Saturday, September 05, 2009
So Long at the Fair
IMDb (1950) B&W The DVD is from Spain but is in English with subtitulos en Castellano. And, I can't figure out how to turn off the subtitulos. Leslie wanted to see this one at the Film Festival but couldn't so I found it on eBay. I'm so nice! Stars Jean (we love her so) Simmons, Dirk Bogarde and David Tomlinson. Set in Paris in 1889, it's very atmospheric. Moulin Rouge. Dancing girls! Zowie! Sleepy time. Big mystery about to begin. Side note: This is really weird hearing dialog in French with Spanish subtitles. The movie is so so. Only interesting as a period piece.
Labels: movies
Thursday, September 03, 2009
I'll Be There
IMDb (2003) A Craig Ferguson movie. He wrote it too. Medium good. Lots of music. A depressingly happy ending.
Labels: movies
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A Tickle in the Heart
IMDb (1996) A black-and-white documentary about the Epstein brothers. You know the Epstein brothers, right? Interesting. But, imho, no accordian, no Klezmer. There should be a fiddle too.
Labels: movies
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Ramen Girl
IMDb (2008) Very good! An exploration of the magical power of noodles. A nice look at Japanese culture. The Grand Master played the Cowboy in Tampopo.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
I Quit!
Beginning now, I will blog only movies that I choose. There's something on the screen, but I'm not watching.
Labels: movies
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Clubland
IMDb (2007) aka Introducing the Dwights. Australian. For Leslie's movie project. Boobies!!! In the first ten minutes already. It can't be all that bad. I decline to answer on the grounds that it might tend to incriminate me.
Labels: movies
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Iedereen beroemd!
IMDb (2000) That's Belgian for Everybody's Famous. You guessed it, another one of Leslie's movies for the club. This is just weird. I decline to answer on the grounds that it might tend to incriminate me.
Labels: movies
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Conversaciones con mamá
IMDb (2004) Another one of Leslie's movies for the club. For research. In Spanish with subtitles. Too much work. I take a nap. Oops! Towards the end of Chapter 7, the thing stops playing. Google! Clean disk with rubbing alcohol. Good! Now it won't even load. Contemplate. Insert disk in XBox. Plays fine. Continue watching movie. Wow! These people are old! And short! The pace is slow. A lot of talk, no action. The music doesn't help much. Not my kind of film. China is interesting tho.
Labels: movies
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Royal Tenenbaums
IMDb (2001) One of Leslie's movies for the club. For research. Alex Baldwin narrates. Anjelica has aged a lot. I don't think I'm watching. Time passes. The languid narration and style induces somnolence. Leslie had to get so tea to wake up. Time passes. Leslie decides it's not worth watching. w00t!
Labels: movies
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Secondhand Lions
IMDb (2003) One of Leslie's movies for the club. For research. I don't think I'm watching. Time passes. Well, it could have been worse. No way to describe it.
Labels: movies
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Madagascar
IMDb (2005) A bit strange but not bad. Needs more music! I can't take this modern animation too often tho. Leslie says its cute.
Labels: movies
Sunday, April 05, 2009
42nd Street
(IMDb (1933) A Busby Berkeley spectacular. Music! Dancing girls! What more could you want? It's swell. Except for the high-pitched 30s-style singing. Catch it if you can.
Labels: movies
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Juno
Saturday, December 27, 2008
La Môme
IMDb (2007) La Vie En Rose. It's in French with subtitles. Rather depressing start. Dark and turgid. The story runs mostly in the past but flashes to the future now and then. This is a bit confusing. I can see why Marion Cotillard won an Oscar. She is very good. This is not a happy film, but it's a good one. The hardest part was listening to Piaf sing. It's all in her voice.
Labels: movies
Thursday, December 25, 2008
My Favorite Year
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Basket
IMDb (1999) A chick flick of the "Anne of Green Gables" genre. A tale of two German orphans in the Pacific Northwest in 1918. I'm not really watching. It's scenic. It's slow paced. It's schmaltzy beyond belief! Turgid flashbacks. Awful music. A fake Opera. Seems a bit overly melodramatic. Oddly enough, Basketball provides a unifying thread. I hope things get better. How could they not? Now, it's a basketball game! The kid saves the day! Well, sort of. Mushy, heartwarming end. Oy!
Labels: movies
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Bikur Ha-Tizmoret
IMDb (2007) aka The Band's Visit. A tale of fish out of water. Very strange. Very good. Get it. Watch it.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
National Treasure
IMDb (2004) Disney. What a bunch of crap! Well done crap tho. High production values. We'll see how it goes. Lots of nice pictures and stuff. Looks good. But, it reminds me of CSI with it's "explain everything with video illustrations" style. Like I'm too stupid to "get it" without pictures. Oh, and the science and tech is pretty lame. Spotted an HP Product Placement! A real geek would have had a Mac. Nearing the end. Lame is the word.
Labels: movies
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Three Comrades
IMDb (1938) Arrrgh! Chick flick! I liked Margaret Sullavan. Several familiar faces. Rather melodramatic. I missed the first half hour.
