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Sunday, July 09, 2023

Paradise For Three 1937

Starring: Robert Young

A businessman goes to Germany to find out how the workers live.

The rich seeing how the poor live. Hit and miss comedy, enough amusing scenes to keep this ticking over, the dish washer without a lid was my highlight. Some nice comic timing and contrasts, not bad at all.   6/10
 

Sunday, July 02, 2023

Jet storm 1959

 

Starring: Richard Attenborough

An airliner in flight from London to New York is discovered to have a bomb on board.

A decent, tense thriller. Some of the acting and a couple of scenes were over-dramatised. A Stella cast, what I liked the most was the characterisation. After 90 minutes, you came to the end feeling that you knew everybody on board. Really enjoyed this.      9/10

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Blessed 2007

 

Starring: James Nesbitt

A successful city trader suddenly loses everything he truly cares about. Seeking comfort in isolation on a remote island, his life is turned upside down by the arrival of a little girl.


Odd, to say the least. After a reasonable start, the movie becomes whimsical and raised many questions. Nesbitt was dealing with grief and didn't speak for the majority of the movie. Was the little girl real? What was with the stills at the end, was this a true story? Thought provoking and highly unusual.   6/10

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Live Now Pay Later 1962

 

Starring: Ian Hendry

A credit store salesman is himself heavily in debt, and his private life is in ruins; But even after a chapter of unexpected and tragic events he remains irrepressibly optimistic.

Set around the time that hire purchase had become a thing and people were spending money they didn't have, digging themselves into a hole. Ian Hendry was perfect as the Jack-The-Lad salesman. The movie has lost its relevance in the modern day but still interesting from a historic point of view.    6/10

Sunday, June 11, 2023

The Monster And The Girl 1940

 

Starring: Paul Lukas

A man is wrongfully executed and his brain is implanted in a gorilla, which goes on the rampage.

A poor man's King Kong, after a sedate first half, the movie becomes highly amusing and entertaining once the gorilla appear on the scene.    7/10

Sunday, June 04, 2023

The Journey Of Natty Gann 1985

 

Starring: Meredith Salenger

During the Chicago depression, a girl follows her father west and hitch-hikes across America.

There are so many Disney films off people or animals taking impossible journeys, I did however quite enjoy this. Slightly grittier in parts than some, as ever, the animals took centre stage with a gorgeous wolf holding centre stage in this one.     7/10

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Mesa Of Lost Women. 1952

 

Starring: Jackie Coogan

A scientist experiments in the Mexican desert to combine the qualities of beautiful women and spiders.

Utterly bizarre with some dance scenes that just made me laugh out loud. So weird, you almost couldn't take your eyes off of it.  3/10

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? 1972

 

Starring: Shelley Winters

A madwoman menaces two orphan children.

A slightly disturbed take on Hansel & Gretel. I know it's a cliche, but they don't make them like this any more. Horror without the gore. Shelley Winters is marvellously over the top.  7/10

Sunday, May 07, 2023

The Door With Seven Locks. 1940

 

Starring: Leslie Banks

A mad doctor abducts an heiress in the hope of gaining her wealth.

A mixture of horror and early Indiana Jones type adventure, stars were very watchable. Good fun.    6/10

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Kid Millions. 1935

 

Starring: Eddie Cantor

An East side kid inherits a fortune and has the time of his life.

Hit and miss musical with shades of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory at the end.    4/10

Sunday, April 23, 2023

This Island Earth 1955

 

Starring: Jeff Morrow

Scientists at a mysterious research station are really visitors from a planet in outer space, to which they kidnap brilliant minds who they hope can help them.

One from the so bad that it's good book. Hilarious vivid green special effects, an alien who looks like he's just stepped from the set of the original Star Trek series and about as terrifying as the Teletubbies. All great fun though.   6/10

Sunday, April 16, 2023

His Woman 1931

 

Starring: Gary Cooper

The captain of a tramp freighter finds himself in charge of an abandoned baby and a runaway girl.

