simeon_flake Reviews (130)

Witchfinder General (1968)

Witch trials...

[8/10 · 11 July 2020]

A very good, disturbing at times movie, with anything but the requisite "happy ending." Poor Sarah, defiled by Price, raped,and tortured again in the closing reels, while that piercing scream echoes to close the movie. :-\

Don't get me wrong, it's a really good movie, it just at times, I thought it was a bit too much (now I sound like a prude). Although--to counter that--I did find myself laughing or smiling when Richard gouged out John's eye & started hacking Vincent with the axe (you took him from me).

It's not a movie for the faint at heart, but on the other hand, I think it's rare (for me, anyway) to watch a movie of this type. Usually the films I watch involving witchcraft, you know the title witches will be the real deal in league with the devil--but here, I guess maybe the filmmakers were making illusions to the wrongdoings of the past, like your Salem witch trials.

In any event, I think I'll rate it an 8/10...

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)

The formula for Invisible Power...

[7/10 · 6 July 2020]

I had a tough time thinking of words for this movie, because outside of the presence of Bud & Lou, the rest of the cast is very unremarkable. Or--to put it another way--if this had been a "Straight up" horror film, I imagine I wouldn't waste too much time watching it, much like "The Invisible Man's Revenge."

In fact, the actor who plays Tommy Nelson is much like a Jon Hall, nothing remarkable about him at all & I'm left to wonder if a Vincent Price or Lon Chaney could have elevated this film from good to great?

Conjecture aside, the fact that I did enjoy this one speaks volumes for the gifts of Bud & Lou. Put the money there and leave it there, the boxing match & a rather devilish Lou groping nurses in an elevator in the final reel while Bud gets blamed for being a masher are quite hilarious.

Overall, a very good movie--not quite "Meet Frankenstein," but I didn't expect that high standard going in. And it's miles better than "The Killer, Boris Karloff" or even the somewhat woeful "Jekyll and Hyde."

The Black Sleep (1956)

Matters of the Brain....

[7/10 · 12 June 2020]

I think this could be viewed as a sort of rally for a lot of the old time horror stars who--at that point in time in the 50s--were probably viewed as "past their prime," or slowly on death's door (in the sad case of Bela Lugosi). The only thing missing is Karloff...

And if you are watching this movie because the names Lon Chaney, Lugosi and Carradine drew you in, you may be disappointed from that angle, but otherwise, I found this movie to be very engaging from the principle actors--Basil Rathbone is always good--the horror aspects work & it's just a good movie overall....

The Black Castle (1952)

The Black Panther....

[7/10 · 16 February 2020]

Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr., together again in a Universal programmer, hooking in the matinee audiences & the modern day viewer like me. Of course, both roles by the legends are rather small compared to the real principles, Richard Greene, Paula Corday and Stephen McNally.

But--given that the 3 main characters are fleshed out well & the lead couple is very likable, I found myself engaged throughout. "The Black Castle" is a good film with much to offer, even if someone was just watching for the presence of the venerable horror stars....

Voodoo Man (1944)

Tough one to rate....

[4/10 · 2 February 2020]

I'm not sure I should even check the box that warns about "spoilers." I will say that this movie is not the "Devil Bat" for sheer "garbage factor" but it's not good, either. Innocuous may be the best would I could use for "Voodoo Man."

Not a complete waste of time--for an hour, it shouldn't be. But with Lugosi and Zucco on the double bill, even a turkey like Monogram should do better & I've seen one picture where they did. A little movie that had the Three Stooges in it.

Oh, John Carradine is pretty funny on occasion (we won't hurt you)...

Fling in the Ring (1955)

Fright Night....

[3/10 · 28 January 2020]

The original "Fright Night" was something close to a masterpiece, featuring the return of Shemp & a wonderful way to kick off the post Curly era. "Fling," however is pure dreck from 1955 with one day shoots, poor substitutes for the original actors like Tiny Brauer & zero laughs from the new footage.

Watch "Fright Night" and avoid this at all costs.

Route 66: Lizard's Leg and Owlet's Wing (1962) Season 3, Episode 6

America, the beautiful (horror icons)....

