Reviews

The Burial is based on a fascinating true story. But, this film hits you over the head devoid of any subtlety. So much so that it's almost a parody of good courtroom dramas such as The Verdict.

Everything is glossed over in the superficial script and production.

Important plot points are mentioned and spoken of but not clearly shown. The most important revelation is covered in a one minute court montage of witnesses.

Production is equally amateurish with mostly flat lighting as if this were a comedy. In the midst of large court scenes characters are found alone in empty halls and rooms as if nothing is goinf on around them.

I found almost noting believable due to the lack of motivation and evidence.

Only the acting saves part of the script. Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee JOnes give solid performances.

Many seem to like this fillm. I suggest they watch better legal dramas such as Erin Brockovich, The Verdict or even Civil Action.

This poor imitation is what passes for a good film these days.

After seeing this you'll understand why this never made it beyond the pilot stage. Alex Gotlieb the producer should have fired Alex Gotleib the writer. Seriously, as the producer of the best Abbott & Costello films, he should have realized what a dreadful production this was.

The Andrews own a record store, a decent setting for their musical talents, especially since back then live singers worked in record shops. After that NOTHING is believable or even makes sense.

Oh well, at least we get to hear a good number of songs by the gals.

Very rare, I found this on youtube. As bad as it is, it's a must for fans of the sisters.

Red was a popular comic strip and Republic Pictures produced one of the best serials and a fine series with the character.

But when Republic dropped the series a small indie producer picked up the series and sadly, although they have some good points, the series disappoints.

On the plus side, they cast. Jim Bannon, who looked more like the character than any previous actor. Also, they filmed the series in color- rare at the time. Sadly, that's about it for the good points.

Ride, Ryder, Ride wads the first film in the series of 4. One would have hoped for a rousing opener, and while the plot is unique, it ambles along at a slow pace.

None of the films in the series do justice to the character or are worthwhile in their own right. Only a fan of 1940s "B" westerns will find this somewhat interesting.

Bye, Ryder, Bye.

Here's a series western that has everything a 1936 audience would want. Ken Maynard was a popular star since the 1920s. In this one he plays not only the lead but also, in disguise, a hick peddler for some laughs. And if two roles weren't enough, Ken's also an avenging masked rider! While Gene Autry made the singing western popular, Maynard actually came out with some records singing in the early 1930s. Here, he also plays guitar and sings in authentic country style.

The settings are picturesque as this was shot in Lone Pine, California, one of the most beautiful locations for outdoor action. Ward Bond is perfect as a villain and Spencer G. Bennet provides an assured keen eye, having directed action films for over a decade at this point. This is one of Maynard's best and ironically one of his last last truly good films as a leading man. Over the next 8 years the quality of his films would decline and new western stars would become more popular.

Before and during WW2 Columbia made "B" westerns as good as anyone, and this one maintains that solid record. Everyone involved was at the top of their game. Russell Hayden, now barely remembered, was at the height of his popularity coming off the Hopalong Cassidy series. Director William Berke keeps everything moving at a brisk pace. And if that wasn't enough, the legendary Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys contribute 4 1940S style country swing numbers.

Throw in a decent plot, Dub Taylor for sidekick comedy, terrific stunts and action scenes with a rousing score, you get a top notch B western.... with swing!

If you're a fan of The East Side Kids, this one is one of their best. While the elements kept changing throughout the series, they all come together in this entry.

The murder mystery plot is only a hook for the comedy which would solidify as they become The Bowery Boys.

This is the homestretch from the Dead End Kids to the finish line of The Bowery Boys.

While Bobby Jordan, who left the series, returns in a small but fun way. A nice send-off for a founding memeber.

Also on the plus side, you get Bernard Gorcey in his pre- Louie days. Monogram gave some of these films a music number, adding production value, and Hotcha Chornia Brown is pretty good. The film could use a bigger action ending, but it's OK nonetheless.

Hail hail- the gang;'s all here!

It's the old story of two brothers, one a G-Man and the other a gangster. But, it's told without fluff and moves briskly. The whole film, cast from he Columbia stock company, is perfect the tale. At 60 minutes it's over before you know it. Unlikely to air anywhere anymore, you'll probably have to catch this on youtube or a bootleg DVD.

This low budget SCI-FI time travel series holds up better than most 1950s kiddee space TV shows.

Well scripted and shot, kids from that era were treated not only to the fantastic, but a history lesson to boot.

The Captain's biggest Z-RO was his distribution.

If 1950s kid SC-Fi is your thing, the Captain will send you!

When a film leaves you in so much confusion that you have to do further research to figure out what happened, that is called poor filmmaking.

Nolan has made a terrific film for himself.

Sad that he's high on his own supply.

Glad he had some fun.

Just wish an audience could an enjoy it as much.

You won't be bored, but it's no masterpiece.

It could have been if Nolan worked with others on the script or let someone else direct.

Released just a few weeks before the attack at Pearl Harbor, this has everything you'd want in a Universal pre- WW2 swing-musical. With a "in the groove" plot, this has the best elements that made these B musicals fun. Jane Frazee and Johnny Downs exemplify what you want in leads, comedy with Leon Errol, one of the era's best singing group[s, The Merry Macs, singing the songs of Universal's house swing writing team of Raye & DePaul, some fine swing dancing and Mischa Auer, perfectly cast. (The only things missing are Shemp Howard and the Jivin' Jacks and Jills) Solid photography by Stanley Cortez and direction by Charles Lamont, one of the best B directors of the 1930s, who went on to helm Abbott & Costello . As long as it moves, plot doesn't matter much. Yesiree, this is Universal swing at it's B best! Just imagine seing this on a double bill with a Universal mystery or horror film such as Man Made Monster, released a few months later.

