Reviews

The only thing more inane than Beck are the people that would actually watch him.

Beck does absolutely no research on any topic that he discusses. It's all just stream of unconsciousness.

Oh, and the emotion...the phony tears and angst. I haven't seen a display like this since dad wouldn't give my little brother the car keys on Saturday night.

Now should we talk about the sponsor's that have run from this show because of his racist, bigoted comments? With Beck, the old axiom applies: The best part of him ran down the bulldogs leg.

Regardless of what some of the other uninformed reviewers here may think, this is a great little picture of the 1950s teen scene.

Of course we don't have the budget or production values of Dean's "Rebel" but the compact story and action move along swiftly.

It's interesting to watch such a young Billy Jack, and of course Dick Bakalyan turns in a great performance of, what else, a punk.

And yes some of the other cast members, besides Lauglin, DID continue on in the business quite successfully...Miller stayed busy, finally landing a recurring role in a soap, and all you have to do is turn your set on any time any day and you can find Bakalyan in something, the guy must be filthy rich.

A good flick.

Yeah, I can see the producer pitching this one..."And there will be none of that damn Rock and Roll in MY picture...we'll feature REAL music!" Of course the "real" music is hammed-up show tunes with warmed over melodies and lyrics, sung by actors(?) that came straight off of Hollywood's D list.

Now they did have Louis and Keely, but you had to suffer through to the bitter end to see them. And who the hell were all the other "big names" that appeared at the prom? I was in High School in '58 and didn't recognize many of them...maybe Ed Sullivan.

And the biggest curse of all in this lame little loser? Tom (Billy Jack) Loughlin getting his butt whipped by some fair-haired fairy dude.

How did MST3K miss this one?

Yeah, this was REAL low budget stuff. The entire musical score was some apprentice on a Hammond Organ. The sets were made of cardboard and the acting was just as stiff. Watching this gives you a chance to see just how desperate the post-war generation was for at-home entertainment. the best part of the episodes I saw were the Kaiser-Frazier auto commercials. I guess I'll add this so the school-marms at this site will give me credit for 10 lines. Have I made it yet? No, not yet. So let's try a few more words here. There, I think that does it. No? Maybe this will be enough. Good lord, how many more words do these folks want? Someone needs to send them to effective writing classes.

This show is great fun for two reasons. first of all, it is always neat to see which side of the bed Matthews woke up on today. The guy must be bi-polar, as he is never consistent on any two days on the same issue. The second reason to watch this show is to count how many times spittle will erupt from Chris's mouth.

As with most political talk shows, this one never delves into the real issues but goes for topics sure to attract viewers...like weather or not Cindy McCain bakes her own cookies, or if Michele Obama really is proud of America.

A total waste of time for those hungry for real news talk.

Nah, Don't stop the MSNBC carnival! Where else can you find so many two-headed ninnies, hustlers, barkers and geeks in one spot? Scarborough, Matthews, Abrams, and last, but not least, Tucker Carlson.

Carlson began his career as a bow-tied little political fabricator, jumping from news show to news show spewing his right-wing diatribe. When MSNBC offered him one job, and it failed, then another, and alas another, he finally shed the bow tie, but he didn't get any better.

Tuckers show is no different than any of the other cable news affairs; we are offered pundits, guests, news clips, headlines and an occasional intentional funny person. The funniest thing EVER on TV was Tucker Carlson's short-lived stint on "Dancing With the Stars" where he proved he couldn't get out of his much loved chair.

MSNBC is in dire need of a programing shake-up, and it should start with the cancellation of "Tucker" and "Morning Joe." Once purged of those two and "Hardball" the station would have only one half of a decent show left to air..."Countdown" with Keith Olbermann, and he is only right about half the time.

No, don't cancel "Tucker"...just move his show to Comedy Central.

After the demise of Imus, MSNBC auditioned a number of concepts for their morning news program before finally, and unfortunately settling on MORNIN' JOE.

Scarbourough, once a congressman, just does not posses the personality to drive a three and often four hour morning news show. He is abrasive, argumentative, and often just plain rude to his guests, and quite often displays vast amounts of chauvinistic behavior towards his co-host, Mika Brezenzski. In fact, on occasions it appears that he actually brow-beats the poor lass with his right-wing diatribe.

If all this weren't bad enough, he continues to attempt to engage in feeble humorous quips, all the while openly flirting with his other co-host Willie Geiss. If the viewer STILL hasn't been offended by now, just stay tune...Pat Buchanan will be on as a regular to finish the job for you.

I suppose that there are some improvements that could be made by MSNBC to keep this show on the air...perhaps they could dump Joe and Willie and let Mika do the show solo and naked. Otherwise this is a total loss.

