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The Appaloosa (1966)
A Compelling Gritty Western
This is a good, compelling, gritty western that kept my attention from beginning to end. I saw it back in 1970 as a youngster and it made a huge impression on me. This was my introduction to Marlon Brando and John Saxon and made me a big fan of both actors. The story is a good one that provides plenty of adventure and suspense as Brando's character (Matt Fletcher) heads south of the border to the Cuchedland to retrieve his stolen Appaloosa horse and avenge himself of the notorious bandito leader, Chuy Medina, well played by John Saxon. I loved how it began, with a joyful reunion between Matt and some dear friends with whom he plans to settle down. Then a strange woman shows up and trouble soon follows, as so often happens. There are memorable scenes and dialogue, especially the scene in the cantina where they arm wrestle over cups of pulcha and scorpions. Yes, there is a lot of Sergio Leone influence and the accents are laid on thick but that's classic and adds to the fun. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre did the same thing and it's a masterpiece. Just get comfortable and enjoy the ride. For fans of gritty westerns, Marlon Brando and John Saxon, you don't want to miss this one.
Shergar (1999)
A Sweet Tribute To Shergar
I liked Shergar and would watch it again. A decent horse movie, not spectacular but good entertainment and a nice reminder of the real Shergar who deserves to be remembered. The story takes place in Ireland so there are plenty of nice scenes of the countryside and local scenes. The horse who plays Shergar is magnificent. There's a typical boy-girl friendship and wise Grandfather. It was nice to see Ian Holm in his character as a tinker. This is based on a true story about a champion racehorse named Shergar who was kidnapped and held for ransom. The film uses that basic unresolved story to underpin this romanticized telling. There are moments of tension and some violence and don't recall any swearing so it's a good movie for anybody. The shots of Shergar are worth watching this for. By all accounts, the real Shergar was as gentle and sweet any horse ever, not to mention a champion.
For the Love of Benji (1977)
Cute, Heartwarming Benji!
We enjoyed this sweet little movie very much. We had not seen the first film so this was our introduction to the Benji saga. It's a typical plot, however unlikely, about spies using Benji to smuggle secrets and the efforts of all concerned to capture him, all taking place in the streets and hillsides of Athens, Greece. Benji is utterly charming. It is a joy to watch him as he makes his rounds and does what needs to be done. Yes, he runs a lot, and very fast for a small dog. What heart Benji has! A true family movie. Benji is adorable in this film. If you like dogs or animal movies and are still a bit young at heart you will enjoy this. As a result of watching "For The Love Of Benji" we will definitely check out the original "Benji" movie, which was a sensation back in the 1970s.
Good-bye, My Lady (1956)
Charming Tale About A Boy And His Dog
Loved it! A wonderful, folksy film set in the deep south in the 1950s. It's about a boy who lives with his uncle in a little cabin down by the swamp who begins hearing a strange noise at night and upon investigation, finds it is a rather unusual and amazing little dog, the likes of which nobody in those parts has ever seen. A little dog that laughs instead of barking, that preens like a cat, that can run faster and catch a scent better than any coon dog. It is a Basenji. Skeeter, the boy, adopts the dog, loves it, and trains it, and they become quite attached to each other. Uncle Jessie, played by Walter Brennan, shares in the wonder at this unusual little dog along with dispensing wisdom and lessons about growing up. It is a very touching coming of age story. You'll fall in love with Lady, the little dog. Among the other talented cast members are Phil Harris, Sidney Poitier, and William Hopper. This was directed by the talented William Wellman and was a production of John Wayne's company, Batjac. The music was composed and played by the great guitarist, Laurindo Almeida. The Basenji, named My Lady of the Congo, spent all her time between filming scenes with Brandon De Wilde, who played Skeeter and they became quite attached to each other. Upon completion of the film, Lady became the property of Brandon so in fact they did stay together. We've seen this a couple of times and will enjoy it again. Highly recommended!
Mister Ed (1961)
Great Fun With A Clever Horse
This was a favorite show back when it was current but I hadn't seen it for over 40 years when I stumbled upon it in syndication. The premise may seem simple and obvious but it's highly entertaining.
The story is about a man and wife, Wilbur and Carol Post, who move into a house in the San Fernando Valley and discover a horse that was left in the stable by the previous owner. The horse, Mr. Ed, is a talking horse and a very clever and witty one at that. He will only talk to Wilbur and the episodes revolve around awkward situations for him created by Mr. Ed. The recurring characters are the neighbors, Wilbur's wife, Carol, and Mr. Ed. Most of the episodes are quite funny and one can't help but appreciate Mr. Ed's wry sense of humor.
In a day before computer generated effects, it's quite remarkable how well they created the illusion of the horse talking. His lips actually move! He performs all kinds of impressive human-like actions, including opening and shutting his barn door, picking up the phone to talk, unplugging and moving his portable television set, singing, etc. It's quite amazing to see a horse doing so many tricks and one begins to take it for granted. I have to remind myself that it's a real trained horse because it works so well. All these years later I am very impressed at the level of training and work that must have been involved in making this show.
Alan Young, Connie Hines, and the supporting cast did a wonderful job on this show. The star, a beautiful Palomino named "Bamboo Harvester" in real life, did an unbelievable job and seemed much smarter than many people I know. Mr. Ed is for all ages from young to old. Especially if you like horses or animal shows you will like this. My wife and I are getting up there and we love it. Very glad that it's still available.
The Littlest Hobo (1963)
Can't Get Enough Of The Littlest Hobo
We just discovered this classic series and fell in love with it. It's about a stray German Shepherd who travels from town to town getting involved in people's lives and helping them out with their problems. He just seems to know what to do. At the end of each episode he moves on to the next place. This show has a sincerity and charm that's very special and it's highly addictive. This is delightful to both kids and adults. The dog actor, London, who is the only constant from episode to episode, is beautiful and very talented. The music is also very nice, especially the theme song, "Road Without End", that's played at the beginning and ending of each episode. The more I hear it the better I like it. Check it out. You'll love it!