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Broke (2020)
Hilarious series with a great cast
Since I have enjoyed Pauley Perrette, on NCIS, I was looking forward to her new series.
The first Broke episode establishes a struggling single suburban mother who finds her sister and wealthy outrageous husband now without funds along with his servant looking for a place to live.
Jaimie Camil; Natasha Leggero and Izzr Diaz are perfectly cast as the new house guests..
Each week the episodes got better and better.
I can't believe all the negative reviews.
Waltzing Around (1929)
Great pacing and acting not typical for a 1929 sound film
Either you love Clark and McCullough or you don't. I am one who loves the team.
For years, only their RKO 2 reel shorts have turned up for modern audiences to view and comment on. All their 1928-1929 Fox films and negatives were destroyed in a major nitrate fire. Only Reel 2 of The Belle of Samoa exists in 35mm at the Library of Congress. There are two complete 16mm prints in a private collection - The Belle of Samoa and Waltzing Around.
Clark has been referred to as Groucho on Speed, while McCullough is overshadowed by his partner's energy. Here Clark is still Clark but a little more subdued. McCullough has more dialog and humorous bits of business.
Florence Lake in her third film roll as George's girlfriend has a couple of good exchanges with Otto Fries. Later she became better known as Edgar Kennedy's wife in his series.
Harry Sweet, who directed Waltzing Around, became head of the RKO shorts dept. He may have been instrumental in getting the team their own series there.
The film opens with the boys on the open road. They walk by a greenhouse, then come back. Temptation wins out, all but one window is broken. The farmer comes after them with rifle in hand. That night they become vendors in a sports arena irritating the crowd. When a boxer is accidentally knocked out. the promoter assumes McCullough is responsible and hires him as a replacement.
Waltzing Around has great gags, pacing and acting that is not typical of a sound film released in May of 1929. It was copyrighted 5 months earlier in January with a running time of 28 minutes on 4 reels..
Meet the Champ (1933)
Great start for the initial entry
Meet the Champ is the first of six Paramount comedy shorts starring Walter Catlett and Eugene Palette.
Phil L. Ryan produced this series for the 1933-34 season.
Del Lord directs a great cast which includes beautiful Dorothy Granger and future Oscar winner Walter Brennan as a stuttering announcer.
Brennan would repeat his stuttering bit in this series second short Sailors Beware.
The plot: Carrying a suitcase marked the Champ, Eugene goes to the fair to compete in a cow milking contest. Side show barker Walter and his protégé Dorothy mistakenly think he is a fighter and want to manage him all the way to Madison Square Garden.
Alpha Video has released the first two shorts on DVD. This series is a must see for comedy fans. Hopefully the other four will soon be found and made available.
Wedding Belles (1931)
Fun with Lloyd Hamilton in his last starring role
Erroneously dated as 1931, this Lloyd Hamilton 1934 poverty row budget comedy may be his last starring role. He died January 19, 1935.
The newspaper shown in the film is the LA Evening Herald. It has an NRA seal with the headline 3 LA KIDNAPPERS GET LIFE. May 28, 1934 is the date published.
Plot has Lloyd in pursuit of his girl aboard ship. Dad wants her to marry a different suitor. There are some classic Hamilton moments especially with Arthur Housman and Gertrude Astor.
The question arises if WEDDING BELLES was ever released theatrically.
In the early 1940s, 16mm prints were struck for rental on this evasive title.
Don't miss an opportunity to see this film.
Note: The Museum of Modern Art list this title in their inventory, but are unable to locate the print when asked to view it.
The Diplomats (1929)
A 1929 Review of a lost Fox short.
This 1929 review on a lost Fox sound short contains SPOILER info.
