wmoores Reviews

Rebound (1931)

A love quadrangle helps Depression era moviegoers to escape to opulence.

[7/10 · 10 December 2016]

For the 1930s this is quite a revealing movie about how men use women and vice verse. It's as if this love quadrangle could have been filmed yesterday if it had starred current Hollywood actors/actresses who have already lived through such situations in their actual love lives.

Escaping depression era problems, many moviegoers went to the theater to forget the reality of their lives. The opulence of the sets and glamorous gowns might have provided the female viewers of the time with an opportunity to fancy the lives of the rich.

It's a classy, clean romp that might be considered for a re-make with a lot more skin showing.

The acting may be wooden in a few scenes, but altogether is made for a delightful viewing.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dysmorphia (2008 TV Movie)

Too Short!

[6/10 · 14 December 2009]

This movie delves into a problem that is very prevalent in society - people so obsessed with their bodies that they will do anything to change or improve them no matter how many friends they may lose along the way.

Working out at the gym is simply not enough for some people to get the body they want so they turn to surgery. Some of what is presented in this movie probably motivated Michael Jackson wanting the perfect nose and the 'purist' skin.

I would like to have known more of Tomax later life after his surgery. There was time to do this in the movie.

There was also time to pursue Katie's life, particularly what motivated her to work-out five hours a day seven days a week yet look like she was anorexic.

Flashbacks with the other characters would have been the way to identify their problems, not just with Tomax.

A lot more could have been done to have made this movie more believable. Although it averages 4.4 I gave it a higher number because it was well staged and extremely well-acted.

I just wanted more than it gave.

Louisiana Hayride (1944)

Canova - the Entertainer

[6/10 · 25 April 2009]

I remember Judy Canova on radio and the silver screen and she came across on the radio much better than she did on the screen. Her radio programs had more comedy situations in a thirty minute program than in an hour and a half movie. In longer movies the comedy aspect in her character seems to wane. The singing is always the greatest, and in this movie, I wish she had sung more of her popular numbers of the 1940s. "You Are My Sunshine" would have been great in this movie.

Her Western movies were much better than this example of a movie with a misleading title that can be confused with a former Shreveport, LA, country music program that competed for awhile with the Grand Ole Opry.

Nevertheless, Judy was a comedian with perfect timing, although totally country in the movie 'Louisiana Hayride,' which has its ups and downs with some questionable movie producers who are trying to make a fast buck on bumpkin Judy who has been given some lease money on her land that is producing oil. The 'Hollywood Studio' is simply a pawn shop where the shysters often take their loot, and is not a producing movie studio.

The plot for this movie is almost a dead-ringer for the TV series 'The Beverly Hilbillies: backwoods people with oil money go to Hollywood to make the big time and be taken advantage of. The only character missing is that of Jed Clampett. Judy's mother could have been Granny, Judy might have been Ellie Mae, and Judy's brother could be Jethro. I wonder if the writers for 'The Beverly Hillbillies' saw 'Louisiana Hayride' and got the idea for a TV series from it.

All in all, it was fun to catch Judy Canova on the screen again, but there are better performances out there that should be given some air time.

The voting tally for this movie was a mere six before the movie was shown recently, but has now jumped to seventeen, so there are a few old-timers out there that cared enough to see Judy again. TCM, just give us more, please. Judy is an interesting diversion.

I've Got a Secret (2006– )

An old TV fixture takes a modern twist.

[10/10 · 27 September 2006]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this revival of IGAS. I am within a few weeks of my sixty-ninth birthday and am considerably older than the baby boomer who lambasted this version of IGAS. I, on the other hand, love it.

The panelist are all young and fresh and the host (Bil Dwyer) has boundless energy, unlike the Gary Moore, Kitty Carlisle (still alive in 2006), Peggy Cass, Betsy Palmer etc. show of so many years ago. Though enjoyable as the old version was, it cannot compare to the 2006 version. Even the masks have been updated! Clever. The prizes put the old show to shame.

Why do I like it? Each contestant (one with the secret) usually performs his secret after it is guessed or the panel strikes out. This makes the program totally different from the original version.

If you don't already know, the panelist all have a public secret! You'll have to watch IGAS 2006 in order to find out. It's a hoot! I highly recommend you see this new take-off on an old television standby.

Stage Door Canteen (1943)

Superstars entertain enlisted men.

[9/10 · 3 August 2005]

This movie has more stars in it than the firmament! Even more stars than its cousin Hollywood Canteen.

