June 2006 – Anthony Quinn

June 1-7 – I’m trying something a little bit different this summer. Because of time constraints (and the fact that I’ve added index pages) this section will now only include links to my newest reviews and brief comments on other films for which I haven’t written (at least) capsules.

The Perfect Gentleman (1935) – an all new full review!

A Stranger in Town (1943) – an all new full review!

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) – Directed by Howard Hawks and featuring Marilyn Monroe’s famous "Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend" performance this slightly above average musical romantic comedy also stars Jane Russell Charles Coburn Elliot Reid and Tommy Noonan (among others).

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) – Perhaps the first Marilyn Monroe film I ever saw this romantic comedy drama received an Academy Award nomination for its Color Costume Design and also stars Betty Grable (top billed) and Lauren Bacall as three models who must choose love or money.

Monkey Business (1952) – Howard Hawks directed this comedy starring Cary Grant as a scientist searching for a fountain of youth formula. Unfortunately the product he doesn’t realize he’s invented and administered makes him act like a child in lieu of changing his physical appearance etc.. Ginger Rogers plays his wife; Marilyn Monroe his boss’s (Charles Coburn) non-typing secretary; Hugh Marlowe a friend of the family. Oh yeah and there’s a chimpanzee too! A little too silly and too late to be classified as a screwball comedy. No relation to the 1931 Marx Brothers comedy of the same name.

The Dark Angel (1935) – an all new full review!

The Wedding Night (1935) – an all new full review!

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) – a remarkable accomplishment from writer/directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger about the titled British gentleman idealist come military officer aka Clive Candy (Roger Livesey) through many years wars & exploits his friendship with a German named Theo (Anton Walbrook) and relationships with three women (each played by Deborah Kerr).

Not as a Stranger (1955) – an all new full review!

The Conversation (1974) – Nominated for 3 Oscars two for Francis Ford Coppola (Best Picture & Screenplay) and one for Sound. Added to the National Film Registry in 1995. Gene Hackman plays Harry Caul a surveillance expert who thinks he hears something like a murder while he’s working for corporate man Martin Stett played by Harrison Ford. Cindy Williams and Teri Garr also appear in this thriller which is somewhat overrated in my opinion.

Hoosiers (1986) – Gene Hackman gives a terrific performance in this compelling sports drama (one of the best!) based on the remarkable yet true story about a small town’s basketball team. Dennis Hopper picked up his only acting Academy Award nomination (Supporting) and its Score was also Oscar nominated. Barbara Hershey also appears as the coach’s (Hackman) love interest. #13 on AFI’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies list.

Smiles of a Summer Night – a 4 star comedy by director Ingmar Bergman involving extramarital sex the class system and several other ‘taboo’ subjects treated with humor. With subtitles.

His Kind of Woman (1951) – an all new capsule review!

Horse Feathers – very funny Marx Brothers film in which Groucho as the newly appointed president of a college tries to improve the school’s reputation by trying to build a winning football team. Naturally Chico Harpo and Zeppo (playing Groucho’s son) assist while Thelma Todd & David Landau work at cross purposes; Nat Pendleton appears as a football recruit that’s also a hindrance for the brothers. #65 on AFI’s 100 Funniest Movies list.

The Fugitive – this film by director John Ford stars Henry Fonda as a priest an outlawed profession in Mexico trying to survive and avoid capture while trying to serve the Christians in the country.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) – an all new essential capsule review!

The Way We Were (1973) – hard to recommend a film when the best thing about it is Marvin Hamlisch’s Oscar winning title song and Score

Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989) – a TCM premiere!

The Nutty Professor (1963) – pretty good Jerry Lewis comedy later remade with Eddie Murphy also featuring Stella Stevens. Added to the National Film Registry in 2004.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) – great early (silent) film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story. John Barrymore stars in this title role of this one.

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) – a more introspective philosophical film than most sci-fi movies with Grant Williams in the title role.

The Time Machine (1960) – a sci fi classic which won the Best Effects Special Effects Oscar I actually think the film suffers in the final third with Yvette Mimieux. Rod Taylor plays H.G. Wells in his often copied or adapted story about time travel.

Butterfield 8 (1960) – an all new full review!

The Bishop’s Wife (1947) – another great Samuel Goldwyn produced film with Cary Grant playing an angel who helps a church bishop (David Niven) and his wife played by Loretta Young. Initially Grant was signed to play the bishop Niven the angel. And Billy Wilder was asked to improve the script. The film and its director Henry Koster were Oscar nominated; it won for Sound Recording.

