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Reviews
Carry on Cabby (1963)
The Best In Series
Without doubt this is the best film in the Carry On series. Although written by Talbot Rothwell - who would go on to slowly destroy the creative brand of the series with smutt and cheap unfunny, tired, old gags - Cabby has a solid story arc and well developed characters created by Hills and Green. A level of writing that Rothwell could never reach on his own; as subsequent Carry ons attest to.
Cabby has some really poignant moments particularly with the married couple played excellently by James and Jaques. In fact, all the characters are believeable even Hawtrey as a straight man!
The comedy feels genuine to the plot rather than for cheap laughs.
Carry On Cabby stands as evidence of what the Carry on series could have been if they had used a number of writers and not relied on the near-talentless Talbot Rothwell.
A poignant film within itself and within the film series. A delightful film on its own and yet so sad as it stands as an example of what would never be reached again.
Spanish Fly (1976)
A Cheap Plonk of a Film
Made in 1976, when British films had scantily clad young women and creepy older men in order to be a comedy. Spanish Fly is certainly of its time.
A straight-forward no sub-plot film about dodgy wine. The direction and editing keeps the story moving at a good pace, (except for the dancing scene) but it's not that much of a story.
Thomas and Phillips shine, but not as brightly as they would have done if the film had been made 10 years earlier. Both actors play parody versions or their past film personas - as if they were bad impersonators rather than the actors, themselves.
The film is deal for a lazy Sunday viewing, but watch it at 1.25 speed if you can.
The Day the Earth Moved (1974)
Sleepy Town Sleepy Viewer
What an absolutely, totally boring film. Basically, two aerial photographers spot changes in the ground from the photos they have taken. This leads them to believe that there is going to be an earthquake in a sleepy town that the pilot knows.
Far too much time is spent on non-events, so the action is thin on the ground (and up in the air!) They went up three times to take those photos and it felt like we saw every single moment of all three flights.
The viewer is always one step ahead of the plot; not that there is much to be one step ahead of.
Don't watch it. Look at some aerial photographs from Google Earth. They will be more intersting than this film.
Compulsion (1959)
Not compulsive viewing
Watching this nearly 50 years after it was made, it is perhaps not surprising that the film is filled with stale ideas that have been used a million times since.
The out-spoken, outlandish defence lawyer with a seemingly water- tight case against his clients. The culprits that you are made to love and hate at the same time - even down to the hot, stuffy court room. You have seen it all before and done better.
As others has mentioned, Dean Stockwell turns in the best performance in the film (although that's not saying much) Welles plays the role that made him famous, but here he does so without much effort or, it seems, interest; just going through his tried and tested routine. All other characters inspire no real interest or sympathy from the audience.
All in all, it misses the key drama points that would have made for a much sharper, compelling and gritty film even in the late 50s when it was made.