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Reviews
Going My Way (1944)
A great film with beautiful performances
Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald both won well-deserved Oscars for this gem, as did the film for best picture and Leo McCarey for best director. Unfortunately, this great film has been forgotten by most of today's movie fans. It also won best song for "Would You Like to Swing on A Star?" The cast includes Rise Stevens, the GREATEST Carmen ever. One scene features Maestra Stevens singing "Habanera" staged at the Metropolitan Opera. Bing also sings "Ave Maria" and "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra".The supporting cast also features Frank McHugh and Gene Lockhart, and Bowery Boy Stanley Clements and Little Rascal Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer Watch for this one on stations that feature old films. You'll love it.
Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (2014)
This is a work of pure fiction.
I have read the actual trial transcript. The prosecutor was Hosea Knowlton and the main defense attorney was former Mass. Governor George D. Robinson. None of the dialog used in this fictional film appeared in the trial transcript except Lizzie's statement to the jury. Robinson's closing statement, which was very key to her acquittal, included that to convict her the jury would have to believe her to be a fiend, then he said, "Gentlemen, does she look it?" Also, they left out the maid's testimony that she didn't know if the front and side doors were locked. Lastly, Lizzie and Emma both stated that the dress they burned together was an old dress with PAINT stains. Although in all likelihood she probably did it, there was virtually no evidence against her except that she was in the house. After all, it was her house and her being there was not unusual. Additionally, the sister, Emma, could have traveled the 15 miles from where she was visiting and back by train, and the maid also was present and could have done it. Watch the older TV movie with Elizabeth Montgomery as Lizzie. It is a much better and more accurate account.
The Song of a Nation (1936)
Our national anthem.
A fine story about how Francis Scott Key happened to see the Defence of Fort McHenry. He was on a British ship trying to arrange the release of an American citizen wrongfully held by the British. The British wouldn't let him leave until after the battle. He watched the fort all night as the battle raged, and as dawn broke, the flag was still there. Key then jotted a poem about the battle and the flag to show his pride as a Yankee in our young nation. SPOILER ALERT: The flag shown over Ft. McHenry in the film has 13 stripes. The flag which is on display at the Smithsonian has 15 stripes. In the early days of our nation, a star AND a stripe were added for each new state, but Congress later changed the rule and we now add a star for each new state, and our flag retains its original 13 stripes.
Law & Order: Bodies (2003)
Scary
Ritchie Coaster as the murderer Mark Bruner is one of the scariest people in the history of L & O. His first attorney, Jessica Sheets quits because he scares her, and we see Serena Southerlyn's obvious distaste and fear also. When he tells McCoy and Southerlyn that he is the anti them, and the reason that they exist, you feel their discomfort. Finally he gets an attorney from legal aid, and he tells the new attorney where his serial victims are, and the attorney goes to see them, but he stands ready to go to jail rather than violate attorney client privilege. McCoy and Southerlyn tell him that no jurisdiction would disbar him, and he says "Shame on them!" He is sincere, despite the personal cost.
Criminals like "Mark Bruner" exist. This episode reminds me of the old saw, "Half the people in jail don't belong, and half should never be let out."
To Be or Not to Be (1942)
Think of it---Jack Benny doing Hamlet ! !
One of the great comedies of all time, by a master, Ernst Lubitsch. Practically a flawless film, damning to the Nazis, ennobling the Polish resistance.
Benny is wonderful as "that great, great actor, Josef Tura", making use of his trademark pause and stare. This was the last role of Carole Lombard, tragically killed in a plane crash on the homeward leg of a war bond selling tour, and she is magnificent. Truly she was THE comedienne of the late 1930's and early 1940's.
I also need to mention the work of (in my opinion) the greatest comic supporting actor ever--Sig Rumann. Unfortunately, few people remember him, except as a caricature. Forget John Banner as Sgt. Schultz. Look for Rumann in "A Night at the Opera", and "Stalag 17". This was a great man.
At all costs, avoid the Mel Brooks remake.
Casablanca (1942)
Best film ever
This is to film what Don Giovanni is to opera. This film is flawless, with more memorable quotes, just as Don G. has 10 or more top of the line arias. Virtually every scene is a classic, especially the scenes where Bogart allows Henreid to drown out the Nazis with the French anthem, and the last scene. Dooley Wilson as Sam is Bogart's conscience, sort of like Jiminy Cricket. Claude Rains is wonderful as usual. He should have won at least 10 Supporting Actor Oscars, but especially here, as the collaborator who becomes a patriot. Likewise, Madeline LeBeau is great in a small role as the girl spurned by Bogart, then she dallies with the Nazis, but when Henried leads the Marseillese, she remembers what it means to be French.