Labels: movies
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Repo Man
IMDb (1984) Yes! I rented it on iTunes so that Leslie could see the whole thing. More, later. This is not a movie that can be blogged while watched. Oy! What a bomb! No, not the movie. That was great! It was the Apple Experience that bombed. Every few minutes the playback would pause for a few seconds. The colors were washed out, and the video quality wasn't very good. As soon as we caught up to what I had from last night, we switched back to the DVR. Quality standard definition trumps crappy widescreen. The movie is very good with some excellent camera work. Quirky and strange, with many satirical aspects. The plot is complex with lots of characters. You have to pay close attention to understand what's going on. The ending is spiritual. The geek wins! I wonder what happened next?
Labels: movies
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Phantom of Chinatown
IMDb (1940) Keye Luke. Lost Chinese tomb. Ancient scroll. Murder. The usual stuff. Mr. Wong will crack the case. Not as good as I had expected. A slow moving plot with wooden performances and dialogue.
Labels: movies
Friday, August 01, 2008
There Goes Kelly
IMDb (1945) Described by a user as a "dreadful mystery/comedy," we'll see. It's about a murder at a radio broadcast. Got some music, all bad. Not a good movie, but interesting for its historicality.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
IMDb (1939) Boris Karloff. A murder case with some international intrigue thrown in. Routine, but fun. A few Perry Mason people.
Labels: movies
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Waitress
IMDb (2007) Some movie Leslie heard about. She bought a DVD in the grocery store. It's about PIE! All kindsa pies. It's Nutella time! The movie: It's an awful chick flick, but it's funny and it has pie. They try'n to mess with my brain. Small addendum: The writer, director and co-star of this film, Adrienne Shelly, was murdered before the film was released.
Labels: movies
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Daughter of Shanghai
IMDb (1937) Anna May Wong. Many familiar faces. A nice plot. Alien smuggling, murder, revenge. What more could one ask for?
Labels: movies
Helvetica
IMDb (2007) The story of the font. Interesting but rather intellectual. Lots of Apple computers. Sleep inducing.
Labels: movies
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Bucket List
IMDb (2007) I rented this one on the Xbox 'cause I knew Leslie wanted to see it. I must say, the Xbox did a fine job with it. Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes. It's good right from the start. But rather predictable. Finally made it to the list after a half hour or so. Now things should perk up. They did. Really sappy, but it was a good film.
Labels: movies
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thank You, Mr. Moto
Friday, June 27, 2008
Happy, Texas
IMDb (1999) Any movie that starts with a dead Armadillo scene can't be all bad. A bit hokey. A very weird movie, but it was entertaining. The IMDb rating is correct.
Labels: movies
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Saint's Vacation
IMDb (1941) Hugh Sinclair stars in this last of the old Saint films. There's just one more, from 1954, to see. London. Opening scene reminiscent of that of the Chan film we just saw. The plot is kind of lame. Just OK.
Labels: movies
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Jade Mask
IMDb (1945) Charlie Chan. Weirder than usual. Two PM people. Both got murdered. Over all, not bad.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Three Strangers
IMDb (1946) Noir. Talky. Involves a trial. Several PM people. A monkey! Atmospheric. Tried hard, with a great cast, but didn't quite make it. Pretty good, overall. A kind of strange, but happy ending.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
The Personality Kid
IMDb (1934) Glenda Farrell, Pat O'Brien. A boxing movie! How low will I go? Also had the "rich people" high-society angle. Glenda is the best as usual. A happy ending.
Labels: movies
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Upperworld
IMDb (1934) Warren William. Ginger Rogers. One of those "rich people" movies of the 30s. Looks very old. Ginger is hot! Dancing girls! Plot full of holes. Crappy happy ending.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Cheers for Miss Bishop
IMDb (1941) A tear jerker of the worst kind. I only got it for William Gargan. He was starring in the radio show (Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator) I was listening to at the time. A large cast with a few Perry Mason folks. Played straight with a heavy dose of patriotism. Very little music. Three hankies.
Labels: movies
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Kid Glove Killer
IMDb (1942) A short crime drama. No time for anything longer. CSI 1942! Microscopes and science and stuff like that. And a pretty good look at a crime lab and techniques of the day too. Very good!
Labels: movies
Monday, March 10, 2008
Success at Any Price
IMDb (1934) Genevieve Tobin. Several familiar faces. A straight drama. No music. Genevieve is delightfully skanky... and blonde. Dialog is a bit stilted, but the story works. Moves very fast. The dope wised up at the end.
Labels: movies
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Merrily We Live
IMDb (1938) Constance Bennett. Lots of familiar faces in this light comedy about a zany family. Good performances all around. Very little music, tho. Jolly good fun!
Labels: movies
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Brief Encounter
IMDb (1945) Gack! A chick flick! Terribly British. Talky. Great photography. The director has some skill. Clever construction.
Labels: movies
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Bunker Bean
IMDb (1936) Hedda Hopper. Lucille Ball! Got this for Hedda iirc, but it's fun to see Lucy so young. A fairy tale in modern clothes. Slow pace, but fast enough. No music. Cute!
