Reviews

A wonderful look at life in London during the early 1950's. Stanley Holloway and Kathleen Harrison play Mr and Mrs Lord, who run a small corner shop in the middle of a bombed out street. When the Government decide to build an exhibition site, to celebrate the Festival of Britain, the building work is well advanced, until somebody sees that the Lords shop is right the middle of where the main road, and the pedestrian underpass should be. The Lords try to contact their local MP, the mayor, and anybody else who can help them, finally having to barricade themselves along with the other family members inside the shop, until somebody can come up with a solution. Holloway and Harrison are superb as usual, as is a young George Cole, long before his days as Arthur Daley, also giving good support is Dandy Nichols Eileen Moore, and Naunton Wayne as the Government Minister, who has to come up a solution to keep everybody happy.

When a British army unit is given the task, to attack a vital German U boat base, they know that security has to be 100 per cent. In this semi documentary look at the operation, it is shown how even the smallest remark about the raid , when overheard by German agents, and put together with other clues, will result the raid being a total failure. From one of the officers telling his girlfriend, that his unit is moving to a special training area, to the bookseller blackmailing his assistant into obtaining information from her soldier boyfriend, to the RAF officer, who leaves his briefcase, where a German agent can steal, and copy his photographs, the film then shows in graphic detail, what could happen, when the troops land. and the enemy are waiting. This story shows to war weary audience, how easy it is to talk out of turn, and put allied soldiers lives at risk.

Pierce Brosnan is one of the few actors that can move from role to

role with ease. He has never been restricted by the James Bond

role. From the volcano expert in Dante's Peak, to Mrs Doubtfire,

and the Russian spy who fights Michael Caine in ‘The Fourth

Protocol. In Murder 101, an ingenious thriller, Brosnan plays Charles

Lattimore a succsseful author, who has written a best seller, about

a famous murder trial. While he is giving a series of lectures at a

local college, a student in his class is found murdered, while she

is spending the night with Lattimore. With his alibi dead, and the

police hot on his trail, Lattimore begins to suspect that the subject

of his book, is behind the killing. Along with his ex wife, and the other students, he sets out to

unmask the real killer. An enjoyable thriller, with a good twist in the tale. I would

recommend anyone to see it, but don't miss the final scene, it's

wonderful.

Another in a long line of great black and white British films of the 1950's. When Mr Pedelty (Joseph Tomelty) leaves his firm, he is given a TV set as a retirement present. At first he enjoys all the attention from his neighbours,but soon the attraction wears off, and he sells it on to the young married couple (Jack Watling and Peggy Cummins) living in the flat above him. They soon encounter the same problems,and again the set is passed on to several different charatures all with the same results. A very enjoyable story with a strong cast including Kay Kendall, Barbara Murray, and as the pantomime devil Stanley Holloway.

Holiday Camp shows a fascinating look a life in the late 40's. After the depravation of the war years, the first holiday camp to open was guaranteed to be a success. The story starts with Joe Huggett (Jack Warner ) and his family arriving at the camp ,and in next to no time he is involved with card sharps, a murderer on the run and a young couple who have left home, when the girl discovered she is pregnant. This particular story line was very daring considering when the film was made. All in all a very interesting look at life after the war, and well worth seeing.

A superior T V movie, has Robert Preston as a playwright, trying to convince his friends, that his wife has been murdered,and not as the police think, that she committed suicide. He rents a theatre, then proceeds to put on a basics of a new play, in order to bring the killer to justice. Any film like this with such a good twist in the tail, is well worth watching.

In this cracking black and white police drama, Ealing comes up trumps yet again. Made in 1956, with good locations in and around London, the story concerns Jack Hawkins, as Superintendent Halliday, who has to track down, a very clever cat burglar, who is an expert in disguises.

What makes this film so interesting, is that Hawkins, trying to reproduce the character, made a similar film, 2 years later, called 'Gideon of Scotland Yard', which was shot in colour by the great John Ford. Where 'Long Arm' succeeded in every way, 'Gideon' was a shambles. It just proves that the one of greatest directors in Hollywood history, and a good cast , are hamstrung, without a reasonable script. 'Long Arm' holds you in suspense right up the final scene, even when you know, that the cinema code of the day, will not allow the villain to escape. A good supporting cast from a large range of well known British actors, makes this film a must to see. 8 out of 10.

