LawrenceA Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 THINGS ARE TOUGH ALL OVER - (6/10) - Fourth Cheech & Chong film has a bad reputation, but it still manages to elicit more than a few laughs. This time the guys are in Chicago working at a car wash owned by Arab brothers Mr. Slyman and Prince Habib (also played by Cheech & Chong). The stoner duo are told to drive a stretch limo down to Las Vegas, little knowing that they are transporting millions of dollars in cash hidden in the car. Silliness ensues. The new characters of Slyman and Habib will be viewed as terribly un-P.C. these days. Whether or not you consider them outright racist will depend on your sensitivity. The jokes are all over the place this time around, with a healthy dose of drug humor, but a lot of other targets as well. Rip Taylor shows up as himself, and Ruby Wax, Dave Coulier, and stand-up legend George Wallace make appearances. There are worse ways to spend your time. Rewatch. Source: DVD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scsu1975 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 The Italian (1915) This is a fairly grim account of immigrant life in the early 1900s. George Beban, who made a living on stage and screen portraying ethnic types (especially Italians), plays a gondolier in “the old country” who needs to prove himself to the father of the woman he wants to marry. So he sails to New York without her, works as a bootblack, and earns enough money to send for her. Tragedy strikes when their infant son becomes sick from the heat. Beban attempts to buy milk for him, but is robbed. When he spots his muggers, he attacks them and is arrested. In the climax, Beban almost commits an unspeakable crime to get revenge upon the man he feels is responsible for his son's death. There is some interesting camera work, and a solid performance by the cast. San Francisco doubles as NYC. Some of my reference books claim that Francis Ford Coppola was influenced by this film in making The Godfather. Indeed, there is one scene where Beban spots the Statue of Liberty as the ship pulls into NYC, which is somewhat reminiscent of a scene in The Godfather: Part II. In an interesting twist, Beban appears in the opening scene, relaxing in his home in a smoking jacket, reading a book entitled “The Italian.” Then the story begins. At the end, he appears again, having finished the book. There is a good print on youtube, clocking in at around 75 minutes. It appears to have been restored as well. There are only a few title cards, but the story is easy to follow. Worth a look. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 STAR WITNESS 1931 Crime drama starring Walter Huston as a district attorney trying to get a family to testify to a mob killing they saw through their window. I had recorded this by PVR on TCM recently and watched it for the first time earlier today. The cast includes Dickie Moore as the youngest member of the family and Nat Pendleton pre-The Thin Than where he is a gangster he kidnaps one of the boys to try and keep the family from testifying. I won't go into the plot because I think people can guess what it is. The film has good performances and direction to keep you interested. One thing I had a problem with near the beginning, though. This family lives in a city full of gangsters. The killing happens when they are all sitting down to eat dinner. They hear what they think is a car backfiring before it is obvious that it is a series of shots. Then EVERYONE but the daughter in the cellar looking for jam goes to the window to watch - mother included. Wouldn't everyone's gut reaction in this situation be to lie down on the floor and hide behind furniture so as to not be hit with bullets themselves? Well, then I guess there wouldn't be a movie..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scsu1975 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 STAR WITNESS 1931 Wouldn't everyone's gut reaction in this situation be to lie down on the floor and hide behind furniture so as to not be hit with bullets themselves? Not in Texas. I haven't see this film in a long time, but as I recall, Grant Mitchell takes quite a beating, being thrown into a wall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Not in Texas. I haven't see this film in a long time, but as I recall, Grant Mitchell takes quite a beating, being thrown into a wall. Yes, he does indeed. It is definitely a pre-code movie. Thanks for the reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 You can see The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry free here: http://www.dailymotion.com/ Simply add the film's title in the search bar. Thanks very much for the link. I just finished watching it and loved it. It reminds me of Woman in the Window with E.G. Robinson. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LonesomePolecat Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 MERRILY WE LIVE - zany screwball comedy with funny dialogue by the guys who wrote Topper, and as usual Billie Burke had all the best lines. Not bad for a MY MAN GODFREY ripoff. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LonesomePolecat Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Also watched a horribly painfully bad 80s musical called THE APPLE. With Rifftrax this movie is incredibly hilarious. Without rifftrax, it would possibly induce vomiting, coma, and death. There is so much wrong with this movie: a rotten song every five seconds ("Hey Hey Hey, Bim's on the Way" WILL get stuck in your head), a weird Adam & Eve plot that falls apart in the first half hour, an assortment of bad actors/singers with bizarre accents, the unlikeable protagonist grabbing his landlady's fronts for no reason, horrible 80s-dystopian Jetsons-like costumes that involve ugly guys in thongs, etc etc etc etc etc. But I think the worst thing about it is that the cast & crew obviously worked really hard on it and spent lots of time and money. Somehow it's less painful when you can say, "Well, they obviously only had three bucks and one weekend to make this." In this case it's, "Wow, that's the best you can do?" It's a movie I love to hate. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJH Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 BABES IN BAGDAD (1952). This embarrassingly inept Arabian Nights fable was one of the final films in the career of Paulette Goddard. Along with a few of the other miserable little "B" productions in which she appeared at that time, it's not difficult to understand why the lady retired two years later. Listed as a U.S.-British-Spanish independent production, released through United Artists, this attempt at tongue-in-cheek adventure has a veteran cast of performers struggling with terrible material and handling (celebrated "B" director Edgar G. Ulmer at the helm, surely one of the real lows of his career). One can almost envision the director saying, "Let's all just get through this mess, collect our cheques and go home." Goddard's character is kidnapped to become a part of the harem of the Kadi of Bagdad (played by an incredibly overweight John Boles in his first film appearance in almost a decade; it would be his last film, as well). Goddard calls Boles "a Bagdad wolf," dialogue that is a strong indication of the "cleverness" of this film's comedy approach to its material, and wants to start a protest movement among the other harem girls in which they assert that a woman is man's equal. Gypsy Rose Lee is another one of the harem girls (she was once the Kadi's "favourite" and still loves him) and she is instructed by the Kadi to educate Goddard as to the proper way to be a harem girl. Or some such nonsense. When you start watching a film as numbingly bad as this one after a while you tune out on what little plot there is and just try to get through the film (if you're still determined to do so). Boles, a singer and something of a romantic heart throb during the '30s (he had appeared in Frankenstein and Stella Dallas, among other films) indulges in a lot of wild over-the-top mugging, full of pop eyes and exaggerated body gestures. I suppose it was an attempt to play up the film's tongue-in-cheek material, but his performance is an embarrassment (though, to be fair, no worse than the film itself). Richard Ney (yes, the same actor married to Greer Garson for a while) is the "hero" of this film, as the Kadi's godson who sympathizes with Goddard and tries to help her outwit the Kadi. Ney's few attempts at Fairbanks-like (???) swashbuckling/athleticism are painful to behold, as this slender, ever smiling actor is completely out of his depth here. A young Sebastian Cabot also appears as a harem eunuch. Apparently Christopher Lee is in this mess somewhere, as well, but I didn't spot him. (Maybe he was hiding). Goddard and Lee are looking their age (maybe participating in this film was rapidly aging them, as well), both with makeup plastered on (from what I could tell from the admittedly hideous scratched black-and-white print I saw of what had been a colour production). In fact, this independent disaster is a cruel reminder of what could happen to aging stars once the Hollywood studios had turned their backs on them. About the same time that this turkey went into production, Cecil B. DeMille had refused Goddard's plea for a supporting role in The Greatest Show on Earth (the producer director was still angry with the actress over a fall out they had had during the making of his production of Unconquered, five years before). "Greatest Show" would go on to be the biggest money making film of 1952 and the Best Picture Oscar winner, while Babes in Bagdad would mercifully disappear at the box office. Shortly after this film Goddard would again be miscast, playing a bargain basement "temptress" in a shoddy Biblical drama, The Sins of Jezebel (which might also be called The Price of Making Mr. DeMille Unhappy, as far as her career was concerned). Jezebel might be marginally better than Babes in Bagdad, if only because it's almost impossible to not be superior this production. For those masochistic enough to want to see the film for themselves, the terrible copy of Babes in Bagdad that I suffered through is currently available on You Tube. But don't say you weren't warned. 1 out of 4. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Also watched a horribly painfully bad 80s musical called THE APPLE. With Rifftrax this movie is incredibly hilarious. Without rifftrax, it would possibly induce vomiting, coma, and death. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!!! I GOTTA BIM!!!!" "OH GOD NO, I'M ALREADY BIMMING!!!!!