[e-mail] Reviews

The Falcon in Mexico (1944)

First class

[10/10 · 12 January 2012]

Really, all of the FALCON films are quite delightful, and THE FALCON IN Mexico is fresh, witty and consistently entertaining. Despite some of the rather silly reviews of it seen here this writer can very highly recommend it.

Typically with this series the dialog is quite sharp and delivered with panache by a solid stock company of reliable actors and actresses. The mystery element is quite well handled as well. I must say that one thing that particularly pleased me was its charming music score which relied heavily on south-of-the-border melodies as well as some classic RKO library music by Roy Webb which was always good.

Conway is as suave and pleasing to watch as ever and there is a fine supporting performance by the underrated Nestor Paiva. The ladies are beautiful, charming and a little mysterious and really nothing can be faulted here unless one enjoys indulging in nit-picking.

All in all a thoroughly satisfying movie and one of the very best of the FALCON series. Recommended for all viewers, not just FALCON fans.

The Giant Behemoth (1959)

first rate thriller

[9/10 · 9 April 2008]

Let me quickly begin by putting to rest once and for all a terrible error that is popping up everywhere concerning this film: THE GIANT BEHEMOTH was not, repeat NOT, "co-directed" by Mr Douglas Hickox. He was not an "uncredited" contributor to the film. Period. End of discussion. It was solely directed from start to finish by Eugene Lourie, a director (and production designer) of taste and imagination. How this rumor about Mr Hickox ever got started is beyond me.

If I accomplish nothing else but put this falsehood to rest I will be quite happy.

Now, on to the film. I recommend it highly. It is well-written, well-acted, nicely photographed and edited, and well-scored by Edwin Astley. It is a good example of what can be done on an extremely low budget. The producers were merciless in their budget-cutting which was very hard on master animators Willis O'Brien and Pete Peterson but it is a testament to their skill and integrity that they managed as well as they did. Their animation of the giant creature is of a very high order and is, of course, vastly superior to the work of a second special effects crew which was brought in to do the ferry boat sequence. The less said about that work the better, though the scene played well due to the fine editing and music scoring.

I greatly admire what was accomplished here by these talented people having almost no money to work with. That should be an inspiration to many an aspiring movie-maker.

The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961)

funny, clever movie

[10/10 · 9 January 2008]

A pity this very funny film has slipped into some sort of limbo lately, though it was common TV fare not too many years ago. It shows just how imaginative a director Jack Webb really was: the picture is full of delightful little directorial touches (most of them quite amusing). The casting of many familiar TV faces was a smart move for it gave nice roles to such stalwarts as Don Knotts, Louis Nye and Joe Flynn, to name a few.

Very highly recommended as a most pleasant comedy.

It is also a pity that some writers, like the previous reviewer, have to slander Webb's reputation by accusing him of homosexuality. It's a common libel applied to people who are conveniently dead and cannot defend themselves. I wont, of course, even dignify the writer's accusation by answering it, but will only say that Mr Webb's life and life's work speaks for itself.

SOS Pacific (1959)

first-class, underrated film

[10/10 · 14 January 2007]

I most certainly agree with the reviewer who awarded the film a "10". It does, indeed, well deserve it.

It is one of the most underrated pictures around with good, strong performances, very taut direction by Guy Green, excellent photography by Wilkie Cooper and interesting locations in the Canary Islands. Also worthy of note is the music score which was by the great French composer, Georges Auric.

Just as good, of course, is the story. I wont, of course, give away its great plot but just simply advise people to see it whenever it turns up. I envy the person who bought it on ebay! I, too, hope he enjoys it. It's a must-see thriller of the first order.

Subway in the Sky (1959)

Good story, nicely made

[6/10 · 22 December 2006]

Editor: Mr Harvey's somewhat over-the-top negative review of SUBWAY IN THE SKY may keep viewers away from what was a modestly made yet enjoyable story. Having just seen the picture for the first time yesterday I can honestly say that I was surprised how interesting it was. It kept the viewer firmly in his seat and was well acted by most of the performers. Van Johnson was playing a part unusual for him and he did it well while Hildegard Neff was fascinating to watch. The film was well edited and nicely photographed within the constraints of what was, of course, a filmed play.

While I agree that Muriel Box and her writers could have made it more cinematic by opening up the play more I cannot fault her for having told a good story. Mr Harvey's lambasting the film for poor writing and ineptitude is inexplicable considering what I saw on the screen. If you're in the mood for a tight, simple and cozy thriller some evening, catch it when it's on TV...and have a good supply of popcorn handy.

I would recommend the film to anyone who enjoys a briskly told story.

Notorious Gentleman (1945)

an excellent film

[9/10 · 22 December 2006]

I cannot praise THE RAKES PROGRESS too highly. It has a witty script, extremely fine performances, a good William Alwyn score (including the famous Calypso he wrote for the film), good-looking sets by Norman Arnold and handsome cinematography by Wilkie Cooper. It told a good story as well.

Yes, Rex Harrison was quite a bounder. At the time of the film's release some critics were disappointed in how the character's life suddenly changed at the film's end - a valid objection which, had the script inserted at least one "transitional" episode, might have made it more believable. However I find this a minor point, having taken great pleasure in such a beautifully made production. It gave Harrison a good opportunity to widen his acting range considerably. Hitherto only light comedy roles were offered him but in RAKE'S PROGRESS we see some serious sly villainy. It was this performance that took him to Hollywood, by the way. A special bouquet to Lilli Palmer for another sensitive, touching performance. She was, without doubt,one of the finest actresses on the screen.

Highly recommended.