Dick Purcell

Dick Purcell

Born: August 6, 1905
Died: April 10, 1944
in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
Dick Purcell (born Richard Gerold Purcell, Jr.) was an American screen and stage actor. He is best known for playing Marvel Comics' Captain America in the 1944 film serial. The serial was released on February 5, and Purcell, age 38, died two months later, on 10 April 1944, the result of a fatal heart attack.

Movies for Dick Purcell...

Horrible Horror
Title: Horrible Horror
Character: James McCarthy in 'King of the Zombies'
Released: January 1, 1986
Type: Movie
A collection of trailers and previews from various low-budget horror films of the '50s and '60s.
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Leave It to the Irish
Title: Leave It to the Irish
Character: Pat Burke
Released: August 26, 1944
Type: Movie
A private eye (James Dunn) investigates the murder of a fur dealer. Monogram.
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Trocadero
Title: Trocadero
Character: Spike Nelson
Released: April 24, 1944
Type: Movie
A newspaper columnist and host of his own national network radio program, interviewing more film personalities on his show than any other commentator, is searching for a story for a Sunday column carried by newspaper from coast to coast. Hanging out in Hollywood's famed Trocadero restaurant and night-spot, he gets his story when "Troc" owner and band-leader Eddie LeBaron, relates to him the sage of the famed screenland nitery. And hears plenty of music furnished by four of the top name-bands in the land, including that of Bob Chester, who formed his own swing band in 1935 after being top saxophonist with the bands of Ben Pollack and Ben Bernie. Singer Ida James and the Chester band led off with "Shoo Shoo Baby" in their screen debut.
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Captain America
Title: Captain America
Character: Captain America / Grant Gardner
Released: February 5, 1944
Type: Movie
Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations.
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Timber Queen
Title: Timber Queen
Character: Milt Holmes
Released: January 13, 1944
Type: Movie
Russ Evans, A WWII veteran army pilot, decides to check up on the widow of an old war buddy of his, Elaine Graham. The logging company she inherited is doing poorly, but Elaine gets an order in for a huge shipment of lumber. Russ and his friend Squirrel volunteer to help her cut the timber for the shipment, along with her friends Smacksie Golden and his girlfriend Lil Boggs, who are not used to doing physical labor. Russ pilots the plane to deliver the lumber before the company falls to a slimy businessman.
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The Mystery of the 13th Guest
Title: The Mystery of the 13th Guest
Character: Johnny Smith
Released: November 5, 1943
Type: Movie
A woman of twenty-one opens her grandfather's will left to her thirteen years earlier, per his instructions. Murder soon follows.
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High Explosive
Title: High Explosive
Character: Dave
Released: March 27, 1943
Type: Movie
Mike Douglas (Barry Sullivan), owner of a nitroglycerin concern hires his old friend "Buzz" Mitchell (Chester Morris), a race-driver of midget-auto cars who has been banned from racing, to go to work hauling nitro. "Buzz" makes a play for Connie Baker (Jean Parker), Mike's secretary and girlfriend, and also for Doris Lynch (Barbara Lynn), fiancée of Connie's younger brother, Jimmy ('Rand Brooks'), and gets Jimmy to replace him on a dangerous nitro haul and Jimmy, of course, has an accident and gets killed. But "Buzz" finds a way to redeem himself. The hard way.
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Aerial Gunner
Title: Aerial Gunner
Character: Lancelot 'Gadget' Blaine
Released: March 20, 1943
Type: Movie
Old rivals are pitted against each other in basic training and fight for the same woman.
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Idaho
Title: Idaho
Character: Duke Springer
Released: March 10, 1943
Type: Movie
A deputy sets out to prove that a respected judge, who had once been a criminal, is being framed for crimes committed by a crooked saloon owner.
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No Place for a Lady
Title: No Place for a Lady
Character: Randy Brooks
Released: February 11, 1943
Type: Movie
A private detective and a blonde acquaintance whom he has rescued from a misdirected murder charge, discover a body in his beachside cottage; only it has disappeared by the time the police arrive, leaving him to be charged with hoaxing the police. With his license in jeopardy, his would-be fiancee and an inquiring reporter set out to investigate.