T-Men (1947) – an all new capsule review!

They Won’t Believe Me (1947) – I’m afraid I don’t remember too much about this film noir starring Robert Young who’s married to Rita Johnson’s character as more or less a kept man; he has affairs with Susan Hayward and Jane Greer I believe and I think the story is told in flashback while he’s on trial for his wife’s murder. It’s pretty good was directed by Irving Pichel with a screenplay by Jonathan Latimer that was based on a story by Gordon McDonell (Shadow of a Doubt (1943)).

June 8-June 14

Alexis Smith’s birthday

Smiling Ghost (1941) – an all new full review!

Track of the Cat (1954) – a TCM premiere!

Plunder of the Sun (1953) – a TCM premiere!

Midnight Mary (1933) – an all new full review!

The Clock (1945) – an above average film about a G.I. (Robert Walker) who’s got a two day leave in New York and falls in love with a young woman (Judy Garland). James Gleason plays a milkman who enables their romance by driving them around. Gleason’s real wife Lucile plays his wife in the film. Keenan Wynn also appears. Directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Hook (1991) – Director Steven Spielberg’s worst film (?) received Oscar nominations in 5 minor categories.

The Long Voyage Home (1940) – Directed by John Ford this drama gives one a sense of the kind of men who work(ed?) on ships at sea edited together from four Eugene O’Neill plays earning Dudley Nichols a Best Screenplay Oscar nomination. The film was nominated for Best Picture; its Special Effects Editing Score and Gregg Toland’s Cinematography also received nominations. The recognizable cast includes: John Wayne Thomas Mitchell Ian Hunter Barry Fitzgerald John Qualen Ward Bond Arthur Shields and J.M. Kerrigan.

The Entertainer (1960) – an all new capsule review!

My Favorite Year (1982) – a very fun film to watch featuring Peter O’Toole’s last (thus far) Best Actor nominated performance. His seventh without an Oscar (until he was bestowed an Honorary one last year)! Mark Linn-Baker plays a writer who has to find convince and assist a famous "Errol Flynn"-type movie star in a TV variety/comedy show appearance. Also with Jessica Harper Joseph Bologna and Bill Macy. Directed by Richard Benjamin.

The Sunshine Boys (1975) – Neil Simon’s Oscar nominated script turned out to be just the ticket for George Burns who earned a Supporting Actor Academy Award on his only nomination in this story about a vaudeville comedy team who agree to reunite for a TV special even though they haven’t spoken for years. Walter Matthau earned a Best Actor nomination for his role as the other half of the team; Richard Benjamin plays his son the TV producer.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – Won 3 Oscars and a Special Achievement Award (as well as nominations in three other categories) for combining animation with live action.

Speedy (1928) – which earned director Ted Wilde a nomination for Best Director Comedy Picture in the only year this Oscar category existed losing to Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)) and the Howard Hughes produced Two Arabian Nights (1927). Harold Lloyd is an obsessed baseball fan whose love for the game prevents him from keeping a job. Great scenes of Coney Island NY (that must have been a fun place to visit!) a Babe Ruth cameo a funny street fight copied many times over and a perilous chase through the city make this a silent classic not to missed.

Born to Kill (1947) – an all new full review!

Kiss Me Deadly (1955) – Directed by Robert Aldrich this movie adapted from the Mickey Spillane novel features Ralph Meeker as Mike Hammer who picks up a trench-coat clothed hysterical woman (Cloris Leachman in her film debut) on a lonely highway at night only to find out that she’s an escaped mental patient. After he’s almost killed when some unknown assailants do succeed in murdering her Hammer is questioned by the police. He then decides to unravel the mystery himself which leads to the discovery of a dangerous (e.g. Pandora’s) box and one of the most bizarre movie endings you’ll ever see. Also with Albert Dekker Paul Stewart Juano Hernandez and Maxine Cooper. Added to the National Film Registry in 1999.

The Night Of The Iguana (1964) – this cult classic won an Academy Award for its B&W Costume Design; its Art Direction-Set Decoration & Cinematography were also Oscar nominated as was supporting actress Grayson Hall receiving her only recognition from the Academy. Richard Burton Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr star in this John Huston directed film and adaptation of the Tennessee Williams play.

