Stormy_Autumn

It seems like everyone wants a piece of Wilbert Winkle!

Edward G. Robinson & Ruth Warrick were great in "Mr. Winkle Goes to War" (1944). A middle aged, hen-pecked man finds he's been drafted by Uncle Sam. He's 'In the Army Now'...What happens next? Well, don't look at the possibles or impossibles. (What? At his age he actually made it into & through through boot camp? Then overseas?) Just watch & enjoy the acting style of Edward G. Robinson as he portrayed the mild-mannered bank clerk, Wilbert Winkle, who wants to be 'Mr.Fix-it'.

Ruth Warrick is perfect as Amy the wife who doesn't know or understand her husband very well until she and Barry have a chat. Then Private Winkle returns home after serving his country and gently refuses to be pushed around.

Young Ted Donaldson plays Barry, right-hand boy to his good friend Mr. Winkle.

Jack Pettigrew (as Bob Haymes), Richard Lane (as Sgt. 'Alphabet' Czeidrowski) and Robert Armstrong (as Joe Tinker) are definitely believable as our hero's army chums.

It's my 3rd viewing. It's a mixture of a funny and yet dramatic war movie.

I just finished watching "Sidewalks of New York" (1931) with Buster Keaton as the somewhat dim-witted but rich slumlord Homer Van Dine Harmon. Homer decides to help the youth of his street by building a youth recreational gym. They don't appreciate it & do a job on it by tearing it apart.

Anita Page plays Margie Kelly the woman whom Homer adores but doesn't think he has a prayer of a chance in gaining her interest. His buddy Poggle (Cliff Edwards...voice of Jiminy Cricket fame) encourages him to try to get to know her & ask her to marry him.

Norman Phillips as Clipper Kelly (Margie's brother) is one of a few of the troubled youth Homer wants to help.

And we have Frank Rowan who plays the nasty Butch the Bad Guy. Butch will do all he can to stop Homer from helping the kids because that group is where he collects his new gang members.

What's going to happen? Will Butch's plan to kill Homer come to fruition? Or will the kids decide Homer is A-OK & come to his rescue? I hope you get to watch this comedy.

Keaton wasn't fond of this movie but I found it to be fun!

I was given the opportunity to watch "Fort Massacre" (1958) meaning no one was home. It starred Joel McCrea (Sgt. Vinson), Forrest Tucker (Pvt. McGurney), John Russell (Pvt. Travis), Susan Cabot (Piute girl) & Francis McDonald (Old Piute man).

Sgt. Vinson was a bitter soldier who would do anything to get even with any Indians because of the massacre of his wife & children. His revenge included taking his troops across forbidden tribal lands. In his hatred he wanted to commit murder even if it meant taking the lives of those in his command.

This placed McCrea in a different type role...hard...cold...EXPENDABLE! If you like westerns give it a try, otherwise run...run...run to the east as fast as you can!!!

I was able to watch "The Nebraskan" (1953) that starred Philip Carey (of "Calamity Jane" (1953) fame). It's definitely a 'B grade' cowboy film with a simple plot.

Army scout & his friend, Wade & Mac (Wallace Ford) looked to arrest N.A. friend, Wingfoot. He supposedly murdered the Sioux tribe's chief. Wade & Mac will have quite an adventure getting the whole party of stagecoach passengers & two prisoners back to Fort Kearney through an evil new chief (Jay Silverheels) & his henchmen who have reason to kill them all. There is also escaped prisoner Pvt. Reno Benton who is causing as much trouble as possible.

This is as extremely brief description but I enjoyed it. You just didn't have to concentrate heavily on what was going on...easy watching, easy listening, it was just fun.

I was able to watch "Rebel in Town" (1956) & gave it 8 out of 10. I have looked for this movie for ages.

I remember when the Bedlow Mason (J. Carrol Naish) family showed up in town to water the horses, get supplies & check into staging a robbery.

It was there that John & Nora Willoughby (John Payne & Ruth Roman) lost their only child Petey when he startled outlaw Wesley. Wes turned & blew Petey away. This becomes bad for the baby brother of Wes & worse for John & Nora.

John was filled with grief, anger & revenge. Nora's was grief, loneliness & sorrow. Her forgiveness became stronger when she realized John had brought home an injured young man, Ben...Ben Mason! The boy she saw at Petey's murder.

There is so much that you will miss if you don't take time for this film. Will there be any peace between the Willoughbys & the Masons? Will the "sad", then, possibly, "understanding" emotions be overwhelming for all? If 'Pro' is the opposite of 'Con' then what is the opposite of Progress?

