Lavish Republic western with good female cast.Joan Leslie and Vera Ralston are most effective as two women heading to California to make a new life.Joan's husband is killed,Vera finds work as an entertainer,barkeeper.There's a load of familiar faces in the character parts.The costumes are nice.The settings lavish.Republic made alot of strong women films with a western setting.It was nice seeing women finally being more than just dutiful wives and saloon girls.Republic had a way of making realistic settings,costumes.The men in the story actually look dusty after a long ride.The Victor Young score is very nice,including the title song.This film is usually dismissed as just another Vera Ralston film but it's Joan Leslie's story.
Reviews
23 Reviews
The best version
24 December 2002
Having suffered through two terrible remakes,Why Donald Sutherland couldn't have been in an actual remake is beyond me.The political subtext escaped me,all I know is it scared the bejesus out of me.The entire point was people were being changed but only their loved ones knew that.They looked and acted the same but they were different.Virginia Christine's heartbreak as she realizes her beloved uncle and aunt are imposters was chilling.Let's face it,the remakes entirely missed this point.The changed ones acted weird,almost had steam blowing out of their nose,eyes bugging out.Would love to see the version without the narration and tacked on ending.Kevin McCarthy standing on the freeway screaming at the camera: You're next! You're Next!
Friday the 13th
(1980)
Adrienne King
12 December 2002
One of the tragedies of this slasher flick was that the only surviving camper,Adrienne King, never got a career out of it.Unlike Jamie Lee Curtis who was the offspring of Hollywood stars Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis,Miss King drifted into obscurity,at least in the public eye.She helps her husband run a production company in New York.The atmosphere of the isolated summer camp is wonderfully realized.Fall colors contrasting with the terror underneath.Miss King goes from helpless victim to tough Mama as she fights for her own survival.Strange that this was never cited as a bid for women's lib!Even her cute boyfriend Harry Crosby bites it,leaving her alone to cope.Betsy Palmer is wonderful as the disturbed Mrs. Voorhees.The murders are graphic but not lingering.The music is almost Hitchcockian and played a major part in slasher films to come.
Ace in the Hole
(1951)
wow!
11 December 2002
Saw this films years ago and it's still gripping.Mr.Wilder seldom did films that gripped the human condition like this one.After this movie flopped he stuck to screen adaptions of stage hits through most of the fifties.Both director and star,Kirk Douglas really delivered a stinging expose of media hype and manipulation of the newspaper business.Herein,burned out reporter Douglas chances on a man trapped in a cave and ruthlessly exploits it for his own gain.There's no softness here,even the leading lady (played wonderfully by Jan Sterling)is as hard as Douglas.The scenes of all the gawkers showing up,complete with carnival,are outright creepy.There's even a cheesy country western singer plunking a guitar and singing about poor Leo,(the trapped man.) The only sympathetic person is poor Leo's mom who continually prays for his release.Definitely a film for lovers of great movie drama.
Peyton Place
(1957)
Lana's best
10 December 2002
For people who dismissd Lana as a plastic creation out of the MGM dramatic school,check out this fine film.The settings are beautiful,the acting first rate.Although Lee Phillips as Michael Rossi seems a bit bland.Jeff Chandler (who appears in the sequel) might have been a better choice).Possibly the flop teaming he did with Turner in The Lady Takes a Flier might have caused him to be passed by.The fine cast of character actors really makes this picture work,especially Lloyd Nolan as the town doctor and Arthur Kennedy as the town drunk.Passed over in comments was Mildred Dunnock as the devoted teacher who is passed over to be principal.Her words to Allison about it are very touching.Miss Dunnock usually played nagging mothers,so it's a treat to see her playing a nice,vulnerable person.Susan Hayward was supposedly set to play Constance but Lana was definitely the best choice.The pity is Diane Varsi never followed up her career and quit the business.Her Allyson was very good.
The Clock
(1945)
lovely!
8 December 2002
A sweet wartime romance that didn't hit you on the head with its ideas.Judy Garland and Robert Walker are just right as the young lovers who agree to marry on short notice.Ah,the romance of movies! Walker is gawky and clumsy as the young soldier,Garland strikes a right note as an ordinary secretary.They seem so real and touching together.The NY background becomes a part of their story.Especially love the scene where Walker sees a guy buying flowers for his girl's hair and holds her mirror so she can put it on.Walker buys flowers and shyly asks Alice if he can hold her mirror.so sweet. Admittedly some of the scenes are a bit precious,but the final scene where Garland is swallowed up in the vast crowd at the train station is awesome.
