Creepy “Carrie” Alt Poster by Sara Deck!
Check out this creepy Carrie Alt Poster by Sara Deck!
Category: Celebs
“The Undercover Man” (1949) starring Glenn Ford / Z-View
The Undercover Man (1949)
Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Screenplay: Sydney Boehm, Malvin Wald (additional dialogue) based on Undercover Man: He Trapped Capone by Frank J. Wilson from a story outline by Jack Rubin
Stars: Glenn Ford, Nina Foch, James Whitmore, Barry Kelley, David Bauer (as David Wolfe), Howard St. John, Leo Penn, Esther Minciotti, Angela Clarke, Anthony Caruso, Robert Osterloh, Kay Medford, Patricia Barry (as Patricia White) and Peter Brocco.
Tagline: TOLD WITH THE SNARL OF A MACHINE GUN!
The Plot…
US Treasury Agent Frank Warren has been assigned to bring down the mob boss know as Big Fellow. Every witness or informent is terrified from testifying, paid off or found dead. Then Warren gets a lead from an unexpected source.
Now Big Fellow has targeted Frank Warren and his wife to die.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Big Fellow was of course based on Al Capone.
The Undercover Man marks James Whitmore’s feature film debut.
Leo Penn is the father of actors Sean and Chris Penn.
The Undercover Man (1949) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“The Big Steal” (1949) directed by Don Siegel; starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and William Bendix / Z-View
The Big Steal (1949)
Director: Don Siegel
Screenplay: Gerald Drayson Adams, Daniel Mainwaring (as Geoffrey Homes) based on “The Road to Carmichael’s” by Richard Wormser
Stars: Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, William Bendix, Patric Knowles, Ramon Novarro, Don Alvarado and John Qualen.
Tagline: It’s a tough, terrific adventure in grand larceny! But, there’s more than money on his mind…when he mixes with this gal with the million dollar figure!
The Plot…
$300,000 was robbed from a U.S. military payroll. Army lieutenant Duke Halliday wants the money. He knows Jim Fiske has it, but Fiske is on the lam. Duke is in pursuit. Duke’s superior, Captain Blake is after both Duke and Fiske. Blake intends to get the money back.
Fiske makes it across the US/Mexican border with both Duke and Blake not far behind. In Mexico, Duke meets Joan Graham. Fiske scammed her for $2,000.00. Duke and Joan reluctantly agree to work together.
Fiske is desperate. He’s come too far to lose the money. And he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way. Duke and Joan are in his way.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Don Siegel, who would go on to helm classics such as Dirty Harry and Invasion of the Body Snatchers does a fine job in his third outing as a feature film director.
The film’s shooting schedule was disrupted by Robert Mitchum’s 50-day prison sentence for marijuana possession.
Jane Russell was up for the female lead, but Howard Hughes was worried that Mitchum’s marijuana arrest would reflect badly on her. Russell was RKO Studios biggest female star and Hughes nixed her for the role. Lizabeth Scott refused the part, because she was also afraid it would tarnish her career. Jane Greer, who had worked with Mitchum in Out of the Past, got the role.
The Big Steal is the 1940s version of a chase movie.
There’s a couple of unexpected twists at the end. The Big Steal is a fun ride.
The Big Steal (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Sly Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, The Tulsa King by Tony Nasa Gramegna!
Sly Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, The Tulsa King by Tony Nasa Gramegna.
“The Iron Claw” written & directed by Sean Durkin; starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons with Holt McCallany and Lily James / Z-View
The Iron Claw (2023)
Director: Sean Durkin
Screenplay: Sean Durkin
Stars: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Lily James, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Garrett Hammond, Cazzey Louis Cereghino, Kevin Anton, Michael Papajohn and Holt McCallany.
Tagline: Sons. Brothers. Champions.
The Plot…
The Von Erich family is known in professional wrestling circles not only for their legendary rise to the top, but also the multiple tragedies they suffered along the way.
