Though Alan Ladd is associated mostly with Film Noir and Westerns he found the time for a few swashbucklers during his career.
THE BLACK KNIGHT (1954) – During the time of Camelot, King Arthur and Guenevere, a blacksmith and swordsmith named John (Alan Ladd) is in love with Lady Linet (Patricia Medina). John has no chance of winning her as a mere blacksmith, so he forges a special sword for himself and is covertly taught fencing, riding and jousting by a sympathetic knight named Sir Ontzlake (Andre Morell).
Meanwhile, treacherous Knight of the Round Table Sir Palamides (PETER CUSHING) has allied himself with Pagan Cornish ruler King Mark (PATRICK TROUGHTON, so two Doctor Who stars) against King Arthur. Sir Palamides is plotting to help the armies of King Mark overthrow Arthur and Guenevere, then outlaw Christianity.
John the Blacksmith accidentally stumbles upon part of the villains’ schemes and tries to warn King Arthur but isn’t believed against the word of King Mark and a Knight of the Round Table. Sir Ontzlake helps the now fugitive John adopt a false identity called the Black Knight. Using that nom de guerre, Alan Ladd repeatedly foils the villainy of King Mark and Sir Palamides.
The Black Knight also saves Lady Linet from becoming a Pagan sacrifice by Mark’s sinister allies at Stonehenge. In the end the invading troops are defeated and John kills King Mark and Sir Palamides in battle. Lady Linet, who knew the Black Knight was John all along vouches for him to King Arthur, who knights him for real so that he and Linet can get married. Continue reading
PENNY DREADFUL – Rose Marie Earp starred as the cleverly named Penny Dreadful on KMBC in Kansas City, MO. In the 1960s, KMBC aired two Movie Host shows on Saturdays. Chiller was broadcast at 10:30pm and Son of Chiller at 6:00pm. Son of Chiller was hosted by Penny Dreadful from the tower room of her creepy castle. Chiller was hosted by Gregory Grave, whom I’ll cover at another time.
Rose Marie Earp is the earliest Movie Hostess I’ve found using the name Penny Dreadful, but there have been others since her 1960s run. Though Penny aka the Dreadful One did schtick typical of regular horror hosts her costume looked more like the outfit worn by the female alien in the bad movie Devil-Girl from Mars (1954).
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SAMUEL CHASE
DOLLY (1976-1977) – This half-hour series was launched after singer Dolly Parton’s years of success as a supporting performer on Porter Wagoner’s show. Dolly featured Ms. Parton and usually one celebrity guest performing songs. The series ran for 26 episodes. Dolly’s hit Love is Like a Butterfly was the opening theme and at the end of each show she would perform a little bit of I Will Always Love You.
EPISODE ONE – For some reason, kiddie show host Bob Keeshan – Captain Kangaroo himself – was the guest in this episode. He and Dolly sang Three Little Fishes together. Keeshan soloed on Thank Heaven for Little Girls (I wish I was kidding but I’m not.) and Sleepyhead.
MASKAR
BARBEL
NAIA OVER NCAA DIVISION ONE – Every year NAIA teams upset some teams in the higher division aka NCAA Div 2. Less frequent are the times that NAIA teams defeat NCAA Div ONE teams, but such upsets do happen. Last night the LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS visited D1’s NORTHWESTERN STATE DEMONS. At Halftime the Demons led 27-14, but a big 3rd Quarter put the Wildcats up 35-30. The teams exchanged TDs in the 4th as LCU toppled Northwestern State 42-37.
NAIA OVER NCAA DIVISION TWO – The KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS welcomed D2’s KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE PANTHERS. The Knights parlayed a 14-3 1st Quarter lead into a 35-3 advantage at Halftime. After the break, the Panthers rallied but fell far short as Kentucky Christian University won by the comfortable margin of 44-24.
THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940) – Tyrone Power starred in this semi-remake of
Not even Diego’s father knows about his son’s dual identity, so he is just as contemptuous of the cowardly, buffoonish figure he pretends to be as everyone else. Eligible ladies of California look down on Diego, too, despite his family’s wealth. They all have the hots for the dashing Zorro who strikes the oppressors with his sword, pistols and whip, then vanishes into the night.
PART 74 – Some of the Fool Killer’s targets on both sides of the aisle in the October of 1914 edition of the folk figure. The World War is in full swing.
Yes, “the Broadway of TV” is back for this look at the program’s third season.
CHAR-BROILED – The number 2 team in the nation – the HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS – welcomed the CISCO COLLEGE WRANGLERS. The Blue Dragons proceeded to fold, spindle and mutilate Cisco College, leading them 21-0 to end the 1st Quarter, 42-7 at Halftime, and 52-7 in the 3rd Quarter before logging a FIFTY-NINE to SEVEN triumph over the Wranglers in the 4th.
ANOTHER ROSWELL INCIDENT – In Roswell, NM the NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE BRONCOS (should be Cavalry) took the field against the visiting DODGE CITY COLLEGE CONQUISTADORS. The Conquistadors led the Institute 7-3 in the opening Quarter, but the Broncos went up 23-20 by the Half. The 3rd Quarter ended with NMMI leading 30-20 before winning out 37-20 in the end.