Richard Thorpe (1)Besprekingen

This is one of the very best of the Tarzan entries. MGM built an entire river and jungle covering eighty acres for this one and the underwater sequences shot in Florida are some of the best in this very popular series starring athletic Johnny Weissmuller as Edgar Rice Burroughs’ jungle hero, and pretty Maureen O’Sullivan as his mate, Jane.

Everything about this one is top-notch. Cedric Gibbons was in charge of art direction and the screenplay from Myles Connolly and Paul Gangelin is excellent, offering plenty of drama and humor, and a bit of jungle romance. A superb cast of screen veterans, including Tom Conway (The Falcon), Reginald Owen, Philip Dorn, and Barry Fitzgerald, add excitement and adventure to the very successful Tarzan franchise.

Boy (Johnny Sheffield) discovers gold while on a morning swim with Tarzan and Jane. Intrigued by Jane’s descriptions of all he could buy with it in civilization, he sneaks out that night to get a peek at it. He befriends a young native boy (Cordell Hickman) from a dangerous tribe and must be saved from them by first an expedition seeking a more obscure tribe, then Tarzan who must come to their aid.

But whenever gold is around, so is greed, which sets in for two members of the expedition — Medford (Tom Conway), and Vandemeer (Philip Dorn). Professor Elliot (Reginald Owen), the expedition leader, respects Tarzan’s wish to forget about the gold, but when the plague strikes both he and Boy, Medford and Vandemeer aren’t above using leverage to get their way, and their chance at that gold.

A dangerous exit from the jungle by river, a tribe so dangerous their drums strike fear in other tribes, lead to an action-filled finale. Tarzan can’t do it alone, of course, but remember, he has many jungle friends. While Tarzan’s Secret Treasure begins in an easygoing manner, there is lots of fun and drama in one of the most atmospheric entries in this fine series. A romantic moonlight swim offers some nice moments between Weissmuller and O’Sullivan in this entry. An excellent adventure film on its own, and a very special installment in one of the most popular series in film history.½

It is impossible to tabulate how many millions of people have been entertained by these witty and sophisticated mysteries featuring a husband and wife. The huge success of The Thin Man, the original 1934 film based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel of the same name, prompted MGM to break new ground by producing an “A” picture sequel, and follow that with four more “A” pictures featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles.

The original film introduced the sophisticated and fun couple we all have come to love over the years. The Thin Man was set over the Christmas holiday and was the first time audiences got to enjoy the banter of Nick and Nora, as ex-detective Nick was pushed into action, martini in hand, by his better half. Nora had the money and Nick had the know-how. Clyde Wynant, portrayed by Edward Ellis, as nearly everyone knows, was actually Thee thin man. But the tag stuck to Nick Charles and the rest is, as they say, screen history. A very pretty Maureen O’Sullivan is a standout in the original film as the young Dorothy Wynant.

What delighted audiences, however, was the playful fun between Nick and Nora as they solved the mystery. When Powell and Loy returned as Nick and Nora a couple of years later, the magic that had surrounded the original was still there, and would remain so through the last entry.

AFTER THE THIN MAN was nearly as much fun as the original, as Nick and Nora, to Nora’s delight and Nick’s dismay, became involved in another mystery set immediately following their adventures in the original. All the fun was still there as was the mystery. Nora told reporters in the film: “Nick was sober in Kansas City!” Their dog Asta was back again as well, and became a household name. A young Jimmy Stewart got to star in this one also.

In ANOTHER THIN MAN Nick and Nora returned for another breezy and fun comedy/mystery done with style, class and top drawer production values from MGM at it’s zenith. This one is probably my favorite of the series.

Little Nicky Jr. is a year old and proud parents Nick and Nora are having a ball. Nick is trying to get out of going to Long Island because Colonel McFay (C. Aubrey Smith) only wants him to go over financial reports and other mundane matters that might interfere with Nick’s drinking. But there is also a threat on the Colonel’s life. Since Nora wants a quiet weekend in the country, off they go. It turns out to be anything but quiet, of course, and Nick has to solve another murder.

