A European pianist comes to America and falls for a dancehall girl. Written, directed, produced and starring Hugo Haas, who doesn't do a particularly good job in any of those roles. The script is lifeless and poorly written (including a second act twist that doesn't make a lick of sense), a lot of very prosaic drama that never catches fire. The camera-work is entirely uninteresting, and borderline amateurish. The performances and characterizations are bland. This is the first of seven films that Haas did with pin-up gal Cleo Moore, which is odd because here they have little chemistry together. The film is categorized as noir, but that seems like a stretch by any definition of the genre. Only in the final 10 minutes do we get any compelling plot material, and I will say I quite liked the ending. But otherwise it's a snooze.
Il sogno di Zorro (1952)iMDB Rating: 4.4 Date Released : 26 March 1952 Genre : Adventure, Western Stars : Walter Chiari, Delia Scala, Vittorio Gassman, Carlo Ninchi." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Okuni to Gohei (1952)iMDB Rating: 7.1 Date Released : 10 April 1952 Stars : Michiyo Kogure, Tomoemon Otani, Sô Yamamura, Jun Tazaki." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Very atypical period piece from Naruse. It's actually a samurai picture, of sorts, though it's definitely more melodrama than action. Michiyo Kogure and Tomoemon Otani star as the titular pair. Kogure is the widow of an assassinated samurai and Otani was that man's pupil. They have been sent out to seek revenge on the murderer, Kogure's first suitor (So Yamamura), but their long and arduous journey has so far been fruitless. The two start to fall in love and question whether their quest for revenge is even worth it. This could have been a bit better told near the beginning - for the first forty minutes or so I was playing catch-up with the plot. But once I got a hold of it, I found it quite powerful, with a lot of subtle, unexpressed emotions. All three of the main cast members are excellent.
Never Wave at a WAC (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.2 Date Released : 28 January 1953 Genre : Adventure, Comedy, Romance Stars : Rosalind Russell, Paul Douglas, Marie Wilson, William Ching. A divorced socialite decides to join the Army because she hopes it will enable her to see more of her boyfriend, a Colonel. She soon encounters many difficulties with the Army lifestyle. Moreover, her ex-husband is working as a consultant with the Army, and he uses his position to disrupt her romantic plans by making her join a group of WACs who are testing new equipment." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
A divorced socialite decides to join the Army because she hopes it will enable her to see more of her boyfriend, a Colonel. She soon encounters many difficulties with the Army lifestyle. Moreover, her ex-husband is working as a consultant with the Army, and he uses his position to disrupt her romantic plans by making her join a group of WACs who are testing new equipment.
Watch Never Wave at a WAC Trailer :
Review :
Refreshing, Innocent & Undemanding
This comparatively little known film, with the extremely unlikely storyline is, nevertheless a joy to watch. It is pure escapism with more than a hint of nostalgia for those of us of a certain age. The script is good with some nice one-liners, but because the plot itself is obviously rather weak things become a little laboured. I doubt it would come over as successfully as it does, where it not for the one and only Rosalind Russell - ever able to combine excellent dramatic and comedic acting with the epitome of Hollywood glamour. And where oh where would it have been without that stalwart, always believable, and I think much underrated actor, Paul Douglas as Russell's long suffering ex husband.
If you feel like some light hearted 1950s entertainment you could do a lot worse.
Montana Territory (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 1 June 1952 Genre : Western Stars : Lon McCallister, Wanda Hendrix, Preston Foster, Hugh Sanders. John Malvin (Lon McCallister), prospecting the Montana territory during the gold rush, sees bandits kill a miner and his son. He eludes the outlaws by hiding near a stagecoach relay station run by "Possum" Enoch (Eddy Waller) and his daughter Clair (Wanda Hendrix), with whom John Falls in love with. Sheriff Henry Plummer (Preston Foster), secret head of the outlaws, learns John witnessed the ..." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
John Malvin (Lon McCallister), prospecting the Montana territory during the gold rush, sees bandits kill a miner and his son. He eludes the outlaws by hiding near a stagecoach relay station run by "Possum" Enoch (Eddy Waller) and his daughter Clair (Wanda Hendrix), with whom John Falls in love with. Sheriff Henry Plummer (Preston Foster), secret head of the outlaws, learns John witnessed the killings and sends him as his deputy on a dangerous mission with a planned ambush.
