Willie Best

Willie Best

William “Willie” Best (May 27, 1916 - February 27, 1962), sometimes known as “Sleep n' Eat,” was an American television and film actor. Best was one of the first African-American film actors and comedians to become well known. In the 21st century, his work, like that of Stepin Fetchit, is sometimes reviled because he was often called upon to play stereotypically lazy, illiterate, and/or simple-minded characters in films. Of the 124 films he appeared in, he received screen credit in at least 77, an unusual feat for an African-American bit player. Willie Best appeared in more than one hundred films of the 1930s and 1940s. Although several sources state that for years he was billed only as “Sleep n' Eat,” Best received credit under this moniker instead of his real name in only six movies: his first film as a bit player (Harold Lloyd's Feet First) and in Up Pops the Devil (1931), The Monster Walks (1932), Kentucky Kernels and West of the Pecos (both 1934), and Murder on a Honeymoon (1935). Best was first loved as a great clown, then later in the 20th century reviled and pitied, before being forgotten in the history of film. Hal Roach called him one of the greatest talents he had ever met. Comedian Bob Hope similarly acclaimed him as “the best actor I know,” while the two were working together in 1940 on The Ghost Breakers. As a supporting actor, Best, like many black actors of his era, was regularly cast in domestic worker or service-oriented roles (though a few times he played the role echoing his previous occupation as a private chauffeur). He was often seen making a brief comic turn as a hotel, airline or train porter, as well as an elevator operator, custodian, butler, valet, waiter, deliveryman, and at least once as a launch pilot (in the 1939 movie Mr. Moto in Danger Island). Willie Best received screen credit most of the time, which was unusual for “bit players,” most in the 1930s and '40s were not accorded due credit. This also happened to white actors in small roles, but black actors were not credited even when their roles were larger. In more than 80 of his movies, he was given a proper character name (as opposed to simple descriptions such as “room service waiter” or “shoe-shine boy”), beginning with his second film. Best played “Chattanooga Brown” in two Charlie Chan films —The Red Dragon in 1945 and Dangerous Money in 1946. He also played the character of “Hipp” in three of RKO’s six Scattergood Baines films with Guy Kibbee: Scattergood Baines (1941), Scattergood Survives a Murder (1942), and Cinderella Swings It in 1943. (Actor Paul White, who played a young version of Best’s “Hipp” in the first film, went on to play “Hipp” in the next three films. Best returned to the role in the last two.) After a drug arrest ended his film career, he worked in television for a while and became known to early TV audiences as “Charlie the Elevator Operator” on CBS's My Little Margie, from 1953 to 1955. He also played Willie, the house servant, handyman and close friend of the title character of ABC’s The Trouble with Father, for its entire run from 1950 to 1955.

  • Популярність : 6.416
  • Відомий за : Acting
  • День народження : 1913-05-27
  • Місце народження : Sunflower, Mississippi, USA
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Willie Best Фільми

  • 1952
    imgФільми

    Ellis in Freedomland

    Ellis in Freedomland

    1 1952 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Blondie

    Blondie

    7.1 1938 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Blondie Brings Up Baby

    Blondie Brings Up Baby

    6.5 1939 HD

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  • 1942
    imgФільми

    Scattergood Survives a Murder

    Scattergood Survives a Murder

    4.5 1942 HD

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  • 1943
    imgФільми

    Cinderella Swings It

    Cinderella Swings It

    1 1943 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    The Covered Trailer

    The Covered Trailer

    1 1939 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Висока Сієра

    Висока Сієра

    7.016 1941 HD

    Відомий грабіжник Рой Ерл виходить на свободу, несподівано отримавши...

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  • 1930
    imgФільми

    Feet First

    Feet First

    6.6 1930 HD

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  • 1940
    imgФільми

    The Ghost Breakers

    The Ghost Breakers

    6.5 1940 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    Hit and Rum

    Hit and Rum

    1 1935 HD

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  • 1942
    imgФільми

    A-Haunting We Will Go

    A-Haunting We Will Go

    5.986 1942 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    The Littlest Rebel

    The Littlest Rebel

    6.3 1935 HD

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  • 1945
    imgФільми

    The Red Dragon

    The Red Dragon

    6.1 1945 HD

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  • 1946
    imgФільми

    Dangerous Money

    Dangerous Money

    5.7 1946 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter

    Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter

    6 1939 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Murder on a Bridle Path

    Murder on a Bridle Path

    5 1936 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Highway West

    Highway West

    5.8 1941 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    The Smiling Ghost

