IDOL OF THE CROWDS

DIRECTED BY ARTHUR LUBIN
PRODUCED BY TREM CARR/PAUL MALVERN
UNIVERSAL PICTURES

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/1613001090o.jpg..http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/i3otc2.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/ictw2-1.jpg..http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/4iotc3.jpg

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Retired hockey player Johnny Hansen (John Wayne), in order to make money to enlarge his chicken farm, returns to the game and leads his team into the championship series. Just before the series starts, he is offered a bribe to throw the games but refuses. An attempt is made on his life which results in Bobby (Billy Barrud as Billy Barrud as usual), the team's mascot, being injured.
Summary written by Les Adams

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Johnny Hansen
Sheila Bromley .... Helen Dale
Charles Brokaw .... Jack Irwin
Bill Burrud .... Bobby (as Billy Burrud)
Jane Johns .... Peggy
Huntley Gordon .... Harvey Castle
Frank Otto .... Joe Garber
Russell Hopton .... Kelly
Hal Neiman .... Squat Bates
Virginia Brissac .... Mrs. Dale
George Lloyd .... Spike Regan
Clem Bevans .... Andy Moore
Wayne Castle .... Swifty
Lloyd Ford .... Hank
Lee Ford .... Elmer

Writing Credits
Harold Buckley
George Waggner

Produced
Trem Carr .... producer
Paul Malvern .... associate producer

Cinematography
Harry Neumann

Hi,
This was Duke's 5th.. film of a 6 picture Universal deal,
and it was not a happy time ,the films were mediocre,
but things were about to change, because, just after
Duke returned to REPUBLIC, for THE THREE MESQUITEERS,
and thereafter STAGECOACH

Athur Lubin, whose films with Abbot and Costello, saved UNIVERSAL
from going bankrupt, he was promoted to director of the epic
Phantom of the Opera, which was a huge success.
However, he wasn't quite so successful with the films, he made with Duke.
There were 4 films,

CALIFORNIA STRAIGHT AHEAD
I COVER THE WAR
IDOL OF THE CROWDS
ADVENTURE'S END

The action films, were entertaining, but were cheaply made, and proved to be
disappointing at the box office.

This isn't a bad film, if a little contrived.Once again, Duke was perfecting his acting skills, and Sheila Bromley, wasn't too bad, as his love interset.
However, better things, were around the corner.
Rating 5/10

Keith,

Do you have a pretty good collection of these older, rare films? It seems by your comments that you have seen many of them.

In searching for this title on Amazon, one of the sponsored links was Bygone Video (http://www.bygonevideo.com/john_wayne_rare.htm). They do have many fairly rare titles, but there is a price attached :D . For example, Idol of the Crowds is available on VHS for $30 and on DVD for $40 :o !

I don't know that I want to see it that badly . . . :blink: .

Chester :newyear:

Hi Jim and Sue,
Yes I do have most of the early ones, except ones that have got
lost forever!!
You will notice, if I don't have a copy of the film, I will add a note, at the end of the review, asking if anyone, has seen or got it!!!

The poster here is the same one that Keith has in his introductory post. I have also posted pics of two lobby cards from this same film.

Just saw this, the copy was bad, but the film is decent enough, nice story and we even get shirtless Duke to admire ;)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/a_duk332.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7764&u=11975903)


http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/th/a_duk333.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=7765&u=11975903)

http://i47.servimg.com/u/f47/11/97/59/03/a_duke55.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=8447&u=11975903)

Great pics from a rare movie

Just watched this last night.. on youtube... was broken up into 6 parts... but still enjoyed it very much....