The Diplomats are Clark and McCullough in a Fox two-reel talking comedy. Aboard an ocean liner bound for furrin* parts, these two funny fellers become involved in a political situation having to do with one of those mythical kingdoms. There is a beautiful Princess-in-distress played by Margaret Churchill, a new and very personable Fox find. There is a Menace played by Andre Siguerola with a hefty beard and his usual suavity. And there is a Grand Duchess capered through by Cissy Fitzgerald, who is too grand for words. Clark twirls his agitated cigar and wisecracks his way into the secret service of the little kingdom. His curious and censorable* mission is to extract a political document from the very grand bosom of the Grand Duchess. In order to achieve this scoop, Clark makes overtures to the G.D., during which process he dances the Brooklyn Shake with her. You'll shake when you see that bit if you have any reflex action. It's a riot. He likewise induces her to shinny a chandelier and other gymnastic feats. The coy Grand Duchess thinks she is reducing. She is amorous and skittish. She does reduce, by one document. The Kingdom is saved.
NOTE: Most of the early Fox negatives were lost in a fire and modern reviews are impossible to do. Only 16mm prints of THE BELLE OF SAMOA and WALTZING AROUND are known to exist in a private collection at this time.
* These words appear here as spelled in the original review.
Toot Sweet! (1929)
Early Ham audience pleasing talkie.
The Lloyd Hamilton Talking Comedies was Educational Pictures A series that had higher budgets than any of their other 1929-1931 productions.
Since the other reviewer detailed the plot, I won't repeat it here.
Judging recent audience reaction, Ham carries his silent bag of tricks successfully in spite of the primitive sound transition.
His temperamental date is effectively played by Lena Malena. Charley Chase fans may recognize her as the doctor who wrestles him in the 1931 Hal Roach comedy "Thundering Tenors".
"Toot Sweet!" is a fun short that is worth viewing.
The Bath Between (1928)
LOST film was distinctly good comedy short.
In the December 1928 Moving Picture Review and Theater Management, I found this review of a LOST Fox Movietone talking short. SPOILER ALERT.
Distinctly good comedy short, based on Clark and McCullough's act originally done in the New York Music Box, and than nationalized in Vaudeville. Twenty minutes' watching of the screen prove once again - remembering the original use of this playlet - how highly variete in America ranks, as purposive intelligence of construction goes, above the average offered on the legitimate stage.
Bobby and Paul act the parts of two hams who are swept out of a vaudeville house. In search of a night's lodging, they worm their way into a hotel room and trick the occupant out of room and bed. Clark takes the bed and McCullough retires into the tub of the adjoining bathroom which also has a door to the next hotel room. Paul departs snoring into slumber land, while Carmel Myers enters the "bawthroom" and melodiously arouses Clark's curiosity or what have you. Hence, as soon as she goes back to her room, Clark nobly wakes Paul and puts him into bed, planning to take the tub himself. The sudden arrival of the lady's husband, who is a vaud. "strong man," gives rise to many truly comical incidents. The upshot of which is that the married couple are locked in the bath between, while the two actors are safe at least for a night.
The action moves with admirable precision every second. Both acting and gags provide a vast amount of laughter for the audience. Direction fine. This short can't fail you, if the projectionist can handle a good sound film properly. Under these circumstances, the picture will make money in any community with a population of two or more bipeds.
NOTE: Fire destroyed the early negatives in the Fox vaults. C&M's WALTZING AROUND and THE BELLE OF SAMOA are known to exist in 16mm.
Giuseppe Verdi (1925)
Interesting short enhanced with 1929 music and sound effects.
Travelogue Producer James A. FitzPatrick started making short films in 1925. Giuseppi Verdi is from his first series - Famous Music Masters.
In 1930, FitzPatrick reissued these shorts with music and sound effects. Nathaniel Shilkret and his Victor Concert Orchestra provide a great score which enhances this documentary of Verdi's life.
The actors were not billed in the 1934 tinted print viewed.
The title is simply "VERDI", not GIUSEPPI VERDI.
This rarely seen series would interest those who enjoy classical music as well as film buffs who would like to view James A. FitzPatrick's earlier film work.
