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494,765 | 342,623 | 18,192 | 8 |
an emotional extravaganza that reaches across time
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I had the privilege of seeing the restored version of this film , to the accompaniment of a live orchestra under the baton of Carmine Coppola , in Los Angeles ' un-air-conditioned war memorial . Despite uncomfortable seating and terrible heat , the experience of this four hour movie remains a watershed for anyone who attended . To think that because of the invention of sound , this masterpiece was partially destroyed by Abel Gance in a fit of depression , is heartbreaking . More shocking is that Gance's invention of Cinemascope - of which today only the end of the film retains in its triptych screen effect - was lost to filmgoers until its reinvention years later . Obviously true art can't be hidden forever , and Gance did live to see Napoleon take its rightful place in cinematic history . Though it is many years later , I can still remember the tears and the ovation when the black screen with the white signature , " Abel Gance " , signified the end of the film . A compelling and great work of art .
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493,805 | 342,623 | 40,160 | 8 |
Terrific
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Remade in 1987 as " No Way Out , " the 1948 film " The Big Clock " is a wonderful suspense film starring Charles Laughton , Ray Milland , George MacCready , and Maureen O'Sullivan , directed by O'Sullivan's husband , John Farrow . Earl Janoth ( Laughton ) , the owner of a publishing empire , is a quiet , enigmatic tyrant who loves clocks and has them all over his buildings throughout the country , including a big one in the lobby . The clocks everywhere run together on naval observatory time . Janoth's right-hand man , Steve Hagen ( MacCready ) does his dirty work for him . When Janoth kills his mistress ( Rita Johnson ) , Hagen cleans up the mess . Janoth is sure he saw someone in the hall when he arrived at his girlfriend's apartment , and feeling that the man can identify him , wants him found and eliminated . He orders his executives to get the man , telling them the person they want is involved in a war contract scheme . One man , George Stroud ( Ray Milland ) , who is heading up the investigation , isn't fooled . He knows that he is the man Janoth is looking for - - and why . " The Big Clock " is a great cat and mouse story , with Stroud ducking people who saw him in various places with the mistress on the night she was killed . He also attempts to leave the building to find a cab driver when someone who can identify him is standing at the exit with security people . Milland does an excellent job of being both cool and panicky , and Laughton's underplaying makes the character of Janoth all the more deadly . Maureen O'Sullivan is delightful as the long-suffering Mrs . Stroud , who's never had a honeymoon because of her husband's work . Elsa Lanchester is hilarious as an artist whose painting figures into the story . My only complaint is that the ending is a tiny bit abrupt , though very amusing . A really wonderful film for suspense-lovers , Hitchcock-like , and highly entertaining .
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494,603 | 342,623 | 44,937 | 8 |
Effective adaptation of DuMaurier novel
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Richard Burton falls for his uncle's widow in " My Cousin Rachel , " a beautifully produced 1952 movie starring Olivia de Havilland in the title role . Burton is Philip Ashley , whose beloved uncle Ambrose moves to Italy for his health , marries a widow , and dies of a brain tumor . . . or did he ? Philip is very suspicious of his uncle's wife and the doctor she brought in to care for her husband , Rainaldi . de Havilland plays the widow Ashley who comes to visit Philip and quickly makes him regret his doubts , as he falls madly in love with her . This is a highly atmospheric , well acted film with a very intriguing story that keeps the viewer guessing as to the true character of Mrs . Ashley . Is she a greedy , conniving seductress / killer , or a warm , loving woman ? Several movie stars have demonstrated the ability of doing period pieces realistically , and Richard Burton was definitely one of them . Handsome , romantic , and boyish in appearance , with a wonderful voice and fine acting ability , he brings Philip to life with a passionate performance . Olivia de Havilland is magnificent as Rachel - hers is a subdued , gentle performance that gives nothing away as to Rachel's true character or motivations . The attraction between the two is entirely believable . The final moments of the film are its best . Highly recommended .
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494,554 | 342,623 | 29,682 | 8 |
Introducing George and Marion Kirby , ghosts
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A dead couple is determined to loosen up their friend in " Topper , " a 1937 comedy starring Constance Bennett , Cary Grant , Roland Young , and Billie Burke . Cosmo Topper ( Young ) is a bank president whose wife ( Burke ) has him on a strict schedule and , though unhappy , Cosmo complies . When bank stockholders George and Marion Kirby are killed when their car crashes into a tree , the two become worried about what St . Peter will have to say to them . They were , after all , two fun-loving , hard-drinking , partying kooks . They decide they must do a good deed before approaching the pearly gates so they make loosening up Topper their project . This is a wonderful film that inspired the Leo G . Carroll TV series with real-life marrieds Anne Jeffreys and Robert Sterling as Marion and George . The special effects in the 1937 film are groundbreaking and ingenious . Mores have changed over the years - driving drunk is no longer acceptable . I'm afraid George and Marion would be heartily disapproved of today . Nevertheless , they're a gorgeous , glamorous couple and the real stuff of fantasy . Bennett only has a couple of years of big stardom left and , with his second billing , Cary Grant is still on the ascent . They're both hilariously madcap , Grant blasting into a stockholders ' meeting and trying to take notes , and Bennett flirting with poor Topper in her silky voice . Roland Young is the perfect Topper - henpecked , confused , and a nervous wreck . He's a man dying to break free of his shackles , and he's always envied George and Marion's lifestyle , even though it killed them . His frustration and unhappiness make him sympathetic , and the audience is with him all the way . Very enjoyable , with some effects that were eye-popping in 1937 . Don't miss " Topper . " It's a classic .
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495,038 | 342,623 | 36,323 | 8 |
Very good war drama
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Sahara is a 1943 film starring Humphrey Bogart , directed by Zoltan Korda , and intended as a propaganda film during World War II . It succeeds . Bogart is a Sgt . Joe Gunn , and after Tobruk falls in North Africa , he leads a tank unit into the desert . He's joined by French , South African , British , and Sudanese soldiers . They come up against a group of Germans that want the water well where the tanks are stationed . Besides Bogart , the great cast includes Bruce Bennett . Lloyd Bridges , Dan Duryea and J . Carrol Naish , and they all do an exemplary job . What I like best about this film is the atmosphere - the sun beating down , the dryness , the filth - you're thirsty just watching it . It was films like this that probably kept people in the U . S . going during the war , I imagine . World War II has been highly romanticized , but despite the pretty songs , there wasn't anything romantic about it . Since there are no women in this film , there's nothing romantic about " Sahara " either . Very good work .
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493,638 | 342,623 | 36,342 | 8 |
Hitchcock's favorite film
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Hitchcock claimed that Shadow of a Doubt was his favorite movie . There is one funny story about it , which is that after making great efforts to find the perfect house in Santa Rosa , California in which to make the film , the family was so excited , they had the place painted - which wasn't what he wanted . Nevertheless , the house still stands in Santa Rosa today . This is a wonderful film about The Merry Widow killer , a visiting uncle , and the adoring niece named after him . Hitchcock believed that villains had to be attractive , not slimy - otherwise , how could they con anyone ? So he chose Joseph Cotten , who is charming and smooth as Uncle Charlie . Theresa Wright is excellent as the young niece living in Small Town , USA , who is about to learn a hard life lesson . There are several things I love about the film : One - the bizarre murder plots concocted by Henry Travers , who plays Wright's father , and his friend , played by Hume Cronyn . As they discuss abstract killings , there is a murderer in their midst . Another thing , much more subtle , demonstrates Hitchcock's tremendous knowledge of human beings . None of the little children want to sit next to Uncle Charlie . Pure spirits , children always know when someone isn't quite right . MacDonald Carey is one of the investigating detectives who has a lovely scene with Wright at the end of the film . One of the comments for this film stated that World War II is never mentioned . Not directly - but watch the end of the movie again .
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494,713 | 342,623 | 25,301 | 8 |
entertaining artifact of the ' 30s
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A radiant Claudette Colbert stars in this first version of " Imitation of Life " along with Louise Beavers . The movie seems more earthbound and realistic than its more well-known , glamorous Ross Hunter remake . The stories differ as well . In this version , Colbert is not an aspiring actress , but a saleswoman who enters into business with Beavers , who , though it's her pancake recipe , for some reason is entitled to only 20 % of the profits . As a black friend of mine described this story , " Claudette Colbert steals Louise Beavers ' pancake recipe but allows her to live in her home . " Not actually true as the Beavers character refuses to take any money or establish herself in her own home , and Colbert must bank the money for her . Sadly , this seems to be because the Beavers character has accepted her downtrodden role in life . Some of the dialogue by today's standards is truly shocking and , let's face it , politically incorrect as well as downright insulting to Afro-Americans . For this reason , it is an interesting look at life for blacks in those days and makes a disturbing statement . However , the affection the women have for each other , the confidence-swapping friendship , the fact that they do go into business together , and their daughters ' friendship speak of things that transcend race and make a wonderful , contrasting statement . There are excellent performances by Ned Sparks and Warren William . William is another interesting artifact of the time , the mustached , elegant leading man in the tradition of John Gilbert that went out of style eventually . In real life , the beautiful black actress , Fredi Washington , who played Peola , refused to " pass " and lost out on a huge career , as she was told by producers that , if she passed for white , her star would shine as bright as the biggest stars of the day . Because she did not play white characters , Fredi Washington had to darken her skin with makeup in films so that she could play blacks . Hallie Berry can thank Washington for her career along with Dorothy Dandridge .
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494,585 | 342,623 | 117,631 | 8 |
Powerful film
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Shine purports to tell the story of David Helfgott ( Geoffrey Rush , who plays the adult Helfgott ) , a promising pianist who overcame mental illness , with the help of his wife , and returned to performing . The 1996 film is actually a fictionalized version of Helfgott's life - but even had it not been based on a true story , it remains a powerful , intriguing film . David is the child of German émigrés who now live in Australia . His father Peter ( Armin Mueller-Stahl ) is a self-taught pianist who teaches David his same love of piano and classical music . There is love there , but as portrayed in the movie , Peter is a rigid man who gives his son mixed signals . He drives his son to succeed as a pianist , teaching him that winning is everything , and yet , when David has opportunities that would take him away from the family , Peter won't permit it . The reason for this is that Peter and his wife lost relatives in the Holocaust . Peter is also given to physical abuse toward David when he loses his temper . David finally gets away from him and attends the Royal Conservatory in London , where , with the help of his teacher ( John Gielgud ) , he wins an important competition but then suffers a severe nervous breakdown . The rest of the movie deals with the road back , which leads him home to Australia and to his wife , Gillian . Gillian is actually his second wife , though the first marriage isn't mentioned in the film . The dominant performances belong to Rush and Mueller-Stahl . Rush does a brilliant job of showing us the likable but stuttering David who stutters and speaks rapidly and repetitively , expressing himself through music . Mueller-Stahl as the tortured Peter is fabulous , a man who is both monstrous and to be pitied . In a small role , John Gielgud of course makes a fine impression as an elderly teacher , a wonderful pianist himself , who believes in David's talent . The best scene is David playing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto # 3 - Helfgott's own recording of the piece is used - and the aftermath . What I missed in this film is music - there was a lot of talk about David's promise , but until the Rachmaninoff not much playing . Helfgott's work today has been deeply criticized for being - well , lousy . A review in The New York Times of one of his concerts is horrible . The reviewer , however , mentions that Helfgott occasionally showed vestiges of excellent technique . I think it's safe to assume that his playing nowadays is more erratic than it was in his earlier years . There are several examples of Helfgott's playing in the movie : " La Campanella , " " Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 In C Sharp Minor , " " Flight of the Bumble Bee , " Rachmaninoff's " Prelude In C Sharp Minor , Opus 3 , No . 2 , " the previously mentioned Rachmaninoff 3 , and Liszt's " Sospiro , " and it is all quite stunning . Rush does the fingerings himself . One of the comments also claims that Helfgott's wife has Helfgott perform on no medication so that he'll seem crazy - it's common for performers on medication for mental problems to have to cycle off of it before performing . I don't think the commenter has any idea what he's like on his medication - certainly in the film , he acts strangely . " Shine " is highly recommended for its fantastic performances , beautiful music , and its inspiring story .
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493,612 | 342,623 | 45,029 | 8 |
Absorbing 20th Century Fox melodrama
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Gary Merrill is the stranger making the phone calls in " Phone Call from a Stranger , " a 1952 film directed by Jean Negulesco and also starring Shelley Winters , Keenan Wynn , Michael Rennie , Beatrice Straight , Craig Stevens and Bette Davis . Unable to forgive his wife for an affair , David Trask gets on a plane , where , due to the plane being late and an unexpected stopover because of bad weather , he becomes friendly with three passengers : a performer ( Winters ) , a salesman ( Wynn ) and an alcoholic attorney ( Rennie ) and hears their stories . The salesman seems a happy man with a knockout for a wife ; the performer has a horrid mother-in-law , a former vaudeville star with whom she competes , but she loves her husband ; and the attorney has resolved to go to the DA and admit responsibility for an accident that happened a few years earlier which has destroyed his marriage . When the plane crashes , Trask is the only survivor of the four . He visits each of the victims ' families to pay his condolences and possibly put some matters right . Then he learns from one of the family members the importance of putting his own life back together . This isn't a particularly big-budget film - it's in black and white ; some of these actors were under contract to Fox ; others are not huge names with the exception of Davis . Her role is short but worth the entire film , though all the performances are very good and the stories heartfelt . The attorney's family story is heavy drama , with the son believing his mother drove his father away . The performer's family story is the comic relief as the mother-in-law right out of hell gets her comeuppance . And the tear-jerker is the scene with the salesman's wife . Davis is often criticized for being overblown and mannered , and yet she was always capable of giving a restrained performance as she does here and also did in " All This and Heaven Too " and " Watch on the Rhine . " There are other treats as well . Shelley Winters is pretty and vivacious in a wonderful role for her , Keenan Wynn is excellent as the loud salesman , and as the attorney , Rennie is an appropriately sad and reflective figure . Gary Merrill is very likable as Trask . Though he never really made it to big star status , he was a dependable actor , very handsome and masculine . Of course he and Davis had sparks in " All About Eve " - so much so that they got married in real life - and there's a nice chemistry between them here as well . It's nice to see them when they were happy together . They also did a very good British film together , " Another Man's Poison . " My only complaint is the at times overpowering musical score . Very entertaining and highly recommended , especially for Davis fans .
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494,291 | 342,623 | 51,525 | 8 |
Two prisoners on the run
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The Defiant Ones is a truly great film starring Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier , both of whom earned their money and deserved their Oscar nominations in this exciting and moving film , beautifully directed by Stanley Kramer . Marlon Brando was to star in the movie but when it didn't happen due to Kramer having to wait for Poitier to finish a film , Curtis , complete with nose putty ( which he often relied on to make himself less handsome ) took over and showed what he could really do with a good role . Curtis and Poitier are prisoners . John , called Joker , and Noah , being transported when an accident on the road frees them . Though they have no love for one another , they're handcuffed together . Joker uses the ' n ' word and calls Noah " boy " - in fact , the racism in the film is rampant all the way through . At one point they wind up at a farmhouse where a horny woman ( Cara Williams ) lives with her son , and , freed from the cuffs , the two can separate ; the Williams character wants to go with Joker and take her car , and Noah can go through the swamp and get a train that goes by every day . But all the running , the filth , the wet , and nearly being lynched has caused a change to occur in both men . A very compelling movie , a little dated today , but it still holds up . Lon Chaney Jr . is excellent as a man who runs a turpentine work camp , and the other actors in the film are very good as well . Curtis said the men didn't have to be black and white , they just had to be two people who didn't like one another and were forced to survive together . That's true . Wonderful story starring two truly great actors .
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494,023 | 342,623 | 87,003 | 8 |
Poor Barney Dunn !
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Woody Allen is at his absolute best performing his wonderful script , " Broadway Danny Rose , " also starring Mia Farrow . Allen plays a low-level talent agent / manager with clients like a one-legged tap dancer , a bird act in which one of the birds is eaten by a cat , a blind xylophonist - you name it . And he's devoted to every one of them . He also happens to have one marginal talent who is fortunate enough to ride the crest of the nostalgia era - Lou Canova - whose hit song in the ' 50s was " Agita . " But Lou won't perform his big gig at the Waldorf unless his mistress Tina ( Mia Farrow ) is in the audience , and Tina , a cheap-looking blond , is angry with him because he was spotted somewhere with a cheap-looking blond ( which could be his wife ) . Danny moves heaven and earth to get her to what should be Lou's breakout performance , and runs afoul of Tina's old boyfriend , the connected Johnny . Tina is at a party at Johnny's house when Danny finds her . Mistakenly thinking he's lost Tina to Danny , Johnny drinks iodine in an hilarious scene where his mother puts a curse on Danny - using the word feared by Italians worldwide - MALOCCHIA . You have to watch the film to see where Barney Dunn fits in . There's no other word to describe this film but hilarious . The movie opens with a conversation in a deli between some comedians , including Corbett Monica , Jackie Gayle , Sandy Baron , etc . , reminiscing about Danny Rose . " Broadway Danny Rose " is the most New York thing you'll ever see , from the deli scene , Lou's appearance on the Joe Franklin Show , and an appearance by Howard Cosell . Not to be missed .
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494,739 | 342,623 | 36,261 | 8 |
Claude Rains takes his turn as the Phantom
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Claude Rains is " The Phantom of the Opera , " a 1943 film also starring Nelson Eddy and Susanna Foster . This version is really a variation on the Leroux , but is enjoyable in its own right . It is filmed in color , and some of the singing is magnificent . In this version , Rains is Claudin , a violinist with the opera company who has been informed that he is being discharged due to a problem with his hand . He has very little money - most of it goes toward voice lessons for his protégée , Christine Dubois ( Foster ) , though she does not know the identity of her benefactor . He decides to sell his composition , and a publisher takes it - but steals it and puts his own name on it . Claudin has acid thrown in his face when he goes to the publishing company . In severe pain , he runs into the sewers of France and takes up residence so that he can coach his protégée . Eventually he prepares her to take over as the opera's leading lady . There is a insinuation in this film that Claudin may be Christine's father - all we know is that the two come from the same French village . Christine's love interest , Raoul , is still Raoul but the head of the police is added as a suitor . As for the music , it's somewhat unique . Film composer Edward Ward wrote one pieces for the film , Lullaby of the Bells . For the other " operatic " music , he adapted Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony and Chopin's Nocturn in Eb . Hearing them sung is interesting , to put it mildly . There is also , finally , a scene from a real opera , Marta . As usual , the opera business is treated a throwaway , with no attention paid to the fact that the " diva " is in an entirely different vocal category and Christine could in no way substitute for her . Foster had a pretty coloratura voice except for some shrill high notes . At the end of the Chopin piece , the camera moves in for a full close-up of Foster , wearing different makeup , shrieking out a high note - probably an Eb above C - using her whistle register . Nelson Eddy possessed one of the great baritone voices . He was always a much better singer than actor , never very relaxed before the camera . But when he opens his mouth to sing , he's glorious . Foster makes a pretty and sweet Christine . Rains brings great pathos and warmth to the role of the Phantom . He's wonderful and very touching . A very entertaining film , beautiful to look at , with some light moments and lovely music , making this a really good take on " The Phantom of the Opera . "
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494,921 | 342,623 | 29,604 | 8 |
Those calla lilies are in bloom again !
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Katharine Hepburn takes up residence in a theatrical rooming house in " Stage Door , " one of the great examples of ensemble acting in film . Besides Hepburn , the film features Adolph Menjou , Lucille Ball , Ann Miller , Ginger Rogers , Andrea Leeds , Eve Arden , Constance Collier , and Gail Patrick . Hepburn is a the daughter of a wealthy man who comes to New York to try her hand at acting . She talks a good game , but as we soon learn , she has no emotional understanding or connection to acting at all , approaching everything intellectually . All of the women are pursuing careers in theater , some with more success than others , and Patrick has a sugar daddy ( Menjou ) . Leeds is the tragic character , a star from the previous season who can't find work but is desperate for the lead in " Enchanted April . " The atmosphere created by director Gregory Lacava perfectly evokes the lively atmosphere of young women living together , sitting in the parlor complaining about food , men , and work or lack of it , as they sing , joke , play piano , strum the ukulele , and talk on the phone - all at once . The acting is uniformly excellent , with each actress creating a unique character . Lucille Ball gives evidence of the comic timing that would make her one of the greatest TV stars of all time , and there are plenty of ironic one-liners to be had from Eve Arden , and Ginger Rogers matches her in sarcasm . Ann Miller was supposedly 14 when she made this film ; it doesn't seem possible but that was her story and she stuck to it . We do get to see a little bit of her tapping . Andrea Leeds , bearing such a strong resemblance to Olivia DeHavilland , gives a touching performance as the doomed Kay , who does not have the emotional stability to withstand what can be a devastating career . It's an extremely melodramatic role and rather than have her play against this , LaCava had her play to it , thus dating what could have stood as a compelling performance even today . The climactic scenes toward the end are pure ' 30s , stripping the film of previous lightness and going into tragedy but are effective and real tear-jerkers . By the film's end , though , we've come full circle . The film is based on the play of the same name which is actually quite different . The whole idea was probably based on the Studio Club in New York City . " Stage Door " is wonderful and the script , acting and direction make it a deeply satisfying experience .