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Reveille with Beverly
Title: Reveille with Beverly
Character: Andy Adams
Released: February 4, 1943
Type: Movie
Beverly Ross, the switchboard operator at a local radio station, jumps at the chance to be the DJ for an early morning show before the soldiers at a nearby army camp assemble for reveille. Beverly, with her modern music, camp bulletins and chatter, is a hit with the soldiers. Beverly's younger brother and his two buddies are soldiers at the camp. The buddies vie for Beverly's attentions.
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Fighting Men: Crack That Tank
Title: Fighting Men: Crack That Tank
Character: Tank Instructor
Released: January 24, 1943
Type: Movie
A tank driver explains the nature of the armored combat vehicle and the techniques of how the infantry can deal with them in combat.
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X Marks the Spot
Title: X Marks the Spot
Character: Police Lt. William 'Bill' Decker
Released: November 4, 1942
Type: Movie
A private detective, soon to enlist in the army, is drawn into one final case when his police officer father is killed in the line of duty. Soon his prime suspect is murdered as well, and he finds himself framed for the crime. As more witnesses get murdered, he finds himself on the run from both the police and former Prohibition violators who seem to have found a new racket.
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Phantom Killer
Title: Phantom Killer
Character: Edward Clarkk
Released: October 2, 1942
Type: Movie
Well-known philanthropist and deaf-mute John G. Harrison is identified leaving the scene of several murders but evades successful prosecution as there are hundreds of witnesses who have also seen him emceeing benefits at the exact same time as the murders.
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The Old Homestead
Title: The Old Homestead
Character: Scarf Lennin
Released: August 17, 1942
Type: Movie
In this entry in the "Weaver Family" series, the town of Farmington is being plagued by a crime wave. The angry citizens are ready to impeach the mayor, June Weaver, and the police chief, Leon Weaver. To end the crime and preserve her career, June feigns corruption and hires a real gangster to get rid of the local mobs. Unfortunately, a bona fide crooked councilman intervenes and makes real mob connections causing an earnest journalist to launch a front page attack.
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I Live on Danger
Title: I Live on Danger
Character: Norm Thompson
Released: June 16, 1942
Type: Movie
A cocky radio reporter sets out to prove an ex-convict is innocent in the murder of a mob boss.
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In Old California
Title: In Old California
Character: Joe Dawson
Released: May 31, 1942
Type: Movie
Boston pharmacist Tom Craig comes to Sacramento, where he runs afoul of local political boss Britt Dawson, who exacts protection payment from the citizenry. Dawson frames Craig with poisoned medicine, but Craig redeems himself during a Gold Rush epidemic.
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Torpedo Boat
Title: Torpedo Boat
Character: Ralph Andrews
Released: January 24, 1942
Type: Movie
Richard Arlen and Phil Terry star as Skimmer and Tommy, two lifelong buddies who've invented a lightweight, high-speed torpedo boat (hence the title). Their copacetic business relationship is strained when nightclub singer Grace Holman (Jean Parker), having been jilted by Skimmer, marries Tommy on the rebound.
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No Hands on the Clock
Title: No Hands on the Clock
Character: Red Harris
Released: December 1, 1941
Type: Movie
A wise-cracking private detective's honeymoon is interrupted by a kidnapping case.
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Flying Blind
Title: Flying Blind
Character: Bob Fuller
Released: August 29, 1941
Type: Movie
A spy steals a secret military device, then hijacks an airliner to get away. The airliner crashes in the wilderness & the survivors are threatened by a raging forest fire.
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The Pittsburgh Kid
Title: The Pittsburgh Kid
Character: Cliff Halliday
Released: August 29, 1941
Type: Movie
Unable to sign boxer Joe Louis to movie contract, Republic Pictures had to make do with the losers of Louis' heavyweight championship bouts. One of these was Billy Conn, who after being knocked out by Louis in the 13th round awakened to star in the Republic programmer The Pittsburgh Kid. The story finds clean-limned pugilist Conn (playing himself) being managed by pretty Patricia Mallory.
