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Powder Town (1942) Online

Powder Town (1942) Online
Original Title :
Powder Town
Genre :
Movie / Comedy / Drama
Year :
1942
Directror :
Rowland V. Lee
Cast :
Victor McLaglen,Edmond O'Brien,June Havoc
Writer :
Vicki Baum,Max Brand
Type :
Movie
Time :
1h 19min
Rating :
5.6/10
Powder Town (1942) Online

Absent-minded professor Quincey Pennant creates a formula to transmit the impact of explosives over greater distances. Hired by the Jupiter Powder Co. to perfect and test the method, he is occasionally sidetracked by gold-digging females and formula-seeking spies.
Complete credited cast:
Victor McLaglen Victor McLaglen - Jeems O'Shea
Edmond O'Brien Edmond O'Brien - J. Quincy 'Penji' Pennant
June Havoc June Havoc - Dolly Smythe
Dorothy Lovett Dorothy Lovett - Sally Dean
Eddie Foy Jr. Eddie Foy Jr. - Mr. Billy Meeker
Damian O'Flynn Damian O'Flynn - Oliver Lindsay
Marten Lamont Marten Lamont - Chick Parker
Roy Gordon Roy Gordon - Dr. Wayne
Marion Martin Marion Martin - Sue, Blonde Piano Player
Mary Gordon Mary Gordon - Mrs. Douglas
Frances E. Neal Frances E. Neal - Carol (as Frances Neal)
Julie Warren Julie Warren - Betty
Jane Woodworth Jane Woodworth - Helen
George Cleveland George Cleveland - Gus, Institute Janitor
John McGuire John McGuire - Harvey Dodge (as John Maguire)

Additional scenes were added to update the story when the United States entered World War II during the production.

This film's earliest documented telecast took place in Salt Lake City Friday 1 June 1956 on KUTV (Channel 2); it first aired in San Francisco Thursday 28 June 1956 on KPIX (Channel 5), in Altoona Thursday 5 July 1956 on WFBG (Channel 10), in Memphis Saturday 7 July 1956 on WHBQ (Channel 13), in Philadelpha Monday 27 August 1956 on WFIL (Channel 6) (with Victor McLaglen in person to introduce the film), in Detroit Tuesday 11 September 1956 on WJBK (Channel 2), in New York City Monday 1 October 1956 on WRCA (Channel 4), in Los Angeles Sunday 14 October 1956 on KHJ (Channel 9), in Cleveland Sunday 2 December 1956 on KYW (Channel 3), in Chicago Thursday 6 December 1956 on WBKB (Channel 7), and in Boston Saturday 22 December 1956 on WNAC (Channel 7).

John Twist was originally assigned to write the screenplay, but his credit was later downgraded to "contrbutor to screenplay construction".

The $960 "Penji" wins gambling would equal over $14,000 in 2017.


User reviews

luisRED

luisRED

It's on one of my Beta tapes and I still watch it now and then. To see Ed O'Brien so young and not portraying his usual overbearing character types is so refreshing. He really sold the absent minded professor act. Victor MacLagen was his terrific blustering strong and goodhearted self. But my hat and eyes go to June Havoc, the sister of Gypsy Rose Lee. She looks so shapely and sexy whether in a dress or those hot pants and blouse. that she overshadows Dorothy Lovett the love interest of O'Brien]. Some of the action stunts looks as though NO stunt doubles were used. Yes. a small well done B entry that had a simple plot with several themes from romance, comedy sci-fi,action and more than a touch of whimsy. For me it is right up there with Q PLANES with Ralph Richardson and Larry Olivier as unsung films that should be praised more. I hope that both of these films see the light of DVD before my VHS tapes wear out.
tref

tref

Probably one of the few science fiction comedies (though it is borderline SF at best) that can be described as "charming". It's genuinely funny and filled with warm, well-drawn characters--and with a truly suspenseful climax. I'd give a lot to see this available on videotape!
RUsich155

RUsich155

Scientist Edmond O'Brien (Penji) is persuaded to work on a secret formula when his lab blows up. But there are those who want to get their hands on his work. The trouble is he doesn't want to share with anyone.

Edmond O'Brien should be top billed instead of his annoying bruiser sidekick Victor McLaglen (Jeems) as it is his story. What's going on with that? Things are worsened by the fact that O'Brien is even more annoying than McLaglen. His simpleton manner is irritating and a complete nonsense and the fact that all those women in the boarding house are after him doesn't say much for womankind. We also have the awful Mary Gordon as their landlady. She is the only Scottish woman who manages to make it sound like she is putting on a fake Scottish accent. Irritating.

So, basically the cast are rubbish, the plot is stupid, the humour is never funny and the overall experience is boring. They obviously wanted Lucille Ball but couldn't get her so look-a-like June Havoc gets the role of Dolly. It's all a waste of time. And what about the ending when he reveals the formula for love. It's just infantile crap.
Nikobar

Nikobar

Edmond O'Brien stars in this odd little WWII propaganda film. He plays an absent-minded and very naive scientist who is working on a secret formula for explosives. Unfortunately, he's a wanted man--wanted by the Axis as well as by women in the boarding house where he lives. Can he manage to avoid Nazi spies and marriage-minded women long enough to complete his tests? As a propaganda film, it's very unusual. Most films by Hollywood about the war were films featuring soldiers--not research scientists. Because of that reason alone, the film is worth seeing. Along for the ride is Victor McLaglen and Eddie Foy Jr.--as well as a house full of pretty actresses. It is true that men were in short supply during the war--and seeing these women panting after nerdy O'Brien was kind of funny. However, as for the rest of the film, it was only adequate. It's inoffensive but not particularly distinguished. Worth seeing only if you are nuts about propaganda films--otherwise you can easily find better.

By the way, seeing an older McLaglen fighting and beating the snot out of everyone was NOT unrealistic. He'd been a boxer in his younger days and despite his age probably COULD have taken on the entire bar!
Niwield

Niwield

Didn't expect to think much of this film,but have to admit that I liked it.McLaglen is his typical bruiser,but he grew on me,and not like mold.O'Brien is a charming innocent in the ways of the world,but a brilliant scientist who creates a formula for explosive powder.And Eddie Foy,Jr is terrific as Jeems' idiot companion.Mary Gordon is not awful in this,as is otherwise noted.She's her usual wonderful character,and I loved her,as always!The ladies are a lot of fun,and Roland V. Lee does a fine directing job.A very nice way to spend a rather chilly afternoon,and plenty of intrigue from spies after O'Brien's formula.
Domarivip

Domarivip

Which foreign country were these spies working for? That's never discussed as we see a totally different Edmond O'Brien who was always the loud mouth in motion pictures. In this one, he portrays a meager scientist who goes to work for a research company to test his work. Go know that the company is filled with spies who just can't wait to get the formula away from him.

Victor McLaglen is one of the workers at the plant, a tough but lovable guy. June Havoc steals the scenes that she is in, loved by the McLaglen character, but loving O'Brien instead, she comes across a quick thinking moll in the film. Dorothy Lovett is the girl O'Brien falls for and she is recruited by the spies to work for them. The best part of the film is when Lovett and Havoc join forces to help our scientist against the spies.