Fritz Von Erich, although a successful professional wrestler, never became champion. This left him bitter. Fritz had five sons. One died tragically at an early age. The four others were given a strict upbringing and became professional wrestlers. Fritz pinned his dream of winning a championship on his sons. This brought the boys closer together.
A championship was in the family’s future, but also the tragedies of three more sons dying along the way.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Iron Claw is the true story of the Von Erich family. Some changes were made to timeline of events, which is expected since the film isn’t a documentary. The family was said to be cursed. There were even more family deaths than appear in the film.
Holt McCallany is excellent as Fritz Von Erich.
I have never seen a part more miscast than that of Aaron Dean Eisenberg as Ric Flair.
The Iron Claw (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.
The “Bounty Law” with Cliff Booth Poster by Mat Peg!
I love Mat Peg’s art. It’s not that just Peg’s so talented. It is also the creativity. Check out the Bounty Law with Cliff Booth (Brad Pit) poster above. What a cool choice to go with the stunt man (Booth) in the middle of a shootout.
Brilliant.
“Just the Boatman…” – Sly Stallone from “Rambo” by Evan Bryce Cranston!
I’ve been a fan Evan Bryce Cranston aka artgantuan’s art for years. I call this piece Just the Boatman… What a great scene with Stallone playing one of his signature characters in 2008’s Rambo.
“Laws of Man” (2024) written & directed by Phil Blattenberger; starring Jacob Keohane, Jackson Rathbone, Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine and Graham Greene / Z-View
Laws of Man (2024)
Director: Phil Blattenberger
Screenplay: Phil Blattenberger
Stars: Jacob Keohane, Jackson Rathbone, Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine, Richard Brake, Forrie J. Smith, James Urbaniak, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Johnny Hoeft, Greg Kriek, David DeLao, Ashley Gallegos, Alaina Warren Zachary and Graham Greene.
Tagline: No One Is Innocent
The Plot…
1963. US Marshalls Frank Fenton and Tommy Morton are sent to Nevada to bring in some bad hombres. Frank is straight-laced and uptight. His partner, Tommy is younger and hip. While their outlooks on life are different they make a good team. During the course of an assignment to bring in a murderer they stumble on to a conspiracy.
Outgunned and over-their-heads, the pair refuse to back down.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Laws of Man plays out like a low-budget Tarantino movie. Interesting and outlandish characters in over-the-top conflicts and a twist that takes the danger to the extreme. The plot plays out like a fever dream set in 1963.
Jacob Keohane and Jackson Rathbone are excellent as the mismatched US Marshalls. Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine and Graham Greene led a supporting cast with the ability to play unbridled scenes straight.
While Laws of Man isn’t a great film, it is a fun one. I enjoyed the characters and outlandish plot… even the twist at the end. As always, your mileage may vary.
Laws of Man (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa from “Rocky” by Andrew Charipar!
Andrew Charipar is a Florida artist that I met going to conventions throughout the state. Andrew was always friendly. Getting a sketch at any show Andrew attended was mandatory.
In addition to his work as an artist, Andrew owns and manages Misfit Corner Comics in Jacksonville, Florida.
Here we have Andrew’s take on Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa from Rocky!
“Detective Story” (1951) directed by William Wyler; starring Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix and introducing Lee Grant / Z-View
Detective Story (1951)
Director: William Wyler
Screenplay: Robert Wyler, Philip Yordan based on Detective Story (1949 play) by Sidney Kingsley
Stars: Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Horace McMahon, Gladys George, Lee Grant, Gerald Mohr, Frank Faylen, Michael Strong, Luis Van Rooten, Bert Freed, Warner Anderson, Grandon Rhodes and Joseph Wiseman.
Tagline: The love story of a man whose wife was more woman than angel!
The Plot…
New York City Detective Jim McLeod has no tolerance for law-breakers. McLeod’s dad was one and it literally drove McLeod’s mother insane. McLeod’s tough on everyone. Everyone except his beautiful wife, Mary.
One night, as other cops work their cases in the station house, McLeod has a breakthrough. The other officers are dealing with shoplifters, burglars and even a potential psycho-rapist. McLeod has been working a case involving Dr. Karl Schneider. Schneider is a black market doctor who is responsible for at least one death.