A sharp and clever script with snappy dialog keep this one moving along nicely. Pretty Virginia Grey is the Colonel’s daughter Lois and Ruth Hussey plays little Nicky’s nurse, Dorothy. Lois wants to marry Dudley Horn (Patrick Knowles), much to the chagrin of the Colonel and his secretery, Freddie (Tom Neal), who is also in love with the lovely Lois. It seems some of the Colonel’s business dealings have been just a little on the shady side since the death of Nora’s father, his business partner. Phil Church (Sheldon Leonard) may have been on the wrong end of one of these shady deals and with all this going on you can guess what happens next.

The interplay between Nick and Nora about their quiet little weekend is a ton of fun. A body in the road and a pool-house fire get things moving quickly in this light and breezy entry in the series. Nat Pendelton is along as Lt. Guild this time and Marjorie Main has a nice turn as a very funny landlady. Muriel Hutchison also has a nice role as Church’s girlfriend, Smitty, in a mystery a little more complicated than you might think.

This time the gathering of suspects, including Don Costello as Diamond Back Vogel, takes place at a birthday party for Nicky Jr. thrown by Nick's old pals. Shemp Howard of Three Stooges fame has a funny role as Whacky, as does Harry Bellaver as Creeps. Otto Kruger is on hand as Assistant D.A. Van Slack when Nick surprises everyone with the killer’s identity.

One of the highlights in a film with many fine moments is a scene at The West Indies Club. Nora learns a little more about Nick’s past there than he would like! This is a fun film to watch, and there is a magic here which can never be duplicated. This is five-star entertainment you don't want to miss.

SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN

The most fun and sophisticated series in the history of film continued with Maj. W.S. Van Dyke's 1941 entry, Shadow of the Thin Man. Nick and Nora become involved in yet another murder mystery, and Loy’s Nora is cuter than she’s ever been in this one. Nick is busy in the park reading a fairy tale to Nicky Jr. — which sounds suspiciously like a racing form — and it isn’t long before Nick and "Mummy" are off to the track.

A jockey has just been murdered by the time they arrive with a police escort and it appears to be tied in with a gambling syndicate. Nick does his best to avoid getting roped into real work but when another murder occurs at a wrestling match and a reporter who’s an acquaintance of theirs is fingered for the job, Nick sort of saunters into action. A third murder occurs before Nick can get it all sorted out. A gun hidden in a drain pipe, an expensive bracelet used as payment for blackmail and a ledger worth killing for all play a part in the mystery portion of this one. When Nora gets one of the clues first, a trap is set for the killer. Nora is adorable and she ends up "saving" Nick's life by the time the denouement scene rolls around.

An attractive cast of MGM players which includes a funny turn by Louise Beavers as the Charles’s maid and a very young and pretty Donna Reed as the girlfriend of the accused, make this one easy to watch. Nick gathers the suspects all together as usual, and it’s quite a surprise when he fingers the real killer.

Nick and Asta get dizzy on a carousel in this one, Asta starts a brawl in a restaurant, and there’s a turtle race just adding to the delightful murder mystery fun.

THE THIN MAN GOES HOME.

While still keeping the fun and wit of the other films, this entry does has its critics. I am not one of them. Nick goes home to Sycamore Springs and has eased up a bit on his social activities (getting tight) and Nora seems more the traditional wife in this entry. This is normal and in keeping with the story of a wife visiting her in-laws, and the facade.

This one was still a lot of fun and taking issue with such minor nuances is unfair to the film. While perhaps a tick below the others, it was still a rewarding experience. I’m sure this entry is probably the favorite of someone.

SONG OF THE THIN MAN

Manhattan meets the hip jazz scene in this one as Nick and Nora are involved in solving another delicious murder, with nice touches from Nicky Jr. and, of course, their dog Asta. It begins when Nick and Nora have a night out on the gambling ship, “S. S. Fortune.”

The film opens with a young and stunningly beautiful Gloria Grahame singing “Your Not That Easy to Forget” and only gets better. As Nick and Nora rub shoulders with the elite — and a few of Nicky’s old pals — a chain of events leads to murder. When the chief suspect drops by and asks for Nick’s help, Nick promptly turns him over to the cops for his own safety. An attempt on the young man’s life ruins a bottle Nick had been saving for a special occasion, and as he puts it, “An old friend of mine went completely to pieces.” There’s no way Nick isn’t helping the young man — if for no other reason, that ruined bottle!

