When you've portrayed 243-different-roles over a motion picture and television career lasting from 1930 into 1988. It's hard for a blogger to decide on which ones to speak about. Especially, if it's about Character Actor, Elisha Cook, Jr., with a very familiar looking face, but I will try.
He was born Elisha Vanslyck Cook, Junior, in San Francisco, California, on December 26, 1903. His father was journalist and playwright Elisha Vanslyck Cook, Senior.
His mother, as mentioned in the above orbituary, was actress Helen Roslyn Henry Cook.
Much later, when speaking of his family's move from San Francisco, at his age of 2-years, during the first week of April 1906. The actor would tell people:
We left two weeks before the earthquake, and our house was totally destroyed, I figure I’ve been living on borrowed time ever since.
By the age of 14, Elisha Cook, Jr. was selling programs in the legitimate theatre's where his mother was appearing. Shortly afterwards, he started appearing on the vaudeville stage. It should be noted that according to his military enlistment papers. The highest level of education the actor obtained, was 3-years of High School, at "St. Albans School for Boys", located in Sycamore, Illinois.
In 1928, Elisha married Mary Gertrude Dunckley, of the American-British close-harmony pop music trio, "The Merry Macs".
His big break came in 1933, when playwright Eugene O'Neil, cast Elisha Cook, Jr. in the role of "Richard Miller", in O'Neil's new work, "Ah, Wilderness!", starring composer, singer, and actor, George M. Cohan. The play opened on Broadway, October 2nd, at the "Guild Theatre", and ran for two-years.
However, 3-years prior to "Ah, Wilderness!", Elisha Cook, Jr. had appeared in his first motion picture with 5th-billing, portraying "Stewart Kennedy". This long forgotten, pre-Motion Picture Code, pro-life, anti-abortion, feature film, was "Her Unborn Child", released January 10, 1930.
Above, Elisha Cook, Jr. with Francis Underwood portraying his character's mother, "Mrs. Kennedy".
Cook, Jr. followed "Her Unborn Child", with an uncredited role in an April 27, 1930, comedy short, "Chills and Fever". While on February 28, 1931, the young actor was seen in his first major motion picture. "Honor Among Lovers", starred Claudette Colbert and Fredric March, but Elisha Cook, Jr's role was the uncredited, "Office Boy".
After the Broadway run of "Ah, Wilderness!", Elisha Cook, Jr. returned to motion pictures with 9th-billing portraying "Skeeter", in the Joan Bennett and Joel McCrea, "Two in a Crowd", released on October 4, 1936.
Released on October 23, 1936, was the college musical "Pigskin Parade".
Looking the above poster, the movie featured 19-years-old actress Betty Grable, 23-years-old singer - actor Tony Martin, and 14-years-old actress-singer Judy Garland. Not making the poster for this musical was 32-years-old Elisha Cook, Jr, portraying "Herbert Van Dyke"
Four motion pictures later, and Elisha Cook, Jr, was seen in his first feature of a film-genre he would always be associated with, "Film-Noir".
The motion picture was director Mervyn LeRoy's, "They Won't Forget", that premiered in New York City, on July 14, 1937, starring Claude Rains. Eighth-billed Elisha portrayed "Joe Turner", fully credited at two roles below Lana Turner's, below, "Mary Clay".
The motion picture is based upon the 1936 novel "Death in the Deep South", by Ward Greene. Which, itself, was based upon the real-life, 1913, murder of 14-years-old "Mary Phagan", in this film called "Mary Clay". The Phagan's accused murderer was Leo Max Frank, in the motion picture called, "Professor Robert Perry Hale". Frank was the "Superintendent of the Factory" Phagan worked at in Atlanta, Georgia. There was only slim circumstantial evidence and one of the alternate reasons for charging him was purely antisemitism, because Frank's was Jewish. He was convicted, kidnapped from prison, and lynched. It is now believed that African-American Janitor, James "Jim" Conley, in the motion picture called "Tump Redwine". Who found "Mary's" body and whose testimony the prosecution based its entire case against Leo Frank, was the real murderer.
Above, Trevor Bardette portraying "Shattuck Clay", and Elisha Cook, Jr. portraying "Joe Turner".
"They Won't Forget" was followed with several very small roles, there was "Ollie Stearns" in the "Ritz Brother's" 1937 comedy, "Life Begins in College".
Above, Dick Baldwin, Joan Marsh, and Elisha Cook, Jr.
Then there was the uncredited role of "Boots Malone", in the Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, 1937, "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry", and the uncredited role of the "Boy on the Bench", in the Loretta Young, Joel McCrea, and David Niven, 1938 comedy, "Three Blind Mice".
SUBMARINE PATROL premieres, of course, in San Diego, California, the site of one of the largest Navy Bases and training centers, on November 9, 1938
The original 1936 script was written by author William Faulkner, but by the time this feature was filmed, the screenplay had nine more writers.
The motion picture was directed by John Ford and sandwiched between his 1938, "Four Men and a Prayer", starring Loretta Young and Richard Greene, and 1939's, "Stagecoach". My article is "Comparing John Ford's 1939 'Stagecoach' to the 1966 and 1986 Remakes" heading for Lordsburg at:
Preston Foster's "John C. Drake", is a Naval officer demoted for dereliction of duty and given command of a rundown submarine with a "Motley Crew". That he will turn into a crack fighting crew during the First World War.
Above, Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Seaman Rutherford Davis Pratt (The Professor)" with Richard Greene portraying "Perry Townsend III".
I move forward four motions picture and come to Elisha Cook, Jr's, Second Film-Noir.
Talk about a contradiction of terms, the website "IMDb" - - - -
- - - - describes the motion picture as a "Feel-Good Romance, Mystery, Film-Noir, Crime Drama"
STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR released August 16, 1940
The film's director, Boris Ingster, was born in Riga, in the Russian Empire, now known as Latvia. Ingster worked with the great Russian-Soviet film director, Sergei Eisenstein. Boris Ingster arrived in the United States during the 1930's, as a screenplay writer, and this was his first of only three-movies he directed. The film reminds the viewer of German Expressionism in its film style and is considered by many as the "First True Film-Noir". Ingster worked with Budapest born Ferenc "Frank" Partos on the screenplay.
Peter Lorre portrayed "The Stranger", in what is really a cameo role, but his name was the audience draw. Lorre had just starred in the forgotten, 1940, "Island of Doomed Men", and followed this film billed as one of "The Three Horror Men", with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, in band leader Kay Kayser's, musical comedy, 1940's, "You'll Find Out". My article is "PETER LORRE: Overlooked, or Forgotten Performances" to rediscover at:
The Screenplay:
Reporter "Michael Ward", portrayed by John McGuire, is the key witness in a murder trial. His testimony is that he saw "Joe Briggs", portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr, standing over the body of the murder victim at a Diner. It is "Ward's" testimony that is instrumental in finding "Briggs" guilty of the murder.
After the trial is over and "Briggs" is in jail."Jane", portrayed by Margaret Tallichet, starts thinking that her boyfriend, "Michael Ward", might have been mistaken. To add to this, "Ward", himself, starts questioning what he had seen, This changes come after he sees an odd-looking stranger run down the steps of his apartment house and out the front door.
"Michael" has now come to believe that "The Stranger" may have murdered "Ward's" neighbor, a man "Michael Ward", admitedly does hate. Which leads to a German expressionist dream sequence that "Ward's neighbor was killed and he, "Michael Ward", has come under the suspicion of being the murderer, not, either "Briggs", or "The Stranger".
In fact, the neighbor actually was murdered, and in the exact same way as the man in the Diner.
The motion picture was followed by five more non-career moving roles. Starting by portraying a "Communist" in the 1940 comedy, "Pubic Deb #1", as sixth-billed "Joe Codd" in the 1940 Alice Faye and Betty Grable musical "Tin Pan Alley", "Joe - the elevator boy" in the 1941 non-"Thin Man" comedy, "Love. Crazy", starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, the uncredited role of a "Piano Player", in the Gary Cooper, 1941, "Sergeant York", and last, a "Hotel Clerk" in the crime mystery, 1941's, "Man at Large", starring Marjorie Weaver, George Reeves, and Richard Derr.
However, those five forgotten roles, did lead to Elisha Cook, Jr's signature role.
THE MALTESE FALCON premiered in New York City on October 3, 1941
Let me set things right, by this motion picture, there had been 2-other feature films based upon
Dashiell "Dash" Hammett's, 1930 novel. The first, in 1931, was directly based upon the novel. While,
the second, in 1936, changed the names and some of the situations. "The Maltese Falcon" was first serialized in "Black Mask" magazine beginning in September 1929. My article is "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of': The Maltese Falcon in Writing and on the Motion Picture Screen"searched and murdered for, at:
The screenplay was written by John Huston.
This was the first motion picture directed by John Huston. My article is "JOHN HUSTON: 'Moby Dick' 1956, 'The Barbarian and the Geisha' 1958, 'Freud: the Secret Passion' 1962 and 'The List of Adrian Messenger' 1963" available to read at:
Humphrey Bogart portrayed "Samuel 'Sam' Spade". Bogart had been "Roy Earle" on the Broadway stage, and in director Raul Walsh's, 1941, "High Sierra", co-written by John Huston. My article is "HUMPHREY BOGART: Horror Movie Actor"to chill my reader at:
Mary Astor portrayed "Ruth Wonderly/Brigid O'Shaughnessy". Astor just had 3rd-billing in the Bette Davis, 1941, "The Great Lie" and followed this picture with director Preston Sturges screwball comedy, 1942's, "The Palm Beach Story". My article is "MARY ASTOR co-starring John Barrymore, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Clark Gable, Edward G. Robinson, William Powell, and of course Humphrey Bogart" at:
Gladys George portrayed "Iva Archer". George had just starred with "The Dead End Kids", in the 1941 drama,"Hit the Road". She followed this motion picture with Ida Lupino's, 1943 drama, "The Hard Way".
Peter Lorre portrayed "Joe Cario". Lorre had just been seen in the Clark Gable and Rosalind Russell adventure comedy, 1941's, "They Met in Bombay" and followed this movie with Humphrey Bogart's, 1942, "All Through the Night".
Lee Patrick portrayed "Effie Perine". Patrick was just seen in the dark horror comedy, 1941's, "The Smiling Ghost"and followed this feature film with John Garfield's, 1941, "Dangerously They Live".
Sydney Greenstreet portrayed "Kasper Gutman". This was Greenstreet's first motion picture role and he followed it by portraying "Lieutenant General Winfield Scott" in the Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, 1941, "They Died with Their Boots On".
Ward Bond portrayed "Detective Tom Polhaus" Bond had just been seen in director Jacques Tourneur's crime drama, 1941's, "Doctors Don't Tell". My article is "Ward Bond of Director John Ford's Stock Company" for reading at:
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Wilmer Cook". His performance was low-keyed menacing. While in the 1931 version, Dwight Frye's was closer to Dashiell Hammett's description, "Psychotic", see my above linked article, "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of".
An Overview of "John Ford's Maltese Falcon":
The following is from my linked article:
- - - the opening of the 1941 version is a title card first seen after the opening credits that reads:
In 1539 the Knight Templars of Malta, paid tribute to Charles V of Spain, by sending him a Golden Falcon encrusted from beak to claw with rarest jewels----but pirates seized the galley carrying this priceless token and the fate of the Maltese Falcon remains a mystery to this very day.
Although that description is based upon Hammett's novel. As I already mentioned the "Knight Templars" were not an order anywhere in the World in 1539, but the tale sure makes a good story to catch the audience's attention.
The "The Knight Templars, or the Order of the Temple of Solomon" initially were from 1118 to FRIDAY October 13, 1311. The origin of Friday the 13th being a bad day. Those who were not murdered by the Pope's orders joined the "Hositallers". For the record the order was reinstated in 2013.
At the San Francisco office of Private Detectives "Miles Archer", portrayed by Jerome Cowan, and "Sam Spade". Their secretary "Effie Perine", tells both about a potential client in their reception area, a "Miss Ruth Wonderley". After introductions, "Wonderley" claims to be looking for her missing sister that left New York, and ran away with a man named "Floyd Thursby".
What seems a normal missing persons case, becomes something different, when "Miles" is murdered. Complicating things for "Spade", is that his now deceased partner's wife, "Iva Archer", has always wanted him in her bed. Added to his situation, is the appearance of two police officers, "Lieutenant of Detectives Dundy", portrayed by Barton MacLane, and "Detective Tom Polhaus", to inform "Sam" that not only was "Miles" murdered, but so was "Thursby". Knowing how "Iva" feels about "Spade", "Polhaus" believes he murdered both men to have his partner's wife.
Next, "Wonderly" shows up, but calling herself "Brigid O'Shaughnessy". She now confesses that she was lying to both "Sam" and "Miles", and that "Thursby" was really her partner in something she will not reveal. "O'Shaughnessy" also admits she has no idea about who killed both men and convinces "Spade" to investigate.
A major difference between the 1931 and 1941 versions, is that the 1931 motion picture was "Pre-Motion Picture Production Code". Which meant there was no censorship from the 1934 created "Hayes Office", and the "American Morality Watchdog", Joseph Breen. Which would have blocked the nudity seen with the character of "Brigid O'Shaughnessy" in the 1931-version.
Next, "Joe Cairo", comes to "Sam Spade's Office", the following is from my article.
Director John Huston and Peter Lorre were able to get the homosexual aspect of "Cairo" into the picture without the Hayes Office interference. Houston never really used any obvious words, which in 1941 would have been removed, but let the audience make up their own minds about "Joe" through Lorre's performance.
"Cairo" offers "Spade" $5,000 to find a "Figure of a Black Bird", but "Sam" is skeptical about a statue worth that amount of money to "Joe Cairo". "Cairo" pulls a gun on "Spade" and searches the room, thinking the detective might already have "The Black Bird". "Sam" knocks out "Cairo" and when he comes too, "Joe Cairo" hires "Sam Spade" to find the statue.
Meanwhile, "Spade" is being followed to "Effie Perine's" apartment where "Brigid" is staying for protection. "Sam" tells "O'Shaughnessy" about "Cairo", she becomes very nervous about the other, confirming to the private eye that she knows "Joe". "Sam" arranges a meeting, and there, "Brigid O'Shaughnessy" reveals to "Joe Cairo", causing him to become very agitated, that "The Fat Man" is in San Francisco.
The next morning "Sam Spade" goes to "Joe Cairo's" hotel to meet him. In the lobby, as "Sam" waits for "Cairo" to return, is the man who had tailed him, "Wilmer Cook". "Cook" is a slow burning gunsel that works for "Kasper Gutman" aka: "The Fat Man".
"Joe Cairo" comes into the hotel lobby and goes up to the front desk to check on messages. "Sam Spade" approaches him, upsetting "Cairo" with his questions, and then "Spade" leaves having accomplished that purpose.
Next, "Spade" is visited by "Wilmer Cook", who has been ordered to bring him to "The Fat Man". On the way, "Sam" plays "Wilmer", easily getting on the gunsel's nerves.
However, "Gutman" refuses to answer "Spade's" specific questions and the frustrated Private Eye just storms out of the apartment. "The Fat Man" orders "Wilmer" to bring "Spade" back. On their way back to "Kasper Gutman", "Sam Spade" once again, pushes "Wilmer Cook's" buttons.
In his suite, "Gutman" tells "Sam Spade" the story of the "Maltese Falcon". Then, surprisingly, "Kasper Gutman" offers "Spade" either $25,000 for the statue and another $25,000 after it's sold, or a quarter of the profits from the actual sale.
"Spade" now passes out from a spiked drink and from another room, out come "Cook" and 'Cairo". "Gutman" leaves with the other two. When "Sam" comes too, he searches the suite and discovers a newspaper with the arrival time of the freighter "La Paloma" circled. Arriving at the docks, "Sam Spade" finds the freighter on fire and leaves.
"Captain Jacoby", portrayed by John's father, Walter Huston, is at "Spade's" office door. "Sam" opens it, and the freighter Captain, shot multiple times, stumbles into the room, with a package in his hand, and dies. "Sam Spade" now has "The Maltese Falcon".
"Brigid" calls "Spade", gives him an address, lets out a piercing scream, and the line goes dead. Before going to the address, "Sam" goes to the bus station and stashes the package containing the "Falcon" in a locker. Going to the address, he finds it's a vacant lot, and "Sam Spade" returns to his apartment to find "Brigid O'Shaughnessy" hiding in the doorway. "Sam" takes "Brigid" inside his apartment to discover "Gutman", "Cairo", and "Cook", awaiting him with their guns drawn.
"Gutman" now offers "Spade" $10,000 for the "Maltese Falcon", but "Sam" replies that part of his price is for sometime to be turned over to the police for the murders of "Miles Archer", "Thursby", and "Captain Jacoby". The negotiations continue as it becomes obvious "Who" "Spade" wants to take the fall.
Of course, "Wilmer" wants nothing to do with this, but the other's agree and "Spade" knocks "Cook" out and takes his gun.