After watching most of her other films, with Rock Hudson, and

James Garner, this is a major departure for Doris Day. Midnight

Lace, requires an actress of considerable ability, but Day proves

up the task. Her performance is one of the best that I have every

seen. She plays the wealthy wife of Rex Harrison, who is having

financial problems, running the family firm. After receiving several

phone calls, threatening her life, she has problems proving to the

police, and Harrison, that the calls really took place.

Other threads of the story,including Roddy McDowall as the

penniless son of Day's maid, Herbert Marshall as a gambler with

money troubles, and John Gavin,as the builder, with flashbacks

from the war, there is no lack of possible suspects,who may be

threatening Day. This film has the same look and feel as ‘Dial M for Murder' so that

is as good a recommendation as anybody could want. 8 out of 10.

Ealing goes to the docks in this marvellous story, about robbery, smuggling and life in general aboard a ship, docked in the old port of London. Bonar Colleano plays Dan MacDonald , a seaman on board the freighter 'Dunbar' who supplements his income, by a little harmless smuggling, when he is approached by a gang to take the proceeds of a daring jewel robbery, to a fence abroad.

Shot in and around Tower Bridge, and the area of Southwark, It shows a side of London, still reeling from all the bomb damage from the blitz.The present generation would do well to see this slice of history.

Born Yesterday (1950) is one of funniest films ever made. This

version has Melanie Griffith attempting the impossible,trying to

recreate the role that won Judy Holiday a best actress Oscar. Although Griffith tries hard, she is no match for Holiday, and Don

Johnson is certainly no substitute for William Holden. The only one

of the cast who comes close to the original, is John Goodman. For anybody that doesn't know the story outline, Harry Block,(John

Goodman ) a crooked junk tycoon hires a journalist Paul Verrall

(Don Johnson ) to teach his girlfriend Billie Dawn, some social

skills, as she is unused the high society life of the Washington

elite. In a choice between the two, watch the original.

A wonderful spy thriller, has Margaret Lockwood as Anna

Bomasch, the daughter of a Czech scientist, who is whisked off to England for safety, when the

Germans invade. Lockwood is imprisoned in a concentration

camp. Later she meets up with Karl Marsen (Paul Henreid ) and

they engineer an escape together and meet up with her father in

England. When the Germans recapture them, Gus Bennett (Rex

Harrison a M.I.5. agent) is assigned to bring them back. Lockwood and Harrison spark off each other wonderfully well, and

in a small role is Irene Handl, but the film is almost stolen by Basil

Radford, and Naunton Wayne, as the two cricket loving Englishmen, who were such a big hit in Hitchcock's ‘Lady

Vanishes'. After seeing this film for the umpteenth time, it is every bit as good

as ‘Lady Vanishes' and well worth recommending.

This is one of the great films, not only of the last war, but of all

time. Along with ‘Command Decision' This truly is an outstanding film.

From the opening shot, when stunt pilot Paul Mantz crash lands a

stricken B-17, to the last scene,when Greg Peck Tries to fly the

next mission ,the viewer is totally absorbed. Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) is elected by the commanding

general to take over the 918'th bomb group , when their commanding officer is relived of

his command. The story when follows Savage as he tries to install

some pride back into the young flyers, who believe, that they have

a bad luck jinx hanging over them. Slowly Savage starts to crack

and sucomes to the same pressures, that defeated the previous

commander.Along with Peck,there is good support from Hugh

Marlowe and Millard Mitchell, as the commanding

general. This film contains one of the great all time scenes, when

Savage, having just taken over the bomb group, confronts Hugh

Marlowe, (Ben Gately) and accuses him of cowardice in the face of

the enemy. I would like to think that 50 years on, the men who flew

those missions could watch this film, be proud of their exploits,

and that the upcoming generations would know what sacrifices

they made.