I recently saw "Where Have All the People Gone?" (1974) (TV) for the first time in many years. I think Jim Arness's little brother, Peter Graves, is a very good actor but this movie is less than perfect.

Steven Anders (Graves) & his family are camping. Mom Barbara (Jay MacIntosh) has returned home so we don't get to know her well until the end. Their children, David (George O'Hanlon) & Deborah (Kathleen Quinlan), are having a great time, although Deb is interested in trying a spa vacation next year.

While they are in one of their caves the Anders "enjoy" an earthquake. Needless to say they evacuate immediately. Their guide, Jim (Noble Willingham), tells them that just before the quake the sun suddenly exploded like a flare. Shortly after Jim sickens. The next day he is dead. Now the walk begins. They head back to the little town their camping adventure started out in but everyone has followed Jim's example. So Steve & the kids set up to leave for home in Los Angeles in hopes of finding Mom safe & sound. They are wondering why they are still alive.

Their next stop brings Jenny (Verna Bloom) into their lives. Found hidden in a VW Van, she has obviously suffered trauma from the possible loss of her family but she can't tell them, she can't talk. When David asks what they'll do with her, Deborah suggests cleaning her up, feeding her & taking her along.

Then they're stopped at gun point. The Bronco & their food is stolen. The thief is trying to get to his home in Arizona. He hopes his family is O.K. David wants to get him but Steve knows how he feels.

Next stop brings them to a ranch, 2 dead bodies, a wagon & a team of horses...&, of course, someone in the barn with a loaded rifle. This is where young Michael (Michael-James Wixted) comes into the picture. Steve is trying to move Jenny & Deborah out of the line of fire. David decides to get the rifle & succeeds in wrestling it away from the 10 year old. His parents are the dead ones because of the theft of their vehicles by evil doers. In a situation like this people can be at their worst. Needless to say Michael isn't feeling very trusting but Steve puts him at ease. Because of Michael we'll soon learn Jenny's story because she feels he is her son Billy & is very protective of him.

The cast is good. They carry their parts well. Peter, Kathleen & George are particularly good.

From the theft of the Bronco forward this movie picks up on excitement & strong emotions. I would recommend it if you don't expect too much at first. It has a slow start to say the least BUT it doesn't stay that way.

Contains possible spoiler...

Them! (1954) starring character actor favorites of mine, James Whitmore & Edmund Gwenn. We also have lovely Joan Weldon for the men of taste in the audience & a young James Arness for the ladies who have appreciative taste for a 6'7" giant of a stud-muffin.

Found in New Mexico a pajama clad 7 year old girl wandering alone in the desert. Police Sgt. Ben Peterson (Whitmore) picks her up. Next her parent's car & trailer are discovered. The side of the trailer's broken out. Then Peterson & his partner discover the general store owner is dead in his destroyed business. Again the store wall is torn out. So, F.B.I. Agent Bob Graham (Arness) is called in to help discover what the heck is going on.

The one "animal" print they find is sent to F.B.I. Headquarters. It isn't recognized there. Off it goes to the Agricultural Dept. Doctors Harold & (daughter) Pat Medford (who turn out to be Gwenn & Weldon). They fly to New Mexico obviously carrying more information then they are willing to share at the moment.

Dr. Harold insists on seeing every "scene of the crime". Then he wants to see the little Ellinson girl who remains in a catatonic state. He uses the smell of the chemical ants carry to snap her out of it. Her first words screamed at the top of her lungs? "Them! Them! Them!" over & over again. Now the doctors know what she saw & what happened. Giant mutant ants, created from atomic bomb fallout, are out in the desert hunting humans as food for the queens.

The ants manage to easily travel from New Mexico to Los Angeles & they must be stopped even if it takes an army & many lives to do it! There is so much more to the story & I hope if you haven't seen it you will.

Today I took time to watch a movie I have avoided for many years...Bus Stop (1956). I simply couldn't picture 'sweet' Marilyn as "Tarnished Angel" Cherie & Don Murray as the innocent, virginal, rodeo cowboy Beauregard 'Bo' Decker...Silly Me! Visiting the establishment where she works Bo falls head over heels in love with dancer/singer Cherie. He starts pushing for wedded bliss on his Montana ranch. His rather boisterous pushing scares her, she tries to run away with the help of her sidekick Vera (Eileen Heckart). Good old Bo kidnaps her with the help of a lasso. His sidekick Virgil (Arthur O'Connell) tries to tell him this is not a way to win "girl friends" & influence "women". Bo doesn't listen real well.