Watch Montana Territory Trailer :
Review :
Badmen hide behind badges
When an idealistic young man comes to Montana territory to start a new life, he becomes a deputy sheriff. He wants to clean up the area which is infested with killers and thieves, but is duped into aiding those very men. Good action yarn with lots of blazing sixguns, stagecoach chases, and thundering hooves.
Cattle Town (1952)iMDB Rating: 5.1 Date Released : 6 September 1952 Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama, History, Western Stars : Dennis Morgan, Philip Carey, Amanda Blake, Rita Moreno. Following the Civil War, the state of Texas, needing money, sells land to a syndicate of northerners headed by Judd Hastings (Ray Teal). When Hastings demands the land, and the squatters refuses to vacate, the governor sends Mike McGann (Dennis Morgan) to settle the issues. Eventually, McGann gets the ranchers to move on to other areas with their cattle, which Hastings also covets. McGann also ..." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Following the Civil War, the state of Texas, needing money, sells land to a syndicate of northerners headed by Judd Hastings (Ray Teal). When Hastings demands the land, and the squatters refuses to vacate, the governor sends Mike McGann (Dennis Morgan) to settle the issues. Eventually, McGann gets the ranchers to move on to other areas with their cattle, which Hastings also covets. McGann also falls in love with Hastings' daughter, Marian (Amanda Blake).
Watch Cattle Town Trailer :
Review :
Amiable western is Morgans Warner swansong
I despair of seeing many rare vintage films on TCM UK.So i was very surprised to find this entertaining western in a midweek afternoon schedule.Dennis Morgan here becomes the standard singing cowboy.He must have known that the writing was on the wall when Warner's cast him in this film.However that was probably more to do with their desire to cut down their list of contracted actors.Morgan is supported in the comic sidekick role by George O 'Hanlon,of the Joe McDoakes series.There is a lot of action in a routine plot and Dennis takes every opportunity to sing a song.Its no classic but it is well worth a view if TCM ever show it again.
Miss Robin Hood (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 8 June 1953 Genre : Comedy Stars : Margaret Rutherford, Richard Hearne, James Robertson Justice, Dora Bryan." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
A wonderful and truly under rated gem for adults of all ages. The humble writer,Wrigley (Hearne), at a large newspaper creates the adventures of Miss Robin Hood on a weekly basis.It's a comic strip for kids and depicts a modern day young woman as the Hood character who robs from the rich and is always aided by teenage school girls.
When the new owner of the Newspaper decides to drop Miss Robin Hood, the writer storms out of his job.All seems bleak until Miss Honey (Rutherford) appears, an eccentric elderly lady who runs a home for orphaned kids (?) on Hampstead Heath.She insists that only he can help her against the evil Macallister.After reading how Miss Robin Hood can crack open safes,she's convinced that Wrigley can help her retrieve a secret family recipe used in "Honeycup", a scotch based drink with an extra special ingrediant that causes a sensational feeling of wellbeing, from the Macallister (James Robertson Justice).Wrigley unwittingly agrees. The ingrediant is stolen from the Macallister's safe and Wrigley finds himself caught up in an exciting game of cat and mouse with the Macallister, Scotland Yard and the Newspaper Editor.
Great performances from the kids,Hearne, Rutherford, Dora Bryan and an unusually playful Robertson Justice. Sid James also makes an early appearence as Miss Honey's driver. Surely a classic destined for DVD release?