Another story along the same lines as 'The Sea Shall Not Have Them' The big difference in this film ,is that it was made during the war, with several real life sailors participating as crew members of the M.T.B. and so has an authentic feel about it. The film follows launch 183 and the skipper (David Farrar) who has to teach a new crew member,who has been rejected by the R.A.F. and is feeling bitter, the skills of handling the launch in all sorts of adverse conditions. Then when a British bomber crash lands in a minefield, 183 is sent to retrieve the crew in the face of the German shore guns. While certain scenes are not as dramatic as 'Sea Shall Not Have Them', the fact that it was shot in 1944, makes it interesting to watch.

When much was made of the R.A.F.Squadrons flying countless missions against the enemy, and rightly so, it is refreshing that `The Sea Shall Not Have Them' shows the work done by the R.A.F. Air Sea Rescue crews. Anthony Steel plays the skipper of 2561, a M.T.B. assigned to locate and rescue a Hudson bomber that has crash landed in the north sea. On board the plane along with the rest of the crew, is a V.I.P. with vital German rocket secrets. The film then follows two strands, one showing the air crew ( including a young Dirk Bogarde) slowly freezing on the escape dingy, and the M.T.B. crew fighting bad weather, engine failure, and in one incredible scene, a new crew member sets fire to the galley. The ending although predictable ,is nevertheless gripping, and the film will rank along ,with the best of the war movies made in the 50's.

A superb study by Ealing studios, of a working class family, in the east end of London, after the 2nd World War. Googie Withers plays a harassed housewife, who during one Sunday lunchtime, discovers that her old boy friend, Tommy Swan, has broken out of jail and is in need of help.Local policeman Jack Warner is given the task of hunting him down. This film gives the viewer a fascinating look at life in England, in the late 1940's and early 50's. Look out for one scene, featuring the milkman, delivering milk, and his horse, walking up the centre of the street, and knowing just when to stop and when to go. Well worth watching.

Of all the war films produced by Warners Bros during the 40's, this one stands out as one of the best. It brings it home to the audience, what a magnificent and worthwhile job the merchant navy did for the war effort. Humphrey Borgart (Joe Rossi ), an officer in the American merchant navy, along with his skipper Raymond Massey, and the survivors of their crew, spend several days adrift, after being sunk by a German U boat. It is interesting to note, that at the time the film was made, America had just come into the war, and the script makes several refences as why they are fighting. One touching scene is when Raymond Massey comes home to his wife. The later part of the story, is concerned with a large convoy to Murmansk. Even now nearly 50 years after the it was made, the film stands up remarkably well, including the special effects, which are particularly well done.I advise anybody,even if they are not interested in the last war , to see this film, and say a special thanks to the men of the allied merchant navy's. It is pleasing to watch a film about the less glamorous side of the Allied war effort.

When experts discus Hitchcock's work, this film is always

forgotten, but I think that it is one of his best. Shot in 1956 in the

new 3-D system, but released flat, It shows that when the

filmmaker is given a wonderful story, the end result is superb.

Without giving away too much of the plot, Ray Milland plays Tony

Wendice , a retired tennis player, who plans to hire an old college

acquaintance , to kill his wealthy wife ( Grace Kelly ). When the plot

goes disastrously wrong , Milland tries to throw the blame onto

Kelly. But the highlight of the whole story is the mystery of the

key.Where it is hidden, who finds it , and who uses it. Ray Milland

and Grace Kelly are good in the lead roles, but the film is stolen by

John Williams as the police inspector. Well worth watching. Trivia

note. Try to see where Hitchcock makes his appearance, blink and

you miss it.

A Perfect Murder ( a loose remake of ‘Dial M for Murder ) is a

stylish thriller in its own right ,but doesn't come close to the

original. As I remember and not to give away any of the plot, ‘Dial

‘M' is all about the key. Where it is hidden, Who knew it was there,

and who finds it. This plot line is gripping, but in ‘Perfect Murder'

this whole part of the story has been overlooked. Having said that

the film still works quite well, thanks to Michael Douglas. He really

is superb. Gwyneth Palthrow looks stunning, but David Suchet is

wasted as the detective. But where the film really falls down is the

ending. In the original the last scenes are gripping in the hunt for

the key, but for some reason director Andrew Davis sees fit to end

with the standard formula of a shoot out. Having said that the film

is still worth seeing, but if you need to watch this story, I

recommend the original.