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493,896 | 342,623 | 44,837 | 8 |
Chaplin's last American film
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Limelight was film great Charlie Chaplin's last American film , and it did not have a wide release in 1952 . At that point , he was under suspicion of being a Communist . The film won an Oscar in 1972 because it didn't play a theater in Los Angeles when it was released . Chaplin plays a has-been clown , Calvero , who lives in a rooming house . He discovers one of the other residents , Terry , after she has attempted suicide . He learns that she's a ballerina who believes she can't walk and therefore can never dance again . Her ailment is more psychological than physical , and with his help , she starts walking and dancing once more . Since her room has been rented out , she continues to live with Calvero and , though she is much younger than he is , falls in love with him and wants to marry him . Calvero realizes her love is gratitude , and that if she'd let herself , she would realize that she is in love with a young composer ( Sydney Chaplin ) . When a new ballet is produced , Terry plays a dying woman , and Calvero plays one of the clowns who entertains her . When Calvero mistakenly believes he's going to be replaced in the ballet , he disappears out of her life . This is a very lyrical film with a lovely performance by a young Clare Bloom and beautiful work by Chaplin . Calvero is a man whose time has passed , perhaps like Chaplin , an old clown who wants one more moment in the limelight . At age 63 , the remarkable ballet-like ability of Chaplin's body is still present and can be seen during some of his clown bits . As an added treat , Calvero does an act with a partner played by Buster Keaton . Chaplin's heyday was the silent era , and the beginning of this film is silent - it was the genre where he was most comfortable , though he did some marvelous sound films . " Limelight " seems highly personal in its discussion of art and laughter and applause , and an older person observing someone whose life is before them and imparting what wisdom he can . It's a simple story , but Chaplin makes it something great .
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493,540 | 342,623 | 36,174 | 8 |
A swindler falls in love with his mark
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Cary Grant is " Mr . Lucky , " a 1943 films also starring Laraine Day , Charles Bickford and Gladys Cooper . Grant plays a self-serving swindler named Joe who takes the identity of a dying man who's 4F so that he won't have to go into the service . The name he takes is that of a Greek man , Joe Bascopoulos , but the name will bring him more than just a 4F classification . Needing money to get his gambling ship started , he sees an easy mark in Dorothy Bryant ( Day ) , one of the administrators of a War Relief Fund . He uses his considerable charm to persuade her to let him run a casino night as part of the organization's big fundraiser . The plan is to use cash boxes with false bottoms and take off with nearly all of the money . Just one hitch - Joe has fallen in love with Dorothy . This is a slightly different role for Grant - he plays a real low-life and at that , one with no style . One of the running jokes is his rotten ties and inability to tie them right . Grant is perfect in the role , as well as incredibly handsome . But it's only a slightly different part - like Tyrone Power , who tried so hard to change his image in 1947 with " Nightmare Alley , " Grant tried too , and like Power , was sabotaged by the producing studio . In Power's case ( who actually would have done well had Zanuck let him have more traditional Cary Grant type roles ) , he was allowed to make the film and play a low character , but his studio , 20th Century Fox , did not publicize the film nor release it widely . In Grant's case , he'd happily accept a role - such as this one or his part in " Suspicion " - only to have the script changed so that he's not a total heel . It had to be frustrating for these actors who were capable of so much more than they were allowed to do . Lovely Laraine Day is just right as the young , rich Dorothy who passionately believes in helping the war effort . Day had an air of sophistication that lent itself well to these wealthy society girl roles . " Mr . Lucky " is beautifully photographed in black and white , with lots of interesting shadows and fog . The film also has some very funny moments - Grant learning to knit is just one . This is a very good movie and somewhat of a departure for Grant , a cousin to his role in " Suspicion . "
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494,015 | 342,623 | 9,878 | 8 |
Fascinating piece of history
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Anders als die Andern ( Different from the Others ) is a 1919 German film starring Conrad Veidt that was pieced together and shown at one point on public television . About a law on the books that makes homosexuality a crime , it had a very short run in Germany before being pulled , and people who attended the movie were harassed . The lead is played by a German actor familiar to American audiences , usually for portraying a bad guy , Conrad Veidt . Despite dying in 1943 , Veidt had a nearly 30-year career in films . Here he plays possibly the first gay character in cinema who , with such a law in place , is a target for a blackmailer . A very interesting film with a wonderful performance by Veidt . Only part of the movie remains , but it has been put together as well as can be expected - it is , after all , a mere 87 years old . It's amazing how relevant some of the material in it remains today .
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495,094 | 342,623 | 29,546 | 8 |
Oh , no , they can't take that away from me
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Shall We Dance is for this viewer one of the great Astaire-Rogers films , even if some of the comments don't agree . I love it because of the glorious Astaire dancing . One of my all-time favorite numbers of his is " Slap that Bass " in which Astaire dances to the rhythm of machines . Oh , those pirouettes ! Amazing . I rewound and watched it twice more . Astaire plays a ballet dancer named Petrov . In real life , Astaire was loathe to do ballet because he was self-conscious about his large hands . Who's looking at his hands ? Petrov falls hard for singer Linda Keene ( Rogers , who else ) and arranges to follow her on the same ship to New York . Everyone has a great time , including the comic relief , Eric Blore , Edward Everett Horton , and Jerome Cowan . One of the best scenes occurs as Horton and Cowan smuggle a dummy of Linda ( from a number she never did ) into Astaire's stateroom to photograph the two together and prove they're married ( they're not . And Blore getting arrested and telephoning to get bailed out of the Susquehana jail is wonderful . But " Shall We Dance , " like the previous Astaire-Rogers pairings , isn't about the plot , it's about the music and dance . What music , what dance . George and Ira Gershwin's score includes " I've Got Beginner's Luck , " and " They All Laughed , " both sung by Astaire , " Let's Call the Whole Thing Off " ( sung and danced by the pair on roller skates ) , " They Can't Take That Away From Me " ( sung by Astaire ) , and the music later becomes a ballet sequence with Astaire and Harriet Hoctor . Astaire and Rogers dance to " Shall We Dance " after Astaire sings the number and the two reprise " Let's Call the Whole Thing Off . " You can't beat " Shall We Dance " for pure escapism , breathtaking dance , and great songs .
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495,100 | 342,623 | 29,440 | 8 |
Get him to the church on time !
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Bobby Mauch and Billy Mauch are " The Prince and the Pauper , " a 1937 film based on the Mark Twain story . The film also stars Errol Flynn and Claude Rains . When Tom , the pauper , is caught by the guards , the young Prince sees a playmate in him and invites him in . They change clothes so that the Prince can go and get his dog from the kennel for their next game , but he's caught by the cruel guards who think he's the pauper . This leaves the hapless Tom stuck in the palace as a prince who is about to become king any minute . He has a protector forced upon him , the Earl of Hertford ( Rains ) , who does not have the best interests of the English people in mind . While he's in Tom's world , Prince Edward gets a good look at the horrible way the English people are forced to live because of bad laws . Eventually he meets Miles Hendon ( Flynn ) who saves him from Tom's wretched father . The question is , once Hendon is convinced that he's in the presence of the true King , can he get him to the coronation before the beggar is crowned ? This is a wonderfully fun movie , filled with the meanest of the mean in Alan Hale as a palace guard , Barton MacLane as Tom's father , and the diabolical , unfeeling Earl . All are very convincing . The twins are delightful . As for Errol Flynn , he's as dashing and charming as ever as he wields a sword and rides a horse . A great cast and a marvelous film for the whole family . Highly recommended .
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495,210 | 342,623 | 29,442 | 8 |
Fabulous cast , fabulous swordfight , great direction
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John Cromwell directed , David O . Selznick produced , and Ronald Colman , Madeline Carroll , Douglas Fairbanks Jr . , and David Niven star in the 1937 film " The Prisoner of Zenda . " That's really all any viewer needs to know . Rudolph Rassendyll ( Colman ) , King Rudolf V's identical cousin , is asked to impersonate the kidnapped future king ( Colman ) at the coronation . Otherwise , the crown goes to his younger brother . This is a top-notch film with a great performance by Ronald Colman in a dual role , something he was called upon to do during his career several times . Colman was an smooth actor of great charm . One of the comments ( from a man , of course ) asked if he was supposed to be handsome because if he was , the commenter couldn't see it . Just an opinion : Colman was good-looking in the style of actors in the early to mid-thirties , but it was his gentle quality , beautiful speaking voice , and fine acting that put him over with female audiences . Here his fiancé is the gorgeous Madeleine Carroll , and they make a wonderful couple . Douglas Fairbanks Jr . is one of my favorite actors , and he performs the villainous Rupert with panache , creating an excellent character . Raymond Massey is another villain , Michael , and he's very good . David Niven is in a small role - he's on his way up as a younger Colman - in fact , he was supposed to play Colman's brother in Lost Horizon . The end of the film is total action with a magnificent swordfight . Don't miss this version of Prisoner of Zenda .
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494,815 | 342,623 | 67,240 | 8 |
entertaining
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This was a great script from the prolific Larry Cohen , who wrote episodes for " Columbo , " " Arrest and Trial " ( a forerunner of " Law and Order " ) and episodes for Kraft Suspense Theater and " The Defenders . " He has also written feature films . I'd love to see this film again - I wish it would come out on video . It stars Richard Boone as a newly-blinded actor and Suzanne Pleshette as his teacher . Though the Boone character puts on a big show for Pleshette of refusing to accept his blindness , he coldly and calculatedly trains himself to act as a seeing man so that , in disguise , he can get rid of his wife and her lover . It's a suspenseful story , a fascinating character-study and all around great entertainment . For some reason , this kind of TV movie fare has gone out of style and been replaced by women at risk films , rather slow-moving versions of Robin Cook and Mary Higgins Clark novels and the like . But we mystery buffs old enough to remember the ' 70s remember - with nostalgia - this kind of film .
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494,695 | 342,623 | 109,951 | 8 |
fun film , good acting
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Nicholas Cage is " Guarding Tess " in this 1994 film starring Shirley MacLaine , Austin Pendleton , Edward Albert , Richard Griffiths , and James Rebhorn . Shirley MacLaine is a much beloved ex-first lady who has Secret Service protection , and one of her protectees , Doug Chesnic ( Cage ) is thrilled when his round of duty is over . However , Tess makes a request of the president ( her husband's vice president ) to let Doug stay on a little longer . Annoyed , Doug starts standing up to her more , bringing on himself the wrath of the President of United States , who's sick of hearing from her . Doug and Tess finally start bonding - she in a way she could never do with her own son - and then something happens that threatens both of them in different ways . I love Nicholas Cage in comedy - " Honeymoon in Vegas " comes to mind - and he has some hilarious moments in this as Tess and his situation become more aggravating to him . He does a terrific job . Shirley MacLaine is wonderful as Tess - feisty , annoying , vulnerable , and sad . This is a very sweet and funny film and not at all cloying . It's a little contrived ; however , the performances really make it a good rental .
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493,814 | 342,623 | 55,489 | 8 |
Tennessee Williams again brought to the screen
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Summer and Smoke is another Tennessee Williams southern drama that , after debuting as a play , was made into a film and later an opera . Set earlier in the 20th Century , it's the story of repressed passion , unrequited love and desperation . Geraldine Page stars as Alma Winemiller , the uptight daughter of a minister . She teaches voice , sings a little , and lives with her father and an insane mother ( Una Merkel ) . Alma , since childhood , has been in love with the young doctor next door , John Buchanan ( Laurence Harvey ) , the son of a doctor and a playboy . Buchanan has recently returned to town and is still a reckless playboy . Now he's involved with Rosa Zacharias ( Rita Moreno ) , a girl from the wrong class and the wrong side of town . On the evening that something could have happened between Alma and John , she runs from him . One night , while a wild party is going on at the Buchanan house , Alma goes next door and learns that Rosa and John are going to be married . Upset , she calls John's father ( John MacIntyre ) at the hospital and urges him to return home . The result is tragedy . This is a very powerful and poignant story of two people , one interested in earthly pleasures and one focused on the soul and spirit . Neither one is entirely right or wrong , but it creates a chasm between them . When each realizes what the other has been saying , it's too late for them . Geraldine Page , who played this role to great acclaim on stage , brings her magnificent portrayal to the screen . The role was based on Williams ' sister , who eventually went insane . If physically Page is a little less delicate looking than one imagines Tennessee Williams ' female characters , her portrayal contains all of the fragility of the role . The final scene between Alma and a salesman , played by Earl Holliman shows the shocking contrast between Alma in the beginning and at the end of the film . Geraldine Page gave us all too few gems on films , as she concentrated on the stage . We have to savor what we have . Laurence Harvey is very handsome and desirable , but probably a little too refined for the role of John . The role needs someone whose sexuality is less ethereal and more earthbound . Una Merkel is excellent as Alma's mother , a truly disturbed and frightening woman . Very good film based on a Williams play , worth seeing for the wonderful Geraldine Page and its thought-provoking story .
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494,213 | 342,623 | 274,407 | 8 |
A musical fantasy about Maria Callas and Zefferelli
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Fanny Ardant plays the great diva Maria Callas in " Callas Forever , " a 2002 film directed and co-written by her friend , Franco Zeffirelli . In the film , the " Zeffirelli " character , Larry Kelly ( Jeremy Irons ) has an idea for adding to Callas ' body of work . He wants to film her in the various opera roles she played , only instead of using her present voice , which seems ruined , he will dub her with her old recordings . The first opera is to be " Carmen . " Now to convince Callas , who has isolated herself in her apartment since a disastrous concert tour and the death of Aristotle Onassis and will see no one . But Larry persists and finally gets her to agree . This is not a biography or a character study but more a fantasy - the first fantasy being that Callas would have admitted anyone into her apartment in the first place . " Callas Forever " is more a " what might have been " if , at the end of her life , Callas had been able to come out of herself and explore her great artistry once again . The movie is beautifully produced and filled with Callas ' most glorious singing , as well as a re-enactment of the scene where Tosca kills Scarpia in " Tosca . " Fanny Ardant does a fantastic job as Callas . Her features are softer , but she has the mannerisms , the personality and the clothes that would make anyone who just saw a photo of her realize she was playing Callas . Ardant plays her as the sad , still temperamental diva who , completely alone , is asking herself what her life was all about , and were any of her goals worth it . She is a woman who felt , in fact , older than her years as she grieved for the man he loved and his betrayal of her . Though the story Zeffirelli tells is not a true one , some of the emotions are certainly correct . Callas was completely devastated when Onassis left her - and he left her with nothing , not even friendship . Having the emotional maturity of a 12-year old due to her mother favoring her sister , growing up fat , etc . , she allowed Aristotle to call all the shots and use her , breaking her both emotionally and spiritually . When he realized he had made a mistake by marrying Jackie , he came back to Maria - and she took him back . ( They used to call Jackie " the widow . " ) She once poured out her heart to writer John Ardoin on tape , and it is probably the most pathetic transcript ever . To compensate , she tried to sing again , but she'd lost both her nerve and her voice . It's doubtful that her voice was gone . Callas had always had vocal problems , and as singers age , they lose some of their top notes . If she had been able to trust someone to realign her voice , she could have done well in a different repertoire such as Carmen and Eboli , even if she had just recorded them . Maria Callas was a beautiful , gifted woman who thought that a career would give her the love she never received as a child - and it didn't . If you've ever seen the photo of her taking her bow as Norma and looking over at Aristotle in the box , she's absolutely radiant , she's on top of the world . She's in love and enjoying her life for the first time . It breaks your heart because that time in her life , like " Callas Forever , " was only a fantasy .
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493,618 | 342,623 | 55,597 | 8 |
Landmark British film
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One of the saddest things in the world is to see people who are not allowed to live as they are because of the confines of law . This is the case in " Victim , " 1961 , a powerful film starring Dirk Bogarde and Sylvia Syms . Bogarde plays Melville Farr , a prominent barrister on an upward career path who becomes involved in tracking down a blackmail ring which is targeting homosexuals . In England , until 1967 , it was against the law to be homosexual , making these men a target for blackmailers . Being a closeted gay himself , Farr learns that a young man he once knew was being blackmailed about supposed a relationship with Farr ; the boy ultimately kills himself after unsuccessfully trying to reach Farr again and again . With another lover's suicide in his past , Farr becomes determined , even if it costs him his marriage and career , to bring the blackmailers to justice . Though the storyline may seem dated , " Victim " holds up very well today , showing the pain and unhappiness of living a life in secret , the different views held on homosexuality nearly 50 years ago , and how far the gay movement has come . From the film , it seems that homosexuality was regarded as shameful , aberrant , and disgusting - though that view is held in some circles today , people can at least be out in the open if they choose . Melville Farr entered into marriage being completely honest with his spouse ( Syms ) , whom he loves , and promising her that his gay affairs had stopped . He kept his promise to her . When asked if she found her marriage fulfilling , she answers , " I suppose so . It's all I know . " There's a deep love there ; he doesn't want to lose her . If he's sexually ambivalent , emotionally he isn't . It was a bold move for Bogarde to take on this role , as the film was controversial at the time and some of his large fan base deserted him . As in the film , he quickly learned who would stick by him . The subject matter perhaps appealed to him because of his personal life , but probably also because the part of Melville is a terrific role . Bogarde gives a fantastic performance of a man suffering deep pain who is forced to hurt someone he loves . Syms is excellent as his wife , and the two have their most powerful scene when Farr tells her what went on with the young man and pulls no punches . There are a few twists in the plot , some interesting supporting characters , and no pat , simple ending . Many believe this film sparked a public debate about homosexuality . Six years after this film , the law making homosexuality a crime in Britain was repealed . This is an excellent film , sure to start a discussion even now , in a more enlightened time .
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494,890 | 342,623 | 40,416 | 8 |
A blond Olivier takes on the Prince of Denmark
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Laurence Olivier is " Hamlet " in this 1948 version of Shakespeare's play . The film , directed by Olivier , also stars Eileen Herlie , Jean Simmons , Norman Wooland , Felix Aylmer , Stanley Holloway and Terrence Morgan . Olivier's Hamlet on stage , of course , was very famous and modeled after John Barrymore's portrayal . Not as athletic as Gielgud's portrayal , Olivier's Shakespeare work was notable for the fact that he didn't " sing " the text , but rather said it realistically . For his film version of Richard III , he deliberately made the setting look false , making the point that , if you gave the audience a realistic-looking setting , they would then ask , " Why are these people talking so funny ? " Similarly , for Hamlet , the castle is a stark , huge affair , standing in the midst of fog , and unusual camera angles are used to make some stunning shots . The text of the play is heavily cut , and two characters , Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are indeed dead - they don't exist here . The cast is good - it can't compare with Olivier's Richard III cast seven years later - but it's Olivier's show , and he's tremendous , giving a thrilling performance . As many times as I've seen Hamlet , I'm always impressed at how many famous phrases have come out of it . But with such a compelling story and such beautiful writing , it's no surprise . Outrageous fortune indeed .
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494,385 | 342,623 | 82,821 | 8 |
Surprisingly good
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Kathleen Beller made a couple of very good suspensers back in the ' 80s . This was one - also known as " Soon , Amy , Soon " ( at least I think so ) - I saw this when it first aired and just caught part of it again recently . It's great fun , about a young heiress being stalked by a man in a ski mask . However , he never seems to be around when she tells someone about it , so everyone comes to the conclusion that she's delusional . This includes her stepmother ( Mariette Hartley ) and her psychiatrist ( Keir Dullea ) . There are a couple of neat twists in this , and the viewer will remain interested throughout thanks to the good script and the fast-paced direction by John Llewellyn Moxey , an old pro . " No Place to Hide " is a great flick to see some cold wintry evening - one often sits down to watch a suspense or mystery movie only to be disappointed - you won't be this time .
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493,605 | 342,623 | 75,066 | 8 |
More death and destruction at the hands of Inspector Clouseau
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The Pink Panther Strikes Again is an apt title for this hilarious 1976 film starring Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom . In this story , Dreyfus , driven mad by Clouseau , escapes from the mental asylum . Determined to destroy Clouseau once and for all , he kidnaps the inventor of a Doomsday device along with his daughter . This machine makes buildings disappear without a trace , and can do the same to people and whole countries . The world has 7 days to kill Clouseau or Dreyfus , who has already used it to destroy the United Nations in a dazzling display of power , will turn it on the world . When the inventor says something about using it on Clouseau , Drefus replies that to Clouseau , this doomsday machine would be as effective as a water pistol . Yes , it's true , the man is a menace with an uncanny way of killing and trashing anything around him and walking out unscathed . There are too many funny bits to go into , but Clouseau trying on his hunchback disguise and overinflating it so that he floats outside is great ; Clouseau attempting to get into the castle is wonderful ; there's the drag club scene , the scenes with Olga ( Lesley-Anne Down ) - well , the movie will keep you laughing . And , if you're like me , it's just what the doctor ordered .
