nigel_hawkes Reviews

The Salvage Gang (1958)

Absolutely Delightful CFF Film

[8/10 · 8 May 2024]

Having seen many of these CFF films over the last few years-mainly courtesy of Talking Pictures TV channel-I place this one up high in my list of favourites.

Reason-for a change, there is no skulduggery, cheating, bullying, villains (and no obligatory dunking in a pond or river!), and no anxieties to be salved in the final moments. No, here we have a warmhearted little tale about an engaging "gang" of kids in post-War London doing a variety of odd jobs in amusing situations to get enough money to buy a new saw for the Dad. (They have damaged the original when constructing a rabbit hutch.)

There are two main interests I feel-filmed in crisp B&W in 1957/8 we see many London streets notable for little traffic, evidence of bomb damage, bomb sites, and reconstruction going on. The movie location websites give particularly extensive coverage to this film.

Secondly, it evokes the spirit of that time-the kids just get out there and use their initiative; adults might grumble a bit but are generally sympathetic and tolerant; workers (like scrap merchants, lorry drivers, builders) have time for the kids and can be generous. OK, there's a danger of those of us who grew up in those times having rose-coloured memories, but I can certainly recall having similar adventures; one example-when making a trolley (go kart) the chaps in a local garage cheerfully drilled some holes for us in the axle of the 'pram wheels we'd found. Imagine that happening now!

And it's heart-warming to see the gang including a girl and also a boy of mixed race-decades ago.

A quite delightful little film.

Dixon of Dock Green: The Team (1967) Season 14, Episode 9

Horribly Watchable and Relevant Today

[8/10 · 27 March 2024]

Am really enjoying the run of the "Dixon" lost episodes being shown on Talking Pictures channel; they could almost be described as "homely" with the stories, domestic and station settings and a usual, reasonably reassuring conclusion.

Until the episode "The Team" (1967) shown March 2024! Is this the most unpleasant one of the lot? The story is horrible with vulnerable elderly folk being targeted by a vile gang come down from Leeds; they even employ a local heavy to immobilise an elderly gent (he dies); there's a nasty woman member on the sidelines who cashes forged cheques etc.; and they outsmart Dixon's team every step of the way making for an unsatisfactory ending. I can only assume that the episode was made as a sort of warning/instructional piece for the public. It would still serve such a purpose today. A terrific episode with much outside street footage,

To cap it all, that well-known Aussie actor Vincent Ball (still going strong at 100 as at March 2024!) is the repellent leader laughing in the police's faces at the end. Is this his slimiest role until "Not Tonight Darling" (1971)?

Thanks again for these episodes, though I hope none will emulate this one!

Return of the Texan (1952)

Warm-Hearted 1950s Family Film

[6/10 · 14 March 2024]

Although this one (20th CF) was obviously made for a double bill, I class it as an "A" given the production contributors, viz.: Delmer Daves, Dudley Nichols, Sol Kaplan, Lucien Ballard, Lionel Newman, Ray Kellogg; and the cast inc. Dale Robertson (who inexplicably resists initially the gorgeous and very ripe Joanne Dru!), Robert Horton, Richard Boone, Walter Brennan (in his usual Gramps role as an increasingly annoying ol' coot persisting in poaching, but he has a very moving death scene)...

Few anxious moments, despite the presence of the always ambivalently menacing Boone; a nice little "family" film reminiscent of those gentler 1950s TV series that those of us of a certain age grew up with. I enjoyed it a lot.

Once again, I must credit UK's Talking Pictures channel for finding this virtually "lost" movie.

Mods and Rockers (1965)

Harmless Enough Nostalgia

[5/10 · 7 February 2024]

I also think that other reviewers are being a bit unfair, and taking too seriously this harmless pastiche of the '60s Mods and Rockers scene.

For those who have ears and/or were around at the time, there are several Beatles' compositions cleverly arranged in the music.

The one-act ballet is very lively and breathlessly non-stop (and observe all the secondary players rotating in and out of the sets); and the main leather-glad dancer not only harks back to "West Side Story" but to me presages Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever"! I certainly appreciated the gold-clad lass in the earlier part doing her wiggling.

I assume that this little "movie" was a filler in the cinemas back in the day. Just accept and cherish it for what it is.

