Black & White Movies

Adventure

Bulldog Drummond Escapes (1937)
3/5 (1)

“Bulldog Drummond Escapes” is a 1937 American mystery thriller film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Ray Milland as the titular character. The film is based on the popular British detective novel series by H.C. McNeile, featuring the character of Captain Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond, a retired British army officer turned private detective.

In the film, Drummond is hired by a young woman named Phyllis Clavering to investigate the disappearance of her father, a wealthy businessman who has been kidnapped by a criminal gang. Drummond quickly discovers that the kidnapping is part of a larger conspiracy involving corrupt police officers and a crooked lawyer.

As Drummond delves deeper into the case, he is targeted by the criminal gang and must use his wit and physical prowess to stay alive and bring the criminals to justice. Along the way, he enlists the help of his loyal sidekick Algy Longworth (played by Reginald Denny) and a resourceful newspaper reporter named Captain Nielson (played by Porter Hall).

The film features several exciting action sequences, including a thrilling car chase and a tense showdown on a moving train. Ray Milland delivers a charismatic performance as Bulldog Drummond, combining humor and bravery in equal measure. The film was a critical and commercial success, spawning several sequels and cementing Bulldog Drummond as a popular fictional detective in both literature and film.

Directors:
James P. Hogan

Writer:
Edward T. Lowe Jr., Herman C. McNeile, Gerard Fairlie

Stars:
Ray Milland, Guy Standing, Heather Angel

Rate this Movie

Danger Lights (1930)
3/5 (1)

“Danger Lights” is a 1930 American drama film directed by George B. Seitz, starring Louis Wolheim and Robert Armstrong. The film is set in a railroad yard, where two veteran railroad workers, Dan and Jim, work and live in a shack. Dan, the older of the two, is respected by his colleagues for his experience and expertise. Jim, on the other hand, is younger and more impulsive, often causing problems and risking his life on the job.

One day, a young woman named Mary arrives in town to visit her father, who works at the railroad. Jim is immediately smitten with Mary and begins to court her, despite her father’s disapproval. Meanwhile, Dan is concerned about a dangerous section of the track known as “Dead Man’s Curve” and tries to convince the railroad management to address the issue before a disaster occurs.

As tensions rise between the two men, a train carrying explosives is diverted onto the deadly track, and Dan and Jim must work together to prevent a catastrophic collision. In the end, Dan sacrifices his own life to save Jim and the town from disaster.

The film was notable for its realistic portrayal of the dangers of working on the railroad and its groundbreaking use of sound effects, including the use of actual railroad sounds recorded on location. “Danger Lights” was also one of the first films to be shot in widescreen, using a process called Magnascope. Despite receiving critical acclaim, the film was not a commercial success and was largely forgotten until it was rediscovered by film historians in the 1970s. Today, it is considered a classic of early sound cinema and a landmark in American film history.

Directors:
George B. Seitz

Writer:
James Ashmore Creelman

Stars:
Louis Wolheim, Jean Arthur, Robert Armstrong

Rate this Movie

Jamaica Inn (1939)
3/5 (1)

Jamaica Inn is a 1939 British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The film tells the story of Mary Yellan (played by Maureen O’Hara), a young woman who goes to live with her aunt and uncle at their remote and eerie inn on the Cornish coast of England.

Upon arriving at the inn, Mary discovers that her uncle, Joss (played by Leslie Banks), is the leader of a gang of smugglers who use the inn as a base for their illegal activities. She also meets Jem Trehearne (played by Robert Newton), a handsome and mysterious man who is also involved with the smugglers. As Mary becomes increasingly drawn into their world, she must decide whether to keep their secrets or risk everything to expose them.

The film is known for its suspenseful atmosphere, stunning cinematography, and powerful performances, particularly by O’Hara and Banks. It was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and is still considered one of Hitchcock’s finest early works.