This superb 40's post war classic, tends to be overlooked these

days. When it was released in 1945, it cleaned up at the 1946

Oscars, mostly at the expense of `It's A Wonderful Life.' Both films were up for best film , best

director, and best actor, all won by ‘Best Years'. Frederic March ,

and Dana Andrews along with an amateur actor Harold Russell ( a

real life soldier,who lost both hands in an explosion,) play the

returning soldiers, finding life is very different , from what they

remember. Myrna Loy is superb as March's wife, who has to keep

the family together while he has been away.The tear jerking

scene where March and Loy are reunited is magnificent. All three

men find that they have problems readjusting to post war life, not

least Russell coming to terms with artificial hands, and his finance

(Cathy O'Donnell ) trying to be too helpful. Sam Goldywn is quoted that he doesn't care if the film makes no

money at all, as long as everyone in America sees the film ,so they

will appreciate what these men went through. If any film is worth 10 out of 10, it is this one.

This film demonstrates , that when the cast are given such a

wonderful story, the film doesn't need big stars or outlandish

special effects to succeed. Alastair Sim stars as the mysterious

Inspector Goole, who calls upon the wealthy Birling family, to

investigate the death of a local girl, Eva Smith. The audience is led

to believe, that because the dead girl had worked in the Birlings

factory , Mr Birling is the subject of the investigation , but as the

story unravels, it is apparent that the rest of the family are involved

in the girls death. When I first saw this film I was unfamiliar with

Priestley's work, but after the final scene, I was enthralled. The

ending took me completely by surprise. Good supporting cast of

British actors, including a young Bryan Forbes as Eric Birling, but

as in all his films, Alastair Sim stands head and shoulders above

everybody else, and carries the film. I would recommend this

movie to everybody, but don't give away the ending.

Ten years after Genevieve, the film makers tried to repeat the success with this story of traction engines. Where Genevieve had several things going for it, like a good story, interesting characters, and the London to Brighton rally, This story just doesn't work. Michael Craig plays Jack Hopkins, an aircraft designer who's hobby is traction engines. When he, after some early sparring , falls for the daughter of an American airline owner. The rest of the story is set at the usual British summer settings, the Henley regatta, and the Woburn Rally, but the story falls flat. John Standing, Ronald Culver, and the Duke of Bedford give good support. One flaw in the story, is that the passenger aircraft Craig has designed, is shown as one of country's V bombers from the 1960's, hardly big enough to fly hundreds of passengers.

The problem is where to start. What can I say that has not already

been said, about this superb film. I can still remember the first

time , that I saw it. My mother had seen the picture several years

before, and knew that the family would enjoy it. So one Christmas,

when it was being shown on T.V. We all sat down to watch.Little

did I know , that years later this would still be my all time favourite

film. I must have seen It at least 30 times, and it is still as good as

ever. Each successive screening , I see something more , than the

last time I watched it. Reading Capra's book about its making, he

phoned Jimmy Stewart, who was just back from the war, and tried

to explain the plot outline. Stewart, who had already starred in

several of Capra's films, interrupted him and agreed on the spot,

to star in the film.Years later when asked, Stewart always said that

‘Wonderful Life' was his favourite film, and if it is good enough for

him, then it is good enough for me. One other story that I heard, is

that when asked if ‘Wonderful Life' was the best film that he has

made, Capra is said to have replied, that it is the best film that

anybody has made.

Of all the Ealing films, this was not up to the standard of the all

time classics, ( Man in the White Suit, Ladykillers, Lavender Hill

Mob ) etc , but nevertheless well worth watching. The role of the

local vicar, would have normally been played by Alec Guinness,

was given to George Relph, who along with the squire, (John

Gregson) and Stanley Holloway, ( Mr Valentine ),battle to keep their

railway branch line open, in the face of competition from the

unscrupulous owners of the local bus company. Shot in colour,

along the local branch lines ,close to the city of Bath, the film

depicts a way of life, that is all but forgotten, but should prove

interesting to younger filmgowers.