The Dog and the Diamonds (1953)

A British "Our Gang"

[6/10 · 16 December 2023]

Another delightful, harmless CFF early film (1953) that has a larger-than-usual quota of kids. The inept crooks are not particularly nasty or threatening, the caretaker/rent collector takes that role on here. Lots of animals for the audience to like, with the dog the natural star!

As it's 1953 we have depictions of almost empty streets, with kids using their imagination out there and making their own amusements; there's a good spread of ages with the older ones keeping an eye on the younger ones (and sometimes vice versa!). Parents are largely absent and the policeman has a minimal appearance-just as it was then!

Another useful social document of those post-War times, which those of us who were young then will immediately recognise. It's not as gritty as e.g "Skid Kids" or "Soapbox Derby", more Enid Blyton, but worth having in the Archive.

Reliable Kathleen Harrison features in a typical role-she had an amazing, long career; the irascible caretaker, George Coulouris, was a fine actor who was with Orson Welles in the early years-quite a coup to have actors of this stature giving their services.

Thanks yet again to UK's Talking Pictures channel for airing these little gems.

Manhunt (1970)

A Re-assessment-This is Unmissable

[9/10 · 11 December 2023]

I have to update my earlier review (text below) after now having completed watching the series on TPTV UK (April 2024):

First-the negatives-variable writing, some situations patently absurd, with a tendency to drag these out to the borders of irritation; a few slightly unconvincing Brit actors playing Germans and French; some repetitions, as if the writers were told at short notice of the decision to extend the run; a few howlers, the worst towards the end when the US B52 bomber is mentioned!

But the positives (and some!)-quite earthy language typical of the times (and the 1970s TV)-no wokery here; the rivalry between the Abwehr and the SS; the constant questionable trustworthiness of the French (but easy for the Brits to judge as we fortunately never experienced the brutal tension of mainland occupation); many scenes of almost unbearable tension (e.g. Ep. 9 "Betrayal", ep. 23 "The Train May Be Late"); two 2-parters (eps. 15/16 "Little Man, Big Gun", and 23/24 "Little Man What Next") may possibly be regarded as amongst the finest standalone episodes in UK TV history-I notice that these were written by a Vincent Tilsley-look him up! The superb acting by the principals and many others; sustained throughout was the performance of dear Peter Barkworth; Alfred Lynch did his best in a difficult role, as did the beautiful and enigmatic Cyd Hayman; a revelation was Philip Madoc, known by most for comic roles-here, his Lutzig is almost the personification of evil, and his performance vs. Gratz in the above-mentioned "Little Man, What Next" is a masterclass; this all leads of course to Robert Hardy's Gratz-an astonishing acting performance-the whole gamut is there from superior cunning to abject weakness and vulnerability-one could cite for ever examples, I would mention just one-in "Little Man, Big Gun" where he eventually drives mad the hapless Brit agent Cadet...

And so we at last get to the final tragic episode-I found it extremely moving, particularly the bittersweet scene in the café where poor Jimmy realises his flying days have passed him by, and Nina is enigmatic to the end....

Was a long wait of 53 years to revisit this-I expect that others are re-assessing too.

(This review supplements my earlier piece below):

Like other reviewers here, I saw this back in 1970 when young and impressionable, and had retained memories of it-unfortunately, seeing it now on TPTV is an experience that is-so far-embarrassing at worst but compelling at best! My mother (ex Ultra and SHAEF) disliked it intensely; my father (ex RAF Morse code operator) was less demanding and loved it-I shall stay the course to form my own opinion compared to theirs all those years ago.

The writing is variable from profound to excruciating (witness the early episode 6 when the three are holed up in an empty house). The great and much-missed Peter Barkworth seems often embarrassed; the Alfred Lynch character is laughable and usually deeply annoying-not only to his fellow travellers but to the hapless viewer; Cyd Hayman is beautiful but that cannot sustain one's belief in her character; I await Robert Hardy-even 50+ years on, I still remember being impressed by his performance-let's see if it is as impressive now...

I can forgive the obvious English outdoor locations, but not the ridiculous method the three have of traversing those endless fields!

What is interesting is the remarkably earthy language, some scenes and attitudes-have we moved on in a positive sense, or does viewing this now show how anodyne and "woke" TV has become?

