A Lion is in the streets 1953

Starring: James Cagney

An itinerant confidence trickster becomes a defender for the people, is nominated for governor, and becomes corrupt.

Cagney brings a tremendous energy to this role which starts out as a charming little family adventure and ends as a political thriller. It is difficult to like his character but he is certainly charismatic and is able supported by some strong perfromances.       6/10

The Brave little toaster 1987

Domestic appliances go in search of teir owner.

Standard cartoon stuff with some good humour and catchy songs. Couldn't watch too much of it, but once in a while it's quite good fun.     4/10

City without men 1943

Starring: Linda Darnell

A boarding house near a prison is filled with women awaiting the parole of their menfolk.

A woman fights to clear the name of her husband who was innocent of the crime for what he is imprissoned. Not the greatest print of a movie that I've ever seen made it a little difficult to watch, but it had its moments with the occassional stirring speach to raise a smile. Not bad.     4/10

The Barbarian and the Geisha 1958

Starring: John Wayne

In 1856 the first US diplomat to visit Japan meets local opposition but is helped by a geisha.

Another John Wayne film seen but a pleasant departure from his usual fayre. The historical scenario made interesting and thought-provoking viewing. The whole thing was interesting to watch and look out despite some obvious studio locations. There was little drama or excitement and yet the whole piece still worked, I did however struggle to ever buy in to the romantic storyline.     6/10

Two a penny 1967

Starring: Cliff Richard

An idle art student becomes involved in the drug racket but finally sees the light.

Cliff ateempting to be hard-hitting. It never quite works for me and although it's refreshing to see Cliff playing a darker role, he doesn't really pull off 'nasty'. Intersting to see it set aroung the Billy Graham crusades and there were nice supporting roles from Dora Bryan and Ann Holloway.     5/10

Destroyer 1943

Starring: Edward G Robinson

An old sea dog talks himself into a job on a World War 2 destroyer but works his men too hard.

Edward G Robinson is one of my favourite actors and I see his movies all too frequently. Once again, he is brilliant as the ageing naval officer who helps build a destroyer and then serves on it. Glenn Ford is unusually low key and the romantic storyline gets in the way somewhat. Overall though, a thoroughl enjoyable movie with a brilliant lead performance.    7/10

Target Zero 1955

Starring: Richard Conte

An infantry patrol in Korea os cutt off behind enemy lines.

Standard behind the lines war drama, this time set in Korea. Peggy Castle is ridiculously good looking as the female nurse also caught in the situation but adds a little glamour. Always good to see Charles Bronson. Other than that, nothing original at all.          3/10

Cast a dark shadow 1955

Starring: Dirk Bogarde

A wife-murderer marries an ex-barmaid and tries again.

You could tell that this came from a stage play where it's possibly better suited. I wasn't sure I would buy the clean cut looking Bogarde as a wife killer, but he certainly pulled the role off. Terrific support from all the other actors with Margaret Lockwood a delight and the lady playing Emmie put in a delightful performance. A nice little British thriller, the sort of which are way too thin on the ground.       7/10

Woman on the run 1950

Starring: Ann Sheridan

A man runs away after witnessing a murder; his wife is menaced by the killer.

Started okay, but I wished this had been viewable in colour. Everyone looked alike, it was all so dark as much of it was set at night and the final scene at a fairground ended up grating on my nerves.     4/10

Arch of triumph 1948

Starring: Ingrid Bergman

In postwar Paris, an embitterred refugee seeks his former Nazi tormentor and has a tragic romance with a would-be suicide.

Set just bwfore WW2, this was a real struggle. Single paced with softly spoken dialogue that was mostly extremely uninteresting. Thank goodness for Charles Laughton who was tragically under-used in the movie and yet lit up every scene he was in. Sad to say, I just didn't get on with this.    2/10

The Great Santini 1979

Starring: Robert Duvall

A crack fighter pilot has difficulty adjusting to peacetime domestic life.

A brilliantly acted and quite moving film. Duvall was so believable, but big shout-outs to Michael O'Keefe who played his son and the guy who played Toomer. Superbly filmed. this hit the spot on so many levels.       8/10

Drifters 1929

A documentary of the North sea fishing fleet

Extremely early, silent movie. Fascinating in its own way although the music go a little repetitive.     4/10

Isle of forgotten sins 1943

Starring: John Carradine

In the south seas, villains congregate in search of sunken treasure.

