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bbowman-7
Reviews
Cry of the Werewolf (1944)
Stinkeroo!
I can't believe these User Comments! Sheesh! This one has GOT to be one of the worst travesties and wastes of time in my book! What's up with Stephen Crane? Terrible actor! He's attacked by the werewolf and then stands up calmly, brushes himself off and says: "Yeah..I'm okay..." This is the best that Lana Turner could do? The whole piece of garbage looked like it was made for about twenty bucks. Nina Foch must have gone home a gotten drunk every night. The "wolf" was the only natural actor in the movie! Fritz Leiber's wooden performance brings new meaning to the expression "bad actor"! And Osa Massen? I couldn't get Inga from Young Frankenstein out of my mind!
The Tell-Tale Heart (1953)
A must see and perfect for Halloween
I saw this short back in 1953 when I was just a kid. Had nightmares about it for a long time after. I haven't seen it since and have always wondered why. Was there some reason it was taken out of circulation? The mood and atmosphere with the juxtaposition of UPA animation (cartoons in those days-mostly associated with Mr.Magoo and Gerald McBoing Boing.) and thriller-style mood piece was groundbreaking. Since then I've been a fan of Poe's and especially that story. If anyone knows where it is or how I might see it again I'd love to know where I could get a copy. Anyone? Pleeeez? Is there other thriller-type animation out there? (No I'm not talking about Scooby Doo!)
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)
holes in the story (spoiler)
Why didn't Garrett make sure HE kept the evidence? The untimely death of Austin Spencer was predictable. Any lawyer would advise duplicates for that very reason. Besides, maybe Spencer was going to set him up. It was his suggestion. Can you imagine someone suggesting this to you? "Hey why don't YOU make the cops accuse you!" "Yeah great idea...WHAT?" Also bad ending. What Susan Spencer heard was "hearsay evidence". They were alone in the room and as long as Garrett maintained he DIDN'T mention the girl's real first name, who would be able to tell who was telling the truth and who wasn't? Sorry, a disappointing movie -especially from a master like Lang whom Hitchcock revered and emulated. Hitch would've done better with this one.
Killer McCoy (1947)
Real Punches?
No he's no Di Niro but his street pug slugging came off very real. Mickey Rooney looked like he was really taking some shots up there and I wouldn't doubt it if he actually insisted on doing it for the realism. Either that or the editing deserved an Oscar! Interesting cameo of , Johnny Andrisiano,( Rocky ) the real-life fighter who trained Mic for the film. (And who died mysteriously-suicide?) Also keep your eyes peeled for a quick but fleeting glimpse of Shelly Winters as one of two autograph hounds in the car. James Dunn playing his poor song-and-dance soul was superb! This movie is a rare gem and it really deserves more credit than it's given.