I Just Watched...

[LawrenceA]

The Rains of Ranchipur (1955) - Lavish CinemaScope remake of 1939's The Rains Came, from 20th Century Fox and director Jean Negulesco. American socialite Lady Edwina Esketh (Lana Turner) travels to India with her cuckolded husband Lord Albert (Michael Rennie). No sooner do they arrive than Edwina gets her claws into Indian physician Dr. Rama Safti (Richard Burton). This is met with disapproval by the local monarch, the Maharani (Eugenie Leontovich), as well as by Edwina alcoholic friend Tom Ransome (Fred MacMurray), who is himself entangled with love-starved young girl Fern Simon (Joan Caulfield). These romantic troubles are put into perspective when disaster strikes. Also featuring Gladys Hurlbut, Madge Kennedy, Carlo Rizzo, Argentina Brunetti, Paul Frees, and John Banner.

I liked parts of the original film, but this one fails to live up to that earlier film's standard. I thought Tyrone Power was laughable as the Indian doctor in 1939, and Richard Burton is just as laughable in 1955. I felt no sympathy at all for Turner's character here, which doesn't help matters. I liked George Brent in the prior film, but the same character as played by MacMurray seems like a distraction from the main story and a needless subplot. The eventual earthquake and flood sequences are simply okay even by the standards of the day. They managed to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Special Effects.    (5/10)

Source: FXM.

[Fedya]

Eternally Yours (1939).

Magician David Niven meets Loretta Young; the two fall in love and marry.  After some time on the road, Loretta would like to settle down in the country but David wants to keep performing to keep Loretta in fine furs.  So she divorces him and ultimately marries Broderick Crawford (!?)  David pursues her.

There are a lot of great supporting actors in the cast: Eve Arden, C. Aubrey Smith, ZaSu Pitts, Hugh Herbert, and more.  But most of them are wasted in very small roles.  The basic story line has been done a bunch of times, and done better.  This isn't bad, but it could have been so much better.

6/10

[laffite]

1 hour ago, LawrenceA said:

I thought Tyrone Power was laughable as the Indian doctor

Thank you.

I haven't seen this later one and and though I'm not in a hurry to do so, there is a curiosity about it. I agree, Burton doesn't look too good either.

[LawrenceA]

Run for Cover (1955) - Solid western from Paramount Pictures and director Nicholas Ray. Wandering gunman Matt Dow (James Cagney) meets hot-headed young man Davey Bishop (John Derek) on the way to a small ranching town. They get mistaken for train robbers, and a posse seriously injures Davey. Once their identities are properly established, Davey is left to convalesce with Swedish farmer Swenson (Jean Hersholt) and his daughter Helga (Viveca Lindfors). Matt sticks around to mentor Davey, and Helga falls for the older man. The townsfolk hire Matt to be their new sheriff, and Matt chooses Davey to be his deputy, but trouble is on the horizon. Also featuring Ernest Borgnine, Jack Lambert, Ray Teal, Denver Pyle, Irving Bacon, Trevor Bardette, John Miljan, Gus Schilling, and Grant Withers.

I liked this western despite its faults, which include some script implausibilities and a flabby final act. It was really nice seeing Cagney in something new to me, as there are now only 3 of his movies that I have not seen. He's a little thick around the middle but he still has screen presence in spades, and he seems natural in the western setting for a change. John Derek is someone I would never call a favorite, but he fit his role well. Lindfors was lovely and low key. One of the best things about this movie is the spectacular Colorado location cinematography, with director Ray making the most of the VistaVision format.

This was the last film of character actor Jean Hersholt, he of the eponymous Humanitarian Oscar. I was also moved by the appearance of early 1930's leading man Grant Withers. His major studio stardom was short-lived and he later moved over to Republic Pictures, mainly thanks to lifelong friend John Wayne. By 1955, Withers was in ill health, and despite only being 50, he looked a good 15 years older here. Here he has a small role as a bandit leader and shares his one big scene with Cagney. Cagney had made his film debut in 1930 in Sinners' Holiday in support of Withers.    (7/10)

Source: Amazon video.

[speedracer5]

4 hours ago, LornaHansonForbes said:

I'm so happy other people noticed how FRIGGIN ODD the late-night hand-holding scene was.

because it WAS. 

FRIGGIN odd.

Leave them alone! They're in love! 

In this case I'm talking about both this picture and Bert & Ernie. 

[EricJ]

54 minutes ago, speedracer5 said:

In this case I'm talking about both this picture and Bert & Ernie. 

