran), but Pancho is leery of the stranger. Sab ...

'' (1941) - and Dick Foran *'' Road Agent'' (1941) *'' Unseen Enemy'' (1942) *'' Escape from Hong Kong'' (1942) - and Don Terry *''

Danger in the Pacific ''Danger in the Pacific '' is a 1942 espionage thriller set on a fictional island during World War II. Plot As a cover for his true government mission, British intelligence agent Leo Marzell (Leo Carrillo) sponsors a scientific expedition led by ...

'' (1942) - and Don Terry *'' Top Sergeant'' (1942) - and Don Terry *'' Timber!'' (1942) - and

Dan Dailey Daniel James Dailey Jr. (December 14, 1915 – October 16, 1978) was an American dancer and actor. He is best remembered for a series of popular musicals he made at 20th Century Fox such as ''Mother Wore Tights'' (1947). Biography Early life Da ...

Broderick Crawford & Andy Devine

*''

South of Tahiti ''South of Tahiti'' is a 1941 American south seas adventure film directed by George Waggner and starring Brian Donlevy. It helped launch Maria Montez as a pin-up star. She played a leading role; response was such that Universal then cast her in '' ...

'' (1941) - and

Brian Donlevy Waldo Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 6, 1972) was an American actor, noted for playing dangerous tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best-known films are ''Beau Geste'' (193 ...

*'' North to the Klondike'' (1941) - and

Lon Chaney Jr Creighton Tull Chaney (February10, 1906 – July12, 1973), known by his stage name Lon Chaney Jr., was an American actor known for playing Larry Talbot in the film '' The Wolf Man'' (1941) and its various crossovers, Count Alucard (Dracu ...

References

Action film series American film series {{action-film-stub