Just after dawn, "Spade" calls "Effie" to bring him the bundle. "Gutman" examines "The Maltese Falcon", but it's a fake. This causes "Cairo" to lash out at "The Fat Man", and in the confusion, "Wilmer" escapes.
Calming down, "Kasper Gutman" invites "Joe Cairo" to accompany him to Istanbul to continue their mutual search for the real "Maltese Falcon", and the two leave. "Sam" goes to the phone, calls "Dundy" and tells him where he can find the two.
"Spade" now confronts "Brigid", telling her that he knows she murdered her unnecessary partner, "Thursby", and "Archer" to implement him. "O'Shaughnessy" begs him not to turn her in, but even with feelings for her. "Sam Spade" turns her in with the fake "Falcon" as evidence, making the comment that
"The Maltese Falcon":
is the stuff that dreams are made of
Elisha Cook, Jr. next was seen in another classic, but little known, Film-Noir mystery, and the start of his being type-casted.
HOT SHOT aka: I WAKE UP SCREAMING released on October 31, 1941
When the film began production on July 21, 1941, the title was "I Wake Up Screaming". When it was originally released in October 1941, the title had been changed to "Hot Spot", but when it was re-released, in New York City, the title was back to "I Wake Up Screaming".
Under either title this is one very good film-noir from director H. Bruce Humberston. Humberston was known for directing crime drama movie series with both the character's of
"Charlie Chan" and "Philo Vance". However, immediately before this picture, he directed 1941's, "Sun Valley Serenade", a very popular musical starring Olympic Ice-Skating Champion, Sonja Henie, "B" leading man John Payne, and Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.
This screenplay was based upon the novel "I Wake Up Screaming", by Steven Fisher. Another of his stories had been turned into the forgotten Fay Wray motion picture, 1939's, "Navy Secrets". In 1946, Steven Fisher wrote the screenplay for the Raymond Chandler, "Philip Marlowe" mystery, "Lady in the Lake".
The actual screenplay was written by Dwight Taylor, known for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodger's, 1935, "Top Hat", and their 1936, "Follow the Fleet".
Betty Grable portrayed "Jill Lynn". She had just co-starred with Tyrone Power and John Sutton in 1941's, "A Yank in the RAF", and followed this feature with the comedy musical romance 1942's, "Song of the Islands", co-starring with Victor Mature and comedian Jack Oakie.
Victor Mature portrayed "Frankie Christopher". Mature co-starred with Anna Nagle and Richard Carlson in the 1940 version of the 1919 musical, "No, No, Nanette". The actor would follow this feature with another film-noir, 1941's, "The Shanghai Gesture", co-starring with Gene Tierney and Walter Huston. My article, "Victor Mature: 'One Million B.C.' to 'The Big Circus'---The Leading Man as a Character Actor", will be found at:
Carole Landis portrayed
"Vicky Lynn". Landis was
"Loana" in
1940's, "One Million B.C.", opposite Victor Mature's,
"Tumak". She had just starred in the comedy musical,
1941's, "Dance Hall", her co-star was
Cesar Romeo. She followed this picture, starring in the
1941 comedy,
"Cadet Girl", with
George Montgomery as her co-star.
Above left to right, Landis, Grable, and Mature.
Laird Cregar portrayed "Detective Ed Cornell". Cregar had just been seen in the Jack Benny comedy, 1941's, "Charlie's Aunt". In 1944, Laird Cregar would be "Mr. Slade", in the fictional "Jack the Ripper" classic story, "The Lodger". Less than a year later, he would be dead at the age of 31. My article is "Laird Cregar: An Excellent Character Actor's Life Cut Short" found at:
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Harry Williams".
The story is told in flashbacks, as sports promoter "Frankie Christopher" is in a police station being interrogated about the murder of actress "Vicky Lynn".
The following lobby card was made for the title "Hot Spot", but had a sticker added over that title to make it read "I Wake Up Screaming".
Above, in front is Betty Grable as "Jill Lynn", directly behind her is Victor Mature as "Frankie Christopher", to his right is Allyn Joslyn portraying fading actor "Larry Evans", a close friend of "Frankie", next to him is Carol Landis as "Jill's" sister, "Vicky Lynn", and next to her, another friend of "Frankie's", gossip columnist, "Robin Ray", portrayed by Alan Mowbray.
Being a gambler, "Frankie" takes the dare from "Larry" and "Robin" to turn "Vicky" into a major actress. Below, "Ed Cornell" observes the sister's who are unaware that he is watching them.
On another day, "Vicky" sees the apartment house manager, "Harry Williams" at the elevator.
Later, at her apartment, "Vicky" tells "Christopher" she's signing with a Hollywood agent and leaving him. He becomes very angry over the news, the next morning, "Jill" enters the apartment to find "Christopher" standing near her sister's dead body.
"Frankie Christopher" becomes suspect number one for "Detective Ed Cornell", who is pressuring him to confess. However, "Jill" and "Frankie" decide to find the real murderer as the two slowly fall in love.
Below, Laird Cregor's "Detective Ed Cornell", on the left, is drilling Betty Grable's "Jill Lynn" over her sister's murder.
"Jill" and "Christopher" think that "Harry" knows more than he's told the police. "Christopher" goes to the apartment house's front desk and confront's "William's".
"Harry" admits to the murder, but also says that "Detective Cornell" always knew he did it. Adding, that "Detective Ed Cornell" was obsessed with "Vicky Lynn". When "Frankie", still being followed by the police, enters "Cornell's" apartment, he finds the walls covered with pictures of the actress. "Ed Cornell" now admits he was jealous of "Frankie's" closeness to "Vicky" and was attempting to frame him. The police, next arrive to what they had believed would be the arrest of "Frankie Christopher", but now take "Ed Cornell" and head for "Harry Williams".
The motion picture is known for using a music composition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", not the Judy Garland version from 1939's, "The Wizard of Oz", and turning it into a haunting and almost psychotic background piece throughout the feature film.
On November 4, 1941, Elisha Cook, Jr. and Mary Gertrude Dunckley Cook divorced.
On September 22, 1938, at the original "46th Street Theatre", the musical revue, "Hellzapoppin" opened on Broadway. The revue starred its writer's, the vaudeville comedy team of "Olsen and Johnson (John Sivgard "Ole" Olsen and Harold Ogden "Chic" Johnson)". The revue would first move to the "Winter Garden Theatre" on November 26, 1938, then to the "Majestic Theatre", one-year later, on November 25, 1941 to finish its Broadway continuous run on December 17, 1941, after 1404-performances. The motion picture version of:
HELLZAPOPPIN premiered in New York City on December 25, 1941
If you love movies and are a movie buff, this slapstick and musical attack on the motion picture industry is a must see. It was originally shot with sight gags, and for the year, some new camera tricks by director H. C. Potter. Among his films are the 1938, comedy western, "The Cowboy and the Lady", starring Gary Cooper, and Merle Oberon, 1939's, "The Story of Verne and Irene Castle", starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, 1947's, "The Farmer's Daughter", starring Loretta Young, Joseph Cotton, and Ethel Barrymore, and 1948's, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, starring Gary Grant, Myrna Loy, and Melvyn Douglas.
However, the "Universal Pictures" executives thought some of Potter's scenes were too confusing for the audience. So, they brought in director Edward "Eddie" F. Cline to shoot additional clarification sequences. Cline was known for silent and sound comedies starring comedians Buster Keaton, "Fatty" Arbuckle, W. C. Fields, and Charlie Chaplin.
Here's an example of the changes made by Cline to Potter's work. Throughout the film, Olsen and Johnson keep breaking the fourth wall of the theatre by talking to an unseen projectionist, in Potter's cut, that would be the audience. The Cline correction was to add the projectionist, "Louie", portrayed by Shemp Howard.
For the motion picture version, the stage production was adapted by Nat Perrin, "The Marx Brother's", 1933, "Duck Soup", and the same years "Roman Scandals" starring Eddie Cantor. Who co-wrote the original Potter production with Warren Wilson. The new material required by the studio executives, was written by the uncredited Alex Gottlieb, whose screenplay writing were basically "B" drama's.
The comic skits are all tied together with the two stars. The movie opens with Shemp Howard showing a pageant of chorus girls coming down a staircase. The staircase collapses into a slide and the chorus girls slide into hell and meet comic demons.
Next, the picture cuts to "Ole" and "Chic", who play themselves, arriving in hell by a taxi cab in the midst of the chorus girl mayhem. Which is followed by a series of vaudeville style pranks, and the audience discovers this is all part of shooting a movie on a sound stage.
The boys are now hounded by the film's "Director", portrayed by Richard Lane. Who as announcer Dick Lane, did the wrestling and boxing matches on Los Angeles's "KTLA-TV", from the "Olympic Auditorium", and the "Roller Derby" from 1946 through 1972.
Enter the writer of the motion picture being filmed and directed by Richard Lane, "Harry Selby", portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr.
Described as "Mousy screenplay writer Harry Selby", "Selby" now starts to explain his screenplay as the motion picture turns into what is supposed to be his musical comedy.
Moving to the end of "Hellzapoppin", Olsen and Johnson leave the sound stage. After which, the audience finds the director frustrated by what "Harry Selby" has written. The director pulls out a gun, and Elisha Cook, Jr., now finds his Film-Noir roles the butt of a vaudeville sight joke. As the director shoots him multiple times.When the director seems not to have killed him, "Selby" replies:
I always wear a bulletproof vest around the studio.
Then, "Harry Selby" takes a drink of water and - - -
Four motion pictures later and Elisha Cook, Jr. was in a Laurel and Hardy comedy.
A-HAUNTING WE WILL GO released on August 7, 1942
It was back to type casting as a gangster, but at least with some laughs attached.
Above the three-leads in credit arrangement, Stan Laurel portraying "Stanley", Oliver Hardy portraying "Ollie", and "Dante the Magician", actually Harry August Jansen.
"Stanley" and "Ollie" are traveling vagabonds who get in trouble for loitering in Arizona and spend a night in jail. The next day they're told to leave town immediately, and get a job escorting a coffin to Dayton, Ohio, believing this will get them free transportation. Unknown to the two, their employers are "Frank Lucas", portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr. and "Joe Morgan", portrayed by James Bush, both gangsters working for another, "Darby Mason", portrayed by George Lynn.
In a formula predicament, the coffin will get mixed-up with "Dante's" magician's trunk, leading to the typical comedy of the two stars.
Eight-days after "A-Haunting We Will Go" premiered, Elisha Cook, Jr. enlisted in the United States Army.
Most sites, that even mention his enlistment, give the following exactly word for word:
With regard to Cook's military service during World War II, he enlisted at the age of 38 in the United States Army on August 15, 1942, in Los Angeles, California. According to his enlistment record he stood 5-feet-5-inches tall and weighed 123 pounds.
Which came from the:
United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1945: Cook, Jr. Elisha V. = enlistment date August 15, 1942, Los Angeles, California, United States
The following photograph was apparently taken during boot camp.
Nineteen days after Elisha Cook, Jr. enlisted in the Army, saw the release of a full length motion picture filmed sometime prior to that enlistment.
That motion picture was:
WILDCAT released on September 3, 1942
This was a low-budget motion picture, described as a film-noir, adventure, with some familiar names in it. The movie was made by "Pine-Thomas Productions", the "B-Unit" of "Paramount Pictures".
Richard Arlen portrayed "Johnny Maverick". He had just starred in the successful "B" action picture, 1942's, "Torpedo Boat", for the "B-Unit". Arlen had co-starred in the first motion picture to win what became the "Best Motion Picture Academy Award", 1927's, "Wings", directed by William "Wild Bill" Wellman. In 1929, he co-starred in both Gary Cooper's,"The Virginian" and Fay Wray's, "The Four Feathers". While in 1932, he co-starred with Charles Laughton, and Bela Lugosi, in H. G. Wells's, "Island of Lost Souls".
Arlene Judge portrayed "Nan Deering". The producers wanted a "Jean Harlow type" for the leading actress, and even tested Harlow's stand-in. Next, they looked at Jean Wallace, who was married to actor Franchot Tone, but that didn't work out. So, they settled on singer and actress Judge. Who was known for her marriages, 7 between 1931 and 1960, that included two brothers.
Buster Crabbe billed as Larry "Buster" Crabbe portrayed "Mike Rawlins". Crabbe portrayed "Flash Gordon", in three serials, "Buck Rodgers" in one, and a good "Billy the Kid" in part of a large series of "B" Westerns about the good outlaw, and "Tarzan", once.
Arthur Hunnicutt portrayed "Watchfob' Jones". This was his first motion picture and his next was the first of eight-movies portraying "B" Cowboy hero, Charles Starrett's sidekick, "Arkansas". In 1953, Hunnicutt got a role for "Republic Pictures" that John Wayne wanted, Davy Crockett.
Above left to right, Richard Arlen, Arline Judge, Arthur Hunnicutt, and Larry "Buster" Crabbe.
William Frawley portrayed "Oliver Westbrook". Frawley would become "Fred Mertz" on televisions "I Love Lucy". In 1934, he co-starred with Lee Tracy and Helen Mack, in author Damon Runyon's, "The Lemon Drop Kid", he co-starred in Mickey Rooney's, 1939 version of Mark Twain's, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", and in 1942, he was in Ginger Rodger's, "Roxie Hart", the basis for the Broadway musical, "Chicago".
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Harold 'Chicopee' Nevins".
For as long as his role lasted in the screenplay, Elisha Cook, Jr. escaped his stereotyping.
Oil man "Johnny Maverick" dubs a hitchhiker looking for work, "Chicopee", for "Maverick's" home town. Then shortly afterwards, makes him his full partner.
Below, Elisha Cook, Jr. is third from right looking at Richard Arlen.
While working on a rig, "Chicopee" is killed in an accident. Enter "Nan Deering" and "Oliver Westbrook", con-artists with "Nan" pretending to be "Chicopee's" sister and entitled to his partnership.
Adding to "Maverick's" problem's is his competitor "Mike Rawlins". Who is buying up all of "Maverick's" notes on his other debts.
Two-months after the actor's enlistment date, "Manilla Calling", another pre-enlistment motion picture, set in the Philippine Island's as the Japanese invasion begins, was released on October 16, 1942.
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Gillman", one of the crew of an American radio station in the Philippine's, that the Japanese capture. The crew has escaped into the jungle and joins a group of Filipino Guerrilla's fighting the Japanese. While they attempt to re-establish a powerful radio transmitter to rally others to fight the Japanese on the islands and broadcast to the United States.
By the pictures end, everyone but Lloyd Nolan's "Lucky Matthews" and night club entertainer "Edna Fraser", portrayed Carol Landis, have been killed. As Japanese foot soldiers close in on the them and Japanese planes are dropping bombs around the two. Thanks to Cornel Wilde's "Jeff Bailey", a strong radio had finally been repaired. Just before he is the last killed, "Lucky" is able to broadcast to the other Philippine Islands, and the United States.
In pure American Second World War propaganda, as the Japanese are shooting at "Lucky", the audience hears:
America, send us the tanks and the guns, and we'll finish the job. Manila calling, Manila calling, Manila calling...
Which brings me to two short subjects with Elisha Cook, Jr., filmed by the "United States Army Signal Corps".
"Baptism of Fire", is a 1943, 36-minute Army training short. Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Bill", Peter Whitney portrayed "Pete", and Walter Sande portrayed "The Sergeant". The short taught new recruits the techniques of enemy identification, combat, and hand to hand fighting.
"Kill or Be Killed", was a 1943, 9-minute Army training short. The credits only name Elisha Cook, Jr. as "a soldier", but the short's description speaks of two soldiers discussing the mental issues of combat on America's fighting men.
It should be noted that the above two shorts were the only film work released with the actor during 1943.
It appears that Elisha Cook, Jr was assigned to an Army Signal Corps Unit, but one that continued to make motion pictures for the morale of the "Homefront", as was Major John Huston, below, and many in Hollywood.
On a different note, Elisha Cook, Jr, on March 7, 1943, married Elvira Ann "Peggy" McKenna. I could not locate which newspaper the following article was in, but it was probably from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
.
Above, left to right, Peggy McKenna, the stand-in for the seated Carole Landis, and Cesar Romero. This picture had to have been taken during the production of "Dance Hall", released on July 18, 1941 that starred Landis and Romero.
The following two-paragraphs seem to support that the actor was working in Hollywood, rather than directly serving in the Army.
From June 1943, to the start of September 1943, Elisha Cook, Jr., filmed at the "Samuel Goldwyn Studio", in West Hollywood. The Danny Kaye, Dinah Shore, Dana Andrews, and Constance Dowling, screwball musical comedy, "Up in Arms". Although the motion picture wouldn't be released until February 14, 1944.
Additionally, from September 1943, through October 1943, the actor filmed at "Universal Pictures" in North Hollywood. That movie, mentioned next, would be the first Elisha Cook, Jr. feature film released in 1944. Still keeping the question of how long the actor was actually in the United States Army, open!