Im weißen Rößl (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.0 Date Released : 19 December 1952 Genre : Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance Stars : Johanna Matz, Johannes Heesters, Walter Müller, Rudolf Forster." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
This is a colorful musical,shot in glorious Agfa color. The art direction is good. Filmed in Heimat,located in Austria,.The characters are colorful too from the old man who plays the zither to the yodeling mail women. The story center's around a tourist place in Heimat called, "The white horse Inn,". It's an Inn and a restaurant. Pleas note , that the women in the box cover is not Johanna Matz but Marrianne Wischmann. Possibly because in 1952 Johanna was a bit plump and is not the female lead. Johanna plays "Josepha", who runs the inn. Leapole, played by Walter Miller,is the waiter who works there is in love with Josepha but Josepha is in love with Dr Sieder, played by Heesters, and she thinks he's in love with her.The tourist arrive from the boat with Geiescke and his daughter Otillie, played by Paul Westermeir and Marrianne Wischmann. Paul Westmier looks like exactly the same actor who played Marika Rokks manager in Csardasfurstin.There are sub character's s in this pic. Professor Hinzelmann's daughter is in live with one of the students ,whome are vacationing up there. Kaiser Franz Joseph,played by Rodolph Forester, is taking a vacation up there too.His body guards show up and inform Josepha.The whole city prepares an extravanzic polka festival filled with yodel singers and polka dance number. Now this is 19 teens rag time was the rage even i Europe but this is based on an operetta so there's no popular music of the time. I'm sure if Marika Rokk was in it they would have put some ragtime dance numbers ,but . There is an i inaccuracy in one scene. The swimming scene. while all the women wear's 19 teen bathing suits,Marrianne, wear's a 1952 bathing suit, which in the 19 teens would have been scandalous. There's a scene which Joe and Walt are getting drunk at an all male bar,no women. hugging and kissing , the way drunk people act . Every one is so drunk even the men are dancing with each other. this is suppose to be the funny scene ,of course, no sexual suggestions , except for the modern bathing suit Ottilie was wearing. It's a pretty good musical worth owning. Now available U.S.A. From,"German language video center ", on NTSC VHS and both on DVD 0 region and VHS NTSC at www.germanvideo.net
White Mane (1953)iMDB Rating: 7.3 Date Released : 13 January 1954 Genre : Drama, Family Stars : Alain Emery, Laurent Roche, Clan-Clan, Pascal Lamorisse. A boy comes across a white-haired wild horse in the Camargue. Ranchers seek to capture the horse, but it escapes. What will happen as the boy sets out to find the horse again? The film is set in the gorgeous landscape of the Camargue, a marsh area in the south of France where the river Rhone meets the Mediterranean Sea." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
A boy comes across a white-haired wild horse in the Camargue. Ranchers seek to capture the horse, but it escapes. What will happen as the boy sets out to find the horse again? The film is set in the gorgeous landscape of the Camargue, a marsh area in the south of France where the river Rhone meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Watch White Mane Trailer :
Review :
Not perfect, but very good
Albert Lamorisse is mostly known for his beloved classic 'The Red Balloon', but before that he made this 'White Mane', which is almost as good. Although 'White Mane' is not absolutely perfect, it certainly is and feels authentic. I could say this is a must for anyone who loves horses. It is, that I can't deny. But in my book one doesn't necessarily have to love horses to enjoy this. It's all a matter of liking this sort of films.
This short film is about a wild stallion in a wild region of France and his friendship with a fearless and adventurous young boy. The film tells how they meet and how they develop their friendship. This boy becomes the only human really worthy of the stallion's trust.
The beauty of the cinematography is one of the best things about this. What we see is pure and natural, a "wilder" France not often seen in movies (that is, as far as I know). The boy is wonderfully portrayed by Alain Emery. The boy and the stallion have a perfect chemistry.