Anyway, once again we can only thank TPTV for giving us the opportunity to assess this series again. (I write this after seeing Episode 6, so may revise my overall critique at journey's end...)

Anaïs in Love (2021)

Light on the Surface but Deceptively Sensitive

[8/10 · 16 June 2023]

Another one of those-almost uniquely French-light but sensitive, flippant but deep, seemingly inconsequential but thought-provoking, inviting shedding after viewing but stubbornly lingering in one's memory; beautifully acted, beautifully filmed; this offering (discovered on a UK free film channel) comes from a long line of similar French films going right back to Eric Rohmer's works and earlier.

Inevitably, one has to have sex scenes, but thankfully the French still know how to portray tasteful eroticism, an art that the American cinema rarely found. My one adverse criticism would be over the director's sometimes edgy camera work (hand held?) that I found a bit fatiguing.

Are the Japanese the only other world cinema consistently putting out these oeuvres?

It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow (1975 TV Movie)

Another Gem deserving a Reappraisal

[8/10 · 12 May 2023]

Caught this May 2023 on UK's Talking Pictures channel. From the title I thought it was a musical! However, it's a very moving "docu-drama" that-in places-reminds one slightly of some of Dennis Potter's TV works.

The performances by a largely unknown cast are outstanding; the director should be complimented for conjuring up a totally convincing realistic atmosphere. Anyone coming into the movie after the opening titles would be forgiven for thinking that it was a real-life WW2 event that was captured by a film crew that had happened to be caught up in it.

One can't say that it's an enjoyable film; it's too heart-wrenching for that, particularly with the knowledge that it's based on a 1943 Home Front tragedy.

A humbling watch.

Rage (1966)

Terrific, Gritty Movie Down Mexico Way

[7/10 · 5 May 2023]

A free TV channel here in the UK has shown this a couple of times recently. It's difficult to film badly in the Mexican sun and this movie is no exception to that rule-great colour throughout. Add to that authentic settings worthy of a Peckinpah movie, and a good local cast, supplemented by the always reliable Glenn Ford in a near-dissolute role and a very ripe Stella Stevens sporting an array of revealing, colourful outfits-she's absolutely terrific-the veritable tart with a heart of gold.

Don't worry too much about the plot-which is fairly believable and moves along at a good pace-just revel in the opportunity to see an earthy, locally made Mexican-American film. And Ms Stevens!

The Cat Gang (1959)

Average CFF Flick

[5/10 · 25 March 2023]

It's easy to be cynical in these more worldly-wise times, and, yes, it's very Secret Seven/Famous Five (well Three actually!) but, as reviewers have pointed out before, these little films are valuable records of those innocent post-War times.

Empty roads, small shops with friendly, trusting, eccentric owners, children (not "kids") dressed in shorts and jumpers at loose all day, scanty evidence of any "health and safety" measures...

The crooks are as inept as ever, and the authority figures like the customs officers don't really convince here. Still, it cracks along at a brisk pace and offends no-one.

Not in the same league as "Skid Kids", "Salvage Gang" or the go-kart films, but this one at least has a rare Allard sports car!

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Not a Pointless Remake, but Doesn't Replace Original

[8/10 · 26 February 2023]

Eventually viewed this on Netflix after constant encouragement from a young relative, intensified after the BAFTAs....

I may be out on a limb but I don't think it replaces the 1930 Lewis Milestone pic.

It's, of course, brilliantly shot with all the modern technological benefits we expect now but I for one can always spot the CGI-is it really an improvement on the old ways (thousands of extras, models etc.)?

One cannot really fault the acting but I found the unremitting grimness wearying and missed the anti-war thoughtfulness (OK, admittedly the occasional speechiness) of the earlier film.

It's reasonably faithful to the novel (I referred to my 1st edition here); one accepts that the makers can do what they like with the material, however, some alterations lose impact, e.g.: 1. The famous scene in the foxhole where Paul talks to the dying Frenchman lacks the emotional effect of the 1930 film and-for what is an overlong film-seems shorter!

2. the sequence very near the end where his mate Kat gets hit whilst foraging for food and is carried back by Paul is changed into a repeat raid on a farm with the farmer's young son tracking them and shooting Kat in the abdomen; Kat dies during Paul's carrying him back. The original version with Paul carrying him back alive only for the medico to discover that Kat has died right at the end from catching a tiny splinter in his head is I think more effective 3. This new film has the German general deciding on one last fling ½ an hour before the 11AM Armistice, with Paul dying literally moments before. Is this more effective than the book which merely comments that he fell in October 1918? Or more effective than the earlier film with the famous scene of Paul reaching out to a butterfly, to fall to a sniper? I think not.