Actually, we've never been sure of the ages of Sesame's Bert & Ernie, beyond the acceptance of their Felix & Oscar rent sharing.

The only reference we have is the sketch where Ernie pretends to be a doctor ("Either there's no pulse or my watch is broken...Uh, that's an old joke."), and when Bert asks what's the result, Ernie replies "I won't know until I graduate medical school--And I'll have to finish grade school first."

[Bethluvsfilms]

46 minutes ago, LawrenceA said:

Run for Cover (1955) - Solid western from Paramount Pictures and director Nicholas Ray. Wandering gunman Matt Dow (James Cagney) meets hot-headed young man Davey Bishop (John Derek) on the way to a small ranching town. They get mistaken for train robbers, and a posse seriously injures Davey. Once their identities are properly established, Davey is left to convalesce with Swedish farmer Swenson (Jean Hersholt) and his daughter Helga (Viveca Lindfors). Matt sticks around to mentor Davey, and Helga falls for the older man. The townsfolk hire Matt to be their new sheriff, and Matt chooses Davey to be his deputy, but trouble is on the horizon. Also featuring Ernest Borgnine, Jack Lambert, Ray Teal, Denver Pyle, Irving Bacon, Trevor Bardette, John Miljan, Gus Schilling, and Grant Withers.

I liked this western despite its faults, which include some script implausibilities and a flabby final act. It was really nice seeing Cagney in something new to me, as there are now only 3 of his movies that I have not seen. He's a little thick around the middle but he still has screen presence in spades, and he seems natural in the western setting for a change. John Derek is someone I would never call a favorite, but he fit his role well. Lindfors was lovely and low key. One of the best things about this movie is the spectacular Colorado location cinematography, with director Ray making the most of the VistaVision format.

This was the last film of character actor Jean Hersholt, he of the eponymous Humanitarian Oscar. I was also moved by the appearance of early 1930's leading man Grant Withers. His major studio stardom was short-lived and he later moved over to Republic Pictures, mainly thanks to lifelong friend John Wayne. By 1955, Withers was in ill health, and despite only being 50, he looked a good 15 years older here. Here he has a small role as a bandit leader and shares his one big scene with Cagney. Cagney had made his film debut in 1930 in Sinners' Holiday in support of Withers.    (7/10)

Source: Amazon video.

People say that Cagney doesn't belong in westerns, but I have to disagree with that. While THE OKLAHOMA KID wasn't a classic by any means, it's still watchable, and this one as well as TRIBUTE TO A BAD MAN shows that Cagney can pull off starring in a story that takes place in the west.

[LawrenceA]

The Sea Chase (1955) - CinemaScope nautical adventure from Warner Brothers and director John Farrow. John Wayne stars as German steam-ship captain Karl Ehrlich. It's 1939 and the German merchant ship Ergenstrasse is docked in Australia when war between the British Empire and Germany is declared. Captain Ehrlich and his crew are ordered to turn themselves in for confinement as enemy nationals, and for their ship to be scuttled. This doesn't sit well with the Germans, however, and they steal away with their ship during the night. Thus begins a world-spanning adventure as Ehrlich and his ship try to sail from the Antipodes to South America, and then around the continent, and up through the Atlantic to Germany. Complicating the journey even more so is the presence of the beautiful Elsa Keller (Lana Turner), along for the ride and stirring the hearts of many of the crew. Also featuring David Farrar, Lyle Bettger, James Arness, John Qualen, Tab Hunter, Dick Davalos, John Doucette, Peter Whitney, Alan Hale Jr., Claude Akins, and Paul Fix.

Based on a real incident, this seems like an odd story choice for All-American John Wayne in the mid-1950's, but it proved to be a big hit. I liked the movie well enough, enjoying the large cast of good character actors. Wayne is Wayne (you didn't think he'd attempt a German accent, did you?), while Turner is gorgeous and essentially useless to the plot. Director Farrow makes good use of the widescreen vistas, although he reportedly clashed with both of his stars throughout shooting.     (7/10)

Source: Amazon video.

[Sepiatone]

9 hours ago, Bethluvsfilms said:

People say that Cagney doesn't belong in westerns, but I have to disagree with that. While THE OKLAHOMA KID wasn't a classic by any means, it's still watchable, and this one as well as TRIBUTE TO A BAD MAN shows that Cagney can pull off starring in a story that takes place in the west.