The old abandoned baby in an inappropriate setting plot. It is the early 1930's so you have to forgive it, just not very interesting.    2/10


Sunday, April 09, 2023

That's The Spirit 1945

 

Starring: Jack Oakie

A ghost comes back to tell his actress wife he didn't desert her as she thought.

Packed with great song and dance numbers, I loved "Fella With The Flute', but also tinged with some sadness around relationships. Definitely worth a view.    6/10

Sunday, April 02, 2023

Wild Boys Of The Road. 1933

 

Starring: Frankie Darro

Boys of poor families take to the road in gangs.

I found a restored version of this movie in colour and it really brought it to life. Cutting edge for the time, really well done, thought-provoking and a surprising movie.  7/10

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Show Them No Mercy 1935

Starring: Rochelle Hudson

Kidnappers are rounded up by G-Men

Surprisingly enjoyable kidnap/crime drama, ransom money has been marked and its use tracked to hunt out the criminals. Love Cesar Romero and the tension is very well maintained.   7/10
 

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Behemoth: The Seamonster 1959


 Starring: Gene Evans

A radioactive palaeosaurus menaces London.

Truly terrible, average special effects, a poor script and acting. Luckily, it is so bad, that it fell into the enjoyable category. Very pleased to have seen this.   6/10

Sunday, March 05, 2023

Tap. 1989

 

Starring: Gregory Hines

A tap-dancer turned jewel-thief is persuaded to put on his dancing shoes again.

The plot I can take or leave, worth watching for the series of superb tap routines throughout the movie. Damme Davis was great value too.      6/10

Sunday, February 26, 2023

The Trouble With Harry 1955

 

Starring: Edmund Gwenn

In the New England woods, various reasons cause various people to find and bury the same body.

Hitchcock and early Shirley Maclaine, what could go wrong. Well, the idea of the same body being buried, dug up and buried again is quite amusing, but you can't hang a movie on it for 100 minutes. Watchable but a bit of a disappointment. 5/10

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Princess Caraboo. 1994

 

Starring: Phoebe Cates

A mysterious young woman speaking a strange language shows up in an English village, where she is taken in by aristocrats who assume she is a foreign princess

A film for all the family, excellent cast with Phoebe Cates perfect in the lead. All a little far fetched until you realise that the basis of this movie comes from a true story, fascinating to read about that on Wikipedia. Interesting movie.     7/10

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Evergreen. 1934

 

Starring: Jessie Matthews

A star's daughter takes her mother's place, with romantic complications.

Old school song and dance piece, some of the big group numbers were easy to watch, the rest of the movie didn't really do it for me.      3/10

Sunday, February 05, 2023

The Quare Fellow. 1962

 

Starring: Patrick McGoohan

Life in a Dublin prison when two men are to be hanged, as experienced by a new young warder.

Still quite a powerful piece, well acted and really traumatising in its subject matters. Definitely a place for this still to be seen.   6/10

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Car Trouble. 1986

 

Starring: Julie Walters

A woman having an affair with a car salesman finds herself sexually locked to him in her husband's new vehicle.

\not really believable, all a little silly, the scene with Julie Walters and the guy trapped in a compromising position went on way too long. Interesting seeing what was considered classy car at the time.    5/10

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Girl Stroke Boy 1971

 

Starring: Joan Greenwood

A we--to-do couple try to find out whether their son's house guest is male or female.

Well, this hasn't aged well. Only 50 years old, this movie focusses on whether their sons' partner is male or female. Michael Hordern, such a superb actor and I just felt awkward watching the whole thing. Historically interesting I guess as a stepping stone before times changed....     3/10

Sunday, January 08, 2023

Jules et Jim. 1962

 

Starring: Oskar Werner

Before World War 1, in Paris, a girl alternates between a French and a German student, and after the war they meet again to form a constantly shifting triangle.

