Archive for April, 2009

Anthony Mann is often cited as one of the key budget film noir directors whose work helped define the style. Railroaded! (1947) surprises by its deftness, tautness and credible story telling. From top to bottom, here’s a first rate example of what can be done with… »

In The Long Night (1947), Henry Fonda plays an anti-hero in a genuine film noir: a recently returned serviceman from WWII, shoots and kills a travelling magician (Price) in the opening scene… »

Sudden Fear won nothing on Oscar Night 1953 yet it’s a cracker of a suspense thriller. Joan Crawford plays a very successful New York playwright is about to launch yet another smash hit when rugged looking youthful actor Jack Palance auditions for romantic lead… »

In Search for Beauty (1934), a trio of scam artists decide that sex sells magazines better than anything else, and get the idea to populate a magazine and resort with ex-Olympic athletes from around the world to titilate, tantalize and beat into shape the readers and wealthy patrons… »

If nothing else, Murder at the Vanities (1934) offers some great musical numbers, including a fabulous star turn by Duke Ellington and his band. You’ll also be entertained and amused by “Cocktails for Two” and astonished by the full spectacle of “Marajuana”… »

In Torch Singer (1933), pregant and alone in the world, Sally Trent (Claudette Colbert) spends a few months in a Catholic woman’s home having her baby. Later, she finds she has no choice but to give up her daughter for adoption. Heart-broken, Sally returns to her singing career and transforms herself into a very successful… »

On a Hot Saturday (1932), what’s a hard-working young girl at a local bank in a small town supposed to do for fun? For Ruth Brock (Nancy Carroll), it means gently dissuading over-sexed eager young coworkers like… »

In Merrily We Go To Hell (1932), innocence and loyalty work against Joan Prentice (Sylvia Sidney) who, despite, her upper crust upbringing, is no class snob. A teetotaler, she is charmed… »

The Cheat (1931) is a remake of a highly successful Cecil B DeMille 1915 silent of the same name. You’d never know the country was in the midst of a depression, except for the one bad stock tip. Bankhead is actually quite good — sincerely trapped in a web of her own making. The… »

FWRA (Films Worth Reading About) contains periodic bursts of words about the movies and chronicles one person’s exploration through the incredibly rich century of movies now available to us. I’ve always loved the movies, with a particular interest seeded when I saw… »