Hal Roach Streamliners Vol 2 & 3 Headed to DVD
Back in December, ClassicFlix announced the beginning of a new series within their Silver Series line of DVD releases of lesser-known titles from Hollywood’s golden age. The Complete Hal Roach Streamliners Collection is a planned multi-volume DVD series, collecting the 22 mini-length comedy features produced by Hal Roach between 1941 and 1948. Each of the films speeds by at a length under one-hour.
Volume 1, featuring the six “Tracy and Sawyer” military comedies is due out March 31st; and now two more volumes have been announced for June.
Here’s are the full details on Volume 2 and 3 from ClassicFlix:
The Hollywood producer whose “Lot of Fun” was home to such comedy film legends as Laurel & Hardy initiated a surefire movie concept in the 1940s called the streamliner—22 of which would be released between 1941 and 1948. Double the run time of a two-reeler, but a little shorter than a programmer, the streamliner was designed to make movie magic by economizing production costs while also accommodating movie houses whose playbills weren’t set up for double features.
The Complete Hal Roach Streamliners Collection, Volume 2 (The Westerns) – ClassicFlix Silver Series (1942)
Actors: Noah Beery Jr., Jimmy Rogers, Marjorie Woodworth, Frank Faylen, Joe Sawyer, Mary Brian, Marc Lawrence, Paul Hurst, Russell Gleason, Marjorie Gateson, (more)
Director: Hal Roach, Jr.
Genre: Westerns, Western Comedy
Year: 1942
Length: 138 minutes
Released: June 16, 2020
Format: DVD
Synopsis: For the first time on home video come all three Hal Roach Western streamliners from ClassicFlix!
Roach cast Noah Beery, Jr. in the role of happy-go-lucky cowpoke Pidge Crosby and teamed him up with Jimmy Rogers as his dim-but-loyal sidekick. Rogers was the son of the legendary Will Rogers (an audience favorite from the previous decade) and the duo entertained moviegoers with a trio of breezy western comedies: Dudes Are Pretty People (1942), Calaboose (1943) and Prairie Chickens (1943).
This special three movie collection is a must-have for any fan of Hal Roach with each film culled from the original Hal Roach Studio masters. Featured players include Marjorie Woodworth, Joe Sawyer, Jack Norton, Marc Lawrence, Frank Faylen, Raymond Hatton, Mary Brian, Iris Adrian, Grady Sutton and Rosemary La Planche.
Dudes Are Pretty People (1942, 46 min.)
After losing their horses in a poker game, Pidge falls hard for “dude girl” Marcia, forcing Jimmy to go to extreme measures to rescue his lovestruck pal from a certain broken heart.
This amusing first entry of the series features Marjorie Woodworth (as Marcia), Paul Hurst, Marjorie Gateson, Russell Gleason (James Gleason’s son), Grady Sutton, Sarah Edwards, Oscar O’Shea and Frank Moran.
Calaboose (1943, 45 min.)
After swearing off women, Pidge is smitten with a gal who has a heart bent toward reforming criminals. To gain her affection, he gets himself thrown in the “calaboose” (jail)—much to the dismay of Jimmy.
Former Paramount star Mary Brian is featured along with Marc Lawrence (in his usual tough-guy role), Paul Hurst, Iris Adrian, William B. Davidson with brief appearances by Jean Porter, Jimmy Conlin and Nora Cecil.
Prairie Chickens (1943, 47 min.)
When Pidge is mistaken as the absentee owner of a large ranch, the ranch’s crooked foreman plans a spooky night to scare off Jimmy and his chum so he can make off with 4,000 head of cattle.
Featured are Roach regulars Joe Sawyer and Marjorie Woodworth (this time as Lucy) as well as the perpetually stewed Jack Norton. Familiar faces abound with Frank Faylen, Raymond Hatton, Rosemary La Planche, Dudley Dickerson, Edward Gargan, Si Jenks, Mike Mazurki, Noel Neill, Glenn Strange and Ray Teal all being part of the fun.
The Complete Hal Roach Streamliners Collection, Volume 3 (The Taxi Comedies) – ClassicFlix Silver Series (1942)
Actors: William Bendix, Joe Sawyer, Grace Bradley, Marjorie Woodworth, Sheldon Leonard, Mike Mazurki, Jack Norton, Max Baer, Frank Faylen, Iris Adrian, (more)
Director: Kurt Neumann
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1942
Length: 143 minutes
Released: June 30, 2020
Format: DVD
Synopsis: For the first time on home video come all three Hal Roach “Taxi” streamliners starring William Bendix (The Life of Riley)—with each film culled from original studio masters!
Soon to become a familiar face at Paramount Pictures in features like The Glass Key, virtual unknown William Bendix was cast to star as Brooklyn cabbie Tim McGuerin in a trio of streamliner comedies starting with 1942s Brooklyn Orchid. His co-star, Joe Sawyer, playing pal Eddie Corbett in Orchid as well as in The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942) and Taxi, Mister (1943), was an easy choice for Roach as Sawyer was already on the lot appearing alongside William Tracy in a series of successful streamliner service comedies.
Joining Bendix and Sawyer in all three films, and holding her own, is the delightful Grace Bradley (as Mrs. McGuerin), who was perhaps best known offscreen as the wife of moviedom’s “Hopalong Cassidy,” William Boyd. Also featured are such beloved classic film favorites as Marjorie Woodworth, Sheldon Leonard, Mike Mazurki, Max Baer, Jack Norton, Joe Devlin, Frank Faylen, Iris Adrian, Jimmy Conlin, Leonid Kinskey, Marion Martin and Alan Hale, Jr.
Brooklyn Orchid (1942, 51 min.)
Tim and Eddie rescue beauty queen Lucy from attempting to “knock herself off”, but when she proclaims her “good fairies” are permanently responsible for her, the boys have a difficult time shielding Lucy from their better halves.
William Bendix’s second film (and first starring role) brims with shadows of his future Chester A. Riley character which he played to enormous success on radio, film and TVs The Life of Riley. Featured are Marjorie Woodworth, Skeets Gallagher, Florine McKinney, Leonid Kinskey and Jack Norton.
The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942, 46 min.)
Sadie mistakenly thinks Tim is stepping out on her so he enlists the help of Eddie to help square things with his wife.
Marjorie Woodworth is back as Lucy, and is now Tim’s secretary at the Red Circle Cab Company. Featured are Arline Judge, Max Baer, Marion Martin, J. Farrell McDonald, Pat Flaherty, Dick Wessel, Frank Faylen and Alan Hale, Jr.
Taxi, Mister (1943, 46 min.)
During the 15th anniversary celebration of the Red Circle Cab Company, Eddie recounts the story of how Tim captured the most notorious gangster in the country, obtained seed money to grow their taxi service and got engaged to Sadie all in one fell swoop.
The final “Taxi” film was also the final film of Grace Bradley’s career. Featured are Sheldon Leonard, Jack Norton, Mike Mazurki, Joe Devlin, Frank Faylen, Jimmy Conlin and Iris Adrian.
