thursdays

Anthony Perkins is not exactly the abusive husband type (especially to an ever-beautiful Sophia Loren). Add to it the plot elements of master-minding an insurance fraud, and the odds of good-natured Perkins pulling it off become immeasurable.

The sole survivor of a plane crash, Perkins was fortunate to have taken out a special insurance policy (even if the odds of dying in a crash were 1 in 1,000,000). Good wife Loren, already prepared for widowhood by the "news", gets a good shock when Perkins shows up, pressuring Loren to play along with the hoax to collect the insurance money.

Although the ending is somewhat of a surprise, the time spent getting there seems like an endless and tiresome walk through the woods, only to arrive at a run down greasy spoon as a reward. Without any frills or glamour, even shot in b&w, this is a less than average vehicle for either of the stars. Look for a young Tommy Norden (of TV's "Flipper" Fame) in a minor role. Otherwise, skip it altogether!**

The "true story" of Father Flanagan, an Catholic Priest in early 1900's Nebraska, whose motto "There is no such thing as a bad boy" lead him to open a large orphanage for boys nobody wanted. With love and the insistance that there is always hope, the man "gets through" to even the toughest kids anyone else would have called "hopeless".

Spencer Tracy won his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar as the long suffering Flannegan. Mickey Rooney is great as Flannegan's "toughest challenge", and many of the orphans give genuine performances in this Hollywood Classic. The movie "Boys Town" was a major boost to the real-life orphanage, eventually catapulting it to a successful multi-million dollar organization, helping boys (and girls) throughout the US!

"Boy's Town" gives hope to all of the "orphans" among us. Whether without parents, or from unhappy homes. There are always caring individuals whose life goal it is to "leave no child behind". Where there is life, there is hope!*****

Lynn Redgrave and James Mason are perfectly cast as the pudgy, ugly duckling Georgy and the lonely, aging millionaire who adores the young woman without means. Redgrave's roommate is a cold-hearted and embittered woman, who banks on her good looks to get her what she wants out of life. Although the roommate becomes pregnant by her fiancee, the young man soon realizes that he fancys the homely but sweet Georgy over the constantly complaining woman about to give birth to his child. The baby is born and is instantly rejected by the mother. Georgy is determined to protect the innocent child and to bring her up by herself, if she had to. The ending is one of my favorite film conclusions ever. You will not be disappointed!

This film was ahead of its time in 1966 England (and the world). Despite the progressive themes, both the film and its infectious theme song became enormous successes. If you know the song, look for a much more elaborate rendition in the film, featuring many extra lines. The same was done with the legendary "Song From Moulin Rouge" (1952). -- "Georgy Girl" receives my highest recommendation!*****

Katherine Hepburn is in top form as a middle aged head of the all girls research department who feels threatened when a mysterious "efficiency expert" (Spencer Tracy) is sent in to introduce his great invention "EMEREK", the ultimate information source. Now the ladies in research fear that a computer will make their "human brain work" obsolete.

The boss's favorite, a dapper climber of the success ladder who has been engaged to Hepburn for years but never quite mustered up the courage to pop the question, takes Hepburn's devotion to him for granted and suddenly realizes that she is not the doormat he had seen in her for so long. Tracy, up to this point a bachelor at heart, is quite smitten by this clever research lady. The outcome is predictable.

This is top notch entertainment with a smart script and great acting. The chemistry between the two leads is delicious. Look for the gorgeous fashions flaunted by all women in this movie. With the money a working girl of the 50s took home, such extravagances would have been quite impossible. But after all, this is Hollywood, not the real world. "Desk Set" is a five-star gem!*****

Gary Cooper shines as a Quaker alongside a resolute and opinionated Dorothy McGuire as his "congregation elder" wife. They live in the rural "North" at the outbreak of the Civil War, raising 2 eligible teenagers (a boy and a girl), as well as a 10 year old boy. The emminent Civil War has the Quaker community divided on the issue of pacivism. Several "older men" in the congregation quickly turn coats, urging Cooper to join them in fighting the Rebels who plunder and burn Northern villages and kill women and children. When put to the true test, it is Cooper who proves to be the "true Christian".

A love story between the teenage girl and her soldier suiter is a beautiful bonus. The entire cast is excellent, and the timeless theme song by Pat Boone puts the icing on the cake. This is a 5-star classic. You'll want to watch "Friendly Persuasion" again and again.*****

Gloria Swanson was the definitive choice for the role of Nora Desmond in this classic story of an excentric aging silent screen star determined to make a come back. William Holden plays the out-of-luck young writer who sees the filthy rich Swanson as his meal ticket. Under the pretence of writing Swanson's come back script, Holden becomes the pretty boy giggolo to the psychotic older lady.

Billy Wilder pulled out all of his tricks for this eye-candy of a movie. Re-makes don't come close to this original gem, and for God's sake stay away from the awful Andrew Lloyd Webber play! There is no substitute for the real McCoy; this original movie is the winner hands down!*****

"Aussie" Film Stars Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe as father & son "best friends", looking for lasting love/companionship with a life partner. The aging "dad", who is a widower, habitually tries to play cupid for his gay 20-something son, seemingly spoiling all chances of "success", and eventually starts a search for his own second love.

This film is hilarious, filled with great gags throughout. The deeper message of tolerance towards gays and lesbians, as well as loyalty to a loved one in need (when the father suffers a stroke, the son refuses to abandon him, caring for him like a parent would care for a small child) is not diminished by the brilliant humor which surrounds it. "Sap-lovers" will get their fill as well!