The Newlyweds' Pests (1929)
Amusing final entry
The Newlyweds' Pest is the final entry in the 2 reel silent 1926-1929 Universal-Stern "Newlyweds and Their Baby" series based on George McManus' comic strip.
Gus Meins directs the basic plot of the kid raising mischief wherever he goes.
Raymond Ganly's 7-20-1929 Motion Picture News review states: "Snookums and the Newlyweds should amuse the average movie-goer who passes through the doors of the neighborhood theater."
The main cast includes: Joe Young (Robert's older brother) as Mr. Newlywed; Molly Malone (who worked in several Arbuckle-Keaton comedies) as Mrs. Newlywed in her last known film appearance; and Sunny "Jim" McKeen as Snookums.
When Stern quit making this popular series, Universal decided to produce a new group of 10 sound Sunny Jim shorts featuring the youngster. Check out my review on the first one "Baby Talks".
A tragic note: Sunny McKeen died of Blood Poisoning at the age of 8 on April 2nd 1933.
Sailors Beware! (1933)
A Precode Slapstick Gem
Dorothy Granger with her group of thieves are out to get a winning lottery ticket at any cost from two sailors (Eugene Palette & Walter Catlett).
From pick-up to Eugene's near seduction to a riot on the Hollenbeck Park Lake is a slapstick gem that hits all the marks for hilarity.
Del Lord directs this Phil L. Ryan produced Paramount short, spiced with precode dialog and visuals.
Look for future Oscar winner Walter Brennan as a stuttering chauffeur in the gang.
Note: 1. Hollenbeck Park is the same location that Laurel & Hardy's MEN O'WAR was filmed 4 years earlier.
2. The Laurel & Hardy Cuckoo theme is used in the opening scene.
There were 6 Palette-Catlett Paramount shorts made and this is the only one I have been able to locate and screen.
The Cape (2011)
Great cast in a dark comic book crime drama
Family man Vince Faraday(David Lyons) is a cop framed for a murder by master criminal Chess(James Frain). With the law in pursuit, he is believed dead after an explosion.
A group of Carnival people find and train him to become his son's favorite super hero. As THE CAPE, he tries to reclaim his identity and his world.
Great casting down to the smallest part.
Bear McCreary's excellent music score reminds me of the 90's series "The Flash".
"The Cape" is a great show with future potential in up coming episodes.
I hope the network gives it a full season to prove it.
Baby Talks (1929)
Interesting Curio from the Dawn of Sound
Baby Talks is the 1st of 10 sound on disk Sunny Jim 2 reel comedy shorts. Universal released it on September 11, 1929.
I had Reel 2 restored to DVD from a 1930s show at home print to check out this obscure series. Unfortunately, Reel 1 (picture only) has yet to be found.
The plot: A young couple have an argument on the way to a party. A Magician played by Charles King entertains but the tricks are duplicated/exposed by Sunny Jim.
From an early talkie perspective, I found it interesting to see the editing of actual sound film being matched mid sentence with sped up dubbed silent footage.
Both head and end titles use baby sounds. The dancing music cues used are "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" and "Kansas City Kitty".
Five year old Mckeen has some funny moments, but this was to be his only sound series. He died at the age of 8 on April 2, 1933 in Los Angeles from Blood Poisoning.
The Sketch That Wrote Itself (2009)
Creative short is marred by sick ending
This well done and acted short is about a writer trying to create a classic comedy sketch. As the process evolves, the animated pen takes over to complete the task.
The 1930's music from Hal Roach comedies used here is a nice touch.
Upon completion, the writer takes the sketch to a shyster producer who likes the sketch and offers a contract. The pen struggles to resist the signing. After failing to receive payment, he walks down Times Square only to look up and see a large sign promoting the sketch.
SPOILER ALERT: The ending is marred when he reacts by vomiting and dejectedly walks away.