Cerca de la ciudad (1952)iMDB Rating: 5.4 Date Released : 8 March 1952 Genre : Drama Stars : Adolfo Marsillach, José Isbert, Margarita Robles, Manuel Kayser." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
The "Priest José" (Adolfo Marsillach), they spend to help in a small Church in a suburb near Madrid. But when it comes learns that the parish priest has died, and now he has to do over the administration and the functioning of the church, until the lord bishop decides. The local inhabitants living in poor conditions material and moral. Only an older woman and very blessed "Doña Casilda" (Margarita Robles), owner of the best house of the neighborhood, practicing religion in her way. "Ramón" (Jose Isbert), the sacristan, puts the flow of the miseries of the place. And the "Priest José", instead of collapse, his takes as a great challenge. His mission will try to people to come back again their gaze to God.
This film can be classified as gender "Drama-Religion", which in those years were films very frequently. In this shows a direct the misery of the outskirts of Madrid in a very daring for the years that filming the movie, but probably consented by the religious approach of the script.
Excellent scenarios for this scenario, as well as a successful photography in black and white. The players both children who acted as the people make an extraordinary job, are the center of the film. Adolfo Marsillach makes a good role of priest commensurate with the tastes of those years. Jose Isbert, has one of its splendid performances, undoubtedly a master.
"The Mistress" (also known in English under the title "Wild Geese") is an example of all that is great about Japanese cinema prior to its decline in the 1960s. It is pictorially exquisite, leisurely paced but never dull, well-acted with just the right amount of melodrama, and directed by a master in top form. The director, Shiro Toyoda, is a superb Japanese film director that has yet to be discovered in the West, though a few of his films such as "The Mistress" and the far inferior "Snow Country" can be found on video.
"The Mistress" is the story of a young woman whose relationships with men in the past have been stormy, and who finds herself once again in a bad situation. She becomes the mistress of a wealthy moneylender, believing him to be a merchant who has been recently widowed and that he will soon marry her. She discovers his lies but cannot leave him because of the money he has given to her elderly father. Soon she falls in love with a student that passes by her house every day on the way home, but their relationship ends before it even begins when he is accepted as an apprentice to a doctor in Germany.
"The Mistress" is a beautifully shot film that captures with subtlety and grace the central character's tragedy through its images. It is also an admirable film for its restraint in not descending into the pit of tear-jerking sentimentality that so many Japanese films of the period (even some of the good ones) so frequently did. "The Mistress" is a film that any director would be proud to have made - it is a masterpiece.
Fort Ti (1953)iMDB Rating: 4.9 Date Released : 1 May 1953 Genre : Western Stars : George Montgomery, Joan Vohs, Irving Bacon, James Seay Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Set against the backdrop of the French and Indian war in colonial America, the British soldiers attempt to route the French Army from Fort Ticonderoga.
Watch Fort Ti Trailer :
Review :
Not too good
This is the only French & Indian War movie I've seen besides NORTHWEST PASSAGE, plus re-run some episodes of the TV series by the same name (on TNT a while back).
This particular movie isn't too great. No remarkable cast. No big action scenes. George Montgomery sounds to be reading any of his longer lines from cue cards. The story is boring and unoriginal.
One thing I did like -- in every battle scene characters throw knives, spears, tomahakws etc. right at the camera and the objects look to flying right at you. On the big screen or sitting next the TV this will make you jump every time.
AMC has a pretty decent quality print. But I had no 3D glasses, so the movie looked normal rather than the original 3D format.
Fast and Loose (1954)iMDB Rating: 6.1 Date Released : 1 February 1954 Genre : Comedy Stars : Stanley Holloway, Kay Kendall, Brian Reece, Joan Young Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
An unmarried couple spend an innocent night together, owing to a shortage of rooms at the inn.
Watch Fast and Loose Trailer :
Review :
Lost in an era of innocence with the delightful Miss K!
