wc1996 Reviews

The Kid from Brooklyn (1946)

Swell cast !

[9/10 · 5 March 2006]

Probably the best thing about this film-besides the color-was the cast. Danny Kaye gets top billing & he was good--but he had the backing of Virginia Mayo, Vera-Ellen, Steve Cochran, Eve Arden, Walter Able--and more. Virginia Mayo made a couple of films with Kaye & also did a couple with Cochran ( check out "White Heat" ). Vera-Ellen filmed mostly @ MGM--but her last film was "White Cristmas", playing opposite Danny Kaye. Brian Donlevy played the part of the fighter in the stage play--the part that Steve Cochran played in the movie. The Kid From Brooklyn proved to be a very profitable film. Fay Bainter does a small bit & she carries it off extremely well. Eve Arden and her endless wisecracks were a kick.

China Girl (1942)

great George Montgomery flick!

[20 February 2006]

I'm a big fan of George Montgomery films--and he looks rugged & handsome, as always, in this one. Both Gene Tierney & Lynn Bari fall in love with him and, frankly, who can blame them. He plays an American newsreel cameraman in Burma & China just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After escaping from a Japanese prison, he goes to Mandalay where he meets & falls in love with Gene Tierney. He has a booklet containing some vital military info--so there are spy's on his trail. George Montgomery had a long Hollywood career & he was always interesting to watch (and,frankly, I see little comparison between him & Mr. Gable

Harry + Max (2004)

Bryce Johnson - A Star is Born!

[10/10 · 23 July 2005]

New face Bryce Johnson held me from the moment this film began with a performance that knocked me out! He was able to overcome a muddled script and absurd story by the sheer power of his performance and engaging looks. A star is born! The script was so convoluted that I gave up even trying to figure it out so I just sat back and feasted my eyes on Bryce Johnson who has the appeal of stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. In an era of young hunks Bryce stands out because he is so convincingly normal - the guy next door - anyone's best friend. He has the same appeal that John Corbett has and which has made that actor so successful and I think Bryce will follow right in Corbett's footsteps. The storyline is shocking and may put some people off, but Bryce is so appealing that even the most disturbing moments of the story did not keep me from watching all of the film. I look forward to following this young actor's career.

Love's Enduring Promise (2004 TV Movie)

A star is born - Logan Bartholomew

[10 February 2005]

Yes, I agree with viewer, Kayla, regarding the young actor who plays Willie/Nate - Logan Bartholomew - he's truly a star and a shining light. I looked him up and learned that "Promise" is his first film although he had a bit part - apparently non-speaking - in one of the American Pie films. Once I discovered that "Promise" is Logan's first film, I was even more impressed because his character is very demanding in terms of the plot and Logan has the most intense scene in the movie where he really has to show his stuff. This young fellow is definitely someone to watch. It's very exciting to see an actor at the beginning of his career and I will watching Logan like an overbearing parent!

City of Bad Men (1953)

Great romantic chemistry between Jeanne Crain & Dale Robertson!

[5 December 2004]

City of Bad Men was released by 20th Century Fox in 1953. The story takes place in Carson City, Nevada in 1897. The whole territory is excited about a boxing match between Gentleman Jim Corbett & Bob Fitzsimmons. Several gangs of bad men converge on the town including Dale Robertson & his brother, Lloyd Bridges & another gang led by Richard Boone. A plot evolves to steal the large proceeds from this prizefight. Robertson meets up with old flame, Jeanne Crain, and begins to have 2nd thoughts about being involved in this robbery. Robertson & Crain look great together & should be remembered as on of the top romantic screen teams ( they were together previously on 1951's Take Care of my Little Girl ). Others in the cast included Carl Betz (later on the Donna Reed show) and Whitfield Connor who tries to marry Crain, but he's obviously no competition for our hero, Robertson.

Ride Lonesome (1959)

Film can't miss with Randolph Scott (star), Budd Boetticher (director), & Burt Kennedy (writer).

[4 December 2004]

This film opens with Scott capturing a wanted murderer (James Best). Scott intends to take him back to Santa Cruz. There's a reward on Best's head, but we later learn that the real reason why Scott wants Best is so that he can get @ Best's brother, Lee Van Cleef-who had hanged Scott's innocent wife. Joining up with Scott are Karen Steele,whose husband had foolishly left her alone @ their home. It's later discovered that he was most likely killed by the Indians. Also 2 buddies join up with Scott, Pernell Roberts & James Coburn. They're outlaws who want to bring Best in as they will receive amesty. I thought that the relationship between Roberts & Coburn was suspect. They like each other a lot & get along awfully well. Roberts, however, also has eyes for Steele & in the end it's wondered how these 3 ( Roberts, Steele, & Coburn) would have gotten along!

Great Day in the Morning (1956)

A big, lusty, brawling film of the Colorado Gold Rush

[1 December 2004]

"Great Day in the Morning" is a western from RKO in 1956. It takes place just before the Civil War and deals with Union and Confederate factions both trying to get some gold in Colorado in order to finance the war. Based on the novel by Robert Hardy Andrews, the film is quite faithful to the book. Robert Stack plays a southern gunslinger with cynical overtones. Virginia Mayo, a Technicolor knock-out, meets Stack on her way west and has a love/hate relationship with him. Ruth Roman is a hostess with cleavage in Raymond Burr's saloon and she falls like a ton of bricks for Stack. Burr plays a heavy and gives Roman a bad time. A highpoint of the film is a critical card game between Stack and Burr with Roman dealing the cards. Of course Mayo and Roman are fighting like crazy over Stack.

Buck Privates (1941)

Great supporting cast besides Abbott & Costello---

[25 November 2004]

This very enjoyable film was a major hit in 1941. Bud & Lou find themselves trapped in an army induction center after escaping from a cop ( Nat Pendleton). It's all pretty zany & goofy, but they end up in the army as enlisted men. The Andrew Sisters appear as WAACS and sing a couple of songs including 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B'. The part I liked best was Lee Bowman & Alan Curtis as recruits who both fall for Jane Frazee. She can't seem to make up her mind over either of them. Lee is from a wealthy family & Curtis use to work for him. Now in the army, they're equals. This film placed Bud & Lou 3rd place in the national popularity polls ( just behind Mickey Rooney & Clark Gable).