Labels: movies
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Mystery of the Wax Museum
IMDb (1933) Glenda Farrell, Fay Wray. Looks really old. In color. Delightfully creepy! Very stylish sets and camera work. Overall, kind of funny. Glenda was good though, in her signature role of a fast-talking brassy blonde newspaper reporter. In fact, she stole the film.
Labels: movies
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The Footloose Heiress
IMDb (1937) William Hopper. Ann Sheridan. Pretty good! Fast paced and zany action. Cute ending.
Labels: movies
Monday, March 03, 2008
Broadway Hostess
IMDb (1935) Wini Shaw. Genevieve Tobin. A musical. Dancing girls. What's not to like? The songs are kind of dated, but Wini sings pretty good. The plot thickens and gets kind of dull. Ends on a happy note. Not bad.
Several PM people. Wini, Genevieve (Della) and Allen Jenkins from the old movies. Lyle Talbot from the series.
Labels: movies
Sunday, March 02, 2008
The Third Man
IMDb (1949) It's the music! Again, it's been years since I saw this one. Seems to hold up well. Great scenery and atmosphere. Lots of German Sprache. Excellent!
Labels: movies
Sunset Boulevard
IMDb (1950) Nothing can be said. [time passes] OK, I'll say something. I haven't seen this one in many, many years. It is awesome! Just as awesome as I remembered it. Actually watched it on 3/1/08.
Labels: movies
February Movies
Just a couple this month, then a change in methodology. From now on, I will just blog a movie when I watch it. That should be easier than collecting a pile of notes each month.
Calling Bulldog Drummond (1951) 2/10 IMDb
Kind of different. British. Pretty good, but a bit hokey in spots.
Meet Miss Bobby Socks (1944) 2/16 IMDb
Fun! A cornball comedy. Stereotypical. I didn't like the music much. I can't remember why I got this one. I think I thought William Hopper was in it.
Calling Bulldog Drummond (1951) 2/10 IMDb
Kind of different. British. Pretty good, but a bit hokey in spots.
Meet Miss Bobby Socks (1944) 2/16 IMDb
Fun! A cornball comedy. Stereotypical. I didn't like the music much. I can't remember why I got this one. I think I thought William Hopper was in it.
Labels: movies
Friday, February 29, 2008
January Movies
No comments.
Crime Doctor (1943) 1/5 IMDb
First of series. Ray Collins play a doctor. Very good. A nice setup for the series to follow.
The Crime Doctor's Warning (1945) 1/8 IMDb
The babe gets whacked early. Lots of skulking in the dark. Pretty good story. Complicated.
The Saint In Palm Springs (1941) 1/16 IMDb
Last George Sanders appearance in the series. A nice little mystery.
The Saint Meets The Tiger (1943) 1/22 IMDb
Hugh Sinclair as the Saint. A pretty guy. Very English. Atmospheric.
The Falcon Takes Over (1942) 1/23 IMDb
George Sanders. It's that Raymond Chandler story about Moose and Velma. Pretty good. Lynn Bari of PM fame.
Over The Goal (1937) 1/27 IMDb
William Hopper in lead. June Travis. A comedy College football movie! Interesting, but not that funny.
Crime Doctor (1943) 1/5 IMDb
First of series. Ray Collins play a doctor. Very good. A nice setup for the series to follow.
The Crime Doctor's Warning (1945) 1/8 IMDb
The babe gets whacked early. Lots of skulking in the dark. Pretty good story. Complicated.
The Saint In Palm Springs (1941) 1/16 IMDb
Last George Sanders appearance in the series. A nice little mystery.
The Saint Meets The Tiger (1943) 1/22 IMDb
Hugh Sinclair as the Saint. A pretty guy. Very English. Atmospheric.
The Falcon Takes Over (1942) 1/23 IMDb
George Sanders. It's that Raymond Chandler story about Moose and Velma. Pretty good. Lynn Bari of PM fame.
Over The Goal (1937) 1/27 IMDb
William Hopper in lead. June Travis. A comedy College football movie! Interesting, but not that funny.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
November Movies
A slow month. Too many other things to do. The holidays you know.
I Love a Mystery (1945) 11/17 IMDb
From the radio series episode The Decapitation of Jefferson Monk. Pretty good! A 30s style melodrama. Ironic.
Praying Mantis (1982) 11/24 IMDb
Well done but yuck! At least they all died. From British TV. A tape off eBay for Babs. Seen this years ago on public television.
Green For Danger (1946) 11/25 IMDb
British again. Atmospheric, wordy. A medical murder mystery during the war. V1s blowing up all over the place. Amusing.
I Love a Mystery (1945) 11/17 IMDb
From the radio series episode The Decapitation of Jefferson Monk. Pretty good! A 30s style melodrama. Ironic.
Praying Mantis (1982) 11/24 IMDb
Well done but yuck! At least they all died. From British TV. A tape off eBay for Babs. Seen this years ago on public television.
Green For Danger (1946) 11/25 IMDb
British again. Atmospheric, wordy. A medical murder mystery during the war. V1s blowing up all over the place. Amusing.
Labels: movies
Sunday, November 18, 2007
October Movies
Working on the Lone Wolf series this month. Still one or two left.
The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date (1941) 10/6 IMDb
Not bad! Nice plot. Cute girl. A few Perry Mason people for fun.