PHANTOM LADY released on January 28, 1944
This was the first Film-Noir directed by Robert Siodmak, who would become the "King of 1940's Film-Noirs". Like his brother screenplay writer, Curt Siodmak, Robert started in the German cinema and this film has touches of German expressionism in his directing. Both brothers joined to make the classic German Expressionist style, 1943's, "Son of Dracula", starring Lon Chaney. In 1946, Robert Siodmak directed Burt Lancaster's first motion picture, the classic Ernest Hemmingway story, "The Killers". My article is "CURT AND ROBERT SIODMAK: Horror and Film Noir" at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/11/curt-and-robert-siodmak-horror-and-film.html
The screenplay was based upon the novel "Phantom Lady" by William Irish, pen name for Cornell Woolrich. It was written by Bernard C. Schoenfeld, his first of 41
Franchot Tone portrayed "John 'Jack' Marlow". Tone had just co-starred with Mary Martin and Dick Powell in the musical comedy, 1943's, "True to Life". He would follow this feature with the war drama, 1944's, "The Hour Before Dawn", co-starring Veronica Lake and John Sutton.
Ella Raines portrayed "Carol 'Kansas' Richman". Raines had just been seen in the Margaret Sullivan, Ann Sothern, and Joan Blondell war drama, 1943's, "Cry 'Havoc".
Alan Curtis portrayed "Scott Henderson". Curtis had just co-starred with Randolph Scott, in the 1943 war drama, "Gang Ho!': The Story of Carlson's Makin Island Raiders".
Elisha Cook, Jr. was 7th-billed portraying "Cliff Milburn".
Fay Helm portrayed "Ann Terry". In 1941, Helm was the unlucky "Jennie", in Robert Siodmak's brother Curt's screenplay, "The Wolf Man", in 1942, she was a doctor in Bela Lugosi's, "Night Monster", and two features earlier, she was in another of Lon Chaney's "Inner Sanctum Mysteries", 1943's, "Calling Dr. Death".
The Very Basic Plot:
"Scott Henderson" has a fight with his wife on their anniversary and leaves his house. He ends up at "Anselmo's Bar" in Manhattan. There he picks up an equally unhappy woman, who won't tell him her name, or anything about herself, but the two take a taxi to a stage show. There, the star of the show, "Estela Monterio", portrayed by Aurora Miranda billed as Aurora, sees the woman "Scott" picked up wearing her own hat and makes a scene out over it.
"Scott" returns home to find "Police Inspector Burgess", portrayed by Thomas Gomez, and his wife murdered, strangled with one of "Scott's" neckties. "Scott", who is the prime suspect in his wife's murder, tells his story, but is faced with the fact that the woman who can prove his innocence. Has now become a "PHANTOM LADY" to "Scott". He is tried for murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death. There is no way he can look for his "Phantom Lady" behind bars.
"Carol Richman", known as "Kansas", is "Scott's" secretary and secretly in love with him. She decides to help "Scott" find the "Phantom Lady". "Carol" starts by going to the bar, sitting herself down at one end and just starring at the bribed, not to tell what he knows, bar tender, night after night, unnerving the "Bartender", portrayed by Andrew Tombes.
Finally "Kansas" follows the bartender home, he confronts her, and it gets out of hand. Some bystanders intervene, and the bartender runs into the street and is killed by a passing car.
Later, "Burgess" offers to help, unofficially, believing that anyone who sticks to such a weak alibi, like "Scott Henderson", is a fool, or just might be innocent, if he can prove it. "Inspector Burgess" tells "Kansas" about a drummer at the show, named "Cliff". Who couldn't keep his eyes off the "Phantom Lady" and tried to make eye contact with her. "Kansas" now decides to dress provocatively and go to the show and watch "Cliff".
During the show, "Kansas" flirts with "Cliff", getting his attention, and later, the two go to an underground jazz session.
After the jam session has ended, "Cliff" and "Kansas" go to his apartment. There the somewhat drunk drummer brag's about being paid $500 to give false testimony about the "Phantom Lady" to "Burgess".
"Cliff" accidentally knocks over "Kansas's" purse and finds a slip of paper with details about him written upon it. He accuses the other of misleading him and starts to go for her. "Kansas" is able to get away from "Cliff", leave the apartment, but she also leaves her purse behind.
Enter an unidentified man, his face isn't seen by the audience, who accuses "Cliff" of telling "Kansas" that he was bribed to deny having ever seen the "Phantom Lady". The other man proceeds to strangle "Cliff" to death.
Now, "Scott Henderson's" best friend, "Jack Marlow", suddenly returns from South America to help his friend and joins "Kansas" on her quest to clear him. "Marlow" is a sculptor
who uses his hands to create.
Next, "Kansas" and "Jack" track down "Monteiro's" hat maker, "Kettisha", portrayed by Doris Lloyd. One of "Kettisha's" employees admits to copying the hat for a regular customer. The employee provides the two, the customer's name and home address.
"Kansas" and "Jack" are informed that "Inspector Burgess" is not available and has gone away on another case. The two go to the hat maker's customer, "Scott's" "Phantom Lady", and find her under doctor's care.
She had collapsed months ago, when the man she was to marry suddenly died, leaving "Ann Terry, the Phantom Lady", devastated.
"Kansas" and "Jack" can't get any information from "Ann", but they do find the hat and he suggests they go to his place to await "Inspector Burgess's" return.
What "Kansas" doesn't know, is that "Jack Marlow" has been hiding his deteriorating mental health from her. Earlier in the story, the audience had seen "Marlow" develop a facial twitch, and stare at his hands, saying that the killer must be incredibly intelligent, but when the killer is referred to as paranoiac. He considers it an insult against the killer's obvious intelligence.
Back at "Marlow's" apartment, "Kansas" starts to freshen up and discovers her purse and the paper with the information about "Cliff" in a drawer. "Jack" admits he became enraged when "Scott's" wife wouldn't run away with him, an artist. After he finally realized that "Scott's" wife was only toying with him, and now, as "Kansas" knows the truth, she must also die.
Just then, "Inspector Burgess" comes through the door, he was using "Kansas" as bait to prove "Jack Marlow" was the killer. "Jack" knowing he's trapped, jumps out of a window to his death. "Scott Henderson" is freed and so, the possibility of a relationship between "Kansas" and "Scott", now truly exists.
Three motion pictures after Danny Kaye's, "Up in Arms", found Elisha Cook, Jr. in the "Hollywood Biography" of 1930's gangster, John Herbert Dillinger. It also brought the actor with indirect contact, if only through the screenplay, with a future producer and director of a classic 1950's "Gimmick" horror movie he would be seen in.
DILLINGER premiered in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 6, 1945
This Film-Noir crime biography was nominated for the
"Best Screenplay Academy Award". The only nominated writer was
Philip Yordan. However, there was another writer who worked on the screenplay, but was considered
uncredited and his name was
William Castle.
As would be discovered, the original script was entitled "John Dillinger, Killer", written by the uncredited William K. Howard and Robert Tasker. Philip Yordan was the screenplay editor for producer's, "The King Brothers". Throughout his career, there has always been a question of how Philip Yordan's name, solely appeared, as credited, on many screenplays verses how much he actually contributed to them, but that's another story.
This was also the first time that "Poverty Row Studio", "Monogram Pictures", was nominated for an "Oscar".
The motion picture was directed by Max Nosseck. The Polish born Nosseck, left Germany in 1933 with the rise of Adolph Hitler. He next worked in France, Spain, and the Netherlands, before coming to the United States in 1940.
Edmund Lowe portrayed "Specs Green". Lowe had just co-starred with Jean Parker and Majorie Rambeau in the crime drama, 1944's, "Oh, What a Night".
Anne Jeffrey's portrayed "Helen Rodgers". Jeffrey's had just co-starred with up and coming actor, Robert Mitchum, in the western, 1944's, "Nevada". She followed this movie with Bela Lugosi's, 1945 slapstick comedy, "Zombies on Broadway". However, to my generation, she will always be the ghost "Marian Kerby", on televisions "Topper", co-starring with Leo G. Carroll, and her husband, Robert Sterling.
Eduardo Ciannelli billed as Eduardo Cianelli portrayed "Marco Minelli". In 1940, Ciannelli was in Alfred Hitchcock's, "Foreign Correspondent", "The Mummy's Hand", and was the "Mysterious Dr. Satan". He had just been seen in the Hedy Lamarr and Paul Henreid, 1944, "The Conspirators".
Lawrence Tierney portrayed "John Dillinger", the only real name in the screenplay. Tierney would portray "Jesse James" twice, in 1946's, "Badman's Territory", and 1951's, "Best of the Badmen". Otherwise he was known for portraying either gangsters, or tough guy roles.
Marc Lawrence portrayed "Doc Madison". Lawrence had just been seen in 1945's, "Flame of Barbary Coast" starring John Wayne and Ann Dvorak.
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Kirk Otto". Cook, Jr. had just been in another Film-Noir, the Merle Oberon, Franchot Tone and Thomas Mitchell, 1944, "Dark Waters". He followed this feature with a crime feature, 1945's, "Why Girl's Leave Home", starring the forgotten Lola Lane.
The Story is Completely Untrue:
The movie starts with a movie audience watching a newsreel of the career of "John Dillinger". It ends, the screen goes dark, lights come up, and "John Dillinger's Father", portrayed by Victor Kiligan, walks on stage and starts to speak to his son's childhood. The background story ends with young "John" in a restaurant eating and wanting to pay by check. The waiter will only accept cash and "Dillinger" runs next door to a grocery store, with his hand in his pocket as if it's a gun, robs the grocery of the $7.20 needed to pay the waiter. He is arrested on a felony and sentenced to prison.
Below, a colorized still of what becomes the "John Dillinger" gang in prison, but is actually "Spec's" gang, a father figure, at this point, to "John".
"Dillinger" has a shorter sentence, gets out, and starts planning how to break out the others. Meanwhile, he goes to a movie theater, flirts with the ticket girl, "Helen Rodgers", then holds her up. When the police arrest "John" and have him in a line-up. "Helen" refuses to identify "Dillinger", he's let loose, and they go on a date.
"John" continues his spree of robberies until he has enough money to use to get the others out. While they're working at a quarry site, "John" arranges for guns to be smuggled to them, the group escapes, and he becomes part of "Spec's" gang. Next, the gang starts a major crime spree throughout the midwest.
"Spec's" wants to hit the "Farmer's Trust Bank", but tells the gang it has a sophisticated security system, making a robbery impossible. "John" has a way to rob the bank with the use of gas bombs, but "Spec's" is against it.
"John" and some of the others rob the bank successfully using "Dillinger's" plan. The angry "Spec" figures the other is trying to take over the gang. He tips off the police of a dentist visit that "John" will be at, he's arrested, but escapes. Returning to the gang, "John Dillinger" murders "Spec's", and takes over the leadership.
With funds running low, the decision to rob a mail train is made.
During the robbery, "Kirk Otto" is killed. The gang decides to lay low, before going to the West to continue their crime wave. "John" takes "Helen" on a major shopping spree.
Afterwards, "Helen" notices a reward poster for "John", offering $15,000. Which leads to the "Biograph Theater", the same one she was supposedly working at before. In this screenplay, "Helen" becoming "The Lady in Red" for the "FBI", and the killing of "John Dillinger". The theatre was showing "Manhattan Melodrama", starring Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and William Powell.
Above the real "Biograph Theatre" shortly after the real John Dillinger's, below, death.
The real "Lady in Red" was Ana Cumpanas aka: Anna Sage. A Romanian born prostitute and brothel owner.
None of the gang member names in the movie were real, but two real gang members were:
Homer Van Meter, who was a member first of the "Dillinger Gang", and John's second after Dillinger had broken out of prison. Later, Van Meter became a member of "Ma Barker's Gang"/
The second Dillinger gang member I want to mention is Lester George Gillis, aka: George Nelson, aka: "Baby Face" Nelson. He will reappear later in this article.
On September 2, 1945, the "Empire of Japan" formally surrendered ending the Second World War, but was Elisha Cook, Jr. still, technically, in the army? Again, I could not find any information to answer that question, but the following seems to indicate, No!
"Dillinger" had originally started production in October 1944. While, Cook, Jr's, later, "Two Smart People", went into production the same month and year as the Japanese surrender, September 1945. Between those two motion pictures, Elisha Cook, Jr. made 6-other films, for a total of 8-movies, but
only one, "Why Girls Leave Home", was actually released in 1945, on October 9th. The other five
where not released until 1946, as was:
TWO SMART PEOPLE released June 4, 1946
Yes, the above poster says Lucille Ball, the following is modified slightly from my article "Lucille Ball Dramatic Actress 1933 to 1949" found complete at:
The story line was by two writers, the first was Ralph Wheelwright. Wheelwright only wrote five story lines, but besides this one was the James Cagney and Barbara Stanwyck's, 1956, "These Wilder Years", and the James Cagney and Dorothy Malone, 1957 biography of Lon Chaney, Sr., "The Man of a Thousand Faces".
Allan Kenward only wrote two storylines, the other was the 1943 play, "Cry Havoc".
There were also two screenplay writers, Ethel Hill started writing in 1914. In 1939, she wrote the Richard Dix and Fay Wray, "It Happened in Hollywood", in 1939, her screenplay was for the Shirley Temple movie, "The Little Princess", and in 1944, she contributed to the John Wayne, Susan Hayward, and Dennis O'Keefe, "The Fighting Seabees".
The second screenplay writer was author Leslie Charteris. In 1928, Charteris published the novel "Meet the Tiger", that introduced his character "Simon Templar aka: The Saint".
Should my reader be familiar with screenplay writer Leslie Charteris's, "Robin Hood Jewel Thief", "Simon Templar, The Saint". Then you will really pick-up on the clues that might turn John Hodiak's "Ace Connors" into "Templar" in this screenplay.
The motion picture was directed by Jules Dassin. Dassin directed Charles Laughton as 1944's, "The Canterville Ghost", in 1948, he directed the film-noir based upon the popular radio series, "The Naked City". Facing the "House Committee on Un-American Activities", Jules Dassin was blacklisted. He left the United States and in 1960, received the "Best Director Academy Award" for "Never on Sunday", made in Greece.
Lucille Ball portrayed "Ricki Woodner". Ball followed this picture with the 1946 comedy, "Lover Come Back".
John Hodiak portrayed, as I've mentioned, "Ace Connors". Hodiak had just been seen in the crime film-noir, 1946, "Somewhere in the Night" with Lloyd Nolan. He followed this film-noir with another crime film-noir, 1947's, "The Arnelo Affair".
Lloyd Nolan portrayed "Bob Simms". Nolan had just appeared in the previously mentioned 1946, "Somewhere in the Night", and followed this film-noir with a Raymond Chandler, "Philip Marlowe", film-noir, 1946's, "Lady in the Lake".
Above, Lloyd Nolan's detective finds himself between two con artists, John Hodiak, and
Lucille Ball
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed the colorfully named "Fly Feletti" and steals several scenes in the process.
Above, partners in crime Elisha Cook, Jr. and con artist John Hodiak.
The Basic Screenplay:
In California, con man "Ace Connors", has a half-million dollars in bonds hidden in a cookbook that he plans to eventually sell. While, detective "Bob Simms" has been tracking "Connors", in short, "Simms" is the cat chasing the mouse, "Connors".
However, fate enters, when "Ace" decides to sell to wealthy, "Dwight Chadwick", portrayed by Lloyd Corrigan, below, fake oil company stock. With "Chadwick" is "Ricki Woodner", who is actually another con artist working a scam on "Dwight", and is herself, on the lam from a charge in Arkansas. Neither con artist gets their desired result and part ways with each other and "Dwight Chadwick".
Meanwhile, "Simms" has caught up with "Ace" and wants the bonds, but has no idea they're in the cookbook. After hearing what "Simms" is offering, "Ace" makes a plea bargain for a reduced prison sentenced, if he turns over the bonds at the end of this train trip to Sing-Sing Prison. However, "Ace" knows the train will stop in New Orleans, where he plans to fence the bonds with "Jacques Dufour", portrayed by Vladimir Sokoloff, and escape.
Once on the train, two people show up. "Ricki", who has learned of the bonds and wants them, and "Ace's" partner, "Fly", a murderous, psycho, who wants the bonds and "Ace" dead. However, neither "Fly", or "Ricki", like "Simms", have no idea the bonds are right before them in the cookbook.
Some reviewers criticize director Jules Dassin over both the pace of the film and the long slow passages in the screenplay. Better to blame writer Leslie Charteris, this is a good "B" crime film with maybe a little of another writer, Dashiel Hammett's, "The Thin Man", tossed in for good measure.
It is obvious to "Simms" that "Ricki" is falling in love with "Ace", and he may be doing the same with her. The train stops in El Paso, Texas, and "Ricki" is able to get "Ace" off the train and across the border into Mexico and perceived safety. To "Ricki's" disliking, "Simms" seems to lure "Ace" back to the train, neither still knowing of the other's plans for the bonds.
The train finally stops in New Orleans, "Fly" has been attempting to get "Ricki" on his side to split the money from the sale of the bonds.
