Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The Turning Point
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role William Holden Jerry McKibbon Edmond O'Brien John Conroy Alexis Smith Amanda Waycross Tom Tully Matt Conroy Ed Begley Neil Eichelberger Danny Dayton Roy Ackerman Adele Longmire Carmelina LaRue Ray Teal Police Cpt Clint
Carolyn Jones played Miss Lillian Smith, her first feature film role, uncredited.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by William Dieterle.
Labels: film-noir3, goflexC, melodramaB
Sudden Fear
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Crawford Myra Hudson Jack Palance Lester Blaine Gloria Grahame Irene Neves Bruce Bennett Steve Kearney Virginia Huston Ann Taylor Mike Connors Junior Kearney Selmer Jackson Dr. Van Roan George Chan Butler Julius
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by David Miller.
Labels: film-noir3, goflexB, joan-crawford, melodramaB
Pickup on South Street
- Commentary: Under construction
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Widmark Skip McCoy Jean Peters Candy Thelma Ritter Moe Murvyn Vye Cpt Dan Tiger Richard Kiley Joey Willis Bouchey Zara Milburn Stone Minoki Parley Baer heavyset HQ Communist
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1953
Directed by Samuel Fuller.
Labels: film-noir1, goflexB, melodramaC, thriller4
Another Man's Poison
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Janet Frobisher Gary Merrill George Bates Emlyn Williams Dr. Henderson Anthony Steel Larry Stevens
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1951
Directed by Irving Rapper.
Labels: bette-davis, birth-year, film-noir3, goflexA, melodramaB, thriller4
The Woman in the Window
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Edward G. Robinson Prof Richard Wanley Joan Bennett Alice Reed Raymond Massey DA Frank Lalor Edmund Breon Dr. Michael Barkstane Dan Duryea Doorman Heidt Thomas E. Jackson Inspector Jackson Dorothy Peterson Mrs. Wanley Arthur Loft Claude Mazard/Frank Howard/Charlie the Hat-Check Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1944
Directed by Fritz Lang.
Labels: film-noir1, goflexC, melodramaA
Shockproof
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Cornel Wilde Griff Marat Patricia Knight Jenny Marsh John Baragrey Harry Wesson Esther Minciotti Mrs. Marat Howard St. John Sam Brooks Russell Collins Frederick Bauer Charles Bates Tommy Marat Gilbert Barnett Barry
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1949
Directed by Douglas Sirk.
Labels: douglas-sirk, film-noir2, goflexB, melodramaB
Autumn Leaves
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Crawford Millicent Wetherby Cliff Robertson Burt Hanson Vera Miles Virginia Hanson Lorne Greene Mr. Hanson Ruth Donnelly Liz Eckhart Shepperd Strudwick Dr Malcolm Couzzens Selmer Jackson Mr. Weatherby Maxine Cooper Maxine Cooper Marjorie Bennett Waitress Frank Gerstle Mr. Ramsey Leonard Mudie Colonel Hillyer Maurice Manson Mr. Masterson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1956
Directed by Robert Aldrich.
Labels: goflexA, joan-crawford, melodramaC, psychological2
Monday, November 28, 2022
One-Eyed Jacks
- Commentary: Under construction.
Yes, I found a decent copy of this film for which I didn't have to pay. The thing is, I have a very low tolerance for westerns. They have to really grab me and refuse to let go, and the "western" part of the story needs to be much less compelling than the character part of the story. Not counting this one, I have only eleven western movies and two western series. There is so much critical infighting about this film that I didn't was to pay for it unless I had already discovered how I felt about it, and found myself feeling positive. I haven't watched it, yet, but I will soon.
Should be interesting because the review I've attached to the title of this post suggests that this movie set certain standards for westerns that every western made after this one followed. Not being an out-and-out western fan, I may learn nothing from viewing this movie, but I hope I'll at least enjoy it. If not, well, no financial harm done.
One thing of which I've taken more than casual notice, this movie is stuffed with the amazing best of character actors who plied their trade at the time this movie was being made. I don't know if Brando was responsible for attempting to put all of Hollywood's a-list character actors in this film because he was chiefly an actor, himself, but I am grateful that he did. I might end up liking this movie for no other reason than that!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Marlon Brando Rio Pina Pellicer Louisa Longworth Karl Malden Dad Longworth Ben Johnson Bob Emory Katy Jurado Maria Longworth Slim Pickens Lon Dendrick Larry Duran Chico Modesto Sam Gilman Harvey Johnson Rodolfo Acosta Mexican Rurale Captain Timothy Carey Howard Tetley Elisha Cook Jr. Carvey Philip Ahn Uncle
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1961
Directed by Marlon Brando.
