fmazzar771-1 Reviews

The Hard Man (1957)

Hard Guy gets Bad Guy while Bad Girl tries to get Hard Guy!

[7/10 · 27 January 2012]

Steve is the Hard Man...he represents the law and he kills most of the bad guys he chases. When he kills a bad guy who turns out to most probably be innocent, Steve goes after the truth, and along the way he must deal with Lorne Greene playing Rice Martin, Rice's flirty wife, Fern, and his own conscience. After some nifty gun play and even some sentiment when Steve comes to the aid of an orphan boy, Fern gets found out for what she is. She framed the innocent man causing Steve to kill him and now she must stand trial for her sins. It all comes out nice and the journey along the way is at least average TV viewing for us Western lovers. They make them a whole lot better than this, but "The Hard Man" will do as passing entertainment. Lorne Greene does a bad job acting, but then again, he has very little to work with. Plenty of good character parts help keep things interesting. Rudy Bond plays a bad guy and you will recognize his snout from his role in the Godfather, Streetcar Named Desire and many, many more Hollywood big shows. Maybe C++ would be a good grade for this film, but if you are a Western fan, that's a good enough excuse to watch.

The Great Gildersleeve (1942)

Gildy and the gang and the usual prantics

[7/10 · 20 January 2012]

The radio show is A-1 and at the top of the heap of Old time Radio and had a cast that was amazing in it's greatness. The movie unfortunately is missing a few beats and cannot live up to the radio version. But you know what? It really doesn't matter much, Gildersleeve is still a delight to watch and there are enough good backup parts to carry the show. The radio show Leroy is not here and that is a major problem. Peavey is here, but he is not much of an actor on the screen. But there is still enough fun and characters to carry us on a charming romp through the days of yore, when fun was fun and it was rate G! I am a big fan of the radio show and also of the television show and I would recommend watching the movies whenever TCM runs them. Usually they run all the movies on the same day, so get your recorders ready.

Henry and Dizzy (1942)

Henry and Dizzy in Business

[8/10 · 20 January 2012]

We are so lucky. There are 11 Aldrich family films of varying quality, from average to great, but the important thing is that we have them. I love to look for the furniture, the neighborhoods, the style of dress, and the commercial areas, in the town the Aldrich's live in. You really can learn an awful lot about the ways of your parents and grandparents,while laughing and smiling about stories and characters from long ago. There is the innocence of high school kids back then and the feeling of optimism that comes with this kind of show. Sure, these films are not art, but they are amusing and familiar and a fine and silly way to while away an afternoon or two. The problem is where to get these films. They are rarely shown on television. Keep an eye on TCM. Or search the internet for dealers of rare, out of print films. I actually had to mail away to Australia for a package of all 11 films and I love them all.

This particular movie has Henry accidentally sinking a motor boat for which he needs to pay compensation. He gets into the usual madcap craziness as he attempts to raise money through various schemes. His father and mother are very well played, but Henry and his pal Dizzy are really something to behold., If you are familiar with the radio show, you know what to expect. Nothing more, nothing less, but a lot of clean cut all American dopiness! I love em!!