Customer Reviews

George Reeves Double Feature (Thunder in the Pines / Jungle Goddess)

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VCI Entertainment and Kit Parker Films presents "GEORGE REEVES DOUBLE FEATURE" (1948) --- (Dolby digitally remastered)...featuring top performances from the '40s and '50s with outstanding drama and screenplays, along with a wonderful cast and supporting actors to bring it all together ... another winner from the vaults of almost forgotten Hollywood gems.

First up we have Lippert Pictures feature "THUNDER IN THE PINES" (1948) (61 mins/B&W) --- Under Robert Edwards (Director), Robert L. Lippert (Producer), William Stephens (Producer), Jo Pagano (Short Story Author), Maurice Tombragel (Screenwriter), Carl Berger (Cinematographer), Lucien Caillet (Composer (Music Score), David Chudnow (Musical Direction/Supervision / Editor), Norman A. Cerf (Editor) ------ the cast includes George Reeves (Jeff Collins), Ralph Byrd (Boomer Benson), Greg McClure (Hammerhead Hogan), Michael Whalen (Pete), Denise Darcel (Yvette Cheron), Marion Martin (Pearl (as Marian Martin), Lyle Talbot (Nick Roulade), Vince Barnett (Bernard, the Bartender), Roscoe Ates (Wheezer, Boomer's head logger), Tom Kennedy (Josh, the Station Master) ------ our story brings drama, action and comedy with two action heroes George Reeves (Superman) and Ralph Byrd (Dick Tracy), both knew how to convince the audience of their persuasive power of acting out a scene ... both men are loggers and deeply head over heels for the affections of Denise Darcel who was very sexy and ravaging in her early film outings ... mixed within the plot line is our villain Lyle Talbot who gives a rather over the top performance ... wonderful scenery of the North Woods with the operation of a logging camp and bringing the timber.

BIOS:
1. George Reeves (aka: George Keefer Brewer)
Date of birth: 5 January 1914 - Woolstock, Iowa
Date of death: 16 June 1959 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California
2. Ralph Byrd
Date of birth: 22 April 1909 - Dayton, Ohio
Date of death: 18 August 1952 - Tarzana, California,

Second on the double bill is a Lippert Pictures / Screen Guild release "JUNGLE GODDESS" (1948) (61 min/Sepiatone) --- Under Lewis D. Collins (Director), William Stephens (Producer), Jo Pagano (Screenwriter), Carl Berger (Cinematographer), Irving Gertz (Composer (Music Score), Norman A. Cerf (Editor) ------ the cast includes George Reeves (Mike Patton), Wanda McKay (Greta Vanderhorn), Armida (Wanama), Ralph Byrd (Bob Simpson), Smoki Whitfield (Oolonga the witch doctor), Dolores Castle (Yvonne), Rudy Robles (Nugara), Linda Leighton (Helen), Helena Grant (Mrs. Fitzhugh), Fred Coby (Pilot) ------ our story features two money hungry pilots George Reeves and Ralph Byrd, both who are well known to the big screen and televison, take on the adventure of finding a missing Wanda McKay somewhere in the African jungle, by the way her father is offering a big, big reward for her return ... but does Wanda want to return, she is now after six years in the jungle the natives reigning "White Queen" ... of the two pilots on a mission, one is a hero and the other out for himself and the money ... which one will save the young girl and return by saving the day ... the final scenes are full of action as they will certainly turn the tables with many surprises . . . . . all courtesy of VCI Entertainment, who in my humble opinion is the best there is in restoring early serials and film noir features like this one.

BIOS:
1. Lewis D. Collins (Director)
Date of birth: 12 January 1899 - Baltimore, Maryland
Date of death: 24 August 1954 - Hollywood, California

BONUS FEATURES:
1. "The Life and Legacy of George Reeves"
2. Documentary from Capricorn Entertainment which features:
"Thunder in the Pines" and "The Jungle Goddess" by Jan Alan Henderson
3. "George Reeves: His Life and Legacy" by Carl Glass
4. "The George Reeves Memorial" by Steven Kirk.
5. "At Least It's Better Than a `C'" by Lou Koza
6. Song: "Oh, George" by Richard C. Potter
7. "Hollywoodland - Flight of the Innocent" by Lou Koza
8. "George Reeves as I Know Him" by Jim Nolt
9. George Reeves Feature Filmography
10.Advertising Gallery

Special footnote, George Reeves was an American actor best known for playing the title role in the television series Adventures of Superman (1953-1958) ... Reeves found himself so associated with Superman and Clark Kent that it was difficult for him to find other roles, as did other actors associated with iconic roles, like Ralph Byrd with Dick Tracy, and Bela Lugosi with Dracula ... after two seasons with Adventures of Superman, Reeves expressed dissatisfaction with the one dimensional role and the low pay, at 40 years old, he wished to quit and move on. Friends and contemporaries like Alan Ladd, Victor Mature and Robert Mitchum had become major stars, with major roles in A-pictures, getting paid substantially more than Reeves's Superman salary ... over the course of the 104 episodes, Reeves often showed gentlemanly behavior to his fellow actors, he insisted that his original Lois Lane, Phyllis Coates, be given equal billing in the credits in the first season, when Coates was replaced by Noel Neill (who had played Lois Lane in the Kirk Alyn serials), Reeves quietly defended her nervousness on her first day when he felt the director was being too harsh with her. (ref: Neill in video documentary "First Lady of Metropolis," included on DVD compilation of Season 2 episodes, released in 2006) ... at times Reeves delighted in standing outside camera range, mugging at the other cast members to see whether he could break them up ... by all accounts there was a strong camaraderie among the principals ... Reeves performed various charity work for the many young fans and gave generously of himself wherever needed.


Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing the "George Reeves Double Feature: Thunder in the Pines & Jungle Goddess" (1948), digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the '40s and '50s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again for epics and jungle adventures that only VCI Entertainment (King of the Serials) can deliver.

Total Time: 124 mins on DVD ~ VCI Home Video KPF-570 ~ (11/28/2006)

I can recommend this set of DVDs for any George Reeves fan and for the great bonus features which include The Life and Legacy of George Reeves, George Reeves As I Know Him and Hollywoodland - Flight of the Innocent.
The films themselves are not inspiring unless your a classic movie enthusiast in which case you may find them entertaining and historically interesting. Both films star George Reeves and Ralph Byrd. Byrd played Dick Tracy in the Tracy serials and was destined to play him again on television in the early fifties. Around the same time George Reeves did the pilot for the Superman television series which gained a sponsor two years later. George Reeves is remembered most for his role as Superman, but let's not forget his other roles in films such as "Gone With the Wind" and "So Proudly We Hail." He was a fine actor. "Thunder in the Pines" and "Jungle Goddess" are typical adventure films of the 1940's. The actors do a credible job with scripts that we've seen done before and better. In JG two pilots discover a lost heiress is queen of a jungle tribe and in TITP two lumberjacks compete in a logging race to win the hand of a beautiful girl. Both movies are filmed in Sepia-tone and include other familiar faces of the period such as Wanda McKay, Armida, Denise Darcel, Michal Whalen and Greg McClure.

This was a very enjoyable film. A fantastic Sepia tone print. I recommend this cool little fun movie.

George Reeves was certainly an underestimated actor. While primarily known for his role in Superman, and his suspicious death (murder), he excelled in a large number of non Superman films.

"Jungle Goddess" and "Thunder in the Pines" is a scintilating combinatin of action and comedy. Both films star Ralph Byrd and Reeves, and offer an interesting look at former and future film stars. Byrd starred as Dick Tracy, and Reeves was of course Superman.

"Thunder" is a great film that will keep you laughing. This is the first time it has appeared on video, and is a great treasure. "Jungle Goddess" is an interesting white girl drops in on a primitive culture-rescue by two white men while being pursued by natives.

One of the great things about this DVD is the richness of the special features. There are a number of rare documentaries on Reeves, and his life. The addition of movie stills is excellent, if this were a 'classic' already, there would be print versions with the disc. The career of Reeves was misunderstood, and this is another jewel in his cinematic crown.

This is a truly fantastic additon to any collection.

Tim Lasiuta

He was born George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa, the son of Don Brewer and Helen Lescher. The couple had moved at the time of their marriage from Helen's home, Galesburg, Illinois, to Woolstock, where Brewer had obtained a job as a druggist in the tiny town not far from his own hometown. George was born five months into their marriage; they parted soon afterward, Helen moving back home to Galesburg.

Reeves' father remarried in 1925 to Helen Schultz and had children with her. He never saw his son again. George's mother moved to California to stay with her sister. There Helen Lescher married Frank Bessolo, who adopted her infant son George. The marriage lasted fifteen years. While George was off visiting relatives, Helen divorced Frank Bessolo and later told George that he had committed suicide. Reeves' cousin, Catherine Chase, told biographer Jim Beaver that George did not know for several years that Bessolo was, in fact, still alive or that he had been his stepfather and not his birth father.

He began acting and singing in high school and continued performing on stage while attending Pasadena Junior College. He also boxed as a heavyweight in amateur matches until his mother Helen ordered him to stop, lest his good looks be damaged by the sport. Accepted into the Pasadena Playhouse, he had prominent roles. Bessolo's film career began in 1939 when he was cast as Stuart Tarleton (although incorrectly listed as Brent Tarleton), one of Vivien Leigh's two suitors in Gone with the Wind. It was a minor role, but he and Fred Crane, both in dyed bright red hair as "the Tarleton Twins," were in the film's opening scenes. Contracted to Warner Bros. at the time, the actor's name became "George Reeves" and his GWTW screen credit reflects the name change. He married actress Ellanora Needles in 1940, but had no children with her during their seven year marriage.

He did yeoman duty under contract to Warners, starring in a number of two-reel short subjects, and appearing in several B-pictures (including two with Ronald Reagan) Thunder in the Pines and Jungle Goddesss and three features with James Cagney, Torrid Zone, The Fighting 69th, and The Strawberry Blonde. Warners loaned him out to producer Alexander Korda to co-star with Merle Oberon in Lydia, a box-office failure. George Reeves is superb in all these early movies. He lit up the screen with his special screen presence.Released from his Warners contract, he landed a contract at Twentieth Century Fox, but was released after only a handful of films. He freelanced, appearing in five Hopalong Cassidy westerns, before director Mark Sandrich cast Reeves as Lieutenant John Summers in So Proudly We Hail! (1942), a war drama, opposite Claudette Colbert, for Paramount Pictures. He won critical acclaim for the role and garnered considerable publicity