“Oh yes, children often commit murders. And quite clever ones too.” I love a killer. Her golden hair is plaited in two long pigtails, her eyes are bright and curious, and her smile is the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen. She’s eight years old. Her name is Rhoda, of Mervyn LeRoy’s campy horror classic, The…… Continue reading Reel Infatuation: Rhoda, what a way to behave!
George Sidney’s The Harvey Girls combines my most beloved film genre – the musical – with my most dreaded – the western. What results is a splendid woman centered story about dreams, romance, civilizing the west (ah), and finding your place in the great big world. The Santa Fe California Limited of the Atchinson, Topeka…… Continue reading I’ve done a lot of dreaming with The Harvey Girls (1946)
Dean Martin was nicknamed the King of Cool, and quite rightly too. Although the former Dino Paul Crocetti of Steubenville, Ohio (the late, incredibly great Don Rickles was not impressed!) is best known for his laid back, easy breezy style and Rat Pack membership, his talents as an actor are overlooked. There will be…… Continue reading Dean Martin at 100: Ada (1961)
John Frankenheimer’s political thriller based on the 1959 Richard Condon novel hinges on two things – solitaire and an international communist conspiracy. The Korean War has just ended. Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) has returned home to a hero’s welcome and been awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of bravery. But Shaw is not…… Continue reading 2017 blind spots: The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Mervyn LeRoy is one of the unsung directors of Classic Hollywood. He isn’t revered like William Wyler, Alfred Hitchcock, Howard Hawks or John Ford. Most of his films aren’t either. He was a prolific director with more than 70 credits to his name and his filmography is comprised of all genres. Why is he one…… Continue reading Favorite directors: Mervyn LeRoy
Happy National Classic Movie Day, everyone! What a day! I’m so glad to be officially celebrating it this year, as this post is for Classic Film and TV Cafe’s 5 Stars blogathon. The objective is simple (ha!); write about five favorite classic stars. I wanted to write about actors and actresses I don’t write about often…… Continue reading 5 Stars! for National Classic Movie Day
On the surface, Phil Karlson’s Kansas City Confidential appears to be a standard noir. Three criminals are blackmailed into a heist job by a burly and considerably aged Preston Foster. They’re each instructed to wear masks during the robbery. Without knowing each other’s identities, the police won’t either. It truly is the perfect crime, executed…… Continue reading 2017 Blind Spots: Kansas City Confidential (1952)