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494,900 | 342,623 | 265,651 | 8 |
It's all in the game
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Tom Ripley is at it again , this time in " Ripley's Game , " a 2002 European production starring John Malkovich , Dougray Scott , Ray Winstone , and a host of European actors and actresses , all very good in their roles . Ripley at the beginning of the film is involved in an art scam with a partner , Reeves ( Winstone ) . It doesn't go down quite as planned . The film picks up three years later in Italy where Tom is living la vida loca , fabulous house , gorgeous musician girlfriend , best cook around . He overhears himself being insulted by a picture framer , Jonathan Trevanny ( Scott ) while at a party . Later , Ripley's old partner appears and wants some people rubbed out , and Ripley suggests Trevanny . Knowing human nature as he does , he's pretty sure Trevanny will do it and in Ripley's world , a man's soul is fitting revenge for an insult . However , Reeves wants more than one job done . Ripley then becomes a little more involved than he wanted . The character of Tom Ripley is a fascinating one , and he is played to complete perfection here by John Malkovich who manages to capture both Tom's charm and even kindness as well as his dangerous side . Though he lacks Matt Damon's boyish charm , this is Ripley later on , and Tom has added to his survival skills . For Ripley , it's all part of the game . " The Talented Mr . Ripley " was a very disappointing film with great scenery and some incredible absurdities ; this film is not without some absurdity but here , because of the director and Malkovich's handling of the material , the absurdity of the scene on the train would almost be funny if the reality of it wasn't so gruesome . In " The Talented Mr . Ripley , " stupidity was played stupidly , such as Tom pretending to be David while Philip Seymour Hoffman was in the next room . I found this film much better , much more suspenseful and compelling . I hope Malkovich has another chance to play Ripley .
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494,139 | 342,623 | 284,722 | 8 |
Low expectations but high results
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Reba McEntyre is one of those crossover stars who doesn't seem to be able to miss , no matter what she tackles . First , she took over for Bernadette Peters in " Annie Get Your Gun " and received rave reviews from New York critics , who probably were - excuse the pun - gunning for her . Then this comedy series came along on the WB channel . I'm always a little leery of sit-coms , particularly the off-network ones . Sometimes I think they pander to the lowest common denominator . Well , Reba blew that concept out of the water in her very funny show about the ultimate in dysfunctional families . In the beginning , Reba and her husband ( Christopher Rich ) were going through a divorce after he made his dental hygienist ( Meilissa Peterman ) pregnant . As the show went on , the new wife considered Reba her best friend , and Reba couldn't get rid of her no matter what . Reba's daughter Cheyenne , in the beginning , was unmarried and pregnant by an unbelievably dumb high school football star ( who later becomes Reba's business partner ) . Cheyenne marries him and moves in with Reba . At one point , she's furious that Reba is going to be substitute teaching at her school . " Do you realize how embarrassing it will be for me if you teach in my school ? " Cheyenne asks . " You're walking around that school unmarried and pregnant , and I'M going to embarrass you ? " Reba shoots back . She also has a daughter and a son who have their own issues in the ensuing six years . Over the show's run , it dealt with many subjects in a warm , touching and funny way , including alcoholism , teen pregnancy , depression , dating after divorce , infidelity , a child wanting to move in with the other parent , smoking - all the time mocking the idea of " trailer park trash . " These are real people with the usual sets of problems that befall a strong single mother . Nothing ever feels contrived or fake . Bottom line , they are all devoted to one another , and that's what makes " Reba " a good series . The very pretty McEntire is a marvelous comedienne with great delivery , and she's beautifully supported by Rich , Peterman , Steve Howey , Joanne Garcia , and Scarlett Pomers . You can't help but love all of them . A well-structured , well cast , well written and well directed show . You really can't ask for more .
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494,874 | 342,623 | 29,322 | 8 |
The original and the best
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Nothing Sacred has been remade in whole or part many times but no version comes close to the original 1937 screwball comedy starring Frederic March and Carole Lombard . Directed by William Wellman with a script by Ben Hecht , Nothing Sacred is more topical today than it was then . There's been a good deal written on this board about the political incorrectness of it : racism , drunkenness , physical abuse , stereotyping . It's true , there's something to offend everyone . Instead of judging everything by today's enlightened standards , I prefer to notice that yes , things were different in the past and then move on to the wonderful , witty script , the very modern topic , the great performances , the early , muted color , Lombard's outfits , the old airplane and the scenes of New York as it was in all its glory in the 1930s . March is Wally Cook , a reporter in hot water for writing about the Sultan of Brunai who in reality is a regular Joe working in New York with a wife who identifies him while he's making pronouncements . Wally goes to Vermont to hunt down a story about a woman dying of radium poisoning and finds her in the person of Hazel Flagg ( Lombard ) . Hazel has just gotten some very bad news from her doctor ( Charles Winninger ) - she's not dying . The diagnosis was a mistake . She had hopes of taking a trip out of Vermont that was offered to her and asks the doctor to keep the new diagnosis of health quiet . Soon after , she meets Wally , who wants to bring her to New York for a last fling at the expense of the paper , which will follow her until her last poisoned breath . Hazel agrees and takes the doctor with her . At first , she has a blast with only the occasional twinge of guilt . Then a German specialist is brought in and blows Hazel's scam all to hell . One of the comments had it right - this story predates reality shows by something like 63 years . Hazel , like so many today , is an ersatz celebrity , famous for being famous . What will never change is milking a subject for profit until it's dry . Nothing Sacred has some hilarious scenes and great lines , including the big fight scene in the hotel when Wally tries to make Hazel seem ill by forcing her to fight with him in order to sweat and raise her pulse rate . The nightclub scene is a riot . Lombard is beautiful and wears some stunning outfits and gowns , a gift to Hazel from the newspaper . She was a very adept actress with a wonderful sense of comedy . How sad that she is in a film about dying young and would do so five years later at the age of 34 . She and March do a great job together - he's normally not known for his comedy but does well here . He approach to Wally is serious and he plays Wally's intensity and affection for Hazel for all it's worth . Connelly as his editor is fabulous , as is Winninger as the doctor who drinks his way through New York . Nothing Sacred has been a musical , Hazel Flagg , and remade as Living it Up ( with Jerry Lewis as Homer Flagg ) . Most recently , the general plot was reworked as Last Holiday . See the original in the screwball comedy genre which is , alas , no more .
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494,704 | 342,623 | 40,366 | 8 |
excellent noir
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Force of Evil was a film done under the banner of John Garfield's production company which he formed with other actors , each of whom was to appear in a film . The company had a distribution deal but the company they were working with went bankrupt and distribution had to be found elsewhere . The timing was perhaps not the best - Garfield would be dead in four years and the director / writer Abraham Polansky blacklisted . The company eventually died with only a few films made . " Force of Evil " is the story of two brothers , Joe and Leo - Joe is a shady lawyer and Leo is a shady businessman who runs a numbers bank . He wants nothing to do with Joe , whom he sees as the real crook of the family . He resents Joe for his success . Joe and his cronies are planning to rig the lottery so that when the number everyone has bet on hits , it bankrupts the smaller operations , thus making them ripe to be gathered up under one large concern . Joe doesn't want Leo to lose all his money , so he tries to warn him . This is a beautifully written film that is well acted and full of a tough , grimy New York atmosphere . Wonderful shots of Wall Street and a beautiful ending at the George Washington Bridge . Both Garfield and Thomas Gomez as the brothers give riveting performances . Gomez is sloppy and full of anger ; he may be in a shady business , but he pays off on his customers ' bets , and he gets by . Garfield is dapper , handsome , and mystified as to why his help isn't appreciated . He's both book and street smart , but he channeled his talents in the wrong direction looking for the kind of success the law-abiding world could never give him . Marie Windsor is on hand as the cool boss ' wife who thinks that Joe could warm her up . Joe doesn't want her . Their scenes are electric . This is truly a no-miss and a film ahead of its time , the kind of thing that Scorcese would have made later on . It's a pity that Polansky's talent and Garfield's would be gone so quickly , one artistic death by blacklist and the other from a weak heart that couldn't withstand a real-life force of evil .
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493,876 | 342,623 | 40,367 | 8 |
Billy visits post-war Berlin
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Billy Wilder returned to Berlin after the war to film part of " A Foreign Affair , " starring Marlene Dietrich , Jean Arthur , and John Lund . Wilder lived and worked in Berlin and , following his always excellent instincts , got out and came to America just in time . In the film , a group of government people arrive in Berlin to assess the morale of the 12 , 000 American soldiers still stationed there . One of them is a congresswoman from Iowa , the very uptight and put together Miss Frost , aptly named and beautifully portrayed by Jean Arthur . When the group is taken on a tour of the city , the Berlin Wilder shows us is hideous , filled with rubble and the shells and half-shells of buildings . Frost , frantically taking notes , soon realizes with Iowan sensibility that the garbage isn't just on the surface as she sees soldiers fraternizing with Frauleins , and one woman rolling a baby buggy with an American flag attached . When two American soldiers mistake her for a Fraulein , Arthur plays along and winds up in an underground club , the Lorelei , where the star is Marlene Dietrich . Dietrich is a gorgeous woman who survived by picking up with a high-ranking Nazi official , and she's kept out of a labor camp now thanks to the protection of an army officer named Pringle , played by John Lund . When Lund romances Frost to keep her from investigating the matter , problems arise . Arthur and Dietrich are fantastic in their roles and play off each other magnificently . The casting is perfect : Two blonds , complete opposites , one worldly wise and one with a hand over her open mouth in shock , one oozing sex and the other oozing primness . Dietrich performs several numbers in her inimitable style , which is an added treat . This is Billy Wilder at his cynical best , with Pringle selling his birthday cake on the black market that Frost brings him from a constituent , and being slipped stockings for his girlfriend . He also shows how the Germans in charge bow down to Dietrich , knowing who she is . There are funny scenes , sexually overt scenes ( including a suggestion of S & M in the Dietrich-Lund relationship ) , and touching scenes in " A Foreign Affair . " Throughout , you will never be bored . This film also has the distinction of an ad-lib by John Lund that Wilder kept in the film : " Relax , baby , it's mother's day . " Relax , enjoy , and ponder - it's Billy Wilder .
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493,692 | 342,623 | 465,538 | 8 |
Excellent film but not everybody's cup of tea
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George Clooney is " Michael Clayton " in this 2007 film about a man with the somewhat thankless job of putting out fires for his legal firm . There are several plot lines , making this film more interesting and complicated than many that have been released in recent years . People will be disappointed in it for that reason . However , its denseness is what makes it absorbing as the audience attempts to figure out what's going on . It also makes the movie a little uneven , particularly after the opening sequence . It's one of those films you have to stick with if you want a payoff . Michael Clayton has the burden of problems in his job and in his own life . He's a compulsive gambler just for one . He has a thief for a brother who destroyed a business he and Michael were partners in and left Michael in terrible debt . Michael also has a young son and is trying to cope with a deterioration in his relationship with his ex-wife . The main problem Clayton is assigned to concerns a billion dollar corporate case , over which the senior partner , Arthur Edens ( Tom Wilkinson ) has gone bonkers , literally , having discovered evidence that the firm they represent , U / North , had blatant disregard for human life . The corporate attorney for U / North is Karen Crowder ( Tilda Swinton ) , who will stop at nothing to keep the unbalanced Eden from exposing them . The most interesting thing about the film is the juxtaposition between Eden and Clayton as it asks the question - what's more important , your principles or your job security ? Edens can no longer sacrifice his principles , and it drives him mad ; Michael hates his job but , faced with enormous debt , believes he has to suppress his true feelings . The character of Karen , on the other hand , doesn't bother herself with these big questions . She has to win at all costs . The acting is fantastic , Wilkinson having the hardest role and also the most thankless . He's crazy but there's a reason for it . George Clooney is magnificent , the camera unforgiving on his face as it shows his sadness , his cynicism and his exhaustion . This is a star whose persona we know is full of humor , outspokenness , elegance and charm , yet here he foregoes the star qualities and buries himself in depression . Swinton is brilliant - the emotions in her final scene are quite amazing and , having witnessed something similar myself - right on . A dark , complicated , character-driven , uneven film , the kind you don't see much of anymore .
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494,657 | 342,623 | 40,321 | 8 |
beautiful story and film
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What a wonderful movie ! I had never heard of it and had no idea what it was . It's a lost treasure , it seems . " Enchantment " is the story of two generations , and a very special love . The narrator is the house they lived in at various times . When the movie begins , David Niven is an old man , Rollo , during World War II , and he is living alone in the house with the man-servant with whom he grew up , Leo G . Carroll . His niece , in the service , comes to stay with him and soon meets a wounded soldier ( Farley Granger ) who has a connection to the house . Rollo's story , and the story of his sister , brother , and the little girl that came to live with them , Lark , is told in flashbacks throughout the film as they grow up and Rollo and Lark fall in love . After a flashback , the camera focuses on the fireplace , or some other object , and we are brought back into the present , with the fire still burning or the book still in the bookshelf , and we are back with Rollo and his niece in the present day . It is a seamless way to tell the story and very poignant . David Niven is wonderful as Rollo but the surprise performance for me was by Jayne Meadows as his selfish , sharp-tongued sister Selina , who always resented Lark . She is excellent . Farley Granger and Evelyn Keyes are the present day young loves , and they give very sweet performances . Gigi Perreau as the small child Lark is heartbreaking . The ending of the film is very striking . My only criticism would be that it seemed as if the character of Rollo aged 50 years instead of about 30 . Don't miss this marvelous film .
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495,074 | 342,623 | 36,022 | 8 |
A small town family during WWII
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Nothing much happens in " The Human Comedy , " and yet , everything happens in this gentle 1943 drama based on a story by William Saroyan and directed by Clarence Brown . It stars Mickey Rooney , Van Johnson , Frank Morgan , James Craig , Marsha Hunt , Fay Bainter , Donna Reed and Dorothy Malone . The main focus is on the Macauley family , and the opening and closing narration is by their late patriarch ( Ray Collins ) who initially introduces the audience to the family and to the town of Ithaca , California . With oldest brother Marcus away fighting in World War II , it falls to Homer ( Rooney ) to add to the money his brother sends their mother ( Fay Bainter ) by getting a job in the local telegraph office after school . There , he finds himself sobering up the drunken man who runs the telegraph ( Frank Morgan ) and delivering telegrams - sometimes singing , sometimes from the War Department informing a family of a death . Homer has to grow up fast and ponder some serious issues . There are others besides the Macauleys - kind Tom Spangler and his upper class girl ( Marsha Hunt ) - Tom is nervous about meeting her parents . Then there is Tobey ( John Craven ) a soldier with no parents and no real home who is befriended by Marcus while in the service . " The Human Comedy " is filled with delightful scenes of innocence , goodness , sadness , mischief , tragedy and humor . One night , Bess Macauley and her friend Mary are on their way to the movies when they meet three lonely soldiers on leave ( one of whom is Robert Mitchum ) and invite them to come along . When the men leave them , the girls get a kiss on the cheek ; the youngest Macauley , Ulysses , finds himself alone when the other boys leave after watching a live ad for a drink - is the man a real man or a huge wind-up toy ? When he leans over and scares the heck out of Ulysses , Ulysses finds out and runs for his life . The scenes of Marcus and his fellow soldiers shows us the youth of these men , their fears , and their homesickness ; the scenes of the people at home show us what not having any young men around is like for a small town - the worry and the loneliness as they keep things together so their sons and fathers will have something to come home to . Mickey Rooney , one of the screen's great talents , gives a subdued yet emotional performance as Homer . Frank Morgan is very good as the pathetic Mr . Grogan , and Van Johnson is likable as Marcus . The rest of the cast follows suit - everyone is excellent . Was a town ever like this ? Possibly , in a gentler time . The Human Comedy reminds us of old-fashioned things like responsibility , letter-writing , and prayer , and that love is eternal . A very warm movie . Highly recommended .
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494,209 | 342,623 | 129,290 | 8 |
True-life story of a rebel
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Robin Williams is " Patch Adams , " a real-life doctor who founded the Gesundheit Institute . The film also stars Monica Potter , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Bob Gunton and Harve Presnell . Richard Kiley has a small role at the end . Patch Adams is a young man who , after his own experiences in a mental hospital , wants to help others by connecting with them as people and employing laughter . He starts medical school and is dismayed to find out that students have no exposure to patients until the third year . He starts entertaining the children in the cancer clinic , reaching out to an angry man with cancer , and eventually starts a small clinic with the help of friends , including fellow students . One student , Corinne ( Potter ) , is a cold fish , but eventually takes to Patch and his methods , and helps him in his work . Meanwhile , back in medical school , the head of the institution ( Gunton ) wants him out . This is a highly sentimental film that will not be for everyone . It's very old-fashioned not only in its message but in the Frank Capraesque way it's done . That being said , I really liked it , and I loved Williams ' warmth in the role of Patch . Though a true story , its theme of a passionate man going up against the establishment is a familiar one , but there's nothing much new under the sun - it's the execution that makes it or breaks it . It's a wonderful film . By the way , I still think Monica Potter is Julia Roberts with a blond wig .
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494,227 | 342,623 | 35,916 | 8 |
enjoyable , vintage 20th Century Fox musical
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20th Century Fox pulled out all the stops for this Technicolor musical , " The Gang's All Here , " directed by Busby Berkeley . There is a song at least every few minutes , wonderful singing , dancing , and comedy galore , and an absolutely threadbare plot . The story is of no consequence - the music is the thing , along with Carmen Miranda's gaudily-costumed numbers and delightful butchering of the English language . This film was made to bolster spirits during the war and to sell war bonds , which is dealt with in part of the plot . I can't imagine anyone walking out of the theater with anything but a smile on their face . Alice Faye is lovely and sings beautifully in her contralto , her main number being " A Journey to a Star . " Miranda's big number , of course , is the classic " The Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat " with the fabulous illusion at the end . Charlotte Greenwood gets to dance in " The Jitters " and she , Edward Everett Horton , and Eugene Palette provide excellent support . Benny Goodman's band is a standout , and I've always been a sucker for Benny's smooth , relaxed singing voice . Busby Berkeley's numbers are spectacular , particularly the finale - but somehow , I can't see it being done on someone's lawn ! I agree with one of the posters , these Fox musicals need to be packaged into a collection and put out on DVD . They're too much fun to miss .
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495,089 | 342,623 | 94,291 | 8 |
A good look at ' 80s greed
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Oliver Stone's " Wall Street " was released a couple of months after the big stock market crash of 1987 , when a wealthy friend of mine had to rush home from Paris to assess the damage . Another friend said to me , " It's nothing but high-class gambling . " Stone captures the Wall Street greed and the multimillionaire young men who populated the brokerage houses back in the ' 80s before they started folding . Everything was about making money ( which hasn't changed much ) and having all the external trappings of success and happiness . We heard a lot about the " yuppies " back then , who were a lot different from the beatniks and the hippies , both of whom in their own way went against the system . The new youth , however , reveled in " the system , " and capitalism was their god . The character of Bud Fox , portrayed by Charlie Sheen , is just such a young man , struggling to make it in the brokerage world . Ambitious , he worms his way in to see a major wheeler-dealer takeover king , Gordon Gecko ( Michael Douglas ) . Gecko gives Bud a try and teaches him about the good life , insider trading , spreading buys to other brokers , wiring money to an offshore account - all the time keeping his own hands clean . Gecko even sends an ex-girlfriend ( Darryl Hannah ) to keep Bud company . It takes a while , but when Gecko dupes Bud into helping him take over the airline where his father works , Bud realizes he was a patsy . This is a good movie that really captures the atmosphere of those times when I lived in New York - everyone was buying co-ops and condos and playing the stock market . As Bud learns , money isn't the only way to measure success , and greed and heartlessness aren't for everyone . Charlie Sheen gives a very good performance - he's well cast as is , of course , Martin Sheen as his wise father who has a different set of values and recognizes Gecko's motives even if his son doesn't . Michael Douglas is perfect as a complete bastard - and don't kid yourself , these types exist in abundance . In fact , I can't even say the Gecko character is exaggerated . He's a total slimeball . Darryl Hannah is fairly lousy as the girlfriend who is falling for Bud but whose future success is tied to Gecko . Martin Sheen is the only one who's really a likable character , so the film has a certain coldness . So does Wall Street , especially if you happen to be on the losing end .
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494,610 | 342,623 | 35,959 | 8 |
Sweet film about the immortality of love
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A Guy Named Joe is a beautiful , sentimental , tear-jerker of a film starring Spencer Tracy , Irene Dunne , Van Johnson , Lionel Barrymore , Ward Bond , James Gleason , and Dom Defore . Tracy is Pete , a fighter pilot in World War II involved with Dorinda ( Dunne ) , a female flier . Apparently pilots whose " number is up " emit some kind of dead man walking spirit , because Dunne recognizes the signs and wants Pete to return to the states with her and teach fledgling pilots . She's so desperate that he agrees , but he's called for one last mission , and the inevitable happens . Before he knows it , no one can see him or hear him , he's escorted around heaven and earth by Barry Nelson , and assigned to be an angel for a young pilot ( Johnson ) . For all the warmth of this film , it was fraught with problems behind the scenes . Van Johnson was in a horrid car accident before he finished filming . The actors said they wanted to wait for him rather than see him replaced . That story may or may not be true , as the scar on his forehead is only visible in a couple of scenes ; there can't have been much left to film . The second problem was that Spencer Tracy kept coming on to Irene Dunne , which made her furious , and she complained to the front office . She never worked with him again , which is a pity , because they made a charismatic screen couple . Spencer Tracy is fantastic as a cocky pilot who comes down to earth only when he dies . His scenes as he stands behind Dunne telling her what he should have said to her while alive are very tender . Dunne is excellent as always - strong yet vulnerable , and she gets to sing " I'll Get By " in her lovely soprano . Johnson , in his breakthrough role , is good-looking , boyish , and likable . One of the nicest thing about " A Guy Named Joe " is some of the lighting effects - the silhouette of Dunne as she says goodbye to Pete ; the look of his plane in the distance when she first arrives - these really add to the sense of foreboding . Strangely , when viewed today , " A Guy Named Joe " is a feminist movie in more ways than even it knew . Dunne is a female pilot and proves her mettle in a dangerous mission . But more than that , consider the fact that she becomes involved with Johnson in the film and was 18 years his senior ! She was 45 when this movie was released , and Johnson was 29 . The age difference is obvious . Good for her - playing a lead at that age while employed by Louis B , no less , and having a younger love interest ! Mayer is the man who booted out Joan Crawford and didn't make any noise when Garbo and Shearer left . If your eyes aren't moist at the end of " A Guy Named Joe , " it'll be surprising . Much loved by Steven Spielberg ( who remade it ) , and a lot of other people , it still touches the heart today and reinforced to wartime audiences that the spirit of their deceased ones continues on , with love the tie that binds .