Counter-Espionage (1942) 10/20 IMDb
Lone Wolf undercover. Pretty routine. Hillary Brooke.
Passport to Suez (1943) 10/21 IMDb
Lone Wolf again. More spies. Ann Savage! Several Perry People.
The Notorious Lone Wolf (1946) 10/26 IMDb
Gerald Mohr takes over the role. Quite different style. Not so good.
The Lone Wolf in London (1947) 10/27 IMDb
Gerald Mohr. Complicated, slow, better than last one. Alfred the Butler from TV's Batman.
The Lone Wolf and His Lady (1949) 10/28 IMDb
Ron Randell (who?) as the Wolf. Totally different! PM's June Vincent in a big role.
The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date (1941) 10/6 IMDb
Not bad! Nice plot. Cute girl. A few Perry Mason people for fun.
Counter-Espionage (1942) 10/20 IMDb
Lone Wolf undercover. Pretty routine. Hillary Brooke.
Passport to Suez (1943) 10/21 IMDb
Lone Wolf again. More spies. Ann Savage! Several Perry People.
The Notorious Lone Wolf (1946) 10/26 IMDb
Gerald Mohr takes over the role. Quite different style. Not so good.
The Lone Wolf in London (1947) 10/27 IMDb
Gerald Mohr. Complicated, slow, better than last one. Alfred the Butler from TV's Batman.
The Lone Wolf and His Lady (1949) 10/28 IMDb
Ron Randell (who?) as the Wolf. Totally different! PM's June Vincent in a big role.
Labels: movies
Sunday, October 21, 2007
September Movies
Still working on Blackies. How many of these were there?
The Chance of a Lifetime (1943) 9/1 IMDb
Boston Blackie. Typical. Some high tech stuff.
Boston Blackie Booked on Suspicion (1945) 9/8 IMDb
Formulaic, but still fun.
Lady Gangster (1942) 9/9 IMDb
A prison pic. William Hopper works for Frank Wilcox. Complex. Happy ending.
A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946) 9/15 IMDb
Charles Lane lookin' young! Routine. The babe (Lynn Merrick) was really bad!
Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture (1949) 9/29 IMDb
Last of series. Many familar faces. Pretty good.
The Chance of a Lifetime (1943) 9/1 IMDb
Boston Blackie. Typical. Some high tech stuff.
Boston Blackie Booked on Suspicion (1945) 9/8 IMDb
Formulaic, but still fun.
Lady Gangster (1942) 9/9 IMDb
A prison pic. William Hopper works for Frank Wilcox. Complex. Happy ending.
A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946) 9/15 IMDb
Charles Lane lookin' young! Routine. The babe (Lynn Merrick) was really bad!
Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture (1949) 9/29 IMDb
Last of series. Many familar faces. Pretty good.
Labels: movies
Monday, September 17, 2007
August Movies
Not much this month. Too many DVDs to watch. We did the entire Nancy Drew series starring Bonita Granville. They were fun in a silly way. Several Perry Mason People sightings including one DeWolf Hopper.
Nancy Drew -- Detective (1938) 8/4 IMDb
Light and fast! Nancy is spunky. Featured amateur radio and pigeons. Fun!
Nancy Drew... Reporter (1939) 8/5 IMDb
Featured some high-tech bugging.
Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter (1939) 8/6 IMDb
What to say?
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939) 8/7 IMDb
We had seen this one before. DeWolf Hopper aka Paul Drake was in it.
Nancy Drew -- Detective (1938) 8/4 IMDb
Light and fast! Nancy is spunky. Featured amateur radio and pigeons. Fun!
Nancy Drew... Reporter (1939) 8/5 IMDb
Featured some high-tech bugging.
Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter (1939) 8/6 IMDb
What to say?
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939) 8/7 IMDb
We had seen this one before. DeWolf Hopper aka Paul Drake was in it.
Labels: movies
Monday, August 20, 2007
July Movies
A slow month. Because it was special, I decided to include one "new" movie this time. I don't watch very many modern films. This was the first one this year iirc. Thank you Birthe!
Everything Is Illuminated (2005) 7/14 IMDb
Well done, great music, but got way too heavy.
Footsteps in the Dark (1941) 7/22 IMDb
Cute comedy murder mystery involving a burlesque star. William Hopper bit.
Everything Is Illuminated (2005) 7/14 IMDb
Well done, great music, but got way too heavy.
Footsteps in the Dark (1941) 7/22 IMDb
Cute comedy murder mystery involving a burlesque star. William Hopper bit.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
June Movies
Same as last month. I think this is it for the Crime Doctor.
Crime Doctor's Diary (1949) 6/20 IMDb
A good solid mystery. Tricky ending.
Just Before Dawn (1946) 6/24 IMDb
Crime Doctor #7. Pretty good plot. Disguises again.
Crime Doctor's Diary (1949) 6/20 IMDb
A good solid mystery. Tricky ending.
Just Before Dawn (1946) 6/24 IMDb
Crime Doctor #7. Pretty good plot. Disguises again.
Labels: movies
Monday, June 18, 2007
May Movies
Just trying to finish up some series this month.
