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Reviews
Night Gallery: The Sins of the Fathers/You Can't Get Help Like That Anymore (1972)
Scary? Horrifying?
I do not understand what the other reviewers were trying to suggest that this episode of Night Gallery is so scary and horrifying and that Poe would be jealous. It is about as scary as an episode of Captain Kangaroo. The acting of course is wonderful with Thomas and Page (she could do anything) but honestly this is not scary. It is just a lot of screaming and yelling. That in itself is not horrifying it is just loud. Barbara (last name ?) who played the widow was pretty good too. I have a feeling that the reviewers who find this episode of Night Gallery to be so frightening and appallingly scary and horrifying are really Rod Serling groupies who would approve of anything he did. Don't fret if you miss this episode.
Drums of Africa (1963)
Pitiful
Mariette Hartley deserved better than to be cast in this mistake of a movie which supposedly takes place in 1883. Frankie Avalon is groomed like a 1960s guy, talks like a 1960s guy ("Terrific!") and likewise deserved better. Torin Thatcher does a nice performance however, he was quite the trouper, and is very believable. Lloyd Bochner is right about where he belonged in this type of movie, but the entire leading and supporting cast members all seem to be embarrassed by what they know will be a terrible movie. The cuts to wildlife action are really poor, totally unrealistic and embarrassingly obviously faked. At the end of the opening credits, where the date of production appears in Roman numerals, they even got that wrong MCMXLIII which means 1943 it should have been MCMLXIII for 1963. I half-expected Frankie to all of a sudden appear driving a 1962 Thunderbird through the bush.
Torch Song (1953)
Severe, absurd, and just plain scary.
After Joan finished Mildred Pierce, she entered her absurd period. Enhancing that, she became severe, and with Torch Song she has added just plain scary to her film presence.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I watched Torch Song. Joan's close-ups look like some kind of art deco over-colorized presentation that is guaranteed to make the viewer wonder if this was intended as a joke or as a surreal escape. Check out the eyebrows that look like they belong on Queen Kong, the fruit-like color of her hair, the blood red lips, and in fact the she-devil enhanced shape of her lips themselves.
So many embarrassingly obvious ways to get her legs in the picture...nauseatingly odd as she tried to portray Marjorie Rambeau's daughter - they looked more like a couple of old hag sisters who belonged in a smoky cocktail bar, not doing "girl talk" in mom's apartment.
And furthermore, Joan is not pretty, she was always an overly made-up actress full of spite, nastiness, and intolerance for human frailty. I don't really think this film is a portrayal of character Jenny Stewart as much as it is a realistic view of Joan Crawford.
The Party (1968)
One of the worst movies ever
This has got to be one of the most boring movies ever. Even Peter Sellers' routines get embarrassingly tawdry and pitiful with the slow, difficult pace of this film. His faux-Indian accent is likewise embarrassing, somebody needs to put this film out of its misery. The jokes and funny stuff are not that funny, they may have been better suited for the early Lucy shows. This is "must miss" stuff for sure. It doesn't come anywhere close to Sellers' perfect work in other films of the period. The drunk waiter routine is likewise very filled with tedium after the 10th visit to this situation. I watched it on TCM and I can't believe this film was the prime-time attraction at 8PM on a Friday night.
The First Traveling Saleslady (1956)
Embarrassingly Weak
RKO went out of business after this movie was made and it is no wonder. Carol Channing is a beast; Ginger Rogers, James Arness, and Clint Eastwood are nearly hopeless. It has got to be the direction and the script because all four are good actors - not to mention all of the very good supporting actors that appear. The plot is almost too silly to be believed and I found myself wishing it would end soon, it is embarrassingly weak. If it were a musical it could at least have some irrational premise that might make it worthwhile, but no such luck. Redeeming features: the costumes, and the chance to see a real star (Ginger Rogers) in action, she is a true professional; rising stars like Channing, Arness, and Eastwood. But don't set the VCR to record.
John and Mary (1969)
Breakfast at the Plaza Hotel!
This is a fine little movie. It is a great commentary at the way young singles acted out their lives at the start of the anything-goes ME era. It's worth watching just to hear Mia say that line about breakfast. I remember at the time it was released that Dustin Hoffman was a bit unconvincing as a swinging single, since it had only been about 3 years since Mrs. Robinson seduced him after he spent the afternoon floating around the family pool. When you watch "John and Mary", enjoy the great on-location filming, and keep a sharp lookout for when the two title characters actually introduce themselves by name to each other, lest you miss this touching moment.