The favorite film: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, a 1947 romantic fantasy directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz The cast: Gene Tierney as Lucy Rex Harrision as Captain Daniel Gregg George Sanders as Miles “Uncle Neddy” Fairley Edna Best as Martha Huggins Robert Coote as Mr. Coombe The synopsis: Since the death of her husband, Lucy Muir has been living with his family, but she and … Continue reading Favorite things about… The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Bob Merrick (Rock Hudson) is a daredevil. Notorious for pulling off dangerous stunts, he’s an adrenaline junkie. One day, while driving his speedboat too fast on the lake, he crashes. In the small town of Brightwood, there’s only one resuscitator, so it’s brought to the scene of the crash from the house of Dr. Wayne Phillips, the head of the local hospital. Bob survives thanks … Continue reading Second Looks: Magnificent Obsession (1954)
Hollywood Canteen is a famously star-packed variety show with appearances by Jack Benny, the Andrews Sisters, Joe E. Brown, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, John Garfield, Paul Henreid, Ida Lupino, and more! When it isn’t busy offering up its plethora of star cameos, the film follows Slim Green (Robert Hutton) and his pal Sgt. Nolan (Dane Clark). The fellas are on leave for three nights, and … Continue reading Second Looks: Hollywood Canteen (1944)
Cathy Timberlake (Doris Day) isn’t having the best day. Struggling to find a job, she is headed to the unemployment office to pick up a check when she’s nearly smushed flat by a passing limousine. She survives, but her outfit doesn’t, splattered with mud. Philip Shayne (Cary Grant), the man in the limo, later spots Cathy from his office window and sends one of his … Continue reading Second Looks: That Touch of Mink (1962)
Eight men in New York City have come together for a noble purpose: to compile an encyclopedia of all human knowledge. Professor Bertram Potts (Gary Cooper) has decided his latest contribution will be to research modern American slang for addition to the encyclopedia. The men work slowly but diligently, in a house they share, which is kept up by Miss Bragg (Kathleen Howard). Their financial … Continue reading Second Looks: Ball of Fire (1941)
Yesterday, “Two films, one tale” took a look at The More the Merrier, the 1943 film about a woman who winds up sharing her apartment with two men after placing an advertisement looking for a roommate — her patriotic contribution to the war-induced housing shortage in Washington, D.C. Today, we’ll be looking at the second of the two films that share this tale: Walk, Don’t … Continue reading Two films, one tale: Walk, Don’t Run (1966)
Back in February, you folks may remember that I published two reviews under the theme of “Two films, one tale, one Tyrone” — reviewing 1937’s Love is News and its remake, That Wonderful Urge, both of which star Tyrone Power. I never intended to turn “Two films, one tale” into a series here on the blog, but I just can’t help myself. One sleepy Saturday … Continue reading Two films, one tale: The More the Merrier (1943)
King Richard (Ian Hunter) has left England to take part in the Crusades. The mission that would have made him a hero has instead turned him into a prisoner, when he is captured and held for ransom. Unfortunately for King Richard, his brother, Prince John (Claude Rains), is in no hurry to pay that ransom and get him freed. John and his sidekicks, Sir Guy … Continue reading Second Looks: Errol and Olivia in ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938)
Last weekend, the Redford offered up a screening I couldn’t miss: Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. It was a digital presentation — not the preferred format for a classic film revival, but still very exciting, since I’ve loved this film for so long and have never seen it on a screen larger than a LIFE magazine. (Okay, maybe a screen the size of two … Continue reading Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘To Catch a Thief’ at the Redford Theatre
Note: Today we end our exploration of The Complete James Dean Collection with a review of Giant. If you missed ’em, here are the other reviews from the set: East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause. Bick Benedict (Rock Hudson) is a very wealthy rancher living in Texas. When he travels North to buy a horse, he meets the beautiful Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor). … Continue reading The Films of James Dean: Giant (1956)
