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Reviews
Experiment in Terror (1962)
Disappointing with some interest elements
Overall, I was disappointed with this film. The dark cinematography is excellent, the acting is good and the score is superb. Unfortunately, the film fails to generate any excitement or suspense whatsoever. I found myself appreciating the film as a technical achievement rather than an entertaining slab of noir or detective drama. There are no points in the film we really think Lee Remick might be at risk, she just walks her way through the film. Some slow scenes involving an Asian child and it's mother really add nothing to the film and take away from the already non-existent tension. Film-noir fans should see this for the moody lighting (especially a bizarre scene in an apartment full of mannequins) and brooding story; otherwise I would not recommend this movie to the average movie-goer. And anyone interested in the scoring work of Henry Mancini should see this, his title theme is a classic.
Tom Jones (1963)
One of the funniest ever.
I find it almost impossible to believe that there are people out there that did not find movie hilarious. There are so many memorable scenes, so many wonderful lines and such great acting! This is easily one of the most entertaining movies I've ever seen, and definitely the most entertaining British film. It gets a perfect 10.
Sudden Fear (1952)
A superb Crawford noir that defeats camp.
Unfortunately, movies like this are tossed off as either noir (an invented genre) or camp. This film is neither; the acting is strong, the drama is intense and overall the high quality of the affair leaks through. Jack Palance is arguably not a good choice for the male lead (Joan was probably right), and his obnoxious grinning can kind of get in the way of the movie at times. Besides that point, Joan is at her forceful and slightly unbelievable best. Her acting is a "noir" staple, and the movie would not work without it (I should better not mention the scene where Joan dictates her will to her ridiculous microphone). There are some highly stylized scenes that really make the movie memorable. I was forced to rewind the final chase through the desolate, empty streets time and again. In fact the second half of the movie is really where the excitement picks up and the drama intensifies. This film is a B+.