It is Mardi Gras and "Ace", under the watchful eye of "Simms", takes "Ricki" out to enjoy the festivities, but when neither "Simms", or "Ricki" are watching him. "Ace" leaves the cookbook in a costume shop, knowing nobody will be looking for it there.
When "Ace" goes to meet the fence, "Fly" thinks that "Ricki" is on his side.
In the end, "Fly" gets his, "Simms" gets the bonds, "Ace" gets his shorten sentence, and "Ricki" will wait for his release.
The other motion picture that went into production in October 1944, after filming and editing, had been put on hold. A hold that would last 18-months. All because, Jack Warner, believed war movies would bring in more box office receipts for the studio and were what the public actually wanted to see.
THE BIG SLEEP premiered in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on August 22, 1946
The motion picture was actually filmed between October 10, 1944 and January 12, 1945.
The motion picture was produced and directed by Howard Hawks, 1938's, "Bringing Up Baby", 1944's, "To Have and Have Not", 1948's, "Red River", and the producer and uncredited director of, 1951's, "The Thing from Another World".
The novel was by Raymond Chandler.
The screenplay was by three writers:
Author William Faulkner, he co-wrote the screenplay for Hawks's, 1944. "To Have and Have Not".
Leigh Brackett, when Hawks hired her, because her name sounded like "Lee Brackett", he thought she was a man. She wrote the screenplays for 1959's, "Rio Bravo" and the director's two re-makes. She also wrote an overlooked horror movie, 1945's, "The Vampire's Ghost", and the actual original screenplay for 1980's, "The Empire Strikes Back", with her idea that "Darth Vader" was "Luke's" father. My article is "LEIGH BRACKETT: Howard Hawks and John Wayne Meet the Queen of Space Opera"
Jules Furthman co-wrote the Jean Harlow, 1933, "Bombshell", 1935's, "Mutiny on the Bounty", Howard Hughes's, 1943, "The Outlaw", and Hawks's, 1946, "To Have and Have Not".
Humphrey Bogart portrayed "Philip Marlowe". Bogart had been seen as a guest cameo in his two previous films. His last actual film role was in 1945's, "Conflict", co-starring with Alexis Smith and Sydney Greenstreet.
Lauren Bacall portrayed "Vivian Rutledge". Bacall had appeared in the second of the two Bogart cameo films as herself. Her last actual film role was in 1945's, "Confidential Agent", co-starring with Charles Boyer.
It was during the delay in releasing "The Big Sleep", that Bogart and Bacall married.
The Basic Story:
The set up has private detective "Philip Marlowe" going to the mansion of "General Shernwood", portrayed by Charles Waldron. Then having to meet him in the inside the very hot "Green House", because of the General's medical condition. In fact, the General has "Marlowe" enjoy a strong drink, to be able to enjoy it himself, by watching the detective and asking him questions about the strong whiskey.
On the surface, "General Shernwood" wants "Marlowe" to resolve a series of debts his youngest daughter, "Carmen", portrayed by Martha Vickers, owes a bookseller named "Arthur Gwynn Gieger", portrayed by Theodore von Eltz. As "Marlowe" is about to leave, he is approached by the General's older daughter "Vivian". Who suspects her father's true motive is to have the Private Detective find his missing protégé, "Sean Regan", who disappeared over a month ago.
So begins a story, with many characters and twists to keep track of, as "Philip Marlowe" becomes intwined in a typical Raymond Chandler character study that is well executed by all involved.
"Marlowe" enters "Geiger's" book store and meets "Agnes Lozelle (or "Lowlier), portrayed by Sonia Darrin. "Marlowe" in the character of a book nerd, asks if she has a copy of a specific rare book. From her answer, he knows she doesn't have the slighted knowledge of rare books. He also notices people being let into a back room.
"Marlowe" goes across the street to "The Acme Book Store", meets an extremely sexy proprietress, portrayed by a scene stealing Dorothy Malone, in her 14th role, her first 9 uncredited. Who immediately shoots down her false description of the book. "Marlowe" stays there watching "Geiger's" book store, sees him enter, and then leave. Excuses himself and starts to follow the "Alleged" rare book dealer.
Arriving at "Geiger's" home, "Marlowe" stakes it out, suddenly he hears a gunshot, gets out of the car and runs to the house. Inside, he finds a drugged "Carmen" standing over a body, and a camera without film. The Private Detective takes "Carmen" home to "Vivian".
"Marlowe" returns to the "Geiger's" house to find the body gone. During the following night, he learns that the "Sternwood" driver, "Owen Taylor", portrayed by Dan Wallace, was found dead. "Taylor" was struck in the head and placed in the "Sternwood" limousine. The limousine placed in gear and made to drive off the Lido Pier into the ocean.
Now more characters appear and interweave with "Carmen's" story.
"Vivian" arrives at "Marlowe's" office with scandalous photos of "Carmen". "Vivian" received the photos with a blackmail demand for the negatives.
"Marlowe" returns to "Geiger's" bookstore and follows a leaving car to the apartment house of "Joe Brody", portrayed by Louis Jean Heydt, a gambler who previously blackmailed the General. "Philip Marlowe" doesn't go up to the apartment, but returns to "Geiger's" house and finds "Carmen" standing outside. Speaking to her, she insists that it was "Joe Brody" who killed "Geiger". Just then gangster "Eddie Mars", portrayed by John Ridgely, "Geiger's" landlord, shows up at the house.
After which, "Marlowe" goes to "Brody's" apartment and finds "Agnes", and "Vivian", there.
"Carmen" shows up demanding to have the negatives back.
"Marlowe" disarms "Carmen", and sends her home with "Vivian". After they leave, "Brody admits to be the blackmailer, but he didn't kill "Geiger". The doorbell rings, "Brody" answers the door and is shot dead! "Marlowe" chases the killer, catches "Geiger" driver, "Carol Lundgren", portrayed by Tommy Rafferty, and turns him over to the police.
"Philip Marlowe" goes to "Eddie Mars's" casino and inquires about "Mars's" wife, who supposedly ran off with the missing "Regan". However, "Eddie" is evasive and brings up that "Vivian Sternwood" is running up large gambling debts as the two men talk. "Vivian" wins big and wants "Marlowe" to take her home. Outside, a stooge of "Mars" attempts to rob "Vivian", but "Marlowe" knocks him out. Driving back to the "Sternwood's", "Philip Marlowe" now realizes that "Eddie Mars" staged the robbery to get him to not think "Vivian" and "Eddie" are working together. He presses "Vivian" over her connection to "Eddie", but she admits nothing.
Back at his own home, "Marlowe" finds "Carmen" waiting and attempting to seduce him. He chases her out, but not before finding out that "Vivian" is getting frequent calls from "Eddie Mars". The following day, "Vivian" tells "Marlowe" that "Regan" has been found in Mexico and she plans to go to him. While "Mars" has some of his thugs beat up "Philip Marlowe", and pass on the message, that he is to stop his investigation.
The beaten up "Marlowe" is found by "Henry Jones", portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr., who is strongly infatuated with "Agnes". "Jones" convey's "Agnes's" request for $200 in trade for the location of the wife of "Eddie Mars".
While "Jones" waits outside of "Philip Marlowe's" office, thug and gunsel, "Lash Canino", portrayed by "B" cowboy actor, Bob Steele, appears and sizes up the other.
"Canino" threatens "Harry Jones" for the address of "Agnes".
"Lash" succeeds in getting "Harry" to give him the address and then forces "Jones" to drink poison and leaves.
Before "Harry" dies, "Marlowe" learns he deliberately gave "Lash" the wrong address for "Agnes".
"Agnes" calls "Marlowe" at his office, and he learns that she has seen "Mona Mars", portrayed by Peggy Knudsen, at an auto repair shop in a small town called Realito. "Marlowe" sets up a meeting with "Agnes". When he arrives, he is attacked by "Lash Canino", and knocked out cold.
When he awakes, 'Marlowe" is tied up being watched by "Agnes", but also "Vivian" is in the garage.
"Vivian" unties "Marlowe", who gets into a gun fight with "Canino", but kills him. They drive back to "Geiger's" house, "Marlowe" calls "Eddie Mars", making it seem he's still in "Realito. "Eddie Mars" arrives with four men and has them set up an ambush outside the house when "Marlowe" finally arrive.
Eddie" goes inside the house to be confronted by "Philip Marlowe". "Marlowe" accuses "Mars" of blackmailing "Vivian" over "Carmen" having killed "Regan". "Mars" says "Carmen" did the killing in a mental haze. "Marlowe" doubts what "Mars" has said, and he next forces "Eddie Mars" outside of the house. Where he is killed by his own men in the ambush. "Philip Marlowe" now calls the police and tells them that "Eddie Mars" killed "Regan", thereby protecting "Carmen".
The screenplay ends with "Marlowe" convincing "Vivian" that "Carmen" needs psychiatric care. "Vivian" confesses her own faults to the man she loves, and tells "Philip", her problems are:
Two motion pictures later was another classic Film-Noir:
BORN TO KILL premiered in New York City on April 30, 1947
The motion picture was directed by Robert Wise. My article is "Director Robert Wise: Horror, Science Fiction, and the Greek Homer" at:
The screenplay was based upon James Gunn's novel, "Deadlier Than the Male". The screenplay was written by Eve Greene, the slapstick whodunit, 1944's, "Strange Affair", and Richard Macaulay, 1939's, "The Roaring Twenties" and 1942's, "Captains of the Clouds".
Claire Trevor portrayed "Helen Brent". Trevor's films include, 1939's, "Stagecoach", 1944's, "Murder My Sweet", and after this picture, 1948's, "Key Largo".
Lawrence Tierney portrayed "Sam Wild". Tierney was just in the crime film-noir, 1947's, "The Devil Thumbs a Ride", and followed this motion picture with one described as a "Mysterious Film-Noir", 1948's, "Bodyguard".
Walter Slezak portrayed "Albert Arnett". He had just been seen in the Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Maureen O'Hara, 1947, "Sinbad the Sailor", and followed this motion picture with the Judy Garland and Gene Kelly musical, 1948's, "The Pirate".
Phillip Terry portrayed "Fred Grover". Terry was just seen in the 1947 musical, "Beat the Band", and followed this motion picture, starring in the romantic mystery, 1947's, "Seven Keys to Baldpate"
Audrey Long portrayed "Georgia Staples". Long was just in the Pat O'Brien and Ruth Warrick, 1946, crime drama, "Perilous Holiday", and followed this motion picture co-starring in the film-noir, 1947's, "Desperate".
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Marty Waterman". Cook, Jr. had been in the long forgotten Film-Noir, 1947's, "Fall Guy", starring Robert Armstrong. He followed this feature film with 7th-billing, in the Henry Fonda, Barbara Bel Geddes, Vincent Price, and Ann Dvorak's, 1947, "The Long Night".
Esther Howard portrayed "Mrs. Kraft". Howard was just seen in 1946's, "Dick Tracy vs Cueball"and followed this movie with 1947, "The Trouble with Women".
The Basic Screenplay for a Very Violent Motion Picture:
Robert Wise's motion picture is told in "The Third Person", by "San Francisco Socialite, Helen Brent". In an excellent combination of Wise's direction, the cinematography of Robert De Grasse, Wise's 1945, "The Body Snatcher", and the acting of Claire Trevor, kept controlled by Wise.
"Helen" has made the usual trip to Reno, Nevada, to get a quickie divorce. Waiting, "Helen" is a resident of "Mrs. Kraft's" boarding house and she meets a neighbor, "Laury Palmer", portrayed by Isabel Jewell.
"Laury" confides to "Helen" that she's accepted a date with a man she only met, named "Danny", portrayed by Tony Barrett. The purpose of the date is to incite jealousy in her real beau, "Sam Wilde". "Laury's" plan works only too well.
After "Sam" has seen the two together the evening of the date, as "Laury" wanted. Later, that same evening in her apartment, "Wilde" has been watching both from the shadows of another room, reveals himself, and bludgeons "Danny" to death.
"Sam Wilde" follows "Danny's murder, with "Laury's". Later, "Helen" discovers the bodies, and frightened over what she has found, flees to San Francisco, rather than reporting the murders to the police. There, she meets the self-assured "Sam", and is attracted to him. Neither "Helen", or "Sam" is aware that the other is involved with the double murders.
Back in Reno, "Mrs. Kraft" hires private investigator "Albert Arnett" to find "Laury's" killer. A few days pass and, unexpectedly, "Sam Wilder" shows up at the mansion that "Helen Brent" is staying. Which is owned by her foster sister, "Georgia Staples". Like "Helen", "Georgia" finds "Sam" very attractive.
"Sam," now tells "his friend", or (?), "Marty Waterman", that he plans to marry "Georgia" to gain access to her wealth and her father's major newspaper which she's the heir too. Adding, that his social status, from the marriage, would increase overnight. Along with giving power through the newspaper.
"Georgia" has accepted "Sam's" proposal and the wedding day is set. "Helen" is distraught over the wedding and tells "Sam" that she loves her sister, but hates her money. Just before the wedding is to take place. "Marty" travels to San Francisco to attend it, but unknown to him is that he's being shadowed by "Arnett".
"Arnett" has caught up with everyone and the questioning of the mansion staff leads him to "Helen Brent". Who reveals details about "Sam's" activities.
Next, "Georgia" and "Sam" fight over control of the newspaper, with her telling him that he has no experience to run it. He next admits to "Helen" that he didn't marry "Georgia" for love, adding that "Helen" has a similar relationship with her fiancé, "Fred Grover", and the two passionately kiss.
Overhearing a call to "Helen" from Reno, "Sam" now believes she's plotting against him. In actuality, "Helen" is bribing "Arnett" to leave "Sam" out of his murder investigation. However, "Mrs. Kraft" travels to San Francisco to meet with "Arnett".
"Marty" visits "Mrs. Kraft", before she leaves San Francisco. Without thinking, "Mrs. Kraft" reveals to
Marty" why she came from Reno and that she saw "Helen" with the bodies. After learning all of this, "Marty" convinces "Mrs. Kraft" to go with him to the sand dunes on the outskirts of San Francisco.
However, just before "Marty" can stab and kill "Mrs. Kraft", "Sam" appears, and kills "Marty".
The San Francisco police are interrogating the household, and "Helen" reluctantly supplies an alibi for "Sam". This is followed by "Helen" meeting "Mrs. Kraft", and she finally learns that "Sam" murdered "Laury". Quick thinking, "Helen" threatens "Mrs. Kraft's" life, if she says anything. The frightened "Mrs. Kraft" leaves to return to Reno, but as she walks out of the room, spits in "Helen's" face.
"Helen" goes to "Sam" and informs him that she will get the bribe money from her fiancé "Fred Grover". However, "Fred" cancels their engagement and accuses "Helen" of having lost her heart to "Sam", putting "Helen" into panic mode. Meeting "Arnett", he informs her that because she can't pay the bribe, the police will arrive soon to take "Sam". "Helen" goes to "Georgia" and tells her about the murders, but "Georgia" doesn't believe her about "Sam". In fact, "Georgia" accuses "Helen" of loving her only for her money,. which of course is false. To prove to her foster sister that "Sam" doesn't love her. When he enters the room, she goes to him, and they passionately kiss once more.
As "Georgia" listens, "Helen" proclaims to "Sam" that for the two of them to be happy, her foster sister must be eliminated. The police arrive, and "Georgia" reveals to "Sam", that it was "Helen" who had called them. "Sam" shoots "Helen" and is killed by the police.
The next day, "Arnett" reads that "Helen" was killed by "Sam".
Three years later, on September 18, 1950, Elisha Cook, Jr. made her first television appearance in Season One, Episode Two, of "Dick Tracy", starring Ralph Byrd. Byrd first portrayed the comic strip detective in the 1937, cliff-hanger, "Dick Tracy". I could not locate the episode title, or the character Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed. However, on October 16, 1950, the actor portrayed "Gadjets", in Season One, Episode Six, "Dick Tracy and the Stolen Emeralds".
Then Elisha Cook, Jr. was back in a motion picture with a psycho in it, but it wasn't who my reader would expect.
DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK premiered in New York City on July 18, 1952
The following is modified, from my article 'MARILYN MONROE: Mentally Unstable Babysitter and Misfit",
found at:
"Don't Bother To Knock" is interesting in its choice of British director Roy Ward Baker. Who directed the Sir John Mills World War 2 movie, "Operation Disaster". About a crew of a submarine trapped on the ocean's floor. In 1958, he would direct the excellent story of the "Titantic", "A Night to Remember", based upon Walter Lord's straight account of the sinking. Baker would go on to direct British Horror films.
The screenplay was by Daniel Taradash, another perfect choice. Prior to this picture, Taradash had written the screenplay for the Humphrey Bogart and John Derek 1949 drama
"Knock On Any Door". Along with director Fritz Lang's, 1952, Marlene Dietrich Western
"Rancho Notorious" and would follow this film with the screenplay's for 1953's,
"From Here to Eternity", and 1956's,
"Picnic".
