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tonybanderson
Reviews
Curse of the Faceless Man (1958)
Not very scary
1950's Black & White, stilted acting exercise from some otherwise good character actors of the period headed up by Richard Anderson, featuring Adele Mara (40's and 50's second lead actress in Westerns, and "Wake of the Red Witch" with John Wayne). Notable also for appearance of character actors Luis Van Rooten as Dr. Fiorello, and Gar Moore as Dr. Ricci. Elaine Edwards (Tina) provides the obligatory "woman screaming" scenes. Supposedly shot in the vicinity of Los Angeles' Griffith Park Observatory, but very few exterior shots verify that fact, and it could have been a back lot production for any well-equipped studio. Plot involves a 2000-year old Gladiator who comes back to life searching for his reincarnated true love in order to be reunited with her in death. Tina (Elaine Edwards) is the candidate. Bob Bryant is the Gladiator, wrapped in bandages and paper mache "stone", ala "The Mummy" films, and in the end is dissolved in sea water. A very "talky" picture - lots of talk, explanation, and very little action.
The Cisco Kid (1994)
Fun Spoof of the Classic character
A fun spoof of the classic Movie/TV/Book character featuring Jimmy Smits in the title role as a rebel who has the hero role pressed upon him. Cheech Marin does a credible Pancho, and joins with the band War in a great rendition of their hit "The Cisco Kid". The initial TV release featured a music video of Cheech and the Band that was an advertisement for the movie that was lost too soon, probably never to be seen again. A real shame! It was a highlight of the release. Smits is surprisingly good in the swordfights. Oh, Cisco! Oh, Pancho!