Honored with many International Film Awards, "The Sum Of Us" adds up to a big winner! Highly recommended!*****

Fans of the legendary director (Wilder) or star (Lemmon) will be surprised by an unexpected departure from their usual big-laughs comedy to an enchanting love story. Fans of the masters will be pleasantly surprised by this delightful romantic comedy, which captivates the viewer from the very start. Mezmerizing backdrop music plays as though secretly staged by Cupid standing by to assure that lovebirds will find one another.

Lemmon plays the son of a mega-wealthy American business man who had to drop everything to fly to Italy in order to claim the father's remains after a car accident. En route to his late father's "final stop", Lemmon runs in to a persistent young woman, who turns out to be the daughter of the woman with whom the father had had a lengthy affair, and who was found lovingly slung around his neck as they both died in said accident.

The situation seems rather awkward at first, but eventually Lemmon and the young woman begin following into the exact same steps their departed parents had done years earlier. The picture is completed by a brilliant supporting cast of hotel personnel and colorful locals. The performance of the multi-talented and ever-present-minded hotel manager was Oscar worthy.

Listening to the testimony of all people asked, Lemmon learns that his late father and his "friend" were viewed as Royalty, nothing less than figures from a fairy tale. The concluding scenes are the final touches to a most enchanting romantic comedy, one that has few rivals in its category. Billy Wilder has done it again. What he missed in big laughs, he made up in many magic moments and gentle pressures to your tear glands. One of the very best out there!*****

This is the wonderful remake of the 1963 Disney feature "The Incredible Journey" and rivals its predecessor in warmth and beauty. Both are based on a true story.

A family needs to relocate for a brief period, but cannot take along their 3 pets; a cat and two dogs. Left in good hands on a farm, the animals feel abandoned by their masters, determined to find them. The 3 pets 'escape' only to endure many challenges. Upon hearing what happened, the family begins a desperate search for their beloved pets.

Of course, all ends well. This film does more than give a mushy account of a pet/master reunion; there are serious 'situations' dealt with honestly and with feeling. A stepfather at last is accepted by the children of his new wife. The ultimate triumph of this movie is the plea to NEVER LOSE HOPE!*****

Fans of the legendary director (Wilder) or star (Lemmon) will be surprised by an unexpected departure from their usual big-laughs comedy to an enchanting love story. Fans of the masters will be pleasantly surprised by this delightful romantic comedy, which captivates the viewer from the very start. Mezmerizing backdrop music plays as though secretly staged by Cupid standing by to assure that lovebirds will find one another.

Lemmon plays the son of a mega-wealthy American business man who had to drop everything to fly to Italy in order to claim the father's remains after a car accident. En route to his late father's "final stop", Lemmon runs in to a persistent young woman, who turns out to be the daughter of the woman with whom the father had had a lengthy affair, and who was found lovingly slung around his neck as they both died in said accident.

The situation seems rather awkward at first, but eventually Lemmon and the young woman begin following into the exact same steps their departed parents had done years earlier. The picture is completed by a brilliant supporting cast of hotel personnel and colorful locals. The performance of the multi-talented and ever-present-minded hotel manager was Oscar worthy.

Listening to the testimony of all people asked, Lemmon learns that his late father and his "friend" were viewed as Royalty, nothing less than figures from a fairy tale. The concluding scenes are the final touches to a most enchanting romantic comedy, one that has few rivals in its category. Billy Wilder has done it again. What he missed in big laughs, he made up in many magic moments and gentle pressures to your tear glands. One of the very best out there!*****

A young shop-girl gets entangled with professional crooks when a "phony fifty" ends up in her cash register. Recalling details about the customer who must have dropped the note, she herself becomes suspect. With only a few degrees of separation, a predictable chain-reaction of events leads not only to the solving of the "funny money" incident, but to the prevention of a much larger scam, and of course a happy (romantic) ending for the shop girl. -- This film has only 2 big-name German cinema actors, Theo Lingen and Kathe Haak, both in minor supporting roles. The lead, Lucy English, is otherwise known only for her appearances in a pioneering TV series of the late 50s "Die Firma Hesselbach". Watch for the legendary actress/chansoinette Hilde Hildebrandt as the "mysterious customer" who causes all of the uproar. Toward the end of the film, she has one of her famous singing scenes, followed by a regular "scene" (as she is about to be arrested). -- Considering that this comedy/drama was produced in the midst of the Third Reich (filmed right in Berlin), there are absolutely no signs of propaganda or even political references, which was rare during this period. The film did flaunt the newly built U-Bahn, which maintains it's 3rd place after the Paris Metro and the London Underground. Definitely dated with all of its conventions, this is still a very entertaining film, suitable for all audiences. Early 1930's Jazz and Big Band enthusiasts will enjoy the rich score with many live music performances. A delight!*****

I first saw this cinematic gem in a German dub version at age 10. Years later I can appreciate the stellar performances by the 2 legendary Italian actresses Anna Magnani and Julieta Masina. The story begins with Masina's arrival in jail, innocently convicted. The young, shattered woman is immediately befriended by the experienced criminal Magnanni. Several intriguing characters are introduced and side-plots spun out. Masina eventually is exhaunorated, but returns "for a visit", with shocking results.

This film, like other Italian Post-War masterpieces ("La Strada", "The Biscycle Thief") focuses on the lingering poverty, a direct result of a "lost war", and the deep gaps between the haves and the have nots. The "little guy" in that place and time had very few laughs, as the better-off will exploit the desperate. A fascinating score and beautiful black & white cinematography make this one of the supreme foreign film classics. I highly recommend this film.*****