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494,360 | 342,623 | 44,566 | 8 |
Wonderful
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Clifton Webb is " Dreamboat , " in this 1954 film . Webb plays a silent film star named Bruce Blair who is now a college professor under what one assumes is his real name , Thornton Sayre . All is well until his silent films begin to appear hosted by his former co-star ( Ginger Rogers ) on that new popular medium , television . The college board calls for his resignation , so Sayre goes to New York with his brainy daughter ( Anne Francis ) to get an injunction to stop the televising of his old films . Webb was an underrated actor who could do the acerbic queen beautifully , but one forgets he was also a gifted comedian and a moving dramatic actor - " The Man Who Never Was " and " Titanic " being two prime examples of his capabilities . He also was a trained opera singer , something the New York theater audiences , alas , only got to hear . In " Dreamboat , " his silent film character is a cross between John Gilbert , Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks , Jr . , and Webb does a terrific job overplaying the silent film acting . Ginger Rogers is wonderful as the glamorous , conniving ex-costar , Gloria Marlowe , but I have to agree with one comment , that the two stars had little chemistry . The role was originally offered to Marlene Dietrich - she and Webb might have been quite funny together . Anne Francis is the plain Jane daughter in an early role , and Jeffrey Hunter is the gorgeous Bill Ainslee in an early role for him , a man assigned by his agency boss ( Sam Levitt ) to escort Francis around town . They make a great couple ; both appeared in the 1965 programmer ' Brainstorm ' to excellent effect . By that time , their studio days were over ; Hunter's film career had disintegrated , and Francis would do her most of her career in television . They both still looked fabulous , though . Very , very entertaining . Highly recommended .
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494,246 | 342,623 | 29,310 | 8 |
Brilliantly acted , moody psychological drama
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Night Must Fall , which was originally a play by Emlyn Williams , contains three fantastic roles for actors , and as a film , it has been beautifully cast , directed ( by Richard Thorpe ) , and photographed . Set in an English cottage in a village that borders a forest , Rosalind Russell lives with her horrid , verbally abusive aunt . Along comes Danny , basically brought into the household to be spoken to about a promised marriage to one of the maids in the house . Danny is a sexual opportunist , a murderer , and a psychopath who can hone in on what each person he meets needs and wants . He soon becomes charmingly indispensable to the aunt . The Russell character senses his black soul but is attracted to him nonetheless , and he knows it . What transpires is an intriguing mystery and psychological drama . Robert Montgomery was a wonderful actor , adept at many kinds of roles but most often cast in the light comedies so often made in the ' 30s . Here he is fantastic - a charming , frightening liar with a huge ego who thinks his crafty mind will win in the end . Russell gives a beautiful , underplayed performance as an unhappy young woman , dating a man she's not sure she loves , attracted to this stranger and to the possibility of something interesting happening to her . Dame May Witty is great as an abrasive shrew . This is one of those gems - and doesn't Hollywood know it , they've remade it enough - but it's a real tour de force for the right actors . A winner .
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493,992 | 342,623 | 335,438 | 8 |
Don't Give Up on Us , Baby
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Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are " Starsky & Hutch " in this 2004 take-off of the 1970s buddy cop TV series that had special appeal to pre-pubescent girls . Angry Captain Doby ( Fred Williamson ) is back as is Huggy Bear ( Snoop Dog ) . Even the striped-tomato red car is back . In this film , Starsky is straight as an arrow and Hutch is not above stealing money out of perp's wallet or committing a robbery and claiming he was undercover at the time . The two become reluctant partners and go after a drug dealer ( Vince Vaughn ) . There are many great ' 70s songs , discos , and Afros that go from one side of the street to the other . There is also no lack of S & H's famous undercover characterizations and disguises . And the ending will bring a big smile to your face . Owen Wilson singing " Don't Give Up on Us , Baby , " David Soul's lighter than air hit tune , was a highlight of the film for me . Interestingly , the characters seem to swap personalities when compared to the series , where Hutch was the concerned straight arrow and Starsky was the more laid back rule-breaker . As a bit of trivia , Soul moved to England and began doing a lot of theater , appearing as Jerry Springer in " Jerry Springer - the Opera " not so long ago . He has long championed many humanitarian causes . Glaser , of course , became a director and an AIDS activist , his wife being Elizabeth Glaser , who lost her life to the disease along with their daughter . Back in the ' 70s , both men received a lot of publicity for their various demands and star attitudes . Life has a way of straightening out your priorities , I guess . If you remember the series and the ' 70s , this is a fun film , and if you don't , I suspect it's fun anyway . If you are a die-hard , serious fan of the original series , this isn't the movie for you if you're planning on taking it seriously .
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494,608 | 342,623 | 51,406 | 8 |
Pyewacket and friends get the Hollywood treatment
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The play Bell , Book , and Candle was a favorite of mature actresses to do in summer stock and take on the road . One famous story , told by director Harold J . Kennedy , has Ginger Rogers insisting that her then husband , William Marshall , who was not an actor , costar with her . Marshall wore a toupee , and when he walked through a doorway , his toupee caught on a nail and stayed behind , dangling in the doorway as he walked on stage . The play was adapted successfully into a beautiful color film starring Kim Novak , James Stewart , Jack Lemmon , Elsa Lanchester , Hermoine Gingold , Ernie Kovacs , and Janice Rule . It's light entertainment , about a normal-appearing family of witches ( Novak , Lemmon , and Lanchester ) and the publisher ( Stewart ) who lives in their building . The most expert of them is the sultry , soft-voiced Gillian , who would love to be normal . One night , with Stewart in her apartment , she puts a spell on him using her Siamese cat , Pyewacket , and he falls in love with her . " Bell Book and Candle " was filmed on a charming set that replicates New York . The movie is loads of fun . Jack Lemmon is very funny in a supporting role as Gillian's brother , a musician in the witch and warlock-laden Zodiac Club . He uses his powers to turn streetlights on and off and to turn on the occasional woman . Janice Rule is perfect as the snobby ex-college rival of Gillian , now dating Stewart , and Ernie Kovacs has a great turn as an eccentric who is writing the definitive book on witches . Lanchester and Gingold , of course , are always wonderful , Lanchester Gillian's daft aunt and Gingold as a sort of queen of witchcraft . Kim Novak is a good fit for Gillian , giving the character a detachment befitting a witch , showing emotion when it becomes appropriate , and with that voice , fabulous face , and magnificent wardrobe , she certainly is magical . Stewart , in his last foray as a romantic lead , costars with Novak as he did in Vertigo , and they make an effective team . He supplies the warmth , she supplies the coolness , and somehow , together they spark . In this , of course , he's much more elegant than in " Vertigo . " A charming film , good for a Sunday afternoon , good around Christmas ( as part of it takes place at Christmastime ) , and great if you feel like smiling .
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494,967 | 342,623 | 71,350 | 8 |
Anne Baxter meets the rumpled detective
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I have a special fondness for this particular Columbo episode , though I'm not sure why . It is very good , but there have been other Columbos that have moved a little faster . This one has a few interesting twists to the plot , but what is most enjoyable is the presence of Anne Baxter as a movie star , Nora Chandler , from Hollywood's golden age who now stars in a TV series . Kind of like Loretta Young , but with an entirely different persona . Mel Ferrer guest stars also , as does the lovely Pippa Scott . Scott plays Baxter's secretary , and Ferrer is a gossip columnist who seems to have some real dirt on Nora . He's also courting Scott , which Baxter is tremendously unhappy about . Nora is also getting some pressure from the studio . Nora has a cottage on the grounds with a fountain in the back - her late husband , Al , actually ran the studio . The present bosses want to sell off parts of the land , but Nora won't sell . Falk and Baxter are funny together . He's initially starstruck - though I can't really agree with one poster on this board who thinks he wasn't onto her . He calls his brother-in-law George and has Nora say hello to him , and there is another cute scene with Edith Head . It's a fascinating story , made special by Baxter and her chemistry with Falk .
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493,630 | 342,623 | 71,351 | 8 |
a wayward preacher meets up with Columbo
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This Columbo episode is a real treat , as it features a singing Johnny Cash and footage from one of his actual concerts . Cash plays a singing evangelist who , with his domineering wife , travels the country performing religious music in order to raise money for a new tabernacle . Johnny's a little upset as he never gets to see any of the money . When he makes noise about it , his wife , well played by Ida Lupino , to keep him in line , prances out an underage member of the choir whom Cash once seduced . The Cash character plots a great murder by crashing his plane with his wife and choir member in it while he parachutes out . I thought Johnny Cash did a great job . He had such a tremendous voice and presence , and acting was very natural and relaxed . All in all , a wonderful " Columbo . "
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495,113 | 342,623 | 71,348 | 8 |
fab Columbo with a dramatic turn by a comedy master
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Dick Van Dyke is a photographer whose artistry gets in the way of the murder of his wife in " Negative Reaction , " an excellent Columbo episode . Van Dyke is married to Antoinette Bower , who is such a bitch , Van Dyke doesn't care if he gets caught for murdering her or not . Nevertheless , he goes to great lengths to set things up perfectly . But he doesn't count on the man in the raincoat . There is a hilarious bit in which Columbo goes to a soup kitchen to try to find a homeless man who witnessed the murder of Van Dyke's accomplice , whom Van Dyke has also killed . The well-meaning nun , beautifully portrayed by Joyce van Patten , gives Columbo some soup and tries to find him another coat , believing him a bum ! I dearly love Falk as Columbo , and this is a great episode where he unmasks a murderer who was just a little too artistic for his own good .
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494,056 | 342,623 | 29,222 | 8 |
poignant film , Nelson and Jeanette's best
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Maytime is , I believe , the most popular film of that very popular singing team of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald . The story , based on the Romberg operetta , tells the story in flashback of a beautiful young opera singer ( MacDonald ) , under the wing of her teacher ( John Barrymore ) who in spite of herself falls in love with a baritone ( Eddy ) though she's promised to marry her teacher . She chooses loyalty and career over true love , with tragic results . This isn't the most feminist film you'll ever see , as the elderly Miss Morrison ( MacDonald ) tells her story to a young woman who wants to throw her boyfriend over and pursue her career in New York . Nevertheless , it's the setting for a touching tale and gorgeous music sung by MacDonald and Eddy . MacDonald was beautiful and a fine actress , and she had parts of her voice , particularly the middle range , that were absolutely beautiful . Her high notes and singing technique - well , not so great . Some of it was the way female singers were taught to sing " white " high notes - backing off of them and straightening the tone , and part of it was the unsophisticated recording devices . The difference in placement between her voice and Eddy's , who sang a frontal placement all the way up , is remarkable . The montages show the great female star singing Trovatore and Wagner - not with that lyric coloratura voice , she wasn't . Eddy sings magnificently throughout , though he was never the presence that MacDonald was . Have some tissues ready . It's a lovely story , and the acting is very good . MacDonald is very touching and Barrymore is appropriately villainous and also underplayed , for those who think he was a big ham . It's one of those films you'll always remember , especially the ending , and that's what the film is about - remembrance .
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494,473 | 342,623 | 113,987 | 8 |
Powerful portrait of a pathetic man and a worse President
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Anthony Hopkins is " Nixon " in this chilling 1995 Oliver Stone film , which also stars Joan Allen , Bob Hoskins , James Woods , Ed Harris , David Hyde Pierce , Powers Boothe , Paul Sorvino , E . G . Marshall , Madeline Kahn and David Paymer . The film tells the story of Nixon from his childhood in Whittier , California , with a very religious Quaker mother ( Mary Steenburgen ) , a tough father ( Tom Bower ) and his brothers , two of whom would die young . The film continues with Nixon's rise to power as a Congressman , his great success with the Alger Hiss case , his Senate win , his vice-presidency , his loss of the 1960 Presidential election and later the bid to be Governor of California , and rising like a phoenix from the ashes to become President in 1968 and be elected for a second term by a phenomenal landslide . And Watergate . And resignation . Oliver Stone is a director who is known to play footsie with the truth , so one can only guess at the veracity of the depiction of Nixon's uneasy relationship with his wife ( Joan Allen ) . Some of the White House scenes , I'm assuming , were adapted from the now famous ( or should I say infamous ) tapes that Nixon fought so fiercely to keep from going public . The scene with Kissinger where Nixon asks Kissinger to pray with him is described in detail by Kissinger in print and is accurate . It's one of the saddest scenes in the film . Stone gives us the portrait of a man with self-esteem so low that , in order to be near Pat when he first met her , he drove her and her boyfriends on their dates because he had a car and the guys didn't . He considered himself an outsider everywhere he went ; he compared himself unfavorably to Kennedy and thought reporters hated him because he hadn't gone to the right schools and grew up poor . His self-loathing made him paranoid , hate just about everyone else and play dirty to get what he wanted . As the White House transcripts show , he had nothing but contempt for artists , blacks , Jews and gays . There is no mention in the film of his complete ruination of Helen Gahagan Douglas , actor Melvyn Douglas ' wife , by labeling her a Communist when he ran against her for the Senate in 1950 . He set the cause of women in politics back a good 30 years and destroyed the career of an intelligent , capable human being . As hateful as Nixon was , and he was pretty hateful , Stone nevertheless attempts to give us a well-rounded and somewhat sympathetic portrait . Had it been anyone else , it might have worked . Anyone who lived during the time of Watergate and Vietnam has a hard time buying Nixon as a victim of circumstance . I sat in a bedroom on Pinckney Street in Boston with my best friend and watched Nixon resign in 1974 . I can remember that at the time , we laughed because he made very little sense . From the window , we could hear the cheers coming from Boston Commons . Thirty-four years later , my same best friend and I , now 3000 miles away , watched the re-enactment of the resignation in " Nixon , " and it was no longer funny . Nixon was indeed a pathetic person , and Anthony Hopkins captures him magnificently , his discomfort in certain situations , his resentments , his fears . A brilliant , complex portrait . Joan Allen is excellent as Pat Nixon , a devoted wife and a very unhappy woman . The President's Men are all well acted , and Paul Sorvino as Kissinger is remarkable and almost unrecognizable . Part of Nixon's problem was a generational one - men of his era , and even the era following , did not seek help to work out their problems . They carried their childhood hurts and baggage with them throughout their lives and never got past any of it . I heard Nixon speak in the 1980s , and he was absolutely fantastic . Funny , insightful , compelling , with great timing , he gave an excellent speech to an appreciative audience . Another time , I heard a tape recording of an interview with him . After the interview , he began to speak with a reporter he knew personally . The reporter was very respectful , and Nixon was very human and very friendly . Probably by the time of these two incidents , he had at last made some peace with himself . Oliver Stone is a controversial director , but I like the detail of his films , his follow-through of a story and the questions that often arise as a result of viewing one of them . In " Nixon , " he chose a man who participated in two very dark times in America's history - the Communist witch hunts and Watergate , and he has made an excellent and absorbing film chronicling the man and his times . Nixon made phrases like " off the record " and " expletive deleted " part of the lingo . He made the careers of Woodward and Bernstein and because of him , many of his associates got big fat book deals , acting jobs , and jail sentences . Nixon thought that opening China and bombing the hell out of Vietnam and Cambodia should make up for the President of the United States becoming a felon . He was wrong , as he was about so many other things .
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495,153 | 342,623 | 48,317 | 8 |
Great performances , great singing highlight the story of Ruth Etting
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Doris Day portrays singing great Ruth Etting in " Love Me or Leave Me , " a 1955 film costarring James Cagney and Cameron Mitchell . The film tells the story , somewhat fictionalized , of Etting's rise to fame in the 1920s and her association and marriage to Marty " The Gimp " Snyder , a Chicago gangster . In the story , Etting is highly ambitious , and Marty helps her career after picking her up in a dance hall and realizing he's not going to get anywhere . He's hoping for the big prize - i . e . , Ruth - at the end of the rainbow , but though she's grateful , she's never going to be THAT grateful . Finally , he becomes so angry that he rapes her ( this is suggested in the film but the scene was cut by the censors ) . She marries him , though she's in love with a pianist , Marty Alderman . This film was made about five years before Ross Hunter glamorized Doris and made her the # 1 box office star in a series of comedies , three of which were with Rock Hudson . Before that , she was a pretty woman with a sweet , smooth voice and sturdy acting ability . And nowhere does she demonstrate all three qualities as she does here . And throw in a sensational figure in some stunning gowns to boot . Doris ' Ruth is a young woman who looks and acts like sugar but has the determination of steel underneath . She speaks softly but has the glint of ambition in her eye . Day's voice and style are nothing like Etting's , but the producers and director weren't looking for an imitation . Doris looks and sounds fantastic , singing a huge amount of music , including " Ten Cents a Dance , " the title song , " Chasing the Blues Away " and many others . Cagney gives an extremely powerful performance as Marty , a pushy little man with a huge insecurity and a passion for Ruth . It is a fully fleshed out portrayal of an abusive , possessive man that you can hate and pity at the same time . Cagney deservedly won an Oscar nomination for the role of Marty . He and Doris ' contrasting acting styles mesh beautifully as well . Though there were liberties taken with the Etting story , if you read her bio , it sounds just like the film . Did the movie have a ' 20s and the ' 30s feel to it ? Not really . But it doesn't matter . The film is in color and has a rich look , and what a score . What actors . A must see .
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494,251 | 342,623 | 802,148 | 8 |
Very good show starring Jeff Goldblum
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I admit to a soft spot for Jeff Goldblum , a wonderful actor whose career has spanned theater , film , and television . Years ago , he and Ben Vereen had the series " Tenspeed and Brownshoe , " which was a flop . I remember loving it especially because of Goldblum's quirky delivery . The show was a little ahead of its time and even five years later would have done much better . Here's Goldblum again , here as a thoughtful police detective who , in the genre du jour since " Sixth Sense " sees dead people . And , like Medium's Allison Dubois , he not only sees them but he talks to them as he tries to figure out the identity of their murderer . In this case , however , the dead are only in Raines ' imagination and only know what he knows . Because of this , they change throughout the episode , as he begins to see different facets of their lives and personalities . Though the show has a dark quality , it contains a lot of humor . " Maybe she saw him naked and laughed , " Raines suggests as one motive for a murder . " It always comes down to penis size , doesn't it ? " the female officer observes . " Pretty much , " Raines and his captain answer in unison . It's offbeat , downbeat , quirky , and a welcome addition to television . I hope it continues .
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494,318 | 342,623 | 55,824 | 8 |
A man terrorizes a lawyer's family
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Robert Mitchum seeks revenge against a witness who helped put him in prison in " Cape Fear , " a 1962 film starring Gregory Peck , Polly Bergen , Martin Balsam , Telly Savalas , Lori Martin and Barrie Chase . Mitchum , in probably his best role , plays the psychotic Max Cady , a man with an easy smile and laid back attitude who is pure evil . He is determined that Sam Bowden ( Peck ) , whose testimony in an assault case sent him up the river for 8 years , will pay for what he did via his family - his wife , Peggy , and his young daughter Nancy . Bowden is a distinguished attorney and gets some help from a police chief ( Balsam ) , but apparently during his time in stir , Cady studied the law . He goes so far and no further by being a menacing presence who does nothing . When Bowden takes the advice of a detective ( Savalas ) and has Cady beat up by some thugs , Cady gets the law on his side , and Bowden faces disbarment . His only hope is to catch Cady in the act . He comes with an elaborate plot to catch Cady before Nancy and Peggy are hurt . This is an excellent drama with a pivotal performance from Mitchum , who is fantastic as the disgusting Cady . Peck is very good , though perhaps too measured , as Bowden , and Polly Bergen lets out all the stops , particularly in her final scene with Cady , some of which was improvised by Mitchum . My only complaint is the predictability of Cady killing the family dog . Every time there's an animal in this type of film , you know it's doomed , and it gets tiresome . Someday perhaps a writer will be able to come up with something to replace this tired cliché . The beautiful Barrie Chase , the sensational dancer who performed with Fred Astaire on his television shows , has a nice role here as Cady's pick-up ; Lori Martin , who resembles Elizabeth Taylor and played her role in the TV series " National Velvet " is the daughter here . She is a mix of good looks , innocence , and youth which makes her particularly attractive to Cady . All in all , a tense , well-paced film with some genuinely terrifying moments and a genuinely terrifying performance by Robert Mitchum , which really makes the movie .