The film understandably has a slight pro-German inclination, with the French painted in a poor light over the Versailles treaty (well, they did lose 1.5 million dead!), but balanced by the demonic German general's last gasp attack.

I'd give it an 8/10 with the earlier one a 9/10.

Convict Stage (1965)

No Redeeming Features...

[4/10 · 19 February 2023]

...to this nasty little Western.

Dated 1965 this was presumably a second or even third feature. It's put out by a major studio, but is in B&W-unusual by then. I can't believe that the overall bleakness and moral bankruptcy is deliberate, just a result of poor script, poor acting and consequent total apathy of the viewer to any of the participants. One doesn't even have the satisfaction of the death of the baddies at the end but the presumption of their demise on the gallows.

In its favour is quite good location photography in Utah, but that's no reason to last the course!

For obsessive "tickers" off the Western encyclopedia's entries only....

Johnny on the Run (1953)

Another CFF Classic with Topicality

[7/10 · 29 January 2023]

Rather gritty and upsetting early on with a nasty foster mother (an untypical role for Mona Washbourne), horrible bullying, unjust blame and then a scary chase of the innocent Polish lad-it must have been a quite worrying experience for the young audience of 1953.

The movie then settles down a bit in the central travelling sequence with the two unbelievably inept crooks; then the final part is quite nice set in an idyllic "village" for refugee children from the war-everybody-children and the "parents"-are kind, trusting and charitable; the finale has the crooks back and they are of course foiled, but the makers missed a trick in not giving them a dunking in the lakes in the Scottish locations!

The young audience were still given a worry right at the end with the nasty foster mother returning, but...well we know it'll come out all right!

UK's Talking Pictures channel showed this at Holocaust Memorial time in January 2023. Very apt, as there is a scene where the Polish lad wants to get back to his town, even though his parents are dead, as he thinks that there will be relatives still there-the refugee children tell him that he should know that there is never anyone left-a reminder today that the extent of the Holocaust was pretty well-known even a few years after war's end.

Another valuable CFF social document in the archives for tomorrow's students....

The Christmas Tree (1966)

Another CFF Time Capsule

[7/10 · 25 December 2022]

Hugely enjoyable and brisk-moving this 1966 tale is in the classic B&W CFF tradition-3 resourceful kids-a little 6YO boy being protected by an older girl and boy-having various adventures on a 30-mile trek to London in wintry conditions.

All the roads we see are virtually empty; all adults are friendly and helpful, including a scary sequence where river workers plonk the kids into the jaws of a huge crane to lift them over the water-and they fall off! There's also a dangerous looking weir featured. I assume that there were appropriate "health 'n' safety" precautions in place? I know that we were tough in those days but.....!

The two payroll robbers are typically incompetent once they encounter the kids, though earlier we are shown the victim of their coshing-this seems slightly out of place in what is essentially a feel-good Christmas tale for children.

Well worth a watch.

Cavalry (1936)

Of Its Time, No More

[4/10 · 24 December 2022]

I was surprised that so many reviewers here wax lyrical over this-maybe I'm missing something! Anyway:

Robert N. Bradbury-directed oater with his wooden son-in-law Bob Steele; infantile script but thankfully the proceedings are brisk; hoary tale set just post-Civil War: evil renegade raiders escape West and join up with a nutter trying to establish an independent state (presumably Texas); Bob sorts it all out and even turns the Indians against the rogues; there is the obligatory saloon fistfight with windmill-like arms flaying, painfully slow speech (reading boards?), and the goodie eavesdropping on the baddies from 3 open paces! There is also obvious stock footage. The usual mistaken identities are all resolved in the end, and the gal's supposed dead Pa turns up courtesy of Bob.

I found this on a specialist Western site-just as well as I doubt that any mainline channel would now show this-even with a warning-as there is quite an extended sequence near the beginning where the Southern gal and her uncle tell their slaves that they are free-this inspires a sorrowful musical "Gospel Spiritual" lament with much eye rolling and hand wringing as the "Massers" depart! Quite cringey even allowing for the era in which it was made.

