It’s an average, pleasant day in Hampstead Heath. A lot of people are out and about; children are running and playing. But things take a grim turn when the children discover the body of a young woman who has been stabbed to death. Police get right to work investigating, learning that the woman was Sapphire Robbins (Yvonne Buckingham), a college student. Their investigation takes a … Continue reading Sapphire (1959)
“Pain and the knife are inseperable.” You would be forgiven for assuming that a film titled Corridors of Blood and starring none other than Boris Karloff would be a classic horror flick about a murderous count and his castle or a tunnel-dwelling vampire. But, brushing off all expectations, Corridors of Blood takes us back to London in the mid-19th century, where Karloff is a well-intentioned … Continue reading Corridors of Blood (1958)
Like multi-author short story collections, I often find anthology films pretty hit-or-miss. There are usually a few great segments — and more that range from weak to alright. I had higher hopes for Three Cases of Murder for a few reasons. First, it’s a genre in which I tend to at least somewhat-enjoy most of what I watch: the murder mystery. Add on a segment … Continue reading Three Cases of Murder (1955)
Susanne (Eva Dahlbeck) owns a modeling agency in Stockholm, and Doris (Harriet Andersson) is one of her most successful models. They’re headed off to Gothenburg for a shoot when Doris gets in a terrible argument with her fiance. Romantic drama and internal strife follow the women to Gothenburg, as Doris is wooed by an older man and Susanne reunited with an ex-lover. Ingmar Bergman writes … Continue reading Dreams (1955)
The favorite film: In a Lonely Place, a 1950 noir classic directed by Nicholas Ray The synopsis: Hollywood screenwriter Dixon Steele is more productive than ever after starting up a new romance with his neighbor, Laurel. As their relationship grows, though, Dixon’s volatile and self-destructive behavior causes trouble. The cast: Humphrey Bogart as Dixon Steele Gloria Grahame as Laurel Gray Carl Benton Reid as Captain … Continue reading Favorite things about… In a Lonely Place (1950)
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)
Happy Horror Half-Week! TMP is celebrating the spooky season with three film reviews and a special edition of “Favorite Things About…” to be published on Halloween. Yesterday, we took a look at 1957’s Invasion of the Saucer-Men. See below for today’s frightening feature! The gossip mill is set alight in the sleepy town of Riverdale, Illinois after several residents see what they think is a … Continue reading Horror Half-Week, Day 2: The Brain Eaters (1958)
Duck Creek, Connecticut is a sleepy town full of friendly people. Cindy Kimball (Jane Powell) is one of the town’s most beloved residents — the daughter of the town judge and a soloist in the church choir. One Sunday evening, the Kimball family is enjoying a meal after church when they’re interrupted by a policeman looking for the judge. Big city fella Rick Belrow Livingston … Continue reading Small Town Girl (1953)
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)
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)
