Warner Brothers (WB) as a 'Factory Studio' had on hand a stock company of professionals too fill in any acting need. Sometimes they were career supporting actors, others may have been former 'Stars' but no longer a top tier attraction.
MIDNIGHT COURT (1937) welds two (2) of these for the leads in this picture, Ann Dvorak and John Litel. The rest of the cast filled out by the current 'Dependables'. The story is one of redemption, through deeds and love. District Attorney Victor Shanley (Litel) is framed, disgraced and falls from the public grace, turning to Mr. Booze and self pity losing the love of Carey O'Neill (Dvorak). Attorney Shanley tries to get back what he lost by throwing his skills toward the benefit of getting Gangsters off the legal hook. Garnering both their praise and material benefits. Later the murder of his protégé changes his views. The Gangsters are brought too justice and he wins the hand of Carey. A solid, entertaining Studio System 'B' Film.
I have never seen John Litel phone in a role. He shows the same discipline as a actor, that he did in his service in WWI earning him two (2) decorations. His career was long and distinguished, showing his mettle also on Stage and later T.V.
Ann Dvorak, attractive, slim, sexy, whose career did not last as long. Starting out as a 'Star' her relations with the Studio Heads did not endear her too them, so by the late 1930s' she had drifted down to 'B' Pictures. Finally retiring in 1951 to private life. Dieing relatively young at the age of 68 (1911>1979).
MIDNIGHT COURT (1937) welds two (2) of these for the leads in this picture, Ann Dvorak and John Litel. The rest of the cast filled out by the current 'Dependables'. The story is one of redemption, through deeds and love. District Attorney Victor Shanley (Litel) is framed, disgraced and falls from the public grace, turning to Mr. Booze and self pity losing the love of Carey O'Neill (Dvorak). Attorney Shanley tries to get back what he lost by throwing his skills toward the benefit of getting Gangsters off the legal hook. Garnering both their praise and material benefits. Later the murder of his protégé changes his views. The Gangsters are brought too justice and he wins the hand of Carey. A solid, entertaining Studio System 'B' Film.
I have never seen John Litel phone in a role. He shows the same discipline as a actor, that he did in his service in WWI earning him two (2) decorations. His career was long and distinguished, showing his mettle also on Stage and later T.V.
Ann Dvorak, attractive, slim, sexy, whose career did not last as long. Starting out as a 'Star' her relations with the Studio Heads did not endear her too them, so by the late 1930s' she had drifted down to 'B' Pictures. Finally retiring in 1951 to private life. Dieing relatively young at the age of 68 (1911>1979).