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Bullets for O'Hara
Title: Bullets for O'Hara
Character: Wicks
Released: July 19, 1941
Type: Movie
A detective courts a gangster's ex-wife to lure him into a trap.
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Two in a Taxi
Title: Two in a Taxi
Character: Bill Gratton
Released: July 10, 1941
Type: Movie
An ambitious but financially strapped taxi driver becomes involved with mobsters to obtain money to buy a gas station.
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King of the Zombies
Title: King of the Zombies
Character: James 'Mac' McCarthy
Released: May 14, 1941
Type: Movie
During World War II, a small plane somewhere over the Caribbean runs low on fuel and is blown off course by a storm. Guided by a faint radio signal, they crash-land on an island. The passenger, his manservant and the pilot take refuge in a mansion owned by a doctor. The quick-witted yet easily-frightened manservant soon becomes convinced the mansion is haunted by zombies and ghosts.
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Flight Command
Title: Flight Command
Character: Lieut. 'Stichy' Payne
Released: December 27, 1940
Type: Movie
A rookie flyer, Ens. Alan Drake, joins the famous Hellcats Squadron right out of flight school in Pensacola. He doesn't make a great first impression when he is forced to ditch his airplane and parachute to safety when he arrives at the base but is unable to land due to heavy fog. On his first day on the job, his poor shooting skills results in the Hellcats losing an air combat competition. His fellow pilots accept him anyways but they think he's crossed the line when they erroneously conclude that while their CO Billy Gray is away, Drake has an affair with his wife Lorna. Drake is now an outcast and is prepared to resign from the Navy but his extreme heroism in saving Billy Gray's life turns things around.
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The Bank Dick
Title: The Bank Dick
Character: Mackley Q. Greene
Released: November 29, 1940
Type: Movie
Egbert Sousé becomes an unexpected hero when a bank robber falls over a bench he's occupying. Now considered brave, Egbert is given a job as a bank guard. Soon, he is approached by charlatan J. Frothingham Waterbury about buying shares in a mining company. Egbert persuades teller Og Oggilby to lend him bank money, to be returned when the scheme pays off. Unfortunately, bank inspector Snoopington then makes a surprise appearance.
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Arise, My Love
Title: Arise, My Love
Character: Pinky O'Connor
Released: November 8, 1940
Type: Movie
A dashing pilot and a vivacious reporter have romantic and dramatic adventures in Europe as World War II begins.
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Private Affairs
Title: Private Affairs
Character: Dick Cartwright
Released: July 5, 1940
Type: Movie
A girl decides to consult her natural father, whom she's never seen, for advice on her mixed-up love life.
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New Moon
Title: New Moon
Character: Alexander
Released: June 28, 1940
Type: Movie
A revolutionary leader romances a French aristocrat in Louisiana.
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Outside the Three-Mile Limit
Title: Outside the Three-Mile Limit
Character: Agent Melvin Pierce
Released: March 7, 1940
Type: Movie
Government Agent Conway, posing as a crew member of a ship, is investigating the flood of counterfeit money that seemingly is originating for a gambling ship, moored off-shore beyond the three-mile limit and operated by gangster Dave Reeves.
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Heroes in Blue
Title: Heroes in Blue
Character: Terry Murphy
Released: November 7, 1939
Type: Movie
Family heartbreak: A dedicated New York City policeman raises two sons, one following in his dad's footsteps as a cop while the other turns to crime and is arrested for murder.
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Drunk Driving
Title: Drunk Driving
Character: John Jones
Released: October 28, 1939
Type: Movie
In this Crime Does Not Pay series entry, John Jones is an up and coming businessman who drinks too much but denies he has a problem. One day he mixes drinking and driving, and the tragic consequences hit very close to home.
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Irish Luck
Title: Irish Luck
Character: Steve Lanahan
Released: August 22, 1939
Type: Movie
A spunky young bellhop investigates the murder of a hotel guest.