Bil Baird is still considered one of the best puppeteers ever! His marionettes are magical. When he passed, Michael Jackson bought many! In NYC he had his own theater and presented shows weekly. He was also the puppeter in the movie The Sound of Music.

This version was made before the Disney adaptations and i about the best of the Shirley Temple Theater. The songs are terrific. I only wish the voices were down by more famous actors. But nonetheless, this is a magical version from a more innocent time.

If you don't like the roy Rogers style of western film, you'll never like any of his films. But, if you can get into it, this is one of Roy's best. At this point in his career, he looked his best and Republic productions wer at thir peak! Great direction, camerawork and stunts shoit at beautiful Lone Pine CA. Not to mention some nifty songs to boot! The plot is pretty typical of a Rogers film from this period too. But it;s all done as well as it can be done. And a terrific opening sequence at a kid's hospital that mimicked Roy's real life visits to kids wards and the "front-row kids" ate it up too. Enjioy!

Cliched plot made worse by the lack of creativity resulting in not-to-be-believed graphic violence. It moves quick but a sad and lazy come down.

Until recently, considered "lost" by aficionados of "B" westerns, this is a below average entry in the long running Monogram Mack Brown series. Lots of talk and constant repetition of the musical backgrounds make this dreary viewing. For completists and fans only.

Don't know where the series will go but the first ep, is terrific. Ruby Rose is a star! Solid script- solid action! And I'm a guy that grew up with Batman in '66! And even look for Douglas Fairbanks...sr!

Historically hard to see, now VCI has released this rare title on DVD and Blu Ray. While fantasy and comic book films are now the most expensive films to produce, in the golden age of Hollywood they were on the lowest rungs of film making. And serials such as this were among the lowest! Yet, serials are where fantasy, sci-fi and super heroes all had there start. Vanishing Shadow is a fun serial with invisible rays, destroying rays, electronic keys and other sci fi devices including a killer robot. Far fetched but cut it some slack. Made by Universal, who reached their apex in serials in a couple more years with Flash Gordon. It's also the first film of future Academy Award winner Lee J. Cobb who pops in on episodes 3&4. So hooray and thanks to VCI for making the chapterplay available to a broader audience.

Women didn't often star in silent comedy shorts. Outside of e genius comedian such as Chaplin, Keaton, etc. This can stand with the best of them and the best starring a woman that I've ever seen! Sadly it's only one reel and not two. So there's not enough time to develop the plot, but boy this moves! Has some great and unique gags, physical comedy, terrific cast including Finlayson and Fay Wray and the streets of LA! Sleeper is charming. Pretty but knows how to be goofy too! It doesn't get much better than this.

Poor film on every level. Plot and characters make no sense. Things happen for no reason. Lots of brooding camerawork too. An expensive piece of crap that should never have been made until they had a decent script.

First, you have to like the "B" genre film. Autry was at the peak of his popularity here, and with all audiences, not just kids. Smiley Burnette too. This film has a bit higher budget than the average Autry film and was considered to be a "special".

So why is this one of his best? Because it has the elements audiences wanted in 1941. Gene Autry, good songs, a decent plot ( That' if you like the genre) good action sequences, heroics, production and locations. It's all just pure escapism with a western twang.

Autry had roughly a 20 year career in films and TV. His films changed with the times, but this was his prime period. And this is in the top 10 of all his films. If this film isn't for you, chances are no Autry film will be.

And don;t forget he was a "real-life" hero and patriot. He gave up his career and served in WW2.

Great idea for a Mannix plot. So great that they used it again in 1973, in season 6. In the second version William Shatner is in the Charles Drake role. Almost a scene for scene re-make of this episode. Search For a Whisper is its title.Yvonne (Batgirl)_ Craig is also in the remake.

I was so looking forward to this version. Thought the casting of LaVerne Cox was great. But sadly, There is no vision to this flat production.Typical mast-shot-direction and then cut to close ups. I've seen high school musical more entertaining.

The opening number gave promise but it's downhill after that. Horribly directed with multiple cameras covering up that there was no inspiration to be creative. If the creative had is dead it works it's way through every aspect of this torrid production. Lots of good talent wasted. Cox, Lambert, et al, sorry. You guys gave it good try. Watch the original over this!

This is a low budget but fun 1920s comedy. No real stars but many who would become familiar and loved character actors in the sound era. Just starting with the nominal star, Franklin Pangborn. The quintessential gay stereotype of the 1930s and 40s, sound added a great deal to his persona. Here, in a straight leading role, he comes off very comic in the style of a Harry Langdon. Audiences then probably didn't know he was gay and just found him funny. Although not funny enough to ever star in a film again! And this film maximizes his gay persona by even putting him in dresses and pretending to be a woman a number of times.

And other stereotypes abound too. After all isn't that what many early films are about. The "Hindoo", a rakish brother, and a social climbing aunt all make elements for breezy fun in this lightweight comedy. An interesting way to spend 70 minutes from DeMille's company.

If you don't like this film you just don't like or understand early 1930s films! This is big budget, state-of-the-art, film making in EVERY department. The aviation footage is stunning. Unfortunately some miniatures were required and are more obvious today than then. But even these are about the best for their time.

What may seem conventional today, these elements were new in 1933. The use of silence - a ticking clock at a dramatic moment. A wonderful score, exceptional photography in the air and on the ground. The texture of rich background characters and extras. Exceptional editing! Death in the air is made so beautiful, romantic and horrifying all at the same time!

It's easy to laugh, but these were the days pilots were ALLOWED to bring alcohol along in the cockpit! This was little understood risky and dangerous work. And not only shown from one perspective. Each character has his own.

Reviews at the time noted all I've said and the public appreciated this and ate it up!

So if you can rise above your modern day aesthetics, I think you'll discover and amazing 1930s film! You know, they ain't making them anymore!