Directors:
Alfred Hitchcock

Writer:
Daphne Du Maurier, Sidney Gilliat, Joan Harrison

Stars:
Maureen O’Hara, Robert Newton, Charles Laughton

Rate this Movie

The Iron Mask (1929)
4/5 (1)

“The Iron Mask” is a 1929 American silent film directed by Allan Dwan and produced and released by United Artists. It is a loose adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel “The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later” and tells the story of the Three Musketeers and their efforts to save the life of the rightful king of France, who has been imprisoned in a castle and forced to wear an iron mask to conceal his identity.

The film begins with the aging musketeers, Athos (Leon Barry), Porthos (Tiny Sandford), and Aramis (William Bakewell), reminiscing about their glory days as they prepare to attend the coronation of King Louis XIV (also played by Leon Barry). However, they soon discover that the real Louis has been imprisoned and replaced by his twin brother, the cruel and corrupt Philippe (also played by Barry), who has taken the throne for himself.

D’Artagnan (Douglas Fairbanks), the former fourth musketeer and now captain of the King’s Musketeers, joins forces with his old comrades to free the real Louis and restore him to the throne. They hatch a plan to replace Philippe with Louis and help him escape from the castle by substituting him for one of Philippe’s loyal followers, who is killed in his place.

In the end, Louis is restored to the throne, Philippe is killed in a duel with D’Artagnan, and the musketeers are hailed as heroes. The film ends with the musketeers walking off into the sunset, ready for new adventures.

The film was notable for its lavish production values, including impressive sets and costumes, and for its use of sound effects and synchronized music, which were still relatively new techniques in 1929. It was also a commercial success, grossing over $2 million at the box office and cementing Douglas Fairbanks’ status as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Directors:
Allan Dwan

Writer:
Lotta Woods, Douglas Fairbanks, Alexandre Dumas

Stars:
Douglas Fairbanks, Belle Bennett, Marguerite De La Motte

Rate this Movie

The Last of the Mohicans (1920)
4/5 (1)

“The Last of the Mohicans” is a silent film adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s novel of the same name, released in 1920. The film was directed by Maurice Tourneur and starred Wallace Beery, Barbara Bedford, and Albert Roscoe.

The story is set during the French and Indian War in 1757 and follows the journey of the Mohican chief Chingachgook (Albert Roscoe), his son Uncas (Tote Du Crow), and the white trapper Hawkeye (Harry Lorraine) as they escort the British colonel Munro’s daughters, Cora (Barbara Bedford) and Alice (Lillian Hall), to safety through the dangerous wilderness of upstate New York.

Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including an ambush by French soldiers and their Huron allies, and the betrayal of the treacherous Indian Magua (Wallace Beery), who seeks revenge against Munro’s family. In the end, Chingachgook and Uncas give their lives to save Cora and Alice, while Hawkeye avenges their deaths by killing Magua.

The film was notable for its stunning cinematography, which captured the beauty and grandeur of the American wilderness, as well as its portrayal of Native American characters as complex and nuanced individuals, rather than one-dimensional stereotypes. It was also one of the earliest examples of a feature-length film with a synchronized music score, which added to the emotional impact of the story.

Overall, “The Last of the Mohicans” remains a classic of early American cinema and a testament to the enduring appeal of Cooper’s novel.

Directors:
Clarence Brown, Maurice Tourneur

Writer:
James Fenimore Cooper, Robert Dillon

Stars:
Wallace Beery, Barbara Bedford, Alan Roscoe

Rate this Movie

Robin Hood (1922)
4/5 (1)

“Robin Hood” is a silent film directed by Allan Dwan and released in 1922. The film tells the story of the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor in medieval England.

The movie begins with a brief introduction to the historical context, with King Richard the Lionheart off fighting in the Crusades and his brother Prince John taking advantage of the situation to oppress the people of England with the help of his minions, Sir Guy of Gisbourne and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Robin Hood, played by Douglas Fairbanks, is introduced as a wealthy nobleman who is discontent with the corruption and tyranny of Prince John’s regime. He decides to take matters into his own hands and becomes an outlaw, gathering a group of like-minded men in Sherwood Forest.