[10/10 · 16 July 2019]

I know I shouldn't laugh every-time I have a Peter Lorre moment, but the way he said "Calm down Boris, baby," it reminds me that playing a child murderer ain't all that bad. I realized he just played around for no reason since he only made one Universal monster movie & was having fun with the fact that he was only there being too funny because he made only one attempt at being a Nazi sympathizer & I had to worry about myself because he might be funny (Get Smart, I guess)....

At any rate, Lon just sits there & tries to be scary by just rising up as the Mummy & Boris was like, yeah, I already get the joke. Meanwhile, the part that really gets me is once he's back to his old Wolf-Man makeup, Peter just says I like that & I had a "son of Frankenstein" moment, because all Lon has to do is wear makeup & fall out because he's not the really all that bad, just scaring the women who don't believe in horror movies.

The only thing left to say is, we did it & Vincent Price is still making more money than Boris "Scare "em to Death" Karloff....

🤣

Jiggers, My Wife (1946)

Lothario & chemistry....

[7/10 · 17 June 2019]

Shemp and a moment of Jules White, with Zion Myers waiting for more obvious comparisons of the Columbia B-Ranch, incredible leftovers & how incredibly comfortable this old discussion still is for a geek like me--not casting any lame comebacks, obviously against anyone else who enjoys the old comfort.

Apparently this stuff has enough chemistry and sparkle to challenge Bud, Lou, Chico and any other dead comedian I can think of (all except the Besser fan-club).

The nuisance is, I know Ms. McIntyre and Shemp always make it enough, so I'll just say I enjoy the 7/10 split....

Cruel, Cruel Love (1914)

Chaplin, the Great Man....

[10/10 · 23 March 2019]

I don't know if I should've put a question mark after "Great Man,"--I saw Chaplin and the "Gold Rush" and "The Kid" I think it was on TCM, years ago & thought it was extremely funny then had not watched for years.

Usually--unless it's Lon Chaney--or something dark & grisly, I'm not sure how to speak about a silent comedy; unless it's Buster Keaton & I don't think he's funny. I guess the only litmus test I can use is watching it again & laughing my posterior off, which I did with this film.

I can see many mixed reviews here, but the plot is so simple & screwy, I had to convulse. Chaplin seeing demons or karate-kicking everybody in his path had snot spilling from my nose, so obviously this man is legend. Look forward to more of these....

New Nightmare (1994)

Some reboots are better than others...

[9/10 · 14 March 2019]

I guess I can summarize this without being too verbose. It's like any other long-running series--if the material gets tired or too comedic & strays from the horror and starts to lampoon itself, maybe a swift kick in the reboot is necessary. This goes back to Bela "Dracula" Lugosi & just horror in general.

If Part 6 was too comedic, this makes up for it. A darker Freddie, not too much light comedy & just great horror without dissecting it too much. Special mention for Heather looking great & the actress who plays Julie....

Creeps (1956)

Wow...

[3/10 · 15 February 2019]

Wow, as in no reviews and this being a "Shemp obscurity" made when the team was dying on the vine & this was your podunk rehash of a short that wasn't great to begin with; although the original may pass as "Casablanca," compared to this.

Nothing close to being noteworthy--no Lady Godiva, no new intrigue in what little "new footage" there is. Just pass go & pray to gawd you never may force yourself to watch the stooge movies in chronological order...

Musty Musketeers (1954)

Real George....

[6/10 · 22 January 2019]

Some recycles are better than others: nothing earth-shattering for the boys by this point in 1954; just maybe one of the patterns Jules White had set--Wrap-arounds of new footage as the bookends of the film, with a glut of stock footage in between.

Nothing that will blow you away if you like the original, but pretty good and way better than a "Flagpole Jitters," for example. Having Diana, Ruth and Norma as the new gals ain't bad, either... :-)

No Census, No Feeling (1940)

The Three famous Horsemen....

[10/10 · 18 January 2019]

You learn something new everyday may be an old saying, but sometimes it's actually true--I already knew a lot of those old comedies borrowed a lot from others, but when you watch the Shemp solo "A Peach of a Pair," then yeah, here comes great fun, regardless...

I guess the best stuff comes from the very beginning: the stooges falling out of the awning--nice no-look punch from Moe on Larry--the census and the football game.

Not a damn thing wrong with this short...

