Interesting flicks, known and forgotten
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- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneMaureen O'HaraBarry FitzgeraldA retired American boxer returns to the village of his birth in 1920s Ireland, where he falls for a spirited redhead whose brother is contemptuous of their union.Still another John Ford gem; it contains many of his "repertory company," and one of his most romantic couples. Ward Bond, Barry Fitzgerald, Arthur Shields, Ken Curtis (don't blink, you'll miss him), Jack Macgowran, Mildred Natwick and Francis Ford, along with some great Irish actors, back up Wayne and O'Hara in Admiral Ford's most popular film.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartMary AstorGladys GeorgeSan Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.Like all my favorites, the supporting cast in this really add to the enjoyment of the film. This one made Bogey a true star, and John Huston a first-rank director, but everyone else really shines -- especially Greenstreet and Lorre. Not to be missed, though, are Ward Bond, Lee Patrick, and even Walter Huston, who speaks not a word but doesn't need to.
- DirectorMark RydellStarsSteve McQueenSharon FarrellRuth WhiteIn turn-of-the-century Mississippi, an 11-year-old boy comes of age as two mischievous adult friends talk him into sneaking the family car out for a trip to Memphis and a series of adventures.The best movie ever made based on Faulkner (not that that's saying much.) It's a true memory piece, with excellent work by McQueen and the rest of the cast. Fine support from the likes of Will Geer, Charlie Tyner, Rupert Cross, Mitch Vogel and seemingly hundred's of others. I love the last scene in the Winton Flyer!
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneLee MarvinElizabeth AllenIn an ideal society on a picturesque South Seas isle, diverse people live in harmony until an outsider disrupts the balance."What I did on my summer vacation," by Pappy Ford and his "family." Not a great flick, but fun. A lot of Ford's old friends, including Duke Wayne, Caesar Romero, Dick Foran and Dorothy Lamour. Too bad Lee Marvin's part just got dropped into the lagoon.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsCarl ReinerEva Marie SaintAlan ArkinWithout hostile intent, a Soviet submarine runs aground off New England. Men are sent for a boat, but many villagers go into a tizzy, risking bloodshed.Good actors (Eva Marie Saint, Theo Bikel, Brian Keith, Tessie O'shea, Paul Ford), adequate actors (Carl Reiner, Ben Blue), excellent actor (Alan Arkin), over-actors (Jonathan Winters), and bad actors (John Phillip Law.) Funny premise, funny execution; almost forgotten these days -- pity!
- DirectorRobert AltmanStarsKeith CarradineKaren BlackRonee BlakleyOver the course of a few hectic days, numerous interrelated people prepare for a political convention.An emotionally devastating mob scene -- over twenty-four "main" characters tear our insides out. I had to sit in the theater for almost fifteen minutes after I saw it the first time before I was able to leave the auditorium! This was the first time I remember Jeff Goldblum, Barbara Harris and Allan Garfield; Keith Carradine deserved the Oscar he won for best song. Keenan Wynn was outstanding. If you are (as I am) a fan of country music, I can see how it might be disliked, but several of the "stars" are pretty funny, as well as being excellent satire. (I need to see it again -- and soon!)
- DirectorFranklin J. SchaffnerStarsGeorge C. ScottKarl MaldenStephen YoungThe World War II phase of the career of controversial American general George S. Patton.A "cast of thousands" but a two-man show. George C. Scott and Karl Malden act their buns off. My favorite role of Karl's, and one of Scott's best. "Sometimes, General, they can't tell when you're acting." "It's only important that I know."
- DirectorFranco ZeffirelliStarsLeonard WhitingOlivia HusseyJohn McEneryWhen two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.One of the better Shakespeare films, with the lovers portrayed by actual young people. Too bad that they weren't better actors. The Nurse and the Friar are pretty good, but John McEnery steals the movie as Mercutio -- another role that elevates the flick above its inherent value.
- DirectorRobert ClouseStarsRod TaylorTheodore BikelSuzy KendallProfessional beach bum and 'knight errant' Travis McGee goes up against psychotic body-builder Terry Bartell. McGee pulls out all the stops when he joins a Caribbean cruise to bring the killer to justice.I've only seen this once, but would love to see it again. Rod Taylor and Theo Bikel shine as McGee and Meyer, the background is true to the novel and the battle between Taylor and Wm. Smith is one of the best one-on-one duels in film history. Suzy Kendall's dual role is well done; I thought that Jane Russell's Alabama Tigress wasn't. Let's hear it for Miss Agnes and the Busted Flush.
- DirectorStanley KramerStarsSpencer TracyFredric MarchGene KellyBased on a real-life case in 1925; two great lawyers argue the case for, and against, a Tennessee science teacher accused of the crime of teaching Darwin's theory of evolution.Spencer Tracy and Frederick March own their characters in this fictionalization of the '20s "Monkey Trial" in Tennessee, but it's not a two-person show. Harry Morgan, Noah Berry Jr., Claude Akins, Dick York and Gene Kelly give (generally) worthy support. The fireworks between acerbic Tracy and fundamentalist March strike sparks, with (some) cynicism from Kelly, who's well miscast. A hundred years (almost) after the actual event, and nearly sixty after the play/movie, it is, once again, the story of our lives.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsSean ConneryMichael CaineChristopher PlummerIn 1880s India, two former British soldiers decide to set themselves up as Kings in Kafiristan, a land where no white man has set foot since Alexander the Great.Danny and Peachy are soldiers who run away to be kings. Mr. Kipling meets them, and later hears from one of them the story of their adventure, which involves Masons, bandits, former native troops, and a beautiful princess. Connery, Caine and Plummer excel in their roles, with support from Saeed Jaffrey and Shakiri (Mrs. Michael) Caine. One of the great adventures, from John Huston.