Presenting Lily Mars
(1943)
Garland Swings!
8 December 2002
One of those Garland flicks that never comes up in a list of her good films,which is surprising considering how much fun it is.She plays an ambitious girl determined to make it to Broadway,and chases producer Van Heflin to do it.He's a local guy in her hometown.For a change,Garland is filled out and quite lovely.She's not the emaciated stick she had been in her previous roles.Also,she's not crying because the boy next door won't have her or singing a plaintive love song dealing with rejection! Garland had a fine comedy flair that was seldom exploited in her films.She interplays well with the cast,especially her siblings and Spring Byington as her mom.The music is good but the finale is just a bit out of place.Supposedly,the big brass thought she needed a big finish to show Lily was a big star after all. Wonder what ever happened to the original number, "Paging Mr. Greenback?"
It's Alive!
(1969 TV Movie)
Tommy Kirk?
7 December 2002
Absolutely cheap,bizarre tale of a madman who owns a roadside attraction and likes to feed tourists to his pet monster in a cave.Tommy Kirk plays a forest ranger who helps the young wife of a cranky older man escape.One of the madman's servants is a school teacher who was kept prisoner and forced to work for him.In flashbacks,she recalls how she was trapped.There's even a rehash of the old rat on the dinner plate gag from "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane."When the monster finally makes it's appearance,it's a guy in a cheap monster suit,complete with ping pong eyes.There's no real special effects.The monster just stands closer to the camera to make it look bigger.The suit also was reused from"Creatures of Destruction," a Larry Buchanan remake of "The She Creature."This film is good for a few laughs but no thrills.Watch at your own risk.
Star Dust
(1940)
Sweet Linda!
7 December 2002
Really cute flick of young girl determined to make it as an actress in that wicked town of Hollywood.The sleaziness of the business is glossed over to make it into a more Cinderella type story.Charlotte Greenwood is fun as the motherly dramatic coach,Roland Young is amusing as the talent scout.Mary Healy sings the title song with gusto,and John Payne is fun as an aspiring actor.George Montgomery has nice bit as a failed actor.This was in the sweet phase of Darnell's career before she morphed into more adult,sultry roles.Linda was a real beauty,no nose bobs,implants or capped teeth for her.She was a sad case of the Hollywood system failing her.After Darryl Zanuck lost interest in promoting her,her career never got back on track.All this despite her fine comedic talent she displayed in later films.
Niagara
(1953)
Marilyn Shines
2 December 2002
This is one of my favorite Monroe pictures.Her character of Rose Loomis lives and breathes as a gorgeous but slutty wife of disturbed war veteran,Joseph Cotton.Marilyn seldom had effective leading men,but Cotton is just right.Interestingly,this picture had Monroe in the part that the studio continually saw her in,an airhead bimbo-type but Marilyn made it better.Her tight dresses,dangling earrings is what sexy women of the time did to make themselves noticed.For those who don't think Monroe could act,check out the postcard scene where her face aches with longing for her young lover.The chase in the bell tower is great as is the Niagara Fall finale.The most unusual aspect of this film was the fact that Marilyn actually had a personality.She wasn't nice or dim,she had a definite purpose,to free herself from her needy husband.I love the scene where she is walking beside the river,smiling because she thinks her boyfriend's plan worked.She is deliciously evil,a definite departure for Marilyn.
I Eat Your Skin
(1971)
William Joyce bare-chested
30 November 2002
Silly story of bunch of people landing on a remote island infested with zombies seems like can't-miss premise but Del Tenney (Mr.Horror of Party Beach) can't seem to make anything happen. The mad scientist's daughter is very nubile,(like all mad scientist's daughters),and instantly smitten with our beefy,hairy-chested hero. He goes bare-chested alot. There's unconvincing zombies,voodoo rituals and alot of unpleasant dialogue. The film lacks the gore and fun tackiness of Del's beach epic. William Joyce is very macho,chauvinistic and downright overbearing.The zombies are unconvincing but I wish at least one took a bite out of William's pompous rear end. At least the film would have a few laughs
About Mrs. Leslie
(1954)
a revelation
27 November 2002
One of Shirley Booth's true acting performances. For audiences who thought she could only play burned out losers like the plodding,dull houswife in "Come Back,Little Sheba," this film shows she definitely had leading lady status. The story of a boarding house owner recalling her one great love in conjunction with the woes of her boarders is very good. The entire cast shines in support. The carping of Robert Ryan is a strange one.He is entirely believable as her lover. Miss Booth's appearance was almost a shock,she wears nice dresses and tailored suits with ease.Not every woman back then looked like Lana Turner!Surely show business had singers who were slightly dumpy and past their prime. Miss Booth duly projects the longing and lonliness all people feel at one time.The final scene where the last of the boarders leave is sadly sweet,as she sighs and puts out her rooms for rent sign again
Cover Girl
(1944)
Rita Shines!
