bowiebks Reviews

A Life of Her Own (1950)

Actor's showcase

[9/10 · 9 January 2011]

Well...most of the people who have reviewed this movie don't seem to think much of it, even the ones who like it. So I'll go out on a limb and praise it to the skies. I think it contains one of Lana Turner's most interesting and powerful performances. The supporting cast is brilliant, right down to the smallest roles, but the highest marks go to Ann Dvorak and the frequently underrated (to my mind) Barry Sullivan. The musical score by Kaper is one of the finest of all time, with the main theme echoing throughout the film in the manner of Raksin's Laura. It's all fresh on my mind because I watched it again last night...I enjoy it more and more every time I watch it. And...I think the ending is one of the most life-affirming moments in movies, as Lana trashes the bogus "good luck charm" and truly understands that no one else can "make" her happy...A Life of Her Own indeed! Thanks for reading.

Streets of New York (1939)

Delightful surprise!

[8/10 · 1 January 2007]

I had little hope for the public domain DVD I bought of this little programmer from Monogram...was I wrong and how! Direction, script and photography are all better than you might expect, and Jackie Cooper leads a great cast which includes good parts for fine supporting players of the era...a special note for George Irving as the kindly judge...he had one of the most elegant voices in film and will be forever remembered as Alexander Peabody in Bringing Up Baby.

But the most appealing aspect of this movie is the genuine freshness which the actors bring to the situations, many of which had already become Hollywood clichés. The Christmas party scene with the poor kids at the judge's home is only one of many memorable scenes which make this a way above average "B" picture of the era. The sentimental touches are sincere and you'll be surprised how this fine little movie draws to a strong conclusion!

Two Weeks in Another Town (1962)

Don't forget George Macready!!

[7/10 · 18 December 2006]

No one has mentioned the magnificent performance of George Macready as the agent, nor the devastating scene near the beginning of the film where he and Douglas have a chance encounter at an airport. To put it politely, in that scene Macready takes Douglas to task for past failures...it is one of the most brutal bits in all film history. Macready always knew how to make his mark, no matter how small the role! I recently enjoyed seeing him in his third film, The Story of Doctor Wassell, where he had a very small part as a Dutch army officer...striking and vivid, and that smooth chilly voice of his has never been equaled in all of filmdom.

Escape by Night (1937)

Sentimental but enjoyable gangster programmer

[6/10 · 25 September 2005]

This little show barely qualifies as even a "B" picture, but I found it quite enjoyable, and parts of it certainly rose above the mundane. It was fun to see William Hall in a rare leading role, as well as pretty Anne Nagel who looked like one of the Young sisters. Charles Waldron (Gen. Sternwood in The Big Sleep) has a role as a blind man who "sees" more than many of the sighted characters, and his cultured voice is always a pleasure to hear. Added to that you have good if predictable character roles for Ward Bond, Murray Alper and the seldom-seen Stefi Duna, with a fine turn by Dean Jagger (pre-bald days) as a really mean gangster. Since it's only a hair longer than one hour, give it a try...if you're not expecting a classic, you might very well enjoy yourself.

Calling All Husbands (1940)

Entertaining Trifle!

[7/10 · 11 July 2005]

A very pleasant way to spend just a little over an hour! Ernest Truex is excellent as the henpecked husband, the "hen" in question being the one and only Florence Bates. George Reeves is properly breezy and pleasant, and there are more great character players to enjoy including outstanding roles for a sour old Charles Halton, a slightly goofy John Alexander, an easily distracted Spencer Charters and good old Clem Bevans as a very irritating deaf judge. But the real star of the show is the often underrated Truex, a gifted actor of both comic and dramatic abilities. I especially enjoyed his little soliloquy as he goes through the paces of convincing himself it's OK to have a drink of hard cider!

Down to the Sea in Ships (1949)

Outstanding Performances!

[10/10 · 11 April 2005]

Although rather long (2 hours), the leisurely pace of this film works very well, and I would rank the performances of the three leads (Barrymore, Widmark and Stockwell) as among the best each of them every gave on film. In fact, this may be the best of Lionel Barrymore's "grumpy old man" roles, and his relationship with grandson Stockwell is beautifully presented and developed. The cast is packed with great supporting players; it seems every role was cast with care. Look for the great Paul Harvey ashore, as well as a wonderful scene with Dorothy Adams as the school teacher. Crew aboard the whaling ship includes Jay C. Flippen, John McIntyre, Berry Kroeger, etc. This movie is a real treat, and a "family film" of the highest order.

The Girl from Jones Beach (1949)

Mayo, Reagan, Bracken and Drake Shine!

[8/10 · 21 January 2005]

A very pleasant, harmless way to pass a little time. Even in b&w Virginia Mayo photographs like a dream, and she handles very well the role of a beautiful school teacher who wants to be appreciated for her mind. This is one of Reagan's most ingratiating performances as well, with Donna Drake and Eddie Bracken making perfect comic second leads. And you also get a whole slug of terrific supporting and character actors who are always a pleasure to see: Paul Harvey, Lloyd Corrigan, Florence Bates, Henry Travers, etc. Former silent star Lois Wilson (still a beauty) plays Mayo's mother, who complains that her daughter is more conservative than SHE was at daughter's age.

If you demand that every movie be "high art" then this is not for you. If you enjoy watching terrific middle-of-the-road Hollywood fare of the era, then go for it!

Down Laredo Way (1953)

Delightful Little Gem!

[27 June 2004]

Who would have thought that this little "barely-B" western with singing cowboy Rex Allen would be so well-written, directed and acted? Many enjoyable and familiar actors here, including Clayton Moore, Donna Drake, Marjorie Lord, etc. The climactic fight between Lord and Drake includes some pretty vivid slugging as well as the more expected hair-pulling. One of my favorite character players, Percy Helton, gives a terrific and hilarious performance as a fake "judge" hoping to get his hands on some smuggled diamonds. And speaking of fights, you haven't lived until you have seen the fist-fight between Helton and Slim Pickens! This little movie is a darn good way to spend a spare hour.

