Vic Pardo
Screenwriter
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2013
- Messages
- 1,520
- Real Name
- Brian Camp
Peggy Stewart, at 95, is still with us. Her last TV credit is from 2014 and her last film credit is from 2012.
Although still nothing new on Roy Rogers, there's a bit of exciting news (at least to me, if no one else) on the B-western front, as VCI is coming out with two of Buck Jones' serials for Universal, "The Red Rider" (1934) and "The Roaring West" (1935), on dvd in May. That first one is probably my favorite western serial, as it has a lot of good dialogue and character touches. Much better than the typical western serial. Good villainy from Walter Miller, appealing leading lady in Marion Shilling, and an absolute plum role for western perennial Edmund Cobb as sort of a sidekick. Hope VCI has located a good print, as it's always been one that has only circulated in so-so quality. The later serial from 1935 isn't quite as good, as I recall, but it does offer the very attractive Muriel Evans opposite Jones. Evans had also appeared in several of Jones' features as well.
If this wasn't enough, VCI also has scheduled the wacky but hugely fun sci-fi serial "The Vanishing Shadow" (1934-Universal) to come out on blu in June, apparently sourced from 35mm. Invisibility belt, ray guns, mad scientist, and even a rampaging robot. I love this one. It's a real blast. Walter Miller again provides villainy, this time against hero Onslow Stevens.
Plus both "The Red Rider" and "The Vanishing Shadow" feature the great Richard Cramer in supporting roles. That's Cramer in my avatar as Joe Portos in the Buck Jones serial. Cramer, however steals the show in "The Vanishing Shadow" as Walter Miller's chief goon, Dorgon. His line readings always cracks me up.
For me, it was my mid '70s inaugural SAPS AT SEA (1940) viewing that acquainted me with Richard (Sometimes spelled Rychard!) Cramer, as the nasty escaped murderer Nick Granger, along with his pal, "Nick, Jr."Gosh, I didn't realize that was Cramer in your avatar, until I looked close-up at it. Cramer is great in "Vanishing Shadow." I think (like many people) I first became aware of Cramer from the Laurel and Hardy short "Scram!" where he portrays the intensely humorless judge who goes home to find vagrants L&H in pajamas, seemingly cavorting with his inebriated wife, giving them a long, deadly stare.
I’ve had good luck with most Grapevine titles, but Hellfire looks like hell. All but unwatchable.