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493,767 | 342,623 | 455,900 | 8 |
beautiful movie star , miserable life
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It's sometimes unbelievable how on the outside , someone can look like they have it all - but not . No matter how many times that seems to be the case , one never seems to be able to get used to it . Gene Tierney was one such person - a beautiful woman from a wealthy family who became a top movie star , had an affair with a future President , married a man who became a top designer , and had two children . It all sounds great , except the marriage was a volatile one , one daughter was born severely retarded and sensory deprived , which Tierney blamed on her own fame . Riddled with guilt , she ultimately had a severe breakdown . You would never have known it to see this goddess in " Laura , " for which she is perhaps best remembered , and " Leave Her to Heaven , " in which in my opinion she was at her most beautiful , and as the manipulative , hard Isabel in " The Razor's Edge . " Gene Tierney was a dream movie star . But when a WAC quarantined with German measles escaped from her barracks to meet her favorite actress , the result was Tierney's damaged daughter , Daria , and that one action by a fan changed Tierney's life forever . There's even a movie based on it - " The Mirror Cracked . " Tierney never forgave herself . At one point , her second daughter came home from school to find the apartment building surrounded by people as her mother stood on a ledge . As mentioned above , Tierney was able to have another child and find true love in her next marriage . Although wonderful and beautiful in her small part in " Advise and Consent " in the ' 60s , she found herself too nervous in front of the camera and did less and less until her death from emphysema - the smoking was to lower her high-pitched voice , something the studios recommended . The stories on " Biography " are usually very interesting and fascinating . They're also often very sad . Angela Lansbury once said when performers are working , they truly do wear a mask . Tierney's was a most beautiful one , hiding a good deal of sorrow .
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494,220 | 342,623 | 90,863 | 8 |
Eddie Felson's back
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Twenty five years ago , my career ended before it had even really started , Eddie Felson tells Vince , a young pool shark . No longer the cocky man he was in " The Hustler , " Eddie ( Paul Newman ) in 1986 is retired from pool and a successful investor . When he spots hot-shot Vince ( Tom Cruise ) , he decides to invest in him and take him on the road , with the goal of Vince winning a big pool tournament in Atlantic City . Along the way , Eddie confronts what he was and is no more and looks at the dreams he let die . When Vince is too foolish and strong-willed to take his advice , Eddie makes an important decision . Though not as strong a film as " The Hustler , " " The Color of Money " is still an excellent film with a great cast led by Newman , at the peak of his " older man " good looks and the brilliant acting he's always had . And , as usual , he tells you everything you need to know about a character . It's clear that he was content with his life and his attractive girlfriend ( Helen Shaver ) until he saw Vince . Then the old restlessness and competitiveness came creeping back into his blood . Seeing Tom Cruise in 1986 is startling since today , the lower half of his face has changed drastically due to plastic surgery . Here he conveys the raw , youthful energy that helped make him a star . Like many successful movie actors , he has a wonderful physical agility . His pompadoured Vince is a short-tempered , jealous , talented ingrate who can't help showing off . Cruise is very effective , as is Mary Elizabeth Mastroantonio as his sultry , beautiful girlfriend in another role she made memorable in the ' 80s . Beautifully directed by Scorcese , " The Color of Money " shows that it's never too late to follow your dreams and , with the right actors and the right script , you can do a good sequel even 25 years after the original .
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494,429 | 342,623 | 82,059 | 8 |
Only for those with nerves of steel
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By the end of " Berlin Tunnel 21 , " I had no nails left , having bitten all of them off during this very tense and exciting 1981 TV movie . The stars include Richard Thomas , Horst Buchholz , Kenneth Griffith and Jose Ferrer . Thomas plays an American soldier in 1961 who has increasing trouble getting to see his girlfriend in East Berlin now that the wall is up - he approaches engineer Buchholz about building a tunnel under one of the abandoned buildings in East Berlin . Joining them are a well-known artist ( Griffith ) and two young men trying to get loved ones out of East Berlin . The situation is fraught with tension with Buchholz trusting no one and Thomas trusting everyone ; traitors emerge , the tunnel starts to fill with water , and they are discovered by the owner of the building ( Ferrer ) . Then the families start to chicken out about leaving East Berlin . " I lost all my courage in the war , " one man says . The fear and oppression under which these people lived is accurately depicted as they are afraid to hope any longer . Filmed in West Berlin , the atmosphere is perfect - dark streets , dilapidated buildings , overcast weather - it all really adds to the tension . The performances are uniformly excellent . The always wonderful Richard Thomas plays a determined young man who will not let anything stop him from achieving his goal ; where he is relaxed , Buchholz is pessimistic , angry and tough . The two work well off of each other . Ferrer is in his usual type of role - cold and dictatorial , but this time , his character has some sensitivity as well . The most emotional work comes from Kenneth Griffith who gives a very touching performance . The European actors - Ute Christensen , Jacques Breuer , Robert Freitag , etc . - are all excellent . Very well written by John Gay and directed by Richard Michaels , " Berlin Tunnel 21 " is a well above average TV movie that deserves at some point to be released on DVD .
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494,584 | 342,623 | 116,999 | 8 |
Exceptional
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Marvin's Room is a 1996 film that stars Meryl Streep , Diane Keaton , Leonardo DiCaprio , Hume Cronyn , Gwen Verdon , Robert DeNiro and Dan Hedaya . Just goes to show you the kind of cast a star can get , even for a little film . Little film , big emotions . " Marvin's Room " is about two sisters who haven't been in touch for 20 years . Diane Keaton is Bessie , the sister who stayed home and took care of her elderly relatives - her father , Marvin ( Cronyn ) , who is bedridden and non-verbal , and her dizzy but sweet Aunt Ruth ( Verdon ) . Meryl Streep is Lee , the sister who got out of Dodge ( Dodge being Florida ) , got married , had kids , got divorced , and is about to get her cosmetology license . When Bessie is diagnosed with leukemia and is told she needs a relative's bone marrow , she calls Lee . Lee packs up the kids and drives to Florida so they can all be tested . The film begins with Lee's son Hank ( DiCaprio ) burning down the family dwelling and getting arrested . It's an understatement to say he's angry with his mother , blaming her for the divorce . He forms a bond with his Aunt Bessie , and doesn't want to leave . His mother vehemently doesn't want to stay . In their big confrontation , Bessie accuses Lee of being selfish in not staying and sharing the burden of taking care of their family . " I took care of my family , " Lee reminds her . " I had a husband and children , and I never heard from any of you people . " This is one of those family dramas that hits home , and with the boomers now in the position of taking care of their parents , it's even more relevant than it was 13 years ago . Each member of the cast gives an honest and realistic performance . As the smoking , no-nonsense , nothing can touch me Lee , Meryl Streep is marvelous . I have to admit that I am not always a fan of hers , only because I can sometimes see her making acting choices . Lee is one role where she just IS the character . Keaton is excellent as the softer , warmer , more nurturing Bessie , who sublimated many of her own dreams . As the rebellious teen , Leonardo DiCaprio gives a wonderful performance as the confused Hank , who discovers family he knew nothing about . There are two sisters , and there are also two brothers - Robert DeNiro , who plays Bessie's doctor , Dr . Wally , and Dan Hedaya , the doctor's slow brother Bob who works in Wally's office . Bob isn't much help , but Wally seems to tolerate him with no problem . He's family , and Wally's responsibility . One scene that really cracked me up - Aunt Ruth loves soap operas , and when we first see her , she's watching a soap opera scene with veteran soap star John Callahan ( All My Children ) and Kelly Ripa . It's hilarious . I mention it because later on , it comes into play . Jerry Zaks ' directing is excellent . Just have a box of tissues nearby . It's a story about a family , with lots of love underneath the problems .
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493,813 | 342,623 | 29,146 | 8 |
Excellent historical drama
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1937's " The Life of Emile Zola " is an overly long but nevertheless wonderful film about the great writer that focuses mainly on his involvement with the Dreyfus affair . Paul Muni is Zola , who as a young man challenged authority through his books . This part of his life is condensed . Later on , with fame and wealth , he becomes somewhat complacent until the Dreyfus affair . It is then that he publishes his famous treatise " J'Accuse " in which he charges that Dreyfus was framed and falsely accused by the military . Zola himself is then put on trial . This is fascinating history , even with some dramatic license taken . In those days , however , Hollywood was skittish about anti-Semitism - a major part of the Dreyfus case - so it is only touched upon when we see him listed as " Jew " and one of the officers speaks of " a man of his class " becoming an officer . The same thing was done in " The Mortal Storm , " which takes place in the Germany of the 1930s , making no mention of Jews or Nazis , even with Frank Morgan arrested as a " non-Aryan . " The end of the film is just plain untrue ; the two events depicted did not coincide as shown here . Paul Muni does a wonderful job as Zola - he ages very well and , as usual , disappears into the character he creates . This is a different style of acting than what we see today , but for the most part , Muni was an effective actor . Gail Sondergaard has a surprisingly sympathetic role as Mrs . Dreyfus , and she manages to be softer than she is in other films . And Josef Schildkraut as Dreyfus - well , he's nothing short of magnificent in a small role which made him the first foreign-born actor to win an Academy Award . Again , like Sondergaard , he is often the villain . Here , he touches your heart with his sympathetic portrayal of a man unjustly accused and left to rot on Devil's Island . A very impressive film with excellent performances , not what we're used to seeing nowadays , which makes it all the more valuable and important to see . As a point of trivia , both Richard Dreyfuss and Julia-Louis Dreyfus , despite the different spelling of their names , are both related ( distantly of course ) to Alfred Dreyfus .
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494,616 | 342,623 | 59,749 | 8 |
Not an easy film - neither was the Cold War
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Richard Burton is " The Spy Who Came in from the Cold , " in a 1965 film also starring Claire Bloom , Oscar Werner , Sam Wanamaker and Peter van Eyck . It's told in the days of Checkpoint Charlie , East and West Berlin , and spies . There are still spies ; the rest have gone with the unification of East and West Berlin once more . Burton plays a British spy named Leamas who is at the end of his career . He takes an assignment to bring down an East German spy named Mundt and have him exposed as a traitor . Actually , it's a double whammy ; Mundt is actually a spy who has infiltrated the East German ring and is unfortunately under suspicion and about to be exposed . So Leamas is to expose him and then be proved a liar so that Mundt's position is secure . To come to the attention of the East Germans , Leamas is to pretend he's an alcoholic ( and how much pretending this involves is up to the audience - maybe none ) , out of his job , and just out of prison after beating up a grocer ( which he does so he can get arrested ) . He is naturally recruited by East German agents - first initially approached by a gay man who claims to represent a charitable organization . Though it's not stated that the man is gay , the dialogue makes no mistake about it . Hello ' 60s . Bit by bit he is introduced to the East German ring . " The Spy Who Came in from the Cold " is based on a John LeCarre novel . Unlike James Bond and his imitator Austin Powers , there is only one woman , played by Claire Bloom , who is an avowed Communist with whom Leamas becomes involved . There are no fancy spy instruments , no tuxes , no glamour , no fun . What the film offers more than anything is atmosphere - and it's a rotten one , chronically without sunlight , filled with depressing streets , dank alleys , and old buildings . One feels the chill in the air and the lack of true friendliness or warmth in this colorless world . It's depressing for the characters and equally depressing for the audience . That's the point . The acting is superb . Oskar Werner plays a Jew named Fielder , and as one of the greatest actors to ever appear in film , he doesn't disappoint . ( As a bit of trivia , Werner had a connection to Hollywood's Golden Era as the husband of Tyrone Power's stepdaughter Anne . ) The beautiful Bloom is wonderful as an idealist doomed to disappointment . Peter Van Eyck is appropriately brutal as Mundt . No one really makes a wrong move . Richard Burton was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Leamas . What a strange year that was , with Lee Marvin winning for " Cat Ballou " probably playing a role he could do in his sleep , while Burton lost for this and Olivier lost for " Othello ! " One might think the Academy would have been embarrassed , but no - later on , they gave an Oscar to John Wayne instead of Burton , Peter O'Toole , Dustin Hoffman or Jon Voight . This is not to negate the presence and talents of Wayne and Marvin , which were considerable . But it does say something sad about the Academy Awards that Richard Burton went to his death with 7 nominations and no Oscar . He is truly magnificent in this role as an empty man who keeps in control despite seething anger underneath and whose stares say more than any script could . In many ways Burton never lived up to his potential as an actor . His marriage to Elizabeth Taylor brought him a fame and stardom he could never have dreamed of growing up as a poor child in Wales , but it kept him from doing more theater . Had he lived , he would have done more stage work , moved into different roles in film , and taken his place alongside actors such as Sir Anthony Hopkins . As it is , he has given us some truly great performances - Shannon in Night of the Iguana , George in Virginia Woolf , and Leamas being three of his best . " The Spy Who Came in from the Cold " makes a depressing statement . Don't watch it if you're feeling down . If you're feeling strong , you'll find it fascinating .
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493,467 | 342,623 | 48,261 | 8 |
edgy , violent ' 50s noir
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I have to admit , I have always found Ralph Meeker sexy , and he is hot as all get-out as Mike Hammer in " Kiss Me Deadly . " He's very Brandoesque , and in fact , followed Brando as Stanley Kowalski in Streetcar on Broadway . He makes a tough Mike Hammer in a tough movie that doesn't let up on the violence or the sexual innuendo . I was never sold on Spillane himself as Hammer and I actively hated Stacy Keach in the TV series , which seemed a little too macho and chauvinistic for the times . In the black and white ' 50s , it feels just right , if a little more brass knuckles than other films in the genre . Hammer spends the movie trying to find out the secret that a hitchhiker ( Cloris Leachman ) was killed for , and all she's left him is a clue , " Remember Me . " As people die to the left and right of him , Hammer can only hope he's left standing by the end of the movie . The ending was very tense and exciting , although I don't believe it was very realistic . At that point , it almost takes on the ambiance of a horror film . Robert Aldrich gives the film a very fast-paced direction and wonderful atmosphere . Leachman is " introduced " in this film , and she's recognizable immediately . Gaby Rodgers as Lily gives what can only be described as a bizarre performance . Leachman is really the only likable , sympathetic character in the film . Of note is the early version of an answering machine , which I either saw in one other film , or I saw this movie before - but it's great , an old reel to reel tape recorder mounted on a wall . One thing I wondered about - when Hammer is being followed at night , the clock says 2 : 15 , so one assumes it's 2 : 15 a . m . But it seems like everyone is awake - when he gets to the apartment house , the landlord is cleaning the room out and an old man is bringing in a trunk . The clock is in several shots - it says 2 : 20 also , I believe - so it's not a mistake . Hmmm . Perhaps I missed something , so distracted was I by steamy Ralph Meeker .
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494,419 | 342,623 | 44,486 | 8 |
beautifully made drama with a staggering performance by Olivier
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Not for nothing is Laurence Olivier heralded as one of the greatest actors of our time , and if ever a film proved it , it's " Carrie , " an adaptation of Theodore Dreiser's " Sister Carrie . " Dreiser is the man who brought us " An American Tragedy , " remade as " A Place in the Sun . " Poor Dreiser - he must have been one miserable human being to write such stories of man's desolation . " Carrie " is the story of a distinguished man , George Hurstwood ( Olivier ) who runs a large Chicago restaurant , and how his obsession with a beautiful young woman , Carrie ( Jennifer Jones ) destroys his social standing , his reputation , and his life . Miserable in a loveless marriage to Julie ( Miriam Hopkins ) , George meets Carrie while she is living with a salesman , Charlie ( Eddie Albert ) . One thing that the film points out is that there were so very few opportunities for women in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th . After losing her job due to injury at a shoe-making factory , Carrie drifts into friendship and then is seduced into a relationship with Charlie . She is never comfortable with the arrangement and wants to get married . Very naive and inexperienced at life , when she falls in love with George , she expects him to marry her , not realizing that he's already married . An angry , vicious Julie goes to George's boss with the tale of her husband's immorality . After a confrontation with his boss and Julie , George panics , takes money he intended to give to the restaurant owner , and runs away with Carrie . Thus , he becomes a fugitive . But his troubles are just beginning . William Wyler skillfully directed this film , which has one of Olivier's best screen performances as George . " I want love ! " he screams at his wife . " And I intend to have that before I die ! " Desperate , obsessed , weak , but proud , Olivier gives a fully fleshed-out portrayal of a man at the end of his rope whose great passion - in a more devastating way - will ruin his life almost as surely as his suppression of passion would have . How he wasn't nominated for an Oscar is a true mystery ; it is one of the all-time great film portrayals . He will break your heart . As Carrie , Jennifer Jones is excellent as an unhappy young woman who , because of poverty , innocence , and George's determination , is dragged into a downward spiral . She is dazzlingly beautiful and one can see her grow from a vapid , victimized girl into a woman who hides her resentment and has a strong resolve . Jones has been criticized for being passive in this part - but it's a passive role . She's a young country girl in the big city at a time when society was totally male-oriented and most doors were closed to her . She is the cause of George's destruction , but not on purpose . George is such a weak man that the only type of person he could ever dominate would be someone like Carrie - and finally , he isn't even able to dominate her . Hopkins was a master at playing a shrew , but more than that , she was a brilliant actress who knew the art of playing period pieces , as she demonstrated so admirably in " The Heiress . " Eddie Albert is good in the familiar role of a likable salesman , but it had an added twist - this one had ulterior motives , but he was so smiley and gregarious , you almost couldn't believe it . Well worth seeing but have a box of tissues nearby . You'll ask yourself , too , how Olivier and the film could have been overlooked at Oscar time .
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493,705 | 342,623 | 149,143 | 8 |
interesting and sad
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This wonderful documentary gives some great insight into the life , career , and film technique of Steve McQueen . It left me feeling very sad as I heard the different people in the program discussing him , particularly his first wife , Neilie Adams , and his third wife , Barbara Minty . Despite being a tough guy on the screen , McQueen was a generous man , a loyal friend , a good father , and , despite their problems , his ex-wife seems genuinely fond of him . I think my favorite story was the one Suzanne Pleshette told , of him ordering two steaks in a restaurant in case he wanted another one . She said , " Why don't you just eat one and order another one if you want one ? " He answered , " What if there isn't another one ? " The film clips show his evolution as an actor and star but also his ups and downs as a human being . He fought very hard to live . It's really a shame he didn't .
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494,118 | 342,623 | 70,922 | 8 |
An energetic interview with a great Hollywood director
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This documentary on William Wellman , from " The Men Who Made the Movies " series done by Richard Shickel , benefits greatly from the fact that there is so much interview footage of Wellman . This is true of the fantastic Raoul Walsh documentary as well . Wellman here is full of vinegar , a rugged , handsome individual , though early photos show that he was more than just handsome . He has lots of stories and speaks bluntly of the producers with whom he worked - Zanuck and Selznick in particular . Though the narrative by Robert Wagner speaks of Wellman's remarkable star-making and star-spotting abilities , Wellman himself doesn't make a big deal of it , other than to say the director knows what the actor is doing better than the actor does . He was responsible for helping a few actors win Oscars - Frederic March , Janet Gaynor , Brian Donlevy , Robert Mitchum , James Whitmore , Jan Sterling and Claire Trevor . And he discovered James Cagney and Gary Cooper , as well as Clint Eastwood if for only wanting to cast him in a role instead of Tab Hunter . Wellman shows what makes a great director or a great anything - passion , which he had not for only directing but flying . He was glad to be a studio director because it gave him a chance to do a whole variety of films . He was proudest of The Story of G . I . Joe and had the most fun making a Tarzan movie - so much fun , in fact , that he begged to make another one . As captivating as many of his films , this look at William Wellman is a wonderful entry in Richard Shickel's remarkable " The Men Who Made the Movies " series .
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494,579 | 342,623 | 365,651 | 8 |
Helen Mirren reprises Jane Tennison
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Jane Tennison gets caught up in a Bosnian massacre in " Prime Suspect 6 . " In this episode of the powerful series , two sisters are murdered and Jane , who promised the second sister that she would be safe , is determined to bring the killer to justice . She believes that a man now living in London was responsible for a massacre in Bosnia and was recognized by one of the sisters , whom he raped when she was 12 . Thinking they were dead , he tortured her for information about the whereabouts of the second sister . It turns out that what Jane knows and what she can prove are two different things , and her hands are tied all the way . Jane is her usual self - tough , controlled , and with a terrifying vulnerability underneath . Refusing retirement , she bucks the system blatantly , and if the subject matter weren't so serious , some of her actions would be funny . And who better to play this complicated woman than one of the greatest actresses of our century , Helen Mirren . With one look , she tells the viewer that no , she is not going to be able to stay alone in her Bosnian hotel room . Listening to her father talk about liberating the Belsen concentration camp , her emotion is palpable but she cannot take his hand . That scene , by the way , is probably the best in this episode . " Prime Suspect 6 " is of the same high quality as all the other " Prime Suspect " episodes and will not disappoint .