Ticked off in my master encyclopedia, never to be seen again...

The Last Load (1948)

Interesting Precursor to the CFF Series

[7/10 · 13 November 2022]

Quite a tough little film with a particularly nasty, vindictive ex-employee sabotaging a firm's lorries after being sacked for persistently smoking near petrol outlets. He then falls in with a bunch of crooks with much more ambitious aims.

The "hero" is a youngster with an aptitude for repairing...anything! He and his spirited sister save the day, with help from other kids, adults (including the lady at the local "caff") and the police getting into the action late in the day, with an extended chase and fight sequence that just about avoids Keystone Cops comparisons.

Another valuable snippet of post-War life. This was part of Rank's short-lived Children's Entertainment Films series; the Children's Film Foundation series started soon after.

Thanks to UK's Talking Pictures channel for giving this a showing.

Peril for the Guy (1956)

Great Innocent Fun from a Lost Age

[8/10 · 11 November 2022]

Courtesy again from UK's Talking Pictures channel.

Some of the cast reappeared in the later "The Salvage Gang" (1958).

Empty streets, bomb site dens, kids using their initiative, friendly (but incompetent) coppers, absent parents (replaced by a professor), a nasty crooked gang of adults (with a slight suggestion of Cold War skulduggery)....it's all here.

Interesting to see how Bonfire Night was the event then, not Halloween. I well remember how we all could buy fireworks with minimal effort and supervision; one of our favourites was the Banger, and some of us had "banger guns"-a piece of curved pipe with a "touch hole"-the banger was inserted fuse first, lit via the touch hole, then pointed at a mate! We all survived.

Interesting, too, to see the Asian kid-Ali-here as well as in the later film; "inclusion" and "diversity" featured a fair bit in these CFF productions but it was natural-not forced and embarrassing like the increasingly laughable BBC and others come across when they get on the latest fashionable bandwagon.

A good quality production in all areas with many recognisable actors that will have us reaching for our film directories or the search engine...

The Uncle (1966)

A Little Lost Gem

[8/10 · 2 November 2022]

Us in the UK are again thankful to the Talking Pictures channel for showing this little gem.

The director is of course well-known for "I Was Happy Here" and "Girl with Green Eyes"; the cast includes Rupert Davies, Brenda Bruce, Maurice Denham and the always reliable Bill Marlowe (who made me wince in the scene where he is assisting in some farmyard castrations!). Special mention to Robert Duncan who plays the 7-Y-O Uncle of the story starting to understand "life" a little too early for his years.

Surely this is one of the unsung realistic depictions of childhood? I personally found a bit upsetting (and reminding) the merciless, cruel bullying of the children in their unceasing chanting-but, oh, how so true.

Great to see so many cap guns and the kids let loose all day-very accurate mirror of those postwar times!

I would put this up there with "Kes" as an accurate portrayal of childhood.

Runaway Railway (1966)

Enjoyable Little CFF Film

[7/10 · 29 October 2022]

Another enjoyable CFF film courtesy of UK's Talking Pictures channel.

As others have commented, this is shades of St. Trinian's with "Oh Mr. Porter" against a backdrop of the Great Train Robbery with Dr. Beeching's Axe looming.

An attractive collection of kids (with the obligatory redundant parents) play with some well-known character actors-of the two rogues Sidney Tafler seems to be enjoying himself whilst Ronnie Barker looks a bit uncomfortable, but maybe he'd had his fill of knocking his head on things and getting thoroughly wet falling in ditches, ponds etc!

The script is quite witty-e.g. (between the kids)-"You trod on my face you fat lump"-with the response "Fat lot of difference that'll make"! The music also is appropriately witty. Nice B&W photography.

Possibly the extended trains' chase sequence at the end goes on a bit too long; but apart from that criticism this is highly recommended and passes a pleasant hour.

The Monster of Highgate Ponds (1961)

Ignore the Monster!

[5/10 · 22 October 2022]

This CFF film is from 1961 and therefore towards the end of that run of gritty B&W works that featured self-reliant kids making their own amusements in camps, dens, with little parental involvement; London's bombsites often were central, as were scrapyards and threatening toughs; amongst the kids was bullying, betrayals, fights.....there was usually a tense chase towards the end that eventually got resolved.

