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1937, Humphrey Bogart, Leslie Howard
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Colossal Studios is not on firm financial footing. It’s owned by a New York bank called Pettypacker & Sons.
The studio is ripe for sale, and those are the plans, but Executive Vice-President Atterbury Dodd (Leslie Howard) feels that the studio is still a viable property and that if he is sent West it can be straightened out. He’s a bean-counter of the worst kind and he feels that it’s just a numbers game and that it needs better management to live up to its potential.
Reluctantly, the board of directors agree to give him a chance.
When he arrives in Hollywood, he finds out that he has a lot to learn about the movie business - and people.
He meets a girl (Joan Blondell), who will continuously try to steer things in the right direction. Other prominent players include hard-drinking studio head Doug Quintain (Humphrey Bogart in a very non-typical role).
All kinds of shenanigans are going on around the studio, most of them not good, including the making of a movie destined for failure called “Sex and Satan.”
The movie is a comedy of sorts - generally a spoof of Hollywood. It’s a ride from start to finish.
Stand-In @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 12, 2007
1947, Edward G. Robinson
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This movie is film noir and will keep you on the edge of your seat as the tension builds.
Pete Morgan (Edward G. Robinson) and his sister Ellen (Judith Anderson) live in a farm house where they’ve raised a girl named Meg (Allene Roberts) since she was very young. She’s now high-school aged and they think of her as a daughter.
The story is that her parents moved South and were eventually killed in an accident and she was left to be raised by the Morgans.
At the edge of their property are some woods and Pete Morgan has a strict rule; Stay out of those woods.
A boy named Nath Storm (Lon McCallister) is hired to help out around the farm and he and Meg decide to test the limits and explore the woods.
Morgan is a man with secrets and he’s hired a man named Teller (Rory Calhoun) to help him keep them.
The woods become the prominent focus of the movie as the young people try to find answers to their questions. It’s not what Pete Morgan wants to happen.
Your movie-watching experience will not be complete until you’ve visited The Red House.
The Red House @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 10, 2007
1942, John Wayne, Marlene Dietrich, Randolph Scott
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“Pittsburgh” Markham (John Wayne) and “Cash” Evans (Randolph Scott) are friends and coal miners in 1920’s Pittsburgh. Markham has big plans for the two of them and he’s going to claw his way from the mines to the top, even if he has to bluff his way through.
Early on, a fighter is “taking on all comers” and Markham tricks his friend Evans into the ring.
It’s at this event that they meet Josie Winters (Marlene Dietrich). She will eventually figure prominently into the lives of both men.
Spoiler: They do make it to the top, then back to the bottom (for Markham), and finally back to the top. It’s this personal journey that makes the movie.
I’ve seen this movie criticized and without a doubt, it’s not perfect but it’s a good movie. I’ve caught this one on TV more than once and it’s still worth watching. It won’t go down as a John Wayne classic but it’s not a bad movie.
Pittsburgh @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 10, 2007
1951, Humphrey Bogart
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This is one of Humphrey Bogart’s movies that is set in a foreign place of intrigue. This time we find Bogey in 1920’s Damascus, Syria as “businessman” Harry Smith.
In reality, he’s a supplier of arms to rebels fighting French occupiers. It’s not that he has a side in the conflict - he just wants to make whatever money is available.
Harry Smith is a character that teeters on the edge. He’s not a man or morals and has little conviction of any kind. Looking for redeeming qualities is something that we all look for in a hero, even if he’s rough around the edges.
He enters into a romance with the recent ex-girlfriend of a French officer and they attempt to leave town.
But, things don’t go as planned and as a wanted man by the French, he’s given the option of helping to arrange a meeting between the warring factions.
Needless to say, there’s no job security in such an endeavor.
This movie is not one of Bogart’s masterpieces. But, it’s Bogart and that criteria alone makes it worth watching.
Sirocco @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 10, 2007
1946, Christmas, Donna Reed, Frank Capra, James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore
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It would be an understatement to say that George Bailey (James Stewart) is having a bad day. In fact, in a climax of bad events he’s decided to end his life.
Bailey operates a family business built by his late father known as a “Building and Loan.” It’s a sort of small-town bank, but not a very viable endeavor as they loan money to townspeople and don’t charge much in return for doing so.
Their generosity is resented by Henry Potter (Lionel Barrymore) who is also a financial entrepreneur - but not a generous one. He’s been trying to close the Building and Loan for a long time.
Bailey’s uncle (Thomas Mitchell) makes a money-handling error and the Building and Loan is suddenly in big trouble.
As things spiral out of control George Bailey decides to end his life. His wife (Donna Reed) and small children are home praying for him. They know he’s in trouble.
Enter Clarence (Henry Travers) - an angel.
As far as angels go, Clarence doesn’t “have his wings” - he’s not done a very good job on his assignments so far, but it’s his turn to render assistance so he’s sent to Earth to try to help George.
George Bailey decides that things would be better if he had never been born. So, Clarence gives him the chance to see the world as it would be if that had been the case. His impact on the world has been totally removed and it now exists in the manner it would if he were never born.
It’s this series of happenings that will be so touching to a person of feeling. The journey through this movie is nearly epic. You can’t help but hold on with both hands as you cheer for George, and Clarence, from start to finish.
It’s Christmas as its best.
It’s A Wonderful Life @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 9, 2007
1947, Christmas
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Susan Walker’s mother Doris (Natalie Wood and Maureen O’Hara respectively) is a divorced lady who has adopted a very straight-forward and no-nonsense attitude about raising her daughter. There’s no place for common childhood fantasies - just direct answers about what is real and what is not.