The Wind (1928) – Directed by Victor Sjöström with a screenplay from Frances Marion that was based on the Dorothy Scarborough novel this above average silent drama stars Lillian Gish as a woman from the East who goes West then finds herself unwanted by a jealous relative (Dorothy Cumming) with whom she’d been staying. She’s pursued by an unscrupulous married man (Montagu Love) but marries another hardworking wrangler (Lars Hanson). But while her husband’s away Love’s character comes into her home out of the constantly blowing wind and forces himself upon her. She makes one fateful decision exhibiting a tough pioneer woman persona previously unseen after another. Added to the National Film Registry in 1993.

Gilda (1946) – Rita Hayworth’s signature (hair flip &) role! She’s the wife of a shady casino owner Ballin Mundson (George Macready) who’s reunited with ex-lover Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford) when Farrell becomes Mundson’s right hand man. Joseph Calleia & Steven Geray (among others) also appear. Directed by Charles Vidor. Hayworth’s "Put the Blame on Mame" is #84 on AFI’s 100 Top Movie Songs of All Time.

Funny Face (1957) – Fred Astaire plays a much older photographer than Audrey Hepburn’s character but that doesn’t keep a romance between them from blossoming when Astaire’s character "discovers" Hepburn’s making her a famous model the world over. Directed by Stanley Donen this average musical features several George & Ira Gershwin tunes as well as one of Kay Thompson’s three on-screen roles. It received four secondary Academy Award nominations for: Art Direction-Set Decoration Cinematography (Ray June’s last of three unrewarded) one of Edith Head’s many & Hubert de Givenchy’s only for Costume Design and Leonard Gershe’s only for his Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Side Street (1950) – an all new full review!

The Enchanted Cottage (1945) – an all new full review!

Road to Morocco (1942) – one of the better Bing Crosby-Bob Hope "Road" films Best Writing Oscar nomination with Dorothy Lamour & Anthony Quinn. Added to the National Film Registry in 1996.

Sinbad the Sailor (1947) – Fun family film with the dashing Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in the title role telling of his (eighth?) adventure(s) that no one is quite sure are true. A swashbuckling hero two evil & ruthless villains (Walter Slezak & Anthony Quinn) and a beautiful girl (Maureen O’Hara) … what more do you need to know;-) Oh yes riches beyond your wildest imagination the treasure of Alexander the Great and a magnificent adventure/voyage to find/get it. Career sidekick George Tobias Jane Greer Mike Mazurki Sheldon Leonard and Alan Napier (Alfred on TV’s Batman) also appear in this stunning Technicolor delight!

June 15-21

The Ghost Breakers (1940) – this is the only clip I’ve seen of this comedy

Rashomon (1950) – Directed by Akira Kurosawa who also co-wrote the screenplay this crime drama mystery thriller starring Toshirô Mifune (among others) famous for its telling of the same incident from the different points of view of each of its participants was voted an Honorary Award by the Academy’s Board of Governors as the most outstanding foreign language film released in the United States during 1951; its B&W Art Direction-Set Decoration received an Oscar nomination in 1953 (for 1952).

Fanny and Alexander (1982) – a TCM premiere!

The 5000 Fingers Of Dr. T. (1953) – received an Academy Award nomination for its Score; proves Hayao Miyazaki wasn’t the first to author of wildly creative stories (making one wonder if he was taking hallucinogenic drugs) Dr. Seuss was the first! Bizarre boring too.

Rules of the Game (1939) – another classic by director Jean Renoir explores the caste system and the commonplace infidelity in France. A famous aviator who’s in love with an aristocrat’s wife is invited by her husband who’s involved with still another woman to a hunting party weekend at their estate. The director himself plays an adviser to the aviator.

Grand Illusion (1937) – a classic World War I P.O.W. film by director Jean Renoir. It was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and stars among others Jean Gabin & Erich von Stroheim (also known for his writing and directing films such as Greed (1924)). The scenes of the French prisoners trying to escape their German captors have been copied such that they’ve become staples in films like The Great Escape (1963).

Pillow Talk (1959) – features Doris Day’s only Oscar nominated performance and Thelma Ritter’s 5th of 6 unrewarded Supporting Actress nominations. This Oscar winning story introduces the outdated "party line" concept to younger folks and is a very funny comedy with Rock Hudson and Tony Randall. The film’s Art Direction-Set Decoration and Score were also nominated.

The Remains of the Day (1993) – excellent romance drama earning its two leads Emma Thompson & Anthony Hopkins lead acting Oscar nominations. The film its director (James Ivory) its Writing Costume Design Art Direction-Set Decoration & Score were also nominated.