There are no shortage of suspects as Nick and Nora start nosing around, aided by a young Keenan Wynn as one of the hip band members. It’s funny as Nora begins to pick up the lingo of Wynn and his jazz friends, who seem to have a language all their own. The victim seemingly had no end of enemies. He was deep in debt to a dangerous gambler, had been cheating on his girlfriend, was running out on a contract for greener pastures, had publicly humiliated Grahame’s former boyfriend Buddy Hollis (Don Taylor), and more. Before it’s over, Nick and Nora will walk in on another murder, and Nick will stage a surprise back on the waters, gathering all the suspects back on the swanky “S. S. Fortune” to trick a killer.

Patricia Morison, Jayne Meadows, Dean Stockwell, Ralph Morgan, William Bishop and Marie Windsor all offer fine support to make this closing chapter in the legendary series one of their best. Some nice family moments (Nick and Nora style) with Asta and Nicky Jr. are put in the mix as well, Nicky Jr. is seemingly a chip of the old block.

The same carefree and fun loving ambiance that was a staple of every entry is here and a good atmospheric mystery to boot. There is nothing shabby in the least about “Song of the Thin Man.” These films set a bar that many have attempted to reach when making a light comedy/mystery. If you happen to get ahold of this complete set somewhere, you even get a bonus disc, Alias Nick and Nora, which is nice to watch.

2022 movie #196. 1945. A pretty silly rom com but I would watch a movie featuring Hedy Lamarr (Her Highness), Robert Walker (the Bellboy) and June Allyson (his girlfriend) sitting around the kitchen table reading a newspaper to each other.

2022 movie #126. 1953. Taylor is a young woman who falls for her lawyer father's (Powell) gangster client (Lamas). Gangster decides to go straight but Dad doesn't believe it. Not a great movie but short (76 min) and of course Elizabeth Taylor.

Il professor Richard Myles e sua moglie Frances si preparano a partire per la luna di miele in Germania, ma vengono assunti dai servizi segreti per trovare uno scienziato nazista determinato a distruggere la Marina inglese. (fonte: mymovies)

This is the story of David Marshall ‘Marsh’ Williams, the real life inventor of the world famous M-1 Carbine automatic rifle used in WWII. It all started when Marsh, who was one to do things his way, was caught distilling moonshine, and was accused and convicted of shooting a federal officer in the process. This at first placed him in the chain gang which labeled him as a hard case. Later, to make room for those more deserving, he was moved to a prison farm, where he came under the direction of Captain H.T. Peoples. The Captain was a mild mannered warden, who did not shy from discipline when necessary, but also believed that given the opportunity, most men will respond to good. Believing that Marsh was just such a person, the Captain gave him every opportunity to reform, so much so, that he eventually allowed Marsh to work in the tool shop on his spare time to develop and build by hand, a working rifle, inside the prison farm itself. (fonte: Imdb)

2021 movie #186. 1941. In white suits and Panama hats, newspaper man (Stewart), convicted smuggler (Tracy) and The Dutchman (Greenstreet, in his last film) arrange to smuggle rubber out of Malaya. For all the talent in this movie, it was kind of dull.

I grew up watching this movie. It was the most magical thing I had ever seen or imagined. I waited for it to air once a year.

Dorothy Gale is swept away from her home in Kansas to the magical Land of Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest with her new friends to see the Wizard who can help her return home and help her friends as well.
Rated G however young children are often scared by witches and flying monkeys

A man pretends to be crazy so his wife can't divorce him.

2.5/4 (Okay).

It's delightful when Powell and Loy are in a scene together, but that happens oddly little. Meanwhile the story of Misunderstandings With Serious Consequences induces enough anxiety to mar the fun.