They're on the bus to Montana. Cherie tries to get away in a snowstorm. The bus gets snowed in at the "Bus Stop". As Bo gets pushier with Cherie, Carl (Robert Bray) the bus driver tries to calm him. What do you think will happen? I, for one, was rather surprised. I hope all of you will watch it.

Arthur & Eileen are great character actors for their parts.

Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have isn't permanent. -Jean Kerr, author of "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" (1923-2003)

I recently saw "No Highway in the Sky" (1951). The cast is James Stewart (Theodore Honey, an extremely eccentric, absent-minded scientist), Marlene Dietrich (Monica Teasdale, a popular actress), Glynis Johns, (Marjorie Corder, stewardess who befriends the Honey family) & Jack Hawkins (Dennis Scott, Honey's boss).

Honey has a theory that a "Reindeer" Airplane crash was caused when the tail cracked & dropped off. The whole thing hit the Labrador Mountains. His company builds the "Reindeer". His boss, Mr. Scott, tends to want Honey's theory proved positive or otherwise. Along the way he is befriended by some (Miss Teasdale, Miss Corder & his 12 year old daughter, Elspeth) & not so much by others who are scientists & airline board members.

He causes a major problem on a Reindeer when he tries to keep it on the ground to save lives. It is amazing what pulling the wheels up, on a stationary airliner, will do to it...a belly landing. Well, everyone mixes it up in their emotions & finally a conclusion is come to for the sake of all involved. What?

It's a good movie with a low-key theme and a wonderful cast. ******* out of 10.

Did you know: In about 40 years we'll have millions of old ladies running around with tattoos.

"Destroyer" (1943) Shipbuilder Steve 'Boley' Boleslavski (Edward G. Robinson) reenlists as a chief on the replacement for his old destroyer the U.S.S. John Paul Jones. His old friend, ship fitter & friend Kansas Jackson (Edgar Buchanan) joins him as a Shipfitter 1st Class. Once on the ship Steve immediately steps on the toes of Mickey Donohue (Glenn Ford) by taking over his rate of Chief Gunnery Mate.

Then, later that evening, Mickey goes to the U.S.O. & meets Mary...that's Mary Boleslavski (Marguerite Chapman). He walks her home & learns her last name. There's a little mix up between the guys on the front porch. What is going to happen next? We can easily expect more trouble between Boley & Mickey. Will Boley agree to a permanent relationship between Mick & Mary? Good question.

The ship will have more problems that will put the crew in danger. W.O.W. Those shake down cruises are dangerous.

"I am the Law" (1938) Professor John Lindsay (E.G. Robertson) is taking a sabbatical from his law position. He volunteers to go after the gangsters in town. He thinks it will be easy but very quickly he learns those in charge don't want him to succeed & that includes his staff chosen by the city fathers & Eugene Ferguson (Otto Kruger) Paul's father & head of the mob.

So he & his top student Paul Ferguson (John Beal) volunteer to go after gangsters & corruption from his home. Because those in charge want to see failure John & Paul are fired. With his wife Jerry (Barbara O'Neil) he recruits his top graduated law students to form an unpaid army of law enforcers. What will happen next? What & see!

"The Visit" (1964) the main characters were teen lovers Karla Zachanassian (Ingrid Bergman) & Serge Miller (Anthony Quinn). It's set in a foreign city made up of mean-spirited citizens. 17 year old Karla is taken advantage off by Serge & ends up pregnant. Her parents are deceased & there is no one for her to turn to. Serge will not take responsibility for his actions & bribes others to lie about her. Since Karla was well-hated the people chased her out of town & into prostitution. Her baby was taken from her & dies young.

As the film moves on we begin to observe the cruelty that Karla & the citizens carry to gain the goodies she offers & 2,000,000 in cash to help the town & hasten Serge's death. At first the town's leaders fight the idea. Later all they can see is the cash...the prosperity to hold in their hands. This movie will truly open your eyes on the Bible saying where your riches are there will your heart be also...SO, who wins here? You've got to catch it on TCM when you can. IMHO giving it 9 stars out of 10 is perfect.

"Man Hunt" (1941) Captain Alan Thorndike (Walter Pidgeon) is hunting in Bavaria when he comes upon a camp where Hitler is hiding. Instead of backing away he tries to showoff his aim & his gun goes off. At this point enters Hitler's SS officer Quive-Smith (George Sanders). Then they beat Alan to death (?) & when they going looking for the body it can't be found. What's next? Smith & his cohort Mr. Jones (John Carradine) head to London to find Alan. Alan does his best to hide away.