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While America Sleeps
Title: While America Sleeps
Character: Dave Miller
Released: April 14, 1939
Type: Movie
An episode in the "Crime Does Not Pay" series. Dave Miller, an aircraft plant worker, is actually selling secret bomber plans to foreign agents. United States Intelligence Department agents plan to trap him and the spies he works for.
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Streets of New York
Title: Streets of New York
Character: T.P. 'Tap' Keenan
Released: April 12, 1939
Type: Movie
Jimmy, an idealistic and hard-working young man, has just arrived in New York City with dreams of making his fortune. Along the way he faces numerous obstacles, opportunities and temptations, but through it all, he considers the actions of his hero, Abraham Lincoln, for guidance. Will Jimmy see his dreams come true, or will he be another of the countless hopefuls chewed up and spit out by New York's mean streets?
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Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8
Title: Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8
Character: Dick Purcell
Released: April 8, 1939
Type: Movie
Ice skating is the theme; at the Tropical Ice Garden, in Westwood Hills, are seen a flock of skating stars including Irene Dare and Phyllis Ann Thomoson, as well as Hollywood luminaries such as Franklyn Pangborn, Norma Shearer, Rita Hayworth, Mickey Rooney, Dick Purcell and Ann Sheridan.
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Blackwell's Island
Title: Blackwell's Island
Character: Terry Walsh
Released: January 24, 1939
Type: Movie
A reporter gets himself sent to prison to expose a mobster.
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Breakdowns of 1938
Title: Breakdowns of 1938
Character: Tex Boyden (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: December 31, 1938
Type: Movie
Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1938.
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Tough Kid
Title: Tough Kid
Character: 'Red' Murphy
Released: December 28, 1938
Type: Movie
Skipper Murphy is serving as trainer and inspiration for his brother Red Murphy training for a world championship title bout. Trouble comes for the Murphys when Red runs up against a gambling syndicate and is put on the spot to throw the fight.
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Nancy Drew… Detective
Title: Nancy Drew… Detective
Character: Keiffer
Released: November 19, 1938
Type: Movie
After a wealthy dowager who has made a substantial donation to her alma mater suddenly disappears, Nancy Drew sets out to solve the mystery.
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Broadway Musketeers
Title: Broadway Musketeers
Character: Vince Morrell
Released: October 8, 1938
Type: Movie
Three women who grew up in an orphanage cross paths later in life: one unhappily married with a young daughter, one an office secretary, and one a nightclub performer.
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Garden of the Moon
Title: Garden of the Moon
Character: Rick Fulton
Released: September 23, 1938
Type: Movie
Don Vincente is determined to make a success of himself and his band. He gets his break by performing at the Garden of the Moon, which is broadcast over the radio. The problem is that John Quinn is the club's ruthless, scheming manager who will do anything to keep Vincente under his thumb. John's assistant, Toni Blake, falls for Vincente, complicating the escalating war.
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Valley of the Giants
Title: Valley of the Giants
Character: Creel
Released: September 17, 1938
Type: Movie
A lumberman takes on a sleezy corporate giant wanting to move in and do whatever it takes to drive everyone else out of business.
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Penrod's Double Trouble
Title: Penrod's Double Trouble
Character: Tex Boyden
Released: July 23, 1938
Type: Movie
When a young boy disappears, a man desperate for the offered reward money turns up with an identical child.
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Mystery House
Title: Mystery House
Character: Lance O'Leary
Released: May 21, 1938
Type: Movie
When a banker is found shot dead with a gun in his hand, his daughter refuses to believe it is a suicide. With the help of a detective, she hopes to get to the bottom of the case.
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Air Devils
Title: Air Devils
Character: Percy 'Slats' Harrington
Released: May 13, 1938
Type: Movie
Two daredevil pilots go after the same girl.
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Flight Into Nowhere
Title: Flight Into Nowhere
Character: Bill Kellogg
Released: April 19, 1938
Type: Movie
When headstrong pilot Bill Kellogg disobeys orders and takes a plane to photograph potential landing fields in uncharted Latin American country, he ends up running out of gas and crashing. The members of a nearby tribal village save Bill from the wreckage, but arent willing to help him get home.