The Woman on Pier 13 (1949)

Propaganda Aside, A Well-Made Thriller

[14 June 2004]

Despite the slightly hysterical anti-Communist tone, this is a well-made and very well-acted thriller with excellent performances from most of the cast, especially Janis Carter and super-villains Thomas Gomez and William Tallman. John Agar and Larraine Day are also excellent in leading roles; the surprise weak link is Robert Ryan, who fails to bring his usual intensity to his part as a blackmailed ex-Red who can't leave the party. The cinematography is dark and moody, with good use of San Francisco backdrops. The script is not bad either, with a certain amount of very bleak humor which does little to soften the harsh view of most of the characters. Put politics aside and enjoy this noir-ish and entertaining movie!

Malaya (1949)

TERRIFIC MOVIE - CLOSE TO A CLASSIC

[15 May 2004]

Just by chance I was home to catch this terrific movie when it was shown a few days ago on cable TV...what a happy surprise! Both Stewart and Tracy play "good-bad guys" whose inner morality and patriotism rises to the top when the going gets tough. The supporting cast is full of top talent, including super performances from John Hodiak, Sidney Greenstreet, and Lionel Barrymore. Richard Loo and Gilbert Roland both play brilliantly to their "type" and are fine as well, and Roland Winters (usually in pompous comic roles) is very effective as a German rubber plantation owner who should not be trusted! Look for the always-welcome Russel Hicks in the scene on the train, and savor the sound of his elegant voice.

In addition, the script by Frank Fenton is way above average, with very droll and off-hand wit in evidence throughout.

All in all, a first-rate movie which deserves to be much better known!

Kiss Me Kate (1953)

One GREAT MGM Musical

[17 February 2004]

The movie is not the same as the stage production but it stands on its own as one of the best MGM musicals of the era. Howard Keel and Katherine Grayson were never better in any other of their films; Ann Miller is her usual energetic and delightful self, plus you get to see some superb dancers who made very few films at all, and they are all at the top of their form: Tommy Rall, Jeannie Coyne, Bob Fosse, Carol Haney and Bobby Van. The big closing number, From This Moment On, is a showcase for those five dancers plus Miller...look out for Fosse and Haney's amazing hipster/be-bop flavored segment! That song was added to the movie from another Porter show and it is the highlight of this great movie!

Cabin in the Sky (1943)

Ethel Waters in Superb Form

[25 December 2003]

This wonderful musical has a LOT going for it: a great cast of noted black actors from stage and screen, songs by Vernon Duke and Harold Arlen, the directorial debut of Vincent Minnelli, etc. But above all, you have a chance to see and hear the matchless singer/actress Ethel Waters in top form, and perhaps begin to understand why many consider her the greatest and most influential jazz/pop vocalist of all time...yes, every great singer who came later, including Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. had a style which came out of Ethel Waters...and that goes as well for her beautiful co-star in this film, Lena Horne. A must for fans of musicals, jazz, and great music!

Rufus Jones for President (1933)

Saved by Ethel Waters

[25 December 2003]

This really is a wretched bundle of nasty racial cliches, but oh my, when Ethel Waters sings I can forgive and forget all the vile and mean-spirited muck around her. What a shame that this great artist had so few chances to be recorded on film in her prime as a singer...and when Ethel Waters was in her prime, she was Number One.

Child of Divorce (1946)

The harsh realities of a divorce

[22 November 2002]

No traditional happy ending here, in this clear-eyed and very unsentimental look at the effects of a divorce on a sensitive young girl. The very bleak ending took me by surprise, and the performance of Sharyn Moffett in the title role is terrific. This was Richard Fleischer's first film as a director. Well worth your time!

Her Twelve Men (1954)

Sentimental and delightful

[9/10 · 15 October 2002]

I found it to be quite an affecting, warm-hearted film. Surely nobody could have played the new teacher as well as Miss Garson, and it is always a pleasure to see Robert Ryan playing a "good guy" instead of a pyscho-killer! Many excellent small parts for worthwhile players such as Barbara Lawrence, Ian Wolfe, Ivan Triesault, Frances Bergen, etc. Maybe it is just a big hunk of middle-brow sentimentality but I loved it!

Unholy Partners (1941)

Another great newspaper drama from Mervyn LeRoy

[9/10 · 15 October 2002]

This was a "new" one to me...I don't recall ever hearing or reading a thing about it. Touches of comedy and a terrific story, with wonderful scenes of Robinson and Edward Arnold turning in superb performances. Nice support from the likes of Marsha Hunt, Larraine Day, Don Beddoe and the very underrated DON COSTELLO, so memorable in "The Blue Dahlia." An interesting companion piece to LeRoy's 1931 "Five Star Final" which also starred Robinson. Superior writing and directing, but a twisty ending which comes over as contrived.

Hitler's Madman (1943)

Brilliant American Debut for Douglas Sirk

[17 May 2002]

Although the history portrayed in this little cheapie is not 100% accurate, the power and style of the great director Douglas Sirk shines through all the way. Carradine's death-bed scene is superbly acted, photographed and directed, and the climax, propaganda or not, is unforgettable. It is well worth your time!

Murder Is My Beat (1955)

Not all that bad!

[18 March 2002]

This is no masterpiece but is a modestly entertaining crime movie...not "noir" by any stretch either but the performances from a good group of "B" players are not bad, and anyway you don't get too much chance to see Barbara Payton in movies. Just don't expect any competition for The Big Heat or The Maltese Falcon and you should have a good time!