    The Smiling Ghost

    6.5 1941 HD

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  • 1942
    imgФільми

    The Hidden Hand

    The Hidden Hand

    6.2 1942 HD

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  • 1934
    imgФільми

    Little Miss Marker

    Little Miss Marker

    6.5 1934 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    Murder on a Honeymoon

    Murder on a Honeymoon

    5.8 1935 HD

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  • 1943
    imgФільми

    Cabin in the Sky

    Cabin in the Sky

    6.3 1943 HD

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  • 1946
    imgФільми

    The Face of Marble

    The Face of Marble

    4.4 1946 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Nothing But the Truth

    Nothing But the Truth

    7.1 1941 HD

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  • 1942
    imgФільми

    Whispering Ghosts

    Whispering Ghosts

    6.9 1942 HD

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  • 1942
    imgФільми

    Juke Girl

    Juke Girl

    6.5 1942 HD

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  • 1942
    imgФільми

    Maisie Gets Her Man

    Maisie Gets Her Man

    6.5 1942 HD

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  • 1942
    imgФільми

    Busses Roar

    Busses Roar

    6.6 1942 HD

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  • 1945
    imgФільми

    She Wouldn't Say Yes

    She Wouldn't Say Yes

    5.9 1945 HD

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  • 1945
    imgФільми

    Pillow to Post

    Pillow to Post

    5.3 1945 HD

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  • 1944
    imgФільми

    The Girl Who Dared

    The Girl Who Dared

    5.7 1944 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Road Show

    Road Show

    5.833 1941 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    The Lady from Cheyenne

    The Lady from Cheyenne

    5.2 1941 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    Super-Sleuth

    Super-Sleuth

    5 1937 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Down the Stretch

    Down the Stretch

    5.5 1936 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Kisses for Breakfast

    Kisses for Breakfast

    5.5 1941 HD

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  • 1946
    imgФільми

    The Bride Wore Boots

    The Bride Wore Boots

    5.9 1946 HD

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  • 1945
    imgФільми

    The Monster and the Ape

    The Monster and the Ape

    6.3 1945 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    Raised and Called

    Raised and Called

    1 1935 HD

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  • 1940
    imgФільми

    Who Killed Aunt Maggie?

    Who Killed Aunt Maggie?

    4.3 1940 HD

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  • 1944
    imgФільми

    Home in Indiana

    Home in Indiana

    5.6 1944 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Goodbye Broadway

    Goodbye Broadway

    1 1938 HD

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  • 1940
    imgФільми

    Money and the Woman

    Money and the Woman

    4.3 1940 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Muss 'em Up

    Muss 'em Up

    5.5 1936 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Merrily We Live

    Merrily We Live

    7.118 1938 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Gold Is Where You Find It

    Gold Is Where You Find It

    6.9 1938 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    Meet the Missus

    Meet the Missus

    4 1937 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    Saturday's Heroes

    Saturday's Heroes

    7 1937 HD

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  • 1947
    imgФільми

    The Red Stallion

    The Red Stallion

    1 1947 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    Deep South

    Deep South

    6 1937 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    The Lady Fights Back

    The Lady Fights Back

    6 1937 HD

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  • 1943
    imgФільми

    The Powers Girl

    The Powers Girl

    6.5 1943 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Youth Takes a Fling

    Youth Takes a Fling

    1 1938 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    We Who Are About to Die

    We Who Are About to Die

    6.8 1937 HD

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  • 1943
    imgФільми

    Dixie

    Dixie

    3 1943 HD

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  • 1945
    imgФільми

    Hold That Blonde!

    Hold That Blonde!

    7 1945 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    To Beat the Band

    To Beat the Band

    1 1935 HD

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  • 1931
    imgФільми

    Up Pops the Devil

    Up Pops the Devil

    4.2 1931 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Everybody's Doing It

    Everybody's Doing It

    5 1938 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    At the Circus

    At the Circus

    6.3 1939 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Two in Revolt

    Two in Revolt

    6 1936 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Mummy's Boys

    Mummy's Boys

    4.7 1936 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Spring Madness

    Spring Madness

    3.9 1938 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    The Nitwits

    The Nitwits

    6.1 1935 HD

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  • 1934
    imgФільми

    Kentucky Kernels

    Kentucky Kernels

    6.1 1934 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    Horse Heir

    Horse Heir

    1 1935 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    The Saint Strikes Back

    The Saint Strikes Back

    5.6 1939 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Mr. Moto in Danger Island

