davjazzer Reviews

Match Game (1973–1990)

Alex Karras

[28 April 2017]

I thought Richard Dawson was pretty rude in '78,but the All-Time Sourpuss is Alex Karras in '75. He sat there with his hand on his chin,puffing on a butt,looking totally bored out of his mind. He only came to life during a skit with a lady wrestler contestant. It's surprising because Alex was always a fun,engaging guy and a pretty good actor,for a jock. Maybe he was having a bad week during the tapings. Anyone else notice?

Wintertime (1943)

Woody Herman

[5/10 · 12 December 2016]

This film features a generous sampling of Woody Herman's 1943 Band. This was just before the famous Herd with Red Norvo,Sonny Berman,Chubby Jackson,Margie Hyams,Dave Tough et.al. Prominent in this Band are trumpeter-vocalist Billie Rogers,who would soon start her own Band,the great tenor man Vido Musso,trumpeter Chuck Petersen and drummer Frankie Carlsen. Woody gets to sing some songs including the title tune and we see a glimpse of his girl singer,Carolyn Grey in the "Dancing in the Dawn" number.The film itself is pretty weak and with Sonja in the lead,comparisons to "Sun Valley Serenade" are inevitable. All in all,a nice showcase for a Herman band in transition.

Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins (1975)

Louis Prima

[4/10 · 21 October 2015]

This film has one of Louis Prima's last appearances. (He took ill in 1975). Louis can be seen in the Casino scenes along with longtime backups,Sam Butera and the Witnesses. They perform excerpts of "When Your Lover has Gone", "Che la Luna" and "Got you Under my Skin". Although the sequence is short and peppered with dialog,the old Prima magic shines thru. By this time,Louis was working with Sam and the Witnesses only. Keely Smith had been gone since 1961 and Gia Maione,Louis' singing partner and wife was only appearing with the group occaisinly The film is so-so,but worth staying with to enjoy Louis,Sam and the Band.

Perry Mason: The Case of the Paper Bullets (1964) Season 8, Episode 2

Jan Never Looked Better

[29 December 2014]

Jan Shepard is one of my favorite "Perry Mason Ladies". In this episode she looks even more beautiful and shaplier than ever. She sports a spiffy hairstyle but might have slimmed down a little because she is very curvy and fit looking. All her appearances are great but I love her look in this episode. She was one of those late 50s/early 60s actresses that worked regularly,but never caught on in a big way. I also loved Lisa Gaye, Julie Adams, Alison Hayes and of course,Barbara Hale herself. I remember Jan in the cult classic "The Giant Leeches". She looked cute but not as sexy as in her Mason appearances. The Mason series is a great place for girl watchers who love the late 50s/early 60s type girl.

Spies and Guys (1953)

Lame Comedy but Hibba-Hubba Angela !!!!!

[2/10 · 21 December 2012]

This Joe Besser short is typical Columbia comedy stuff. Joe gets paired with veteran Murray Alper and a nameless contract player to form a low-grade 3 Stooges. Joe is a little easier to take here than in his Stooges shorts, but still obnoxious. The slim plot has soldier Joe and lovely lieutenant Angela Stevens going on a secret mission fighting enemy troops. All the old tired army gags are trotted out with Alper the butt of most of them. Columbia stalwart Emil Sitka appears as the enemy officer. The highlight is when Angela removes her cape to reveal her shapely figure and distract the firing squad! She was one of the prettiest of the Columbia starlets and sure cuts a great figure here! The Joe Besser series was pretty lame, but guys catch this one for some prime 50s Hubba-Hubba!

Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946)

Johnny's Treasure Chest

[10/10 · 30 March 2012]

Johnny Weissmuller's physique was incredible in this film. The 41 year old Weissmuller had trained and worked out his body to it's best since the MGM days. His pecs are huge and his abs nicely cut and defined. RKO obviously noticed as they cut his loincloth down to it's scimpiest in years. Johnny's newfound athletic prowess found him getting into more physical scenes such as wrestling Tongolo, fighting the leopard men and being heavily scarred by their claws and being tied to a post with his awesome body on display to the luscious Lea (Acquanetta). Equally lovely is Brenda Joyce as Jane. The scene where Lea confronts Tarzan with her claw is very erotic and chilling. Tarzan has never faced such evil torture before in a film. Johnny is up for the challenge,however with his spectacular torso. Easily the best of the RKO Tarzans.

Fighting Trouble (1956)

I Come to Praise Duke

[5/10 · 9 March 2011]

I actually enjoy the 1956-8 finale of the Bowery Boys series. Despite the absence of Leo and Bernard Gorcey, the series still gave us the usual quota of laughs and fun. Huntz Hall did get a bit over the top now that he was the lead player but Stanley Clements complemented him well as Duke Covaleske. There wasn't much time to develop chemistry as Gorcey left the series in early 1956. Taking that into consideration, I thought Clements was an able replacement. Two of the entries from 1957, Hold that Hypnotist and Spook Chasers are personal favorites and have much of the spirit of the 3 Stooges with predictable slapstick. We also have the old standby David Gorcey and good support from Jimmy Murphy and Eddie Leroy. The Mike Clancy character was a good idea bringing back shades of Louie Dumbrowski. These last Bowery Boys adventures have their moments and don't deserve the dire reviews from my colleagues.