Labels: goflexB, marlon-brando, revisionist-western
3 Blondes in His Life
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jock Mahoney Duke Wallace Greta Thyssen Helen Fortner Jesse White Ed Kelly Elaine Edwards Lois Collins Valerie Porter Martha Carr Anthony Dexter Charlie Walsh Gilbert Frye Investigator Hank Dwight Marfield Sheriff
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1961
Directed by Leon Chooluck.
The Stranger
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Orson Welles Franz Kindler/Prof. Charles Rankin Edward G. Robinson Mr. Wilson Loretta Young Mary Longstreet Rankin Philip Merivale Judge Adam Longstreet Richard Long Noah Longstreet Konstantin Shayne Conrad Meinike Byron Keith Dr. Jeffrey Lawrence Billy House Mr. Potter Martha Wentworth Sara Isabel O'Madigan Mrs. Lawrence Pietro Sosso Mr. Peabody Erskine Sanford Party Guest
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1946
Directed by Orson Welles.
Labels: film-noir2, goflexB, melodramaA, thriller3
Lady of Burlesque
- Commentary: Under construction.
Yep, I do love me some Barbara Stanwyck. This is the seventh film in which she plays a starring role that I've acquired. I haven't done it on purpose, but, I see her name and I have to watch the movie, and I watch the movie and I have to acquire it, by hook or by crook, so I can watch it again, at my leisure and without having to pay for it again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbara Stanwyck Deborah Hoople/Dixie Daisy Michael O'Shea Biff Brannigan J. Edward Bromberg S. B. Foss Iris Adrian Gee Gee Graham Gloria Dickson Dolly Baxter Victoria Faust Lolita La Verne Charles Dingle Inspector Harrigan Frank Conroy 'Stacchi' Stacciaro
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1943
Directed by William A. Wellman.
Labels: barbara-stanwyck, comedy3, goflexA, musical2, mystery3
Sunday, November 27, 2022
The Trap
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rita Tushingham Eve Oliver Reed La Bete Rex Sevenoaks Trader Barbara Chilcott Trader's Wife Linda Goranson Trader's Daughter Blaine Fairman Clerk Walter Marsh Preacher Joseph Golland Baptiste
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Sidney Hayers.
Labels: adventure4, goflexB, romance5
Five Minutes to Live
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Johnny Cash Johnny Cabot Donald Woods Ken Wilson Cay Forrester Nancy Wilson Pamela Mason Ellen Harcourt Vic Tayback Fred Dorella Ron Howard Bobby Wilson Merle Travis Max Midge Ware Doris Johnson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1961
Directed by Bill Karn.
Labels: goflexA, neo-noirA, thriller3, violence5
Wanda
- Commentary: Under construction.
Just a note, here, to remind me to talk about this later, when I "officially" write-up this movie: this movie is about the aimlessness and despair that plagues many women's lives here in the U.S. (and other places, and times, for that matter) but that we not only don't want to talk about, we don't even want to acknowledge. Why? I suspect our reticence (and obliviousness) is because still, still, today, in this still men-ruled world, women aren't really recognized as human, yet; we are relegated to the roles of unacknowledged robo-people, here to serve children and men. Even women who seem to have "accomplished", according to men (of course), are quick to point out if they are wives and mothers, as well, and how "successful" they are in pulling off this three or four pronged life stint, and quick to hide their lack of such roles. Can you believe we're still living under these overwhelming societal strictures???
One last, hmmm, should I say "rant"? Of all the bylined reviews I was able to find about this movie (and there weren't that many), most were written by men. Take note of the rundown of critics and their reviews listed in Rotten Tomatoes: Wanda Reviews - All Critics.
You might be thinking, "Well, good! Men need to see this film." I think, though, women need to see it, more. It is devastating to watch if you're a woman, especially a woman under the influence of U.S. culture, take it from me. Even if, as a woman, you can't relate to Wanda's specific journey in this movie, you'll find something about her womanhood (the real mise en scène of this movie) that will draw a gasp of recognition from you.
