“Nobody can tell you where your place is.” When Hilary Ames (Reginald Gardiner) has a problem with his sink just as he’s preparing to host a cocktail party, the last person he expects to fix the problem is a young woman. He mistakes visitor Adam Belinski (Charles Boyer) for the plumber before Cluny Brown (Jennifer Jones) arrives, wrench in hand and ready to get to … Continue reading Cluny Brown (1946)
In the Japanese countryside, three thieves wait outside of a house, plotting to break in. Unfortunately for them, the house is busier than expected. Along with the extended family, there are lodgers, and friends stopping by every other minute. There seems to be no perfect time to carry out their crime! As the criminals watch the house, the family’s own dramas carry on inside, oblivious … Continue reading Danger Stalks Near (1957)
Michael Cassidy (Melvyn Douglas) is celebrating the 75th anniversary of his newspaper when he gets horrifying news from the paper’s owner, Matt Cooper: the paper is to stop publication immediately. When anger brews over the suddenness of the announcement and combines with Michael’s pride for the paper, he hatches a plan to solve a kidnapping case, get the scoop, and prove that the paper’s good … Continue reading Tell No Tales (1939)
“A journey into the absurd, with a delightful companion, and no consequences and no regrets!” Jean (Ginger Rogers) and David (Ronald Coleman) are passing each other on the street one day when he wishes her good luck. Soon after, Jean is given an expensive dress for free and becomes convinced the stranger genuinely brought her good luck. Sure that he’s a lucky man, Jean asks … Continue reading Lucky Partners (1940)
Every year is a great year for discovery as a classic film fan. Inevitably, my list of favorites only grows longer (and more difficult to rank) as I explore the filmographies of my favorite stars, writers, and directors — and discover new obsessions. To keep things simple, I’ve narrowed my list of favorite discoveries in 2018 down to twenty films. Without further ado… A Matter … Continue reading 2018 in Film: Most Memorable Discoveries
Another year over! As is the custom here on the blog, today I’m sharing the big yearly wrap-up: full stats on my 2018 viewing, plus the top blog posts of the year. On to the stats! The Big Numbers New to me in 2018: 153 Re-watches in 2018: 63 Total number of viewings in 2018: 216 Methods of Viewing Amazon Video – 12 At the … Continue reading 2018 in Film: Yearly Viewing Recap
I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to be done with a year as I am to be done with 2018! But before we forge ahead and tack up our new 2019 calendars, let’s take a look back at what was watched in December. New-to-me viewings: 20 Re-watches: 14 Total for December: 34 Total for 2018: 216 December was one of my larger viewing … Continue reading December 2018 in Film
“The dove of peace was a pigeon. A dead pigeon.” Dr. Heinrich Bernhardt is in Paris, post-war, to attend a secret UN conference focused on German reunification. Elsewhere, a mysterious message has been found — “9850,” “21:45,” the letter “D,” and “Sulzbach” — attached to a dead pigeon. The police are unable to figure out the coded message but know that it’s some sort of … Continue reading Second Looks: Berlin Express (1948)
Barbara Worth (Margaret Lockwood) is a beautiful noblewoman, but she doesn’t exactly act the part. Mean-spirited and continuously sharpening her tongue, Barbara escalates to true crime when she decides to masquerade as a highwayman to scare a society rival. On the road, she meets the intimidating Jackson (James Mason), a criminal both feared and admired by the local community. They soon begin to fall in … Continue reading The Wicked Lady (1945)
November was a very fruitful month for collecting. Not only was it the month of the Barnes & Noble Criterion sale, but I also struck gold at my local library’s book sale — which happened to have several banquet tables full of LIFE magazines this month! I went a little overboard at both sales, but hey, the time to grab a deal is when you … Continue reading Collector’s Corner: November Criterion Sale + LIFE Magazines