A young married couple, Peter (Brian Reece) and Barbara (June Thorburn) are taking the train to visit friends in the English countryside for the weekend. Leaving Barbara in the train on the platform Peter pops out to buy a newspaper, meeting old "friend" Carol (Kay Kendall) at the news stand. Naturally the train leaves while they're still catching up! Peter takes Carol back to his apartment, and dubious family maid Rawlings (Dora Bryan), while arranging a car to take them to the country. By now Barbara has contacted her parents, formidable Mrs. Crabb (Fabia Drake) and tippler Mr. Crabb (Stanley Holloway), with the news that Peter has "run off" with another woman. Their suspicions confirmed by Rawlings they set off in pursuit. Unfortunately Peter and Carol have been stranded with a broken car and take shelter in a small inn ran by Gladys (Vida Hope). Needless to say there is only one bedroom available and needless to say Gladys has strong religious principles against unmarried cohabitation! Signing the register, as a married couple, Peter and Carol have a close call with the passing Reverend Tripp-Johnson (Reginald Beckwith), who married family friend Carol but can't quite remember her husband. Peter spends a restless night trying to find somewhere to sleep, under the suspicious eye of Gladys, and to sneak Carol's dog in from the rainy barn. As to be expected Barbara and her parents arrive, followed closely by the Reverend and ultimately Carol's husband, Member of Parliament Claude (Alexander Gauge). Someone once said that English comedy is the "comedy of embarrassment" and this is shown in the subsequent interactions.
I have always been enjoyed British comedies from the 40s to the early 60s. They benefit from the fantastic array of British character actors, a more literate or at least verbal comedy than their American cousins and an air of innocence long lost. This film has all three. Brian Reece is a bit "wet" for my taste but all other actors are strong. The key attraction is the sadly missed Kay Kendell. At the end, as Carol's husband is bombarded by accusations from Mrs. Crabb against her and Peter, she simply wraps her husband around her finger with wit and charm. Its amazing that people not even born when she died are grandparents. However her charm, style, wit and knowing look are more "modern" then ever.
The Eddie Cantor Story (1953)iMDB Rating: 5.8 Date Released : 20 January 1954 Genre : Biography, Drama, Music Stars : Keefe Brasselle, Marilyn Erskine, Aline MacMahon, Arthur Franz." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Not as good as The Jolson Story, but a very entertaining musical bio.
While this film is not as good as The Jolson Story, it is nevertheless very entertaining. Eddie Cantor dubbed the songs for Keefe Brasselle, and it is Cantor's great voice and the exciting songs that make the movie. Songs like Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider, If You Knew Susie, Potatos Are Cheaper, Margie, and I'd Like To Spend each Sunday With You are just great. Brasselle has taken criticism for his portrayal of Cantor, but he really does a pretty good job. Parks was better in the Jolson bio, but in fact, Brasselle resembled Cantor in appearance more than Parks resembled Jolson.
Clipped Wings (1953)iMDB Rating: 7.4 Date Released : 14 August 1953 Genre : Comedy Stars : Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bernard Gorcey, Renie Riano. Slip and Sach to go the local Air Force base to find out why their friend, an Air Force enlisted man, is in the stockade and charged with treason. Mistaking a recruiting office for a visitors office, they inadvertently enlist in the Air Force. They soon learn that not only is their friend not a traitor, but he is being used as bait to expose a spy ring. The boys decide to do a little exposing of ..." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Slip and Sach to go the local Air Force base to find out why their friend, an Air Force enlisted man, is in the stockade and charged with treason. Mistaking a recruiting office for a visitors office, they inadvertently enlist in the Air Force. They soon learn that not only is their friend not a traitor, but he is being used as bait to expose a spy ring. The boys decide to do a little exposing of their own, and wind up almost gumming up the works.
Watch Clipped Wings Trailer :
Review :
the Bowery Boys in the Air Force--classic slapstick!