And, of course, more women movie reviewers are needed. Good luck with that.
In addition to the review of this film attached to the title of this post, check out Glenn Erickson's (DVD Savant) review of this film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbara Loden Wanda Goronski Michael Higgins Norman Dennis Frank Jourdano The Soldier Valerie Manches Girl in Roadhouse Dorothy Shupenes Wanda's Sister Peter Shupenes Wanda's Brother-in-Law Jerome Thier Wanda's Husband Marian Thier Miss Godek Anthony Rotell Tony M. L. Kennedy Judge Gerald Grippo Court Clerk Milton Gittleman Factory Owner
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Barbara Loden.
Labels: Criterion5, female-director3, women's-movie2
Being There
- Commentary: Under construction.
Roger Ebert reviewed this movie twice. The first time he christened it at one of his Great Movies (review attached to the title of this post). In an unusual move, his second review was published after his christening review.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter Sellers Chance the Gardner Shirley MacLaine Eve Rand Melvyn Douglas Ben Rand Richard Dysart Dr. Robert Allenby Jack Warden President Richard Basehart Vladimir Skrapinov Than Wyenn Ambassador Gaufridi David Clennon Thomas Franklin Fran Brill Sally Hayes Ruth Attaway Louise Denise DuBarry Johanna Sam Weisman Colson Alice Hirson First Lady Arthur Rosenberg Morton Hull Jerome Hellman Gary Burns James Noble Kaufman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1979
Directed by Hal Ashby.
Labels: Criterion5, satire3, shirley-maclaine
City Lights
- Commentary: Under construction.
Roger Ebert reviewed this movie twice, the first time in 1972 and then, again, when he christened it one of his Great Movies, the review for which is attached to the title of this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlie Chaplin The Tramp Virginia Cherrill Blind Girl Florence Lee Blind Girl's Grandmother Harry C. Myers Eccentric Millionaire Alan Garcia Millionaire's Butler Hank Mann Prizefighter Henry Bergman Mayor Robert Parrish Newsboy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1931
Directed by Charlie Chaplin.
Labels: charlie-chaplin, comedy3, Criterion5, pre-code, romance5
Throne of Blood
- Commentary: Under construction.
This movie is a Japanification of Macbeth. It takes place in feudal Japan instead of Medieval Scotland. I considered including the Macbeth counterpart for each of the actors in the Table of Actors and Roles below, but after watching the movie, I realized it isn't necessary. Believe me, you'll get the gist of who's who, who's doing what to whom and why, when you watch it, even if you've never viewed any of the Western versions (and, they are legion) of this movie.
Glenn Erickson, the author of the review attached to the title of this post, reviewed this film twice. The review attached to the title is the more inclusive review.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Toshiro Mifune Taketoki Washizu Isuzu Yamada Lady Asaji Washizu Takashi Shimura Noriyasu Odagura Akira Kubo Yoshiteru Miki Yōichi Tachikawa Kunimaru Tsuzuki Minoru Chiaki Yoshiaki Miki Takamaru Sasaki Lord Kuniharu Tsuzuki Chieko Naniwa Forest Spirit
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1957
Directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Labels: akira-kurosawa, Criterion5, shakespeare, toshirô-mifune
Roman Polanski's Macbeth
- Commentary: Under construction.
This is one of many, many adaptations of Macbeth. The play has been so popular since the first time it was performed (this Wikipedia article speculates on when that first performance occurred) that, despite the numerous film adaptations, its stage productions likely still outnumber its many films. I, in fact, first saw a stage production of moments from this play when I was in college before I ever saw, or even knew about, any film productions of it.
The reason I have added this particular production to my collection is that it is the first film production of this play that I ever saw and, as such, is the one that has stayed with me, despite the excellence of some of the other film productions, one of which I own and have watched at least a few times.
Glenn Erickson, DVD Talk's Cinesavant has also written an interesting and informative review of this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jon Finch Macbeth Francesca Annis Lady Macbeth Martin Shaw Banquo Terence Bayler Macduff John Stride Ross Nicholas Selby King Duncan Stephan Chase Malcolm Paul Shelley Donalbain Maisie MacFarquhar First Witch Elsie Taylor Second Witch Noelle Rimmington Third Witch Keith Chegwin Fleance Diane Fletcher Lady Macduff Mark Dightam Macduff's Son Bernard Archard Angus Richard Pearson Doctor
Just a note of explanation: the cast for this movie is enormous. It made sense to me to only fit in well less than half of the actors in their respective roles. If your curious about anyone else in the cast (and, there are many) here's a link to complete cast details.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: Criterion5, shakespeare
High and Low
- Commentary: Under construction.