Trapped By Boston Blackie (1948) 5/2 IMDb
Disguises again! Funny and smooth. Extra twisty.
The Crime Doctor's Courage (1945) 5/19 IMDb
Opens like a soap opera TV show. Pretty good! Lots of PM people.
Crime Doctor's Man Hunt (1946) 5/25 IMDb
Pretty good mystery. Lots of PM people.
The Millerson Case (1947) 5/26 IMDb
Crime Doctor. Rustic fun! Set in the country. What a bunch of hicks! Lots of PM people.
The Crime Doctor's Gamble (1947) 5/27 IMDb
Set in Paris! A little talky, but pretty good overall.
Trapped By Boston Blackie (1948) 5/2 IMDb
Disguises again! Funny and smooth. Extra twisty.
The Crime Doctor's Courage (1945) 5/19 IMDb
Opens like a soap opera TV show. Pretty good! Lots of PM people.
Crime Doctor's Man Hunt (1946) 5/25 IMDb
Pretty good mystery. Lots of PM people.
The Millerson Case (1947) 5/26 IMDb
Crime Doctor. Rustic fun! Set in the country. What a bunch of hicks! Lots of PM people.
The Crime Doctor's Gamble (1947) 5/27 IMDb
Set in Paris! A little talky, but pretty good overall.
Labels: movies
Sunday, May 20, 2007
April Movies
Past time to do the movies. Here they are. This update from the Mac Pro!
The Lone Wolf Takes A Chance (1941) IMDb
Pretty good.
The Saint Takes Over (1940) 4/4 IMDb
George Sanders is cool! Formula. Like clockwork. Lots of murders. High 1940 tech.
One Mysterious Night (1944) 4/8 IMDb
A Boston Blackie. Pretty good. Janis Carter. Wow!
Boston Blackie's Rendezvous (1945) 4/22 IMDb
Kinda hokey setup. Very tricky. Psycho killer. Comedic.
Boston Blackie And The Law (1946) 4/29 IMDb
Blackie never gets any slack! Pretty routine. He was a magician.
The Lone Wolf Takes A Chance (1941) IMDb
Pretty good.
The Saint Takes Over (1940) 4/4 IMDb
George Sanders is cool! Formula. Like clockwork. Lots of murders. High 1940 tech.
One Mysterious Night (1944) 4/8 IMDb
A Boston Blackie. Pretty good. Janis Carter. Wow!
Boston Blackie's Rendezvous (1945) 4/22 IMDb
Kinda hokey setup. Very tricky. Psycho killer. Comedic.
Boston Blackie And The Law (1946) 4/29 IMDb
Blackie never gets any slack! Pretty routine. He was a magician.
Labels: movies
Monday, April 16, 2007
March Movies
Quite a busy month. The usual TCM fare augmented with DVDs bought on eBay.
The Canary Murder Case (1929) 3/2 IMDb
Philo Vance. Silent with sound added later. Not bad. Slow paced. Primitive camera work. No music.
The Greene Murder Case (1929) 3/4 IMDb
Philo Vance. Not bad. Faster pace. Better camera work. Awful sound quality. No music.
The Lone Wolf Returns (1935) 3/6 IMDb
Quite good. Familiar plot. Gail Patrick!
The Scarlet Clue (1945) 3/8 IMDb
Charlie Chan. Workaday routine spy chase. I remembered it. Half comedy.
Dangerous Blondes (1943) 3/10 IMDb
Pretty good light mystery-comedy. Husband and wife amateur sleuths.
The Benson Murder Case (1930) 3/10 IMDb
Philo Vance. Too old. Slow paced.
The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939) 3/11 IMDb
Warren William. Warm and fuzzy. A comedy. Pretty good.
The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940) 3/12 IMDb
A straight caper movie. Good! Clever ending. Warren William again.
The Saint In New York (1940) 3/13 IMDb
Pretty good but predictable. Louis Hayward was wrong for the role.
The Saint Strikes Back (1939) 3/14 IMDb
George Sanders, the real Saint. Pretty good. Music.
Reveille With Beverly (1943) 3/19 IMDb
Great music! Inspired by true story of Jean Ruth. I read about "Beverly" in Smithsonian and in Ruth's obit. Larry Parks! Irene and Tim Ryan again. Medium fun.
The Lone Wolf Meets A Lady (1940) 3/21 IMDb
Pretty good. Well plotted. Warren William again.
The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939) 3/23 IMDb
Philo Vance. Gracie stole the show. A hoot! Funny.
Crime Doctor's Strangest Case (1943) 3/23 IMDb
Pretty good. Talky and twisty. New series to me.
The Falcon's Adventure (1946) 3/28 IMDb
Tom Conway. Pretty good. Slick production. A very cool train!
After Midnight With Boston Blackie (1943) 3/29 IMDb
Pretty good. Ann Savage! Continuity problems. Dixie the stripper was a babe!
The Canary Murder Case (1929) 3/2 IMDb
Philo Vance. Silent with sound added later. Not bad. Slow paced. Primitive camera work. No music.
The Greene Murder Case (1929) 3/4 IMDb
Philo Vance. Not bad. Faster pace. Better camera work. Awful sound quality. No music.