I wasn't going to watch this one when I read the brief synopsis on the TV menu, however it was a cold day, so I thought-"What the heck." I was truly surprised. I wasn't expecting much from a low B flick featuring a beyond-the-prime Buster Crabbe. However, there was a lot to be said for this little effort. First of all the cast is simply great...Neville Brand, Michael Ansara, the sexy Lita Milan, the young and gorgeous Ann Richardson, even a young Slim Pickens! The plot is an old one, the older brother returns from the wars to discover that younger brother is in league with the baddies. But the acting and limited production values maintain interest throughout.

A pleasant surprise on a cold afternoon.

THE RAP, the book this movie was 'based' on was one of the most difficult books I've ever read. Yet I could not put it down. Raunchy, crude, foul, lewd...you name it, it had it. It also had some of the best characterizations of any novel I've ever read.

Well, as for the flick...it was deplorable. I mean, Tim Mcintire as Wasco? Wasco was the baddest mutha...talking 'bout WASCO...Mcintire as Wasco is like casting Tim Conway as Charles Manson.

What happened to the MAIN character in the book? Little Arv. He doesn't even exist in the movie...Fast Walking WAS NOT the main dude in the book. Why even name credit this thing with THE RAP? None of the spirit, atmosphere, nastiness, or drama of the book was captured in this movie.

For me it was not only a disappointment, but a total waste of time and celluloid.

I really tried to watch this movie.

The plot had nothing to do with the original movie title.

The acting was nowhere near the caliber of the original.

It wasn't funny.

It wasn't cool.

I'd rather eat a piece of pecan pie than try and watch this again.

Oh, I've just been told that I cannot express my views on this movie because my comment does not contain enough lines.

Who ever is running IMDb sounds like my 7th grade teacher.

Do I have enough lines now, Teach?

As far as I am concerned, Flash Gordon set the standards by which all other serials or chapter plays are measured. Having said that, "Holt" holds up pretty well.

Well, first off, you have to accept a guy that looks 60 as a robust fighting hero. Then you have to be able to believe that ANY man can knock the stuffing outta eight husky men and leave them in a pile.

Then you have to be able to believe that when our hero refuses a blindfold, when he is about to be shot by a firing squad, and states: "Are you kiddin'? this is the only thing in life I ain't seen before!" Well, you don't really have to believe all this stuff, but you can have a lot of fun laughing at it, and the rest of the 'drama' presented here.

Only if you take serials seriously (no pun intended!) would you be disappointed in "Holt of the Secret Service." This one is a lot of fun.

I recently viewed this movie after not seeing it in several decades. It had always stuck out in my memory as one of the best of the 1950s war movies.

The writing was excellent, a great story of men in war, the brave, the bold, the fallen, the fallen women, and the pious men. The crux of the plot concerns a religious zealot that disdains alcohol, women and gambling, yet feels no empathy at blowing away the enemy. God and Country I guess. As the story progresses, he feels betrayed by his comrades.

The problem I had, was that during the first half of the movie, the acting seemed stiff and all but Rooney seemed to be over-acting...to the point of parody. Then about half way thru, things pick up and so does the acting. I wonder, since Rooney is "un-credited" as one of the directors, perhaps he stepped in to pull this one out of the fire.

The crap game is legendary, and the final action is quite good. The ballad sung over the opening credits and at the conclusion are an added bonus.

While not quite as good as "Attack"(1956) or "The Steel Helmet"(1951) this is still fun 50s war stuff.

After the war, and the demise of the ANDY HARDY series, Rooney seemed to be trying to find his niche in Hollywoodland.

From around 1949 to 1956, Rooney made some of the very best film noir ever put on celluloid: THE BIG WHEEL, MY OUTLAW BROTHER, QUICKSAND, and the classic DRIVE A CROOKED ROAD. THE FIREBALL is a another mini-classic.

Yes, it's the typical sports story-young man struggles to the top, becomes a dickweed, then after life-altering crisis becomes a "real hero." But it is how the Mick plays it here that makes this one great viewing.

It also doesn't hurt to be able to catch a glimpse of MM now and again-and also a pre-RIN TIN TIN Jim Brown.

Throw in Pat O'Brien as a priest and you gotta classic!!!

Sure, this one really shows it's age, and getting a decent transfer to watch is tough, but in the long run worth it.

As stated by other reviewers the cast is strong and interesting. The plot is standard fair by today's standards.

But what really gripes my fanny about this site and other sites that review movies, is the fact that many reviewers often are unable to critique the picture in the time frame during which it was made. In the early 30s, this was heady stuff, ya bet yer spats it was.

Another thing that gripes my fanny is IMDb's requirement for ten lines of critique. Effective writing shouldn't require a maximum, guys.

My fanny is getting really griped lately. There, I think I made the minimum now! Yeah, 60 years from now TITANIC is going to look real good. Yeah.