Alan makes a couple of good friends in the cabin boy Vaner who helped him stow away on a ship bound to London. Then there is the young woman who helps Alan with cash & a trip to his brother's mansion. Jerry (Joan Bennett) proves to be a very brave. Vaner gets away but Jerry is killed.

This is a regular WWII propaganda where Alan decides to get even in a very interesting way. I have to admit I really enjoyed the cast. But, we all have different taste.

"Young at Heart" is a beautiful story about the more mature love that grows in the relations of 3 daughters, (Laurie, Fran, Amy) & their boy friends (Barney, Alex, Bob).

Tuttle Home is where a sarcastic, angry Barney Sloan (Frank) decides to work as part of a composing team. He's the piano man. He believes that the "fates" are out to get him & destroy his life. Lovely Laurie Tuttle (Doris) doesn't. Who will be right? This is one dramatic, musical everybody should see.

This 1954 movie musical with some beautiful songs, especially one of my favorites "Young at Heart".

Doris Day as Laurie Tuttle; Frank Sinatra as Barney Sloan; Gig Young as Alex Burke; Ethel Barrymore as Aunt Jessie Tuttle; Dorothy Malone as Fran Tuttle; Robert Keith as Gregory Tuttle; Elisabeth Fraser as Amy Tuttle; Alan Hale Jr. as Robert Neary; Lonny Chapman; as Ernest Nichols.

(7.5 out of 10 out of TCM)

I was able to watch Sean Connery & Bridget Bardot in a movie from a Louis Lamour western novel "Shalako" (1968).

Shalako Carlin (Connery), meets Countess Irina Lazaar (Bardot) as he is rescuing her from an Indian attack. She is part of a European hunting part that has strayed on to the Apache reservation. As they try to return to her hunting party, they are stopped by Apache's with death in their eyes. In order to save the group Shakalo promises Chief Chato (Woody Strode) they'll be off the reservation by morning. The Countess also gives her word.

When they arrive at the camp Baron Frederick Von Hallstatt (Peter Van Eyck) hears their story & gets a good laugh (as does the rest of the party). Why should they do what a bunch of savages want them to do? Bosky Fulton (Stephen Boyd), their head scout, refuses to turn the party around. The rest are in agreement. Of course the Apaches won't be. Shakalo sets up a safe area for them to hide & goes for help.

Morning comes & charming-as-a-rattlesnake Fulton & his men take off with the water, supplies, most of the guns & ammo, plus money & jewelry. He also takes off with one of the 'ladies'. On their way out the scoundrels run off the horses. (One would think the outlaws wanted to prove dead men...& women...tell no tales.)

Shakalo is forced to return to find this group of mostly arrogant fools in quite the predicament. How are they going to get out? Will this diverse group be able to co-operate & combine their knowledge & talents to escape their enemies? That's a really good question!

The rest of the cast includes:

Jack Hawkins as Sir Charles Daggett, Honor Blackman as Lady Julia Daggett, Alexander Knox as Sen. Henry Clarke, Valerie French as Elena Clarke.

It's not a class 'A' western but it's not terrible. The song over the opening & ending credits is just plain awful but the scenery is beautiful. I'd give it *** out of 5 for the scenery alone.

I've just finished viewing "The Member of the Wedding" (1952) on TCM.

Bernice Sadie Brown has family problems of her own. But as the cook & maid for the family she is the only mother-figure for Frankie. She cares for both the 12 year old girl & her 7 year old cousin John Henry.

Frankie appears to be an over-wrought, distraught adolescent. The only person she has to lean on is Bernice. This lady imparts much wisdom but is not being heard by the child. In fact Bernice is being shouted down by the 12 year old. But she is succeeding in loving her no matter what.

Frankie goes from being filled with angst to highly elated, then demanding & shouldn't be trusted alone in her wild behavior. She is all over the map emotionally. (Bi-polar disorder perhaps?)

Then she learns her brother Jarvis & his fiancé Janice are to be married. At this point things get worse. She decides to be not only a 'member of the wedding' but also a 'part of the honeymoon'. Wonder how far that's going to go?

To calm the anxious Frankie the night before the wedding Bernice, John Henry & Frankie snuggle together singing the old spiritual "His Eye is On the Sparrow". To me this is the most moving scene of the film.