I remember seeing it as a child in 1943 and have had it on tape for years and wonder why it has not been digitally remastered. The picture is scratchy and bumpy in parts, but nothing can spoil the innocence of our youth in uniform ready to go off to war.

Cameo appearances of so many entertainers on one stage give you an idea of what vaudeville and the big band era were like. There is no plot line or even a semblance of continuity in the performances of these stars, but all are polished appearances as if the casts were on tour. Their time was donated and their patriotism shows through loud and clear.

The story line involves a group of army enlistees who are given a mini furlough in New York City before they ship out. They are in awe of the big city at first but are told of a place where there is entertainment and free food. This, of course, is the canteen. Over the course of less than forty-eight hours, Dakota, Californa, Tex, Jersey, and others pair off with hostesses at the Stage Door Canteen. It is amazing how quickly love blooms in this setting. The hostesses have taken a vow not to get involved with the fellas, but how can they resist when they see the innocence, charm, and sincerity of the boys?

If there are starring roles in the storyline, they belong to California and Eileen, though they are not paired as sweethearts. California (LonMcAllister)looks like a teenager and is so likable. He has never kissed a girl! Eileen (Cheryl Walker) is torn between her duty to the canteen and her love for Dakota.

Some have said this movie is a morale booster or war-time propaganda. I like to think of it as the way things were during World War II.

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

The story of three servicemen from World War II returning to civilian life.

[5/10 · 17 May 2005]

I watched this movie again last night and wondered how it can possibly be in the 250 top films on the IMDb.

It has a stellar cast but a labored delivery of the plot-line, particularly with the Stephenson and Derry Families, who are adjusting to civilian life after the return from World War II of their soldier husbands.

Myrna Loy as Milly Stephenson hardly has any role at all in this nearly three hour movie. Her role could have easily been written out as she has precious few motherly or wifely duties, other than to take away intoxicating drinks from her lush husband.

Frederic March as Al Stephenson is wooden as a drunk and not an authority figure for his family at all. In only one scene does he prove that he isn't a wimp and that occurs when he tells his daughter to mind her own business and get out of Fred Derry's love life.

Teresa Wright as Peggy, the Stephenson's daughter, is talented and polished in all of her scenes, and is one of the few reasons for watching the movie at all though her scene at the end is contrived.

Dana Andrews as Fred Derry appears to want to run away from reality in every scene he is in. One can understand why his wife played by Virginia Mayo has so many affairs.

Harold Russell is THE reason for watching this movie and deserves the two Oscars he won for playing the role of Homer Parrish, who lost his hands in the war and uses prosthetic 'hooks' remarkably well.

When you watch this movie and think about it, the title could have been "The Worst Years of Our Lives" and nobody would have known the difference.

The Clock (1945)

Week-end in New York for a soldier who finds loves and marries.

[9/10 · 23 March 2005]

This is a warm and fuzzy movie about life back home during World War II. Unlike Since You Went Away, which involved an entire family and community, The Clock is centered around a young couple and is set entirely on the home front.

Robert Walker (Joe) and Judy Garland (Alice) are the romantic couple.

But, first, Joe, a country boy arrives at Penn Station in New York, goes out on the sidewalk, and is awe-struck by the skyscrapers of the city. He sees a wonderful panorama of New York City as it was in the spring of 1945.

Joe has no idea how he will spend his 48-hour leave. He is caught up in the crowd, pushed here and there, and finally, sits at the foot of the stair rail on the steps in front of Penn Station between the steps and an escalator.

Alice stumbles on Joe's gear, nearly falls, and gets her shoe heel caught in the escalator and broken off.

She yells for somebody to retrieve her shoe heel and Joe is accommodating.

From this point on in the movie, the couple are together almost constantly and visit various landmarks and attractions in New York.

Alice finally goes back to her apartment and is quizzed about her long absence during the afternoon and told by her roommate not to fool with military guys. Alice's response is half-hearted at first, but then she begins to think her roommate is right.

Alice's thoughts drift back to Joe, who is waiting at the clock of a prominent hotel, their meeting place at 7 p.m. Joe is in despair when Alice doesn't show. Eventually, she arrives.

As one would say, the plot thickens, and there are twists and turns, but most of all, accidental separations that are heartbreaking.

The longer the couple is together they realize they love each other and should get married, which is a further complication in the plot.

The previous reviewer threatened to turn this movie off from boredom? Why does this movie even around today and why is it highly rated? First, it was what the public wanted then. It is 1945 and people are war-weary. They wanted some about the war but from a different point of view.