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 MERRILY WE LIVE - zany screwball comedy with funny dialogue by the guys who wrote Topper, and as usual Billie Burke had all the best lines. Not bad for a MY MAN GODFREY ripoff. Billie Burke received her one and only Oscar nomination (for Best Supporting Actress) for this. Used to, TCM would run a little title card at the beginning of a film to let you know this during 31 DAYS, but they used the dough a couple years ago to build Manksy-Wanksy his new set. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 BABES IN BAGDAD (1952). This embarrassingly inept Arabian Nights fable was one of the final films in the career of Paulette Goddard. Along with a few of the other miserable little "B" productions in which she appeared at that time, it's not difficult to understand why the lady retired two years later. For those masochistic enough to want to see the film for themselves, the terrible copy of Babes in Bagdad that I suffered through is currently available on You Tube. But don't say you weren't warned. 1 out of 4. This sounds like an absolute classic, Tom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJH Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 This sounds like an absolute classic, Tom! Well, we all have different definitions of what constitutes a "classic." 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJH Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Thanks very much for the link. I just finished watching it and loved it. It reminds me of Woman in the Window with E.G. Robinson. Glad you liked it, GPfan. I thought of Woman in the Window, as well, after seeing Uncle Harry. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingrat Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON - (6/10) - Drama about 4 friends reuniting with their basketball coach on the 24th anniversary of their championship-winning game. Over the course of the day and night old and new animosities and grievances are revealed. Based on Jason Miller's Tony and Pulitzer prize winning play, the film fell flat for me, and despite the capable performers, something must have been lost in the transition to the screen. Bruce Dern, Paul Sorvino, Stacy Keach, Martin Sheen, and Robert Mitchum as the coach round out the cast. Miller himself, best known for his Oscar-nominated role as the young priest in THE EXORCIST, assumed directing duties on this film after William Freidkin dropped out. Mitchum was also a replacement, for an ailing William Holden. First time watched. Source: VHS. I recently bought this from a mail-order clearance retailer, and it was an unopened, MGM vhs factory release, manufactured in 1983. It is one of those over-sized cardboard boxes with a book-style cover flap that opens to reveal the tape, and has a cast list printed on the inside. Crazy to think that tape has been laying around unopened for 30+ years. Lawrence, I don't think that much, if anything, was lost in the transition from stage to screen. I'm with you 100% on your description of the film, but the energy of the actors on stage would be the only plus for the original. The play is rather shallow and its cynicism easy, and the Martin Sheen character is a kind of alcoholic I have never met in real life, the truth-telling alcoholic who drinks because he's the only one who sees the truth (Claire in Albee's A DELICATE BALANCE is the same character in female form). The acting in the film is good, and that's the best thing it has going for it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveGirl Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Lawrence, I don't think that much, if anything, was lost in the transition from stage to screen. I'm with you 100% on your description of the film, but the energy of the actors on stage would be the only plus for the original. The play is rather shallow and its cynicism easy, and the Martin Sheen character is a kind of alcoholic I have never met in real life, the truth-telling alcoholic who drinks because he's the only one who sees the truth (Claire in Albee's A DELICATE BALANCE is the same character in female form). The acting in the film is good, and that's the best thing it has going for it. Speaking of "A Delicate Balance" I sure do wish TCM would show it. What a great play it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LonesomePolecat Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 "GET OUT OF MY WAY!!! I GOTTA BIM!!!!" "OH GOD NO, I'M ALREADY BIMMING!!!!!" Yes! The rifftrax guys had lots of fun with "Hey hey hey, Bim's on the way" with b comments like: Hey hey hey, Bim's gonna be late Hey hey hey, Bim's stuck in traffic, etc Billie Burke received her one and only Oscar nomination (for Best Supporting Actress) for this. Used to, TCM would run a little title card at the beginning of a film to let you know this during 31 DAYS, but they used the dough a couple years ago to build Manksy-Wanksy his new set. I miss those title cards! I remember those from olden 31 DOO days. Wish they'd bring those back so we'd know what nominations and wins the movie received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cigarjoe Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Thanks very much for the link. I just finished watching it and loved it. It reminds me of Woman in the Window with E.G. Robinson. Yes it did indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosebette Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 The Adventures of Don Juan on a subfreezing afternoon on my 50" TV with my cat in my lap. Life doesn't get any better.... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 TIGER JOE - (4/10) - Obscure European action dud starring David Warbeck as a Cessna-flying gunrunner who gets trapped in hostile territory. He teams up with some rebels and tries to escape the vengeful ruling military. Lots of jungle booby-traps, endless machine gun fire, and large explosions make up most of the running time. Co-starring Annie Belle, Tony King, and Luciano Pigozzi, the "Italian Peter Lorre." Directed by the prolific Antonio Margheriti, a.k.a. Anthony M. Dawson. First time watched. Source: DVD, part of a set entitled "Mercs", from the same shoddy folks that released the awful "Grindhouse Experience" box sets. The picture was letter-boxed, but there were Chinese subtitles throughout the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedracer5 Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 The Adventures of Don Juan on a subfreezing afternoon on my 50" TV with my cat in my lap. Life doesn't get any better.... Errol Flynn in all those tight costumes will warm you up! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 TIME WALKER - (3/10)(7/10) - Really silly sci-fi/horror film that has a great throwback feel. While archaeologists are excavating the tomb of King Tutankhamen, they uncover another sarcophagus containing another mysterious mummy. They take it back to the "California Institute of Science" and do some science on it, revealing a highly toxic green fungus growing on the mummy within, as well as a hidden cache of spherical, gem-like crystals. One unscrupulous lad steals them, and it isn't long before the mummy awakens and goes searching for it's missing crystal balls. A disorganized cadre of police and scientists race against time to stop the undead menace before people are harmed. Starring Ben Murphy, Nina Axelrod, Kevin Brophy, James Karen, both Austin Stoker and Darwin Joston from ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13, Antoinette Bower, and Shari Belafonte in her debut. Co-written and co-produced by Jason Williams of FLESH GORDON. This movie is what would have happened if Sam Katzman hired Erich Von Daniken to write a mummy movie. I had a lot of fun, and other fans of z-grade 50's movies should find some enjoyment in it, but your average film-goer will hate it. First time watched. Source: DVD. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 WAITRESS! - (1/10) - Workplace "comedy" from Troma. It was not good. The end. First time watched. Source: DVD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedracer5 Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Pushover. I watched this noir with Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak the other night. I watched it back to back with Bette Davis' The Letter (which I've now seen three times and I love it, I first discovered it during TCM's fantastic "Summer of Darkness" series last year). I really enjoyed Pushover. This was apparently Novak's first film, there was an "Introducing Kim Novak" credit at the beginning of the film. This film was kind of a cross between Rear Window and Double Indemnity. Particularly with 'Indemnity,' MacMurray again is a generally good guy who ends up being seduced by the femme fatale into helping her carry out a crime. The constant surveillance of Novak (and later Dorothy Malone)'s actions from across the street also gives the movie a Rear Window vibe. I really enjoyed Pushover. Novak was gorgeous and gave her femme fatale a very sensual side which made her a very deadly woman to get involved with. MacMurray seems like a slightly older, less suave version of his Walter Neff character, but I still enjoyed his role in this film. This film deserves to be better known. 8/10. ---- Susan Slept Here. I watched this film last night. It starred Dick Powell and Debbie Reynolds. It was apparently Powell's last acting role and his only color film. Reynolds was as cute as can be playing the 17-year old juvenile delinquent. Anne Francis portrayed Powell's girlfriend and Glenda Farrell was his secretary. I also couldn't help but notice Alvy Moore, aka, "Hank Kimball" from Green Acres as Powell's friend. While lightweight and silly, I found the film entertaining and a nice way to spend a Friday night. I did find some elements of the story a bit strange, but they only added to the charm. For example, having Powell's Academy Award narrating the story was very weird but also unique (I don't think I've ever seen that) so I could appreciate it. I thought it was funny when Reynolds was using Oscar's head to crack nuts. I did find the May-December relationship between Powell and Reynolds very interesting and I'm surprised that it was allowed in 1954. Reynolds character was only 17 and Powell's police friends who drop her off at the beginning of the film even tell him to remember she's underage and to not lay a hand on her. Powell's character was supposedly 35, but you can't convince me of that. Powell easily looks his 50 years. Despite all that, Francis was very glamorous even