Such a poor print, this seemed older than 1943. Difficult to get excited about, the underwater scenes to heavenly, choral music amused me and a scene where a lady sang on a bank whilst someone did some weird type of synchronised swimmimng verged on the hiaarious. Quite liked the ending though.      3/10

Steel Magnolias 1989

Starring: Sally Field

A group of women, who gather in a small-town beauty parlour, face up to life's vicissitudes

After about 30 mins, I wondered where this movie was going, but it progresses beautifully. It made me laugh, it damn well nearly made me cry. So many big names and yet each and every one of them was brilliant and it would be wrong to pick a single name out. Terrific movie     8/10

Gidget 1959

Starring: Sandra Dee

A 16 year old girl falls for a surfer; her parents disapprove until he turns out to be the son of their best friend.

Late 1950's rom-com set around the local surfing community. Delightful charm oozes out of Sandra Dee and you can't help but watch this with a smile on your face. Makes you long for warm days by the beach, I thoroughly enjoyed it.     8/10

Against all flags 1952

Starring: Errol Flynn

A daring British seaman routs Spanish ships at the request of the King.

A rather splendid adventure with Errol Flynn at his charming, swash-buckling best. Maureen O'Hra gives sprightly support and Anthony Quinn as the villain is also particularly good. Pacy, amusing with some nice choreographed action, there was really nothing to dislike.    9/10

Valley of eagles 1951

Starring: Jack Warner

A Swedish scientist chases into Lapland after his wife and her lover who have stolen an important formula.

A movie set in Sweden where everyone speaks perfect English! What starts out as a tense little thriller, transforms into a kind of chase movie across frozen wastelands with herds of reindeer falling over cliffs, packs of marauding wolves which are eventually taken out by eagles and the inevitible avalanche. It was a bit different and I rather enjoyed it.      7/10

Jigsaw 1949

Starring: Franchot Tone

An assistant District attorney uncovers a mob stirring up racial hatred.

Formula mob drama with a couple of big name cameos. Some of the scenes were so dark and badly lit that you couldn't actually see what was going on. A movie that brought nothing original to the table, but at least kept itself to a watchable length.     3/10

Dawn of the dead 1979

Starring: David Emge

America is filled by legions of carnivorous zombies.

What a load of old cobblers! At least 2 hours too long. What is the fascination with zombies? This was boring, repetetive with truely awful acting. The only good thing is that I'll never have to sit through this again.   1/10

No mercy 1986

Starring: Richard Gere

Policemen pretend to be hit men in an attempt to inflitrate a murder-by-contract organization.

Hard-hitting, downbeat drama with plenty of gunfire, explosions and chases for the boys. Richard Gere's character showed behaviour so unbelievable for a copy that it was difficult to feel any empathyand this lack of realism rather de-valued the whole movie. Kam Basinger on the other hand gave a troubled, vunerable performance which was surprisingly well portrayed.        5/10

Bullet scars 1942

Starring: Regis Toomey

A doctor is kidnapped to patch up a bullet-scarred gunman.

Short movie that came in at just under an hour. Sure, the plot is hardly original, but this rolls along at a cracking pace, there is some attempt at humour, some very watchable action and an exciting climax. A little gem that I really enjoyed.   9/10

The Paradine case 1947

Starring: Gregory Peck

A barrister falls in love with his client, who is suspected of murder.

Hitchcock movie with interesting camera angles and brilliant lighting. The plot had interest but the whole thing was a bit stodgy and because it was so character driven, it became hard to retain concentration.      4/10

The Big man 1990

Starring: Liam Neeson

An unemployed miner becomes a bare-knuckle fighter.

Gritty drama set in Scotland. Neeson is utterly believable, Billy Connolly is weesle like, amusing and a much better actor than he is often given credit for. Hugh Grant delivers a very passable Scottish accent and Joanne Whalley-Kilmer has eyes that could seduce you from 500 metres. Not really Sunday morning viewing but utterly compelling.    7/10

Tanks a million 1941

Starring: William Tracy

An army recruit has a freak memory which keeps him out of trouble

At only 50 minutes, this was a little gem. An army recrit becomes a sergent within 5 minutes and then helps a colonel look good. Full of little moments that director Hal Roach does so well, I actually wished this movie would keep going.       8/10

The Horse soldiers 1959

Starring: John Wayne

In 1863 a Union cavalry officer is sent three hundred miles into Confederate territory to demolish a railroad junction.

