In a tough penitentiary, two inmates (Henri Vidal, Serge Reggiani) fend off rumors that one of them betrayed a recently executed prisoner. They join forces and escape, hiding out in a beach cabin where they take the young occupant (Marina Vlady) hostage after killing her lover (Guy Kerner). Based on the novel by Frederic Dard and directed by actor Robert Hossein (NUDE IN A WHITE CAR), who also has a small role in the movie. A strange little movie that I found rather pointless although I was caught up in its story. The two main protagonists are vicious criminals without any redeeming value so why should we care about them at all? Marina Vlady's ambiguous beauty brings some needed conflict to the story. It's clear she plans to avenge her murdered lover but we're never sure if she's stringing the escaped convicts along or if she's sexually attracted to them. It all comes down to when is she going play her winning hand. With Jacques Duby and Marthe Mercadier.
After her father (Lewis Stone) leaves her mother (Belle Bennett) for another woman (Helene Millard), a young woman (Norma Shearer) becomes bitter toward men and vows never to get married. That is, until she falls in love with a polished charmer (Robert Montgomery) ..... who just happens to be the son of the woman her father left her mother for! Based on the novel by Sarita Fuller and directed by E. Mason Hopper (PARIS AT MIDNIGHT). An interesting narrative full of potential complications are fleetingly examined until we reach a hokey ending that will please no one and leaves several questions unanswered and one character nowhere to be found. Norma Shearer gives one of those actress-y performances full of indicating but little resemblance to actual human emotion. With Cecil Cunningham and Henry Hebert.
An attorney (Walter Pidgeon) takes on a case defending the boyfriend (Lee Bowman) of his ex-girlfriend (Frances Mercer), who is accused of murdering a showgirl (Ann Morriss) on the terrace of an exclusive high rise apartments. Based on the novel PENTHOUSE by Arthur Somers Roche and directed by Edwin L. Marin (TALL IN THE SADDLE). Roche's novel had previously been filmed by MGM in 1933 and only six years later, they dusted it off as a B vehicle for Walter Pidgeon. It remains an absorbing murder mystery and at a tight running time of one hour and 17 minutes, director Marin zips through at a galloping pace. A fine example of how well crafted a B movie can be. Audiences liked it enough to that it turned a modest profit. With Virginia Bruce, Leo Carrillo (murdering the English language), Eduardo Ciannelli and Herbert Mundin.
Spanning the years from WWI to WWII and told in flashback, a dedicated newspaper editor (John Mills) falls in love and marries the headstrong daughter (Martha Scott) of a corrupt mill owner (Frederick Leister). But love has blinded the newspaper man to her true nature. Based on the novel by James Hilton (GOODBYE MR. CHIPS) and directed by Edward Dmytryk (CROSSFIRE). The tale of a good man in love with a manipulative and ambitious Lady MacBeth like wife, it's an old fashioned (in the good sense) literate/literary movie that has a solid story that holds you in its grip to the very end. In her best performance, Martha Scott carries the ball and runs with it, not afraid to show us what a monster her calculating wife and mother is. The kind of well crafted studio (in this case, RKO) film making that no longer exists today. The cinematic equivalent of a good page turner. With Trevor Howard (excellent as an alcoholic doctor), Richard Carlson, Patricia Roc, Reginald Tate and Juliet Mills.
To prove he's worthy of his editor's (Howard St. John) daughter (Yvonne Craig), a milquetoast journalist (Robert Morse) agrees to head to the Antarctic and report from an underground naval base. Realizing a scoop will cut short his stay, he decides to create his own news with the aid of his photographer friend (George Maharis). Based on the novel by Philip Benjamin and directed by Delbert Mann (MARTY). A flat, inane comedy with just a hint of a plot and no laughs. The movie doesn't seem to no what it is. A romantic comedy? A military comedy? A sex farce? Although there is some second unit shots in Alaska (subbing for the Antarctic), most of it is a studio bound icescape. With Anjanette Comer, James Gregory, Norman Fell, Michael Constantine, Janine Gray and a scene stealing penguin named Milton Fox.
An ex-convict (Burt Reynolds) goes home to claim an inheritance left by his deceased mother only to find that his estranged stepfather (Melvyn Douglas) holds him responsible for his own son's death. He will stop at nothing to fight the ex-con drifter from claiming his inheritance. Directed by Bernard Girard (DEAD HEAT ON A MERRY GO ROUND). A potentially interesting narrative about an estranged father and son attempting to overcome their past is sabotaged by a mediocre script and a pedestrian last act which turns into a routine "hysterical vigilantes hunt down an innocent man" scenario. A pity because there are a lot of good actors involved in this telefilm but their talents are wasted here. With Suzanne Pleshette, Martin Balsam, Peter Brown, Larry Storch, Jill Banner, A. Martinez and Donald Barry.
After spending the night with his girlfriend (Jeanne Moreau), a trucker (Jean Gabin) encounters a dead body on the road home. He reports the incident to the police but they suspect that he is responsible for the death And then there's that nasty gang of crooks who are harassing him. Based on the novel DU RAISIN DANS LE GAZ-OIL by Georges Bayle and directed by Gilles Grangier (TROIS JOURS A VIVRE). A routine crime drama elevated by the presence of Jean Gabin and Jeanne Moreau, who bring some star quality to the proceedings. It's quite entertaining but there's nothing out of the ordinary about it. The striking B&W cinematography is by Pierre Montazel (TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI). With Marcel Bozzuffi, Ginette Leclerc and Jacques Marin.
When a fan sends the drummer (Ringo Starr) of The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison) an ancient sacrificial ring that becomes stuck on his finger, he becomes targeted by a group of obsessed Eastern mystics as well as an ambitious scientist (Victor Spinetti) who has his own plans for the ring. Directed by Richard Lester (PETULIA). Essentially a live action cartoon with The Beatles as the road runner and the villains as the coyote. The best part of the movie, of course, are the songs. The nonsensical plot is fun for awhile but it gets old pretty fast. The songs aren't integral to the narrative, they're inserted into the action and became a big influence on the music videos that emerged on MTV. The characterization of the Eastern cult is uncomfortable at times, bordering on racism. It goes without saying that Beatles fans will enjoy this. As for everybody else, I'm not so sure. With Eleanor Bron, Leo McKern, Patrick Cargill and Roy Kinnear.