The day of the wedding comes & Bernice is watching like a hawk & trying to second-guess Frankie while keeping the girl close! Any idea what's next? She's packed to run but how far will she get?

This movie was odd in that we find 26 year old Julie Harris playing a 12 year old. IMHO she looks too old & goes way over the top unless she is portraying Frankie as a child who needs emotional help. Even then I have a problem with the portrayal.

10 year old Brandon De Wilde is great as the 7 year old John Henry. (Had De Wilde lived I & many others agree he would have had an even more impressive acting career.)

Last but not least we have Ethel Waters (as Bernice) who, as is expected of her talent, is a real standout in acting & vocalizing. What more can we say about this lady? This is one of her last major roles & "The Member of the Wedding" is most impressive because of Miss Waters.

& yesterday it raised the hair on the back of grandson's neck. What was it? Why "House of the Dark Shadows" (1970), of course. This was a real story of "blood relations". I watched this movie relishing every one of his reactions. Here I had a youngster of today admitting this was better than any horror flick they now put out. (The kisses were better because most included blood.)

The Kid sat with his hands in front of his face, "Tell me when I can look!"

Me, asking sweetly, "Do you want me to turn the movie off?"

Him, properly horrified at the thought, "No! Just tell me when Barnabas closes his mouth!"

Me, in my most grandmotherly fashion, "But if it's scaring you that much I need to change the channels." (I nod sagely & reach for the remote.)

Him; "Nooooooo! If you do I'll never get to see how Barnabas gets caught, if he does. I'll never know what happens." (It's taped for heaven's sake but I don't want to waste that knowledge on him...this is fun.)

Actually, after the music, IMO director Dan Curtis & the cast make of this film. The draw was Joan Bennett starring as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. Then there's Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins has the protein & dental problems. Greyson Hall has a definite bad hair day. She portrays Dr. Julia Hoffman who falls for Barnabas & decides she can cure him. Kathryn Leigh Scott is the love of Jeff's life Maggie Evans who is on the estate as young David's caregiver. Then we have Roger Davis who is the handsome hero Jeff Clark. We learn quickly that Barnabas has a yen for Maggie.

The rest were: Nancy Barrett as Elizabeth's daughter Carolyn Stoddard. She & "Cousin" Barnabas have a "close encounter". John Karlen as Willie Loomis who searches for treasure & finds more than anticipated. Thayer David is Professor T. Eliot Stokes who figures out Barnabas' identity. Louis Edmonds is Roger Collins who is the father of Carolyn & young David (David Hensey who does a good job at being "weird").

So I took him back to those thrilling days of yesteryear when I use to race home after school to watch the series "Dark Shadows" (1966-1971) that made this movie & "Night of Dark Shadows" (1971) possible. Somehow he seemed more interested in where'd all the blood come from?' Why wasn't there more wooden stakes. Where was the blood from the silver bullets? What about the crossbow/wooden arrows Jeff found? Why were they laying around? If Professor Stokes & Roger were so smart why did they get caught?

Well, to finish up we decided the special effects of darkness, fog, eerie lighting, along with the puncturing, blood letting & make-up didn't hurt this movie either.

One last question to the Kid; How was this movie better than horror movies today? He said, because these effects don't show you body parts flying & stuff. They let you use your imagination...we saw blood & wounds but we still get to pretend.

In "Rogue Cop" (1954) Robert Taylor did great.

Dev. Sgt. Chris Kelvaney (Robert Taylor) has a younger brother Eddie (Steve Forrest) who is a street cop. Eddie can identify a murderer he saw run from the scene of the crime.

Big brother Chris, who is "on the take", is contacted by gangster Dan Beaumonte (George Raft, of course) with bribery in mind. He's willing to pay Eddie $15,000 if he changes his testimony. Beaumonte's afraid the murderer (Vince Edwards) knows too much. He might sing and put them all in "Sing-Sing". Dishonest Chris wants him to take it for safety's sake. Eddie isn't his brother so his testimony stands.

Beaumonte has Eddie killed thus waking Chris up to a sad reality. After the death of his brother, Chris swears revenge and starts to track down his brother's killers. He has to get them out in the open and starts laying the groundwork. But Beaumonte wants to stop him and anyone he asks for help. Needless to say that may leave allot of excess bodies lying around...It also may not be as easy as he'd like it to be.

