Horoscope Mystery

 

 (imdb)

WHEN WERE YOU BORN?-1938-Interesting but forgotten Warner Brothers mystery feature with Anna May Wong as astrologer Mei Lei Ming and her pet monkey. She predicts the death of a merchant named Corey (James Stephenson) who's partner (fake Chinese) Mr. Gow (Leonard Mudie) wants some letters Corey had in his safe. Through the use of the horoscope Mei helps fat police Sgt. Kelly (Frank Jacuet) and Inspector Gregg (Charles Wilson) solve the case. Who's the culprit? Doris Kane (top billed Margaret Lindsey), Corey's fiancée? Her brother Harry (Anthony Averell), who had an argument with Corey? How about Shields (Eric Stanley), Corey's butler? Olin Howland is a lawyer in one scene. 

Bela Lugosi's pal, Manly P. Hall (who's credited with the original story) explains that astrology is a science in an introduction to the film. Also Jack (Clayton) Moore and Maurice Cass. Director William C. McGann (SH! THE OCTOPUS (1937)) made over 50 movies and also did SFX on many others (THE HORN BLOWS AT MIDNIGHT (1945), THE BEAST WITH 5 FINGERS (1946)).

It's a shame this wasn't considered for a whole or at least a sequel but perhaps Hollywood's prejudice toward Asian actors (American born or otherwise) at the time had something to do with it. A white American actress has top billing over the Asian American real star after all!

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Way Out West On A Budget

 

 (imdb)

LAST OF THE WILD HORSES-1948-A cowpoke Duke Barnum (James Ellison; I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943)), would be stage robber meets rancher Charles Cooper (Douglas Dumbrille) and his daughter Jane (Jane Frazee) who are involved in a dispute with small ranchers over a herd of wild horses. Unfortunately, Barnum is arrested by the sheriff (James Millican). In town, small ranch owner, Remedy (Olin Howland) and his daughter Carrie (Mary Beth Hughes from I ACCUSE MY PARENTS (1944)) for some reason provide an alibi for Barnum, keeping him out of jail. He goes to work for them. They have a comical cook named Curly (Grady Sutton). Unscrupulous ranch hand Reily Morgan (Reed Hadley; in Sam Fuller's I SHOT JESSE JAMES the next year) wants to take over the ranch and kills Cooper and frames Barnum. After the two have a fairly violent fight, justice prevails. 

This low budget run of the mill western was produced and directed by Robert Lippert (his only time in a director's chair). Albert Glasser did the music and the editor was future director Paul Landres (RETURN OF DRACULA (1958)). Despite its drawbacks, it's watchable.

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More Juveniles

 

BOY SLAVES-1939-Runaway kid Jesse (Roger Daniel) falls in with a gang of homeless juvenile delinquents led by weird looking jerk Tim (James McCallion). After they beat up a rich kid, the sheriff (Arthur Hohl) arrests them but a seemingly honest businessman Albee (Charles Lane) says they can work for him but it's just for illegal child labor. Albee's servant Annie (Annie Shirley) helps them but gets beaten for her trouble. When their plan to mail a letter telling of their plight fails, they rebel, beat up the foreman, start a fire and escape. 

Unfortunately Jesse is shot and killed. The rest and Annie hold up in a cabin. The adults try to use the kids for target practice but some cops arrive to defuse the standoff and Annie convinces them to give up. A judge (Ray Gordon) gives a heartfelt "apology" to the exploited kids and sends Albee to jail. The kids have names like Knuckles, Miser, Pee Wee, Atlas and Pinky and Olin Howlin is a cook. It's the only movie directed by screenwriter PJ Wolfson. 

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