The Lone Wolf Returns (1935) 3/6 IMDb
Quite good. Familiar plot. Gail Patrick!
The Scarlet Clue (1945) 3/8 IMDb
Charlie Chan. Workaday routine spy chase. I remembered it. Half comedy.
Dangerous Blondes (1943) 3/10 IMDb
Pretty good light mystery-comedy. Husband and wife amateur sleuths.
The Benson Murder Case (1930) 3/10 IMDb
Philo Vance. Too old. Slow paced.
The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939) 3/11 IMDb
Warren William. Warm and fuzzy. A comedy. Pretty good.
The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940) 3/12 IMDb
A straight caper movie. Good! Clever ending. Warren William again.
The Saint In New York (1940) 3/13 IMDb
Pretty good but predictable. Louis Hayward was wrong for the role.
The Saint Strikes Back (1939) 3/14 IMDb
George Sanders, the real Saint. Pretty good. Music.
Reveille With Beverly (1943) 3/19 IMDb
Great music! Inspired by true story of Jean Ruth. I read about "Beverly" in Smithsonian and in Ruth's obit. Larry Parks! Irene and Tim Ryan again. Medium fun.
The Lone Wolf Meets A Lady (1940) 3/21 IMDb
Pretty good. Well plotted. Warren William again.
The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939) 3/23 IMDb
Philo Vance. Gracie stole the show. A hoot! Funny.
Crime Doctor's Strangest Case (1943) 3/23 IMDb
Pretty good. Talky and twisty. New series to me.
The Falcon's Adventure (1946) 3/28 IMDb
Tom Conway. Pretty good. Slick production. A very cool train!
After Midnight With Boston Blackie (1943) 3/29 IMDb
Pretty good. Ann Savage! Continuity problems. Dixie the stripper was a babe!
Labels: movies
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
February Movies
Continuing the series from January, we started out with a few more Boston Blackies.
Confessions of Boston Blackie (1941) 2/1 IMDb
#2. Tricky as ever! Lot's of PM people in this one. Formula Fun!
Alias Boston Blackie (1942) 2/6 IMDb
#3. Not bad! Blackie even slipperier than usual. A young Larry Parks!
Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942) 2/7 IMDb
#4. Pretty much the same as always. Am I burned out already?
The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947) 2/11 IMDb
A light Hollywood murder mystery. Opens like a documentary on the movie biz with visits to popular nightspots and cameos of famous columnists and broadcasters of the times. Fun! Kind of tricky. Great ending.
Times Square Playboy (1936) 2/18 IMDb
June Travis and Warren William. Not enough June. Pretty funny. Like a play, which it was.
Confessions of Boston Blackie (1941) 2/1 IMDb
#2. Tricky as ever! Lot's of PM people in this one. Formula Fun!
Alias Boston Blackie (1942) 2/6 IMDb
#3. Not bad! Blackie even slipperier than usual. A young Larry Parks!
Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942) 2/7 IMDb
#4. Pretty much the same as always. Am I burned out already?
The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947) 2/11 IMDb
A light Hollywood murder mystery. Opens like a documentary on the movie biz with visits to popular nightspots and cameos of famous columnists and broadcasters of the times. Fun! Kind of tricky. Great ending.
Times Square Playboy (1936) 2/18 IMDb
June Travis and Warren William. Not enough June. Pretty funny. Like a play, which it was.
Labels: movies
Saturday, February 17, 2007
January Movies
A bunch this time. Mostly short programmers. Like TV shows of yesteryear. The highlight of the month has got to be Dragnet. Joe and Frank. Crime. Murder. Hot 50s babes. What a blast from the past! It was, I think, the first feature film based on a TV show. In color, too!
The Gay Falcon (1941) 1/6 IMDb
The first in the series. Great fun! Better than average. George Sanders.
Sarong Girl (1943) 1/6 IMDb
Ann Corio is yummy! Irene "Granny" Ryan! Who knew? Cornball Comedy. Good!
Go Into Your Dance (1935) IMDb
Glenda Farrell, Ruby Keeler, Al Jolson, Helen Morgan! A musical. Good fun!
The Saint in London (1939) 1/14 IMDb
George, again, with Sally Gray. Great fun! Velly, velly British!
Before Dawn (1933) 1/21 IMDb
Stuart Erwin, Warner Oland. Very old. Clever, but dated. A find-the-loot mystery.
Dragnet (1954) 1/29 IMDb
The way cops should be! Jack Webb. Many PM people. A noir comedy, now.
Meet Boston Blackie (1941) 1/30 IMDb
The first in the series. That Blackie is one slippery guy! Not bad! Many PM people.
The Gay Falcon (1941) 1/6 IMDb
The first in the series. Great fun! Better than average. George Sanders.
Sarong Girl (1943) 1/6 IMDb
Ann Corio is yummy! Irene "Granny" Ryan! Who knew? Cornball Comedy. Good!
Go Into Your Dance (1935) IMDb
Glenda Farrell, Ruby Keeler, Al Jolson, Helen Morgan! A musical. Good fun!
The Saint in London (1939) 1/14 IMDb
George, again, with Sally Gray. Great fun! Velly, velly British!
