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spaulson50
Reviews
Hell's Belles (1969)
I Want My Bike Back!
A 1969 B remake of Winchester '73. Jeremy Slate wins a race and receives a new bike as the prize. He wants to sell it for cash but of course, it's stolen. His personal quest to "get my bike back so I can buy a ranch" is the plot.
3 reasons to watch this curio:
1) If you're into bikes.
2) Filming locations all in Arizona
3) Jocelyn Lane!
After Tickle Me with Elvis, I feel for Jocelyn having to put up with low grade projects. She's the best part of this film.
Film has its moments with some nice Arizona desert locations shots. Have I mentioned Jocelyn Lane though? My goodness she's easy on the eyes.
Tall in the Saddle (1944)
Tall Wayne Film
There are a few underrated John Wayne films. Hondo is one and so is Tall In The Saddle. Wayne is in his prime here and delivers a top shelf performance.
Wonderful Black & White cinematography along with the beautiful Ella Raines as the love interest. Last pairing with Gabby Hayes, who steals nearly every scene. Add Ward Bond & you have solid entertainment.
Audrey Long, Born to Kill and A Night of Adventure, shows up early and tries to compete with firey Ella Raines as the love interest. The sparks definitely fly between Wayne & Raines.
Some memorable Wayne scenes including " heard you're looking for me".
Two O'Clock Courage (1945)
Two Must Sees
Typical Conway vehicle, which isn't a bad thing but this could easily have been a Falcon entry. Tepid pace but a definite curio to see Jean Brooks & beautiful ingenue Jane Greer in her first screen credit. Classic Out Of The Past would cement her place in Noir history. Brooks, as a blond, is a huge departure from her cult classics, The Seventh Victim & Lepoard Man. Sadly, another in a long list who drank themselves to death.
Directed by Anthony Mann before Western fame adds intrigue along with Ann "Polly" Rutherford rounds out a few more reasons to watch. Forgettable but has its moments for film buffs.
Disorder in the Court (1936)
Take Off Your Hat
Without a doubt, one of the best Stooges shorts. Horse Collars, Pop Goes The Edsel, Punch Drunks, Uncivil Warriors, Men in Black and Pain in the Pullman all up there. Curly's "take the oath" routine is a classic. Still makes me laugh out loud.
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
Long Sidewalk
I'm in the minority but this is a turgid noir entry. Andrews is so deadpan he's boring. Dialogue is borderline comical. Tierney's role is thankless & wasted. Lightning & street scenes are good but they can't compensate for how pretentious this film becomes. Special nod to a very young Neville Brand.
The script is so far-fetched it leaves you incredulous. Cops did not converse in this manner. Who did? Karl Malden does the best he can with crass material. Curio film to see Gary Merrill too. Who soon married Bette Davis after working with her in All About Eve.
No spoiler alert here but simply a summary to say this is a very odd film. I'm a fan of noir but there are so many better options than WTSE. In fact, I couldn't wait for this film to end.
The Sisters (1938)
Soapy Sisters
Begins well but after an hour or so, losses steam. Still worth watching for Errol & Bette along with solid Supporting Cast but the Hollywood ending is crass. Almost laughable. Errol was right: should have stayed with ending in the book. They could pull that off now but not back then.
Well done effects on San Francisco earthquake scenes. Flynn delivers some wickedly cool romantic lines but one could say Errol's acting really didn't venture far from real life. Henry Travers steals every scene. Alan Hale a delight, as always, along with Beulah Bondi.
One great Flynn line:
Do you want to hear the story of my life?
No, but it's exciting!
Hadn't got any point to it but it might serve as a warning to you.