"Aces of Action" was the informal nickname given to the movie teaming of

Richard Arlen Richard Arlen (born Sylvanus Richard Mattimore, September 1, 1899 – March 28, 1976) was an American actor of film and television. Early days Arlen served in Canada as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. He later taught as ...

and

Andy Devine Andrew Vabre Devine (October 7, 1905 – February 18, 1977) was an American character actor known for his distinctive raspy, crackly voice and roles in American frontier, Western films, including his role as Cookie, the sidekick of Roy Rogers ...

. They made a number of low budget action films together for

Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company that is a subsidiary of Comcast ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of N ...

. In February 1939 Universal announced they would make seven "outdoor pictures" starring the duo over the next year, all produced by Ben Pivar.Arlen, Devine Paired in Universal Series Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times11 Feb 1939: A9. The films were well received and the series continued until Arlen left Universal for

Pine-Thomas Productions Pine-Thomas Productions was a prolific B-picture unit of Paramount Pictures from 1940–1957, producing 81 films. Co-producers William H. Pine (February 15, 1896 – April 29, 1955) and William C. Thomas (August 11, 1903 – April 2, 1984) were kno ...

. Universal then tried Devine in a series of other "buddy" comedies, teaming him with Leo Carillo and Broderick Crawford.

Films

Richard Arlen & Andy Devine

*'' Mutiny on the Blackhawk'' (1939) *''

Tropic Fury ''Tropic Fury'' is a 1939 American action film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Richard Arlen, Andy Devine and Beverly Roberts.Kohner p.353 Plot Cast * Richard Arlen as Dan Burton * Andy Devine as Tynan ('Tiny') Andrews * Beverly Rob ...

'' (1939) *'' Legion of Lost Flyers'' (1939) *'' Man from Montreal'' (1939) *''

Danger on Wheels ''Danger on Wheels'' is a 1940 American film noir sport film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. Plot A test driver (Richard Arlen) tries racing with his girlfriend's ( Peggy Moran) father's new engine. Cas ...

'' (1940) *'' Hot Steel'' (1940) *''

Black Diamonds Carbonado, commonly known as black diamond, is one of the toughest forms of natural diamond. It is an impure, high-density, micro-porous form of polycrystalline diamond consisting of diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon, with minor crystal ...

'' (1940) *''

The Leather Pushers ''The Leather Pushers'' is a 1922 American film serial starring Reginald Denny (actor), Reginald Denny (and Billy Sullivan (actor), Billy Sullivan in the fourth series), and based on boxing stories by H. C. Witwer originally published in ''Collie ...

'' (1940) *'' The Devil's Pipeline'' (1940) *'' Lucky Devils'' (1941) *''

Mutiny in the Arctic ''Mutiny in the Arctic'' is a 1941 American action adventure film directed by John Rawlins and starring Richard Arlen, Andy Devine and Anne Nagel. It was part of their Aces of Action series produced and released by Universal Pictures. It was als ...

'' (1941) *''

Men of the Timberland ''Men of the Timberland'' is a 1941 American action film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Richard Arlen, Andy Devine and Linda Hayes. It was part of their Aces of Action series at Universal Pictures. Paul Jarrico worked on the script. He ...

'' (1941) *''

Raiders of the Desert ''Raiders of the Desert'' is a 1941 American comedy adventure film directed by John Rawlins and starring Andy Devine, Richard Arlen and Linda Hayes. The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. It featured early appearance by Tur ...

'' (1941) *'' A Dangerous Game'' (1941)

Leo Carillo & Andy Devine

*''

The Kid from Kansas ''The Kid from Kansas '' is a 1941 American action adventure film directed by William Nigh and starring Leo Carrillo, Dick Foran and Andy Devine. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Plot On a fictional island banana plantation ...

'' (1941) - and Dick Foran *'' Road Agent'' (1941) *''

Unseen Enemy ''Unseen Enemy'' is a 1942 American spy film, spy thriller film directed by John Rawlins (director), John Rawlins and starring Don Terry. Plot A Canadian military intelligence agent tries to uncover a plot to sabotage American ships, while an uns ...

'' (1942) *'' Escape from Hong Kong'' (1942) - and Don Terry *''

Danger in the Pacific ''Danger in the Pacific '' is a 1942 espionage thriller set on a fictional island during World War II. Plot As a cover for his true government mission, British intelligence agent Leo Marzell (Leo Carrillo) sponsors a scientific expedition led by ...

'' (1942) - and Don Terry *'' Top Sergeant'' (1942) - and Don Terry *'' Timber!'' (1942) - and

Dan Dailey Daniel James Dailey Jr. (December 14, 1915 – October 16, 1978) was an American actor and dancer. He is best remembered for a series of popular musicals he made at 20th Century Fox such as '' Mother Wore Tights'' (1947). Biography Early life D ...

Broderick Crawford & Andy Devine

*'' South of Tahiti'' (1941) - and

Brian Donlevy Waldo Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 6, 1972) was an American actor, who was noted for playing dangerous and tough characters. Usually appearing in supporting roles, among his best-known films are '' Beau Geste'' (1939), '' The Great ...

*'' North to the Klondike'' (1941) - and

Lon Chaney Jr Creighton Tull Chaney (February10, 1906 – July12, 1973), known by his stage name Lon Chaney Jr., was an American actor known for playing Larry Talbot in the film ''The Wolf Man (1941 film), The Wolf Man'' (1941) and its various fictional ...

References

Action film series American film series {{action-film-stub