This little film is more gentle fare with "goody-goody" kids coming from a nice family in Highgate, with the parents well involved. Still, it's a decent little story directed by one of the greats (Cavalcanti) with some recognisable character actors, not least Philip Latham and lovable rogue Michael Balfour. Add to this mix interesting London locations, and you have another period piece for present-day students and those of a certain age reliving their childhoods. I'm sure that younger kids loved this at the time.

Just don't pay too much attention to the monster!

The Great Sioux Massacre (1965)

Embarrassing Trash

[3/10 · 3 October 2022]

If you knew nothing of the real history of Custer, and viewed this just as a typical "Army Fort Conflicts" movie it would be poor viewing indeed, well criticised here by other reviewers.

Having realised a lifetime ambition in 2022 by visiting the Little Big Horn site (and others in Montana and Wyoming) on a specialist historical tour, I brushed up beforehand with extensive reading, and have furthered that afterwards.

I am also re-watching key movies on the subject, and foolishly caught this one when it cropped up again on a UK channel. So, in addition to my opening remarks, I can state that-IMHO-this is a travesty of the truth and is even filmed in quite unauthentic locations. And the Benteen character is called Benton here!

It's sad to see fine actors like Phil Carey and Joseph Cotten looking so uncomfortable in their poorly written roles-maybe they needed to pay off tax to the IRS that year?

Avoid.....

Wings of the Morning (1937)

Historically Valuable

[7/10 · 18 August 2022]

Forget the plot, which is silly, but bask in the glorious 3-strip Technicolor-the first British colour film-which is very fine indeed, natural and delicate and not at all garish. I assume that the use of many different coloured props (dresses, fruits etc.) was deliberate to show off the process, but the result is beautiful; it must have been something of a sensation for the 1937 audiences.

Add to this cameos by the famous (ageing here) jockey Steve Donoghue; songs by the much-loved singer Count John McCormack; cameos by two well-known (in their day) racing commentators; and extremely rare footage in colour of Derby Day, and you have quite a valuable historical record of the times.

A young Henry Fonda (well-31 but only into his 3rd. Year of movies) is almost unrecognisable apart from his distinctive voice and hints of those pale blue eyes that became more piercing as he aged.

The print that UK's Talking Pictures channel showed (August 2022) is almost beyond criticism, maybe a little faded in places, but what a joy to view!

The London Nobody Knows (1968)

Essential Time Capsule

[9/10 · 9 August 2022]

I caught this (2022) on UK's wonderful, free Talking Pictures channel. It's from 1967 BTW not 1969. All reviewers here comment fully on its thoughtful, gritty, sad look at the underbelly of London.

There's an obvious and unavoidable nostalgia at viewing this sort of work, even though much of the human conditions here are dire; if only London has "improved" from those 1960s days-sadly not.

I like James Mason's neutral commentating.

Good to view as a companion piece to the ITV series "Disappearing London" from 2006/7 fronted by the Madness member Suggs.

Flood Tide (1934)

Lovely Old Film

[7/10 · 6 August 2022]

From a gentler age, this is "nice" and harmless; and a semi-valuable social record in that it depicts parts of waterfront London now gone or altered.

Not quite up to the same director's heartwarming "Song of the Road" (1937), but I'm reminded of a review in one of the standard reference books of that film which mentions "a country at peace with itself and its institutions"

The Clue of the Missing Ape (1953)

Early CFF Film with an Exotic Setting

[6/10 · 31 July 2022]

1953, but no street kids here playing on bombsites. After a very brief start in the English countryside our boy hero is off to Gibraltar and soon investigating mysterious deaths of the Barbary apes, and uncovering a linked deeper terrorist plot against the Empire! He's helped by a terrific little local girl-Nati Banda-of whom there is absolutely no further information as to her career/life.

Of course, the adults don't believe, or are too busy, to listen to the children, who get involved in quite serious chases and other hairy looking escapades. Despite the (unintended?) comic relief of an incompetent baddy played by George Cole, the plot has a few nasty episodes, which must have been quite worrying to the young audience of the time.

The film has interesting shots of the underground complexes of the Rock and is also quite valuable as a record of the British Naval activities then, and, of course, the social customs and conventions.

What a treasure trove the CFF archive is.