(May 2021)

Frances and Richard Myles (Joan Crawford and Fred MacMurray) are newlyweds honeymooning in Europe on the eve of World War II. Unexpectedly, they find themselves commissioned by the British secret service to secure the plans for a new secret weapon masterminded by the Nazis (involving magnetic mines). The trail leads them to Innsbruck where they arouse the suspicions of a Gestapo chief. (fonte: imdb)

These Atmpospheric

Dopo aver preso parte alla Terza crociata, re Riccardo Cuor di leone sulla via del ritorno dalla Terra santa viene fatto prigioniero da Leopoldo, duca d'Austria. Il sassone Wilfred d'Ivanhoe, tornato in patria con l'impegno di trovare il riscatto con cui liberare il re, deve guardarsi dalle insidie dell'usurpatore Giovanni Senza Terra e dei suoi alleati normanni, capeggiati da Brian di Bois-Guilbert. Nel torneo che lo vede sfidare da solo quattro normanni, esce vincitore ma ferito e l'ebrea Rebecca, figlia del ricco Isacco, si prende cura di lui. Bois-Guilbert, fomentato da Giovanni, rapisce sir Cedric (padre di Ivanhoe), Isacco, Rebecca e Rowena, fidanzata di Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe si offre come ostaggio per liberare suo padre e viene fatto prigioniero ma troverà aiuto nei ribelli di sir Locksley e nella comunità ebraica. I fedeli di Riccardo assaltano il castello e Bois-Guilbert riesce a fuggire trascinando con sé Rebecca. Questa viene accusata di stregoneria dai normanni e condannata al rogo, ma Ivanhoe si appella al verdetto, chiedendo un'ordalia e sfida il delegato del re, Bois-Guilbert, all'ultimo sangue; quasi sconfitto, l'arrivo del re Riccardo, finalmente liberato e che riacquista il trono, salva Ivanhoe e Rebecca, facendo infine tornare la pace in Inghilterra.

John Royer è un giornalista che convince lo stato maggiore americano che è necessario impadronirsi della gomma nascosta dai malesi prima che ne vengano in possesso i giapponesi. Per aiutarlo, viene scarcerato Carnaghan che si aggrega non senza proteste. Incomincia quindi a reclutare quelli che dovranno far parte della spedizione che si mette alla ricerca della gomma cercando di evitare i giapponesi. Quando ci sarà l'attacco da parte del nemico, Royer morirà e Carnaghan porterà comunque a termine la missione.

Media kit, includes original script, dvd of movie, lobby cards

Like millions of others, I watched this every year growing up--and it was something I looked forward to for weeks. I've never read the Oz books--my daughter, who devours everything, wasn't impressed by them--but this film can stand alone as a singular magical moment. Actually, many magical moments, all of which are still magical 80 years later.

A stalker kidnaps a movie star.

1/4 (Bad).

Montalban and Cherisse have a couple good dance numbers. Otherwise, it's a gross movie from start to finish.½

Classic movie musical fantasy adventure. One of the all-time great movies. Never tire of watching this movie.½

All the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan movies. They take a decided dip in quality after Maureen O'Sullivan departs. Tarzan and his Mate is the best of the bunch for its depiction of how they live.

A hunter wants to capture Tarzan (but don't worry - Tarzan escapes).

It just repeats what the first Tarzan movie did, except it doesn't do it as well (which is really saying something). The climax consists of footage of iguanas, interspersed with shots of our heroes looking frightened. Are they supposed to be giant iguanas? I don't think so; people are usually looking down at them. They're just deadly jungle iguanas, I guess.

Concept: D
Story: D
Characters: C
Dialog: D
Pacing: C
Cinematography: D
Special effects/design: F
Acting: D
Music: D

Enjoyment: C minus

GPA: 1.2/4

A witch and a lost girl fight to the death over a sparkly pair of heels.

Whenever I watch this, I try to imagine what it would be like to see it for the first time. I can never tell, but I do usually notice things that have previously been invisible-due-to-familiarity. One thing I managed to pull out of it this time around was just how good a song and performance "Over the Rainbow" is. I mean, yeah, I've always known it's great, but this time it struck me how much it probably would have floored me if I'd never heard it before.

Concept: A
Story: B
Characters: A
Dialog: B
Pacing: A
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: A
Acting: B
Music: A

Enjoyment: A

GPA: 3.6/4½

Case 16 shelf 4

101 minutos