Ladies should Listen 1934

 

Starring: Cary Grant

A knowledgeable switchboard operator helps a financier with his problems.

Incredible to think that this is not far off 100 years old. Cary Grant plays the philanderer whose apartment renovation bill must have been enormous.

I believe this originated from a play and would certainly have worked in the theatre. Not Grant's most memorable work, but he gives a huge amount of energy, is engaging and his comic timing, as ever, was up to scratch. The Two main female leads, bespectacled susie and the lovely Anna, were both excellent and delivered their slapstick flawlessly. The rest of the supporting cast were very good too, this was a tight production that came in at about the hour mark.

So many modern comedies don't even make me smile, this had me laughing out loud on a few occasions and was great fun. 7/10

Appointment With Crime 1945

Starring: William Hartnell

Ex-convict revenges himself on the former friends who shopped him.

William Hartnell is best known in the UK for playing the first ever Dr Who in the popular, long-running TV series. Here, he plays an unpleasant, small time crook who having been in prisoned, following a botched robbery, sets out to 'get his own back' on those who he considered, let him down, and gets involved in further crime and murder.

At first, I felt Hartnell was a little over the top, but his performance was consistent and became more believable as the movie progressed.

But for me, the supporting cast added an enjoyable and believable extra level. I'm not sure a Canadian detective, working out of Scotland Yard to improve his skills, was entirely necessary, but Robert Beatty played the part well. All actors were good, but Joyce Howard as the lady friend and Alan Wheatley as the art-dealer's bag carrier were my personal favourites, Wheatley particularly had some lovely touches.

Overall, this was a well plotted script, it all made sense, the London locations added atmosphere and the ending actually wrapped things up nicely. 9/10 

Miss Tatlock's Millions 1948

 

Starring: John Lund

A stunt man impersonates the idiot heir to a fortune.

Great fun in the first half of the movie, Lund must have had a ball playing the son throwing water and people and being a general annoyance. Movie morphs into a romance halfway through and loses momentum. Interesting watch for first half alone.    6/10

No Ordinary Baby 2001

 

A reporter gets the scoop on the first-ever human cloning, but the furor surrounding the event jeopardizes the baby's birth and the career of the doctor responsible for creating the clone.

TV movie and a decent one. Nice to see the lovely Bridget Fonda before she gave up acting. The doctor showed a caring side and an arrogance and was brilliant. Thought-provoking and discussion worthy.   8/10

The Riddle Of The Stinson 1988

 

Starring: Norman Kaye

In 1937, a farmer goes to the rescue of survivors of a plane crash in inaccessible country.

Slow moving, a little bit dour and left lets of unanswered questions. Quite interesting though.   6/10

You Must Be Joking 1965

 Assorted army personnel vie in an extended initiative test.

Stellar comedy cast but I just found it all a little silly, I must be getting old.  4/10

The Road To Denver 1955

 

Starring: John Payne

An honest ranch hand gets into trouble when he tries to help his lawless brother.

Standard good brother, bd brother movie. Well done though, the older brother a particularly interesting character with a back story, the tip of which only is touched. Decent ending too.    7/10