Of two young nurses on a cycling holiday in France, one is murdered by a local sex maniac and the other almost shares her fate.
Very well directed and always interesting to look at, this keeps you guessing and is intriguing but needs more pace. There is only so long you can stare at a long empty road and a pretty girl, fortunately an exciting conclusion and twist pushes this into the quite good category. 7/10
An ex-alcoholic is let down not only by his slovenly wife but by the young girl he idolises.
I'm not sure that I've ever seen a Burt Lancaster movie that I haven't enjoyed. This is quite simply, one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. Heartbreaking, hard hitting, joyous at times. Lancaster is understated but in a 10 minute spell, brilliant. Shirley Booth gave an absolute masterclass and fully deserved her Oscar , what a performance! Terry Moore added a youthful delight. This was brilliant in every department. 10/10
Sir Roderick Strood is on trial for the murder of his neurotic wife.
Not a bad courtroom drama which you feel is concentrating more on the forthcoming law to end capital punishment. Didn't see the ending coming though. 6/10
Newlyweds live in an old houseboat.
A host of old familiar faces messing about on the water. Not exactly laugh out loud stuff but very easy viewing and gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. 7/10
A doctor on a Far Eastern island tries to quell a native uprising.
Glad I didn't watch this until I was well into adulthood, political drama in an area of the World that it is highly likely I will never visit. Well played, hard hitting and at times brutal. The colour appeared a little washed out but this was powerful stuff. 6/10
A madman fakes his own death in order to murder his relatives.
Carry On stars but not in the same league. Seems like a collection of ideas and cliches used but not really knitted together. Sid James is good as the straight man in the duo, it made me smile a couple of times and was interesting to see, but no classic. 6/10
Four people win big prizes on the football pools.
I did not realise this was a series of short stories and felt a little cheated as I was thoroughly enjoying the characters in the opening segment. Fascinating to see pictures of pools staff at work how times have changed! I actually really enjoyed this. 7/10
The private secretary to a public figure finds that his idol has feet of clay, and suffers in court for his discovery.
This is very well acted and there are some good moments in the courtroom, just a little wordy and the whole thing gets weighed down by this and is. little too earnest for me. 5/10
Grew on me, actually quite a nice little adventure story with some good touches of humour. Particularly liked the Albatros aircraft and the gators. Didn't have the catchy songs that sets Disney films apart. 6/10
A day in the life of a radio breakfast show host.
A bit like watching a cabaret show. Some of the songs and humour are easy on the ear but there is no strong plot line to knit the whole thing together. 4/10
The British secret service sends three agents to trace a Russian traitor.
Very 1970's, poor man's James Bond and a bit like an episode of the Professionals. Take away the terrible script, average acting and just watch the action and it's not too bad. 6/10
A 16-year old London schoolgirl marries a dissolute 40-year old American author.
A fascinating, discussion-worthy movie although Charles Bronson was mis-cast for me. Amazing named actors making cameos, the most is best in the UK section for me. Susan George is spot on and seriously, how gorgeous a young lady was she? 7/10
A young accountant breaks up an outwardly respectable crime syndicate.
Not bad, just a little run of the mill. Probably instantly forgettable. 4/10
Problems of a small-town family at the turn of the century.
A disappointing way to end the year, nothing of interest at all in this one despite yet another performance by the prolific Mickey Rooney. 2/10
A gangster is reformed at Christmas by a social worker.
Alternative, low key gangster movie that takes a while to take off. Interesting alternative Christmas though. 4/10
A ship's funds are unofficially invested in a musical show.
Surprising how few movies Gordon Macrae made, a routine musical with nothing overly original or toe-tapping. 5/10
A college professor marries a widow whose three children join them on their Grand Canyon honeymoon.
This is just good, family friendly fun. Nothing much more to add, it's a movie that puts a smile ob your face with Phyllis the maid pretty much stealing the show. 6/10
A backwards tomboy falls for a stranded flier.
What a delight! I had a constant smile on my face throughout. Stunning locations, especially the houseboat, Debbie Reynolds is perfect as the young, charming Louisiana girl who is thrust into a different World. Loved it. 9/10
Two incompetent con men try to swindle an insurance company.
Movies like this are so frustrating. Cracking cast including the lovely Beverly D'Angelo who was a real favourite of mine from this era. The start was terrific with the scene well sent and it then descended into a muddled silliness. Such a disappointment. 4/10
A test pilot falls in love with his dead friend's widow and helps her face up to her in-laws.
Jeff Chandler id grounded, similarly this movie takes a while to take off. Stick with it, the melodrama builds to a great climax with Mary Astor terrific. Interesting to see Sandra Dee, famous from the Grease song and yet rarely seen. 6/10
In a West African nation, the womanizing British 1st Secretary of the High Commissioner deals with different issues.
Watched this as a tribute to the great Sean Connery who passed away this week. A silly, light-hearted romp with no historical accuracy but it did put a smile on my face. Hell of a cast with Lithgow, Whalley-Kilmer, Riggings & Gossett Jr. also on show. Connery is stately and head and shoulders is the best thing in this movie. RIP Sean and thank you. 7/10
A scientist travels to Haiti to investigate zombies.
Zombie movies these days are ten a penny and mostly rubbish. This movie is different, it has believable people, is well acted with good effects and is vaguely terrifying. Bill Pullman with his gentle drawl is a terrific actor when he's given good material and I thought he was great in this. A real Halloweeen surprise. 7/10
Advancing on Rome, Hannibal falls in love with the dictator's fiancee.
A little thin on plot, this seemed like an excuse for Esther Williams to be spend a lot of time underwater and Howard Keel to belt out songs. Harmless enough and I thoroughly enjoyed the dance number with the elephants. 6/10
A delinquent rock 'n' roll singer falls in love with an upper-class girl.
A poor man's Grease but without the charm or charisma. Like so many of Depp's movies, it's just a little odd. Still, the music is great and it's worth watching for that. 5/10
A group of "spies" is after the plans for an anti-aircraft gun, and the leader uses the opportunity to embroil the Lone Wolf in the plot. Trying to settle an old score, this shady character implicates his old nemesis by forcing him to crack the safe where the plans are stored.
About a dozen short films were made with this character and this is the first that I've seen. Light hearted and kind of fun without having any great weight behind it. 4/10
In the fifties, two wandering youths pick up a waitress and have serious trouble with a manic Policeman in America's unfriendliest area.
Routine road, buddy movie but win Nolte & Don Johnson, two serious A list actors and worth watching for that. Lots to enjoy or you could just sit back and admire the scenery. 7/10
Starring: Raymond Huntley
MPs are sent to investigate a tiny Hebridean island which refuses to pay road tax.
Charming, amusing, delightful scenery and a gentle accent you could listen to all day. Nothing changes, MPs hopelessly out of touch! 7/10
The romance of 18th-century actress Peg Woffington with David Garrick
Cobwebs hanging off of this movie it seemed so old. Kind of charming though and Cedric Hardwicke was terrific as Garrick. 5/10
A lawless Western town expects a sheriff who turns out to be a girl.
What an amusing little movie with some great songs and dance numbers, feel good stuff with Penny Singleton terrific. 8/10
Starring: Robby Benson
Nick and Lexie meet and fall in love at the ice rink. He goes into professional hockey; she becomes an Olympic champion but an accident leaves her blind.
How stupid a sport when you can be the best dancer but get a low mark as you're an unknot. That's not sport, it's an exclusive club. The blind thing is a bit 'Little House On The Prairie' but is still kind of moving. 6/10
Starring: Pauline Stroud
