PaulusLoZebra

The Seven Ups is an intense, realistic crime thriller set in the rough, dirty New York of the 1970s. The story is very good, and it's told in a way that respects the audience, so that we pick up on things naturally. The scenes are not dumbed-down to make sure we "get it", and the movie is a brisk, economic 103 minutes. It's shot entirely on location, with great sets, and transmits perfectly the tough, seedy side of New York in those years. The cinematograpgy was very good, and several scenes made me wish it were shot in black and white to use shadows and light better for more dramatic effects than the color could achieve. It has one of the best car chases ever. Roy Scheider, Tony LoBianco and Richard lynch were excellent.

Like several Hitchcock films, The Lady Vanishes works as different films in one. It's a suspenseful espionage thriller; a joyful, playful romantic comedy; and a very effective propaganda film to warn people about the rise of fascism. Hitchcock's engine is firong on all cylinders here. And as in many of his best films, he has a dynamic power couple leading us around. We are heartily rooting for Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave, even if he intoduces each to the film in slightly unflattering ways. I suppose that this is just one of the great master's many techniques in manipulating us; if we may be a bit ambivalent about these two at first, it might just encourage us to embrace them even more passionately once we realize that they represent good and are fighting evil. Lockwood and Redgrave are outstanding, delivering intelligent and witty characters. One for the ages.

I have enjoyed every Philip Marlowe film I've seen, and this one ranks right up there among the best, with a hard-to-beat combination of a great story, creative direction, and great acting. Chandler's story is outstanding; complex, suspenseful and deeply anchored to simple human weaknesses. Edward Dmytryk added layers of thrilling Film Noir vibes (probably before those vibes had a name !) plus some great camera and film editing techniques to simulate the effects of drugs, beatings and psychologucal stress. And Dick Powell was outstanding as Philip Marlowe, alternating seamlessly from languid and sceptical to manipulative to violent to vulnerable to .... you get it. Among a great supporting cast a special word for Anne Shirley, who was fresh, genine and convincing in every scene.