In 1998 Roger Ebert wrote an interesting and thoughtful retrospective of Akira Kurosawa's work. If you're a fan, it's a great place for suggestions of other Akira Kurosawa movies to watch and contemplate.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Toshiro Mifune Kingo Gondo Tatsuya Nakadai Insp Tokura Kyōko Kagawa Reiko Gondo Tatsuya Mihashi Kawanishi Kenjiro Ishiyama Chief Det Taguchi Isao Kimura Det Arai Takeshi Katō Det Nakao Yutaka Sada Chauffeur Aoki Tsutomu Yamazaki Ginjirô Takeuchi Takashi Shimura Chief of Investigations Susumu Fujita Mgr of Investigations Yoshio Tsuchiya Det Murata Jun Tazaki National Shoes Publicity Dir Kamiya Nobuo Nakamura National Shoes Design Dep Dir Ishimaru Yunosuke Ito National Shoes Exec Kamatari Fujiwara Incineration Worker
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1963
Directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Labels: akira-kurosawa, Criterion5, neo-noirA, police-procedural, tatsuya-nakadai, toshirô-mifune
The Music Room [Jalsaghar]
- Commentary: Under construction.
Roger Ebert christened this movie as one of his Great Movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chhabi Biswas Biswambhar Roy Padma Devi Roy's wife Mahamaya Pinaki Sen Gupta Roy's Son Khoka Gangapada Bose Mahim Ganguly Tulsi Lahiri Roy's Estate Mgr Kali Sarkar Ananta Ustad Waheed Khan Singer Ustad Ujir Khan Roshan Kumari Dancer Krishna Bai
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by Satyajit Ray.
Labels: Criterion5
The Magician
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Max von Sydow Albert Emanuel Vogler Ingrid Thulin Manda Vogler Gunnar Björnstrand Dr. Vergerus Naima Wifstrand Granny Vogler Bengt Ekerot Johan Spegler Bibi Andersson Sara Birgitta Pettersson Sanna Gertrud Fridh Ottilia Egerman Lars Ekborg Simson Toivo Pawlo Police Super Starbeck Erland Josephson Consul Egerman Åke Fridell Tubal Sif Ruud Sofia Garp Oscar Ljung Antonsson Ulla Sjöblom Henrietta Starbeck Axel Düberg Rustin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by Ingmar Bergman.
Labels: Criterion5, horror2
Mr. Imperium
- Commentary: Under construction.
Another movie released the year I was born.
In order to access the full article on this movie linked in the title of this post, you'll need to click into the beginning of it on TCM. It's worth it.
Here is a shorter, kinder review.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Lana Turner Fredda Barlo Ezio Pinza Mr. Imperium Marjorie Main Mrs. Cabot Barry Sullivan Paul Hunter Cedric Hardwicke Bernand Debbie Reynolds Gwen Ann Codee Anna Pelan The Guadalajara Trio Themselves
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1951
Directed by Don Hartman.
Labels: birth-year, goflexA, marjorie-main, musical2, romance5
Quicksand
- Commentary: Under construction.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mickey Rooney Dan Jeanne Cagney Vera Barbara Bates Helen Peter Lorre Nick Taylor Holmes Harvey Art Smith Mackey Red Nichols Himself Wally Cassell Chuck Richard Lane Lt. Nelson Patsy O'Connor Millie John Gallaudet Moriarty Minerva Urecal Landlady Sidney Marion Shorty Lester Dorr Baldy Kitty O'Neil Madame Zaronga Jack Elam Man at Bar
Release Date: 1950
Directed by Irving Pichel.
Labels: film-noir2, goflexB, melodramaA
Woman on the Run
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ann Sheridan Eleanor Johnson Dennis O'Keefe Daniel Legget Robert Keith Inspector Martin Ferris John Qualen Maibus Frank Jenks Detective Shaw Ross Elliott Frank Johnson Jane Liddell Messenger Girl Joan Fulton Tipsy Blonde
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1950
Directed by Norman Foster.
Labels: film-noir2, goflexC, melodramaB