Also, up to this time Judy Garland was in musicals or sang in each movie in which she played. It shows what a dramatic actress she could be.

Robert Walker is at his best even though he was recently divorced from Jennifer Jones.

So, this is WWII without blood and guts, rationing, etc. It is a love story that filled a need at a previous time in our history. For those of us who saw it on its first run, it is a special joy to see it in our twilight years because of all of the wonderful memories it brings back.

Stella Dallas (1937)

Stella Dallas may have been a big hit in the thirties but is too far-fetched for the 21st Century.

[7/10 · 7 February 2005]

This movie seems frozen in a time warp.

Though enjoyable and probably Oscar-worthy for 1937, I doubt that many people could identify with it in the 21st Century.

Stella Martin wanted out of the trap she was in with her poor parents so she connived her way into the factory where her brother and dad worked and charmed one of the executives, who was smitten and married her. Stella Martin became Mrs. Stella Dallas.

Stella seems to have reached her goal by marrying the factory executive and bearing his child. She was content.

It seems inconceivable though that Stella Dallas, who was devoted to her daughter, would deliberately dress and act the way she does in the movie. Being a seamstress and sewing her daughter Laurel's birthday dress with all of the ruffles on it shows that Stella is aware of style and class. Why would Stella deliberately wear such mismatched flowered, house-type dresses when she goes out? Why is she the personification of tackiness when going out but rather well-dressed when at home. The juxtaposition of the two are incongruous in the movie. Didn't anyone notice this in 1937? Stella divorces her husband who graciously gives her and the daughter generous allotments. The daughter grows and matures, but Stella enjoys the status quo.

Alan Hale, as Mr. Munn, seems out of place as Stella's romantic interest. He is a drunk and down on his luck and Laurel is afraid of him.

Eventually Laurel leaves her mother and moves in with her father who has remarried. Her stepmother is the opposite of Stella and can give Laurel all of the society pointers her mother can't.

Stella realizes that Laurel has a better life with her dad and solidifies that bond by visiting the new Dallas family. Dressed gaudily as ever she 'hands over' Laurel without protest to a new life.

The movie should have ended at that point. Enough preposterousness has already occurred. But, dear viewers, the best is yet to be. See the movie if I haven't already ruined it for you.

They say this movie sparked the role of Stella Dallas in a radio soap opera of the same name. I think the listeners got better fare than did the movie-goers as Stella Dallas was on radio for many years.

Hollywood Party (1934)

An extravaganza of stars!

[8/10 · 2 August 2004]

Contains Spoiler Excellent movie of the 30s vintage with music, slapstick, and color animation.

Jimmy Durante as Schnarzan is hosting a party for Hollywood celebrities.

Various sub-plots are interwoven into the party theme.

A classic scene involves Laurel and Hardy with Lupe Velez, the Mexican spitfire. This is probably the highlight of the movie and is one of the funniest scenes the 'boys' ever filmed. I won't spoil it for you, but it is a 'must see.'

This movie may also introduce The Three Stooges. Several scientists try to figure out if the Stooges are Neanderthal or what.

Consider this movie was made in the dark ages, but it was innovative for its time. Mickey Mouse is a guest and Jimmy catches Mickey by the tail and throws him onto the screen (wall) where Mickey does a piano routine.

When Micky finishes his number, the color cartoon begins. The Red Hot Chocolate Soldiers Go to War with Arthur Freed doing the singing is a masterpiece of color in cartooning and can hold its own with color and animation of the 21st Century.

According to the writers, nobody knew how to end the picture. So it was contrived to have Jimmy wake up from a dream. This is probably the reason why the movie was not given rave reviews in its day. The ending weakens the movie to this day.

I still enjoy watching this movie and will keep it in my collection.

The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938)

Thoroughly enjoyable;full of stars of the thirties. Logical story line.

[8/10 · 1 August 2004]

Lots of mainly young and beautiful stars of the thirties appear in this movie. Dorothy Lamour and Shirley Ross are knockouts with the zany Martha Raye as a comic foil. This is a great movie for black and white buffs.

Some classic scenes in this movie:

W. C. Fields in his best golf playing scenes ever.

Martha Raye hugging and puffing with her big mouth against a sail to keep a life raft sailing toward a big ocean liner.

Kirsten Flagstad from the Metropolitan opera delivering a Wagner aria.

But the piece de resistance is Shirley and Bob singing what would later become Bob Hope's Theme song, "Thanks for the Memory."

Although not listed in the cast, I saw Lucille Ball, probably with the most lines of any of her thirties' movies.