Here Come the Co-eds (1945)

I want a better shake for my dice....

[9/10 · 18 January 2019]

My only problem is where to rank this film with rest of the A & C classics like "Frankenstein" and Hold That Ghost." Certainly, it's in my Top 5, but maybe that's not important--other than the movie being great.

Not too many things hindering the movie (obviously) like too many staged singing and dancing numbers--unless the few here had a bevy of college girls doing it, then I'm okay. >:-)

Lon Chaney Jr. as a somewhat "ill tempered" janitor is certainly another plus for this one (did you swallow those dice?). And there's the classic wrestling match with Lou, that they recycled for the tv show; if I need to compare, I would say this film beats that one...

Fiddlers Three (1948)

Cole-Slaw Vania...

[7/10 · 18 January 2019]

So, was Larry right about the boys never having an "original" set? Or the part about Columbia squeezing out every nickel for the stooges whenever a good set from an A-feature was leftover?

Seems about right, given that 3 shorts in a row were filmed to make "Fiddlers" and the rest of the medieval shorts--if "Hot Scots," counts as dark and gothic?

Anyway, familiarity definitely describes this one perfect: Old Vernon as the Royal King, pretty girl as the princess and the stooges, just their funny characters. Not as brilliant as "Squareheads," but I guess it doesn't have to be...

Loose Loot (1953)

Worth observing...

[9/10 · 18 January 2019]

Ah yes, the old "Stooge Decline," where the new fangled television sets are killing of the 2-reeler business (if it wasn't dead already) and Jules White has to go "stock footage" crazy.

All that being said, there are a few of these recycled dogs that are average or above that; hell a few might improve on the original. "Loose Loot" comes close to being as classic as "Hold that Lion." It certainly is the best one coming from these waning years of the Shemp trio...

A Snitch in Time (1950)

Savage....

[9/10 · 18 January 2019]

Of course, when are the stooges not violent onscreen? Anyway, I guess the supposed "surprise" about this one is the director, Mr. Bernds, who was known for not being as vicious with the slapstick; as opposed to the great Jules White.

Anyway--for all of that exposition by me--I'm very amused by the opening section of this short. Don't even have to spell it out, except saying "Poor Moe," or "Camel's Hair-brush, must be the hump."

The only part that is less exciting, I guess, is another Bernds standard of using a "hallway chase" during the finale. Nice ending, though, with a lot of slapping going on...

The Invisible Woman (1940)

Faulty, little Invisible One....

[3/10 · 18 January 2019]

My mind can play tricks on me. Usually, when I think of the worst Universal horrors, I usually forget this or "She-Wolf of London," and with good reason; both are not worth remembering.

I think the only "comedian" worth observing is Shemp & beyond Shemp not really doing anything--aside from being a heavy--the butler is pretty good (Christopher Columbus); but beyond that and whatever "polish" the old John Barrymore is supposed to bring to the movie, the thing is just completely forgettable.

Even the rest of the cast--that may be easy on the eyes--can't bring me back for repeat viewings....

Malice in the Palace (1949)

I got the Diamond, you got the Gate...

[9/10 · 18 January 2019]

Pretty much the typical Stooge classic, at a time when the Shemp trio was really rolling & not too many "dud" shorts are found during this time period. I guess if I have to nitpick, is that maybe the section in the Emir's palace is not up to the level of the previous scenes--but how could it be.

Maybe the funniest "retaliation" anybody ever had to Moe is Shemp using the "magic handwave" to pull him down to the floor & conk his head repeatedly. And--of course--the kitchen antics of Larry.

When it comes to cooking, I'm the cat's meow....

The Three Stooges in Orbit (1962)

No Social Security...

[7/10 · 17 January 2019]

Rather than retread my own version of the old "Joe Derita as a stooge debate," I'll just say that when you accept the older 60s stooges for what they are, some of these films do get a bit better, after awhile. A point I already knew years ago seeing these for the first time, but sometimes, it's not bad to take a break from the short subjects and pop in a feature.

"Daze," and "Hercules," still make for slighty better fun, but orbit is still a good one. The plot is cornball as hell (obviously) and the martian makeup won't knock your socks off, but maybe Joe himself has his best perfromance as "Curly-Joe."

