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Reviews
A Ticket to Tomahawk (1950)
A train, a salesman and a "deputized" granddaughter
A railroad owner and a frontier salesman who are anxious to arrive, by rail, at the town of Tomahawk are escorted by the deputized granddaughter of the recently wounded town marshal and her chaperon, to see that the railroad reaches its destination by the prescribed time or the contract is forfeited to the Stage Line, whose owner will do anything to stop them.
The only problems are: Kit Dodge Jr.(Anne Baxter) believes that "Johnny Behind the Deuces" (Dan Dailey) was involved with her Grampa's shooting and besides he's a "drummer" and everyone knows that tall, handsome and suave salesmen are not to be trusted. Johnny, however, is the only "paying" passenger on the train and she must protect him although her trigger finger is prepared for his first wrong move. Not being aware of her feminine side holds some hilarious moments as Grampa makes his best tactful effort (words not to be missed ) at a quick version of "the birds and the bees". While she doesn't quite understand, her chaperon, Pawnee (Chief Yowlachie), does and a large Indian with his own tomahawk is the perfect deterrent.
This train ride should be an easy ride for about 40 miles, but the tracks run out a few miles out of town, so they must carry the engine, cars and passenger over a mountain and fight off the stage line's efforts to stop. Soon they meet up with the tracks that run to Tomahawk. Along for the ride is a group of entertainers including Connie Gilchrist and a young Marilyn Monroe. Also in the cast are Walter Brennan as the train's engineer and Rory Calhoun.
This is a fun movie for anyone with a ticket to Tomahawk!
Zenobia (1939)
Unique one time partnership
For those looking for the magic of Laurel and Hardy, "Zenobia" offers an alternative that occurred because of Laurel's contract negotiations. Made the same year as "Gone With The Wind", Zenobia takes place in a time before the Civil War, where a small Southern plantation town at peace, is disrupted when the excitable traveling promoter (Harry Langdon), seeks aid for his ailing partner. A beloved country doctor (Oliver Hardy) is surprised and resists, but is coerced into treating a fully grown elephant for a terrible condition. Proving that a good deed never goes unpunished for Hardy, the patient, attempting to say 'thanks', relentlessly follows the good doctor and there is no place to hide, not even a formal social gathering. With the town in an uproar and his wife (Billie Burke) embarrassed at the spectacle, Dr Tibbetts is the focus of laughter, ridicule and a lawsuit. Twelve year old Philip Hurlic turns in a memorable performance that needs to be seen in the context of today.
Langdon is little known by most and seems very much like Buster Keaton, but just a bit more shy. Although, Langdon is not as appreciated for his works as Stan and Ollie, his touching performance in "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!" when he meets Joan Crawford, the girl of his dreams, face to face for the first time is something to behold. If you can look past Laurel's absence in this rare partnership, Zenobia will have you laughing at a moment in time when fate put two funny men and an elephant on a collision course. On such paths they prove there is just no dignified way to get around a loving elephant.
High School (1940)
I can't argue with good ratings!
Although I have not seen the movie, I have tried, yet, I thought the readers should know that the movie was shot at one of San Antonio's many high schools. Modeled after Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the movie was shot at Thomas Jefferson High School a little before my time, but where I graduated years later and still many years ago. Yes, it is beautiful! It is still going strong as we enter the 21st century. Although I have not seen the movie, I thought the readers should know that the movie was shot at one of San Antonio's many high schools. Modeled after Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Thomas Jefferson High School where I graduated many years ago. Yes, it is beautiful! It is still going strong as we enter the 21st century.
The Long Voyage Home (1940)
Long tedious hours at sea with war all around
This is an un-glamourous and most tedious side of merchant marine life is seen as the crew is viewed as they labor to deliver war supplies in U-Boat infested waters, from your view as an invisible shipmate. You see them work and sweat through the heat and the blowing wind and rains of storms that will swallow your ship if it can.
The tension of the crew is felt at they toil away, not knowing if the next ship they encounter is friend or foe. They know that there are submarine out there with many miles over the horizon, while others may be passing by just out of view or the one that may be going to action stations to put a torpedo into the side and send you to the bottom of the sea.
It's about friendships in war where some never get a chance to say goodbye and when you do there is never enough time.
The musical score has some beautiful moments. Some of these moments may bring a few tears to your eyes. It is not an epic and does not rank with the great ones, but is worthwhile, if you just take the time.