If the vomit shot was cut, I would have rated this short 10 out of 10. Since it isn't 5 out of 10.
We! We! Marie! (1930)
Lavish production comedy originally shot in 65mm A WOW!
On October 11, 1930; the Motion Picture News reviewed We! We! Marie! as follows: "If your audiences don't shake the house with their roars as they view No. 2 of the Slim Summerville series you might as well go out of business. This is one of the funniest two-reelers we have ever seen. While Summerville, particularly, and Eddie Gribbon and Pauline Garon do great trouping, it's the large number of fresh gags and the excellent direction of Albert Ray that make it outstanding. After all, it's the material that counts. This short has enough story for a feature, and it is impossible to outline it in this space. The laughs in this are practically continuous. The Picture is filmed in the new Magnachrome style for wide screen, improving it greatly. Running time, 21 minutes."
Recently viewing a restored show at home print using Vitaphone discs, I was amazed how Universal used sets and footage from ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT to give this short feature production values. The village set; Bi-planes being shot out of the air; and battle scenes are three examples.
The comedy highlights: Slim conning the Sgt out of $20 for his mother; Slim accidentally shooting down planes while being chased by Marie; the rivalry with the Sgt for Marie's affection; in a foxhole with a German soldier; and a zany brassiere gag.
In the 1930s, very few films were shot in wide screen and to my knowledge, this is the only short that has turned up.
A WOW and a must see.
Chills and Fever (1930)
Routine but Interesting Curio for film buffs
Al Shean (half of the legendary vaudeville team of Gallagher & Shean) stars in this early 1930 haunted house comedy.
Supporting cast includes: Mary Clark; Evelyn Knapp; and Elisha Cook, Jr.
The routine plot has a married couple staying in a deserted house that is being used by a young dancing group.
Highlights are the dance numbers and background music score.
Film buffs may find this an interesting curio for seeing the Marx Brothers' Uncle Al and the 2nd known film appearance of Elisha Cook, Jr of Maltese Falcon fame.
Crystal Champions (1929)
Innovative early sound film with great underwater photography.
CRYSTAL CHAMPIONS is an 11 minute Grantland Rice Sportlight S-3 (in sound) featuring swimming champions JOHNNY WEISSMULLER (of Tarzan fame); Martha Norelius (15 World Records); Newton Perry (Turtle Catching Champ); and diving champions Helen Meany + Pete Desjardins.
One reviewer raved about Ernest Corts' underwater photography at Silver Springs, Florida as well as the creative use of sound having a narrator (Grantland Rice uncredited).
Frank Black and his Orchestra provide the music with sound synchronized by RCA Photophone on this May 1929 Pathe - Van Beuren release directed by Jack Eaton.
This innovative sound short with fantastic RARE early footage on these great champions make this a must see.
Pal's Return (1948)
Entertaining B feature plot filmed as 20 minute short. Well done.
Well done, entertaining 3rd entry in the Pal RKO short subject series and the first of 5 to star Gary Gray in the juvenile lead.
Plot: Gary discovers Pal's owner has died and tries to talk his parents into keeping the dog. When Dad gives Pal to a farmer friend 60 miles away, Gary leaves home to find him.
DOG OF THE WILD 1949; PAL, CANINE DETECTIVE 1950; PAL, FUGITIVE DOG 1950; PAL'S GALLANT JOURNEY 1951 follow.
Previously, Ted Donaldson starred in MY PAL 1947 and PAL'S ADVENTURE 1948.
To my knowledge, this series has never been shown on television and I would like to view the other titles.
Weak But Willing (1929)
Worth watching especially for Jean Harlow.
Dave Finkel's family and friends take him out to a Speakeasy for a birthday celebration. Many distractions prevent him from enjoying his meal, including a seductive Jean Harlow who tries to pick him up. (The dialog with Jean in this scene is the highlight of this leisurely paced Al Christie Talking Play released in December 1929 by Paramount).