Lengthy civil war drama, but production is excellent and Wayne, William Holden and Constance Towers all give terrific performances and give their characters multiple dimensions. I'm not the greatest fan of Wayne's movies but this was right up there amongst his best for me.     7/10

Death from a distance 1936

Starring: Russell Hopton

A murderer is trapped in a planetarium.

Very old and not the greatest print of a movie. But it wasn't at all bad and I'm not sure I've ever seen a movie set in a planetarium before. The sort of movie that I'm grateful just to get the chance to see.   5/10

The Hills of home 1948

Starring: Edmund Gwenn

A doctor returns to his Scottish village to practise medicine, and brings his failthful collie.

Part of the Lassie series, this is all about people flling sick, doctors and dogs afraid of water. Not the most thrilling of the Lassie films, but pleasingly gentle and the Scottish accents are very easy on the ear.    5/10

National Lampoon's European vacation 1985

Starring: Chevy Chase

An American family determines to see Europe

This just never works. I guess it was supposed to be one hilarious romp going from country to country. The only time I really laughed was during the Bavarian folk dance in Germany. Chevy Chase is so often hilarious and has great comic timing but even he seemed off key. A real shame although Eric Idle was priceless!   4/10

Sexton Blake and the hooded terror 1938

Starring: George Curzon

A millionaire is unmasked as the head of a criminal gang.

Yet another top detective who lives in Baker Street. Reasonable enough, it bowls along at a healthy ppace. I liked Blake's side-kicks who added just the correct amount of light heartedness.     5/10

Darling 1965

Starring: Julie Christie


An ambitious young woman deserts her journalist mentor for a company director, an effeminate photographer and an Italian prince.

More interesting than entertaining. Julie Christie is very good as the girl-about-town/model and Dirk Bogarde is always good value. Probably cutting edge in its day and very 60's. Utterly un-PC with talk of negros and how homosexuality is rife. The fact that at one poiny Julie Christie's character is referred to as 'Princess Diana' is more poignant than the film makers would ever know.                   4/10 

A streetcar named Desire 1951

Starring: Vivien Leigh

A reprssed southern widow is raped and driven mad by her brutal brother-in-law

A classic play which probably sits better on the stage than the screen. However, the setting is excellent, the lighting and soundtrack is suitably moody and all the actors act their socks off. Not really for me but lots to be admired.             4/10

St Benny the dip 1951

Starring: Freedie Bartholomew

Gamblers learn to escape the law by dressing as priests, but circumstance converts them to good works.

This hasn't stood the test of time. I never engaged with it and after the first two minutes, constantly found my mind wandering. It never made me smile or laugh once.       1/10

Wild at heart 1990

Starring: Nicolas Cage

A petty criminal is redeemed by the love of a histrionic woman.

Gratuitous violence, gratuitous sex and excessive swearing. The artistic side of David Lynch cannot be questiones, I just found nothing to enjoy in the whole 2 hours. Just not for me.     3/10

Charlie Chan - The Trap 1947

Too much excitable, girly chatter and bad foreign accents made it a little tough to follow. But any movie set around a beach has a feel-good factor and this was one of the better movies in the Charlie Chan series.         4/10

Hello Frisco hello 1943

Starring: Alice Faye

On the Barbary coast, a girl singer becomes a star.

Musical entrepeneur makes it big and then gets lost in showbiz hurting those around him. Plot was a bit thin, but characters were likeable and songs were very pleasing on the ear.    6/10

Colossus: The Forbin project 1969

Starring: Eric Braeden

An enormous computer takes over the defence of the Western world; but it goes into collaboration with the Russian one.

Obviously dated now with the remarkable development of computer technology. For its time though, it was quite nicely done and is still extremely watchable. Interesting moral messages if you look below the surface of this movie and good performances considering I'd never heard of any of the cast. Who is in charge, you or your computer?      8/10

No hands on the clock 1941

Starring: Chester Morris

A private eye on honeymoon steps right into a kidnapping.