With his band of Merry Men, Robin Hood sets out to rob from the rich and give to the poor. He becomes a popular hero among the oppressed people of England, and his legend spreads far and wide. However, his activities don’t go unnoticed, and Prince John and his henchmen are determined to capture Robin Hood and put an end to his rebellion.

The film features several action-packed scenes, including a thrilling chase through the forest and a spectacular sword fight between Robin Hood and Sir Guy of Gisbourne. The movie also includes a love story between Robin Hood and Lady Marian Fitzwalter, played by Enid Bennett.

In the end, Robin Hood and his men are able to defeat Prince John and his army and restore King Richard to the throne. Robin and Marian are united, and the people of England are once again free from tyranny.

“Robin Hood” was a commercial and critical success and helped establish Douglas Fairbanks as one of the biggest stars of the silent era. The film’s popularity has endured over the years, and it remains one of the most iconic adaptations of the Robin Hood legend.

Directors:
Allan Dwan

Writer:
Douglas Fairbanks, Kenneth Davenport, Allan Dwan

Stars:
Douglas Fairbanks, Wallace Beery, Sam De Grasse

Rate this Movie

The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
4/5 (1)

“The Most Dangerous Game” is a 1932 pre-Code film directed by Irving Pichel and Ernest B. Schoedsack, based on the 1924 short story of the same name by Richard Connell. The film follows big game hunter Bob Rainsford (played by Joel McCrea) who becomes shipwrecked on a remote island in the Caribbean. He soon discovers that the island is home to another hunter, General Zaroff (played by Leslie Banks), who has grown bored with hunting animals and has taken to hunting humans for sport.

Zaroff invites Rainsford to stay as a guest, but soon reveals his true intentions and forces Rainsford to participate in a deadly game of hunting. Rainsford must evade Zaroff and his hounds for three days, and if he survives, he will be allowed to leave the island. The rest of the film follows Rainsford as he tries to outwit Zaroff and stay alive.

The film explores themes of survival, the morality of hunting, and the dangers of man’s primal instincts. It was praised for its suspenseful plot, atmospheric setting, and strong performances by the cast. Despite being made over 90 years ago, “The Most Dangerous Game” remains a classic thriller and has influenced countless films and TV shows that followed.

Directors:
Irving Pichel, Ernest B. Schoedsack

Writer:
James Ashmore Creelman, Richard Connell

Stars:
Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks

Rate this Movie

Unknown World (1951)
3/5 (1)

“Unknown World” is a science-fiction adventure film released in 1951, directed by Terry O. Morse, and produced by Edward L. Alperson. The story follows a team of scientists and experts who embark on a dangerous expedition to the Earth’s core to find a new energy source that could save humanity from an impending energy crisis.

The team includes Dr. Jeremiah Morley (Victor Kilian), a geologist; Professor Etienne Roget (Bruce Kellogg), a nuclear physicist; Dr. Max A. Bauer (Otto Waldis), a medical doctor; and Wright Thompson (Tom Handley), a businessman who is funding the mission.

The group drills a tunnel deep into the Earth’s crust using a new, experimental technology that allows them to withstand the extreme heat and pressure. After encountering various obstacles and setbacks, they finally reach the Earth’s core and discover a vast, underground world filled with strange creatures and glowing minerals.

As they explore this unknown world, they discover that the energy source they were looking for is not viable, but they stumble upon another discovery that could change the course of human history. However, they soon realize that they are not alone in this strange world, and they must fight for their survival against the dangerous creatures and forces that inhabit it.

The team faces various challenges and dangers during their expedition, and they must work together to overcome them and find a way back to the surface. “Unknown World” is an exciting adventure film that explores the limits of human knowledge and the dangers of exploration into the unknown.

