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THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME (1932). Very taut brisk film based on the excellent Richard Connell short story. Neat seeing sets and hearing sounds used in KING KONG which was being filmed at the same time as well as seeing Robert Armstrong, Noble Johnson and the immortal Fay Wray who were also in KK. ****
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The Scarlet Claw (1944)
8/10 Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, try to solve a case in which it appears a creature has killed livestock and now a woman. As with many Holmes' films, and as with this series, the film's plot and motivations are rather convoluted, shot out faster than comprehendible, and often ridiculous. It's about the ride, and the film has good pace and is effectively shot. If you're like myself, preferring mysteries where one can make deductions and follow the leads along with the detective, than this film is not likely to satisfy that itch. Notable in the series, this film makes very poor use of Holmes' partner Dr Watson. Watson does not help Holmes, not even in the fun accidental way this series sometimes offers: where Watson will say something that brings an answer to Holmes' mind. Rather in this film, Watson might as well not exist, and rather than being often humours is much more a nuisance and annoying. |
I watched a little bit of White Zombie and I didn't really like it. I guess I'm just not a big fan of Hollywood Voodoo because they always make voodoo out to be some dark and evil thing and if you have ever been to places like New Orleans you would know that some people are deeply offended by that.
Give me George Romero's Night of the Living Dead zombies over White Zombie's zombies any day. ::smile:: |
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1940s movie
I see that Comcast is showing "House of Dracula" today. TV doesn't show that movie very much. John Carradine is pretty classy as Count Dracula in that movie.
I don't know what the girl is playing in the scene where she's playing the piano, but it's something classical. |
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SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS (1941). Director of escapist films wants to do a serious picture and dressed as a Hobo, decides to see how the other half lives. These experiences teach him that escapism is often not a bad thing and how a small kindness can mean everything.
Very good Preston Sturges film-certainly better than his 1948 UNFAITHFULLY YOURS-with many fine performances, pathos and decent laughs. Joel McRea (THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT , RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY) and lovely Veronica Lake (I MARRIED A WITCH, THIS GUN FOR HIRE) have wonderful chemistry, but have read they did not get along at all, so kudos to their acting. **** |
then don't see this movie
If you don't like movies that are too slow moving, don't watch The Mummy (the original.) I like these old movies, and even I thought it was too slow moving. Maybe it's because the director, Karl Freund, started out as a cinematographer.
Hee hee! For an unusual take on The Mummy, try to find a copy of Russell Baker's essay "The Well-bred Mummy." |
The Raven (1935)
6/10 http://horror.com/forum/attachment.p...1&d=1532210488 A wealthy man convinces Dr. Vollin (Bela Lugosi), an arrogant and unstable surgeon, to save the life of his injured daughter Jean (Irene Ware). Though Jean is engaged to be married, the young woman's innocent awe and gratitude towards the life-saving surgeon, also stirs-up the doctor's torturous obsession in Jean. Unfortunately for everyone, Dr. Vollin also has a mad obsession with the torture devices he reads in Edgar Allen Poe literature. It's a real treat to see Bela Lugosi have this much uninterrupted screen time. He plays an arrogant mad surgeon quite well. Unfortunately, besides some potent, though rather obvious, visual symbolism, such as a stuffed raven casting shadows on the wall, the story and dialogue is quite simple-minded, sluggish and ridiculous. The script seems better suited to a tongue-in-cheek stage play. Dr. Vollin coerces a reluctant violent fugitive, Bateman (Boris Karloff), to assist him in his unhinged immoral intentions. Here Karloff's character is remarkably similar to his famous film role as the Frankenstein's monster. It's not surprising many story and character elements of the Raven seem all to reminiscent to the Dracula and Frankenstein films of 1931, with a peppering of some Flash Gordon comic-strip and film serial devices and suspense, such as levers, mechanical sliding doors and floors, and the perils of "trash-compacting" walled rooms. Perhaps not so coincidentally, Universal Studios would release the Flash Gordon film serial the following year (1936). For those who really love the style of the 1930's horror films, the Raven provides a well paced and competent production. Just don't expect much intellectual or emotional stimulation. (And as an extra reading treat, here's a 2005 Horror.com review of the film, written by stacilayne (Staci Layne Wilson). You may prefer to read it after you see the film if you'd rather be surprised by the unfolding of the film's story, as the review has many story details. http://www.horror.com/php/article-926-1.html) |
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THE JUNGLE BOOK (1967). Last Disney film made in Walt's lifetime has the usual awesome animation and songs. However, quite a lot of filler (especially the. marching Elephants and the Beatle-esque Vultures) and Mowgli is really a snotty little kid who wears thin quick. Louis Prima, Sebastian Cabbott and Phil Harris are good, but George Sanders as Shere Khan all but steals the show from everyone and is well worth the price of admission. *** |
THE VAMPIRE AND THE BALLERINA (1960). Liked this better than I thought I would. A real beautiful print (Italian with subs), lots of honeys, plenty of atmosphere and I love the Vampire's method of keeping the neighborhood his own::big grin::! Hero in here is, as usual, pretty ineffectual as well as unfaithful. ***