Every now and then, I bump into a foreign language movie that is an absolute delight. That is exactly what happened here, the subtitles became almost irrelevant as I was so into the story. We all know of a member of the opposite sex that has had a mysterious hold over people, that is what happens here. Fascinating to watch, for me hasn't dated at all with some stunning locations. So glad I got to see this.   8/10

Sunday, January 01, 2023

Submarine X-1 1967

 

Starring: James Caan

A submarine commander in World War 11 trains men to attack the Lindenorf in midget submarines.

I'm not a great fan of James Caan but he was watchable in this. A decent thriller which considering it is over 50 years old, still looks fairly modern.      6/10

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Escape By Night 1953

 

Starring: Bonar Colleano

A tough reporter tries to get the inside story on a vice ring.

Almost belongs in the Children's Film Foundation, hilarious seeing Syd James playing an Italian gangster complete with moustache. I really quite enjoyed it and it was the perfect length.       7/10

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Murder In Reverse 1945

 

Starring: William Hartnell

After long imprisonment for a supposed murder, a convict comes out and hunts down the victim, who isn't really dead.

A really decent crime thriller, interesting idea and well acted. A great sense of time and place and a plot that rattled along.     7/10

Sunday, December 04, 2022

Moment By Moment 1979

 

Starring: John Travolta

A bored Beverly Hills wife has an affair with a young drifter.

Very poor execution, Tomlin remains quietly spoken throughout, only when her friend arrives do you realise how flat her performance is. Travolta just cannot create any chemistry with his co-star, without this the movie is seriously flawed.     4/10

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Beyond The Curtain. 1960

 

Starring: Richard Greene

A flying officer rescues a stewardess whose plane has been forced down in East Germany.

Iron curtain, spy thriller with Eva Bartok perfectly cast. Pretty decent thriller from beginning to end to be honest.    7/10

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Practically Yours 1944

Starring: Claudette Colbert

A war hero comes back after being supposed dead, and finds himself with a fiancee he never met.

Brilliant idea of a guy professing his love for his dog and it being mistaken for a woman of the same name, despite a great two leads, never held up to its promise. Very dated.     4/10
 

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Christmas On Ice 2020

 

Starring: Abigail Klein

A former figure skater and a former hockey player work together to void the mayor from closing the local skating rink.

A Hallmark style movie. Very easy on the eye, pleasant to watch without ever making me laugh. So many of this type of movie but this is better than many with a well cast, convincing small group of actors.  7/10


Sunday, November 06, 2022

Priest Of Love 1981

 

Starring: Ian McKellen

The last years of D.H.Lawrence, when his books were banned and he was seeking warmer climes to help his TB.

I'm not sure how true this characterisation was to the real Lawrence, but what an unpleasant man he came across as. Difficult to find any sympathy towards him despite this being an interesting movie.      6/10

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Waco 1966

 

Starring: Howard Keel

A gunfighter is hired to straighten out a corrupt town.

Not bad but I feel that whenever you get big-hitter like Keel & Jane Russell, the movie somehow loses realism. Traditional Western elements all included.   5/10

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Snowball Express 1972

 

Starring: Dean Jones

An insurance accountant inherits a dilapidated skiing hotel in the Colorado Rockies

Typical Disney movie, colourful, goofy humour with all coming right in the end. Henry Morgan stole the show for me. All quite enjoyable.    7/10

Sunday, October 16, 2022

The Painted Hills 1951

 

Starring: Lassie


An intrepid dog comes to the rescue when a boy's life is put at risk by the greed inflamed by a gold strike.


Gotta have a Lassie film on the Sunday morning Blog, a little pedestrian to be honest with no surprises.    4/10



Sunday, October 09, 2022

Convicted 1950

 

Starring: Glenn Ford

When a prison informer is killed, one convict knows who did it.

Decent prison drama, makes you conscious of how your life can change if you make one carless mistake. Well acted, prisoners were very convincing and you could understand the conflict going on in Glenn Ford's head.       7/10

Sunday, October 02, 2022

Bedelia 1946

 

Starring: Margaret Lockwood

A psychotic woman is discovered to have poisoned three husbands.

