Half shot at sunrise 1930

Starring: Bert Wheeler

Allegedly one of the best representations of a star comedy duo who went into a decline after 1932.

The comedy story of 2 POW soldiers in Paris chasing girls and causing mayhem. One of them ends up dating the General's daughters and finds himself trying to get crucial orders through to the front line. Not a comedy duo I've ever heard of. This was surprisingly slick & amusing in places. A witty script and a lead duo with good timing. Even a couple of songs thrown in, this was dated but quite good fun. 6/10

Force of evil 1948

Starring: John Garfield

A racketeer's lawyer finds that his boss has killed the lawyer's brother

I don't really get on with film noir. As well as this film has been made & as classy as the acting is, it just seemed ever so dull. Too much dialogue, not enough movement and no light or shade. Difficult to follow because my mind kept wandering. 3/10

Aces high 1976

Starring: Malcom McDowell

In the air force during World War 1, young pilots are needlessly sacrificed.

Utterly brilliant. The special effects and dog fights are thrilling, but more important than that, a brilliant atmosphere is created. A real team spirit with typical stiff upper lipness although several poignant moments when you can see the despair & tragedy in the pilots eyes. I do wish Malcom McDowell wasn't always dysfunctional in some way in his movies, but his characterisation was top drawer. 9/10

The Spanish main 1945

Starring: Paul Henreid

In the Caribbean, the fiancee of the Spanish viceroy is kidnapped by a pirate who determines to tame her before marrying her.

A bit of swash and buckle with likeable characters. Nicely done with tongue in cheek and that light -hearted air makes all the difference. Good fun. 7/10

Lady in a cage 1964

Starring: Olivia De Havilland

A rich widow is trapped by roving marauders in her private elevator

Talk about having a bad day! Lady trapped in a cage like elevator first has to put up with a wino, then a female hustler & then 3 hoodlums rampage through her house. Well directed and quite well acted although the movie is full of deeply unpleasant characters. Best advert I've ever seen for a Stannha stairlift. 7/10

The Rains of Ranchipur 1955

Starring: Lana Turner

Remake of 'The Rains came'

A romantic melodrama with a bunch of self-centred, selfish people who can't see beyond the end of their lit cigarette. The whole thin livens up when the rains & earthquake come with the effects quite good. Star studded cast is adequate & although Richard Burton is a brilliant actor, he looked ridiculous as an Indian doctor in a turban. Just a bit too Hollywood in its production and casting. 6/10

The captive heart 1946

Starring: Michael Redgrave

Stories of life among British officers in a German POW camp, especially of a Czech who has stolen the papers of a dead Britisher.

Slow moving, sentimental, nostalgic piece that seems Worlds away from modern society. Occasionally hits the spot with the story of the Czech officer holding the most interest. Gordon Jackson played the blind officer with his usual skill. 6/10

Ill met by moonlight 1956

Starring: Dirk Bogarde

In Crete during the German occupation, British agents work with partisans to capture a German general.

It's always good to see Dirk Bogarde & you don't find too many movies set on Crete. Unfortunately, although not terrible, this film never reaches the level it could have. There is no tension, events seem to take an age to develop and it's all just a bit lacklustre. A lot of humour is attempted, not a bad thing but I feel the director should have concentrated more on the plot & action. 5/10

Holiday on the busses 1973

Starring: Reg Varney

3rd movie from the popular TV series. A laugh here or there but the movie fails as there's no on-going plot line. Blakey has to be one of the most irritating central characters ever although the other stars and their family members have an endearing quality about them. A nice trip down memory lane. 5/10

Hangman's knot 1952

Starring: Randolph Scott

Confederate soldiers returning home with Union booty are waylaid at a way station by renegades

A fairly short movie tht starts quite well with the capture of the gold. Unfortunately, once they are held up in the cabin, it gets terribly bogged down and seems to run out of ideas. The ending is fairly inevitible and most of the action is carried out in pitch darkness. 4/10

The Lion has wings 1939

Starring: Merle Oberon

A documentary drama tracing the steps leading up to the outbreak of war.

Propaganda in its day, now ideal I would imagine for a history lesson in school. Interesting from a historical point of view but hugely dated. Should really only be used now for archive purposes and is certainly not a piece of entertainment. 3/10

Designing woman 1957

Starring: Gregory Peck

A sports reporter marries a dress designer and finds that their common interests are few.

A comedy which misses the mark and is overlong. I find the talking heads tiresome and the plot was very slow moving. The fight scene at the end with the balletic actor taking every one out was a great scene and the movie was worth watching through for that. 3/10

Santa Fe 1951

Starring: Randolph Scott

After the civil war, the eldest of four westbound brothers tries to prevent the others from becoming outlaws.

I have a theory that all movies set on or around trains are quite entertaining. This was not the best, but still rattled along at a fair pace as Randolph Scott helped build the Santa Fe railroad with drama along the way. Some nice light hearted moments & some good action. 6/10

THX 1138 1970

Starring: Robert Duvall

In a future society, computer programmed and emotionless, an automated human begins to break the rules.

If you like white costumes on a white set, then this is the movie for you. Quite odd in a lot of ways and only got interesting for me in the last 20 minutes. A bit of background and explanation before the start could have made all the difference. 3/10

Lt Robin Crusoe USN

Starring: Dick Van Dyke

A navy pilot parachutes on to a Pacific Island and gets involved in the local women's lib movement.

Typical Disney comedy in the 'Herbie' mould. With such a great location and attractive girls, you can't help but like it and Dick Van Dyke is perfect for the role. Great for a wet weekend.      6/10

The Silver bears 1977

Starring: Michael Caine

A Las Vegas money man invests money in various European outlets and makes a killing.

If only the production had been as stunning as the locations. The first half of this movie was as laborious as beyond belief & the scene at the Swiss restaurant had the worst editing I've seen for a long time. Fortunately, the movie picked up once the Luckman's arrived despite some dodgy acting throughout. Michael Caine brought nothing original to a performance I've seen him give dozens of times.             5/10

David and Bathsheba 1951

Starring: Gregory Peck

King David loves the wife of one of his captains, and ensures that the latter is killed in battle.

Old testament story, this is terribly talkative to start with and the orchestra should have been paid overtime. Once you get into the consequences of David's affair with Bathsheba, it becomes more interesting although it's very single paced throughout.          5/10

The Lion in Winter 1968

Starring: Peter O'Toole

Henry 11 and Eleanor of Aquitaine celebrate Christmas together and have a family row.

Over long drama with plots, sub-plots, treason and feuding. Too talkative and never really gets anywhere. Having said that Peter O'Toole is excellent & Katherine Hepburn is an absolute joy, this movie is worth seeing for that reason alone.     4/10 

Welcome to Hard Times 1967

Starring: Henry Fonda

A small Western town arms itself against a mysterious bandit.

Off-beat Western set in a town that spends most of its time smouldering having been burnt town. I found that I wanted to know who the bandit was & where his motivation came from. Basically, a character driven movie that I just found a little tedious.       4/10

The Wooden horse 1950

Starring: Leo Genn

During World war 11, British prisoners escape from Stalag Luft 111 by tunnelling under a vaulting horse.

Iconic story & worth seeing for that alone. I found it a bit dated, lacking in tension and very single paced. Considering this was a true story, I have nothing but admiration for these people and I'm sure the tension missing from this film was not missing from their escape.      5/10