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THE PLAYGIRLS AND THE VAMPIRE (1960). After THE VAMPIRE AND THE BALLERINA, was in the mood for more of the same, but got less with this. The "Playgirls" are more like uninspiring strippers who have to stay in a castle and promptly do every stupid thing You could think of. Bad "comic" relief also, but probably the first nude vampire on the screen (Europeans more relaxed about that) as well as sheer short nighties! If You want to check this out, go ahead, but once will probably be more than enough. ** |
The Public Enemy (1931)
8/10 I wish I had seen this before seeing Scarface (1983) and other films... cause there's been so many copies of so many of Public Enemy's scenes. It's a great looking and pulsing paced film. James Cagney (as Jim Powers) packs an emotional punch throughout the entire film. It's a morality play, as most films are, and although this was written just a bit more simplex, obvious and slightly preachy than I would have liked, it still doesn't shy away from some harsh grittiness, including the famous scene where Powers smashes a grapefruit into his girlfriend's face. The film still stays pretty lively, basically because of Cagney visceral inner tightness and energy, the quick story pace, and the shot direction. Cagney was a fine actor who played the gangster parts so well that he got type-cast as a gangster for awhile. But he was also so good that he was able to battle the powerful studio system to adjust his contracts, do other roles, and also started his own studio for a spell. As an actor and performer, he was also a dancer, singer and comedian. Even though he did make a huge mark in his role in Yankee Doodle Dandy, in perpetuity his gangster persona still dominates public perception. |
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FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! (1966). Outrageously audacious Russ Meyer film is as much fun as I heard it was...jaw dropping throughout. Three extremely zaftig (it is a Russ Meyer film, after all) psychotic Go-Go girls spend their free time Desert drag racing, fighting, murder, kidnapping and attempted robbery.Tura Satana is GREAT as Varla, the leader of the gang. Susan Bernard (the Kidnappee) later went on to be Miss December 1966 for PLAYBOY, married Jason Miller (Father Karras in THE EXORCIST) and gave birth to Josh Miller, the creepy little kid in RIVER'S EDGE and NEAR DARK. In addition, many samples from this on White Zombie's EL SEXORCISTO: DEVIL MUSIC VOL 1. Essential viewing. ***** |
The Black Cat (1934)
two of the things I like about The Black Cat (1934) are the outrageous set design and the fact that Lugosi gets to play the good guy for a change.
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more Black Cat
line from the movie, quoted in Famous Monsters of Filmland, so I was looking for it when I watched the movie:
"Vitus, you are mad!" |
two Ravens
You guys probably wouldn't confuse these two movies, but there was the thirties movie The Raven and the 1960s spoof The Raven, both starring Karloff. The 1970s one also had Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Hazel Court, who was born to wear low cut dresses.
Trivia: I think I read in FM that some of the best lines in the movie were ad libs by Lorre. Like the scene where they are down in the crypt, and Lorre rubs the dusty old stone wall and says "Hard place to keep clean, huh?" FM also reported that Karloff begged the director to get rid of the great big scarlet cloak he wears in the movie, because it was so heavy. |
quotation from Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man
Lawrence Talbot: Don't you understand? When the moon rises, I turn into a wolf!
Costello: You and 50,000 other guys. I also liked Lugosi's line: "Ah, you young people, making the most of life...while it lasts!" |
HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1939). Despite a heavy preachiness throughout, this is very well made with Charles Laughton superb as the pathetically hideous Bell ringer. His final line and the look of sheer disappointment when his guardian passes him by on the pillory are unforgettable. Stupendous sets, many extras and also quick bits with Rondo Hatton and George Zucco.
One of Maureen O'Hara's first films -she is lovely- and Sir Cedric Hardwicke is frightening as the lecherous priest...more frightening is wondering how many women were falsely accused and met a terrible end throughout history. **** |
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SPOILER
I hate in in movies where in end the vampires turn out to be not real vampires, like in Fangs of the living dead and Mark of the Vampire.
But you should still watch mark of the vampire for the terrific cinematography and for Lionel Barrymore's performance. |
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::big grin:: Did you ever see George Romero's vampire film "Martin"? |
I did see Martin
I did see Martin, at some college film society.
The movie was definitely well made, but the concept is sick. |
The vampire and the ballerina
I have heard that the director of V. and the ballerina did a movie around the same time called Vampire of the Opera. I wouldn't mind seeing that.
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Definitely in the 1939 version and Anthony Hopkins one. And also sure it's in the 1923 Chaney film. A great way of Crowd control::big grin::::big grin::!! |
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MARTIN is a great film, one of my favorites from Romero. John Amplas is very good and absolute gentleman when my wife and I met him at HORRORFIND 2008. |
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I didn't know Amplas, who played Martin, went on to play characters in other Romero's films. In Day of the Dead, he was Dr. Fisher, technician and aide to Dr "Frankenstien" Logan. ::big grin:: |
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Guess I'll just have to log off and watch the film::big grin::! |
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Killer Shrews
The shrews in Killer Shrews were wearing Rat-tails? How fashionable.
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I'm watching "The Screaming Skull" on MST3K.
The scene of that "ghost" running and skipping in that big hat and dress was too funny. ::big grin::::danger:: |
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