As always with the master, Hitchcock's "Vertigo" is technically brilliant and the suspense is palpable. However, as I watched it for the 3rd time, I became aware of a significant legal failing. We are shown that instead of Madeline jumping from the bell tower, a dummy is thrown in her place. We see the dummy lying on the roof below. We are shown nuns hurrying to the scene and ultimately a priest climbs a ladder to the roof to discover/retrieve the body. But would the priest not actually encounter a dummy? In which case, how would the coroner convene an inquest? Surely not even in the Bay Area would a jury review the discovery of a dummy.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Five Miles to Midnight
(1962)
Who copied whom?
5 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
One year later, the Brits released the exact same plot with Laurence Harvey and Lee Remick in the leads and set in Spain. Bad man fakes death to defraud insurance company after he miraculously survives a plane crash. He drags his beautiful, emotionally/physically abused wife into his criminal existence. He is pursued by an insurance investigator who falls for the wife. The 1963 version was entitled, "The Running Man". I saw it in the theatre in Flagstaff and thoroughly enjoyed it (I had a strong yen for Lee Remick at the time).
As noted by others, Tony Perkins is somewhat miscast as a scheming bounder while the role fits Laurence pHarvey to a tee. Likewise, Sophia has way too much pepperoni under her mozzarella to be led around by her nose, but Lee Remick is the perfect victim. Lots of fun watching the ladies, in both cases.
As noted by others, Tony Perkins is somewhat miscast as a scheming bounder while the role fits Laurence pHarvey to a tee. Likewise, Sophia has way too much pepperoni under her mozzarella to be led around by her nose, but Lee Remick is the perfect victim. Lots of fun watching the ladies, in both cases.
Snow Trail
(1947)
Breathtaking mountain photography
22 November 2022
Oh to see this in color and widescreen! I only recently came to appreciate "Japanese Noir". This tale of people and mountains goes to the top of my list. Who knew that "My Old Kentucky Home" would be so poignant in a foreign language film. If you are a student of the 20th century human condition, this film will enhance your life. So many movies today take us to a dark place where the creators are determined to expose us to the most extreme sadistic violence. This, then, is naturally followed by a spiraling violent response justified as revenge. Snow Trail, in Mifune's character, certainly doesn't lack for evil. But Kurosawa provides us with the redeeming opposite side of human character. That is the distinction between exploitation and art.
Beau Brummell
(1954)
Jumbled History
19 August 2022
Throughout the film references are made to Napoleon ("If . . . Napoleon would still be a lieutenant of artillery.") In fact, at the time the regency took place (1788), Bonaparte WAS a lieutenant of artillery. The French Revolution was still a year away.
Electra Glide in Blue
(1973)
One major problem
27 January 2022
This film is a good story, well framed technically. However, I believe one glaring error stands out. Motorcycle law enforcement is a huge ticket.-writing, money making machine for municipalities. If I were the chief of police or city manager of Scottsdale, I would definitely fire Wintergreen and his partner for goofing off all day in the sage brush and cactus while there are all those traffic tickets to write in town. If Wintergreen wanted to be an investigator, he should never have gone into motors.
The Flying Fleet
(1929)
Wonderful historical photography
15 September 2021
As a native San Diegan I must admit my high rating is mostly for the nostalgia invoked by the incredible record this film creates of my hometown and its Navy traditions. USS Langley-
check; aerial photography of San Diego and Coronado-check; more photography of the Hotel del Coronado than "Some Like It Hot"-check. The actors are beautiful and handsome, but for me, the star of the show is San Diego.
Sun Valley Serenade
(1941)
Winter Time Machine
15 September 2020
A delightful confection . . . the incomparable Glen Miller big band, 3 time gold medalist Sonja Henie skating, The fabulous Nicholas Brothers, a young Dorothy Dandridge and Uncle Milty. Throw in the iconic Sun Valley resort in its heyday, top-of-the-line ski fashions of 1941 and vintage Alpine equipment and technique and you have something for everyone.
Il commissario Manara
(2008– )
Eye candy AND murders!
16 August 2020
This series is so Italian, they should call it "Inspector Marinara". Even the cops are simpatico. I love the aunt that solves all the crimes. The women are drool-worthy. The locale is Tuscany. The crimes mostly involve Italian music, art and culture. Did I mention how evocative the cinematography is? A winner!
Walpurgis Night
(1935)
Bergman is radiant
21 July 2019
OK, I'm a sap for old movies. At the same time, I've never been a huge fan of Ingrid Bergman. In "Walpurgisnacht", however, I can see the beauty others mention. And I don't understand the low ratings of others. Maybe I'm not sufficiently conversant in Swedish cinema, but the tension and real human drama developed in this film were far more attainable than any of the artsy Swedish stuff so beloved by contemporary critics.
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