I have seen live clips of Derita with Moe & Larry where he seems to flex more persona, so maybe this speaks to the format of the actual Columbia films as to whether or not he was restrained or not overly overt as a comedic dynamo like the obvious Curly, or even Shemp.

Not to mention, a few of his Columbia solo efforts were pretty good...

Son of Dracula (1943)

Lon Chaney as the "New" Count Dracula....

[8/10 · 17 January 2019]

You have to love most of those old trailers that came with these Universal chestnuts. At any rate, apparently, Chaney playing Dracula was the supposed "ill-buzz," (if that's even a word) for this film for many years. Hell--before I even watched it--I read many a book or video review of how awful it was.

Ok, maybe I can kind of see the point; so Lon Chaney isn't Hungarian--but, then again--he wasn't exactly Welsh when he made the "Wolf Man." Basically, suspension of disbelief has been the mantra of many a movie & this is a damn good one.

Chaney definitely acquits himself in the role of Alucard/Dracula (nevermind the parallels to Chris Lee) and the rest of the cast is first rate. I even forget Ms. Ankers sometimes, because Louise Allbritton is so great as the femme fatale. Frank Craven and J. Edward Bromberg also do stellar work, in what is one of the top 40s horror productions for Universal.

Nothing "Ed Wood" about this vampire movie...

The Man They Could Not Hang (1939)

Karloff as the "Mad Doctor"...

[7/10 · 16 January 2019]

Thank gawd for "Horror Collections" of the last few decades, I suppose; since some of these rarer films from the great "Horror Icons" of the past, are hard to come by & I've spent a lot of hours reading about them.

At any rate, the fun of this one--although, hardly a great movie--is the fact that it was shot at Columbia, so being a stooge fan, it doesn't hurt seeing Lorna Gray and a few other co-stars from those movies pop-up.

The plot itself is simple enough & engaging--I guess any old movie with a mad doctor and a haunted (or gloomy) house will spell itself out. Solid cast, solid direction and one of the old masters of horror make for a good hour of fun...

Spider Baby or, the Maddest Story Ever Told (1967)

The Midnight Hour...

[10/10 · 20 September 2018]

Cannibals, incest, a dead mailman for no reason--and I really thought Mantan Moreland was funny--and maybe some discreet Satanic overtones; if I don't read into it too much. Maybe not totally Satanic, but enough evil to know it may be a good popcorn movie.

Apparently one of the "Spider-babies," was 17 when the movie was made, or maybe both. Seems fitting, since they're playing the role, but I'll feel bad later for gawking at them. Also, according to the legends, Chaney Jr. actually stayed sober for the duration this movie took to shoot (incredible).

The plot is simple enough to follow--nothing that will shake up the blood & guts department, but for one of Lon's later movies, it beats the hell out of "The Devil's Messenger."

Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story (1993 TV Movie)

Black Magic Woman...

[10/10 · 11 July 2018]

Apparently, you do learn something new, everyday. I knew before buying this movie I would like it (or love it)--I guess learning it was based on a real woman that Elizabeth played either proved I need to do more "book learning" or I just enjoyed it anyway (Lizzie Borden). At any rate, this may be a tad better than "Borden." May have to watch both again to compare the two.

That arsenic goes a long way when you have "daddy issues" or just hate men in general. Also couldn't help but laugh a bit when Liz said "well." I know it's a very common word, but the "Bewitched" fanatic in me can't help but be nostalgic, sometimes.

Well, no more analysis needed--if you love Ms. Montgomery, you know why this movie is of interest...

Horse Feathers (1932)

Swordfish....

[10/10 · 24 June 2018]

Do the Marx Brothers movies need to be restored? I guess there is a Blu-Ray, now and I haven't seen "The Coconuts," in a long time, but I remember some knocks on the old Paramount boxset. I see a few spots in this movie where it might need some touching up, but nothing to have a conniption about.

As for the actual movie, it could be the greatest of the Paramount wave of films. Swordfish, ice-men, Thelma Todd, and a great game of football. Nothing that will make me forget the Three Stooges destroying various sports, but the Marx boys are in a class by themselves; no need for too much comparison.

"Duck Soup," doesn't fail, either, but I'm sure all fans know about the fallout after that movie came out. A little further, father....