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Reviews
Waterloo Bridge (1940)
Under Rated
Very strong performances by a cast that seemed to know the writing was very good. Vivien Leigh's face was a silent mirror as she ran the emotions of love and then horror when she knew she would be found out. Taylor gives an inspired performance, and they seemed to have strong chemistry on screen. The supporting cast was terrific. As an amateur historian, I am mystified by the terrible costuming and hair that fit the 1940 issue date, not the 1914-15 period of the story. How could all the trucks (lorries) be so right and the soldier's equipment and the men's and women's costumes be so wrong?
I wish Vivien Leigh had made a hundred more films for us.
Vera Cruz (1954)
One Giant Goof
I admit the prejudices of an amateur historian, but this movie stinks.
I love Burt Lancaster and Gary Cooper, and George Macready, but the Director, Robert Aldrich, did everything to bring out their worst acting traits.
Lancaster toothily grins at every opportunity, Cooper's muttering seems to indicate what he thinks of the film, and Macready is reduced to imitating a fop. Romero, ever the ham, fits right in.
The weapons are all wrong, the costumes completely wrong, saddles, gear, dialogue, and the list goes on.
I didn't like this movie when I was twelve, and like it less now.
This movie demonstrates everything that was ever wrong historically, with a Hollywood Western. A waste of good actors.
Impact (1949)
Vastly Underrated Film Noir
Brian Donlevy was at his best in this role as Walter Williams, a businessman victimized by his scheming wife and her lover. I saw this as a little boy, and even then was taken in by Donlevy's performance in scenes right after the "accident", where he is so groggy and disoriented, suffering no doubt a concussion, yet trying so hard to literally, focus himself enough to survive.
The early scenes do go on a bit long, but they are necessary to the story, and yet with little dialogue, Donlevy carries the scenes very well.
Mechanics coveralls never looked so good as on Ella Raines, one of the prettiest to ever grace Hollywood, and the short-lived Helen Walker is wonderful as the nasty wife.
A very well done "Don't Miss"
Secrets (1933)
Little-known film, but good
Yes, it's dated now, but it has moments that are riveting by any standard. Both Mary Pickford and Leslie Howard are very good, and give the film an authenticity that is rare indeed.
Pickford goes from somewhat naive young Eastern girl to frontier housewife in convincing manner, endures the hardships, bolsters the reticent Howard, and raises her family that over the roughly 50 years, transitions to success.
Her scenes in the cabin, under attack, are not to be missed. I think her experience in silents helped her in these, because even without dialogue, she conveyed panic, terror, resolution, grief, yet determination within seconds. Not many actors could have done it.
One terrific part, is that all the costumes and armaments were original. None of the hats had the silly "cowboy roll" of later years, the gun-belts I hope made it to collections.
The Feminine Touch (1941)
Four Pros At Work
This film was made in the days when dialogue was king, and this dialogue requires the viewer to pay attention. There are elements of Rosalind Russel's performance in "His Girl Friday" with stinging repartee delivered subtly by the four stars. Good acting is required here too, because much is conveyed through the actors eyes. Scenes with Russell, Francis, Heflin, and Ameche all on screen at once are a real treat, and no one upstages anyone else. I would guess they had fun making this funny picture, which is underrated by many people who do not follow the actors' exchanges.
Look too, for Robert Ryan who is uncredited in his early pre-war days, and an uncredited song by a barely 21 year-old Peggy Lee, who had just joined Benny Goodman's Band; and oh, my, you can hear her rich, cool, perfect pitch starting to come alive.
Quicksand (1950)
Mickey Rooney- Actor
It is entirely true that Mickey Rooney was cast in many poor, meaningless films, and I include the entire Andy Hardy series in that category. However, he was cast with many good actors, and he learned his craft well. It's when you separate Mickey Rooney from Andy Hardy that you realize that he was a very good actor, despite the diminutive stature and the complete counterpoint to "good looks".
In "Quicksand", Rooney gives a solid, professional performance, aided by good writing and a fine supporting cast. Watching scenes with Rooney and Peter Lorre is a lesson in acting, for they both hold their ground and don't give an inch. Jean Cagney shows much of her big brother's creepy instigative powers as she puts Rooney through deeper and deeper trouble.
It's a good film, a "sleeper" and one to be seen and enjoyed.
The Party (1968)
I knew some of these people
Claudine Longet was successful in getting bit parts for some of her showgirl friends from the Tropicana. I worked there in the clothing shop as a teenager, and the girls always came in to see the new clothes. Andrea, Jackie, Marie, Joanie, Angel, Nicole, Felicia, Claudine, many of them were always in the shop.
Claudine was an absolute sweetie, very shy, always very kind to everyone. I was present the rehearsal night she met Andy Williams at the hotel, and the shy guy was just thunderstruck by her.
Together they had the whole world; great home, kids, a TV show; until she got mixed up with the ski instructor. I don't think the whole story was ever uncovered. Truly sad.
I wish her the best.
Song of the South (1946)
Fine film, and fine lessons in life
I saw this wonderful film in the theater when I was 5 years old, and here is my review from that day:
Uncle Remus is wise, and so kind to those children. he is joyful. He raises my unknowing perception of a black man. He is exotically beautiful. I like him, and I trust him. I wish more men were like him.
Brer Bear is so funny. He is truly stupid, but he just can't help it, and I know he's going to lose!
Brer Fox is not to be trusted. He could eat the rabbit.
The crows are funny, and conniving.
Brer Rabbit is a hero. He is smart, and he will survive.
I have over the course of my life, drawn on the lessons of this film, and I have always looked up to Uncle Remus.
Thanks, Walt, for a real gem!
The Sound of Fury (1950)
Lovejoy and Bridges at their best
This is a true sleeper in the film noir category, because so few people saw it in original distribution. There was a legal dispute caused by the original title, "Sound of Fury" which some felt was too close to Fritz Lang's "Fury" filmed earlier.
Much of this picture was filmed in Phoenix, and the old city courthouse is very prominent, with it's beautiful copper doors. A true 'dive' nightclub, the "La Jolla Club" later known as the "Guys and Dolls" was used for a key scene.
Lloyd Bridges showed his wonderful range and capability as a wild-eyed psycho, and Lovejoy was tragically sympathetic as a tortured regular guy gone terribly wrong. The cast was very strong.
This is on a par with any of the noir films of the late 40s-early 50s, and holds up today.
Enjoy!
High Society (1956)
Great fun!
This is a remake of a Jimmy Stewart- Katharine Hepburn film of the 1930s, so when you understand that, you don't expect much, and you can then be rewarded with great fun such as between Crosby and Sinatra, who were not good friends, but who were intent on outdoing each other. So watch for it. Their rendition of "Swell Party" is worth watching the whole film. Louis Armstrong's band at it's best, with Bing provide some fine jazz.
Look closely at Louis Armstrong's band, and watch in particular a closeup then quick cutaway from the drummer, Barrett Deems; who had the horrid habit of spitting when he kept time, which continually grossed out the rest of the band, and in particular, Jimmy Young and Arvell Shaw, because they had to stand closest to him. Arvel used to say, "Aw man, that just ain't nice..." You can't be a critic during this one; just enjoy it.