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Accidents Will Happen
Title: Accidents Will Happen
Character: Jim Faber
Released: April 9, 1938
Type: Movie
A married insurance claims adjuster investigates a gang of accident-fraud racketeers, but they retaliate by targeting his wife.
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Over the Wall
Title: Over the Wall
Character: Ace Scanlon
Released: April 2, 1938
Type: Movie
When a singing, song-writing prizefighter is framed for murder and sent to the state pen, his girlfriend sets out to prove his innocence.
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The Daredevil Drivers
Title: The Daredevil Drivers
Character: Bill Foster
Released: February 12, 1938
Type: Movie
To spite his girlfriend, the owner of a successful bus company, an auto racer goes to work for her rival.
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Missing Witnesses
Title: Missing Witnesses
Character: "Bull" Regan
Released: December 11, 1937
Type: Movie
A detective and his bumbling sidekick join the crackdown on racketeering in '30s New York City.
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Alcatraz Island
Title: Alcatraz Island
Character: David 'Harp' Santell
Released: October 13, 1937
Type: Movie
A man who has been railroaded into prison is framed for the murder of a fellow inmate and must prove his innocence.
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Wine, Women and Horses
Title: Wine, Women and Horses
Character: George Mayhew
Released: September 11, 1937
Type: Movie
An ex-gambler hooks up with an old flame after his old habit resurfaces and drives off his wife.
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Reported Missing
Title: Reported Missing
Character: Paul Wayne
Released: August 15, 1937
Type: Movie
A gang is sabotaging planes so that when they crash, the corpses can be robbed.
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Talent Scout
Title: Talent Scout
Character: Benefit Show Guest (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: July 24, 1937
Type: Movie
A Hollywood heartthrob helps a small-town girl achieve stardom.
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Public Wedding
Title: Public Wedding
Character: Joe Taylor
Released: July 9, 1937
Type: Movie
The operators of a bankrupt carnival sideshow hope to restore their fallen fortunes by staging a fake 'public wedding' in the mouth of their unprofitable giant whale. But the intended 'bridegroom' absconds with the proceeds, arranging a substitute. The bride, Flip Lane (Jane Wyman), much to her surprise, finds herself really married to a handsome stranger, whose career as an artist she decides to manage, much to his dismay.
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Draegerman Courage
Title: Draegerman Courage
Character: Trapped Draegerman (uncredited)
Released: May 15, 1937
Type: Movie
After a mine cave in, the rescue crew risks their lives to search for two trapped miners.
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Melody for Two
Title: Melody for Two
Character: Mel Lynch
Released: May 1, 1937
Type: Movie
A singing bandleader signs on with an all-girls band.
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Men in Exile
Title: Men in Exile
Character: Jimmy Carmody
Released: April 4, 1937
Type: Movie
An ex-con takes flight after he's framed for a jewelry store robbery and murder.
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Navy Blues
Title: Navy Blues
Character: Rusty Gibbs
Released: March 29, 1937
Type: Movie
A sailor bets his friends he can get a date with any woman they choose. They pick out a librarian with glasses and a bookish appearance. When he pursues her, he discovers that she is quite beautiful and that he has competition -- but his rival has more sinister intentions than anyone imagines.
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King of Hockey
Title: King of Hockey
Character: Gabby Dugan
Released: December 19, 1936
Type: Movie
Gamblers try to pressure a star hockey player into throwing a game.
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The Captain's Kid
Title: The Captain's Kid
Character: George Chester
Released: November 14, 1936
Type: Movie
In this children's adventure, the children of a small town are enthralled by the tales of the town drunk.
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Jailbreak
Title: Jailbreak
Character: Ed Slayden
Released: August 5, 1936
Type: Movie
A reporter gets himself sent to prison so he can solve a murder behind bars.
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Bengal Tiger
Title: Bengal Tiger
Character: Nick DeLargo
Released: July 29, 1936
Type: Movie
After causing his friend's death, an animal trainer marries the man's daughter to atone.