Well acted, decent little drama. Although Lockwood is good, I would have liked to have seen a few more hints within her of the psychotic behaviour, all a little one-paced.     6/10

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Springtime In The Rockies 1942

 

Starring: Betty Grable

Romances blossom on a mountain holiday.

A bit flat to be honest with only the occasional pleasant dance number. Best moments were the images of Lake Louise, the most stunning place I have ever visited.    3/10

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Tropic Zone 1953

 

Staring: Ronald Reagan

In a banana port a man wanted by the police saves a plantation from being taken over by crooks.

Adventure, drama and romance in a banana plantation, all rather good fun, Ronald Reagan really wasn't a bad actor at all.    6/10

Sunday, September 04, 2022

Raw Deal 1948

 

Starring: Dennis O'Keefe

A convict is helped by his girl friend to escape, and the police chase them across country.

I like a good prison escape drama, some decent scenes in this one although at times it is a little hammed up. All comes to a somewhat predictable conclusion but not bad.   5/10

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Jack The Giant Killer. 1961

 

Starring: Kerwin Matthews

Demon Pendragon kidnaps the princess of Cornwall but she is rescued by a farmer's son.

Great fun to be honest, reminded me very much of The Arabian Knights. Loads of magic and weird mounters, only occasionally the fantasy was a side too much. Loved the leprechaun who talked in rhyme.  7/10

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Devils Of Darkness 1964

 

Starring: William Sylvester

A vampire disguises himself as a French count and preys on young girls.

Cheap budget horror, plenty of red, black and white throughout. Poor script, poor acting and yet it still kept me amused. 5/10

Sunday, August 14, 2022

One-Way Ticket 1935

Starring: Lloyd Nolan

A convicted bank robber falls in love with the warden's daughter.

A love story more that anything else, the girl only looks about 14 which made for slightly uncomfortable viewing. Had a different slant to most prison break movies which is always a plus in my book.   5/10
 

Sunday, August 07, 2022

Don't Panic chaps. 1959

 

Starring: Dennis Price

British and German units are sent to set up observation posts on the same Adriatic island, and agree to sit out the war in comfort.

Great cast, all very tongue in cheek and likeable. Not to be taken seriously at all, but so glad I got to see this one.    7/10

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Cattle Drive 1951

 

Starring: Joel McCrea

The spoiled teenage son of a magnate finds humanity and friendship with a cowhand during a cattle drive.

Not that often that you find a young lad like this taking the lead in a movie. Does a really good job, not overly high on excitement but extremely watchable with an excellent performance by young Dean Stockwell.     8/10

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Twenty-One Days 1937

 

Starring: Laurence Olivier

A barrister's brother accidentally kills a man and lets an old eccentric take the blame.

Very dated but fascinating to see Olivier, Vivien Leigh & Leslie Banks in their prime.   4/10

Sunday, July 17, 2022

The Drifter 1988

 

Starring: Kim Delaney

An attractive, ambitious career woman gets flat tire on a lonely road and impulsively picks up an enigmatic hitchhiker, but after spending the night with him, she can't make him understand she doesn't want to continue their relationship.

Not a bad thriller, good tension built, although it went slightly weird at the end.    6/10




Sunday, July 10, 2022

Improper Channels 1979


 Starring: Alan Arkin

A father runs into administrative trouble when he takes his injured daughter to hospital.

Very 1970's. Although this is over-exaggerated, there is a serious message filtering through that admin often is given more emphasis than the health of a patient.    5/10

Sunday, June 26, 2022

A Small Town In Texas 1976

 

Starring: Susan George

An ex-convict returns to his home town seeking revenge on those who framed him.

Very Dukes Of Hazard with a bunch of cheesy car chases. Characters are not particularly likeable, thank goodness for the stunning Susan George. Movie went very quickly so I must have been engaged with it.     6/10

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Malachi's Cove 1973

 

Starring: Donald Pleasence

In 1880 Cornwall, a 14-year old girl lives by selling seaweed.

A great sense of time. Little happens to be honest and yet this is strangely watchable. Cornwall is the true star with the magnificent view of the cliffs and the power of the sea.   8/10