Classic Movie Reviews

“Only Angels Have Wings” 1939 takes place in the fictional South American town of Barranca. There is danger, romance, and drama surrounding Barranca Airways a struggling business with fatalistic pilots, money worries, unpredictable weather, few planes, and difficult human relationships.  Director Howard Hawks creates excitement much as he did with “Red River” 1948 (Episode 71), “The Thing from Another World’ 1951 (Episode 59), and many other excellent films.The cast includes Cary Grant as Geoff Carter the Manager and lead pilot, Jean Arthur as Bonnie Lee the piano player-entertainer, Richard Barthelmess is Bat MacPherson a hated pilot who redeems himself, Judy MacPherson played by Rita Hayworth in her first major role, Thomas Mitchell as “Kid” Dabb best friend of Carter, and many others.  Fasten seat belts for this movie.Here’s the IMDB page for “Only Angels Have Wing”Watch the full movie for free on YouTube here.And listen to the Lux Radio adaptation here on YouTube.

Our podcast covers time travel movies.“Time After Time” 1979 from Director Nicholas Meyer transports us to H.G. Wells and his search for Doctor John Leslie Stevenson known as Jack-the-Ripper. Malcolm McDowell is H.G. Wells, Mary Steenburgen plays Amy Robbins who assists Wells, with Jack-the-Ripper played by David Warner.“Somewhere in Time” 1980 by Director Jeannot Szwarc is the timeless love story between Elise Mckenna and Richard Collier. It unfolds at the Grand Hotel on beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan.  Christopher Reeve plays Richard Collier, Jane Seymour is Elise McKenna, and Christopher Plummer plays William Fawcett Robinson Ms. McKenna’s manager and Mr. Collier’s nemesis. “Somewhere in Time” has unforgettable music composed by John Barry with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for added beauty.Enjoy!Here's the IMDB page for Time After Time Here's the IMDB page for Somewhere In Time Here's a YouTube playlist of 10 memorable scenes from Time After Time 

We incorrectly said Robert Wise never directed a western.  Mr. Wise directed these westerns - “Two Flags West” 1950, “Tribute to a Bad Man” 1956, and “Blood on the Moon” 1948.  We apologize for our oversight.  The creativity of Mr. Wise is seen throughout “Blood on the Moon”.Robert Mitchum as Jim Garry rides into a conflict involving Robert Preston as Tate Riling who has a scheme to profit from a cattle swindle effecting John Lufton played by Tom Tully, reservation food prices, and U.S. Government purchasing costs. Aiding Riling is corrupt Government Agent Jake Pindalest played by Frank Faylen.  Lufton’s two daughters Amy and Carol played by Barbara Bel Geddes and Phyllis Thaxter disagree over the motives of Riling and Garry.  Walther Brennan as Kris Barden is excellent.

“Mogambo” 1953 is a romance-adventure film set in Africa. Thank you to Patreon listener Arthur who recommended we include the movie in a podcast. Director John Ford built the film around African locations and music from African tribes. The film has many elements found in the 1932 movie “Red Dust”.Clark Gable is Victor Marswell the experienced guide who leads the safari to ultimately observe Gorillas in their natural setting. The safari group includes Grace Kelly as Linda Nordley who falls in love with Marswell, Donald Nordley the husband of Linda played by Donald Sinden, Ava Gardner as Eloise Kelly who also loves Marswell, and a large supporting cast. Mr. Gable also played the lead in the “Red Dust” film. Enjoy this adventure drawn from an earlier time.

“Cry, the Beloved Country” 1951 is based on Alan Paton’s 1948 novel depicting several aspects of Apartheid in South Africa. Director Zoltan Korda persevered to make this film with intertwined stories of race relations, poverty, beliefs of diverse people, murder, a trial, status quo, yet a glimmer of hope. The movie, made in South Africa over 70 years ago, is a testament to strength and commitment.Canada Lee plays Stephen Kumalo the black minister searching for his son and other family members lost in the depths of Johannesburg, Charles Carson is James Jarvis and Joyce Carey is Mrs. Jarvis the white farm couple whose son is murdered during a robbery, Sidney Poitier plays Reverend Msimangu assisting Mr. Kumalo in his quest. This exceptional movie is timely in today’s world!Here’s the IMDB page for “Cry, the Beloved Country”Up next is “The Fog”Support us over on Patreon!

Thank you to one of our Patreon members for recommending “Bombshell” 1933 for this podcast.  Director Victor Fleming has created a fast-paced comedy.  Among Mr. Fleming’s many successes are “The Wizard of Oz” 1939 (Episode 144) and “Gone with the Wind” 1939.The talented Jean Harlow plays Lola Burns.  Lola is “fed up” with the never-ending stories orchestrated in the press by Publicist E. J. “Space” Hanlon played by Lee Tracy.  Lola’s father played by Frank Morgan and her brother played by Ted Healy create chaotic situations made more unpredictable by those large shaggy dogs engulfing Lola and her entourage.  Then mix in Franchot Tone as the wealthy and romantic Gifford Middleton to maybe carry Lola away from this wildness.  All this adds to our enjoyment of the movie. Madcap fun indeed!Here’s the IMDB page for “Bombshell”Up next is “King Solomon’s Mines”Support us over on Patreon!