Before Dawn (1933) 1/21 IMDb
Stuart Erwin, Warner Oland. Very old. Clever, but dated. A find-the-loot mystery.
Dragnet (1954) 1/29 IMDb
The way cops should be! Jack Webb. Many PM people. A noir comedy, now.
Meet Boston Blackie (1941) 1/30 IMDb
The first in the series. That Blackie is one slippery guy! Not bad! Many PM people.
Labels: movies
Sunday, December 17, 2006
November Movies
A slow month. So many other things to watch. Like Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, a bittersweet Brit comedy series from 1983 about three Geordies working construction in Germany. Why Aye Man explained! We learned that Brickies and Chippies are bricklayers and carpenters.
Girl Missing (1933) 11/11 IMDb
A clever little mystery with Glenda Farrell as a goldigger showgirl.
Hi, Nellie! (1934) 11/11 IMDb
Glenda again in one we've seen. Paul Muni as a reporter. A mystery.
Special note! Hi, Nellie! was redone in 1937 as Love Is on the Air starring Ronald Reagan and June Travis. We've seen this one too. June is also a favorite of ours.
Girl Missing (1933) 11/11 IMDb
A clever little mystery with Glenda Farrell as a goldigger showgirl.
Hi, Nellie! (1934) 11/11 IMDb
Glenda again in one we've seen. Paul Muni as a reporter. A mystery.
Special note! Hi, Nellie! was redone in 1937 as Love Is on the Air starring Ronald Reagan and June Travis. We've seen this one too. June is also a favorite of ours.
Labels: movies
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
October Movies
Quite a few this time. Mostly short programmers. It was fun to see Bill Williams in his first role as a big-time Hollywod star.The film, Those Endearing Young Charms, was heavily promoted I think. It turned out that we had seen Shadow of Doubt before, but we watched it again anyhow.
Seven Keys to Baldpate (1930) 10/14 IMDb
Richard Dix. Stilted acting but fun. Clever plot; twisty ending.
London by Night (1937) 10/22 IMDb
A young Virginia Field. Wow! A funny, very British mystery. Cute dog.
Here Comes Carter (1936) 10/23 IMDb
Glenda Farrell as a brassy secretary. A fun comedy about an ambitious press agent.
Shadow of Doubt (1935) 10/25 IMDb
Ricardo Cortez. Good little mystery. Constance Collier a hit as the sleuth.
Those Endearing Young Charms (1945) 10/30 IMDb
Bill Willaims, Robert Young, Laraine Day. Well done but turgid wartime soaper.
Seven Keys to Baldpate (1930) 10/14 IMDb
Richard Dix. Stilted acting but fun. Clever plot; twisty ending.
London by Night (1937) 10/22 IMDb
A young Virginia Field. Wow! A funny, very British mystery. Cute dog.
Here Comes Carter (1936) 10/23 IMDb
Glenda Farrell as a brassy secretary. A fun comedy about an ambitious press agent.
Shadow of Doubt (1935) 10/25 IMDb
Ricardo Cortez. Good little mystery. Constance Collier a hit as the sleuth.
Those Endearing Young Charms (1945) 10/30 IMDb
Bill Willaims, Robert Young, Laraine Day. Well done but turgid wartime soaper.
Labels: movies
Sunday, October 15, 2006
September Movies
Just a couple this time. There have been too many other things to watch.
Maisie Gets Her Man (1942) 9/4 IMDb
Yet another. Ann Southern. Red Skelton. Fun and Funny.
Come September (1961) 9/5 IMDb
A comedy. OK. Not as good as back when. Gina Lollobrigida! Rock Hudson.
Maisie Gets Her Man (1942) 9/4 IMDb
Yet another. Ann Southern. Red Skelton. Fun and Funny.
Come September (1961) 9/5 IMDb
A comedy. OK. Not as good as back when. Gina Lollobrigida! Rock Hudson.
Labels: movies
Thursday, September 14, 2006
August Movies
We had watched "Congo Maisie" (1940) and "Maisie Goes To Reno" (1944) before I started keeping tabs here. It was nice to see some more. Ann Southern was one sassy babe in those days.
The World's Fastest Indian (2005) 8/8 IMDb
Excellent! A romanticized tale of a New Zealand eccentric. Good cast.
Maisie (1939) 8/25 IMDb
First of the series. Ann Southern. Robert Young. Good. Fun.
Maisie Was A Lady (1941) 8/29 IMDb
Number 4. Ann Southern. Lew Ayres. A bit more serious. Better. Fun.
The World's Fastest Indian (2005) 8/8 IMDb
Excellent! A romanticized tale of a New Zealand eccentric. Good cast.
Maisie (1939) 8/25 IMDb
First of the series. Ann Southern. Robert Young. Good. Fun.
Maisie Was A Lady (1941) 8/29 IMDb
Number 4. Ann Southern. Lew Ayres. A bit more serious. Better. Fun.
Labels: movies
Thursday, August 03, 2006
June July Movies
OK, this time I did forget.
We're Not Married (1952) 6/12 IMdb
Episodic. Fred Allen. M. Monroe. Married coupled found not married. Fun.