24 November 2002
I never saw this film until recently,but I read about it and was definitely a Rita fan. The story of an ambitious dancer in a cheap club owned by her hoofer-boyfriend Gene Kelly was servicable enough. There's lots of pretty girls,costumes,great comic support from Phil Silvers and Eve Arden to spark up the proceedings. It has great Jerome Kern songs. The "Make Way for Tomorrow" song is sure joy to watch,as is Kelly's alter-ego number. Ego being the operative word here. Kelly always seemed more comfortable in solo numbers but I prefer him dancing with a partner,and Rita was quite a partner.One wishes they had more dances together. Surprisingly,it was their only teaming. A major regret at the time.But the show belongs to Rita.She's beautifully costumed. The golden wedding scene photo shoot is a knockout,but the cover girl number with Rita all in gold,her red hair floating,is the main reason to see this film.Otto Kruger has a nice part as the publisher.It was a nice change from the Nazi officers he always seemed to be playing at the time. Definitely a film to watch for fans of musicals,and especially Rita Hayworth!
Wild on the Beach
(1965)
Frankie and Annette,move over!
17 November 2002
Frankie Randall (who?) and Sherry Jackson try a mean imitation of Frankie Avalon and Annette in this dreary,black and white rip-off of the beach party flicks.There's too much plot,(something about sharing a beach house,disliking each other,rousing the ire of the local college board,until the happy ending.) Frankie sings alot (songs you'll never hear again),Sherry Jackson does a nice Annette pout but it's all for naught.Sonny and Cher and the Astronauts do a brief guest bit,there's some lame comic turns (one guy is always losing his contacts,etc.),stuffy adult reactions to the kids,no beach scenes,no babes in bikinis,just alot of plot.Even boys and girls forced to share the same house isn't presented in a spicy way.Everyone is too hostile.I saw this picture when it first came out and thought it was great but I grew up!
BUtterfield 8
(1960)
Liz Strikes again
17 November 2002
It would be hard to pick out the worst Liz Taylor film but this silly,overproduced epic is in the running.Not as angst ridden as Suddenly Last Summer or overblown as Cleopactra,it contains the ultimate Liz performance.She play a NY model (hooker?) who enjoys the party life with an assortment of men.Lawrence Harvey plays a wealthy paramour who hates her life but ultimately falls for her.Dina Merrill plays the long suffering society wife who puts up with him.Almost everyone in the cast puts down Gloria Wandrous' sex life,including her mother's friend played by Betty Field.Liz is a bit long in the tooth and slightly dumpy to be playing a sexy young model but she makes it work.The men in the cast are dull,especially Eddie Fisher as her asexual friend where Gloria goes after an all nighter.Lawrence Harvey is dreadfully wooden as Wilson Pickett, (although I loved the pain scene,where he twists her arm and she drives her stiletto heel into his instep!) For fans of bad,good movies,definitely worth a look-see.
Psycho
(1998)
Hollywood Strikes Again!
10 November 2002
When William Castle made "Homicidal" in 1961,he was blasted for ripping off Hitchcock. Even Stanley Donen and Brian DePalma didn't get the flack for imitating the master. Now this line for line remake of Psycho comes along. Ugh! The cast is game but the director hits every dramatic point on the head with a fervor that would make John Wayne cringe. Poor Vince Vaughn is so weird=ass acting from the start, Anne Hecht would run screaming back to her car. The original film emphasized people trapped in their lives,anxious for a change. This pooped out piece doesn't even hint at it. The color photography is bright and unreal,the direction erratic and dull. Even the final shot of Marion's car is ruined by a long,drawn scene of people standing around.If you really want to see a good version of Psycho,buy the original
Second Fiddle
(1939)
Tyrone and Sonja shine!