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Public Enemy's Wife
Title: Public Enemy's Wife
Character: Louie
Released: July 24, 1936
Type: Movie
Judith has just been paroled for a crime which her vindictive, jealous, violent husband, Gene, fingered her for. Gene is in prison for life. She claims that she had no knowledge of Gene's criminal activity, but FBI agent Lee Laird doesn't buy it.
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The Case of the Velvet Claws
Title: The Case of the Velvet Claws
Character: Crandal
Released: July 3, 1936
Type: Movie
Perry and Della are finally married by his old friend, Judge Mary. They plan to go on a honeymoon, but before it can start, Perry is retained by a woman with a gun and $5000.
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Bullets or Ballots
Title: Bullets or Ballots
Character: Ed Driscoll
Released: June 6, 1936
Type: Movie
After Police Captain Dan McLaren becomes police commissioner, former detective Johnny Blake publicly punches him, convincing rackets boss Al Kruger that Blake is sincere in his effort to join the mob. "Bugs" Fenner, meanwhile, is certain that Blake is a police agent.
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The Law in Her Hands
Title: The Law in Her Hands
Character: Marty
Released: May 16, 1936
Type: Movie
A female lawyer sets up her own practice but only achieves success as an attorney for the mob.
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Times Square Playboy
Title: Times Square Playboy
Character: Wally Calhoun
Released: May 9, 1936
Type: Movie
A stock broker's small-town best friend thinks the bride-to-be and her family are gold-diggers so he does everything he can to prevent the wedding.
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Brides Are Like That
Title: Brides Are Like That
Character: Dr. Randolph Jenkins (as Richard Purcell)
Released: April 18, 1936
Type: Movie
Fred, the wealthy owner of apple groves, has sent his nephew to college, but the only job that his nephew has after graduating is the job of not working. Bill is a dreamer, a talker and a golf player and he has a lot of ideas, but still lives off Fred. When Hazel gets engaged to Doc Jenkins, it takes a while, but Bill talks her into marrying him instead. The only problem is that now, he needs to find a job.
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Snowed Under
Title: Snowed Under
Character: Bert (uncredited)
Released: March 29, 1936
Type: Movie
Alan Tanner's new play opens in a week, but Tanner just can't finish the third act. He's retreated to a snowbound cottage to work, but blonde neighbor Pat Quinn wants to play. Producer Arthur Layton sends Alice, Alan's first wife, to help him stick to business. But then Daisy, his second wife, shows up wanting her alimony. Stranded with two wives, a girlfriend, and a jug of applejack, Alan still has to finish his play!
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Follow the Fleet
Title: Follow the Fleet
Character: Lead Marine on Ship (uncredited)
Released: February 20, 1936
Type: Movie
When the fleet puts in at San Francisco, sailor Bake Baker tries to rekindle the flame with his old dancing partner, Sherry Martin, while Bake's buddy Bilge Smith romances Sherry's sister, Connie. But it's not all smooth sailing—Bake has a habit of losing Sherry's jobs for her and, despite Connie's dreams, Bilge is not ready to settle down.
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Man Hunt
Title: Man Hunt
Character: Skip McHenry
Released: January 29, 1936
Type: Movie
A bored small-town teacher gets mixed up with an escaped bank robber.
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Freshman Love
Title: Freshman Love
Character: Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Released: January 18, 1936
Type: Movie
A star rower is forced to join a good school under a pseudonym because his wealthy dad doesn't like schools that have high academic standards.
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Ceiling Zero
Title: Ceiling Zero
Character: Smiley (as Dick Purcell)
Released: January 16, 1936
Type: Movie
War veteran pilots Dizzy Davis, Texas Clark and Jake Lee are working in an airline. Dizzy is fooling with one of the younger pilot's girl-friend and due to this he changes flights with Texas.
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The Doorway to Hell
Title: The Doorway to Hell
Character: Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
Released: October 18, 1930
Type: Movie
A vicious crime lord decides that he has had enough and much to the shock of his colleagues decides to give the business to his second in command and retire to Florida after marrying his moll. Unfortunately, he has no idea that she and the man are lovers.