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493,608 | 342,623 | 381,061 | 8 |
Big and beautiful
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Everything about the latest James Bond flick , " Casino Royale , " is big and first-rate . Humongous action sequences , glorious scenery , a tense plot , a to-die-for Bond , incredibly beautiful women , and villains beyond evil . Daniel Craig is Bond , and when you get a look at his body , watch out . Not to mention those turquoise eyes . He's a tough Bond with less of a sense of humor and less relaxed than some previous 007s , but he fits the 21st century very well . This " Casino Royale " is far superior to the 1967 episodic film which had huge problems including actors who refused to be in the same room with one another during scenes , different writers writing dialogue for the same scene that didn't match , things like that . This version is an actual story , with Bond going after a financier of terrorists , Le Chiffre , in order to take all the money in a poker game . Things don't work out as planned ; Bond is nearly killed right at the poker table , among other situations . And the terrorists want the money being gambled away - enough to kill and torture for it . " That's quite a body count you've been stacking up , " M ( Judi Dench ) tells Bond . Indeed , he's taking people out right and left and acting like a renegade . Bond , with his loose sexuality and attitude toward women isn't exactly a modern hero . Here , with the excellent performance of Daniel Craig , he comes closer than he has in a while to being a Bond for this century .
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494,369 | 342,623 | 29,058 | 8 |
Adorable film about a theatrical couple
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A very young Bette Davis is again paired with Leslie Howard , this time in a delightful , frothy comedy about battling theatrical costars . Supposedly the couple was based on Lunt and Fontanne , but I suspect there's a little influence from " Private Lives " as well . Howard is a riot as the outrageous , narcissistic actor who can't stop getting women to fall in love with him , and Davis is a beautiful spitfire as his costar / fiancé . Olivia deHavilland is the sweet young thing in this and she's lovely as a starry-eyed woman who thinks she's in love with Howard . Eric Blore is Howard's hapless manservant , and he's hilarious . This is such a wonderful , witty movie , the kind , alas , that had its heyday in the ' 30 and ' 40s and is no more . The beginning scenes , with the two on stage in Romeo and Juliet , whispering insults , is especially funny . It's great to see such a young Davis and deHavilland , too , and Leslie Howard in comedy . This movie is a treasure , not to be missed .
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494,456 | 342,623 | 90,738 | 8 |
lots underneath the surface here
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This is a terrific movie that reminds one what we lost when Debra Winger slowed down her movie-making . She gives an honest , heartfelt performance as an investigator chasing a woman who marries rich and whose husbands wind up dead every time . The widow then remakes her appearance , gets a new identity , and dupes another man . Only Winger is convinced that this trail of murders is the work of one woman . Eventually she catches up with this black widow ( Theresa Russell ) and the two hang out together in Hawaii . The Russell character likes the danger - she knows Winger is after her , and after trying to kill her during a scuba dive , saves her at the last minute . My favorite scene with Winger is the one in which she almost tells Nicol Williamson the truth about his bride . She stands and stares at him - she knows he's going to die , she knows he won't believe her - you can see every thought in her head until , regretfully , she leaves . Theresa Russell has the right detachment for this role . One suspects the character is a real man-hater and is , in fact , attracted to Winger . Winger is admiring of Russell's constant flirtation with danger . This is a complex relationship that the two play out . The finale is not up to the standard of the rest of the film , but I still highly recommend it .
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494,738 | 342,623 | 36,723 | 8 |
Great Rita musical
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Rita Hayworth is right there where she should be - as a " Cover Girl " in this 1944 Technicolor film also starring Gene Kelly , Phil Silvers , Eve Arden , Lee Bowman , and Otto Kruger . Rita plays a beautiful showgirl , Rusty , working at a small club owned by the man she loves , Danny ( Kelly ) . Each Friday they go out for oysters with Genius ( Silvers ) , the club comedian . They all hate oysters , but they're looking for a pearl . When they find one , all three of them will have good luck , they believe . Rusty auditions and wins the role of cover girl for a magazine - she starts off ahead of the other contestants because the magazine owner ( Kruger ) sees a resemblance between Rusty and the girl he once loved , who turns out to be Rusty's grandmother . Once she becomes the cover girl , the world opens up for her and her dreams of appearing on Broadway come true . Danny wants her to have her success , but at the same time realizes he's lost her . " Cover Girl " has exuberant dance numbers and songs by Jerome Kern , with Rita dubbed by Martha Mears . Rita is at her best playing both Rusty in the present and her grandmother in the past . For such a sexy , desirable , gorgeous woman , she was apparently very insecure and always under the thumb of domineering men . None of this ever showed on screen , nor did the fact that she didn't want to be a movie star . She is one of the true goddesses and brought everything she did to life . Gene Kelly is in a serious role here , but gets plenty of chances to dance and sing . Phil Silvers is very amiable and funny as the in-house comic and best friend . This is a very good movie with no dull spots . The only problem I had is the idea that Rusty has to choose between a successful career and the man she loves . When supermodel Jinx Falkenberg , who plays herself in the film , speaks of getting married , she's warned by her boss not to , that she's too necessary to the modeling business . We're not told if Rusty continues with her career or goes back to work at Danny's - but all signs seemed to point toward the Brooklyn club . Why couldn't she have had both ? Nevertheless , you can't beat " Cover Girl " for top entertainment , beautiful color , lovely music , great energy , fine performances , and its most fabulous asset , the glorious Rita Hayworth .
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493,543 | 342,623 | 29,030 | 8 |
Lots of wind and skin
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Jon Hall , Dorothy Lamour and an excellent cast are all caught in " The Hurricane , " a 1937 film and the first to win a Special Effects Oscar . The original novel was written by Jon Hall's uncle . On the island of Manakoora , Terangi ( Hall ) and Marama ( Lamour ) marry amidst a happy celebration , though their happiness will be short-lived . Terangi must deliver cargo to Tahiti , though Marama has a premonition about the trip and warns him not to go . While in Tahiti , he gets into a barroom fight and is sentenced to 6 months in prison . The governor of Manakoora , DeLaage ( Raymond Massey ) , despite the urgings of his friends and his wife ( Mary Astor ) refuses to ask for Terangi to be brought back to Manakoora and put on parole . Unable to endure a life with no freedom , and desperate to get back home , Terangi continually attempts to escape . Each time he does , 2 years are added to his sentence until he has to serve 16 years . At last , Terangi escapes and makes his way back to his island , where he meets his daughter for the first time . Knowing that DeLaage will capture him and return him to Tahiti , islanders prepare to help the family sail to another island . But a hurricane ( actually a typhoon ) strikes . Besides those mentioned , " The Hurricane " also stars Thomas Mitchell as the French doctor on Manakoora , C . Aubrey Smith as the local priest , Jerome Cowan as Terangi's captain , and John Carradine as a sadistic prison guard . The effects are astounding and are a no-miss , particularly considering it is 1937 ! The tremendous winds , the rising waters , the trees falling , buildings collapsing - all magnificent . John Ford did an excellent job of directing this film , which has racism as its underpinning - the prison sentence was the result of a so-called dark man hitting a white man ; and DeLaage's patrician and cruel attitude has racism at the base of it . I disagree with one of the comments that states that Hall was a white-skinned movie star trying to pass himself off as a dark man ; Hall's mother was Tahitian . Dorothy Lamour , exotic and beautiful , has very little to do in this film except look frightened and lovely - you can count her lines on one hand . Hall , a total hunk if there ever was one , has more to say and do but one is so distracted by his face and physique that it becomes difficult to pay attention to anything else . The acting burden falls to Mitchell , Massey , Astor , Carradine , and Cowan , who are terrific . Ford isn't known for his tales of the sea , but obviously he was good at everything . He wouldn't see water again until the 1950s . Lamour carried on the sarong tradition in better roles , and Hall worked into the mid-'60s ; at the age of 65 , dying of cancer and in excruciating pain , he shot himself . Highly recommended as a feast of skin and brilliant special effects .
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495,175 | 342,623 | 44,314 | 8 |
James Mason as valet turned espionage agent
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James Mason does an excellent job as a suave valet to the British Ambassador in " Five Fingers . " Desiring the life of a Rio de Janeiro gentleman , he starts selling secrets out of the Ambassador's safe to the Nazis , with the help of the wife of his former employer , Danielle Darrieux . Michael Rennie is brought in to see if he can discover the source of the leak . Joseph Mankiewicz directed the film , and it's done in partial documentary style with narration . It's based on a true story , though the Darrieux character was invented for the film . This is a highly entertaining film with some wonderful , suspenseful moments , a neat twist at the end , and the highly atmospheric Turkish scenery . Highly recommended .
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493,988 | 342,623 | 36,733 | 8 |
Charming and sweet movie , but don't look for any horror
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In " Curse of the Cat People , " the beautiful child , Ann Carter , who looked so much like Veronica Lake , plays Amy , the daughter of the now-married Oliver ( Kent Smith ) and Alice ( Jane Randolph ) from the film's predecessor , " The Cat People . " This is a sweet film about a lonely young girl's fantasy life , showing her to be a highly imaginative and creative child . Unfortunately for Amy , she's the child of two complete duds . Her father , former husband of Irena , sees in his daughter an eerie mental and emotional resemblance to his late wife , and it makes him nervous . He gets even more nervous when Amy sees a photo of Irena and claims Irena is her " friend " who has been meeting her . He has burned all the photos of Irena except for one photo that shows him and Irena together , looking happy , though one wonders a ) why he kept it since he told Irena he was in love with Alice and was thinking of having her , Irena , committed ; and b ) when exactly were they happy ? They couldn't even consummate the marriage because she was afraid of turning into a vicious cat . Irena's appearances are interesting but to my mind , it's left open as to whether Irena was actually talking to the child or not . We probably are supposed to think it's Amy's imagination , but I like to keep an open mind . After all , Amy gives her a pin and Irena puts it on her cloak - anyone ever find said pin ? It is strange , though , that now she's singing in French instead of Serbian , and there is no sign of the cat stuff . If you remember " The Cat People , " there was a scene at the wedding celebration where the exotic , cat-eyed actress Elizabeth Russell greets Irena in Serbian as " sister . " ( Actually , Simone Simon dubbed the Serbian . ) In " Curse of the Cat People , " Russell plays Barbara , the daughter of an old actress whom Amy visits . It doesn't seem like Russell is playing the same character because her mother is not Serbian . Nice to see her , though , and at least in this film , she receives a credit . " Curse of the Cat People " is a good film , but you'll be disappointed if you go in expecting another " Cat People . " Take this lovely movie on its own merits , and feel sorry for Amy - with Oliver and Jane as parents , she's going to need all the help she can get .
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494,748 | 342,623 | 81,974 | 8 |
Despite an " absence of malice , " a man's life is nearly ruined by a reporter
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1981's " Absence of Malice " stars Paul Newman and Sally Field . Directed by Sidney Pollack , it tells the story of Michael Gallagher ( Newman ) , the son of a dead mob boss , who is being squeezed by the District Attorney because he may know something about the death of a union leader , which has never been solved . When the head of the organized crime strike force , Elliot Rosen ( Bob Balaban ) deliberately leaves Gallagher's file on his desk so that reporter Megan Carter ( Field ) can read it , Gallagher finds himself named as a suspect under investigation for the murder . The union workers will no longer work in his liquor warehouse , and he starts losing clients . Over his objections , his alibi ( Melinda Dillon ) comes forward and she , too , becomes the victim of naive reporter Carter . After this incident , Gallagher forms his own agenda . This is a wonderful movie with two great stars . Many movie stars ' dazzling personas would render them not believable as the hardworking owner of a liquor warehouse . Despite having a dazzling persona and dazzling looks , Paul Newman is completely believable as a business owner and a loyal man who just wants to be left alone . Newman is always , always , completely present in the characters he plays - one never feels like he or she is watching Paul Newman . This is just one of his great gifts . Field , who plays a woman used by Rosen and finds herself attracted to Gallagher ( like who wouldn't ) is excellent as she surveys the damage she's done and weighs her own ethics against the job she so desperately wants to do well . " Absence of Malice " is a powerful statement against the newspaper industry which today still has merit . It is well directed with wonderful performances , not only from Newman , Field , Dillon , Balaban , and Luther Adler ( his last film ) but toward the end of the film by Wilford Brimley , who does an amazing job with his one scene . This film brought another nomination and another loss for Newman , who should have many Oscars on a shelf . Highly recommended .
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493,881 | 342,623 | 95,082 | 8 |
Excellent look at the granddaddy of sports scandals
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David Straithairn , D . B . Sweeney , John Cusack , Charlie Sheen , James Read , Don Harvey , Gordon Clapp and Michael Rooker are " Eight Men Out " in this John Sayles movie about the throwing of the 1919 World Series by the Chicago White Sox . It's another pathetic story of how money can corrupt even usually honest people . The film shows that part of the reason the players caved was that their boss , Charles Comiskey ( Clifton James ) underpaid his team and worse than that , was a welsher , making unkept promises to get good performances out of the players . Sadly , Buck Weaver ( Cusack ) refused to throw any games but was accused anyway , and spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name . " Say it ain't so , Joe , " spoken by a young boy to Shoeless Joe Jackson , demonstrates the hero worship these men enjoyed from the public - which is one reason why they were found not guilty . An independent commissioner , however , banned them from baseball for life . John Sayles has done a terrific job both on the screenplay and in his direction of these fine actors . Though this was a low-budget movie , it looks like a big studio film all the way , and the dramatization of the events keeps you hooked : the casual way Lefty Williams ' wife's life is threatened if the next game isn't lost ; the poor circumstances under which Buck Weaver and his wife lived - just think of the players today ; Joe Jackson putting an X on his witness statement , unable to write and many other moments . Sayles takes his time leading up to the actual trial , giving great detail about what led up to the throwing of the games . So many screenwriters today have lost the art of the build-up - not Sayles . Getting to the point in the first five minutes isn't as important to him as character and story development . It's rare , and he's to be commended . Standout performances come from David Straithairn as pitcher Eddie Cicotte , who would never have gone along had not Comisky reneged on his bonus . Straithairn is one of the finest actors today , and his guilt , suppressed anger and unhappiness permeated his performance all the way through the film . John Mahoney is great as Gleason , the manager , who can't hide his disappointment but in the end , sticks up for his players ; Michael Lerner as the disgusting Arnold Rothstein , portrayed as a discourteous man who likes to throw his large weight around ; and of course , John Cusack , who has heartbreak reading on his face as he desperately tries to play his best game while his teammates seek to throw it . The players never saw all of the money they were promised . Instead of going into the record books as outstanding players , they went in as crooks , all for a couple of thousand dollars . They learned the hard way that some things - - such as your reputation and honesty - are more important than money . Unfortunately , some of today's players still haven't learned that hard lesson .
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494,188 | 342,623 | 59,885 | 8 |
Excellent , exciting film
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Frank Sinatra rides " Von Ryan's Express " in this 1965 film also starring Trevor Howard , Sergio Fantoni , Edward Mulhare and Adolfo Celi . James Brolin has a small role . Sinatra plays an American Colonel named Ryan who is put in an Italian prisoner of war camp , where he meets the English prisoners , led by the tough Major Finchan ( Howard ) . Ryan makes some bad deals with the Italian commandant ( Celi ) for better conditions and earns the name " Von Ryan " from his fellow prisoners . The group eventually attempt escape but are caught and put on a train . Von Ryan devises a plot to take over the train from the Italians and head for Switzerland . There are some very exciting and suspenseful scenes in this film that will have viewers glued to the action . Sinatra and Howard are very good and believable in their roles as is Sergio Fantoni , an Italian who betrays the commandant , and Celi , the commandant himself . The showiest and most fun role belongs to Edward Mulhare , who plays a priest in the prison who knows German and therefore has to pass himself off as an officer . His scene where he speaks toughly and with great authority to the Germans and faints once out of their sight is great . The only offputting thing if you know German is that he uses the formal " Sie " case instead of " Du " which would have been more appropriate when speaking to underlings . " If one man escapes , it's a victory , " Major Fincham says . The two officers set out to see that everyone escapes , but there are some problems along the way . The film uses a real train and railroad , which is a plus , and while a good deal of the film isn't very realistic , one goes along with it . Truly excellent and involving .
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495,065 | 342,623 | 335,119 | 8 |
Stunning film
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Girl with a Pearl Earring is a 2003 film based on a novel by Tracy Chevalier which invents the story behind Johannes Vermeer's famous painting of the same name . It stars Scarlett Johansson , Colin Firth , Tom Wilkinson and Judy Parfitt . Johannson plays Griet , a maid who comes to work in Vermeer's ( Firth ) household and soon becomes fascinated by both the artist and his work . Soon Vermeer is teaching her a few things about art and having her mix paints . Suspected of being the philandering artist's lover , Griet is hated by the family and disapproved of by the rest of the staff . Finally Vermeer has her pose in secret for him , wearing one of his wife's pearl earrings . There is an unspoken , unconsummated love between them , complicated by Vermeer's lustful patron , Pieter Van Ruijven ( Wilkinson ) who wants Griet for himself . There isn't a lot of dialogue in this film but there are emotions and breathtakingly beautiful scenes , each one recreating a painting of a Dutch master . Emotions and thoughts are conveyed by facial expressions , by body language , and by silences . This is a magnificent film to look at . Scarlett Johansson does a beautiful job as Griet , a humble servant who , although she can't read ( as Vermeer's wife points out ) has an appreciation for Vermeer's work that his wife can never have . It's a performance stripped of Johansson's usual sexiness but the sensuality remains . Colin Firth makes a romantic and complicated Vermeer , and Wilkinson is excellent as the loathsome Van Ruijven , who has tremendous power over the artist . Judy Parfitt is very effective as Vermeer's insecure wife . A gorgeous film , cinematically nearly perfect ; the script perhaps doesn't live up to the glorious cinematography but " Girl with a Pearl Earring " is a treat just the same .
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494,835 | 342,623 | 55,972 | 8 |
Excellent and suspenseful
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Glenn Ford is an FBI agent ; Lee Remick is the victim of someone she's never seen in " Experiment in Terror , " directed by Blake Edwards and also starring Stefanie Powers and Ned Glass . Remick is very effective as a plucky bank teller who's approached from behind and told to steal money from the bank where she works . The only thing she can tell the FBI is that it's a man who has heavy , asthmatic breathing . Ross Martin plays the criminal . He's a thief and murderer ; he also is in love with a Chinese woman and is paying for her son's operation . Her terrorizes Remick and her sister ( Powers ) . Martin really died too soon . He was a wonderful actor , and this was a great role for him . Glenn Ford is a dream FBI agent , and why do I think there are no FBI agents like this ? He's gentle , kind , and concerned , not to mention handsome . He has a nice chemistry with Remick . There are some great scenes in " Experiment in Terror . " One of the best takes place in the apartment of a woman who makes mannequins ; and several take place right at the beginning , when Martin accosts Remick and later surprises her in her home . The scene in which he kidnaps Stefanie Powers is downright scary . Powers is unbelievably young here , but she was a good actress even then and gives a convincing performance . The big scene takes place in Candlestick Park which several posters have written about . Not having their expertise , I won't . I really love the atmosphere Blake Edwards created in this film , and I love the casting of Ford , Remick , Martin , and Powers . This is a fine film , definitely worth a watch if you want to see how good movies are made . Suggested rather than shown violence , no special effects , black and white - yet it still works .
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494,555 | 342,623 | 36,696 | 8 |
delightful story of a tired ghost and his cowardly family
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Margaret O'Brien tries to help one of her long-dead ancestors in " The Canterville Ghost , " a 1944 film also starring Charles Laughton , Robert Young , and Frank Faylen . Jessica de Canterville's ( O'Brien ) family owns a castle which is being used to house soldiers during their stay in the area . The castle has a very famous ghost named Sir Simon de Canterville ( Charles Laughton ) whose father had him imprisoned inside a wall for cowardice centuries earlier . Simon roams the castle , looking like the Cowardly Lion in royal costume . The only way he can rest for eternity is if a relative performs a courageous act in his name , i . e . , by taking his signet ring and wearing it when he does the brave thing . Alas , the entire family for centuries has run the other way when danger appears , so Simon isn't having any luck . When six-year-old Lady Jessica de Canterville realizes that one of the soldiers is related to her , she begs him to help poor , tired Simon . This is a wonderful movie , buoyed by the presence of Margaret O'Brien , surely one of the most adorable children to ever hit the screen . She's a fine actress , too - very sincere and natural . Although Mary Astor wrote in her diary that she was terrified of O'Brian during the filming of " Meet Me in St . Louis , " it's kind of hard to believe . Charles Laughton turns in another masterful performance as Simon , who scares people because he thinks that as a ghost , it's what he should do . He's a riot . As Cuffy Williams , the soldier related to Jessica and Simon , Robert Young is very good as a man who begins to doubt his own courage . " The Canterville Ghost " is loads of fun for the entire family , with plenty of comedy and some nice lessons , one of which is , when you really want something , you often need patience until you achieve it .
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494,758 | 342,623 | 44,357 | 8 |
excellent Preminger
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Jean Simmons meets the man of her dreams just as he walks into a nightmare in " Angel Face , " an Otto Preminger film released in 1952 . Simmons is excellent as a beautiful young woman who hates her wealthy stepmother , adores her father , and is obsessed with an ambulance driver , played by Robert Mitchum , who comes to the family home when it appears Diane's stepmother tried to kill herself . Although the victim claims that someone tried to kill her . . . Mitchum brings a perfect touch of ne'er do well and untrustworthiness to the role . He has ambition , he has a job , but he's a jerk to his girlfriend ( Mona Freeman ) and seems more than happy to take up with Diane when she pursues him . Simmons , though not as striking as Vivien Leigh , has a similar look - she's petite , with a beautiful figure and facial structure , and gorgeous eyes . Her performance as Diane is right on - even the cynical Mitchum character can't quite figure her out , even when he thinks he has . She keeps her stepmother off-balance , too . There are some wonderful touches - when she walks into her father's house toward the end of the film , without any dialogue , one knows she can no longer live there . The ending is breathtaking . This Preminger film has the pace lacking in " Fallen Angel , " which is another character study of a sort .
