Reviews

The first half of the film is quite compelling, but once the audience knows what's going on (or ever a bit before), it seriously tanks.

Although I've read a bunch of critics' reviews applauding Colbert's performance, I'd disagree and say it's not one of her best. A bit over the top and simply not a performance you want to embrace. I'm not sure how else to put it...it's sometimes annoying.

There are other issues - in both the courtroom and the hospital, Ryan does not seem to show concern for Colbert. He doesn't react like someone who is in love. He doesnt react - just walks away.

The doctor writes off Colbert within 2 seconds - she's crazy. Well, it's 1950....

How Colbert escapes from the hospital is never touched upon....and the ending is just ridiculous.

The Money Trap could have been made 10+ years prior. One of the last film noirs...before the neo-noir era....as film buffs probably know. Glenn Ford is typically sturdy and Rita Hayworth is quite effective. I'm not sure if she tried to de-glamorize herself, but it definitely works. On the other hand, Elke Sommer is simply not much of an actress. Weirdly, noir veteran Ted DeCorsia, in a small role, doesn't even get credited.

Black & White works well i the film and there are some nice looking scenes. Unfortunately, I had a hard time with the robbery though. Why doesn't Glenn Ford use the combination to the safe?? Instead of blowing it up (maybe I missed something). They just assumed they would walk in and be able to take care of Matthews? The shooting scene - so many shots at close range, but only one person hit? Matthews was on the ground. I figured he was dead, but he pops up soon after looking quite healthy.

Worth seeing if you're a noir fan.

Repeating what everyone else has said - R Cortez's (Goldie) performance, dialogue, etc is great. There are some fantastic scenes and interesting camerawork. Unfortunately, there are so many problems with the film:

It's hard to believe that Helen has no idea that she has just married into a crime family - on both sides!! Part of the reason is that Steve and Helen get very little screen time leading up to their marriage - and afterwards when Goldie somehow gets them to live in an apt that he purchases for them. It's all very strange. "I am a gangster" - that scene is just sooo bad.

If you're a pre-code fan, I suppose it's worth seeing - but don't expect to be blown away.

I'm in agreement with the last reviewer who essentially said that the acting (via the dialogue) is what you are left remembering most in the film.

The story is presented in a somewhat unique way (flashback), but it gets a little tired after a while. I had a hard time believing that Michele Morgan's character, Madeleine, was in love with Daniel - perhaps that's the point? She really didn't love him?? The fact that Gabin's infidelity is essentially glossed over was problematic.

I know it's 1952, but still. I did like the was the Gabin/Morgan relationship was presented. Not at all perfect, but still love...and still salvageable.

Finally, Madeleine's reaction to the Daniel death left me cold. She HAD to be more shocked and upset. #1 because of their closeness and #2 because she would have thought she was the cause of it.

This is the first Hossein directed film I've seen...and I'd say I was disappointed. I'd like to see some of his other films to decide whether I think he is the "auteur" that some claim he is.

When describing this film to someone, I said "it's a bit silly". Calling this a masterpiece, noir, etc is also a bit silly.

First, you have to believe that Pierre cannot see or remember the woman he slept with. The film plays unfair with the audience showing Eva combing her hair like Helene (why??). Eva gives up way too easily...and then just leaves?! And Helene - she goes out and sex with men every so often? Really? Pierre takes over the shop -- why would that happen? It's all just too much to be taken seriously. Hence...a bit silly. It's moderately entertaining and moves along well, but I understand why Hossein was often dissed by critics and filmmakers.

I am in agreement with the one review entitled "who cares?". Dany Carrel's performance as the amnesiac was tough to take. The little girl voice and the bewilderment just go on and on and on. On the other hand, her performances as Do and Mi pre-amnesia are fine.

Visually it's solid (some interesting camera work) and the story itself is not totally derivative, but that is not enough to overcome the problematic central performance, the overall dialogue and general tedium. It's not a complex film, but I actually starting getting confused with the twists. Maybe that's my lack of attention, but I can only recommend this film to the uber film buff.

This is the first Fox Mystery Theater (Hammer...) episode I've watched. The fact that is it the second highest rated episode does not bode well for the rest of the series. I really can't understand how reviewers could call this a "minor masterpiece" or "classic". It is extremely plodding with a very average script and very average performances. There is a 5 minute slow motion scene of the couple running up and down the stairs that is 100% filler. It feels like it never ends and serves no purpose. Scene after scene of the the older man "speaking" to the couple is simply not engaging.

I can let the usual "husband not telling the wife everything" (and vice versa) pass, but there are things that just don't make sense. Towards the end, Frank tries to convince Sylvia that it was all dream (dreamt together). He completely forgets that he saw the elderly couple in the park 2 years before....so it can't be a dream. And -- I cannot believe that Frank would not even TRY to stop the woman from getting drowned in the bathtub (or yelled at, etc). I mean, it's a helpless old lady! Maybe it isn't real, but I think most people would at least try to stop it. She's treated so badly, I think human nature would force you to step in. I found that very frustrating.

The ending is fine, but you have to get through 70 minutes. Not recommended.

The plot of This Body is Mine may have been done before, but the way it was handled was quite interesting.