“The 39 Steps” 1935 is a spy movie with action taking place in the United Kingdom.  Director Alfred Hitchcock packs the film with elements such as an innocent man on the run, a Hitchcock cameo, and the “MacGuffin” plot device important to the drama. These and other elements often appear in current films.Robert Donat is Richard Hannay the innocent Canadian thrust into espionage operations designed to steal plans for an advanced, silent airplane engine. Joining Mr. Donat’s excellent performance is Madeleine Carroll as Pamela the woman who eventually realizes he needs her help, Professor Jordan played by Godfrey Tearle is the spy group’s leader, Wylie Watson as Mr. Memory who memorizes the engine design, and a cast of interesting people.  Join us in following Richard Hannay’s many narrow escapes.Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.

“Secret of the Incas” 1954 an adventure film that influences“Indiana Jonas and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” 1981.  In “Secret of the Incas” Charlton Heston as Harry Steele has a hat, coat, and other things similar to those of Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.  Moreover, Harry uses a shaft of light in the tomb as does Indiana in the Map Room at the Nazi dig site.Nicole Maurey as Elena Antonescu and Thomas Mitchell as Ed Morgan add to the action in Peru.  Meanwhile Indiana travels the world in search of the Ark.  His adventures also include Marion Ravenwood a former lover played by Karen Allen and a host of heroes to ne’er-do-wells.  Enjoy the action.We recorded this in 2021, the 40th anniversary of Raiders Of The Lost Arc Here’s the IMDB page for “Secret Of The Incas” and “Raiders”Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.

”Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” 1954 is set in 1850 and brings together wonderful Western themed musical and dance numbers and the horrible kidnapping of six women.  Stanley Donen was Co-Director of “On the Town” 1948 (Episode 2) and “Singing in the Rain” 1952 (Episode 20), but as Director of this movie the disconnect between music and behavior smash head-on.Jane Powell as Milly marries Adam Pontipee played by Howard Keel.  Milly gains the respect of the Pontipee brothers.  Russ Tamblyn plays the youngest brother Gideon who eventually exhibits greater common sense and maturity than any of the other brothers.  In 2004 the movie was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant”.  Join us for this collision.Here’s the IMDB page for ”Seven Brides For Seven Brothers”Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.

“Calamity Jane” 1953 is a fanciful western, musical, and comedy involving the lives of Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok and many others in and around Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Director David Butler corrals together quite a group of characters for this light-hearted romp through the make-believe west with many fun songs.  In part the movie was inspired by the box-office success of “Annie Get Your Gun” 1950.Doris Day plays the wildly energetic Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok is played by Howard Keel, Allyn Ann McLerie is Katie Brown an aspiring song and dance performer who captivates in every scene, and Philip Carey is the upstanding Lieutenant Daniel Gilmartin.  There are many other excellent cast members including Dick Wesson as Francis Fryer.  Return with us now to this 1953 version of the west.Here’s the IMDB page for “Calamity Jane”Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.

Robert Siodmak had a long career making films in Germany during the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) before fleeing to France in 1933.  He then left for the United States in 1940 when France fell to Germany.  "The Spiral Staircase" 1946 is a showcase of his talents in directing this gothic horror tale of a serial killer who targets vulnerable women in a Vermont town.The cast in this suspenseful movie includes Dorothy McGuire as Helen the woman unable to speak, George Brent as Professor Warren a man with secrets, Ethel Barrymore as Mrs. Warren who recognizes danger for Helen, and Gordon Oliver as the suspicious Steven Warren.  Elsa Lanchester dominates her scenes as Mrs. Oates and Kent Smith plays Dr. Parry the newly arrived Physician.  Enjoy this shadowy murder mystery.Here’s the IMDB page for “The Spiral Staircase”Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.

"Crossfire" 1947 deals with anti-Semitism and murder. Director Edward Dmytryk creates a masterful movie taking us to a place where hatred, fear, and ignorance culminate in the senseless beating death of Joseph Samuels a decorated veteran played by Sam Levene. The film is based on Richard Brooks's 1945 novel The Brick Foxhole.Robert Young is Police Captain Finlay who uncovers the true reason for Mr. Levene's murder. Robert Ryan as "Monty" Montgomery delivers a frightening performance leaving no doubt about the impact of hate. Robert Mitchum is Army Sergeant Peter Keeley forceful leader of his troop and Gloria Grahame is Ginny Tremaine who carries the scars of her turbulent life. "Crossfire" from August 1947 and "Gentleman's Agreement" (Episode 14 - 15) from November 1947 is a double feature blockbuster about anti-Semitism.Here's the IMDB page for "Crossfire"Here's a TCM Introduction for the movie.Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.