The Cast:
Marilyn Monroe portrayed
"Nell Forbes".
Below
Richard Widmark portraying
"Jed Towers" and
Anne Bancroft portraying
"Lyn Lesley". This was the future Tony Award winning, Oscar nominated, actress's first motion picture.
The elevator operator,
"Eddie Forbes", was portrayed by the excellent character actor
Elisha Cook, Jr.
While, Jim Backus portrayed "Peter Jones" and Lurene Tuttle portrayed his wife "Ruth Jones".
Donna Corcoran portrayed "Bunny", the daughter of "Peter" and "Ruth". Donna Corcoran's younger sister, Noreen, played the daughter on television's "Bachelor Father" starring John Forsythe. Her younger brother, Kevin, was "Moochie" on several different Disney shows like
"The Adventures of Spin and Marty" and the original version of
"The Shaggy Dog". Then there was her even younger brother,
Kelly, who was on the Western television series
"The Road West" starring Barry Sullivan.
Verna Felton portrayed
"Emma Ballew". Felton appeared on both
"The Jack Benny Show" from its start on radio in 1939 to the end of its television run in 1963. She was also on the television series "December Bride", but her voice talents were used in animated features such as Walt Disney's, 1941, "Dumbo" as "Mrs. Jumbo". While 1951 heard her as "The Fairy Godmother" in "Cinderella" and the following year she voiced the "Queen of Hearts" in "Alice in Wonderland". Among other television voice roles including "The Flintstones".
Jeanne Cagney, younger sister of James, and director William, portrayed the hotel telephone operator "Rochelle".
The plot of the motion picture takes place entirely within the New York City McKinney Hotel. It opens with "Lyn Lesley", the hotel's bar singer, wondering if airline pilot "Jed Towers" will show up? She sent him a letter ending their six month affair, but still has feelings for him. He does, and she explains the reason she sent him the letter was because he lacks an understanding heart.
As the two are talking at the bar, in another part of the hotel, the elevator operator, "Eddie", introduces his very shy niece, "Nelly", to "Peter and Ruth Jones". "Nelly" could be a possible babysitter for their daughter "Bunny" that night. While her parents attention a function being held in the hotel's banquet room.
After "Bunny" is supposed to be asleep. "Nell" starts trying on her mothers lacy negligee and using her perfume.
Having seen "Nell" from his own room's open door earlier, located opposite of the room occupied by the "Jones Family". "Jed" calls her up and wants to come over, but she's not interested. Just as "Nell" puts down the receiver, "Eddie" shows up to check on how's she doing, and is appalled to find her wearing "Ruth's" clothing. "Eddie" orders "Nell" to take them off and tells his niece she can get such things by finding another boyfriend. The audience now learns that her former boyfriend was killed. After "Eddie" leaves, "Nell" calls "Jed" to come over.
"Nell" lies to "Jed", claiming she is a guest of the hotel, and is shocked to hear he's a pilot. Her boyfriend Phillip died in a plane crash. At this point, "Bunny" comes out of her room and tells "Jed" the truth about "Nell".
In a fury "Nell" grabs "Bunny" and violently shakes her and orders her back to bed. However, "Jed" comforts the girl and tells her she can stay up. As "Bunny" is looking out of the hotel room window. "Nell" appears to want to push her out of it, but "Jed" snatches the girl away. The incident is witnessed by long time hotel guest "Emma Ballew" from below.
"Nell" escorts "Bunny" back to bed and warns her that something could happen to her favorite toy, IF she causes "Nell" anymore trouble.
"Jed" has decided to go back to "Lyn", if she'll have him. "Nell" comes out of the bedroom and wants to kiss "Jed". He stops her, and notices scars on "Nell's" wrists. He is told she had attempted suicide after Phillip's death.
"Eddie" comes to the room to check on "Nell" and is upset, because she is still wearing "Ruth's' clothing. He also rubs the lipstick off her mouth and becomes suspicious that there might be somebody in the bathroom where "Jed" is hiding.
"Nell" grabs an ashtray and hits "Eddie" with it. Telling him he is acting like her repressive parents.
"Jed" emerges to attend to the elevator operator. Then things really come to a head as the suspicious "Emma Ballew" gets her husband, played by
Don Beddoe, to accompany her to the room. As they knock, "Eddie" convinces "Jed" to go into the bedroom to hide, and he goes into the closet. In the dark "Jed' doesn't notice that "Bunny" is gagged and tied up.
When the "Ballew's" see "Jed" exit from a door to the adjoining room. They assume that he's holding "Nell" and "Bunny" captive and go for the hotel detective. Back in the bar, "Jed" is telling "Lyn" about "Nell" and what had happened in the hotel room. Suddenly he realizes that "Bunny" was in the wrong bed and something isn't right. Meanwhile, "Nell" has finally completely lost reality, now believing "Jed" is "Phillip".
"Ruth" arrives at her hotel room, before "Jed". "Ruth" screams when she sees "Bunny" and grabs at "Nell". The two women are fighting as "Jed' arrives and pulls "Nell" away. When he goes to untie and free "Bunny". In the confusion that all of this is causing, "Eddie" also appears. "Nell" is able to slip away, as the hotel detective finally gets to the room.
"Eddie" reveals that is niece spent the last three years in a mental hospital, but he didn't want anyone to know out of fear of loosing his job. Downstairs, "Nell" steals some razor blades from the hotel lobby, and plans on committing suicide
Everyone has left the hotel room to find "Nell". They surround her in the hotel lobby and "Lyn" attempts to calm her down, but "Nell" removes one of the razor blades to use on herself. "Jed" starts speaking, and convinces "Nell" that he isn't Phillip, and to give him the blades. He then tells her to go with the police officers, when the arrive, so they can get her the help she needs. "Lyn" finally realizes that "Jed" has empathy and reconciles with him.
Elisha Cook, Jr. had 9th-billing portraying hot-tempered ex-Confederate homesteader "Frank 'Stonewall' Torrey" in his first Western. The "Academy Award" winning "SHANE", that premiered in New York City, on April 23, 1953.
At the semi-climatic turning point for gunslinger hero "Shane", portrayed by Alan Ladd, "Frank Torrey" calls out the hired killer, "Jack Wilson", portrayed by Jack Palance, and is gunned down.
Except for a Randolph Scott western, 1953's, "Thunder Over the Plains", Elisha Cook, Jr. was becoming a "Guest Star" on television programs.
On January 16, 1954, Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed private detective "Homer Garrity". Who along with Noel Neill's "Lois Lane", are captured by Richard Benedict's "Cappy Leonard", a blackmailer, and it's up to George Reeves's, "Superman", to stop Jack Larson's "Jimmy Olson's", episode title, "SEMI-PRIVATE EYE", from also getting caught by "Leonard", on televisions "The Adventures of Superman".
The actor continued appearing on early 1950's television programs. He was seen in episode's of several anthology program's, such as "The Ford Television Theatre", "Footlights Theatre", "The Motorola Television Hour", and "The Philip Morris Playhouse".
In 1954, Elisha Cook, Jr. appeared again with Alan Ladd in the western, "Drum Beat".
"Drum Beat" was apparently the first time Charles Buchinsky's was billed as Charles Bronson.
Elisha Cook, Jr. followed "Drum Beat" with the episode of "The Boy and the Hound Dog", January 16, 1955, of television's "Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok".
On February 4, 1955, in Missoula, Montana, a western from "Republic Pictures" was released entitled "Timberjack". I wouldn't be mentioning this movie, except that Elisha Cook, Jr. was billed in the very small print on the below poster, for the first time, as Elisha Cook - - - -
- - - - and he went right back to being Elisha Cook, Jr. in "The Case of the Elder Brother", February 10, 1955, on the forgotten television program, "Treasury Men in Action", 1950 through 1955, starring the equally forgotten, Walter Greaza.
Later, on December 21, 1955, Elisha Cook, Jr. once again was billed without the "Junior", with 9th-billing, portraying "Briggs", in the Kirk Douglas western, "The Indian Fighter". The motion picture claimed to introduce Italian actress Elsa Martinelli. However, she had appeared in two Italian feature films prior to this American western.
Above, Elisha Cook with Alan Hale, Jr. billed as Alan Hale, portraying "Will Crabtree", and Diana Douglas portraying "Susan Rodgers".
Three more television programs followed and then it was back to a classic Film-Noir.
THE KILLING premiered in New York City on May 19, 1956
This was the 6th-film directed by Stanley Kubrick, three of his first five were short subjects. The movie was a box office failure and critics, at time of release, were very mixed about the story and acting. However, Stanley Kubrick's next motion picture was 1957's, "Paths of Glory". Which co-producer and star Kirk Douglas was willing to gamble on. After seeing this motion picture and reading the proposed script. According to Quentin Tarantino, "The Killing", was his inspiration to make 1992's, "Reservoir Dogs".
The screenplay was based upon the novel "Clean Break", by Lionel White. It was written by Stanley Kubrick, with its hard hitting dialogue added by Jim Thompson. A novelist known for his "Hardboiled crime fiction".
Stanley Kubrick picked actors from his favorite Film-Noirs, rather than through the regular casting system. Here are the first 8-actors in credit order:
Sterling Hayden portrayed "Johnny Clay". In 1950, Hayden co-starred in the John Huston classic film-noir, "The Asphalt Jungle". In 1954, Sterling Hayden co-starred in "Suddenly", the film-noir starring Frank Sinatra, against character, as a gang leader waiting to assassinate "President Eisenhower".
Coleen Grey portrayed "Fay". Grey co-starred in the Henry Hathaway 1947 film-noir, "Kiss of Death", that introduced Richard Widmark. That same year, she co-starred with Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell in the film-noir "Nightmare Alley".
Vince Edwards portrayed "Val Cannon". The future television "Ben Casey", 1961 - 1966, had been seen in the film-noir 1954's, "Rogue Cop", starring Robert Taylor, Janet Leigh, and George Raft. He also was in the cast of the fictional film-noir based upon murderer Caryl Chessman, 1955's, "Cell 2455, Death Row". Which was Chessman's semi-autobiography.
Jay C. Flippen portrayed "Marvin Unger". Flippen was in director Nicholas Ray's, 1948 film-noir, "They Live By Night", Howard Hughes', 1952, film-noir, "The Las Vegas Story", and was the narrator for the Tony Curtis and Julie Adams film-noir, 1955's, "Six Bridges to Cross".
Ted de Corsia billed as Ted DeCorsia portrayed "Patrolman Randy Kennan". DeCorsia had been seen in the Humphrey Bogart, 1951 film-noir, "The Enforcer", the 1951 film-noir, "Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison", and the William Holden, Edmund O'Brien, and Alexis Smith, 1952 film-noir, "The Turning Point".
Marie Windsor portrayed "Sherry Peatty". Besides being in 1953's, 3-D, "Cat-Women of the Moon". Windsor was in the 1948 John Garfield, film-noir, "Force of Evil", the 1953 film-noir, "City That Never Sleeps", and the 1954 film-noir, "Hell's Half Acre".
Elisha Cook Jr. billed as Elisha Cook portrayed "George Peatty".
Joe Sawyer portrayed "Mike O'Reilly". Sawyer was one of the linemen in the 1953 science fiction 3-D classic, "It Came from Outer Space", and co-starred on televisions "The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin". However he was in three major crime dramas before the term Film-Noir was created, 1931's, "Public Enemy" starring James Cagney, director John Ford's, 1935, "The Informer", and 1936's, "The Petrified Forest", starring Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis. Joe Sawyer's first film-noir was 1936's, "Murder with Pictures" starring Lew Ayres, and he followed the feature with Humphrey Bogart's, 1937, "Dark Legion", and the same year's, "They Gave Him a Gun", starring Spencer Tracy.
The Basic Screenplay:
Career criminal "Johnny Clay" was just released from prison and immediately plans the heist of a thoroughbred race track with an estimated $2-million-dollar take. "Clay" goes to an old associate, "Marvin Unger", who will finance the heist and offers his apartment for a hide-out. "Unger" next gives "Johnny" the names and addresses of two of the tracks employees, cashier "George Peatty", and bar tender "Mike O'Reilly". Joining the plot is corrupt police officer, "Randy Kennan".
"George Peatty" is trapped in a loveless marriage with his materialistic wife, "Sherry", and makes the mistake of telling her about the plan. She in turn, tells her boyfriend "Val Cannon".
The five men of the plot, "Clay", "Unger", "Peatty", "O'Reilly", and "Kennan" sit around a table in the hide-out to discuss the heist.
"Johnny" reveals that there are two more men involved, very low paid, a sharpshooter to kill the favored horse, and a wrestler that will start a ruckus in the bar as a distraction. They discover "Sherry" eavesdropping on the planning. "Sherry" is taken to a bedroom and "Johnny Clay" orders her not to interfere any further, until the heist has been completed.
On the morning of the heist, "Marvin" expresses paternal feelings for "Johnny", and suggests the two go away together after the heist, but "Johnny" is not interested. He orders the others to stay away from the track until the heist has been completed.
Next, "Mike" smuggles a gun into the race track's locker room. As each man goes to their assigned place, "Marvin" appears at the track very drunk and causes a disturbance. However, the heist begins as planned, with the wrestler starting a fight in the bar that draws all the security guards away from the money room.
Like clockwork, "Johnny" puts on a mask, and enters that same money room.
"The Sharpshooter", portrayed by "Timothy Carey", shoots the winning horse, causing panic outside around the track and further confusing the security guards.
At that same moment, "Johnny" is having one of the money room employees loading several sacks with the cash in the safe.
As he gets away, "Johnny" tosses a sack of money out a car window, and "Randy" collects it.
The first thing goes wrong, as the sharpshooter attempts to get away, but his car runs over a horseshoe. One of the armed attendants tossed under his car's tires, and he is shot dead.
At the hide-out the others await "Johnny" with the money, but the second thing goes wrong. "Val" shows up with a man named "Tiny", portrayed by Joe Turkel billed as Joseph Turkel, both unaware that the money isn't there.
A shoot-out starts and "George Peatty", becomes the last man standing.
"George" stumbles outside of the hide-out as "Johnny" approaches in his car. "Johnny" realizes something is wrong and keeps on driving. "Johnny" stops to purchase a large suitcase, in a motel room, he transfers the money into it, but the third thing may have gone wrong. "Johnny" has a problem getting the suitcase securely locked. Meanwhile, "George" makes it to his apartment, kills "Sherry", and collapses from his wounds, dead!
At the airport, "Johnny" reunites with his girlfriend, "Fay", but because of the weight of the suitcase. The two fail to be able to take it on the airplane and have to check it in as regular luggage, out of their sight.
The suitcase is loaded onto a baggage cart and the driver heads for the waiting airplane. Somehow a dog appears in front of the baggage cart. The driver swerves to avoid hitting the dog, the suitcase drops off the cart with other luggage, but the locks don't hold. The suitcase opens, and from the turning propellers of another airplane, the cash is blown away by the wind they've created.
While attempting to leave, "Johnny Clay" is identified by the authorities and as "Fay" urges him to run, he calmly accepts his fate.
Another "B" Film-Noir, 1956's, "Accused of Murder", starring David Brian and Vera Ralston, plus 4-television appearances brought Elisha Cook, Jr., billed without the "Junior", to a 1957, Horror movie.
During 1957, with the pre-teen and teenage movie goer's. The independent studios were turning out such Horror classics as "I Was a Teenage Werewolf", "I Was a Teenage Frankenstein", "Teenage Monster", "From Hell It Came", "Attack of the Crab Monsters", "Voodoo Woman", "Zombies of Mara Tau", and, as, earlier in the decade there had been a "Son of", why not, "The Daughter of Dr. Jekyll"?
Should my reader prefer a Science Fiction classic, there was always, 1957's, "Plan 9 From Outer Space".
So, the idea of the following horror movie wasn't too farfetched:
VOODOO ISLAND aka: SILENT DEATH released in February 1957
The choice of Reginald Le Borg to direct made sense. He was the director of 1943's, "Calling Dr. Death", 1944's, "Weird Woman", 1944, "Jungle Woman", 1944's, "The Mummy's Ghost", 1944's,"Dead Man's Eyes", and, 1956's, "The Black Sleep".
The choice of Richard H. Landau to write the screenplay seemed perfect. He had written 1951's, "The Lost Continent", 1953's, "Space Ways", 1955's, "The Quatermass X-periment", and the always overlooked, 1957, "The Pharaoh's Curse", which was on the double-bill with this feature film.
The Cast:
Boris Karloff portrayed
"Philip Knight". Karloff's last horror movie was actually the comedy,
1953's, "Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". In
1958, he was in
"The Haunted Strangler", "Frankenstein 1970", and
"Corridors of Blood". My article is a look at the other
Karloff, "Boris Karloff: There Was More Than Horror Movies (January 15, 1919 to July 20, 1958)" found at:
Beverly Tyler portrayed "Sarah Adams". Tyler was a singer and stage actress that started out in motion pictures in 1943, under contract with "MGM", but that career went nowhere. Since 1950, her career (?) was basically minor roles on different television programs, it ended in 1961 with an episode of television's "Hazel".
