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)
“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)
Curious paradox, isn’t it, gentlemen? After a million-year climb up the evolutionary ladder, man’s great discovery is the way to undo his accomplishments and turn himself into a beast again. The great temptation of our time, to let the beast triumph over the seeker for truth.” Dr. Donald Blake (Arthur Franz) is a paleontology professor at Dunsfield University, receiving his latest specimen for research, a … Continue reading Monster on the Campus (1958)
“So close, the infinitesimal and the infinite.” Scott Carey (Grant Williams) is enjoying a sunny afternoon on a boat with his wife, Louise (Randy Stuart). When Louise heads into the cabin to get a couple of drinks, Scott is troubled to see a large cloud moving over the surface of the water toward the boat. It engulfs the boat, but passes just as Louise emerges … Continue reading The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Gus: “What about this dame, Mr. Crystal Ball?” Walter: “A dish.” Gus: “What kind of a dish?” Walter: “Sixty-cent special. Cheap, flashy. Strictly poison under the gravy.”” Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) and Gus Forbes (Don Beddoe) are Los Angeles police detectives, having just arrived in Chicago to corral Mrs. Neall, the widow of a notorious gangster. Mrs. Neall (Marie Windsor) has been called to testify … Continue reading The Narrow Margin (1952)
The year is 1947, and the British have decided to withdraw from India. That means Colonel Rodney Savage (Stewart Granger) will be returning to England. As he boards his train, he receives a smooch from Victoria Jones (Ava Gardner). After boarding, he talks with a fellow passenger, recounting the details of his stay in Bhowani Junction and telling the story of how he met Victoria. … Continue reading Bhowani Junction (1956)
Vera (Angela Lansbury) is a newlywed, returning home with her husband Stanley (George Montgomery) following their honeymoon. They share a beautiful home, situated on a lake. It should be an ideal place to start their lives together. But Vera finds herself restless and skittish. This is thanks to the lingering memory of Stanley’s first wife, Julie, who lived in the house… and whose Siamese cat … Continue reading Classic Stars on the Small Screen: Claire (1956)
“For the night is already at hand, and it is well to yield to the night.” Mary Hilton (Diana Dors) has committed a serious crime. In broad daylight, she shot and killed another woman. Now she sits in prison, awaiting her own execution. What could possess a young salesgirl, with her entire life ahead of her, to become a cold-blooded killer? And does she truly … Continue reading Yield to the Night (1956)
“I didn’t have the sense to know the difference between a war hero and a murderer.” Wes Tancred (Richard Egan) is a notorious gunslinger, known for allegedly having killed his best friend with no provocation, while his back was turned. While Wes has received a full pardon, that doesn’t stop rumors from spreading. There’s even been a song written about him, calling him “black-hearted” and … Continue reading Tension at Table Rock (1956)
