William Berke — Director (56)
Waterfront at Midnight (1948) [Movie] TMDB IMDb
Waterfront at Midnight
Hoping to put the cuffs on criminal mastermind Socks Barstow, detective Mike Hanrohan is stymied by the fact that his younger brother Denny has joined Barstow's gang. Things get worse after a bloody shootout, in which Mike apparently guns down his own brother.
Robin Hood of the Range (1943) [Movie] TMDB IMDb
Robin Hood of the Range
Inasmuch as western star Charles Starrett gained screen fame as the Robin Hood-like "Durango Kid", it stands to reason that Starrett would head the cast of Robin Hood of the Range. The star plays Steve Marlowe, the foster son of railroad manager Henry Marlowe (Kenneth McDonald). When it becomes apparent that the railroad is using underhanded methods to drive local homesteaders off their land, Steve adopts the guise of "The Vulcan", a legendary champion of justice.
The Marshal's Daughter (1953) [Movie] IMDb TMDB
The Marshal's Daughter
director: William Berke actor: Laurie Anders / Hoot Gibson
To fully appreciate the western comedy The Marshal's Daughter, one must be aware that its star, a zaftig, wide-eyed lass named Laurie Anders, was in 1953 a popular TV personality. A regular on The Ken Murray Show, Anders had risen to fame with the Southern-fried catchphrase "Ah love the wi-i-i-ide open spaces!" Striking while the iron was hot, the entrepreneurial Murray produced this inexpensive oater, which cast Anders as Laurie Dawson, the singing daughter of a U.S. marshal (Hoot Gibson). Teaming with her dad to capture outlaw Trigger Gans (Bob Duncan), Laurie briefly disguises herself as a masked bandit. Amidst much stock footage from earlier westerns and a plethora of lame jokes and dreadful puns, The Marshal's Daughter is a treat for trivia buffs, featuring such virile actors as Preston S. Foster, Johnny Mack Brown, Jimmy Wakely and Buddy Baer as "themselves."
Riders of the Northwest Mounted (1943) [Movie] IMDb TMDB
Riders of the Northwest Mounted
director: William Berke actor: Russell Hayden / Dub Taylor
Fur thieves, who murder trappers when they refuse to give up their pelts at a low price, occupy the attention of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. The leader of the gang is Victor Renaud, also the mayor of the small Canadian town where the gang is headquartered. Lucky Kerrigan is broken from the mounted service for apparent disobedience to orders, which results in the death of a fellow Mountie. Lucky, working undercover, aids the Mounties in rounding up the gang and gains back his uniform, and also the love of Gabrielle Renaud, Renaud's sister who was unaware of his criminal activities.
A Tornado in the Saddle (1942) [Movie] TMDB IMDb
A Tornado in the Saddle
director: William Berke actor: Russell Hayden / Dub Taylor
A Tornado in the Saddle starred Russell Hayden as the new sheriff of Crestview. Hot on the trail of a gang of claim jumpers led by Dalton and Slim, the novice lawman also has to deal with hotheaded wrangler turned deputy Bob Wilson, whom he is constantly forced to fight, but only after prudently removing his sheriff's star.
That's My Baby! (1944) [Movie] TMDB IMDb
That's My Baby!
director: William Berke actor: Richard Arlen / Ellen Drew
A love triangle occurs between the publisher's daughter Betty Moody. comic book artist Tim Jones, and the company's wily manipulative manager Hilton Payne. In addition, Betty's dad, Phineas Moody suffers from severe melancholy; and an emergency cure of laughter is required to save his health.
Sunset Pass (1946) [Movie] TMDB IMDb
Sunset Pass
director: William Berke actor: James Warren / Nan Leslie
A young outlaw gets involved with a gang of crooks. When he tells them he is breaking away, they threaten to pin a false murder charge on him. But he is rescued and reformed by his sister, and an undercover agent for the express company.