The Gold Rush (1925) – Produced directed written by and starring Charles Chaplin this classic silent is one of the comedian’s best. His little tramp character ventures to Alaska during the titled event falls in love (with Georgia Hale) as usual tangles with some rough characters (like Mack Swain and Tom Murray) and even makes a meal of a shoe to keep from starving to death in the freezing cold. When it was re-released in 1942 it received two Academy Award nominations: one for Sound and one for its Score (Max Terr’s only Oscar nomination). Added to the National Film Registry in 1992

Show People (1928) – a highly rated silent film by director King Vidor and starring Marion Davies. Davies plays a girl from Georgia who wants to be an actress that goes to Hollywood. Though she first finds work as the fall girl in slapstick comedies she longs to be a dramatic actress and eventually gets a chance. However prompted by her co-star a John Gilbert wannabe she gets too full of herself and almost ruins her career. There’s also a love (side) story with the comedian (William Haines) who helps her out initially. Added to the National Film Registry in 2003.

Man of the West (1958) – pretty good Anthony Mann Western starring Gary Cooper as a reformed outlaw who must seek assistance from his old gang now run by Lee J. Cobb. Julie London Arthur O’Connell Jack Lord and Royal Dano also appear as does Emory Parnell uncredited.

The Black Book (1949) aka Reign of Terror (1949) – an all new capsule review!

Jane Russell’s birthday

The Outlaw (1943) – by Howard Hughes

June 22-June 28

Billy Wilder Speaks (2006) – a TCM premiere documentary!

‘Til We Meet Again (1940) – an all new full review!

Mask (1985) – No mystery that this film won an Oscar for Best Makeup since Eric Stoltz is unrecognizable as Cher’s deformed son who’s befriended by a blind Laura Dern. Also with Sam Elliot Estelle Getty Richard Dysart and Harry Carey Jr.; directed by former TCM Essentials host Peter Bogdanovich.

Black Narcissus (1947) – Deborah Kerr plays a nun sent to a remote hilltop in the Himalayas to establish a convent on the site of an "ancient" brothel. She is assisted by a local Prince (Sabu) who craves an education and a handsome English government official (David Ferrer) while she struggles against the jealousy of a local beauty (Jean Simmons!) and a straying nun (Kathleen Byron). Breathtaking cinematography and color despite the dull plodding story; won Oscars for its Color Art Direction-Set Decoration and Cinematography. Flora Robson Jenny Laird and Judith Furse also appear.

Up in Arms (1944) – an all new full review!

The Cat and the Canary (1927) – a TCM premiere!

Murder at the Gallop (1963) – an all new capsule review!

Two Women (1960) – A four star film featuring Sophia Loren’s Academy Award winning Best Actress performance; Eleonora Brown who actually plays her daughter is the other titled "woman". Jean-Paul Belmondo also appears. The actual title is "La Ciociara (1960)".

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) – a terrific comedy with Cary Grant and Myrna Loy poorly remake in the 80’s as The Money Pit about a businessman who dreams about having a house in the country. It includes an unforgettable sequence with Ms. Loy and the local painters. Support provided by Melvyn Douglas. #72 on AFI’s 100 Funniest Movies list.

The Children’s Hour (1961) – though not quite as good as These Three (1936) this remake does restore the Lillian Hellman’s original plot-line and features great acting by Audrey Hepburn Shirley MacLaine James Garner Miriam Hopkins and Fay Bainter. Directed by William Wyler.

Sparrows (1926) – a terrific silent drama featuring Mary Pickford as the oldest of a dozen or more children who are forced to live in the squalor of a swamp working the garden of an evil man. This man is also part of a gang that kidnaps the daughter of a wealthy couple hiding her among the children at the muddy farm until the ransom is paid. Pickford’s character looks after and cares for the children eventually rescuing them from their situation.

Sing and Like It (1934) – an all new full review!

The Singing Nun (1966) – an all new capsule review!

June 29-June30

Torrid Zone (1940) – comedy adventure at a banana plantation in Central America that probably wouldn’t be worth watching if it weren’t for its three stars James Cagney & Pat O’Brien with Ann Sheridan who make it fun. Andy Devine Helen Vinson Jerome Cowan and George Tobias are also featured. George Reeves Frank Puglia John Ridgely and Grady Sutton are among those who also appear. William Keighley directed; Richard Macaulay & Jerry Wald scripted.

Stand-In (1937) – an all new full review!

Comrade X (1940) – an all new full review!

June 2006 – Anthony Quinn

June 2006 – Anthony Quinn

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