    Mr. Moto in Danger Island

    7 1939 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Way Down South

    Way Down South

    5.4 1939 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation

    Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation

    6.9 1939 HD

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  • 1951
    imgФільми

    South of Caliente

    South of Caliente

    1 1951 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Slightly Honorable

    Slightly Honorable

    5.1 1939 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    The Bride Walks Out

    The Bride Walks Out

    5.3 1936 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Blackmail

    Blackmail

    6.4 1939 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    Jalna

    Jalna

    4.8 1935 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    Racing Lady

    Racing Lady

    5.3 1937 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    You Can't Buy Luck

    You Can't Buy Luck

    4.5 1937 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Night Waitress

    Night Waitress

    5.8 1936 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Crashing Hollywood

    Crashing Hollywood

    5.8 1938 HD

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  • 1944
    imgФільми

    Music for Millions

    Music for Millions

    6 1944 HD

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  • 1930
    imgФільми

    Ladies of Leisure

    Ladies of Leisure

    6 1930 HD

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  • 1940
    imgФільми

    Blondie on a Budget

    Blondie on a Budget

    6 1940 HD

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  • 1940
    imgФільми

    I Take This Woman

    I Take This Woman

    6.2 1940 HD

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  • 1947
    imgФільми

    Suddenly It's Spring

    Suddenly It's Spring

    4.3 1947 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    The Green Pastures

    The Green Pastures

    6.3 1936 HD

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  • 1934
    imgФільми

    West of the Pecos

    West of the Pecos

    1 1934 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Thank You, Jeeves!

    Thank You, Jeeves!

    6 1936 HD

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  • 1944
    imgФільми

    The Mark of the Whistler

    The Mark of the Whistler

    5.9 1944 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Breakdowns of 1941

    Breakdowns of 1941

    7 1941 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    Hot Tip

    Hot Tip

    5 1935 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    I'm from the City

    I'm from the City

    5 1938 HD

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  • 1935
    imgФільми

    The Arizonian

    The Arizonian

    1 1935 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    General Spanky

    General Spanky

    5.3 1936 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    Mississippi Moods

    Mississippi Moods

    1 1937 HD

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  • 1943
    imgФільми

    Thank Your Lucky Stars

    Thank Your Lucky Stars

    6.1 1943 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Vivacious Lady

    Vivacious Lady

    6.8 1938 HD

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  • 1936
    imgФільми

    Silly Billies

    Silly Billies

    8 1936 HD

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  • 1932
    imgФільми

    The Monster Walks

    The Monster Walks

    4.2 1932 HD

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  • 1943
    imgФільми

    The Kansan

    The Kansan

    5.2 1943 HD

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  • 1962
    imgФільми

    Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy

    Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy

    7.3 1962 HD

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  • 2004
    imgФільми

    TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

    TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

    4 2004 HD

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  • 1938
    imgФільми

    Straight, Place and Show

    Straight, Place and Show

    6 1938 HD

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  • 1975
    imgФільми

    Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

    Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

    5.7 1975 HD

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  • 1948
    imgФільми

    Shanghai Chest

    Shanghai Chest

    6.1 1948 HD

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  • 1937
    imgФільми

    Breezing Home

    Breezing Home

    1 1937 HD

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  • 1948
    imgФільми

    Half Past Midnight

    Half Past Midnight

    6 1948 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Flight from Destiny

    Flight from Destiny

    5.2 1941 HD

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  • 1944
    imgФільми

    The Adventures of Mark Twain

    The Adventures of Mark Twain

    6.6 1944 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Scattergood Baines

    Scattergood Baines

    6 1941 HD

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  • 1939
    imgФільми

    Private Detective

    Private Detective

    6 1939 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    Minstrel Days

    Minstrel Days

    1 1941 HD

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  • 1931
    imgФільми

    Virtuous Husband

    Virtuous Husband

    1 1931 HD

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  • 1931
    imgФільми

    The Guilty Generation

    The Guilty Generation

    6 1931 HD

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  • 1941
    imgФільми

    The Body Disappears

    The Body Disappears

    5.2 1941 HD

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  • 1952
    imgS4 E39

    My Little Margie

    My Little Margie

    3 1952 HD

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  • 1951
    imgS3 E35

    Racket Squad

    Racket Squad

    6 1951 HD

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  • 1950
    imgS4 E26

    The Stu Erwin Show

    The Stu Erwin Show

    6 1950 HD

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  • 1954
    imgS1 E8

    Waterfront

    Waterfront

    7 1954 HD

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