Directors:
Terry O. Morse

Writer:
Millard Kaufman, Dalton Trumbo

Stars:
Bruce Kellogg, Otto Waldis, Jim Bannon

Rate this Movie

Beyond Bengal (1934)
3/5 (1)

“Beyond Bengal” is a travelogue written by British explorer and author, S.P. Bhatnagar, first published in 1934. The book chronicles Bhatnagar’s journey through the eastern parts of India, from Bengal to Assam, and the various cultures and peoples he encounters along the way.

Bhatnagar begins his journey in Calcutta, where he observes the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as its rich cultural heritage. From there, he travels to the ancient city of Gaur, where he witnesses the ruins of the once-great kingdom of Bengal. He then travels to Darjeeling, a picturesque hill station, and the neighboring state of Sikkim, where he experiences the unique culture of the Lepchas and Bhutias.

Bhatnagar also explores the tea gardens of Assam, which were a major source of revenue for the British colonial government. He describes the harsh living conditions of the tea garden workers and the exploitation they faced at the hands of their British masters. He then travels to the tribal regions of Assam, where he encounters the Naga and Khasi tribes and learns about their customs and way of life.

Throughout his journey, Bhatnagar is struck by the immense diversity of India, and he reflects on the country’s complex history and culture. He also comments on the impact of British colonialism on India, both positive and negative.

Overall, “Beyond Bengal” provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture and society of eastern India during the early 20th century, and offers valuable insights into the region’s history and heritage.

Directors:
Harry Schenck

Writer:
Harry Schenck

Stars:
Harry Schenck, Joan Baldwin, John Martin

Rate this Movie

Hell Ship Mutiny (1957)
No ratings yet.

“Hell Ship Mutiny” is a 1957 adventure film directed by Lee Sholem and Elmo Williams. The film is loosely based on the true story of the mutiny on the slave ship Amistad in 1839.

The story takes place aboard a slave ship, the Amalia, in the early 19th century. The ship is on a long voyage from Africa to Cuba, carrying a cargo of slaves. The crew, led by Captain Tomassi (Jon Hall), treats the slaves cruelly and brutally.

As the voyage continues, tensions rise among the crew, and the slaves begin to plot a mutiny. The leader of the slaves, Tambo (Peter Coe), is determined to lead his people to freedom, no matter the cost.

When the mutiny finally occurs, it is a violent and bloody affair. The crew fights back fiercely, but Tambo and his fellow slaves manage to gain control of the ship.

But the journey to freedom is not over yet. The ship is now adrift, with no clear direction or destination. The crew and the slaves must work together to survive, and to find a way to reach land.

As they struggle to stay alive, they also face a series of moral dilemmas. The crew must decide whether to continue their brutal treatment of the slaves, or to treat them as equals. The slaves, meanwhile, must decide whether to seek revenge against their captors, or to forgive and move on.

In the end, “Hell Ship Mutiny” is a powerful story of survival, freedom, and redemption, set against the backdrop of one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Directors:
Lee Sholem, Elmo Williams

Writer:
DeVallon Scott, Wells Root

Stars:
Jon Hall, John Carradine, Peter Lorre

Rate this Movie

Isle of Forgotten Sins (Monsoon) (1943)
3/5 (1)

Isle of Forgotten Sins (also known as Monsoon) is a 1943 adventure film directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starring John Carradine, Gale Sondergaard, and Sidney Toler. The film is set in the South Pacific and follows a group of adventurers as they search for treasure on a remote island.

The film opens with the crew of a fishing boat led by Captain “Skipper” Larsen (Carradine) picking up a stranded woman named “Rusty” (Sondergaard) and her husband (Frank Fenton) from a life raft. Rusty and her husband reveal that they were on a yacht that was attacked by pirates and sunk. They were the only survivors and managed to escape with a map that leads to a treasure on a remote island.

