Reviews of films I’ve watched for the first time
Beverly Boyer (Doris Day) is a happy housewife. Her husband Gerald is a successful doctor. They have two young children and a very nice, large house. All is well. One evening, while having dinner with one of Gerald’s patients, Beverly tells a cute story about her kids and their new love for “Happy Soap” — a product that just so happens to be made by … Continue reading The Thrill of It All (1963)
Matt Hastings (John Agar) is a doctor on a mission. After being refused an autopsy on a highly unusual corpse by the sheriff, Dr. Hastings is determined to figure out what caused the corpse’s apparent sudden acromegaly. Hastings calls on Dr. Gerald Deemer (Leo G. Carroll), who had a hand in refusing the autopsy. As it turns out, Deemer knows there’s something odd going on. … Continue reading Tarantula (1955)
“Hey, this is swell. Home murder mysteries! Why go out for thrills when you can have them in your own parlor?” Tim Winthrop (Leslie Fenton) has asked his criminal lawyer pal Clay Dalzell (William Powell) for help tracking down a missing girlfriend. Clay’s sort-of fiancée, Donna Mantin (Ginger Rogers) is intrigued by the case. That night, the three head to the theater, where the mysterious … Continue reading Star of Midnight (1935)
Things aren’t going too well for the jewel thieves of London. They’re managing to steal plenty of diamonds, but a ghoul only known as “the Squeaker” is forcing them to sell their spoils to him at a fraction of their value. Even though it may land him in trouble with Scotland Yard (from whom the Squeaker promises protection), Larry Graeme (Robert Newton) refuses to comply … Continue reading Murder on Diamond Row (1937)
The war is on, and Dave Stewart has been on active duty for over a year with his buddy Fixit Gilman. They’re finally being given a short leave to visit California. While on their three-day pass, Dave and Fixit head to Pasadena, where Dave went to college. On the bus, they meet Cora Colton (Faye Emerson) and Janet Wheeler (Eleanor Parker). Girl-crazy Fixit is instantly … Continue reading The Very Thought of You (1944)
Matt and Jean Spenser (played by real-life couple Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna) are a young couple with big dreams. Matt is set to receive an inheritance from his uncle, and when he does, it’s off to Samarkand for adventure and exploration. But the inheritance isn’t quite what Matt expects. Instead of a wad of cash, it’s a property — a movie theater. Not all … Continue reading The Smallest Show on Earth (1957)
Dear readers, I apologize for taking an unexpected break! Things have been a bit wild for me on a personal level this month. I’ve had little time for movie-watching, and even less time for writing. I’m further behind on planning/prepping blog posts for August than I’d like to be, but I hope this post will mark a steady return to our normal three-days-a-week schedule on … Continue reading Period film: The Last Tycoon (1976)
Frank Enley (Van Heflin) was lucky to survive his time spent as a prisoner of war in a Nazi camp during the second World War. When he returns home and settles down in a small California town, he is known as a war hero and a well-respected member of the community. Frank’s Wife, Edith (Janet Leigh), knows that Frank moved them across the country from … Continue reading Act of Violence (1949)
“The desert is full of things that don’t belong.” In the California desert, a meteorite has crashed into the Earth. This isn’t an entirely unusual event, but it is good reason for geologist Ben Gilbert (Phil Harvey) to collect a few rock fragments for study. That night, a container of water is knocked over near the rock, which causes the rock to grow — killing … Continue reading The Monolith Monsters (1957)
As the destruction and danger of World War I continue to sweep across the continent, American officer Frederick Henry (Rock Hudson) finds himself serving in an ambulance unit alongside the Italian army. After being wounded, Frederick is cared for by Red Cross nurse Catherine Barkley (Jennifer Jones). Catherine is no stranger to him. They met earlier, near the front, and only grow closer as he … Continue reading A Farewell to Arms (1957)