Kopps (2003) 6/30 IMDb
Swedish film about cops in a crime-free small town. Strange, but fun.
Pajama Party (1964) IMDb
A beach movie. Annette. No Frankie. Dorothy Killgallen. Time warp.
Here's Flash Casey (1938) IMDb
Like a film class project. Photog solves crime. Fun. Also a radio show.
We're Not Married (1952) 6/12 IMdb
Episodic. Fred Allen. M. Monroe. Married coupled found not married. Fun.
Kopps (2003) 6/30 IMDb
Swedish film about cops in a crime-free small town. Strange, but fun.
Pajama Party (1964) IMDb
A beach movie. Annette. No Frankie. Dorothy Killgallen. Time warp.
Here's Flash Casey (1938) IMDb
Like a film class project. Photog solves crime. Fun. Also a radio show.
Labels: movies
Friday, June 30, 2006
May Movies
Thought I forgot didn't ya? There was only one flick in May. Too much on TV. Wasn't that sweeps month? We had to watch all the finales of those CSI shows.
Easy To Love (1934) 5/9 IMDb
A cute little generational bedroom farce. Genevieve Tobin's a fav. Fun!
Easy To Love (1934) 5/9 IMDb
A cute little generational bedroom farce. Genevieve Tobin's a fav. Fun!
Labels: movies
Monday, May 29, 2006
April Movies
A slow month. Too many other things to watch. We did catch all three of the old Topper movies tho. Roland Young was excellent as Cosmo Topper. Those of our age remember Leo G. Carroll as Topper from early TV.
Topper (1937) 4/12 IMDb
Gary Crant as George. Medium good. Seen it too often.
Topper Takes a Trip (1939) 4/17 IMDb
The least good. George was gone but Marion was still there.
Topper Returns (1941) 4/29 IMDb
The best, IMHO. No George or Marion. Lively cast. Funny story.
Topper (1937) 4/12 IMDb
Gary Crant as George. Medium good. Seen it too often.
Topper Takes a Trip (1939) 4/17 IMDb
The least good. George was gone but Marion was still there.
Topper Returns (1941) 4/29 IMDb
The best, IMHO. No George or Marion. Lively cast. Funny story.
Labels: movies
Friday, April 21, 2006
March Movies
Once again, our cinema report. Looks like we didn't watch any in February. I think this procedure works pretty well. It's long enough since I watched these that I 've forgotten the details. All I remember is the true essense of the experience. lol
The Letter (1940) 3/8 IMDb
Bette Davis in the jungle. Predictable. No zing. Kinda lame ending.
You Can't Take It with You (1938) 3/11 IMDb
Jimmie Stewart meets the kooks. Casting was off. Was this a rerun?
Miracles for Sale (1939) 3/20 IMDb
Illusion-builder Robert Young in a debunking light Mystery. Not bad.
One, Two, Three (1961) 3/28 IMDb
Germany before the wall. Jokes kinda lame. Arlene! Lilo Pulver stole it.
The Letter (1940) 3/8 IMDb
Bette Davis in the jungle. Predictable. No zing. Kinda lame ending.
You Can't Take It with You (1938) 3/11 IMDb
Jimmie Stewart meets the kooks. Casting was off. Was this a rerun?
Miracles for Sale (1939) 3/20 IMDb
Illusion-builder Robert Young in a debunking light Mystery. Not bad.
One, Two, Three (1961) 3/28 IMDb
Germany before the wall. Jokes kinda lame. Arlene! Lilo Pulver stole it.
Labels: movies
Monday, February 06, 2006
It's Movie Time
Since I can't remember anything for more than a few seconds, I thought it might be a good idea to keep a list of the movies that we watch. I wish I had done this for my entire life. It would have eliminated that nagging "Have I seen this before?" feeling that I often get these days. Anyhow, here's the films for January 2006:
The Mask of Dimetrious (1944) 1/3 IMDb
Quite good. Very noirish but not exactly noir imho. A mystery.
The French Line (1954) 1/7 IMDb
Jane Russell.Wow! I read about this in Howard Hughes in Hollywood.
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953) 1/16 IMDb
Extremely strange. Fantasy. Dr. Suess with live actors. Fun 50s people.
Bringing up Baby (1938) 1/22 IMDb
Gary Crant. Katharine Hepburn. Leslie had never seen it. A bit lame.
Haunted Honeymoon (1940) 1/31 IMDb
Based on Dorothy Sayers' Busman's Honeymoon. Leisurely pace but OK. Tidy.
The Mask of Dimetrious (1944) 1/3 IMDb
Quite good. Very noirish but not exactly noir imho. A mystery.
The French Line (1954) 1/7 IMDb
Jane Russell.Wow! I read about this in Howard Hughes in Hollywood.
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953) 1/16 IMDb
Extremely strange. Fantasy. Dr. Suess with live actors. Fun 50s people.
Bringing up Baby (1938) 1/22 IMDb
Gary Crant. Katharine Hepburn. Leslie had never seen it. A bit lame.
Haunted Honeymoon (1940) 1/31 IMDb
Based on Dorothy Sayers' Busman's Honeymoon. Leisurely pace but OK. Tidy.
Labels: movies