Skipper and his crew, including a Chinese cook (Toler), set out with Rusty and her husband to find the treasure. Along the way, they encounter a violent storm and the treacherous waters of the South Pacific. They also encounter a group of criminals led by a man named “Blackie” (Veda Ann Borg), who are also after the treasure.

As they explore the island, Skipper and his crew face many obstacles and dangers, including traps set by the previous inhabitants of the island. Rusty and her husband also prove to be unreliable and untrustworthy, and Skipper must keep a watchful eye on them.

In the end, Skipper and his crew manage to find the treasure, but not before facing off against Blackie and her gang in a final showdown. The film ends with Skipper and Rusty sailing off into the sunset, with Rusty’s true motives still in question.

Isle of Forgotten Sins is a classic adventure film with plenty of action, suspense, and intrigue. The beautiful and exotic South Pacific setting adds to the film’s appeal, and the talented cast delivers strong performances throughout.

Directors:
Edgar G. Ulmer

Writer:
Edgar G. Ulmer, Raymond L. Schrock

Stars:
John Carradine, Gale Sondergaard, Sidney Toler

Rate this Movie

Sky Patrol (1939)
3/5 (1)

Sky Patrol is a 1939 film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Lloyd Nolan, Robert Armstrong, and Ann Doran. The film tells the story of two aviators who team up to fight a gang of air pirates who are terrorizing the skies.

The film opens with two pilots, Tex Clark (Nolan) and Jim King (Armstrong), flying for the Sky Patrol, a private organization that provides air security for commercial airlines. They are on a routine flight when they receive a distress signal from a plane that has been hijacked by a gang of air pirates led by “The Black Ace.” Tex and Jim manage to rescue the passengers and bring the hijackers to justice.

But the Black Ace is not deterred and continues to terrorize the skies. He and his gang manage to steal a new invention, a remote-controlled bomber, from the military and plan to use it for their own nefarious purposes. Tex and Jim team up again, this time with the help of a female reporter (Doran), to track down the Black Ace and stop his plans before it’s too late.

The film features exciting aerial stunts and thrilling action sequences, as well as a touch of romance between Tex and the reporter. In the end, Tex and Jim manage to thwart the Black Ace’s plans and bring him to justice, ensuring that the skies are safe once again.

Directors:
Howard Bretherton

Writer:
George Waggner, Norton S. Parker, Hal Forrest

Stars:
John Trent, Marjorie Reynolds, Milburn Stone

Rate this Movie

The Devil Diamond (1937)
3/5 (1)

“The Devil Diamond” is a novel written by Scottish author, Michael Arlen, first published in 1937. The story is set in the fictional African country of Rholandia and revolves around the discovery and pursuit of a rare and valuable diamond known as the “Devil Diamond.”

The novel begins with the arrival of American adventurer, John Christopher, in Rholandia. Christopher is hired by a wealthy Englishman, Sir Charles Vandrift, to search for the Devil Diamond, which is said to be cursed and bring bad luck to its owner. Sir Charles hopes to find the diamond and destroy it to rid his family of the curse.

Christopher is joined on his mission by the beautiful and mysterious Zita, who has her own motives for finding the diamond. Together, they set off on a perilous journey through the jungle, encountering various obstacles and dangers along the way, including hostile tribes, wild animals, and treacherous terrain.

As they get closer to finding the diamond, they are pursued by a group of ruthless diamond hunters, led by the cunning and sadistic Gaspard Jarnot. Jarnot will stop at nothing to get his hands on the Devil Diamond, and he will go to great lengths to eliminate anyone who stands in his way.

In the end, Christopher and Zita succeed in finding the Devil Diamond, but they are forced to make a difficult decision about its fate. Meanwhile, Jarnot meets a gruesome end, and Sir Charles and his family are finally free from the curse.