Murvyn Vye portrayed "Barney Finch". Vye was a character actor whose first on-screen appearance was co-starring with Ray Milland and Marlene Dietrich, in the 1947 adventure comedy, "Golden Earrings". He followed that film with the Alan Ladd western, 1948's, "Whispering Smith", and after that picture. He portraying "Merlin", in Bing Crosby's, 1949, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", and in 1950, Vye basically switched to television appearances.
Elisha Cook portrayed "Martin Schuyler".
Rhodes Reason portrayed "Matthew Gun". Reason was appearing on television including his own series "White Hunter". My article is "REX AND RHODES REASON: Acting Brothers Often Confused By the Audience" unconfusing at:
Above, Boris Karloff is holding one of the "Voodoo Dolls", and the look of it should give my reader the reason this picture isn't remembered for him, or for that matter, Rhodes Reason.
Jean Engstrom portrayed "Claire Winter". Engstrom wanted to be a singer, but a crushed breastplate from a car accident ended that dream and she started appearing in regional theatre. She was basically a television actress starting in 1954, but besides this horror entry. Jean Engstrom was also in the far better science fiction entry, 1958's, "The Space Children".
Owen Cunningham portrayed "Howard Carlton". This was his first on-screen appearance and until the end of his career in 1978, Owen appeared primarily on television with only two other motion pictures.
Above, Murvyn Vye on the left with Owen Cunningham.
The Cult (?) Screenplay:
The full, possibly $150,000, budget is visible on-screen of this too much talking and too less horror entry filmed in Kaua'i, Hawaii, in October 1956.
The basic concept is that multi-millionaire industrialist "Harold Carlton" wants to build a luxury hotel on a deserted tropical island. He had sent a crew of engineers and architects to check out the island, but the only one who returns is "Mitchell", portrayed by Glenn Dixon. The problem is that he's in a zombie-like-trance.
Of course this does not stop "Carlton", as he has spent millions on his project. He phones the famous hoax-debunker, "Philip Knight", and the industrialist explains the situation. As the two speak, the phone goes dead, a blossoming plant in "Carlton's" office, wilts and drips blood.
"Carlton" will not go to the island with "Knight", but his right hand man, "Barney Finch", "Claire Winter", and "Knight's" research assistant, "Sarah Adams", will make-up the team. "Knight" takes "Mitchell", believing the trip may break his trance. Which brings "Mitchell's" physician, "Dr. Wilding", portrayed by Herbert Patterson, to care for him. The group takes commercial air to Hawaii and transfers to a private plane owned by "Harold Carlton".
Bad weather and weird problems with their radio equipment force the group to land on another island. There, the audience and "Knight's" group meet the future television, "Bruce Wayne", Adam West, below left, in his first on-screen role as a radio weatherman for aircraft.
On this island, there is a spike in "Mitchell's" blood pressure effecting his ability to get up and walk. While strange static interference causes further radio problems. Finally, the group departs after the weather clears, and the strange radio static suddenly just stops. Next, they land on Wake Island, the closest island to the one the hotel is to be built upon.
On Wake are two Americans, one is the heavy drinking former Navy boat captain, "Matthew Gunn". The other is a trading post owner, "Martin Schuyler". Who plans to build another on "Carlton's" island and profit from the tourist traffic from "Carlton's" hotel.
That night on Wake Island, "Mitchell" crawls away from the group and dies. When his body is found, his finger is pointing toward the island, 4-miles away, the "Harold Carlton" plans to purchase. With no need to stay, "Dr. Wilding" leaves Wake for the city to perform an autopsy on "Mitchell". The others head for the island on "Gunn's" boat.
When the group finally reaches the island, the feature has been running for 41-minutes. Which is important, because I have found the total running time listed as 72-minutes, 77-minutes, and 82-minutes, take your pick.
The group now eats up more time, walking through the jungle, moving across streams, without voodoo action. Although every so-often the audience sees natives watching the group from above them in the trees.
At 55-minutes, "Claire", who has made suggestively lesbian passes at "Sarah", discovers the other is more interested in "Matthew". "Claire" goes looking for a location for the hotel and at a beautiful waterfall, becomes the first one killed by a man, oops. woman, eating plant.
Next, "Barney Finch" hears a little girl cry and goes to investigate. The audience already saw the girl encounter a different kind of man eating plant and it attacks her. As "Barney" watches, the last part of the girl and her dress are eaten by the plant, and his mind snaps.
While, "Philip Knight" stops "Martin Schuyler" from making their situation worse with the local natives who have now shown themselves.
At 68-minutes the "Chief of the Island", portrayed by Frederich Ledebur, with a German accent, tells the others the history of the natives going back 50-years.
"Philip" starts to bargain with the chief to save the lives of "Sarah", "Matthew", "Martin", "Barney", and himself. However, greedy "Martin Schuyler" thinks he'll be cheated out of the wealth he'll make with the hotel if the Chief accepts "Knight's" offer. He ruins everything as the natives bring in zombie-like "Barney".
They're all put in a hut under guard and each has their hands tied to another. Morning comes, 72-minutes into the movie, and instead of "Martin" tied is a Voodoo Doll. There is no guard, "Knight" tells "Matthew" and "Sarah" to stay in the hut and he goes looking for "Martin". "Schuyler" is standing on a rope bridge, but dances as like a puppet on a string and tells "Knight" he isn't doing that.
Suddenly, materializing on the bridge is his voodoo doll, "Martin" screams, and goes over the bridge into the water, disappears, as does the doll.
The Chief comes up behind "Philip Knight" and "Knight" tells the other he never believed voodoo existed, but now he does. As the other three are brought to him by natives. The Chief tells the four that natives will guide them out of the jungle and have a safe journey.
The total running time of the version I watched was 78-minutes.
Back in 1945, Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed fictional gangster "Kirk Otto", in "Dillinger". Now, on December 11, 1957, the audience saw the actor as a real member of the ""John Dillinger" gang, Homer van Meter in
"Baby Face Nelson", starred Mickey Rooney in the title role, and was directed by Don Siegel. The motion picture would start a string of 1930's, 1940's, gangster movies that I look at in my article "1957 TO 1961 HOLLYWOOD GANGSTER MOTION PICTURES VS REALITY" at:
Above, Mickey Rooney as "Baby Face Nelson" and Elisha Cook, Jr. as "Homer van Meter".
To illustrate the type of television roles Elisha Cook, Jr. was being offered. Between "Baby Face Nelson" and his next motion picture. The actor appeared portraying "Clint Serle", in "The Trail", February 28, 1958, Season One, Episode Twenty, on Robert Culp's western series, "Trackdown". While April 6, 1958, saw the actor as "Charlie Pulaski, on the long forgotten dramatic anthology series, "Panic!", Season Two, Episode One. Next in Season Seven, Episode Thirty-Eight, of the anthology series the "Schlitz Playhouse", in "Curfew at Midnight", Elisha Cook portrayed "Goon #1". Then he was "Pete Sheeley", in "Double Showdown", Episode One, Season One, of Gene Barry's new western television series "Bat Masterton", on October 8, 1958.
HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL premiered in San Francisco on January 14, 1959
The motion picture was produced and directed by William Castle. Besides his television work, Castle had produced and directed his first "Gimmick" movie, 1958's, "Macabre". My article is "A Tale of WILLIAM CASTLE the Motion Picture 'GIMMICK KING" to read with the lights out at:
The following photograph is of the actual "House on Haunted Hill" used for the exterior shots. In reality, this was a 1924 house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright for Charles and Mabel Ennis. It is both a United States and Los Angeles historical site, located at 2607 Glendower Avenue, the Los Felix section, of Los Angeles.
The original story and screenplay were by Robb White. He also wrote the screenplays for William Castle's, 1958, "Macabre", 1959, "The Tingler", the 1960's original, "13 Ghosts" and be sure to have your "Ghost Viewer" handy, and 1961's, "Homicidal" one of the many Alfred Hitchcock inspired rip-offs filmed around the world.
The Host's and Guests:
Vincent Price portrayed "Frederick Loren". Price had just appeared in "The Moor's Revenge", a December 27, 1958 episode, of Richard Boone's television series, "Have Gun - Will Travel". Starting in 1960, "Dear Vincent", would become associated with a series of motion picture based upon the works of Edgar Allan Poe. My article about those motion picture's is "Quoth 'The Raven': RODGER CORMAN" at:
Carol Ohmart portrayed "Annabelle Loren". This was only 1 of the 6-motion pictures that Ohmart appeared in, her other 48-roles were on television.
Richard Long portrayed "Lance Shroeder". Long's first television series, "Bourbon Street Beat" started in the following October for 39-episodes, his next television series, "The Big Valley", started on September 15, 1965 for 112-episodes, and his 3rd television series, "Nanny and the Professor", started on January 21, 1970 for 54-episodes.
Alan Marshall portrayed "Dr. David Trent". Marshall was born in Australia and began his career as a stage actor. He came to Hollywood and started a film career with 8th-billing in the Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer, 1936,"The Garden of Allah". Marshall appeared as "Captain Phoebus" in 1939's, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara, and that same year, had 4th-billing in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. However, in 1950, Alan Marshall switched primarily to television dramatic series.
Carolyn Craig portrayed "Nora Manning". Craig's first role was in the long forgotten 1955 made-for-television motion picture, "Edgar Allan Poe at West Point". She continued appearing on television until her first motion picture, the 1957 western, "Fury at Showdown", co-starring with John Derek and John Smith, then it was back to television for a total career of 50-roles ending in 1967.
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Watson Pritchard".
Julie Mitchum portrayed "Ruth Bridges". Mitchum was the sister of actor Robert Mitchum, and this was her 8th-motion picture and her last. She was a singer and piano player who entertained the troops during the Second World War. Julie Mitchum had her own television show during the early 1950's, on KLAC-TV, before it officially became KCOP-TV, Channel 13, in the Los Angeles television market.
Leona Anderson portrayed "Mrs. Slydes". Anderson started her short on-screen career in silents between 1915 and 1922. She was the youngest sister of the first motion picture Cowboy star, Broncho Billy Anderson, and appeared with her brother in 1915's, "Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife". In nightclubs around the United States, Leona Anderson was known as a "Camp Singer" that wasn't afraid of being the butt of jokes. In 1953, Anderson revived her comic singing career on televisions "The Ernie Kovacs Show".
Above, Leona is getting the gist of what director William Castle wants for that great fright scene.
Howard Hoffman portrayed "Jonas Slydes". Hoffman's first on-screen appearance was in the 1945 made-for-television movie, "Marriage Proposal". All 29 of his roles were on television, his last in 1967. I could not locate any other information about the actor.
The Scream Play, or Let the Fun Begin:
The movie opens as a group of five funeral cars are moving along a road to the front entrance of the "House on Haunted Hill". Over the cars two floating heads appear, one of Vincent Price, one of Elisha Cook, Jr.
Cook tells the audience the history of the house and about the Ghost's that haunt it.
The ghosts are moving tonight, restless… hungry. May I introduce myself? I’m Watson Pritchard. In just a moment I’ll show you the only really haunted house in the world. Since it was built a century ago, seven people including my brother have been murdered in it, since then, I own the house. I’ve only spent one night there and when they found me in the morning, I… I was almost dead.
Price introduces himself to the viewing audience as "Frederick Loren", and that he is throwing a party for his wife. Although she doesn't know even one of the guest's her husband has invited, but each of these "Guest's" are in need of money
The "Guests" are introduced with their backgrounds, as the audience sees each in their funeral cars:
Test pilot, "Lance Schroeder", newspaper columnist "Ruth Bridges, psychiatrist "David Trent", a worker from one of multimillionaire "Loren's" many companies, "Nora Manning", and the owner of the house, the previously seen"Watson Pritchard".
At midnight, the solid metal doors will be locked by the servant's, as they leave for the night, and the windows are all barred. No one will be able to leave the house until the servants return in the morning. One other point, there are no phones, and this is pre-cell phone 1959. So, once the doors are locked, there is no way any of "Loren's Wife's (?) Guest's" can communicate outside of the house and ask for help!
There is also mentioned that should each "Guest" remain until morning, they will each get $10,000,
equal from inflation, as I write this article, to $110,238.
The "Guest's" are downstairs talking among themselves, and upstairs, the audience learns that "Annabelle Loren" doesn't plan to leave her room and is upset over this "Party" with people she doesn't know.
However, "Frederick" seems to threaten her, should she not attend the party and leaves.
Downstairs as the other's talk and discover none of them has ever seen, let alone met, their host. "Watson Pritchard" is asked to speak to the murders. He shows them the large knife that was used in two murders, where the bodies were found headless and the head's never found.
Then what appears to be blood drips on one of "Ruth Bridges's" hands and "Pritchard" looks up at what he says is dried blood on the ceiling, but it appears wet. It is passed over as a plumping leak by everyone, but "Watson".
"Frederick Loren" enters the room and introduces himself and excuses his wife for not being with him. He asks "Pritchard" to take the group on a tour of the house. In the basement, "Watson" shows them a vat of acid that a previous resident of the house used to depose of his wife after killing her. Asked if there's still acid in it, he finds a dead rat in a trap and drops the rat's body into the still active acid.
"Nora" excuses herself and goes upstairs to find her room. "Annabelle Loren" comes out of hers, introduces herself, and shows the other her room. Inside, "Annabelle" warns "Nora" about "Frederick", telling the other that he's up to something.
At the same time, the others are discussing murder, and "Loren" remarks:
While the other's continue to talk. "Nora" has come down and with "Lance", decide to explore the house and go down to the basement.
The two find a dark room that is smaller inside than outside, and "Lance" re-enters it, only to have the door lock him in. "Nora" starts to look for him and enters another dark room, in which she is frightened by "A Ghost".
"Nora" in a panic goes back upstairs and tells everyone that something happened to "Lance" and he's in a locked room. They all go to the basement, but the door to the room "Lance" entered is now unlocked and they find him unconscious. He is helped by "Frederick" and "Trent" and the psychiatrist treats the wound on "Lance's" head. "Annabelle Loren" makes her grand entrance. Next, "Nora" reacts to a couple standing in the hall and one is her ghost. "Frederick" introduces the servants and comments that "Mrs. Slydes" is blind.
"Annabelle" gets "Lance" away from the others to speak to him. According to "Annabelle", "Frederick" murdered his second and third wife, and his first, simply disappeared. She tells "Lance" she fears he is up to something tonight.
"Frederick" reveals that any party must have party favors and in this case, they're loaded pistols in small coffins. He asked are they really loaded, and he takes one and shoots a vase across the room.
"Annabelle" doesn't want hers, but "Fredrick" reminds his wife this was her idea and she takes the pistol.
Going back to the security of her room, "Nora" opens her cosmetic case and finds one of the heads of the two murdered people.
Again, the panic "Nora" gets everyone to come back to her room to show them the head, but when "Watson Pritchard" opens the case, it's gone. Did she imagine it?
"Lance" has gone upstairs to "Nora's" room, searching, finds the head, and comes downstairs holding the fake head.
SPOILER ALERT FOR THAT ONE PERSON ON EARTH WHO HAS NEVER SEEN THIS MOTION PICTURE!
"Nora" wants out of the house and accompanied by "Fredrick Lorne" and the others goes to the front door, but It's Locked and the clock shows only 11:55 PM! The servant's, for some unexplained reason, have left five-minutes earlier than they were told too. "Nora" is trapped for the night along with the others.
Later, there's a scream and "Lance" and "Dr. Trent" run toward it and find "Annabelle Lorne" has committed suicide by hanging herself. The two men take "Annabelle's" body down and place it on her bed in her room.
However, there was no way "Annabelle" could have hung herself, as there was nothing for her to have been standing upon. Which one of the remaining "Guest's" is the murderer?
"Nora" finds "Lance" and claims an unseen strangler left her for dead.
Based on "Annabelle's" warning to "Lance", the two believe the murderer is "Frederick". "Lance" tells "Nora" to stay out of sight in her room, locking the door, and let her attacker think she is dead.
Next, "Lance" and "David" tell everyone else to stay in their rooms and if somebody comes in, shoot them. Because, if you're innocent, you would not be out of your room, and the murderer would be admitting guilt by being out of their room.
The ghost of "Annabelle Loren" now appears outside the window of "Nora Manning's" room.
In complete terror, "Nora" takes her gun and heads for the basement. "David" speaks to "Frederick" and concludes the killer is about and the two should spilt up and search the house. Meanwhile, "Lance" discovers a secret room at the end of the second floor hall, but after entering, the door closes and he's locked inside.
While, "Frederick" heads down to the first floor as agreed, "David" instead of searching the second floor, just enters "Annabelle's" room. He approaches the bed with "Annabelle's" body on it, but suddenly she awakes and is happy to see him.
The lovers plan is almost complete. "Frederick" is heading for the basement and the frightened "Nora", who believes he's the killer, is there with a loaded pistol. "Frederick" enters the basement with his pistol in his hand, she sees him, fires and kills the other. The still frightened young woman leaves the basement, as "Dr. David Trent" enters to dispose of the body of "Frederick Loren".
