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susanctoo
Reviews
The Wicked Lady (1945)
Gasp Worthy Daring Deeds!
I was actually shocked by the "heroine's" horrible deeds! She makes Scarlett O'Hara look like a saint. The story is melodramatic as others have noted. The costumes are ridiculously over the top and only partly authentic. But you easily get caught up in the story and just ride along to see what the heck she will get up to next. The biggest surprise for me was James Mason. I always thought he was a somewhat boring and wooden actor. But here as the dashing highway man I was swept away. I could not believe that was him in the role. Best acting from him that I had ever seen. All and all just what I want in a film. Lack of reality and the ability to make me forget the real world and get transported to the fun world of make believe.
Two on a Guillotine (1965)
Just a perfect little scary movie ...that's not too scary!
I just loved this movie. The actors are fun to watch. The fear level is mysterious but not terrifying. It is perfect for a lazy afternoons viewing. It has a wonderful mid century modern feel with convertibles, high heels and big hair styles and go go dancers too!
Jubilee Trail (1954)
Unusual and Charming Colorful Western Romance
Unusual and charming western, though it is really more of a romantic costume film. The sets and costumes are glorious, as others have noted. Very unusual color combinations for the ladies. Great authenticity to the sets. Lots of Spanish being spoken, without translation. The acting is good and the story is not at all the usual wagon train picture. I did not care so much for all of the singing. It was a little distracting. Filler if you will. But the romance was good. It was kind of an old fashioned melodrama actually. Well just watch it, but do not have expectations ahead of time because it is not at all what you would expect.
Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)
I am Hooked on Charlie Chan!
I found all of these early Charlie Chan's on Youtube and have been watching them in order. I am a huge mystery fan who watches Sherlock Holmes, Murder She Wrote, Hercule Poirot, etc. This one has some very entertaining features.
There is the authentic 1930s era circus to start with. A real trapeze artist Maxine Reiner plays the girl on the daring trapeze. Also there are the Brasnos, brother and sister midget team, who play Colonel Tim and Lady Tiny. They do a wonderful authentic Latin ballroom dance which we get to see all of. Scenes of the circus train are there with the elephants helping to push the wagons when they unload. All the tiny details are a wonderful history lesson.
I know some find the actors portrayal racist but I tend to disagree. First of all he is clearly smarter than everyone else since he is the only one who solves the mystery in the end. I find it somewhat similar to Hercule Poirot....a Belgian detective played by a British actor on PBS. He has his little mannerisms also and faces much prejudice from people calling him a French frog and foreigner. Yet he triumphs over all solving the riddles using only his little gray cells.There is a scene in this film where the others want Charlie Chan's autograph and he signs it using what I assume to be Chinese symbols. Many times the characters break into the Chinese language. I think the writers honored his heritage in some of those small details.
I watch movies to escape reality and be entertained. I like to just go along for the ride. All and all I have been delighted with Warner Oland's portrayal and can't wait to watch the rest of them.
The Panther's Claw (1942)
Entertaining for a Sunday Afternoon
This is a cute blend of comedy and mystery as others have said. It is at least as good as a modern TV sitcom. I thought Byron Foulger did a great job as the suspicious character who just might be a bad guy. He is so addled being questioned by the police and so scared of his wife and 5 daughters it makes for a sympathetic and charming hero. The plot slowly bumps along with plenty of red herrings thrown around and more humour stirred in with the stereotyped black elevator operator doing the step and fetch it style humour good for a little chuckle. If hubby who really does not like B and W movies stayed interested, then that is enough to recommend it.
Star Trek: The Conscience of the King (1966)
My Point of View
I am going to review a different angle on this episode. Costumes and hairstyles. This is just a fabulous episode for those of us into fashion. The mini mini skirts and glittering hosiery. The tall tall hair styles achieved with many hair pieces. Fur and jewels on men and woman. And those mod mod prints that hint at Pucci as the designer. The sixties had a space age feel to fashion so it has a great futuristic feel to it while being very much still the sixties.
Another part of the plot that I liked especially well was having Spock at the forefront of the plot. He is baffled by the captains behavior and starts to unravel the mystery. I think Spock was at his best in this. Of course I am a huge mystery fan so this episode appealed in that aspect.
And it should be mentioned that Uhuru sings a strange spacey song while playing her autoharp like instrument.
The glorious color of this episode was a special treat too as I saw these episodes in black and white originally. That violet sky was a great touch.