By the early 50's, The Bowery Boys post-WWII formula had become a well-oiled machine. The "Boys" consisted of stars Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall, along with group members David Gorcey (here billed as "Condon") and Bennie Bartlett for reaction shots. And of course Leo's father Bernard Gorcey, as Louie, owner of Louie's Sweet Shop, where the gang hangs out. Comedy pros such as Elwood Ullman and Edward Bernds were working their magic with the series, and Monogram/Allied Artists usually surrounded the boys with talented casts of lesser-known players (such as Renie Riano, hilarious as the hatchet-faced WAC leader who orders Huntz Hall around) and old favorites (such as Lyle Talbot, and unbilled, Tris Coffin and Arthur "Canadian Mounties VS Atomic Invaders" Space). Basically, by this time in the series, the Boys were put into a certain situation or locale or profession, and they were let loose. Here they are in the air force (by accident, of course), with Huntz Hall mistakenly assigned to the female WAC unit, and they help a friend in the air force catch some spies (by accident, of course!). If you like Gorcey's constant malapropisms, Hall's rubber-faced, Shemp Howard-style maniacal antics, and the wonderful physical comedy of both, you will enjoy this film. I enjoyed these as a child, and now my children are enjoying them just as much. Gorcey and Hall left a wonderful body of work, and they were still on a roll in 1953 when this was released. They did three or four films a year and were favorites among exhibitors as they brought in regular crowds who couldn't wait for the next entry. Classic slapstick never ages, and this film should bring a smile to any slapstick lover's face --whether you are seven or seventy.
Captain Phantom (1953)iMDB Rating: 5.0 Date Released : 11 November 1953 Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama Stars : Frank Latimore, Anna-Maria Sandri, Maxwell Reed, Katina Ranieri. In the early 1800's the Spanish regiments are celebrating their victory over the French Legions of Bonaparte. In the midst of the celebration, Miguel, Duke of Canabil, is summoned to his commander's quarters and given the news that his father, and Admiral in the Spanish Navy, has betrayed the crown of Spain by turning his fleet over to the enemy. The stunned Migeul, humiliated and scorned by his ..." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
In the early 1800's the Spanish regiments are celebrating their victory over the French Legions of Bonaparte. In the midst of the celebration, Miguel, Duke of Canabil, is summoned to his commander's quarters and given the news that his father, and Admiral in the Spanish Navy, has betrayed the crown of Spain by turning his fleet over to the enemy. The stunned Migeul, humiliated and scorned by his regiment, takes a blood oath to find out the truth about his father. His search leads him to the mystery ship "Asuncion", commanded by Ingio de Costa, an unscrupulous, vicious man with a hand for evil. The latter is also trying to get one of his evil hands on the fair Consuelo, daughter of the governor of Cadiz.
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.9 Date Released : 15 February 1954 Genre : Comedy, Family, Musical, Romance Stars : Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Leon Ames, Rosemary DeCamp. The trials and tribulations of the Winfield family in small town Indiana as Marjorie Winfield's boyfriend, William Sherman, returns from the Army after W.W.I. Bill & Marjorie's on-again, off-again provide the backdrop for other family issues, primarily brought on by little brother Wesley's overactive imagination and tall tales." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
The trials and tribulations of the Winfield family in small town Indiana as Marjorie Winfield's boyfriend, William Sherman, returns from the Army after W.W.I. Bill & Marjorie's on-again, off-again provide the backdrop for other family issues, primarily brought on by little brother Wesley's overactive imagination and tall tales.
Watch By the Light of the Silvery Moon Trailer :
Review :
Wonderful followup film
This is the second of two movies about the same characters. Doris Day and Gordon MacRae play young newlyweds who are separated by WWI in this turn of the century inspired by the stories of Booth Tarkington. The story is told from her point of view and her home life with her mother, father and bratty brother are central to the film. Of the family members, the most memorable is Billy Gray ("Bud" from FATHER KNOWS BEST), as he is a terrible little brat that is a lot like Dennis the Menace and the Problem Child all rolled up into one.
While this film is so similar to the first that you might just mix them up in your mind after you see them, the movies are so pleasant and fun that you really don't mind. A wonderful romantic slice of life movie with a wonderful blend of comedy and heart.
Strange Fascination (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.3