SUDDENLY, THE LIGHTS GO OUT!
The lights are back on and "Annabelle" now enters the basement to confirm the death of her husband. However, there is no body, and no "David". As she looks around, from the vat of acid rises a skeleton.
The skeleton next turns toward the audience and walks toward the camera - - --
The following is modified from my linked article about producer and director William Castle:
Once more I stood in line at the Van Nuys Theater. When I entered to take my seat. In the far right corner, by the movie screen and the emergency exit door, was a curtained off area that did not belong there, with a wire line coming out and over the seats. The other end of this wire was attached to the left side wall several rows behind mine by the door I had just entered through. Already the theater staff were having problems with kids gathering around that curtain to look up to see what it might hold, and of course, out of curiosity, I joined them.
A lighted plastic skeleton with flaming red eyes moved over the audience and I don’t remember if we laughed, or just stared. The skeleton reached a point over the center of the audience and then started backing up and returned behind the curtain.
On screen Vincent Price, on cue, emerges from a corner where he was hiding. Revealing that the skeleton that caused his wife’s death was really some giant marionette.
A problem developed for the theaters showing the film in “Emergo”. Popcorn boxes and Junior Mints made fine objects to toss at the skeleton once word of it got out. Some theaters either stopped using the system, took it down, or they only used it for evening performances when parents escorted their children.
After "Nora", "Watson", and "Ruth", release "Lance" from the secret room. "Nora" admits that she shot and killed "Frederick", but when the group goes to the basement. They find him alive and well, and he starts his explanation telling "Nora" that her gun was always filled with blanks. He adds that "Annabelle" and "David" had been plotting to kill him, so she could inherit his fortune. However, he was aware of the plot and this party was a set-up to kill them. Both their bodies are in the vat of acid, and "Frederick Loren" is ready for justice to decide if he is really guilty, or innocent?
The movie ends with "Watson Pritchard" convinced that there are now two new ghosts for the "House on Haunted Hill", and that the other spirits had manipulated all the events that have transpired.
Elisha Cook, Jr. would follow "House on Haunted Hill" with the episode, "The Trouble at Drill Hill", February 20, 1959, Season One, Episode Six, on the Michael Rennie television series, "The Third Man". Next, released in London, England, on May 14, 1959, was the Robert Ryan, Burl Ives, and Tina Louise, "B' western feature film, "Day of the Outlaw", Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Larry Teter".
That the actor didn't appear again for five-months, until Season Two, Episode Three, of Gene Barry's, "Bat Masterson", released on October 22, 1959, "No Funeral for Thorn", as "Thorn Loomis". Followed on October 29, 1959, would see Season One, Episode Seven, of John Cassavetes one-season television show, "Johnny Staccato, the Jazz Detective", entitled "Evil", portraying "Conrad".
It wouldn't be until February 11, 1960, before the actor was next seen. This was his second appearance on John Cassavetes, "Johnny Staccato, the Jazz Detective", in Episode Twenty-Two, "Solomon", portraying "Solomon Bradshaw". Which was followed by an episode, "The Long Odds", February 16, 1960, on Mike Connors, television's series, "Tightrope", and except for the occasional motion picture, television now became Elisha Cook's acting venue.
During 1960, the actor appeared in two motion pictures that were reflective of the year they were released, and what actors looking for any type of work appeared in.
The first motion picture was:
"Platinum High School" released on May 13, 1960
Elisha Cook had 12th-billing portraying "Harry Nesbit".
The second motion picture was:
"College Confidential" premiering in Detroit, Michigan, on August 5, 1960
Above, 15th-billed, Elisha Cook portraying "Ted Blake", Pamela Mason, at the time still married to James Mason portraying "Edna Blake", and Mamie Van Doren, one of the first Marilyn Monroe clones portraying "Sally Blake".
Out of Elisha Cook, Jr's next 13-roles, only portraying "Carvey", with 10th-billing, in actor and director, Marlon Brando's, 1961 western, "One-Eyed Jacks", was a motion picture. Which, in turn, was followed by 17-other roles, with only 4-being in motion pictures. Of those 4, 2-were horror entries, one not so classic, and one based on two classic pieces of horror literature.
BLACK ZOO premiered in Brooklyn, New York, on May 8, 1963
The motion picture was produced by Herman Cohen, known for the late 1950's teenage monster movie craze. Such as both, 1957's, "I Was a Teenage Werewolf", and "I Was a Teenage Frankenstein".
My article is "I Was a Teenage HERMAN COHEN: Horror, and Science Fiction, on a 50 Cent Budget" spent at:
The screenplay was written by Herman Cohen and his writing partner Aben Kandel, see the above link.
Michael Gough portrayed "Michael Conrad", the leader of a cult of big cat worshipers that hypnotizes his animals, in his private zoo, to kill people he dislikes. The actor had starred in two other Herman Cohen motion pictures, 1959's, "Horrors of the Black Museum", and 1961's, "Konga". Gough had just been seen in "Hammer Films", 1962, version of Gaston Leroux's, "The Phantom of the Opera", moved from Paris, France, to London, England. In 1989, he portrayed "Alfred Pennyworth", in director Tim Burton's "Batman", and would repeat the role two more times.
Elisha Cook had 6th-billing, and portrayed "Joe". "Joe" cleans the zoo cages and grounds. He is killed by "Conrad", by being pushed into the lion's cage.
There is little information about the motion picture, and the most concise comes from:
The British, "Monthly Bulletin", January 1, 1963, which would indicate that the film was released in the United Kingdom 5-months before its Brooklyn, New York, premier.
As a macabre essay, this has some unusual moments, notably the scenes showing the wild menagerie draped around the living-room furniture; but as a whole it suffers from an extravagant and rather silly script, and from Michael Gough's (perhaps inevitable) overplaying in the central role. Jeanne Cooper is rather fetching as his wife
THE HAUNTED PALACE premiered in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 28, 1963
The screenplay was adapted from the works of two writers.
H. P. Lovecraft's "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward" was written in 1927, but not published until 1941, after the author's death. "Charles Dexter Ward" is one of Lovecraft's autobiographical characters with some of William Lippit Mauran included.
The motion picture was directed by Rodger Corman. Corman had just directed "X-the Man with the X-Ray Eyes", and followed this feature film with 1964's, "The Masque of the Red Death". My article is "Rodger Corman: 4 Westerns, 3 Aliens, a Gangster, Viking Women, the Beat Generation, and the End of the World" all at:
The actual screenplay was written by Charles Beaumont, 1958', "Queen of Outer Space", 1962's, "The Premature Burial", 1964's, "7 Faces of Dr. Lao"and 1964's, "The Masque of the Red Death".
At the time, Roger Corman wanted to do something other than another Edgar Allan Poe story and with screenplay writer Charles Beaumont. The two chose H.P. Lovecraft's "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward".
However, the executives at "American International Pictures", thinking box office receipts, wanted another Edgar Allan Poe tale. Against Corman's wishes, the "AIP" executives had the title changed to an obscure 1839 poem, to add Poe's name to the film, and instructed Beaumont to have Vincent Price read from the poem as cover for the new title.
As a result the actor reads just the last four lines, below, of Poe's six stanza poem. That was broken into two scenes to complete it:
And travelers now within that valley though the red-litten windows see vast forms that move fantastically to a discordant melody..While, like a ghastly rapid river, through the pale door, a hideous throng rush out forever and laugh - But smile no more.
Additional dialogue comes from the uncredited Francis Ford Coppola.
Vincent Price portrayed both "Charles Dexter Ward" and "Joseph Curwen". Price had just portrayed "Big Daddy", in the original 1963, "Beach Party". He would follow this motion picture with 1963's, Nathaniel Hawthrone's, "Twice Told Tales".
Debra Paget portrayed "Ann Ward". Paget had just been seen in the "Case of M. Valdemar" segment of 1962's, "Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Terror". After this, her last motion picture, the actress became a "born again Christian", and hosted her own television show on the "Trinity Broadcast Network".
Lon Chaney Jr. billed as Lon Chaney portrayed "Simon Orne". Chaney was last seen in "Hidden Asset", portraying "Bart Howe", in Season One, Episode Twenty-Six, of television's "Empire", March 26, 1963. He followed this feature film with "Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are", portraying "Poppa Duplessis", in Season Four, Episode Three, of televisions "Route 66". My article is "LON CHANEY, JR: 'OF MICE AND WEREWOLVES" to be read by the full moon at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/05/lon-chaney-jr-of-mice-and-werewolves.html
Frank Maxwell portrayed "Priam Willet" and "Dr. Marinus Willet". Maxwell was still appearing on the forgotten "American Broadcasting Company (ABC)" television series, "Our Man Higgins". He followed this motion picture appearing in "The Man with the Power", Season One, Episode Four, October 7, 1963, on televisions "The Outer Limits".
Leo Gordon, below center, portrayed "Ezra Weeden" and "Edgar Weedeen". The actor, screenplay writer, and director, had just been seen in "Which Way'd They Go?", Season Five, Episode Twenty-Five, April 1, 1963, on televisions "The Rifleman". Gordon followed this motion picture with "Toll the Bell Slowly", October 17, 1963, Season One, Episode Four, on the television series, "Temple Houston".
Elisha Cook Jr. billed as Elisha Cook, portrayed "Micah Smith" and "Peter Smith".
The Basic Screenplay's Set-Up:
The setting is very familiar to readers of the works of H. P. Lovecraft, "Arkham, Massachusetts. The year is 1765, and the town's residents fear the "Grand Palace" that overlooks "Arkham". It is their belief that the "Palace's" owner, "Joseph Curwen" is a warlock. A local girl wanders up to the "Palace" and becomes part of a ritual that rises something living in a pit. Next, she is found and although the girl appears normal, the townspeople under the leadership of "Ezra Weeden" storm the "Palace" and take "Curwen" to be burned at a stake. Before he is burned alive, "Joseph Curwen" curses the townspeople of "Arkham" and their descendants.
Move forward to 1875, 110-years later, and the arrival of "Joseph Curwen's" great-great grandson, "Charles Dexter Ward" and his wife "Anne". The couple move into the "Grand Palace" and don't understand the current residents hostility toward them and are shocked by the deformities of some of the townspeople.
What is the connection to "Charles" and the portrait of "Joseph"?
This is a very good movie and it's a shame that "AIP" didn't give the proper credit to H. P. Lovecraft. However, reviews have all demoted Edgar Allan Poe's contribution and raised Lovecraft's.
Buried at 19th-billing, Elisha Cook portrayed a gangster called "Undertaker" in the 1963, "Neo-Noir", the style of "Film-Noir" made after the 1950's, "Johnny Cool". A gangster movie starring Henry Silva and Elizabeth Montgomery, a year before she became "Bewitched". Note the cast, this was because the producer was Frank Sinatra's "Rat Pack" member, Peter Lawford.
"Blogger's" privilege, as I mentioned Elisha Cook had 243-roles in his career. So, I am not going into detail about the next 18-television-roles he appeared in, move to February 2, 1967, and - - - -
SPACE THE FINAL FRONTIER!
STAR TREK, Season One, Episode Twenty: "Court Martial", first shown on February 2, 1967
The teleplay was written by Don Mankiewicz credited as Don M. Mankiewicz. He was born in Berlin, Germany, and his father was screenplay writer Herman Mankiewicz, and his uncle was film director Joseph Mankiewicz. He was one of the two "Academy Award Nominated" writers for the Susan Hayward, 1958 motion picture, "I Want to Live".
William Shatner portrayed "Captain James Tiberius Kirk". Shatner was "Captain Bob" in 1954, on the Canadian version of the "Howdy Doody Show". In 1963, in a made for television movie William Shatner starred as "Alexander the Great", and Adam West portrayed "Cleander". In 1972, Shatner was "Stapelton and Sir Hugo Baskerville", in a made for television version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, "The Hound of the Baskervilles".
Leonard Nimoy portrayed "Mr. Spock". Nimoy was the Martian, "Narab", in the 1952 cliff-hanger, "Zombies of the Stratosphere", and a "Army Sergeant", in 1954's, "THEM!". He also was "Professor Cole", in 1958's, "The Brain Eaters".
DeForet Kelley portrayed "Dr. McCoy". Kelley portrayed "Morgan Earp" in director John Sturges, 1957, "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral", and was part of the cast of the epic, 1957, "Raintree County", starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Eva Marie Saint. During the 1950's, the actors seemed to find himself in westerns.
Percy Rodrigues billed as Percy Rodriguez portrayed "Portmaster Commodore Stone". Television actor Rodriques had just been seen in Season Three, Episode Fourteen, "The My Friend the Gorilla Affair", December 16, 1966, on "The Man from U. N. C. L. E.". He followed this program with "Passage to Helena", March 7, 1967, Season Four, Episode Twenty-Three, on "The Fugitive".
Elisha Cook portrayed "Attorney Samuel T. Cogley, Esq.". Cook had just been seen in "To Break a Colt", Season One, Episode Eighteen, on "The Monroes", January 11, 1967.
Richard Webb portrayed "Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Finney". From 1954 through 1956, Webb was television's "Captain Midnight". Who got many of us kids to drink "Ovaltine" to get that inner seal and have our parents send it, with some money, to get the "Official Captain Midnight Decorder Ring". Which mainly has us decoding messages that told us to drink "Ovaltine", the program's sponsor.
The Basic Teleplay:
The "U.S.S. Enterprise" is at "Starbase 11" for repairs after an ion storm. During the storm, "Captain Kirk" was forced to eject a research pod containing "Lieutenant Commander Finney" to prevent the destruction of the ship. A search party was unable to find "Finney". "Postmaster Commodore Stone", commander of "Starbase 11", reviewed the "Enterprise's" log and finds a discrepancy in "Captain Kirk's" statements. The log shows the ship was at "Yellow Alert", but "Kirk" claimed it was at "Red Alert". "Stone" accuses "Kirk" of perjury and tells him that his answers may be subject to a court martial.
In private, when "Stone" asks "Kirk", if there's anything between him and "Finney". He is told that the two served together on the "U.S.S. Republic", and "Kirk" reported "Finney" for making a mistake. Which resulted in the other being reprimanded and sent to the bottom of the promotional list. "Commodore Stone" asks "Captain Kirk" to voluntarily step-down, but instead, "Kirk" wants a trial.
The court martial takes place with "Attorney Samuel T. Cogley, Esq." representing "Captain Kirk".
"Lieutenant Commander Finney's" daughter, "Jame Finney", portrayed by Alice Rawlings. is observing during the trial.
Both "Mr. Spock" and "Dr. McCoy" testify on behalf of "Captain Kirk", but both have to admit that his testimony contradicts the infallible computer logs. Then "Kirk" comes up with a possibility not mentioned in court and asked that the trial be transferred to the bridge of the "Enterprise". The request is granted, and as "Kirk" passes "Mr. Spock" in court, he mentions the "Spock" should play another game of 3-D Chess.
Called back to the stand on the "Enterprise", "Spock" states that playing "3-D Chess" against the "Enterprise's" computer, he has never won a game, but now he can't lose. The logical explanation is that somebody has tempered with the ship's computer. There are only three people who had access prior to, and during the ion storm, "Kirk", "Spock", and "Finney".
"Attorney Samuel T. Cogley, Esq." states the logical explanation, "Lieutenant Commander Finney" is alive and getting his revenge upon "Captain James Tiberius Kirk" - - - -
Next, it was:
HOLY BAT CRAP, BATMAN!
BATMAN, Season Two, Episode Fifty-Nine: "Ice Spy", March 29, 1967
BATMAN, Season Two, Episode Sixty: "The Duo Defy", March 30, 1967
The two teleplays were written by Charles Hoffman, who wrote 22-episodes of the television series. He also wrote the 2020, "Batman '66 Meets the Green Hornet", or more correctly a script blending episodes of television's "Batman", with episodes of television's 1967, "Green Hornet", into a single story line.
Adam West portrayed "Bruce Wayne" aka: "Batman". In 1964, West portrayed "Colonel Dan McReady" in the cult science fiction "Robinson Crusoe on Mars". On January 12, 1966, he first became television's "Batman" in Season One, Episode One, "Hi Diddle Riddle", with the first appearance of Frank Gorshin portraying "The Riddler".
Burt Ward portrayed "Dick Grayson" aka: "Robin". His first on-screen role was in "Hi Diddle Riddle".
Eli Wallach portrayed "Mr. Freeze". Among the actor's motion pictures are 1960's, "The Magnificent Seven", 1961's, "The Misfits", 1965's, "Lord Jim", and 1966's, "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly".
Leslie Parish portrayed "Emma Struck" aka: "Glacia Glaze". Parish was "Daisy Mae" in the 1959 movie musical "Li'l Abner" based upon the 1956 Broadway Play, "Iris Murphy" in 1961's, "Portrait of a Mobster", and "Jocelyn Jordan" in the original 1962, "The Manchurian Candidate"
Elisha Cook portrayed "Professor Isaacson". Elisha Cook followed this television program with the Henry Fonda and Janice Rule western, 1967's, "Welcome to Hard Times".