Jewish dialect comedian Will King stars as Dave Finkel and is ably supported by Dot Farley as his wife Claire; Billy Bevan as George Downing; Natalie Joyce and Otto Fries as Mr. & Mrs. Edward Langtry.
Jean Harlow was doing bit parts in features and several silent Hal Roach comedies in 1928-9. This early short has the distinction of being one of her only surviving sound 2 reel comedy appearances before becoming a star in features.
Sleepless Hollow (1936)
Harry Gribbon stars, but Anita Garvin shines in this comedy.
The basic plot line is simple. Newlywed Harry Gribbon brings his wife (Anita Garvin) home to meet his country family which includes their perspective choice for a daughter-in-law.
The funny dinner sequence is highlighted with a classic Garvin double take. The setup has Harry telling everyone that Anita has traveled to Paris. Pa asks "How is it to be abroad?"
There are far to few examples of Anita's film work with the classic A PAIR OF TIGHTS 1928 and Laurel & Hardy's BLOTTO 1930 both Hal Roach comedies being the best known.
Anita Garvin and a funny supporting cast make this slapstick comedy full of 1 liners a delight.
Habeas Corpus (1928)
Original 1928 Vitaphone music and effects disks improve this short.
Habeas Corpus has been described as a routine slapstick not typical Laurel and Hardy comedy. With the dawn of sound, the Hal Roach team must have put some thought on creating a Vitaphone music and effects disks to accompany this 1928 short. When viewed this way, it brings the film new life and is far from typical. The spooky hand clapping scene in the graveyard is a prime example geared toward the novel experimental sound medium. I have seen this film three different ways: Silent, new track added for the British DVD, and the original Vitaphone soundtrack on an out of print US DVD. In my opinion, the Vitaphone version is the best way to see this short. NOTE: One of the music cues "Dance of the Marionettes" later became Alfred Hitchcock's TV theme.
The Talk of Hollywood (1929)
Early Talkie Burlesque on Vitaphone sound films
Plot: Silent movie producer J. Pierpoint Ginsburg has put off making his first talkie. Finally, he faces reality and starts his musical-comedy-drama talking production.
The zany storyline is loaded with Ethnic and Gay humor which was popular during the 1920's and 1930's. Today's audience may find this to be the most politically incorrect film of all time. Personally, I found the content of this film refreshing, unique, and different. It is interesting to compare Singing in the Rain's basic plot idea with this early Talkie Burlesque on Vitaphone sound films.
NOTES: 1. Al Goodman's "Follow Thru" Orchestra is a highlight. Al has one speaking line. 2. Nat Carr (Jewish dialect comedian/star) and Mark Sandrich (Writer/Director who later moved over to RKO to work on many 2 Reel comedies & features) co-wrote this script. 3. Running time is 72 Minutes.
Hard (1998)
HARD is a Riviting Graphic Indie Thriller Impressively Photographed
Every once in a while a Creative Crew make an Impressively Photographed Indie film. In this case, a low budget was the Mother of Creative invention to make this Graphic Thriller effective. The script was well written about a closeted Gay rookie detective Raymond Fates (Noel Palamaria) and his seasoned partner detective Tom Ellis (Charles Lanyer) who battle an intolerant police department that is indifferent to a series of brutal killings of young male hustlers. Kudos to all of you for tackling a difficult subject honestly. The acting ranged from OK to excellent with Malcolm Moorman hitting a home run in his portrayal of Jack a Psychopathic Sadistic Serial Killer of Runaways and Gay Hustlers.
After viewing the Unrated Widescreen DVD, I would Not Recommended it to those viewers who are sensitive to graphic violent situations or Gay subject matter. The extras had some interesting features including Commentary Tracks; Malcom Moorman screen test; and interviews with the film makers John Huckert, Noel Palomaria, and a must see interview with Technical Adviser Sgt. Mitch Grobeson.