That leaves out any need for Santa Claus.
But, Doris Walker works for the famous New York department store Macy’s - and, she’s in charge of the annual Christmas parade. The parade prominently features Santa Claus and she is the one who who has to hire someone to play the part - and then to make sure her daughter understands that he is just an actor.
On the day of the parade, Santa decides to keep the chill off with a bottle on the hip.
A man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) steps forward from the crowd before the parade begins and points out to Doris Walker that Santa is inebriated.
She fires the man on the spot, and noticing that Kringle has the perfect Santa Claus look, convinces him to appear in the parade.
He’s such a hit that he’s hired to continue as Santa at the store.
Thus begins a series of events that will shake things up - both at Macy’s, and in the lives of Susan and Doris Walker. Not the least of which is when Kringle claims to actually be Santa Claus and his mental state is questioned. At this point a young lawyer named Fred Gailey (John Payne) takes up his cause.
It’s a beautiful, heart-touching story and the acting is perfect. Some movies are treasures and this is one of them.
Notable names also appearing in the movie are William Frawley and Gene Lockhart.
Miracle On 34th Street @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 9, 2007
1954, Bing Crosby, Christmas, Danny Kaye, Irving Berlin, Musical
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If the Christmas season puts you in the mood for holiday movies then White Christmas is an essential. The movie is full of Christmas cheer - but not without problems along the way.
The movie begins in Europe during war-time as Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) are in the service. Wallace is an officer and an already well-known entertainer. Kaye is an enlisted man. They’re both involved in putting on a fairly impromptu “on location” Christmas show in tribute of their commanding General - who is leaving them. Another General is set to take his place.
Following the show, combat resumes and Davis pulls Wallace out of the way of a falling brick wall - saving his life.
Soon, the war ends and Wallace and Davis become a famous team in the U.S.
In Florida, the two meet the sisters of one of their army buddies (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) who perform a nightclub act together.
Through a series of events all four end up in Vermont at an inn that is owned by Wallace and Davis’ old commanding General. They learn that after the war he bought the place and went into business. But, it’s hardly been a successful venture.
Singing, dancing, romance, and Christmas. It doesn’t get any better than this.
White Christmas @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 9, 2007
1956, Gordon MacRae, Musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Shirley Jones
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Carousel is one of the most unusual musicals that I have ever seen. It features beautiful music and fantastic scenery but the story is quite dark.
Carousel could be called a “remake” of the 1934 French film Lilliom, which starred Charles Boyer. In fact, if you buy the two-DVD 50th Anniversary edition of the movie, Lilliom is included on the second disc.
Gordon MacRea is Billy Barker. We learn at the outset of the movie that he is dead. The movie is retrospective for the most part but the future is still to be determined.
He had been an employee running a carousel in a coastal Maine village.
While working one night he spots Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones) and the two of them begin a tenuous romance.
Billy Barker is not much good. He’s dishonest, worthless, and he doesn’t treat Julie properly. Yet, part of him wants to be a better person, and he’s the closest thing to a hero that we’ll find in this movie - unless it’s Julie.
Unfortunately, his dishonesty leads to his death. Somehow though, he makes it into Heaven where he still hopes to have a positive impact in the lives of those he cares about.
The music is superb, including the song “Soliloquy” which is longer than seven minutes. The sets are fantastic too.
I’m not much on looking for goofs in movies but a major one in this movie is a sunset over the ocean. As most people know, Maine’s sunrises are over the ocean, not its sunsets. Although, much of the movie was indeed filmed in Maine.
I’m a fan of musicals and it’s my opinion that no collection of musicals is complete without Carousel.
Carousel @ imdb.com | Lilliom @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 8, 2007
1940, Humphrey Bogart
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This is a truck-driving story featuring Humphrey Bogart and George Raft as brothers Paul and Joe Fabrini. They drive long, grueling hours trying to eek out a living and make the payment on their truck.
The story goes in a couple of directions and telling much of it is hard without including spoilers.
A wreck knocks the brothers out of business and leaves Paul injured.
Following this they go to work for Ed Carlsen (Alan Hale) - but soon, a murder occurs and this introduces a new wrinkle.
Without the presence of the stars in this movie (Bogart, Raft, Hale, Ann Sheridan and Ida Lupino) this story might not hold together very well. But, it does and it’s a good movie.
The trucking industry has a reputation for taking a toll on those who work in it, and it’s apparent that this was just as true in 1940.
They Drive By Night @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 8, 2007
1937, Humphrey Bogart, Pat O'Brien
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If you like the “prison movie” this is one of the best from that genre.
Steve Jameson (Pat O’Brien) and Red Kennedy (Humphrey Bogart) are both headed to San Quentin. Jameson as an army officer on a temporary assignment - and Kennedy as a convict.
Jameson is set to become Captain of the Yard - a position that’s been held temporarily by a guard with a history of abuse.
Just before he is to start the new assignment, he attends a nightclub with friends and meets a girl (Ann Sheridan) who just happens to be the featured attraction at the club - and Kennedy’s sister.
A romance begins, but without all the facts.
Meanwhile, Kennedy’s acclimation to prison life is not going well.
Like many Bogart fans, I prefer him on the side of good but this early movie is another showcase of his acting talents. Pat O’Brien is another talented actor who always seems to add to a movie.
San Quentin @ imdb.com
Charlie @ November 7, 2007