The Bat-Play:
The luxury liner the "Gotham Queen" is carrying two important personages. They are "Professor Isaacson", and the world renowned ice skating queen, "Glacia Glaze". The liner hits an iceberg that turns out to be the floating hide-out of "Mr. Freeze" and he captures the professor and "Miss Glaze". However, "Glacia" is actually an accomplice of "Mr. Freeze" and the two want "Professor Isaacson" to reveal his formula for a secret ice making ray, but the professor refuses.
Will"Batman" and "Robin" save the professor? Turn in tomorrow on your favorite "Bat Channel".
In February 1968, Elisha Cook, Jr. and his wife Elvira Ann (Peggy) Cook divorced.
Four-Months later, Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Mr. Nicklas", the apartment house manager of the Neo-Renaissance "Bramford", in Manhattan. For this motion picture, the actor was reunited with Producer William Castle, in a story of a young married couple, the "Woodhouse's", portrayed by Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes. The screenplay was based upon the novel by Ira Levin and directed by Roman Polanski, "Rosemary's Baby" was released on June 12, 1968.
Now, Elisha Cook, Jr's roles were getting even smaller. After "Rosemary's Baby's", the actor appeared on 9-television programs and in 2-westerns.
He was "Jeb" in the comedy western, "The Great Bank Robbery", released on June 16, 1969 in the Bahamas.
He was "The Old Convict" in "El Condor", released in New York City, on June 19, 1970
On December 30, 1971, Elisha Cook, Jr. and his ex-wife "Peggy" remarried and would stay married until her death on December 23, 1990.
In 1972's, "The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid", Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Bunker".
Which was followed by the classic blaxploitation horror film:
BLACULA premiering in Fort Worth, Texas on July 26, 1972
The motion picture starred the great William Marshall portraying "African Prince Mamuwalde". Who is turned into the Vampire, "Blacula" by "Dracula". The first motion picture history article I ever wrote is about William Marshall. Who became the "Cartoon King" on televisions "Peewee's Playhouse" and is "William Marshall Shakespeare's Vampire Cartoon King" sinking his fangs at:
The following comes from my article:
"Blacula" was a tale about an 18th Century African Prince and his Queen who run afoul of Count Dracula. Dracula turns Mamuwalde into a vampire and locks him in his coffin for all eternity. Switch to present day 1972 Los Angeles, where his coffin is found in an estate purchased by two interior decorators. Who of course unchain and open it. Just as Christopher Lee made such an impact in 1958 as "Dracula" for Hammer Fims. William Marshall's "Blacula" would spin off a sequel the following year "Scream Blacula, Scream" and a rash of Blackpotation Horror films such as "Blackenstein" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hype". The movie has a terrific rhythm and blues soundtrack that became a best seller and the film crossed racial lines. It was also the first Horror film to receive a Saturn Award in that category. The first film featured future television actress Denise Nicholas and the second co-starred, up and coming, Afro-American actress Pam Grier.
Elisha Cook, Jr. was 14th-billed and portrayed "Sam", the morgue attendant. The body of "Juanita Jones", portrayed by singer and member of the cast of "Little House on the Prairie", Ketty Lester, is brought in. "Sam" forgets to lock the door on the freezer unit her body was placed, and the vampire "Juanita", rises up and kills him.
A satirical black-comedy followed, entitled, "Electra Glide in Blue". Which was first shown at the Cannes Film Festival, on May 12, 1973.
The motion picture starred one of Hal Roach's original "Little Rascals (aka: Our Gang)", and later, the 1944 side-kick of the Sunday comics western hero, the "Red Ryder". Portraying the Native American, "Little Beaver", in 23-western motion pictures, Robert "Bobby" Blake. Just 2-years before becoming the parrot loving television detective, "Baretta", 1975 through 1978.
The story revolves around Elisha Cook, Jr's, 5th-billed "Willie".
Known to Arizona motorcycle officers as "Crazy Willie". He tells officer "John Wintergreen", portrayed by Robert Blake, that a man committed suicide by firing a shotgun into his chest. "Wintergreen" thinks otherwise, and that he's looking at a murder, but by whom? Perhaps "Willie"?
Eleven days after the release of "Electra Glide in Blue". Elisha Cook, Jr. was "Knockin' on Heavens Door", but buried in the role of "Cody" with 31st-billing in a classic western by director Sam Peckinpah. I could not locate any photo's of the actor in this role. However, my article about the creator of the classic television western, "The Rifleman", is "SAM PECKINPAH: 'Matt Dillion' to 'William H. Bonney': the Television and Motion Picture Westerns" riding the range at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/08/sam-peckinpah-matt-dillon-to-william-h.html
Elisha Cook, Jr. moved up in billing to 10th, portraying "Gray Kat", in the Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine's, 1973, Hoboing in 1930's Oregon during "The Great Depression", "Emperor of the North Pole" aka: "Emperor of the North". Next, it was down to 14th-billing portraying "Carl" in the Robert Duvall, Karen Black, and Joe Don Baker's, 1973 crime thriller, "The Outfit". Then it was back to television for five-roles, followed by the cult-supernatural-zombie horror:
MESSIAH OF EVIL premiered in Paris, Texas, on December 13, 1974, of course a Friday
The screenplay was written by co-director Willard Huyck, with wife, co-director and writer Gloria Katz. The couple co-wrote with George Lucas, 1973's, "American Graffiti", the three wrote 1984's, "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom", with Steve Gerber, the couple wrote 1986's, "Howard the Duck", and Willard also directed that movie.
What makes a "Cult" anything, is to have a following and that exists, but as far as the film critics were concerned, they split down the middle. Over the next few years the film was re-released as "Revenge of the Screaming Dead", "Night of the Damned", and in an attempt to bring in George Romero fans, "Return of the Living Dead".
It should be noted that the husband and wife writing and directing team. Who were also two of the five producers, have claimed that the other three, took their unfinished motion picture from them. Those three re-edited the shot footage and released it. To add to the confusion, there were other different cuts, due to the nude and human eating sequences, being either shortened or edited entirely out. This was the result of regional censorship. So, watch out for which version you are downloading.
Marianna Hill portrayed "Arletty", who drives to the beach town of "Point Dume", nice play on "Doom", to find her estranged father, an artist. She finds her father's beach house empty, but he has left a diary that is strangely addressed to his estranged daughter, as if he expected her to come. The diary talks about darkness consuming "Point Dume" and the horrible nightmares he is having. Again, as if knowing his estranged daughter would come, he warns her not to look for him and to leave immediately. The diary tells her to talk to the art gallery owner who sells his painting. He claims to never having sold any of her father's paintings, but, also, not even knowing him.
"Arletty" meets Portuguese-American aristocrat "Thom", portrayed by Michael Greer. He is accompanied by two "Groupie-like" female companions, "Laura", portrayed by Anitra Ford, and "Toni", portrayed by Joy Bang.
Enter 6th-billed Elisha Cook, Jr. billed as Elisha Cook, portraying "Charlie", who is interviewed by "Thom".
"Charlie" starts telling "Thom" about "THE BLOOD MOON" and "THE DARK STRANGER".
"Charlie" mentions that it soon will be the 100-anniversary of the arrival of "The Dark Stranger" and that he will return soon. When he returns, the moon will turn "Red", and "Point Dume" will be overrun by EVIL!
"Charlie" now goes to "Arletty" and warns her that her father is "One of Them!"
Moments after speaking to "Arletty", "Charlie" is murdered, and - - - -
3-television appearances followed, along with the mostly forgotten, 1975, "Winterhawk". The movie was about a Blackfoot Chief attempting, peacefully, to get smallpox medicine for his tribe, but running up against white racism in 1845 Montana. Which forces the title character of "Winterhawk", portrayed by 15th-billed, Stamford, Connecticut, born, non-Native American, Michael Dante, to become the savage Indian these people thought he was.
Elisha Cook was 5th-billed portraying "Finley".
For my readers who might be interested, this link takes them to one of my earliest articles, "Native Americans Hollywood Style".
Just 2-more television appearances were filmed, before Elisha Cook, Jr. was should have been the perfect role for the aging actor.
THE BLACK BIRD premiered in New York City, on December December 25, 1975
It's obvious that the screenplay is based upon Dashell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon", or more directly, the 1941 motion picture.
Taking Hammett and turning the novel into a comedy story, was first, a name my reader has already met, Don Mankiewicz, and co-writing the story was Gordon Cotler. The two had co-written the made-for-television crime drama, 1973's, "The Bait", starring Donna Mills. Who would spend 1980 through 1993, enjoying "Knott's Landing" on television.
However, turning the Mankiewicz and Cotler's story into a screenplay was the work of the motion picture's director, David Giler. This was Giler's only screenplay, but among producer David Giler's films are 1979's, "Alien", 1986's, "Aliens", 1992's, "Alien 3", 1997's, "Alien Resurrection", 2004, "Alien vs Predator", 2007's, "Alien vs Predator: Requiem", 2012's, "Prometheus", 2017, "Alien Covenant". Should my reader feel that there may be something "Alien" about Mr. Giler. I would note that his first production was 1970's, "Myra Breckinridge", starring Mae West, John Houston, and Raquel Welch", and he seemed to have another series obsession with something called "Tales from the Crypt", on both the big and small screens.
George Segal portrayed "Sam Spade, Jr.". Segal followed this comic mystery spoof with a spoof of westerns, co-starring Goldie Hawn, 1976's, "The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox".
I'm not really interested in the cast, except for two actors.
Lee Patrick portrayed "Effie". This was the same role she had portrayed in John Huston's, "The Maltese Falcon" 35-years-before. Patrick had last appeared in two episodes of televisions "Hazel" in 1965.
In "The Black Bird", because of the actresses weight, "Effie" is given the nickname of "Godzilla", an example of the crude jokes within the screenplay.
Above, Lee Patrick with George Segal, in 1975, and below, with Humphrey Bogart in 1941.
Elisha Cook, Jr., now billed as Elisha Cook, portrayed "Wilmer Cook". The role he had portrayed in the John Huston feature film. In this movie he attempts to sell "The Black Bird" to "Sam Spade, Jr", but is immediately killed and leaves the story.
The basic story starts with "Sam Spade, Jr." walking down the streets of San Francisco toward the building his father's, now his, detective agency is located. As "Junior" walks, he passes and ignores several beggars looking for money, who all are African-American.
When he arrives at the building, in front of the lobby's entrance door is the dead body of an obviously "Fat Man's" under a sheet in . The body is supposedly that of "Kasper Gutman", whose dying words were:
It's black and as long as your arm
So, begins a dark comedy, that some like and some, especially those who are fans of the John Huston motion picture do not. As "Sam Spade, Jr." meets versions of the original characters, as he hunts for the title statue.
Elisha Cook, Jr. appeared next in a short subject that was followed by 10-different television appearances. In 1978, he was filming the remake of the 1931 classic, tear-jerker "The Champ", that starred "Academy Award Best Actor", Wallace Beery, and Jackie Cooper. For the released 1979 version, Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Georgie", the film starred John Voight and Ricky Schroder.
All being followed by a little Stephen King television, with 1979's, "Salem's Lot" aka: "Salem Lot: the Mini-Series", aka: "Salem Lot: the Movie" aka: "Blood Thirst".
To begin with, there's nothing like, David Soul's "Author, Ben Mears", returning to his old home town and finding out his neighbors are turning into vampires. All under the careful direction of Toby Hooper. Who had been fired from his last motion picture, 1979's, "The Dark", for falling behind the filming schedule.
The screenplay was by Paul Monash, who next would write the first episode of the very successful 1984 mini-series "V".
Getting between Stephen King's novel and Paul Monash's screenplay was producer Richard Kobritz, 1983's, Stephen King's "Christine". According to Billy Kelley's article in the January 1, 1979 issue of the magazine "Cinefantastique". Kobritz did not like Stephen King's description of the head vampire, "Kurt Barlow", being a cultured human looking vampire that wouldn't be out of place among the population of "Salem's Lot". Kelley quotes Kobritz:
We went back to the old German Nosferatu concept where he is the essence of evil, and not anything romantic or smarmy, or, you know, the rouge-cheeked, widow-peaked Dracula. I wanted nothing suave or sexual, because I just didn't think it'd work; we've seen too much of it. The other thing we did with the character which I think is an improvement is that Barlow does not speak. When he's killed at the end, he obviously emits sounds, but it's not even a full line of dialogue, in contrast to the book and the first draft of the screenplay. I just thought it would be suicidal on our part to have a vampire that talks. What kind of voice do you put behind a vampire? You can't do Bela Lugosi, or you're going to get a laugh. You can't do Regan in The Exorcist, or you're going to get something that's unintelligible, and besides, you've been there before. That's why I think the James Mason role of Straker became more important.
Below, the uncredited, Austrian born, Reggie Nalder, portraying "Kurt Barlow".
Before James Mason was "Straker", above, he had an excellent dramatic career including with Shakespeare and Jules Verne. I look at one decade, the 1950's, in "James Mason: A Spotlight On His 1950's Roles" for your enjoyment at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2023/09/james-mason-spotlight-on-his-1950s-roles.html
7th-billed, Elisha Cook, Jr., billed that way, portrayed "Gordon 'Weasel' Phillips". "Salem's Lot's" town drunk that see and knows more than anyone else, but eventually will be killed by the vampires.
Above, Marie Windsor, 1955's "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy", portraying "Eva Miller". Once again, as in 1956's "The Killing", beautifully teamed-up with Elisha Cook, Jr.
From one small role to an even smaller role, Elisha Cook, Jr. changed from a Stephen to a Steven, in this case, Spielberg. In a movie that started as the means to get at the young upstart film maker by the critics, and the industry elites. Only, over time, to have become a comedy cult classic.
Elisha Cook, Jr. was 16th-billed portraying "Dexter, the Patron". He was sandwich in the official cast credits, between 15th-billed John Candy, portraying "Army Private Foley", and the "Nerd" in the two "Grease" motion pictures and voice actor for "Kim Possible" and "Dexter's Laboratory", 17th-billed Eddie Deezen, portraying "Herbie Kazlminsky".
An even smaller role followed as a "Stablehand", in a third feature film in a role, with a Steve. This was the 1979, western biography, "Tom Horn", starring Steve McQueen.
On May 23, 1980, 6th-billed, Elisha Cook, Jr., portrayed an old traveling carnival employee known as "On-Your-Mark". Who is looking forward to his retirement at the end of the current season, after 50-years, in the motion picture "Carny". The story centers around the semi-love triangle of Gary Busey portraying "Frankie", Jody Foster portraying "Donna", and Robbie Robertson portraying "Patch". All three like "On-Your-Mark"and as "The Great American Carnival" travels the south. In each town that the carnival plays, the employees adjust to the local laws, and those of the local crime boss. At one town, something goes wrong, and "On-Your-Mark" is killed by a local crime boss, "Mr. Marvin Dill", portrayed by Bill McKinney. "Frankie", "Donna", and "Patch", with the help of "Carny", "Heavy St. John", portrayed Kenneth McMillian, set up a con to get revenge on "Mr. Dill" for "On-Your-Mark". This is an interesting character study and look at the traveling carnivals.
In 1981, Elisha Cook, Jr. appeared in the forgotten "Harry's War" on the "IRS", and the made for television "Leave 'Em Laughing", directed by Jackie Cooper and starring Mickey Rooney. That was based upon the true story of circus clown, Jack Thum. Who with his wife, cared for dozens of unwanted children.
Then there was "National Lampoon's Movie Madness", filmed from January 10, 1981 through February 1981, but shelved until it was released on April 23, 1982, to a very limited engagement. The movie was to have had four spoof segments of the motion picture industry, but the fourth was dropped. When it finally was released, the motion picture was a financial failure.
Elisha Cook, Jr. portrayed "Mousy" in the final segment, "The Municipalians". Which is about a rookie police "Officer Brent Falcone", portrayed by Robby Benson, teamed up with cynical veteran, "Stan Nagurski", portrayed by Richard Widmark. The two go after the inept serial killer, "Samuel Starkman", portrayed by Christopher Lloyd.
Elisha's roles kept getting smaller, such as a "Cab Driver" in 1982's, "Hammett", and a "Hotel Desk Clerk", in the made for television, 1982, "Terror at Alcatraz". There was only one more motion picture during the last 16-roles that Elisha Cook, Jr. appeared in. The actor ended his career in the two-part "Resolutions", on television's original, "Magnum P.I.", May 1, 1988.
According to John Huston in his 1994 book, "An Open Book", Elisha Cook, Jr:
lived alone up in the High Sierra, tied flies and caught golden trout between films. When he was wanted in Hollywood, they sent word up to his mountain cabin by courier. He would come down, do a picture, and then withdraw again to his retreat.
On May 18, 1995, in Big Pine, California, Elisha Cook, Jr. passed away at age 91, from a stroke.
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