Loco Boy Makes Good (1942)

About That Hot Swing Music

[6 May 2008]

That Great Swing music heard during Curly's dance scenes is by Skinnay Ennis' Orchestra . This music was played in the Columbia film"Blondie meets the Boss",during a Dance contest with Ennis' Band featured. One of the tunes played is a number called "Rockin' the Town",that was also in the Columbia film"Start Cheering"(also with the Stooges). Benny Goodman played the number on a Broadcast . The Ennis version also was heard on a Jukebox in the Columbia film, "The Werewolf". Columbia sure knew how to use up their stock footage and music. Curly shows what a fine dancer he was,in these scenes and Dorothy makes a very cute partner.

May to December (1989–1994)

I like Eve

[10/10 · 17 October 2007]

This is a very delightful series.After going thru the series twice, I prefer Eve Matheson's portrayal of Zoe over Leslie Dunlop. Leslie was very lovely and a fine actress,but I thought her character was a little too snippy and combative with Alec.Perhaps the writers felt that was necessary as the couple married and had a child. Eve's portrayal was lighter and sweeter and she and Alec always had some nice laughs. Both ladies were very attractive and played their part well.The other supports were excellent.The only character I couldn't take was Rosie, the sectary in the last season.Her accent and acting were too over the top.Anton Rogers was excellent.A wonderful show.Hope it goes to DVD shoo

The Woman Hunter (1972 TV Movie)

Feast for Barbara Eden Fans

[10/10 · 25 August 2007]

This movie is definitely a turkey,but is a delight for fans of the gprgeous Barbara Eden.Forget the weak plot about a jewel thief stalking

wealthy Barbara,who's recovering from trauma after an auto accident. The film is just an excuse to show off Barbara's beauty and spectacular figure. She goes thru an amazing array of outfits,that all show her loveliness. In one beach scene with co-star Whitman,she dons a revealing bikini and never looked better.Guys will love this film and I'm sure Girls will love Barbara's outfits.It's a nice way to spend an hour or so. Just plan on doing some fast-forwarding when Barbara's not on screen.

Jungle Manhunt (1951)

Good Jungle Jim Adventure

[6/10 · 24 February 2007]

This is one of the better Jungle Jim entries.Although still low-budget with the usual stock footage it has some good things goibg for it.First of all,Johnny Weissmuller looks quite fit and shows off his physique twice in the film.He looked better here,than in his last Tarzan film.Sheila Ryan as Ann the lady photographer is a beautiful and spunky co-star.She looks lovely in a sarong in a scene where she is getting cozy with the lost football player,Bob Waterfield.(a real-life player).Also along for the ride are Rick Vallin as Jim's native friend,Tamba the Chimp and that great B-actor Lyle Talbot as the villain.A predictable JIM adventure,but still a lot of fun.

Jungle Jim (1948)

Johnny's New Gig

[6/10 · 22 February 2007]

The first JUNGLE JIM entry is a fun vehicle and good introduction to the character.Johnny Weissmuller at 44,was still fit and rugged,but a little too hefty to play Tarzan anymore.The part of JUNGLE JIM was as close as he could get to playing Tarzan and being able to age a bit.The JIM films were made at Columbia studios,so they have that low-budget look that 3 Stooges fans are used to seeing.A lot of stock footage,scenes from earlier films repeated and even some of the Stooges' sound effects make these films very campy and silly.JIM was always more interested in battling the crooks and making the Jungle safe,but he always had some pretty starlets along for the adventure.In this entry Virginia Grey plays a lady scientist and Lita Baron plays a sexy native girl.(Acquanetta,Tarzan's nemesis in LEOPARD WOMAN was originally offered the part.)Also along for the ride are Rick Vallin as Kolu,the native guide(He would repeat this part in future entrys)and JIM has a pet dog and crow for comedy relief(later Tamba the chimp would appear).JIM takes time out for a swim and shows off his still impressive physique. The villain is played by George Reeves(soon to play Superman on TV).All in all,a fun introduction to the adventures of JUNGLE JIM.

Tarzan and the Huntress (1947)

Johnny's Last Great Adventure

[7/10 · 17 February 2007]

Johnny Weissmuller's next-to-last Tarzan is a good adventure and the last outing for Johnny Sheffield as Boy.Young Johnny had grown too big for the part and would soon start playing BOMBA the JUNGLE BOY.Johnny Weissmuller still looks toned and strong but is not in the great condition he showed in the previous year's LEOPARD WOMAN.Brenda Joyce as Jane looks gorgeous as ever and sports a sexy two-piece outfit in some scenes.She was a beautiful girl and was quite underrated as Jane. HUNTRESS doesn't have the intensity and erotica that LEOPARD WOMAN has,but it's still a fun adventure with Johnny keeping busy saving his animal friends from greedy hunters.Patricia Morison as the HUNTRESS ia a lovely antagonist,but nowhere the evil,sexual villainess that Acquanetta was in LEOPARD WOMAN.(Tough act to follow).All in all a nice wrap-up to the Tarzan-Jane-Boy Trio.The next film ,TARZAN and the MERMAIDS was a rather dull and lackluster finale to Johnny's Tarzan career.