The Big knife 1955

Starring: Jack Palance

A depressed Hollywood star who wants better things for himself is blackmailed into signing a new contract.

Occasionally interesting but the subject matter is just not riveting. Most of the actions takes place in a Hollywood home and that leaves a certain tedium to affairs. Everyone acts their heart out & Palance, Ida Lupino & Shelley Winters are not bad. Unfortunately, Rod Steiger comes in like a freight train, goes way over the top and I just didn't find him believable at all. Too long a movie for little reward.    3/10

City that never sleeps 1953

Starring: Gig Young

The work of the Chicago police force during one night.

I understand the idea, but maybe it would have been better focusing on one story. If that many people get shot in one night, I'm amazed there's anyone ever left in Chicago. Still, the mechanical man in the window was good & the film had some entertaining moments.    4/10

Dr Kildare's Strange case 1940

Starring: Lew Ayres

The young doctor cures a mental patient by the newest methods.

One of a series of Kildare movies made. A bit soap opera like with doctor/nurse relationships, but the story isn't bad & Lionel Barrymore is superb as the wheelchair bound Dr Gilliespie.

Sinners in paradise 1938

Starring: Madge Evans

Air travellers are wrecked on a South sea island.

Not brilliant but also not bad. The air crash for its time was quite effective. The whole thing was a little single paced although valiant attempts were made at characterisation and humour. More watchable than I anticipated.       6/10

The Dam Busters 1954

Starring: Michael Redgrave

In 1943 the Ruhr dams are destroyed by Dr Barnes Wallis' bouncing bombs.

Everyone knows the story and has seen clips. But this is historically fascinating, Michael Redgrave is utterly convincing nd the bombing sequences are brilliantly done. A nabsolute classic.    10/10

Laura 1944

Starring: Gene Tierney

A beautiful girl is murdered....or is she? A cynical detective investigates.

A little tedious for the first 20 minues, but once it became clear that the murder victim wasn't who you thought, the whole thing improved considerably & became more interesting. Clifton Webb was superb as the objectional 'Waldo'. A neat thriller that kept you guessing until about 10 minutes from the end.      7/10

The Ghost ship 1943

Starring: Richard Dix

The captain of a merchant ship is driven mad by isolation.

Strange goings on all lead back to the captain of a ship who's gone mad. Very dated and filmed with extremely poor lighting. The movie lacks pace, only occasionally bursting into action. The final knife fight is filmed almost in total darkness.       3/10

Indiscreet 1931

Starring: Gloria Swanson

A socialite endangers her own romance when she tries to protect her younger sister.

Improved hugely as it went on & thankfully most of the songs had been cut from this copy. Girl chucks boy, gets engaged to other man. Her sister falls for first boy & girl pretends she loves him again to protect her sister. Very amusing where Swanson pretends to be mad & the scene on the boat at the end gave this a most satisfactory ending. Dated but good fun.     5/10

Lured 1947

Starring: Lucille Ball

An American dancer stranded in London helps Scotland yard catch a killer.

Excellent crime thriller with plenty of suspects and red herrings. Lucille Ball plays it straight although her comic genius clearly lingers just below the surface. I liked the detective who kept stumbling across his crossword answers. Nicely put together & well acted movie.      8/10

The Heartbreak kid 1972

Starring: Charles Grodin

Disappointed with his honeymoon, a sporting goods salesman promptly sets his cap at a richer, prettier perspective spouse.

I've always liked Charles Grodin & it was only halfway through this movie that I suddenly realised how similar the voice & delivery are by current actor Owen Wilson. You have to feel sorry for Grodin's wife in this movie. Some of the scenes are cringeworthy but I was hooked & it seemed to b over in no time. Cybil Shepherd was perfectly cast as the new love interest & her father was a delight.    8/10

Kangaroo 1952

Starring: Maureen O'Hara

In old Australi, a con man pretends to be a rancher's long lost heir, then complicates things by falling in love with the rancher's daughter.

The only reason this seems to be titled Kangaroo is because it is set in Australia, although a few marsupials were shown hopping around in the middle of the movie. A bit like a western but cannot be called a western. The desperation due to the drought was well portrayed & the plot moved along nicely enough. I would have liked an extra 10 minutes at the beginning building the characters. Not bad though.      5/10

In which we serve 1942

Starring: Noel Coward

Survivors from a torpedoed destroyer recall their life at sea and on leave.

War film used to rally the troops. Interesting now only for historical purposes.      2/10

Summer magic 1963

Starring: Hayley Mills

Children help their widowed mother in 1912 Boston.

Charming story with very little plot other than a family taking over a yellow house in the country without the landlord's permission.  Typical Disney full of colour, bright songs, attractive actors and slightly daft humour. All in all, a very easy on the eye movie.    7/10

The Love bug 1968

Starring: David Tomlinson

An unsuccessful racing driver finds that his small private Volkswagen has a mind of its own.

I'm sure most people saw this as a kid & I was no exception. However, great to see it again. It never made me laugh out loud but it did engage with me & I had a steady smile on my face. Ends up a bit like an episode of Wacky races but good fun with nasty David Tomlinson stealing the show.    7/10

The Sheepman 1958

Starring: Glenn Ford

A tough sheep farmer determines tp settle in a cattle town.

Westerns came at ten a penny & you need an outstanding feature for them to remain memorable. This one had it. Firstly, there were sheep at the centre of attention rather than cattle & secondly, the scxript is marvelous. Well paced & witty, the plot rolls along, Glenn Ford is cast perfectly & Shirley Maclaine is delightful. Some neat character portrayals from supporting actors round it off nicely.    8/10

Car of dreams 1935

Starring:  John Mills

A rich man's son buys a car for one of his father's factory girls.

Charming little dipsy comedy. It's all in the comic timing & John Mills is a delight. Vera is played by a German lady, a decision I didn't quite understand but she was very good. Catchy little occasional songs helped the movie along. A little gem.   9/10

Speak easily 1932

Starring: Buster Keaton

A professor inherits a Bradway musical and falls for the lure of the bright lights.

A Keaton talkie & he plays the part of the professor brilliantly. Completely straight, he is hillarious particularly when undertaking silent style comedy. Jimmy Durante's humour doesn't last 80 years but he exudes a tremendous energy. Surprisingly enjoyable all round. 7/10

The Shootist 1976

Starring: John Wayne

In 1901, a dying ex-gunfighter arrives in a small town to set his affairs in order.

The best performance I've ever seen by John Wayne & a real tribute to his life and career. He underplayed his part magnificently and was superbly aided by Lauren Bacall. Ron Howard looking exactly like Richie from Happy days never quite fitted for me, the brilliant James Stewart did his best to steal the show. A great mixture of old Western and emerging 20th century technology. This was touching with tremendous attention to detail.       8/10

The Bride of Frankenstein 1935

Starring: Boris Karloff

Baron Frankenstein is blackmailed by Dr Praetorious into reviving his monster and building a mate for it.

Considering this was made in 1935, the quality was superb. Excellent effects especially the King, Queen etc in a jar & superb explosion of the castle at the end. The acting was not at all bad and it was a pleasure to watch such a classic.     6/10

Rogue cop 1954

Starring:  Robert Taylor

A police detective is on the payroll of a crime syndicate.

This just didn't work. You never got the feeling that this cop was a bad apple. We were handed 90 minutes of tough talking, New York, gangster chat and little action. Just all a bit tedious.    3/10