When scientist Allen is in Jack Gregory's body, the episode spends a good deal of time showing how difficult it would be to pull off this switch without having the other person's memory. From getting used to the new body (which ,of course, may or may not be true - we will probably never know!) to dealing with people who knew you. The latter is key. I've seen so many sci-fi stories that focus on either the twist or special effects, but make no attempt to make the story realistic. This one does...and does it well...it is dramatically engaging.

The acting is excellent on all counts and the ending/denouement is not Hollywood in the least. Recommended!

I agree with reviewer poolandrews that the episode leaves a bit to be desired. It's hard to fathom that the government would have allowed something like this, but let's say it did. It would have become obvious fairly quickly that it was a mistake.

Another point - and this goes to the premise of the story: Why does EVERYONE wants a contact?! I wouldn't want to live on in someone else's head. Why would I? For what reason? I might want to take on my wife and vice-versa, but that's about it. But wait, even that - why would I want ALL of my wife's memories. Think about it. It's pretty obvious....

And yes (poolandrews), I didn't understand the scene in the movie theater either.

Based on interesting story by Isaac Asimov -- I haven't read his short story but it appears the episode doesn't change it much. I found the main issue to be the acting. Foster's uncle is quite good, but they are all very unlikeable and quite humorless. In addition, the execution is a bit ridiculous. I don't know how Asimov handled it, but the fact that Foster is in Pottery's house without Potterley or his wife every going done there is absurd. And...when Potterley finally makes his way doen he doesn't explain who juts visited him AND the chronoscope is completed!

I'm also not so sure why everyone seems so surprised when Araman explains the "evil" of the chronoscope when Foster and Potterley essentially discussed that in the previous scene. They didn't go as far as discussing the privacy issue...but almost.

It's dated. There's no way around it. And...why doesn't the family have video/film of their daughter?

Still, the story is very good and the ending is interesting - unfortunately it's not all that fun getting there.

I only got through 30 minutes of Man-Trap and I had to turn it off. I've watched so many noirs, crime-dramas in my life - from high to miniscule budget, all over the globe, etc.

Every so often, I have to bail out. I thought - "well, maybe when I first started watching older films I would have gotten through this". Not sure if that's true though - because 30+ years ago I started with the best - Murder My Sweet, Kiss Me Deadly, etc.

David Jansen's is great in The Fugitive, but his performance here does not age well. Stella Stevens and her drunk bit would be funny in a pre-code, but it's ridiculous in 1961. The party scene was just about the last straw. Show that to a teenager who is trying to get interested in b/w films and forget it! The scene where Jansen starts showing the film to Hunter: it's as if Hunter was expecting to see it! It makes no sense. He has not seen him in 10 years! The scene with all three of them - with Stevens coming onto Jansen - is just as bad.

A confusing film that resolves itself by the end, although I wasn't sure what "side" all the characters were on (or even if they were all spies). It starts out strong, but the (black) comedy angle bugged me. I was simultaneously annoyed and confused in the middle of the film. The acting and direction is great, but I wouldn't NOT want to see it again.

An issue that I haven't seen brought up by other reviewers is the doctor's questionable methods. I guess it's done for comedic value, but it's not a real COMEDY....so it's hard to view as funny. He's a bad doctor! I actually thought in the end he might not even be a real doctor.

A fairly fast moving film with decent dialogue and (not surprisingly) good direction from Budd Boetticher. The other reviewers pretty much summed it up. I throw a few spoilers in there -

It's never explained how Dan (Gene Raymond), who is NOT a doctor, managed to pull off his removal of the bullet. I thought they were going to say he was a medic during the war or something like that. I guess it's not major surgery, but I thought it would at least be brugh up in the film at some point.

Does the gang even know that the money is hidden under the bed? If so, would they leave Dan and Bonnie in there alone?

It's a shame that Joey (who is deaf) had to die due to Production Code requirements. Frankie was going to die anyway and Joe essentially saved the day.

In some ways I agree with reviewer RickeyMooney who wrote that the last 1/3 rd of the film lapses into a pro-religious theme and if you're not a believer...you'll be annoyed/disappointed. I'm not religious and I accept this kid of thing in older films...but Warner Baxter's "conversion" IS a little hard to stomach. Partly because of the way the plays it. His all-knowing persona is a little silly (and he's not GOD for heaven's' sake!). Also - and this is just as important - the idea that he would push Miriam Baxter to John Boles is ridiculous. She doesn't love him. That's not a selfless act - it's a dumb act.

It's a good film otherwise. Well shot with a good script. Miriam Baxter is the standout for me.

I know it's a movie, but ---- Kids did not openly curse at teachers/adults in 1978. It just didn't happen - I was there.

Schoolyard fights were not that brutal...but I'll let that pass.

The film doesn't play fair with the audience when in the early scenes the father is portrayed as a tyrant (only to change later).

And come on....several massive rolled rugs in the basement...but nothing else? Did Ethan Hawke notice the window grates were gone?! The callers only reveal certain things...why? (Ok, I'll ket that pass as well).

The acting is good and so is the score, but here's the real problem: it's kinda boring. There's really not that much going on. As far as "shocks", there are a couple...but it's really not very scary.