Saturday, November 26, 2022
Esther and the King
- Commentary: Under construction.
As you peruse reviews for this film, you'll notice that critics were sharply divided on it, despite the fact that audience attendance christened it "a hit", in the trades. The review attached to the title of this post swings both ways and provides, as well, a fascinating review of the making of the film and its impact. This review is an excellent example of the derision the film provoked. If you're looking for a reason why sword and sandal spectable epics took a long hiatus before coming back with the slam-dunk Gladiator in 2000, this movie suggests a reason.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Collins Esther Richard Egan Ahasuerus, King of Persia Denis O'Dea Mordecai Sergio Fantoni Haman Rik Battaglia Simon Renato Baldini Klydrathes Gabriele Tinti Samuel Rosalba Neri Zeresh Robert Buchanan Hegai Daniela Rocca Vashti Folco Lulli Tobiah Ennio Antonelli Jewish Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1960
Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Labels: bible-movies1, goflexA, period7, spectacle2
The Hitch-Hiker
- Commentary: Under construction.
Aside from the write-up of this film attached to the title of this post, I also found an interesting article about not only the film, but the criminal who inspired it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Edmond O'Brien Roy Collins Frank Lovejoy Gilbert Bowen William Talman Emmett Myers José Torvay Captain Alvarado Wendell Niles Radio Announcer Self Jean Del Val Inspector General Clark Howat Government Agent Natividad Vacío José
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1953
Directed by Ida Lupino.
Labels: female-director3, film-noir3, goflexA, melodramaC, suspense3, thriller3
The Kid
- Commentary: Under construction.
In addition to the very specific write-up of this movie attached to the title of this post, here is a wonderful essay on the legacy of this movie and its subject in the annals of film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlie Chaplin The Tramp Jackie Coogan The Kid Edna Purviance The Woman Carl Miller The Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1921
Directed by Charlie Chaplin.
Labels: adventure4, charlie-chaplin, goflexA
Friday, November 25, 2022
The Second Woman
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Young Jeff Cohalan Betsy Drake Ellen Foster John Sutton Keith Ferris Florence Bates Amelia Foster Morris Carnovsky Dr. Raymond Hartley Henry O'Neill Ben Sheppard Jean Rogers Dodo Ferris Raymond Largay Major Badger Shirley Ballard Vivian Sheppard Vici Raaf Sue a Secretary Jason Robards, Sr. Stacy Rogers Steven Geray Balthazar Jones
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1950
Directed by James V. Kern.
Labels: film-noir2, goflexB, melodramaB
My Dear Secretary
- Commentary: Under construction.
You'll no doubt notice that the review I've attached to the title of this post is a video review done by Moviereviewsbymargie. It's the only review I could find with substance. Interestingly, the channel appears to be Christian oriented, which motivated the reviewer to cover things such as age appropriateness. The reviewer loved the movie, as it turns out, but this did not cause her to skip over discussion of such things as quality of direction and cinematography. Take a listen. See what you think. I'm pleased with the job she did.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Laraine Day Stephanie Gaylord Kirk Douglas Owen Waterbury Keenan Wynn Ronnie Hastings Helen Walker Elsie Rudy Vallee Charles Harris Florence Bates Horrible Hannah Reeve Alan Mowbray Deveny Helene Stanley Miss 'Clay' Pidgeon Irene Ryan Mary Gale Robbins Dawn O'Malley Grady Sutton Sylvan Scott Virginia Hewitt Felicia Adams
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1948
Directed by Charles Martin.
Labels: goflexA, kirk-douglas
Please Murder Me
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Angela Lansbury Myra Leeds Raymond Burr Atty Craig Carlson Dick Foran Joe Leeds John Dehner Dist Atty Ray Willis Lamont Johnson Carl Holt Robert Griffin Lou Kazarian Denver Pyle Det Lt Bradley Russ Thorson Judge Madge Blake Jenny Steve Carruthers Trial Spectator Michael Jeffers Trial Spectator Frank Mills Trial Spectator
You might notice, above in the table of Actors and Roles, that I've included an unusual amount of "trial spectators", all uncredited. This is because I discovered that the ones I've listed were actors with outstanding reputations, already honed through many roles, and yet playing what would be considered "bit parts" in this movie. My guess is that these actors probably wanted the exposure in this movie, which leads me to believe that its quality might be a pleasant surprise.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1956
Directed by by Peter Godfrey.
Labels: angela-lansbury, film-noir3, goflexB, melodramaC
Bad Sister
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Conrad Nagel Dr. Dick Lindley Sidney Fox Marianne Madison Bette Davis Laura Madison Humphrey Bogart Valentine Corliss Charles Winninger Mr Madison Emma Dunn Mrs Madison ZaSu Pitts Minnie (the Madison family servant) Slim Summerville Sam
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1931
Directed by Hobart Henley.