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495,097 | 342,623 | 36,641 | 8 |
Very good and effective drama from Warner Brothers
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The dead victims of a London bombing and two suicides are on a ship headed - well , they're not sure - in " Between Two Worlds , " a 1944 film starring John Garfield , Sydney Greenstret , Paul Henried , Eleanor Parker , Edmund Gwenn , Faye Emerson and George Coulouris . The suicides , a married couple played by Henried and Parker , are the only ones at first who realize they're dead , but the others find out soon enough . Then they learn that " The Examiner " will be coming on board to evaluate them and decide their final destination . The film employs a stark set for the ship , and it works beautifully as the tense passengers wait to learn their individual fates . The acting is marvelous all around . Eleanor Parker reminded me very much of Gene Tierney - at first , I didn't recognize her until I heard her voice . She and Henried are excellent as the only two people who have chosen their destinies . Parker's role especially is written almost melodramatically so at times , she seems over the top , but the story seems to call for it . Greenstreet , with his powerful presence , makes a good examiner . Faye Emerson is lovely as an actress who made a lot of wrong choices , and John Garfield is strong as a belligerent no-good whose life didn't add up to much . During World War II , it's not surprising that people were giving a lot of thought to the afterlife . After World War II , there were all kinds of films about people come back to earth and angels walking among us . The view of " Between Two Worlds " is that each of us makes our own heaven and hell on earth , that in the end , we sow what we reap , and that love is stronger than any other force . I loved it .
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493,552 | 342,623 | 44,364 | 8 |
Don't mess with Bette - ever !
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Still fresh from their success and newfound love in " All About Eve , " Bette Davis and Gary Merrill made this independent film , " Another Man's Poison , " based on a play by Leslie Sands . Davis is Janet Frobisher , a successful mystery writer living in a mausoleum of a house out on the moors . When her husband's partner in a bank robbery comes there looking for him , Frobisher announces that he's in the study - dead from the poison she gave him ( medicine intended for her beloved horse , Fury ) . While they're attempting to dispose of the body , Frobisher's paramour , whom she summoned earlier , arrives with his fiancé ( who is also Frobisher's secretary ) . The bank robber , named George Bates , introduces himself as Frobisher's estranged husband and settles in . This is a neat , atmospheric story with an edgy , vital performance by Davis . Merrill , ruggedly handsome , is appropriately gruff and sinister . Though his character thinks he and Frobisher might really have a chance at playing house , his competition is the very handsome , young Anthony Steel , a popular British matinée idol of the ' 40s . Emlyn Williams is marvelous as the nosy , annoying veterinarian who keeps stopping by . " Another Man's Poison " seems to have been made rather cheaply - the print I saw was not of great quality , and the lighting is on the dark side . Though the setting is somewhat static because it was originally a play , the film is very intriguing , and Davis always worth seeing . Highly recommended .
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494,132 | 342,623 | 377,107 | 8 |
Excellent adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play
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Gwyneth Paltrow is a young woman trying to find out who she is in " Proof , " a 2005 film also starring Anthony Hopkins , Jake Gyllenhaal and Hope Davis . As mentioned already , there are shades of " A Beautiful Mind " in this story of a formerly brilliant mathematician ( Hopkins ) and his troubled , isolated daughter ( Paltrow ) . The film goes back and forth in time , keeping the audience wondering about the outcome of the story . The basic premise is that after Catherine's father dies , a student ( Gyllenhaal ) finds a notebook among his papers with a mind-bending , phenomenal mathematical proof . The story goes from there , with a subplot of Catherine's sister Claire , who is completely divorced from the life that Catherine and her father led , wants to sell the family home and bring Catherine back to New York with her . As a further subplot , Catherine finds herself attracted to her father's student . Though this is a wonderful film that does not stray too far from the script , and the performances are wonderful , Catherine's announcement , which changes the entire story , comes in the play at the end of Act I and produced an audible gasp from the audience . This is missing here ; not only that , the line was changed and almost thrown away . Also , at the end of the play , Catherine talks about her father in a short , emotional monologue - one of the most touching parts of " Proof " - that is also missing . Of course , if you haven't seen the play , you won't miss these omissions . Mary Louise Parker originated this role on Broadway , replaced by Anne Heche and finally Jennifer Jason Leigh . Catherine fits Paltrow as if it was written for her , though she could never bring the quirkiness to it that Parker could . Paltrow shows us all of Catherine's hangups and fears - that she is too much like her father and will inherit his insanity and that if she opens up to someone , she will be hurt . Better to dress like a grunge , pull your hair off your face , slump , and fold your arms across your chest than live . With the world she had with her father gone , it's time to go out into a new one - but can she - can she accept her own abilities and allow herself to love ? It's a beautiful performance , highly emotional and compelling . Hopkins of course is magnificent as Robert , Catherine's father , who in the film is sometimes dead and sometimes alive . You'll have a hard time gaging his mental state because Hopkins gives Robert's character great conviction and intelligence . Toward the end , there is a heartbreaking scene , in flashback , between Catherine and Robert , where the audience finally understands what's been going on . Gyllenhaal is very attractive and energetic but doesn't seem quite geeky enough to be a major in mathematics . Hope Davis does a great job as Claire , the detached sister who tries a bit too hard and can never be on Catherine's wavelength ; in fact , she seems to doubt Catherine's mental and emotional stability . Truly a lovely film and powerful in its own way . But I can't forget seeing it in a live theater and hearing the audience gasp at the end of Act I . Wish there were a way to recreate that in a movie .
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494,242 | 342,623 | 44,391 | 8 |
wonderful film about a Hollywood producer and his victims
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Lana Turner , Dick Powell , and Barry Sullivan play three victims of an ambitious producer ( Kirk Douglas ) in " The Bad and the Beautiful . " This 1952 film sports great direction by Vincente Minnelli and a top-notch cast , including the above and Walter Pidgeon , Gloria Grahame , Gilbert Roland , and Elaine Stewart . Kirk Douglas was never better or more handsome than as producer Jonathan Shields , who manages to alienate a lot of people he meets on his climb up . The story begins after he's lost everything , and his old boss , Pidgeon , brings Shields ' old partner , Barry Sullivan , an old lover , Lana Turner , and a writer , Dick Powell together to ask them to work with Shields one more time to restore his reputation . With them on board , Pidgeon can raise the funding for the proposed film in seconds . But none of them will ever work with Shields again , and each one , in flashbacks , tells Pidgeon why . The acting , the plot , the dialogue , and the music are all great . What's interesting is that the film takes us behind the scenes of making a movie and working at a studio , which is fascinating as well as entertaining . The only problematic scene is an hysterical Lana driving in the rain - again - as she did in " Portrait in Black . " I've seen this scene shown at parties for laughs . It's over the top and campy . Other than that , there's not a wrong step . Lana is gorgeous and convincing as a down and out bit player turned star , a sort of Diana Barrymore , with a famous drunken father . This is an entertaining and absorbing film with Kirk Douglas at the top of his game in a role that seems tailor-made for him .
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493,872 | 342,623 | 40,498 | 8 |
Greer lets her hair down
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Greer Garson is again teamed up with Walter Pidgeon in the delightful comedy , " Julia Misbehaves , " which also stars 16-year-old Elizabeth Taylor and a very adorable Peter Lawford . Taylor and Lawford are a subplot in this film , which mainly concerns Garson as Julia , an entertainer , showing up to attend the wedding of the daughter she hasn't seen since infancy . Because of the breakup of her marriage and her transient lifestyle , she left the child with her husband's family . This is a fun movie with some great scenes , the best of which is an acrobatic act featuring Julia . It is hilarious . Cesar Romero makes a game attempt at a Cockney accent , and is very good as Nicky , the head of the act who is interested in marrying Julia . Nigel Bruce is a man conned out of 6950 francs by Julia , and Lucile Watson is Julia's disapproving mother-in-law . Pidgeon plays Julia's husband , who hasn't seen her in years , but on encountering her again , realizes what he's been missing . Wedding plans don't go as expected once Julia is in the house . A very pretty Elizabeth Taylor gets her first screen kiss from Lawford , and they make a charming couple . But this isn't their film , it's Garson's , in a different type of role for her . She is up to the task . Over the years , perhaps due to some of the sentimental movies she made and being raked over the coals by Pauline Kael , Garson's reputation has suffered . However , she is terrific in " Julia Misbehaves , " and this entertaining film is well worth seeing .
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494,681 | 342,623 | 48,210 | 8 |
Superbly told story of the great soprano
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Like others commenting on this film , I saw " Interrupted Melody " many years ago , and it left a deep impression on me . I found when watching it again that I had retained so many of the scenes in my memory . " Interrupted Melody " tells the story of Australian soprano Marjorie Lawrence ( played by Eleanor Parker ) , who was stricken with polio at the height of her career . The singer then has to find the courage to reclaim her will to live , her voice , and her career . This is one of the few films , including anything of Lanza's , where entire arias and / or operatic scenes have been performed - and correctly . Singing for Ms . Parker is dramatic soprano Eileen Farrell , whose voice also acts . In the beginning , when the young Marjorie is in a vocal competition , Farrell takes her powerful chest voice out and instead carries her middle voice down to the low notes , giving the impression of a young , untrained singer . Truly inspired . This has to be the high point of Eleanor Parker's career . I had a chance to see her nearly 30 years ago in a preview performance of " Pal Joey " - regretfully , there were many problems and she and her costar left the show before it opened . It was a shame , because Parker's Vera was wonderful . Here , she plays the young Marjorie with energy and determination , capturing the soprano's nervousness at being away from home when she goes to school in Monte Carlo . Later , she plays the perfect diva not afraid to state what she wants . Finally , she's the crippled Marjorie with no will to live , finding solace entertaining wounded soldiers who are worse off than she is . All through the film , she looks absolutely stunning , and her lipsyncing in Italian , French , and German is perfect . The music is glorious - " Tristan und Isolde , " " La Boheme , " " Samson et Delilah , " " Carmen , " " Il Trovatore , " ( the fastest I've ever heard it ) , " Madama Butterfly , " " Don Carlos , " and " Gotterdammerung " - truly a feast for the ears with Eileen Farrell's magnificent singing . Some have questioned whether or not Lawrence actually sang both mezzo and soprano roles . Lawrence did sing " Carmen , " which can be sung by a dramatic soprano . Also , Lawrence probably started out as a mezzo - it was not until she trained in Paris that her upper range was extended . She sang Wagner , Strauss , Puccini , and Verdi in the big opera houses . " Samson and Delilah " was perhaps done for the film so we could see Eleanor Parker being sexy and seductive in a gauzy costume . The thing is , Lawrence's specialty was Wagner and you can't only have heavy Wagner scenes throughout a movie . The glamorous soprano did her own dancing in " Salome , " and played the immolation scene in " Götterdämmerung " by riding her horse into the flames as Wagner had intended , making her one of the few , possibly the only , soprano to do this . She also did Thais , which calls for sex and beauty - it was the role Susan Kane bombed in during " Citizen Kane . " Glenn Ford plays Lawrence's husband , Dr . Thomas King , and the marriage of a successful opera star and fledgling pediatrician is realistically portrayed with all its difficulties . In real life , Tom King was an osteopath and a Christian Scientist . Ford has a background role much of the time , but also some very dramatic moments and some romantic ones . His gentle , easygoing style fit the character well . A very young Roger Moore is Marjorie's manager-brother . If you love opera , or if you love a story of courage and the power of the human spirit , this film is for you . Have a box of tissues nearby - the ending is very powerful .
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494,274 | 342,623 | 40,499 | 8 |
Dated but highly enjoyable comedy
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In a unique bit of casting , Bette Davis and Robert Montgomery star in " June Bride , " which also stars Fay Bainter , Mary Wickes , Tom Tully , and Barbara Bates . Davis and Montgomery haven't seen each other since he ran from their relationship three years ago , and now he is going to be working for her on the woman's magazine she heads . The two of them , plus Davis ' staff , travel to Indiana to cover a wedding . With Montgomery on the story , however , things take a drastic turn . There are some wonderful scenes in the movie , including Montgomery's hilarious drunk scene and a conversation about a bust which totally confuses the man of the house , played by Tom Tuly . And there's great banter between two pros , Davis and Montgomery . If recollection serves , Davis did not enjoy working with him . The rest of the cast is terrific . Davis didn't do many comedies , and in a way , it's a shame , because she was always good in them : in " It's Love I'm After , " " The Bride Came C . O . D . , " and this film , she proved that she was as at home in comedy as she was in drama . Here she looks sophisticated and more glamorous than in many of her later films and expertly underplays the role of a steely professional - a jab instead of a stab , quiet forcefulness rather than shouting . In the ' 30s , ' 40s , and ' 50s , older working women were always portrayed as unmarried , tough , devoted to their careers , and loveless . This dates the film , as does its ending , not revealed in this comment . A saving grace is that the Davis character enjoys male companionship occasionally . Robert Montgomery is , as usual , excellent , and very funny in the offhanded , smooth way he had . He and Davis play off of one another very well . Although this is a marvelous film , its message is similar to many - a man should wear the pants and the woman belongs in the kitchen . Sadly , it brings " June Bride " down a few notches in this writer's estimation , but it's still worth seeing .
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494,557 | 342,623 | 40,506 | 8 |
Bogart and Edward G . face off in a Florida hotel
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Humphrey Bogart is a man disillusioned by war who comes up against a gangster and his mob in " Key Largo , " a 1948 film directed by John Huston and also , starring Lauren Bacall , Clare Trevor , Edward G . Robinson , and Lionel Barrymore . James Temple ( Barrymore ) runs the Largo Hotel on Key Largo with his daughter-in-law , Nora ( Bacall ) . Frank McCloud ( Bogart ) , is paying Temple a visit to tell of his son's bravery and death in his regiment during the war . Though the hotel is closed for the season , there are people there who seem anxious that McCloud leave immediately . Since a hurricane is brewing , Temple agreed to shelter them , not knowing who they are - a gang of thieves , led by the notorious Johnny Rocco ( Robinson ) who are awaiting a shipment of some kind . Soon Temple , Nora , and Frank are held hostage until the storm passes and the men can get their shipment and leave . Ultimately they expect Frank to sail them to Cuba . A storm rages outside and inside in this film , with Robinson playing an abusive tough guy who is terrified of the weather . Besides his lackeys ( Thomas Gomez , Harry Lewis and Marc Lawrence ) , his drunken girlfriend , Gaye Dawn ( Trevor ) accompanies him and is at his beck and call though he's horrible to her . Like Rick in " Casablanca , " Frank doesn't want to stick his neck out for anyone , which disappoints Nora who believes in fighting for what's right . Frank holds onto his resolve as long as he can , but like Rick , while his mouth says one thing , his genetic makeup causes him to do something else . Bogart , of course , could have played Johnny Rocco as well as he does Frank McCloud and been equally convincing , just as Robinson could be evil incarnate and turn around and play Dr . Ehrlich . Both are magnificent actors of the golden era , though their techniques are quite different . Where Robinson would grow a beard , assume an accent and a gentler tone playing " good " people , Bogart plays Frank just as he would have played Johnny or a lawyer for the poor in " Knock on Any Door " - yet the results would be vastly different . With Bogart , internalization of a role gives him uncanny timing ; you don't know how he's different - he just is with a mere tweak of his screen persona . The most telling thing he does as Frank is , when Barrymore thanks him for telling him about his son , he extends his hand - instead of shaking hands , Bogart sandwiches Barrymore's hand in both of his - a tender gesture from a supposed tough guy . Lauren Bacall has a role that could have been played by any ingénue in Hollywood , taking part in the film because of both Huston and her husband . She's neither sexy nor glamorous in this . In fact , she looks like she's not wearing any makeup . She comes off as very feminine , vulnerable , and beautiful . She doesn't hold back her anger - when she spits at Johnny , you want to cheer but are afraid for her as well . Barrymore is excellent as a man humiliated by the realization that he's helpless against these goons . Acting kudos , however , go to the showiest role , that of Gaye Dawn , for which Claire Trevor won an Oscar . Gaye is a former singer successful in clubs - when Johnny makes her sing for a drink , she describes with pride and wistfulness her gowns , her lighting , and her act - it's one of the most pathetic scenes ever , this broken-down lush singing flat with the remnants of a great sound . It's a terrific performance , full of anger , desperation , and finally bravery . " Key Largo " isn't the most exciting film ever made , but it's a rich character study which will keep the viewer absorbed . And years later , it even inspired a song : " We had it all Just like Bogie and Bacall Starring in our old late , late show Sailing away to Key Largo . " For film aficionados , Bogie is indeed the stuff that dreams are made of .
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494,395 | 342,623 | 101,694 | 8 |
Thriller starring Goldie Hawn and John Heard
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Adrienne and Jack meet , fall in love , marry , have a child , and live in a wonderful New York apartment . Then Jack is killed in a car crash . Slowly , things start to unravel for Adrienne in " Deceived , " a 1991 film starring Goldie Hawn and John Heard . This is a highly derivative movie concerning fake museum pieces , fake identity , and a double life , but it manages to be exciting and occasionally scary . As other people have commented , there are plot holes aplenty . Hawn and Heard are both marvelous in their roles , Hawn for a change in a serious part . She shows she's as talented a " straight " actress as she is a comedienne . The final big scene will keep you on the edge of your seat , and the climax of it is a knockout . This could have been one of the great movies if the script had been tighter because it is very well directed and performed with some excellent camera work and great music . Despite script holes , I still found it entertaining . I wouldn't have minded paying good money to see it in the theater , and it makes a riveting rental .
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495,069 | 342,623 | 59,825 | 8 |
The French fight to keep their art away from the Nazis
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John Frankenheimer's 1964 film , " The Train , " is the story of the French resistance in the final days of the war as they try to keep a train carrying their valuable art from leaving France . In reality , the Germans did transform the Jeu de Paume museum into one of their primary storage facilities for art confiscated in France - - mainly from Jewish families . A French official , Rose Valland recorded the Nazis ' activities in the museum throughout the Occupation . As the Nazis fled Paris , a final train bearing valuable art from the Jeu de Paume did depart for Germany , and the French did scramble to intervene . The Free French team sent to stop the shipment was led by Alexandre Rosenberg . He was the son of Paul Rosenberg , the dealer of Braque , Leger , Matisse and Picasso , and after he succeeded in halting the train by blowing up the surrounding tracks , Alexandre found it filled with works from his father's gallery . In the story , the brilliant Paul Scofield is Col . von Waldheim , an art lover ( actually a composite of several Nazi generals ) arranges to have the French art moved into Germany before the arrival of the Allies . The curator appeals to the resistance , and one their head , Labiche ( Burt Lancaster ) is opposed to letting anyone die in the defense of objects . But when his friend Boule , the train's conductor , is killed by the Nazis , Labiche changes his mind . The resistance puts into place a diabolical plan to delay the train until the Allies arrive . " The Train " is an exciting , suspenseful , and fast-paced film that captures the tension and danger that resistance members no doubt felt in their work , and the film highlights the sacrifices that were made . Jeanne Moreau , as the reluctant hotelier Christine , heads an excellent supporting cast made up predominantly of French actors . With Lancaster and Scofield , the battle for the French soul is a well-matched one . Both are powerful actors ; both play determined , resourceful men . Acting-wise , their styles are different but no less effective . They make great enemies . Don't miss " The Train , " with its great script and fantastic direction by Frankenheimer .
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494,970 | 342,623 | 51,773 | 8 |
lovely film , lovely stars
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You can't get much higher on the star ladder than Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman , and these two are reunited for the light comedy , " Indiscreet , " based on the play " Kind Sir . " It's about a successful actress in London who's through with men and suddenly becomes very interested in them again when she's introduced to Cary Grant . He could sure shake me out the doldrums , too . The trouble with Grant is that he's a married man . . . he says . Bergman is charming and quite funny . I especially love the phone call when Grant calls up from the lobby - all for the benefit of the apartment staff - and she makes faces , rolls her eyes and indicates that this charade of " oh , well , just come up for one drink then " is only for the sake of her reputation - meanwhile , she's found out about a charade of his own and is ripping mad at him . She plots to get even with him - and what a plot ! I love the way this film was done - these two are having an affair but it's only assumed , never actually shown . Grant is his usual stunningly handsome , elegant self , and few actors had his turn of a phrase or panache . He and Bergman , as in Notorious , make a beautiful , magnetic couple . This is not a laugh-out-loud comedy , but it is a delight . This film was remade for TV with the gorgeous Lesley-Anne Down and Robert Wagner , but it wasn't the same without the stars and Stanley Donen's touch .
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494,387 | 342,623 | 160,904 | 8 |
Terrific series
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Spooks is called " MI-5 " in the U . S . and is seen somewhat irregularly on the A & E Channel . It's a fantastic series about a spy organization in the U . K . , and some of the episodes are so suspenseful , they'll have you jumping out of your seat . This is a very well written and well acted series , always intriguing and always absorbing . My only complaint is the same complaint I have with a lot of shows from Britain - I have a terrible time getting some of the dialogue . Somehow I always manage to follow the story , but I've had the experience where whole conversations go by and I haven't understood a word . The British believe in " natural noise " - i . e . , they allow in background noise , and it's difficult for the ears to adjust first to the varying accents and then noise we're not used to in American TV . Nevertheless , I still love MI-5 or Spooks and wish the episodes were shown on a more regular basis . For a time they were some years ago , and it was great to look forward to them .