“The Devil Diamond” is a thrilling adventure story that explores the themes of greed, ambition, and the pursuit of wealth at any cost. It is also a tale of love and redemption, as the characters learn valuable lessons about the true meaning of happiness and the importance of human connections.

Directors:
Leslie Goodwins

Writer:
Peter B. Kyne, Charles R. Condon, Sherman L. Lowe

Stars:
Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, June Gale

Rate this Movie

Call of the Yukon (1938)
3.5/5 (2)

“Call of the Yukon” is a 1938 adventure film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring Richard Arlen, Beverly Roberts, and Lorna Gray.

The movie tells the story of Bob Mason (Richard Arlen), a pilot who is sent to the Yukon to retrieve a valuable cargo of furs from a remote trading post. Along the way, Bob meets Marie (Beverly Roberts), the daughter of the trading post owner, and the two quickly fall in love.

However, their romance is complicated by the presence of John Hudson (William C. McGann), a rival pilot who is also vying for Marie’s affections. As Bob and John compete for the cargo and Marie’s love, they face a number of dangers in the harsh wilderness of the Yukon, including treacherous weather, wild animals, and hostile natives.

The film features breathtaking footage of the Alaskan wilderness and thrilling action sequences, including a dramatic plane crash and a chase on dog sleds. In the end, Bob proves his courage and loyalty as he fights to protect Marie and the cargo from those who would do them harm. “Call of the Yukon” is a classic adventure film that captures the rugged beauty and perilous nature of the Yukon wilderness.

Directors:
B. Reeves Eason, John T. Coyle

Writer:
Gertrude Orr, Bill Peet, James Oliver Curwood

Stars:
Richard Arlen, Beverly Roberts, Lyle Talbot

Rate this Movie

Tarzan of the Apes (1918)
4/5 (1)

“Tarzan of the Apes” is a 1918 American silent film directed by Scott Sidney and starring Elmo Lincoln, Enid Markey, and True Boardman. It is based on the novel of the same name by Edgar Rice Burroughs and tells the story of Tarzan, a man who was raised by apes in the African jungle.

The film begins with a British couple, John and Alice Clayton, who are stranded in the jungle after their ship is attacked by pirates. They build a treehouse and give birth to a son before dying in a leopard attack. The baby is then adopted by a group of apes, who raise him as their own.

The boy, named Tarzan (Lincoln), grows up to be a strong and agile young man. He discovers the treehouse and the books inside, teaching himself to read and write. One day, Tarzan sees a group of humans, including Jane Porter (Markey), the daughter of an American professor, who have come to explore the jungle. Tarzan is intrigued by the humans, and he eventually saves Jane from a tribe of cannibals.

As Tarzan and Jane get to know each other, they fall in love, but their happiness is threatened by Tarzan’s rival, William Clayton (Boardman), who claims to be Tarzan’s cousin and heir to the Clayton estate in England. Clayton plans to take Jane back to England with him, but Tarzan will do everything in his power to keep her in the jungle with him.

The film features breathtaking jungle scenes, exciting action sequences, and groundbreaking special effects for the time. Elmo Lincoln’s portrayal of Tarzan set the standard for future film adaptations of the character. “Tarzan of the Apes” was a huge success upon its release and remains a classic of early cinema.

Directors:
Scott Sidney

Writer:
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Fred Miller, Lois Weber

Stars:
Elmo Lincol, Enid Markey, True Boardman

Rate this Movie

Black & White Series

Series List A-Z

Top Rated Moveis

1 Rebecca (1940)
5/5 (2)
2 Great Expectations (1946)
5/5 (2)
3 The Phantom Carriage (1921)
5/5 (1)
4 Charade (1953)
5/5 (1)
5 Intolerance (1916)
5/5 (1)
6 Arizona Gunfighter (1937)
5/5 (1)
7 Too Late for Tears (1949)
5/5 (1)
8 His Girl Friday (1940)
5/5 (1)
9 The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
5/5 (1)
10 Strike (1925)
5/5 (1)