The Bandit Queen (1950) [Movie] IMDb TMDB WikiData
The Bandit Queen
other title: La figlia di Zorro / Zorros Tochter
Zara Montalve, half Spanish and half America, returns to her native California in time to see her parents murdered for their hacienda and gold by Sheriff Jim Harding and his gang. Posing as Lola Belmont, an American visiting from Detroit, teams up with Joaquin Murietta, posing as Carlos Del Rio, to form a Robin-Hood type band that takes vengeance on the gang and restores stolen gold to its rightful owners, aided by militia leader Dan Hinsdale.
Down Rio Grande Way (1942) [Movie] IMDb TMDB
Down Rio Grande Way
Slightly more elaborate than most Charles Starrett westerns, Down Rio Grande Way is set in the mid-19th century, when the Republic of Texas was poised to join the Union. Starrett plays Texas Ranger Steve Martin, who is dispatched to a "renegade" Texas country that refuses to become part of the good old USA. He discovers that the crux of the problem is a local tax collector who, with the help of a crooked newspaper editor, is systematically robbing the citizens of their hard-earned cash, all the while fomenting anti-American sentiments.
Toll of the Desert (1935) [Movie] TMDB IMDb WikiData
Toll of the Desert
director: William Berke actor: Fred Kohler Jr. / Betty Mack
When his family is killed by Indians, a bitter cowboy turns into a ruthless hired gunman. Unbeknownst to him, his son had survived the attack, and is now a lawman. The son, not knowing that the killer is his father, is assigned to bring him to justice.
Riders of the Northland (1942) [Movie] TMDB IMDb WikiData
Riders of the Northland
In this western, three Texas Rangers decide to do their part to save the world and join the Army, but before they can, they are sent to Alaska to destroy a secret Nazi operation involving a submarine refueling station. The outpost is located behind an impenetrable tangle of barbed wire. The rangers get a little help, and discover a traitor. Then to get through the wire, they start a cattle stampede and save the day.
The Vigilantes Ride (1943) [Movie] TMDB IMDb WikiData
The Vigilantes Ride
director: William Berke actor: Russell Hayden / Dub Taylor
When Rangers Lucky and his brother chase outlaws, the brother is killed. To find the killer Lucky quits the Rangers and robs the bank. This gets him into the outlaw gang where he learns of their next raid. Sneaking out at night he tells his girl friend who must now convince the Sheriff that Lucky is not an outlaw and that he must sent his men out to catch the gang.
Law of the Northwest (1943) [Movie] TMDB IMDb WikiData
Law of the Northwest
Briefly switching gears in 1942 and 1943, western star Charles Starrett made a handful of "northerns" in which he played a Canadian mountie. In Law of the Northwest, Steve King (Starrett) supervises a road-construction project designed to transport war materials to the Aleutians. Problems arise when a crooked contractor decides that his interests are more important than the war effort.
The Fighting Buckaroo (1943) [Movie] TMDB IMDb WikiData
The Fighting Buckaroo
director: William Berke actor: Charles Starrett / Kay Harris
In this western, a lonesome cowpoke trots into a town and helps clear his pardner's name. The trouble began when the friend was framed by the leader of the Cattlemen's association who made it seem like he was a rustler. Because the friend was an ex-con, the evidence against him seems airtight. The wandering hero must work extra hard to prove his friend's innocence.
Saddles and Sagebrush (1943) [Movie] TMDB WikiData IMDb
Saddles and Sagebrush
director: William Berke actor: Russell Hayden / Dub Taylor
Krag Sabine has aroused the wrath of all the ranchers by stealing their land with the aid of his henchmen, led by Ace Barco; when Lafe Martin objects, the outlaws shoot him down. Lucky Randall promises Ann Martin he will avenge her wounded father. He sets up headquarters on the Martin ranch and sends for Bob Merritt and his men, the Texas Playboys (Jesse Ashlock, Leon McAuliffe, Cotton Thompson, Junior Barnard and Luke Wills). Krag organizes his remaining men for an attack on the ranch. Lucky's men get the upper hand but Krag escapes with Ann as his hostage.