Standard private eye plot which gets more confusing as it goes along. Why is it never kept simple? Fortunately. there is good chemistry between the newlyweds and this along with a light-hearted script, keeps it enjoyable.      5/10

Dunkirk 1958

Starring: John Mills

In 1940 on the Normandy beaches, a small group gets detached from the main force.

A well known piece of history from WW11. As it's so well known, it lacks a little excitement. The true horrors are still unimagineable and the individual stories of courage, inspirational.    6/10

Al Jennings of Oklahoma 1950

Starring: Dan Duryea

A lawyer becomes a western outlaw

I'm guessing that this is a true story as it had the movie based on a book by Al Jennings. Most interesting with the legal elements. When Jennings became an outlaw, you lost all sympathy for him and it turned into a more standard western. Interesting elemeents kept it watchable.     6/10

Artists and models 1955

Starring: Dean Martin

A goonish young man receives telepathic top secret information in his nightmares, which are used by his artist friend in comic strips; foreign agents and the CIA get interested.

Although occassionally irritating, you can't help laughing at Jerry Lewis. Dean Martin was at his best in roles like this, the musical numbers are terrific, particularly the song sung by Shirley Maclaine on the stairs. The whole gangster thing got a little in the way and could have been ommitted from the movie altogether. A nice, feel-good movie.       7/10

the Last challenge 1967

Starring: Glenn Ford

Being a fan of Glenn Ford & Angie Dickinson, this was easy viewing. A traditional 'Fastest gun' storyline, there was plenty of filling as we waited for the inevitible showdown. Had a gentle feel to it and the characters were so likeable, it was a shame one of them had to lose.        6/10

The last chance 1945

Starring: E.G Morrison

In 1943 an Englishman and an American escape from a fascist camp in northern Italy and with the help of refugees cross the mountains into Switzerland.

An unusual movie with an element of suspense. Have spoken in English and half spoken in Italian with sub-titles. This had a real air of authenticity about it and although dated, it was worth a view.     5/10

Twenty million miles to Earth

Starring: William Hopper

An American rocket ship returning from Venus breaks open and a scaly monster escapes into the Mediterranean and is cornered in the Coliseum.

Quite good fun and some of the effects are not at all bad. These monsters never get cornered in a small side street in Belgium, always a famous landmark!     6/10

The Conversation 1974

Starring: Gene Hackman

A bugging device expert lives only for his work, but finally develops a conscience.

Had real potential but became too complex. All people really ant is a good story that is easy to follow. Is that really so difficult?       3/10

Storm in a teacup 1937

Starring: Vivien Leigh

A national sensation ensues when a Scottish provost fines an old lady for not licensing her dog, and sh refuses to pay.

Seems odd in this day to see a movie about a ntional outcry caused due to non-payment of a dog licence. But this film had an easy charm and some amusing moments. Vivien Leigh and Rex Harrison were both good value despite Harrison having panda like eyes in his opening scene.       6/10

Now voyager 1942

Starring: Bette Davis

A dowdy frustrated spinster takes the psychiatric cure and embarks on a doomed love affair.

Over-long family drama. Bette Davis turns in a superb performance and is terrific in showing the changes in her personality. The best scenes are with the matriarch mother who acts her scenes brilliantly and is the most awful character.   4/10

Take me high 1973

Starring: Cliff Richard

A bank manager helps an unsuccessful restaurant to launch a new hamburger.

He may be in icon, but Cliff really couldn't act. Rubbish script and poor performances never gave this much of a chance. Somehow, cliff's charisma and some original, catchy songs kept the whole thing watchable and I came on the verge of enjoying it.    5/10 

Comanche territory 1950

Starring: Maureen O'Hara

Jim Bowie assists the Comanches against treacherous whites

Watchable enough without being brilliant. Maureen O'Hara is feisty, Macdonald Carey a fair enough leading man, although Will Geer steals the show. The plot has little originality, the script poor and the acting isn't brilliant. Still quite enjoyed though.        6/10  

Point blank 1967

Starring: Lee Marvin

A gangster takes an elaborate revenge on his cheating partner.

Complete cobblers. confusing plot, badly acted and odd direction with flashbacks, slow motion and music that completely overpowered the action and grated on your nerves.      2/10

Miss London Ltd 1943

Starring: Arthur Askey

An escort agency is formed to assist soldiers on leave.

A few nice songs, a couple of smiles but basically this is formula Askey and just falls a little flat in the 21st century.    3/10