This is routine stuff for the most part. A knowledgeable, amiable, faithful scout (Craig) leads a wagon train with a steam locomotive thru rugged hostile Indian territory. Of course we also have the wagonmaster (Jagger) who wants to prevent the building of the railway, hence he goes all out to sabotage the trip. There seems to be a lot of stock footage here, and a lot of shooting with backscreens on soundstages which only hampers the story. Craig and Jagger also appeared in the superior VALLEY OF THE SUN this same year. The cast is rounded out by Harry (M*A*S*H) Morgan, Chill Wills, Morris Ankrum, and a bevy of notables from Hollywood's Poverty Row. Worth a watch, but you won't miss anything if you cook up a pizza with one eye and view the flick with the other.

Growing up in any area that received TV stations from Los Angeles, ALL Boomers will remember Sheriff John. He wasn't high-tech, and didn't really have any nifty side-kicks, but he showed those really neat Crusader Rabbit Cartoons. He sang the same theme song every day "Laugh and Be Happy" and of course that great "Birthday Song." any Boomer worth his salt that grew up in that area can STILL sing those songs!!! Sheriff John always had a well balanced lunch and told you what he would be having tomorrow so you could eat along with him. Even when I got in High School, on sick days, I'd sit and watch the old Sheriff. Even then it brought back memories of good times past. Sheriff John was/is a great guy.

I recall seeing this drama on TV a couple times during the 50s. the story was about a gunfighter, now hanging up his guns and returning to claim the son that he had allowed another couple to raise as their own. there were no gunfights, but a pretty good fist fight between Ireland and the surrogate father. There was also a really neat title tune played throughout. This looked as though it may have been intended as a pilot for a projected series for Ireland...then again maybe not. Who knows after all these years...and who knows if this episode even exists anymore? I'll add a few more lines to this, since IMDb has an inane rule that I have to achieve ten lines or more. Mary had a little lamb. etc.

Another of the Barry produced westerns released by Lippert in the late 40s and early 50s, this one is not the least bit bothered by fact. They didn't even get the names of the Dalton brothers right! Putting that aside, what we have is a light little oater featuring a good supporting cast with a little humor sprinkled about. Another interesting aspect here is that the Indians live in pueblos as opposed to the usual wigwam/teepee. Very watchable.

This is a rather light tale of a Hollywood stuntman that falls in love with a big name actress and still wants to pursue his risky career. The little women gives him a choice-the stunts or her. He chooses the stunts and still manages to get her. A nice inside look at how Hollywood wanted the public to think the movies were made, circa 1940.

Lane reprises his Red Ryder role from the big screen to this formula western series. The series fell short on drama and plot; by this time audiences were gravitating to the more adult westerns like "Cheyenne", "Wyatt Earp", and "Gunsmoke". It's still a fun watch for nostalgia's sake and to hear the over-dub of "ROLL THUNDER!"

When one reviews a picture, it's important to consider the time frame in which it was produced. In years gone by, we had more simple times, hence more simple plots and so forth. This picture is of interest mainly because it is the only one ever directed by B-movie mogul and theater owner Robert L. Lippert. A few years later, Lippert's company would release "Little Big Horn"(1951) and "Tall Texan"(1953), now considered B-movie classics. This one shows how it all began for Lippert. Sure the story is routine, however it is somewhat redeemed by the fight scene at the conclusion, which was very advanced for it's time. I guess today, if a movie doesn't have a budget of ten gazillion bucks, has so many explosions it gives you shell shock, and enough sex and nudity to turn your gut, it isn't any good, eh? Don't beam me up Scotty, just send me back to the '50s!!

I saw this one at the theater as a kid and was somewhat disappointed, probably too much story and not enough action to suit my taste at the time. However by today's standards, this one treats the Native American much more respectfully than other movies of it's time, most notably the God-awful "Arrowhead"(1953). The story moves along well and there really is enough action to go around and Francis shows that he had some real star quality, had he lived. Not a bad one.

The casting of Mature as the "savage" and Robert Preston (NOT Preston Foster!!) as the crazed cavalry officer made this one very appealing. The story, pushing the envelope for it's time, has our hero attempting to steal a married woman. James Whitmore has a nice supporting role, and take it from me-the BEST westerns came out of the 50s!

Nothing new, nothing great, but kinda funny in spots. There was no one in it I ever heard of, but I don't watch that many newer pictures these days. No big belly laughs, but a few good chuckles. I don't think I could sit through it a second time though.

A cavalry Sergeant pulls a "Caine Mutiny" and relieves an incompetant officer of command of a patrol in Apache territory. This otherwise routine oater is of interest mainly because it was an early vehicle for Conners. Look for a very young Harry Dean Stanton as the Lieutenant's Orderly.