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493,631 | 342,623 | 51,758 | 8 |
powerful and unrelenting film
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I Want To Live is a powerful albeit fictional account of the Barbara Graham case . Graham was accused of murdering a Mrs . Monahan along with two male colleagues during a robbery . In the story , they had her take the rap for the murder , figuring a woman would never be given the death penalty . They figured wrong . Not only did she get it , but we see her get it in agonizing detail at the end of the film . This was tough stuff for 1958 . Susan Hayward does a great job , although I have to admit that my favorite performance of hers remains " I'll Cry Tomorrow . " Nevertheless , she sinks her teeth into this role . Barbara Graham in real life was on her fourth marriage and apparently involved sexually with her two compatriots - she was in the nude when she was arrested with them at their hotel . She also was a heroin addict . Though the film allows you to believe that she was present during the killing but didn't actually do it , the real Barbra Graham supposedly did confess to the warden of the prison . No matter how you feel about the death penalty , or Barbara Graham's guilt or innocence , this film will have a powerful effect on you . You won't forget it .
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495,182 | 342,623 | 205,658 | 8 |
Detailed documentary about the great studio
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MGM : When the Lion Roars is a 1992 documentary hosted by Patrick Stewart . Shown in three parts on Turner Classic Movies , it tells the story of the monolithic studio from its beginnings , taking us through the influence of the great Irving Thalberg , after his death , during World War II , after the war , the growth of television , and MGM's eventual demise . All of the studios had a particular look to their films and a strong point of view . MGM was known for its huge array of stars , its opulence , its classy musicals , and its family entertainment , especially under the aegis of Louis B . Mayer . Even its " B " movies , such as Dr . Kildare , had " A " movie quality . The studio's main problem was its lack of foresight and lack of awareness that the audience changed over time . The belief was that television was a fad , for instance - major error . And all the studios suffered when the courts broke up studio ownership of the movie theaters . The documentary is highly entertaining , filled with interviews , scenes , and musical numbers . Stewart voices the incorrect information that Jean Harlow died because her mother's religion didn't allow her to have treatment . Jean Harlow died of kidney disease , for which there was no cure , no transplant , no dialysis . She had plenty of medical attention , but there was nothing anyone could do once she developed the disease . Very enjoyable and well worth seeing .
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493,963 | 342,623 | 40,919 | 8 |
a very funny comedy , helped by a great performance
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Rex Harrison is a temperamental conductor and Linda Darnell his younger , adoring wife in " Unfaithfully Yours , " also starring Lionel Stander , Rudy Vallee , and Kurt Krueger . Harrison and his wife are so much in love , it's sickening . But thanks to interference from his brother-in-law ( a subdued Rudy Vallee ) , Harrison begins to believe that while he was out of town , his beautiful wife ( Darnell ) was consorting with his secretary , Tony , played by blond , handsome Kurt Krueger . As he conducts the orchestra in concert that evening , Harrison imagines several scenarios - one in which he kills his wife and cleverly frames Tony for the murder ; one in which he pays her off ; and one where he challenges Tony to a game of Russian roulette . Of course , when he actually tries to carry them out , things don't go as he imagined . This is a hilarious movie , with Harrison absolutely magnificent - and I might add , totally unlikable . One wonders if Darnell will stay with him once the bloom is off the rose . Lanky and sure of himself , though not particularly handsome , Harrison has a certain magnetism , not to mention a snappy way with a line . " Will I see you tonight at the concert ? " Vallee asks him . " Yes ! " Harrison yells . " I'm generally there on the nights when I conduct ! " His last scene alone in the apartment is a scream , mainly because Harrison doesn't go for laughs but takes the whole thing very seriously and in character . Darnell is beautiful and appropriately cloying . Edgar Kennedy , as a classical music loving detective , has a wonderful scene with Harrison . I haven't seen the remake , but I noticed its voting average is lower than the original's . I can imagine Dudley Moore being quite funny , but this role , with its arch egotism , was tailor-made for Harrison .
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493,818 | 342,623 | 110,216 | 8 |
Arnold has a baby
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Junior is a very funny 1994 comedy directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Danny de Vito , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Pamela Reed , Emma Thompson and Frank Langella . DeVito is Larry , a doctor and Ahnold is Alex , a scientist - the two are working on a pregnancy drug for women . When the FDA refuses to accept it , Alex loses his lab to Diana ( Thompson ) who feels terrible about it and offers to let him share the lab with her . Stuck as to how to get the drug pushed forward and gain the attention of a pharmaceutical company who will invest in it , Larry comes up with the idea of impregnating Alex in order to get data , but only for the first trimester . Alex , however , bonds with the fetus and wants to continue to term . Obviously the plot makes for some very funny moments . My favorite is Alex dressing like a huge woman and going to stay in a sanitarium for pregnant women , explaining his appearance by saying that while doing sports in Germany , he took steroids . The cast is great , and the direction is fast-paced . " Junior " is a funny gender bender about a man feeling a woman's emotions . It's very character-driven , and the actors play it straight , making it all the funnier . Seeing Arnold pregnant is a sight to behold and not one easily forgotten . Highly recommended .
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495,130 | 342,623 | 40,934 | 8 |
theater and mystery combined with ' 40s glamor
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The Velvet Touch is a wonderful film starring Rosalind Russell as a glamorous Broadway star , Valerie Stanton , who accidentally kills her boyfriend-producer . The movie's dialogue is sophisticated and so is its New York theater atmosphere - the parties , the clothes , the rivalries , and the lush theater itself which looks like the real thing , but is an elaborate set . Russell's costars include Sydney Greenstreet , Claire Trevor , and Leon Ames . Greenstreet's portrayal of the clever police detective is excellent , and you can see where he would get on Russell's frayed nerves . Trevor , as a rival of Valerie's , gives a marvelous performance . There is a clever juxtaposition between the film's plot and the play in which Valerie Stanton is appearing , Hedda Gabler . I've always considered this movie an unsung gem .
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494,442 | 342,623 | 66,934 | 8 |
interesting , early Columbo
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Dale Kingston ( Ross Martin ) is a TV personality and art critic who knocks off his uncle in order to inherit his art collection . In order to do so , he enlists the help of a bedazzled , untalented art student , whom he promises to help with her career . The two make it look like a robbery , Kingston intending to frame his uncle's ex-wife ( and heir ) , played by Kim Hunter . It might have worked , but guess who's assigned to the case . This is very entertaining , and of course , the original Columbos like this one were the best . A couple of the plot points are similar to the pilot for the series , which starred Gene Barry . Dangling the prospect of marriage , Barry uses his girlfriend in a plot to kill his wife . Ross Martin was an effective actor who died too young , and he's marvelous as the critic , and Kim Hunter is fabulous as the frail , ditsy , ex-wife . One of the posters seemed to know her from Planet of the Apes . She has a few other credits , including the role of Stella in the original " Streetcare Named Desire , " which she repeated in the film version and won an Oscar . She would be blacklisted during the McCarthy era , but she overcame this and continued her career . Her testimony to the New York Supreme Court in 1962 against the publishers of " Red Channels " helped pave the way for clearance of many performers unjustly accused of Communist connections .
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493,883 | 342,623 | 40,876 | 8 |
exciting spectacle from MGM
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MGM pulled out all the stops for this 1948 version of " The Three Musketeers . " Filmed in color and directed by George Sidney , it has a large , all-star cast consisting of Gene Kelly , Lana Turner , June Allyson , Van Heflin , Cornell Wilde , Vincent Price , Angela Lansbury , Robert Coote , Frank Morgan , Keenan Wynn and John Sutton . Gene Kelly is D'Artagnan , who arrives to join the Musketeers and ends up having to fight three duels in a day with Athos ( Heflin ) , Porthos ( Young ) and Aramis ( Coote ) . They all wind up friends . The Musketeers ' first assignment is to steal the Queen's jewels back for her - a gift of twelve diamond studs from her husband ( Morgan ) . She has given them to her lover , the Duke of Buckingham , but now needs them back to wear in nine days ' time . Cardinal Richlieu ( Price ) , anxious to reveal the secret relationship between the two , dispatches his evil mistress , Lady De Winter ( Turner ) to steal two of the studs . Richlieu wants France to declare war against England and completely destroy the King's powers . The Musketeers have to get the jewels from the Duke and return with them to Paris . With two diamond studs missing , they have an added task of picking up two replacements from a jeweler and getting them to the Queen in time to wear them at a banquet . In the process of all of this , D'Artagnan falls in love with the Queen's lady-in-waiting , Constance ( Allyson ) . All of the acting is wonderful , with the role of Lady De Winter expanded from the original book . Lana Turner is perfect as De Winter - gorgeous , cool , irresistible and deadly . The scenes between Constance and De Winter toward the end of the film are among the best in the movie , very suspenseful ( and different from the book ) . Turner to me looks carefully made up to hide some extra pounds , not to mention being tightly corsetted . The movie was filmed right after Lana had broken up with the great love of her life , Tyrone Power , which may have had something to do with it . Van Heflin is sympathetic and strong as Athos , who has a past with De Winter and still loves her , and Vincent Price makes an excellent Cardinal Richlieu . Gene Kelly is the ideal D'Artagnan , and his casting is very clever , giving him a chance to show the great athleticism that contributed so much to his dancing . His swordplay is amazing , really making the swordfights entertaining . Though the role has very serious moments , Kelly gives it a lightness and humor when needed . Especially fun is the scene where D'Artagnan , in the dark , poses as Lady De Winter's lover . There are , as mentioned , many versions of this Dumas classic . This one is vividly entertaining , colorful and energetic , with a very attractive cast , good direction , and a thrilling score . Highly recommended .
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494,254 | 342,623 | 56,183 | 8 |
Oh perfect love
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Olivia de Havilland is traveling with her daughter in Italy when romance strikes in " The Light in the Piazza , " a 1962 film based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer . The story was also made into a highly successful Broadway musical of the same name . De Havilland's costars include Yvette Mimieux , Barry Sullivan , George Hamilton and Rossano Brazzi . Because her adult daughter has the mental age of 10 , Meg Johnson ( de Havilland ) keeps very close watch over Clara ( Mimieux ) , a beautiful blonde who , despite her impairment , is very much a woman and attracting a lot of attention in Italy . ( This is extremely realistic - blondes do great over there . ) In Florence , Clara is pursued relentlessly by an enthusiastic suitor , Fabrizio . His parents ( Brazzi and Nancy Nevison ) approve of the relationship . What's waiting for Clara back home is an institution , though a good one , that her father ( Sullivan ) is insisting upon in hopes of rekindling his lost relationship with his wife . Meg is in a dilemma and makes a bold decision . Set against the magnificent backdrop of Florence and with a beautiful performance by de Havilland , " The Light in the Piazza " is a marvelous film and the story of a perfect love . Though Meg is protective of Clara and always with her , when she sees that her daughter has a chance at a normal life , she lets go - giving both of them a chance at a life they're missing . One can argue the ethics of Clara's decision but given the Italian scenario : servants in the home , the constant attention of the in-laws , the place of the wife in the home , I believe that Clara will be happy with this loving family . She is mentally impaired due to an accident but that doesn't make her a slow or impaired 10-year-old - she is , in fact , very bright , mastering Italian with ease , and she has all the normal , healthy feelings of a woman . If she has a child's outlook on laughter and fun , that is something to be prized . The most telling moment for me in the film was when Clara asks her mother to read to her " one last time , " knowing that her husband is not going to like the kinds of stories Meg reads to her . Then the camera shows one of her beloved stuffed animals on the floor . Clara knows her life is changing ; she's in love and ready for it . De Havilland , one of the truly great film actresses , was 47 at the time of the filming and very attractive . She conveys not only the needed maternal qualities but a womanliness and uncommon strength . " I made the right decision , " she whispers at the wedding , looking at her lovely , serene daughter . " I KNOW I did . " She will always be available to Clara - but now , she will be available to the rest of her family as well . Yvette Mimieux does a fine job as Clara , capturing her childishness very well . Hamilton is in his element in the light role of Fabrizio - he wasn't really capable of much more , and this suits him . Rosanno Brazzi is very charming , sexy , and funny as Fabrizio's father . But the film belongs to de Havilland's anchoring performance . This is a well-directed film , beautiful to look at , with a very touching story . Highly recommended .
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493,817 | 342,623 | 28,772 | 8 |
The Marx Brothers continue at MGM
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A Day at the Races follows the smash Marx Brothers hit , " A Night at the Opera , " their first film at MGM under their advocate , Irving Thalberg . Thalberg took the brothers on after they left Paramount . He insisted on stronger scripts , a love story , musical numbers , and that the brothers try their bits out in front of a live audience to see what got a laugh and what didn't . Many people prefer the Paramount films ; they probably are funnier , with the exception of " A Night at the Opera , " my all-time favorite . At MGM , the characters the Brothers played were also softened . Here , Chico and Harpo are trying to help the beautiful Judy Standish ( Maureen O'Sullivan ) , who is trying to keep her sanitarium afloat . To that end , to please a wealthy hypochondriac , Mrs . Upjohn ( Margaret Dumont ) , Dr . Hackenbush ( Groucho ) is brought in so that Mrs . Upjohn will stay at the sanitarium . Hackenbush doesn't mention that he's a veterinarian . On the romantic side , Judy's boyfriend ( Allan Jones ) has invested in a horse , High Hat ( with Harpo as the jockey ) and is hoping he wins the big race so he can give Judy the money . The most famous bit in this film is the Tutsi Frutsi ice cream sketch , which is a riot . Then there's the physical exam of Mrs . Upjohn and the horse race , both hilarious . Jones sings beautifully , but the best music is the big gospel number and the accompanying dancing - just wonderful . I was fortunate to have been around during the huge Marx Brothers revival in the 1970s , and as a result , I saw a lot of their films in revival houses . They really need to be seen with an audience ; the pace is better , for one thing , because laughter comes when it's supposed to , and there's no beat for the laugh . At Paramount , MGM , or RKO , the Marx Brothers are always funny even if the scripts aren't always top drawer . Highly recommended .
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494,484 | 342,623 | 48,424 | 8 |
They abide and they endure .
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Charles Laughton and producer Paul Gregory worked together on several theatrical projects , one of which was the highly successful " John Brown's Body , " which starred Tyrone Power , Judith Anderson and Raymond Massey . For " Night of the Hunter , " Laughton brings his considerable directing talent to the screen with astonishing success . The story centers around a misogynistic , phony fire and brimstone preacher named Harry Powell ( Mitchum ) who kills widows and takes their money . While in prison for an offense , he learns that his cellmate , Ben Harper ( Peter Graves ) , who is about to be hanged for murder , has hidden the $10 , 000 he stole . Powell goes to the town where Ben lived and courts Harper's widow ( Shelley Winters ) and marries her . She and Ben had two children , John ( Billy Chapin ) and Pearl ( Sally Jane Bruce ) . Though Powell is told that Ben , filled with remorse , tied a rock around the money and sank it , Powell believes that John knows where the money is hidden . And he wants it . This is a towering film with a fine script , excellent performances , great direction and some of the most beautiful cinematography in film history . It's absolutely captivating . It takes one right into the nighttime silence of the country , and the figure of Powell in silhouette on his horse will fill you with fear , just as it does the children . Not to give anything away , but the shot of Shelley Winters - and you'll know it when you see it - is breathtaking . Laughton manages with " Night of the Hunter " to give the audience not only horror but love , warmth and peace as well . Much of this is provided by the beautiful performance of Lillian Gish , as a woman who takes in the children after they run away . Much of her dialogue is close to poetry ; she's a no-nonsense but gentle presence who knows her mission on earth and intends to fulfill it . Originally the role was to be played by Jane Darwell , but Laughton replaced her with Gish at the last minute . In the scenes where Gish holds a shotgun , he wanted a more frail presence coming up against the power of the devil . Though I admit to finding Pearl a little bit annoying , Billy Chapin is wonderful . There's a stillness about his performance and a look in his eyes that says more than any action could , and his reaction in one of the final scenes , when the stillness finally breaks , is magnificent . As for Robert Mitchum , this was probably his greatest role . I liked him best with the family ; I thought he seemed an obvious phony as a preacher , and I questioned why only Lillian Gish and Walt Spoon ( Don Beddoe ) realize it . Mitchum does a fabulous job of showing Powell's suppressed anger ; he almost vibrates with it . " Night of the Hunter " can be classified as a horror film , but a ) it's not a genre I like ; and b ) I was crying at the end . I found it very touching and satisfying . It's a drama with horror elements - - and images you will never forget .
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495,093 | 342,623 | 56,218 | 8 |
Fantastic film with a stunning performance by Angela Lansbury
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Soldiers are brainwashed , and one is programmed as a killing machine in " The Manchurian Candidate , " a 1962 film starring Laurence Harvey , Angela Lansbury , Frank Sinatra , James Gregory , and Janet Leigh . This amazing movie was withdrawn from theaters because of the Kennedy assassination , and it was finally put back into circulation . It is a true masterpiece that turned out to be sadly prophetic . Laurence Harvey is a soldier who wins a medal of bravery for saving the lives of his platoon in Korea , all but two members - except it's all a great big lie . In truth , the entire platoon was flown to Manchuria , and a new way of brainwashing is used on them . Harvey is chosen to become a killer , and he gives a demonstration of his cold-blooded abilities by killing two members of his platoon . When the soldiers return to civilian life , two of them are plagued by terrible dreams of the incident , one being Frank Sinatra , and the army investigates . Deciding that brainwashing by the Russians was involved , the problem becomes how to deprogram Harvey . . . and what is his assignment . The film is not without its flaws , and it's a tribute to it that it still manages to remain a masterpiece . Laurence Harvey's accent wavers from American to British , finally settling on British . The identity of the character played by Janet Leigh , a young woman who meets Sinatra on a train , is never explained - was this perhaps cut from the film ? Critic Molly Haskell felt that two of Harvey's killings were " too much to recover from " - they did seem unnecessary . The acting is superb , with the two greatest performances given by Angela Lansbury as Harvey's mother and James Gregory as her Joseph McCarthy-like senator husband , who sees Communists everywhere . Lansbury , a mere one year older than Harvey , is perfect as a mother right out of hell , and the incestuous scene toward the end is chilling . From this to Jessica Fletcher - thank God Broadway knew what to do with this master talent . As her puppet husband , Gregory gives an excellent performance as a boisterous fool . Sinatra is very natural in his role , and though Janet Leigh isn't around much , she's very good . Harvey , always a fine actor , is remarkable as a cold , unlikable , angry man who changes when he finds love , only to find that he is a servant to horrendous programming - and came from the body of the devil incarnate . A great achievement by director John Frankenheimer , and a no miss .
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493,508 | 342,623 | 40,806 | 8 |
Olivia enters the vortex
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Olivia DeHavilland gives another standout performance in " The Snake Pit , " also starring Leo Genn , Mark Stevens , and Celeste Holm . In line with the interest in psychiatry after World War II , Darryl F . Zanuck , always at the forefront of social issues , produced this film , directed by Anatole Litvak . DeHavilland plays a troubled , often disoriented woman with unexplained mood swings who winds up in a state mental hospital with no memory of her new husband ( Mark Stevens ) . She becomes a patient of Dr . Kik ( Genn ) who patiently works with her to try and get to the core of her problem , and to do so , employs several rounds of electroshock therapy . Together they uncover suppressed memories . One thing that's noticeable about the films of the golden age is their mastery of the art of the build-up , while today , screenwriters get to the point in the first 10 minutes of the film . " The Snake Pit " is very modern in this way , starting on a high note and working backwards into what brought this woman into the hospital . Given the story , it's very effective . It also keeps you guessing because the conditions at the mental institution , as well as the behavior of some of the staff and the patients makes one suspect something sinister is going on - kind of a " Shock Treatment " scenario . It takes a while to realize that Dr . Kik is on the level , a concerned and committed doctor . The film is beautifully done , and who can forget the overhead " snake pit " shot toward the end of the film . The song " Going Home " sung by one of the patients at a dance is one of the best moments , as are the harrowing scenes of the electroshock therapy and the bath with the covering over it that DeHavilland is put into - the feeling of being trapped and having no control is pervasive throughout the film . With the advancement in medications today , one aches for the characters , trapped in illnesses often not understood or treatable . Olivia DeHavilland is sympathetic and heart-wrenching as Virginia , a woman panicked by behavior she can't recall or can't control . When backed up against the wall , her voice changes and becomes harsh ; she almost seems like a split personality . One believes every second of her torment . Leo Genn strikes the exact right note as Dr . Kik , a perfect combination of gentleness , concern , and professionalism . His scene at the dance and his final scene with DeHavilland are very touching and especially the last moments bring me to tears . Mark Stevens gives a sensitive performance as Virginia's handsome and loving husband who is loyal to her throughout her ordeal . There has been much progress in mental disease and removal of much of the stigma . " The Snake Pit " reminds one of a more primitive time . Wonderful performances , direction , and a good story make this a true classic .
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