26 September 2002
Surprisingly good teaming of the two fox stars in tale of Hollywood publicity man bringing Minnesota school teacher to test for role in epic "Girl of the North Country." the film is a satire of the "gone With the wind" search that had plagued the country a year before.Sonja is very appealing as a real type person instead of a potential Olympic star waiting to be discovered.Tyrone Power surprises as a lovesick publicist after Sonja.it was nice change of pace from the he=man hero roles he had been doing.Rudy Vallee,Mary Healy are fun as other couple. Edna Mae Oliver steals scenes as Sonja's aunt Phoebe.Mary Healy socks across a couple of Irving Berlin songs with gusto,proving she should have had bigger career.Rudy Valle has a couple of nice songs,too.It's niether prime Power or Sonja but it's fun and lively with its inside look at Hollywood publicity schemes and the like.
Pillow Talk
(1959)
pretty sauce over doubtful dish!
22 September 2002
This funny comedy about two people sharing party line with expected romantic complications revived Doris Day, Rock Hudson and Universal studios fortunes. It started a whole cycle of sex comedy films in the 60's.Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter add great support.What rankles is the subtle smug undercurrent that Doris can't be happy until she bags a man! All the men seem to be sexist pigs that make women easy game.The point is softened under pretty color,witty dialogue,and fine direction.You'll notice that Doris never actually owns any business she works at.She's bossed by a man.Even the supposedly professional woman sent by the phone company to see Rock can"t resist him. Some comment on women in the business world.Still,it's a funny film and has great Doris Day role
Female on the Beach
(1955)
Crawford strikes again!
22 September 2002
Freudian references aside,this well-mounted melodrama about a rich widow mixed up with a shady beach bum is definitely Crawford at her best. No simpering weak-kneed sister,this film noir-type story is a direct slap in the face to the Hollywood in the 50's who insisted on casting aging leading men with absurdly young leading ladies.The notion that older women need love and affection was considered almost absurd. Tennessee Williams territory!This film brought it smack dab in the face.Natalie Schaefer and Cecil Kellaway are fun as card sharks after Crawford's money.Jeff chandler is stolid as the beach bum.Judith Evelyn is touching as Eloise Crandall in the flashbacks. Jan Sterling is good as somewhat snaky realtor.Charles Drake is good as beach cop,t
Torch Song
(1953)
Joan in Technicolor!
22 September 2002
Being a long time Crawford fan this is one of my favorite films.While Hollywood favored soft,nubile types for its stars,the ballsy,ass-kicking dames were more fun.Joan had a gift of being feminine but tough at the same time.She demanded all the good things in life and didn't wait for a man to hand it to her! This film is a prime example of Hollywood thinking. The absurd notion was that no woman could be happy in a career. The lure of husband and family was what really counted.Even "All About Eve" suffered from this. For me the sets were nice,the costumes pretty,and it was nice seeing those awful men being dominated for a change
The Horror of Party Beach
(1964)
Let's hear it for radiation pollution!
21 September 2002
It's hard to hate a film that creeped me out for years! made me leery of dark forests and deep water forever. I know it is drekk but it's definitely good drekk.What startled me at the time was how fast it got to the point. Beach scenes, spilled radiation barrels,the monster created,and gets its first victim a few minutes later with blood gushing everywhere.Then a few dull minutes of talk,then the classic slumber party scene!20 girls laughing,singing,and having pillow fight not knowing the things from hell are creeping outside!The attack is surprisingly gory,with shots of bloodied bodies all over the room.definitely get the 79 minute version,not the edited tv version.
Four Girls in Town
(1957)
minor but colorful look at Hollywood
21 September 2002
Hollywood never seemed to have the knack of looking at itself with a reasonable eye,preferring to show the public what the public itself perceived as Hollywood. Still,this is an entertaining little epic with attractive stars and reasonably entertaining story.Nice color and pretty costumes with four lovely leading ladies to wear them.The drama is a bit glossed over but still makes a good movie as an example of the fifties type of movie.
Annie Get Your Gun
(1950)
not roman candle,more tepid firecracker
21 September 2002
hearing for years the supposedly awful recordings Judy Garland did for Annie,i was surprised how great she sounded!Certainly,Judy at her peak would have been a great Annie but it was not to be.When the film finally made it to DVD,I was surprised how flat and tepid the whole enterprise was.lifeless direction,dully plotted with Betty Hutton doing her female Mickey Rooney routine every ten minutes to liven it up. Even the songs aren't memorable and fun.In short a very colorful assembly-line MGM studios musical with no spark to make it catch fire.My own vote for Annie would have been Judy Canova.she could sing,ride horse and shoot a gun.she even had the accent!
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