FRANKIE DARRO ON DVD

Are you looking for an instant collection of Frankie Darro movies on DVD? Fortunately, Frankie is well represented on DVD these days. Alpha Video (www.oldies.com) has released a slew of Frankie Darro movies. The following are some of the best. The quality varies from good to not so good, but at $4.99 each, they are well worth picking up.

1) BURN 'EM UP BARNES (1934). Vol. 1 & 2. Lot's of action in this Mascot serial. Frankie is great as Jack Mulhall's young friend Bobby.

2) VALLEY OF THE WANTED MEN (1935). One in a series of ten movies Frankie made for producer Maurice Conn. Lot's of action, mostly outdoors.

3) ANYTHING FOR A THRILL/MEN OF ACTION (1937/1935). A Frankie Darro double feature for less than $5.00? How can you go wrong. The prints are not great, but the movies are fun.

4) IRISH LUCK (1939). The print is a little dark, but any Darro/Moreland movie is worth having.

5) UP IN THE AIR (1940). Generally considered the best of the Frankie Darro and Mantan Moreland films.

6) YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK (1941). Frankie and Mantan Moreland are mixed up in a murder again in this Monogram outing. One of the eight films they made as a team.

7) THE GANGS ALL HERE (1941). You can't go wrong with any movie featuring Frankie Darro and Mantan Moreland. This is one of their best. Don't confuse this movie with the Alice Faye musical of the same name.

Note: At Fry's Electronics in Burbank, California Frankie and Mantan are given their own section in the DVD department! THANK YOU.

OTHER RELEASES ON DVD:

1) SONS OF NEW MEXICO (1950). Gene Autry stars with Frankie Darro in support as a bad guy jockey. Great looking print and a fine fast moving B western. (Image Entertainment).

2) MAYOR OF HELL (1933). Frankie steals this movie from James Cagney! Not an easy feat by any means. Well worth owning. (Warner Bros.)

LOST MOVIES?

Frankie and Mantan Moreland starred in eight films for Monogram Studios in the early 1940's. Two of the titles seem to be lost. If anyone has a copy of these two films please contact this web site. Thank you.

1) ON THE SPOT (1940)

2) LAUGHING AT DANGER (1940)