Other cast members include: Janet Leigh as Karen Stephanson (Eddie's fiancée); Anne Francis as Nancy Corlane (Beaumonte's alcoholic ex-girl); Robert Ellenstein as Det. Sidney Y. Myers (Bob does a great job as Chris's partner who is an honest cop); Vince Edwards as murderer Joey Langley (later "Ben Casey" of TV fame 1961-66); Olive Carey as Selma (Chris's connection to snitches) (wife of Harry Sr., mother of Harry Jr. and well-known character actress in her own right.)

Last night I had a good time with a ginger ale and a movie recommended by a brilliant poster, our own misspaddylee. It was worth the watch...Oh uh, what was it? Why "Larceny Inc." (1942) of course. A great little comedy of crime with humor that moved fast and furious.

2 crooks, J. Chalmers 'Pressure' Maxwell (Edward G. Robinson) and Jug Martin (Broderick Crawford), are released from prison. They enter the Warden's office for their 'stay out of trouble' pep talk and the Warden (Joseph Crehan) loses his suit to 'Pressure'. (Ya gotta see it to believe it. He is one smooth talker.) They are greeted, on the outside, by Maxwell's niece (and the apple of Jug's eye) Denny (Jane Wyman). On their lips are promises to go straight...it's too bad it's NOT written on their hearts.

Oh yes, they do purchase a Luggage Shop from Horace Bigelow (Harry Davenport). That looks to be a positive move even if the shop is located next door to a bank with a full vault.

Meanwhile Denny and new boyfriend Jeff (Jack Carson) get the real business moving by using Jeff's promotional know-how. This is to help the 'good guys' out. That's when real bad guy Leo Dexter (Anthony Quinn) escapes from jail, shows up at the shop and moves in for the take...from the bank not the luggage shop. From there the humor moves faster and more furiously. The crooks play off of each other. The dialog keeps you laughing.

Seeing Jack Carson in a romantic lead seemed strange. Seeing Jack Carson in a romantic lead with Jane Wyman as the girl he adored seemed even stranger. But it added to the humor.

And there are many other memorable roles, too. For example these played by Edward Brophy as Weepy Davis the gang member turned luggage salesman. John Qualen is Sam Bachrach a nosy shop owner. Barbara Jo Allen plays Mademoiselle Gloria who develops an instant interest in J. Chalmers Maxwell. Grant Mitchell as Mr. Aspinwall, the vault owner, ah I mean banker next door. And a certain Jackie Gleason does a short, memorable part as Hobart the lunch counter man. You have got to see those facial expressions...each and every facial expression.

Stormy

The film was "The Big Trail" (1930) directed by Raoul Walsh. It was restored by The Museum of Modern Art Department of Film. It was pretty good although' the sound wasn't extremely clear. I understand that's because of the type of system that was available. Whatever the problem, I enjoyed the plot, sound, scenery and props that were used to make it real. Those Conestoga Wagons were great.

The plot of the movie is: Breck Coleman is in town for 2 reasons:

(1) He hasn't seen several of his friends for quite sometime. During a visit to one family he ends up making a very poor impression on visitor Ruth Cameron. It's a case if mistaken identity but I'm afraid it sets them up for misunderstanding after misunderstanding.

(2) What's Breck's real reason for being there? He's looking for the men who killed his best friend and stole the man's furs. He learns of a wagon train headed west. The wagon boss is Red Flack who with the help of Lopez does plenty of dirty work. Breck has evidence that helps him believe Flack & Lopez are guilty of the killing. He signs on as the scout.

Breck knows something isn't right when the 2 rogues are joined by Bill Thorpe, crooked gambler. Thorpe has charmed Ruth into believing he owns a plantation in Louisiana...false. That he can afford a place in California...false. He wants to get rid of Breck to keep him away from Ruth...true. He and Flack plan Breck's demise...again true.

Flack, Thorpe and Lopez are trying to take Breck out. Will they succeed? It sure makes you wonder how things are going to turn out.

(If you look quick you'll see a heavily bearded Ward Bond in this movie. He looks good.)

John Wayne as Breck Coleman; Marguerite Churchill as Ruth Cameron; Tully Marshall as Zeke (Coleman's sidekick); Tyrone Power Sr. as Red Flack, wagon boss; David Rollins as Dave Cameron; Ian Keith as Bill Thorpe (dishonest Louisiana gambler); Charles Stevens as Lopez (Flack's henchman)

IMO, there may be some very small spoilers.

"A Man Called Peter" (1955) was directed by Henry Koster.

It is a the biographical story of a young Scotsman who, as a boy, had dreamed of going to sea. Peter Marshall grows up in Scotland. He's called to serve God and comes to America. (Well, that takes care of the sailing life for him.)