Labels: bette-davis, goflexA, pre-code
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Made for Each Other
- Commentary: Under construction.
It seems that, although often praising aspects of this movie, critics also had bones to pick about it. The review attached to the title of this post takes a much kinder view than this one written by "disinterested spectator", a member of the Daily Kos community, but they both have problems with certain plot manipulations that they each consider unbelievable, including a deux ex machina ending. It's funny because, in the Daily Kos review the critic mentions that kind of ending as spoiling the film The Wrong Man. I beg to differ. I didn't even remember the deus ex machina manipulation in The Wrong Man and had to go back and review the story to see if this accusation is true. It is, but, as it turns out, this rosary scene was, and is, completely insignificant to me, obviously. Perhaps I was able to dismiss it because religion wasn't sprinkled throughout the entire film and I'm an agnostic atheist, have been for my entire life, so, you know, those things, unless they're rampant in a movie, tend to escape my notice. My understanding, from the reviews I've read, is that religion occupies a major focus in this particular movie. This heightens my desire to watch it. Soon. Despite my non-religious bent, I make no secret of my fascination with movies with lots of religion in them. Why do you think I own The Left Behind Trilogy?
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Carole Lombard Jane Mason James Stewart John Horace Mason Charles Coburn Judge Joseph M. Doolittle Lucile Watson Mrs. Harriet Mason Eddie Quillan Conway Alma Kruger Sister Madeline Louise Beavers Lily, Cook #3 Ward Bond Jim Hatton
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1939
Directed by John Cromwell.
Labels: dramaF, goflexA, james-stewart, louise-beavers, religion2
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
- Commentary: Under construction.
If you have a "thing" for Barbara Stanwyck, and I do, you might want to check out the following two articles containing in depth critical consideration and praise for her body of work: Utterly Modern: The Charisma of Barbara Stanwyck by Nell Minowand Bow down to Babs by Jim Emerson.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbara Stanwyck Martha Ivers Van Heflin Sam Masterson Lizabeth Scott Antonia Marachek Kirk Douglas Walter O'Neil Judith Anderson Mrs. Ivers Roman Bohnen Mr. O'Neil Darryl Hickman Child Sam Masterson Janis Wilson Child Martha Ivers Ann Doran Bobbi St. John Frank Orth Hotel Clerk James Flavin Detective 1 Mickey Kuhn Child Walter O'Neil Charles D. Brown McCarthy Blake Edwards Sailor Robert Homans Gallagher Gladden James John
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1946
Directed by Lewis Milestone.
Labels: barbara-stanwyck, film-noir1, goflexB, kirk-douglas, melodramaB, van-heflin
Patterns
- Commentary: Under construction, except to say, I was so gobsmacked by this film's portrayal of how an oligarch is made, and that this film was released in 1956, that I recommended it to MFS to watch. It seems, people, that the evil of oligarchy was a substantial subject "even back then". Of course it was. It's been a subject of concern since oligarchy began. And, since it began, it hasn't not been raked over the coals by all sorts of people, not just us plebes.
The story, screenplay and teleplay from which the screenplay was adapted is by the amazing Rod Serling.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Van Heflin Fred Staples Everett Sloane Walter Ramsey Ed Begley William Briggs Beatrice Straight Nancy Staples Elizabeth Wilson Marge Fleming Joanna Roos Margaret Lanier Valerie Cossart Martha Stevens Eleni Kiamos Sylvia Trammel Ronnie Welsh Paul Briggs Shirley Standlee Miss Hill Andrew Duggan Harvey Jameson Jack Livesey D.J. Vandeventer John Seymour Ed Gordon James Kelly Jim Latham John Shelly Edgar Grannigan Sally Chamberlin Mrs. Jameson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1956
Directed by Fielder Cook.
Labels: boardroom, goflexB, van-heflin
Becky Sharp
- Commentary: Under construction.
I'm in the process of watching this movie today, 11/24/22. It may be a bit before I finish it and include a decent write-up. So far it is choked with characters and a little confusing. I find myself constantly rewinding this sentence or that exchange.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Miriam Hopkins Becky Sharp Frances Dee Amelia Sedley Cedric Hardwicke Marquis of Steyne Billie Burke Lady Bareacres Alison Skipworth Miss Crawley Nigel Bruce Joseph Sedley Alan Mowbray Rawdon Crawley G. P. Huntley Jr. George Osborne William Stack Pitt Crawley George Hassell Sir Pitt Crawley William Faversham Duke of Wellington Charles Richman General Tufto Doris Lloyd Duchess of Richmond Colin Tapley William Dobbin Leonard Mudie Tarquin May Beatty Briggs
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1935
Directed by Rouben Mamoulian.
Labels: goflexA, historical4, melodramaA, miriam-hopkins, period7