Oh yeah, sure.    ANY guy who comes off like TOM POWERS or CODY JARRETT in a cowboy costume just REEKS with authenticity. 

But too, a LOT more fearsome than DOC HOLIDAY .   

Sepiatone

 

[TomJH]

1 hour ago, Sepiatone said:

Oh yeah, sure.    ANY guy who comes off like TOM POWERS or CODY JARRETT in a cowboy costume just REEKS with authenticity. 

But too, a LOT more fearsome than DOC HOLIDAY .   

Sepiatone

 

Have you seen Tribute to a Bad Man, Sepia?

[LawrenceA]

Sincerely Yours (1955) - Misfire musical showcase from Warner Brothers and director Gordon Douglas. Anthony Warrin (Liberace) is a world-renowned concert pianist who is about to see his life's ambition fulfilled: playing at Carnegie Hall. Tragedy strikes when Anthony suddenly goes deaf due to a rare medical condition that can only be fixed with very risky surgery. Anthony decides to try life as a deaf person, learning to read lips, which allows him to eavesdrop on the lives of people in the park by his apartment. Anthony becomes a sort of guardian angel to some needy people, while also finding himself in an awkward love triangle between his loyal secretary Marion (Joanne Dru) and wealthy socialite Linda (Dorothy Malone). Also featuring William Demarest, Alex Nicol, Lori Nelson, Lurene Tuttle, Richard Eyer, James Bell, Edward Platt, Ian Wolfe, Herbert Heyes, and Guy Williams. 

A notorious flop intended to make master pianist Liberace into a matinee idol, this came recommended as a "so bad it's good" romp. It is silly, corny, schmaltzy, and filled with various unintended laughs. But the music is very good if one enjoys piano music, be it classical, contemporary or folk. The first part of the film is a very unbelievable romance, but when Liberace's character goes deaf, it suddenly morphs into a bizarre feel-good piece with Liberace playing the mysterious good Samaritan. I enjoyed the awkwardness of it, including Liberace's performance, which ranges from creepily, jovially intense, to nervous amateurism (his hands are visibly shaking in some acting scenes). The supporting cast does what it can, and Dorothy Malone deserves some recognition for being on the receiving end of one of the screen's most uncomfortable looking kisses.    (5/10)

Source: TCM.

[LornaHansonForbes]

IF they had changed the name from SINCERELY YOURS to FAIRY GODMOTHER and cut the romance attempt, it might've been salvageable.

While I admit I don't know much about music or arrangements, I've been impressed by the musicianship of LIBERACE when i've seem it.

[LawrenceA]

Target Zero (1955) - Unimpressive Korean war action-drama from Warner Brothers and director Harmon Jones. After a major battle leaves United Nations forces scattered, an unlikely squadron forms: an American army platoon led by Lt. Flagler (Richard Conte), a British tank crew led by Sgt. Kensemmit (Richard Wyler), and stranded American aid worker Ann Galloway (Peggie Castle). This meager outfit must try to survive in hostile conditions long enough to rendezvous with allied forces. Also featuring Charles Bronson, Chuck Connors, L.Q. Jones, John Alderson, Terence de Marney, John Dennis, Angela Loo, Joby Baker, Abel Fernandez, Strother Martin, Don Oreck, and Aaron Spelling.

This low-budget war picture is of note purely for the interesting cast of future film and TV stars, including Bronson, Connors, Jones, Martin, and TV mega-producer Aaron Spelling as Private Strangler. The conflict here goes beyond the UN forces vs the Commies, as it also includes tank commander Wyler resenting American Conte because an American made time with Wyler's sister during WW2. Not very compelling drama. Castle's character seems to exist purely to add a female to the cast, a trend that I've noticed with more than war film. Some of the action scenes work well, while others look like bad television. There's a lot of awful rear-screen work, too.   (5/10)

Source: TCM.

[kingrat]

Lawrence, I really enjoy the continuing saga of your investigation of the classic era. Run for Cover sounds like one to check out. I agree that The Sea Chase is pretty entertaining, providing you can accept John Wayne as a German who sounds like John Wayne, and that The Rains of Ranchipur is mostly a mess, nowhere near so good as The Rains Came and one of Richard Burton's weakest performances. It's weird that Jean Negulesco had so much trouble with the Cinemascope ratio, because he was an artist and you'd think that would be a major asset. Negulesco + 20th C. Fox + color is almost never as good as Negulesco + Warner Brothers + black & white.

[Guest]

Suddenly, Last Summer. 