- DirectorJohn FordRobert MontgomeryStarsRobert MontgomeryJohn WayneDonna ReedA Navy commander fights to prove the battle-worthiness of the PT boat at the start of World War II.It was a box office failure (it was released in the days just before WWII ended), but it's a fine story, and pretty much true. Robert Montgomery and John Wayne are good friends who disagree on the meaning of their war. Ward Bond lends strong support. Donna Reed's role is unnecessary, but she does a good job. Perhaps the beginning of "modern" war movies -- it not about the glory of war, but the necessaty of sacrifice.
- DirectorGeorge StevensStarsCary GrantJoan FontaineVictor McLaglenIn 19th century India, three British soldiers and a native waterbearer must stop a secret mass revival of the murderous Thuggee cult before it can rampage across the land.Cary Grant, Victor McLauchlin, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. replay The Front Page (!) in India. A fine Boy's Own adventure; Cary plays for laughs, Victor is (as usual) the straight man, and Doug is the lover. There's strong support, but the emphasis is on the three leads. Lone Pine, Cal. never looked better.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsSidney PoitierRod SteigerWarren OatesA black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case.Poitier, in his best role, playing a Black detective, fights Rod Steiger as a redneck police chief. Warren Oates is almost charming as a deputy, and Lee Grant does a wonderful job as a grieving widow. The guilty party is somewhat of an unexpected surprise, but the scenes between Tibbs and Gillespie show a growing respect between races. A film of it's time, and still applicable to ours.
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsJohn WayneElsa MartinelliHardy KrügerA group of men trap wild animals in Africa and sell them to zoos before the arrival of a female wildlife photographer threatens to change their ways.A lazily-paced adventure, and an early example of international star power. Not a lot happens (much was improvised by the actors and their stunt doubles), but the European actors are good, and Henry Mancini's score makes it all very palatable. Howard Hawks follows his own template, and it's a joy to watch.
- DirectorRobert MulliganStarsGregory PeckJohn MegnaFrank OvertonAtticus Finch, a widowed lawyer in Depression-era Alabama, defends a Black man against an undeserved rape charge, and tries to educate his young children against prejudice.Believe it or not, I've not read the book! (It came out when I as in high school -- I've not avoided it, but have just never taken the time; one of these days . . . . ) A most powerful performance from G. Peck, an unspoken one from Robt. Duval, a somewhat unusual one from Paul Fix, and one of the best acting jobs from a child actor from Mary Badham as Scout. Every time I see Atticus walk sadly from the courtroom to the Rev. Sykes "Miss Jean Louise. Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passing," I cry.
- DirectorNorman JewisonSam PeckinpahStarsSteve McQueenAnn-MargretEdward G. RobinsonAn up-and-coming poker player tries to prove himself in a high-stakes match against a long-time master of the game.I often wonder how this film would have played had Sam Peckinpah finished what he started. As usual, I was impressed by the supporting cast -- not to denigrate Steve McQueen's acting; he does a good job, even if it's not his best role. But Karl Malden, Cab Calloway, Jeff Corey, Joan Blondell, Rip Torn, and, most especially, Eddie Robinson all turn in fine performances. I didn't care for either Tuesday Weld or Ann-Margaret, but that's just me.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSigourney WeaverMichael BiehnCarrie HennDecades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.I've never seen Alien -- it looked like a conventional sci-fi monster flick, not something that would appeal to me. But AlienS: it seemed basically a WWII platoon adventure, set far in the future. It turned out to be more than that. Once again, the supporting cast gives their all for the movie, with some great situations, lines, and action. It has some brilliant dialog from the Marines, outstanding suspense and and a very well-constructed script. The final battle between the Alien Queen and Ripley in her "fork lift" is truly spectacular. Paul Reiser was almost perfect, and Paxton and Goldstein were nearly as good. "Hey Vasquez, have you ever been mistaken for a man?" "No. Have you?"
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsGroucho MarxHarpo MarxChico MarxRufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.How to choose a favorite Marx Brothers movie? With great difficulty, Mr. Bones! There are wonderful scenes in all of them, but their best stops after A Day At the Races. But I have to pick one, and it would be Duck Soup -- no romance, no musical interludes, just great comedy and outstanding satire. Groucho is . . . Groucho, and the rest of the boys, even Zeppo, do some of their finest work. Add in Margaret Dumont, Edgar Kennedy, Louis Calhern, and Leonid Kimsey and you have a souffle of '30s comedy, done to a turn.
- DirectorDavid ButlerStarsBing CrosbyBob HopeDorothy LamourTwo carefree castaways on a desert shore find an Arabian Nights city, where they compete for the luscious Princess Shalmar.A direct predecessor to modern comedy, especially breaking the "fourth wall," even the dated jokes are funny. Hope, Crosby and Lamour cut up from beginning to end. Tony Quinn is his usual evil nemesis. An Asian (bactrian) camel (instead of an African dromedary) has the best ad-lib. Moonlight Becomes You was the hit song (it's become a standard), and the title song is a joy. My favorite of all the "Road" pictures.