if she basically served to be mad at Reynolds and try to win Powell back. She portrayed the materialistic, vain, rich fiancee of Powell very well. Glenda Farrell was the comic relief as well as the "mother" to the characters in the film. She provided common sense and advice to the characters in the film. Alvy Moore's character was interesting. He's supposed to be Powell's assistant, a "gofer" so to speak, but he also double-crosses his employer at least twice in the film. He proves himself to be a somewhat untrustworthy character. There is a bonkers dream sequence in this film. While asleep, Reynolds conjures up this bizarre musical sequence about the love triangle between she, Powell and Francis. There is no singing, it's all dancing and large gestures. Reynolds is trapped in a birdcage, Powell is wearing a sailor suit and Francis is a 4-armed black widow spider. Everyone is covered in sparkly sequins. Powell looks a little ridiculous in the sailor suit (it only points out how he is NOT 35) but Reynolds is adorable in sparkly jeans. My favorite part was Powell and 4-armed Francis' dance number where she embraces him with all her arms. All in all, this film was enjoyable even it if were slightly weird. It was weird in a charming way. 7/10. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Pushover. I watched this noir with Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak the other night. I watched it back to back with Bette Davis' The Letter (which I've now seen three times and I love it, I first discovered it during TCM's fantastic "Summer of Darkness" series last year). I really enjoyed Pushover. This was apparently Novak's first film, there was an "Introducing Kim Novak" credit at the beginning of the film. This film was kind of a cross between Rear Window and Double Indemnity. Particularly with 'Indemnity,' MacMurray again is a generally good guy who ends up being seduced by the femme fatale into helping her carry out a crime. The constant surveillance of Novak (and later Dorothy Malone)'s actions from across the street also gives the movie a Rear Window vibe. I really enjoyed Pushover. Novak was gorgeous and gave her femme fatale a very sensual side which made her a very deadly woman to get involved with. MacMurray seems like a slightly older, less suave version of his Walter Neff character, but I still enjoyed his role in this film. This film deserves to be better known. 8/10. ---- Susan Slept Here. I watched this film last night. It starred Dick Powell and Debbie Reynolds. It was apparently Powell's last acting role and his only color film. Reynolds was as cute as can be playing the 17-year old juvenile delinquent. Anne Francis portrayed Powell's girlfriend and Glenda Farrell was his secretary. I also couldn't help but notice Alvy Moore, aka, "Hank Kimball" from Green Acres as Powell's friend. While lightweight and silly, I found the film entertaining and a nice way to spend a Friday night. I did find some elements of the story a bit strange, but they only added to the charm. For example, having Powell's Academy Award narrating the story was very weird but also unique (I don't think I've ever seen that) so I could appreciate it. I thought it was funny when Reynolds was using Oscar's head to crack nuts. I did find the May-December relationship between Powell and Reynolds very interesting and I'm surprised that it was allowed in 1954. Reynolds character was only 17 and Powell's police friends who drop her off at the beginning of the film even tell him to remember she's underage and to not lay a hand on her. Powell's character was supposedly 35, but you can't convince me of that. Powell easily looks his 50 years. Despite all that, Francis was very glamorous even if she basically served to be mad at Reynolds and try to win Powell back. She portrayed the materialistic, vain, rich fiancee of Powell very well. Glenda Farrell was the comic relief as well as the "mother" to the characters in the film. She provided common sense and advice to the characters in the film. Alvy Moore's character was interesting. He's supposed to be Powell's assistant, a "gofer" so to speak, but he also double-crosses his employer at least twice in the film. He proves himself to be a somewhat untrustworthy character. There is a bonkers dream sequence in this film. While asleep, Reynolds conjures up this bizarre musical sequence about the love triangle between she, Powell and Francis. There is no singing, it's all dancing and large gestures. Reynolds is trapped in a birdcage, Powell is wearing a sailor suit and Francis is a 4-armed black widow spider. Everyone is covered in sparkly sequins. Powell looks a little ridiculous in the sailor suit (it only points out how he is NOT 35) but Reynolds is adorable in sparkly jeans. My favorite part was Powell and 4-armed Francis' dance number where she embraces him with all her arms. All in all, this film was enjoyable even it if were slightly weird. It was weird in a charming way. 7/10. Both of those movies are favourites of mine. Kim Novak's birthday is today by the way. She is 83. Pushover is exactly the kind of movie I love to watch. Susan Slept Here is a fun movie-but I don't watch it outside the Christmas season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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