At his first church he meets Catherine. She's attending school nearby. For her it was love at first sight BUT it takes awhile to get his attention. She wins and they marry.

Next, Peter receives the call to the "Church of the Presidents in Washington, D.C. It soon proves difficult for the longtime members of the congregation to get use to this young minister with his own ideas. So, slowly Peter and Catherine must work their way into the hearts of many.

As the Reverend Peter Marshall becomes better known, his seriousness about his faith in God and love of fun is contagious to all he meets. This reputation causes the senators of that day to ask him to become the Chaplain of the United States Senate. After prayer, he accepts.

Between his church and the Senate, he's extremely busy. The stress doesn't bother him but it weighs on him physically. Is there any place he can cut back in his full, happy life? Does he really want to do so? That's a good question.

When Catherine was asked to write the book and help with the movie, she jumped at the idea of introducing Peter to others. She considered her husband a very special man. True. It is my hope that you will both read the book and see the film. Especially if your faith needs an uplift.

"With a Song in My Heart" (1952) finds director Walter Lang at the helm.

Famous singer Jane Froman is asked by the USO to entertain the troops during WWII. On her way to join the tour her plane crashes in the waters off Lisbon, Portugal. Jane, along with other passengers and crew, lives but her legs are badly injured. It looks like her tour of duty is over before it even starts. But, don't count Jane out yet!

Don Ross is Jane's husband. He started the new, young singer off on her career. Next we have Clancy who becomes Jane's nurse and right-hand woman. She will be there to nurse and encourage Jane back to health. Clancy will, also, firmly discourage her from feeling sorry for herself.

John Burn comes on the scene as the plane's injured pilot. He gets to know Jane at the Lisbon hospital they're in together. Of course, we wonder, will they fall for each other? (I wondered what Don would think if they did.)

After several operations Jane decides to take a break. It's time to start her part of the USO tour. (And take a break from doctors and hospitals.) This isn't going to be easy but Clancy will be there to keep the ball rolling and give the needed orders.

From here on we learn about USO entertainers. Things that happened to them: Jeeps stuck in mud. Soldiers waylaid by Clancy to get their jeep out of the mud. How Jane strengthened wounded soldiers and by overcoming her own problems to entertain them. What courage she showed on the USO Tours and during subsequent leg surgeries she would have to endure.

And, from beginning to end, we get to watch Susan Hayward do a dandy job of being Jane as Susan lip-syncs to the songs with the voice of Jane Froman. These recordings were made for the movie soundtrack.

Is this biographical film factual? No! But it's hard to find actual, factual, filmed biographies. Is it worth watching? Yes. If for no other reason than to see Susan Hayward and hear Jane Froman sing. I enjoyed this movie mainly because of the acting and music. Then we have Thelma Ritter who made every movie she was in special.

This cast includes: Susan Hayward as Jane Froman; Rory Calhoun as John Burn; David Wayne as Don Ross; Thelma Ritter as Clancy; Robert Wagner as the GI paratrooper; Helen Westcott as Jennifer March; Una Merkel as Sister Marie.

"Brother Orchid" (1940) is a great little movie directed by Lloyd Bacon. It's a favorite Edward G. Robinson film of mine.

Gangster Little John Sarto leaves the "business" to head for Europe and gain culture. He comes back broke and still uncultured. He wants his "girfriend" and his "business" back. Well, Flo, the girlfriend, wants a wedding. Jack Buck and the fellas who took over the "business" don't want to give it back...or even share! So Johnny gets together with Willie the Knife (his only friend from the old gang). Willie knows who else is loyal and Little John starts over. Pretty soon he giving the old gang a real run for their money. It's needless to say that Buck and the boys are feeling bad about this turn of events.

Flo goes to talk to Buck hoping to get him and Sarto talking. She, and her Montana cowboy, are used to pull Johnny into a trap. Johnny and Buck are to meet alone "Fat Dutches" for drinks and a meeting. Key word is "alone".

Flo delivers Johnny not knowing Buck and his buddies have plans for Johnny. In a matter of minutes John has been escorted to a car and is driven away to a quiet, out of the way spot. This does not sound good.

John knows he must escape. This won't be easy. He's found badly injured outside a monastery where the monks, some who have lived worldly lives, have retired to God and quiet solitude as they grow flower garden's.

John is well taken care of and decides to stay (for awhile, at least). But it's to use these innocents as a great hiding place...and take advantage of anyone and everyone. Well, maybe these people will rub off on him? Yeah, right...