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

Dizzie Miss Lizzie is too weird, even for me.

[JamesJazGuitar]

15 minutes ago, jimmymac21 said:

Suddenly, Last Summer. 

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

Dizzie Miss Lizzie is too weird, even for me.

Are you confusing Liz with Kate?       Liz is the sane one.   It is Kate that is off her rocker.

 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, jamesjazzguitar said:

Are you confusing Liz with Kate?       Liz is the sane one.   It is Kate that is off her rocker.

 

I sort of watched just a little. Liz is smoking. She acts pretty crazy with the doctor. 

[speedracer5]

9 minutes ago, jamesjazzguitar said:

Are you confusing Liz with Kate?       Liz is the sane one.   It is Kate that is off her rocker.

 

Exactly.  Liz is the one who is traumatized after witnessing her cousin's death while on vacation.  It is Aunt Kate who is trying to bribe Monty into giving Liz the lobotomy in an effort to cause her to lose memories of how her cousin died.  Supposedly there are some potential sordid details about her son's death that Kate wishes remain secret. 

Liz is the one who is institutionalized due to experiencing a severe emotional disturbance. From dialogue in the film, it sounds like Kate used some form of manipulation to coerce her sister in to institutionalizing her daughter.   

[Guest]

1 minute ago, speedracer5 said:

Exactly.  Liz is the one who is traumatized after witnessing her cousin's death while on vacation.  It is Aunt Kate who is trying to bribe Monty into giving Liz the lobotomy in an effort to cause her to lose memories of how her cousin died.  Supposedly there are some potential sordid details about her son's death that Kate wishes remain secret. 

Sorry. Lost interest very quickly. Mom turned the boob tube off.

[JamesJazGuitar]

23 minutes ago, speedracer5 said:

Exactly.  Liz is the one who is traumatized after witnessing her cousin's death while on vacation.  It is Aunt Kate who is trying to bribe Monty into giving Liz the lobotomy in an effort to cause her to lose memories of how her cousin died.  Supposedly there are some potential sordid details about her son's death that Kate wishes remain secret. 

Spoiler alert for Suddenly Last Summer:   Sebastian was gay using his mom and cousin (as well as money) as bait to lure men \ boys into his web.   One reason mom is so upset is that because she had aged,  her son decided to replace her with his much more alluring and younger cousin.    

[laffite]

1 hour ago, kingrat said:

... providing you can accept John Wayne as a German who sounds like John Wayne, ...

[midwestan]

12 minutes ago, jimmymac21 said:

 Liz is smoking.

I'll say she is!  That black dress she's wearing at the State Asylum reminds of the line from the Bob Seger song, 'Night Moves'…"Points all her own, settin' way up high"! ?

[JamesJazGuitar]

6 minutes ago, midwestan said:

I'll say she is!  That black dress she's wearing at the State Asylum reminds of the line from the Bob Seger song, 'Night Moves'…"Points all her own, settin' way up high"! ?

Now that was funny.   But as you know,  one ain't seen nothing yet.    

[midwestan]

TW=Tennessee Williams or Totally Weird or Truly Whacked?

I know "Suddenly, Last Summer" has been shown on TCM several times before today, but today was the first time I'd seen the whole film in its entirety.  Good film overall.  Very good performances all the way around.  Too bad Williams lived and wrote most of his stuff in the 1940's and 1950's.  Dancing around what would and would not pass muster with audiences and the movie censors must have been more than difficult at times.  Then again, if he were living and writing in the here and now, his stuff would be shown on HBO or Netflix, and many of us wouldn't be exposed to it.

[EricJ]

57 minutes ago, midwestan said:

TW=Tennessee Williams or Totally Weird or Truly Whacked?

I know "Suddenly, Last Summer" has been shown on TCM several times before today, but today was the first time I'd seen the whole film in its entirety.  Good film overall.  Very good performances all the way around.  Too bad Williams lived and wrote most of his stuff in the 1940's and 1950's.  Dancing around what would and would not pass muster with audiences and the movie censors must have been more than difficult at times.  Then again, if he were living and writing in the here and now, his stuff would be shown on HBO or Netflix, and many of us wouldn't be exposed to it.

Basically, Tennessee Williams' plots, characters, and general potboiler style can be explained by that Williams in his own life WAS what wouldn't pass muster with film censors in the 40's and 50's.

It would certainly explain Blanche duBois, Maggie the Cat and pretty much all of "The Glass Menagerie", for starters, never mind Elizabeth Taylor in "Boom!".