Meanwhile, Flo is marrying that Montana rancher. Johnny sees the paper account while the monks are wrapping flowers for market. He asks to ride into town. Brother Superior OK's it.

When they arrive in town, Johnny takes off. He talks to Flo who calls off her wedding. When he sees the good Brother again, Johnny notes the gentle man seems a down. Then he sees the flowers still in the truck. "Why?" he asks. The answer is the protection agency. Johnny knows it by the name of "Jack Buck".

At this point you may wonder what will happen next. I mean you know Sarto isn't going to allow his friends to be hurt. But, will Sarto supposedly dead, who's going to help get things straightened out? Hmmmmmmm...why not check out the whole story?

This is a great cast for this little Crime/Comedy/Drama Film. Edward G. Robinson as Little John T. 'Johnny' Sarto; Ann Sothern as Flo Addams; Humphrey Bogart as Jack Buck; Donald Crisp as Brother Superior; Ralph Bellamy as Clarence P. Fletcher; Allen Jenkins as Willie 'The Knife' Corson; Charles D. Brown as Brother Wren and Cecil Kellaway as Brother Goodwin.

"The Haunting" (1963). Talk about terror...this version makes the 1999 film feel tame, quiet, mediocre.

It didn't take fantastic exploding special effects, blood or body parts to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Several well place mirrors, loud noises, talking walls and moans and groans did the trick. Then there are the long halls and camera angles. Director Robert Wise didn't waste any of his talents or the actors.

Dr. Markway (Robert Johnson) gains permission from the owner of Hill House to gather with others who are sensitive to the paranormal. Part of the agreement includes the presence of her nephew Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn).

The 1st to arrive at Hill House is Eleanor Lance (Julie Harris) who has psychic abilities. She gets to meet the Dudley's, the cook and caretaker (Rosalie Crutchley & Valentine Dyall). They're pretty scary without ghosts. Then 'clairvoyant' Theodora (Clare Bloom) is shown to her room. Eleanor discovers they're rooms are separated by a shared bath. 'Nell' and 'Theo', as they call each other, become instant friends.

When Dr. Markway and Luke arrive the 4 agree stay there to experience the ghostly atmosphere. Of course, Luke believes in none of it BUT he mixes a great martini. There are scenes that introduce the ghosts but everything is explained away. Then Mrs. Markway shows up and there are some sudden changes.

I suppose "The Haunting" can seem a bit drawn out in some scenes. IMO it's a lively little film that delivers what horror/thriller fans really want, goosebumps and entertainment. If you haven't seen it you must. I don't think I took a breath from the time the movie started 'til it ended.

I had never seen this movie from beginning to end before. I think that's because I wasn't allowed to stay up and watch it. I wonder if that had anything to do with the sexual content and the mid-1960's?

Just finished a movie with Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid called "In Our Time" (1944). I enjoyed it.

It concerns Jennifer Whittredge (Ida) the secretary to a bonbon eating British antique buyer. On a trip to Poland, Jenny meets Count Stephen Orvid (Paul). He mistakes her for the antique shop girl. She tries to help him in his purchase. This leads to a a piano to hear Composer Chopin, then the ballet, dinner out, a tour of Warsaw and LOVE.

Stephen asks her to marry him. His family doesn't react well. Nobility marries Nobility. Only Uncle Leopold sees her strength. But Jenny sees Stephen and his family's dependence on rich Uncle Pavel's money. Jenny is independent. She leaves, Stephen chases after her and defies his Uncle and family. Uncle with cash doesn't appreciate defiance. He blames Jenny. He feels Stephen would never willingly leave his noble standing and comfortable surroundings without encouragement. Well? Right??? Wrong??? Indifferent?

Soon we'll learn what kind of mettle flows through the veins of this young couple. They start building up the family estate. OK, that sounds good. The peasants are happy in their work. They are getting a return on their labor. As long as life's good Stephen is happy.

But then the Nazi army invades Poland killing and bombing everything that gets in their way. The Polish people are asked to destroy anything that will aid the invading army. The realization hits hard that the estate must be burned. That means the house, barns (equipment) and fields. Will they stay strong or will one run?

I found this movie interesting because it is set in Poland. It reminded me that many countries were invaded by Hitler. Many people showed their true colors at the moment the enemy crossed their boarders. Each member of the Orvid Family did.

I, also, found it interesting because Ida Lupino often played the hard-bitten dame. She pulled off the never faltering Jenny beautifully. Too bad not everyone was like her.