Dr. Schneider’s lawyer warns McLeod to back off or else. McLeod refuses. He doesn’t know what the lawyer’s threats hold. But he’s going to find out.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Detective Story was nominated for four 1952 Academy Awards…
- Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Philip Yordan, Robert Wyler
- Nominee for Best Director – William Wyler
- Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Lee Grant
- Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Eleanor Parker
In the original play, Dr. Schneider’s crimes were explicitly stated. Due to Film Production Codes, in Detective Story they code only be hinted at. Audiences could read between the lines.
Detective Story features Lee Grant’s film debut and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance!
Detective Story is one of the best play adaptations I’ve ever seen. Lee Grant is superb. William Bendix is always awesome. Kirk Douglas was the perfect choice to play the hard-nosed Detective McLeod.
Detective Story (1951) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Vertigo” (1958) directed by Alfred Hitchcock; starring James Stewart and Kim Novak / Z-View
Vertigo (1958)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay: Alec Coppel, Samuel Taylor; based on D’entre les morts by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac
Stars: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones, Ellen Corby, Konstantin Shayne, Lee Patrick, John Benson, Paul Bryar and Raymond Bailey.
Tagline: Somewhere…Somehow – He’d Loved and Killed That Self-Same Girl Before!
The Plot…
San Francisco Detective John “Scottie” Ferguson and a patrol cop are in a rooftop chase of a wanted man. The chase, high above the city, goes from building to building. When Scottie falls short on a jump, he barely grabs hold of a gutter. As Scottie begins to slip to a sure death, the cop eases down to assist. The cop makes a misstep and plummets to his death.
Scottie survives but is traumatized from his near fall. Scottie’s vertigo and fear of heights is so bad he retires from the force.
Gavin Elster, a college buddy that Scottie hasn’t seen in years, reaches out. Elster is worried about his wife Madeline’s recent strange behavior. He wants Scottie to follow her to see what’s up.
Scottie trails Madeline for days. He discovers she’s obsessed with a woman named Carlotta Valdes who committed suicide in 1857. Elster becomes worried that Madeline may believe she is possessed by Carlotta’s spirit. Worse still, Madeline may commit suicide herself.
The next day Scottie follows Madeline all over town. She ends up at the San Francisco Bay where she jumps in. She is drowning when Scottie pulls her out. Madeline has no memory of the places she’s been or her attempt to kill herself. Scottie has become infatuated with Madeline. They begin spending time together… and she falls in love with him.
One day Madeline tells Scottie about a nightmare she had. The setting was at the Mission San Juan Bautista. It was Carlotta’s childhood home. They decide to drive there. Once there Madeline breaks away from Scottie. She runs to the church’s bell tower and heads up. Scottie attempts to follow, but his vertigo and fear of heights slows him down. He isn’t to the top when he sees and hears Madeline fall to her death.
Scottie is devestated. He was unable to save the woman that he loved.
Time passes. One day Scottie is in the city. Across the way he spots a woman who looks like Madeline. It’s not the first time it has happened. But this time is different. Although there are subtle differences the woman could pass as Madeline. Scottie makes a point to meet her. He’s obsessed with winning her over.
Scottie has no idea what he is in for.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Vertigo was nominated for two 1959 Academy Awards…
- Nominee for Best Sound – George Dutton
- Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White or Color – Hal Pereira, Henry Bumstead, Sam Comer, Frank R. McKelvy
San Juan Bautista, the Spanish mission doesn’t have a bell tower; it was added with trick photography.
Alfred Hitchcock is one of my all-time favorite directors and many consider Vertigo to be his masterpiece. While I am a huge fan of the movie, their are other Hitchcock films I prefer. Your mileage may vary.
Vertigo (1958) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Cool “Pulp Fiction” Alt Poster by Nino Cammarata!
Check out this cool alt Pulp Fiction poster by Nino Cammarata.
“The Twilight Zone” Alt Print by Al Abbazia!
The Twilight Zone is one of my all-time favorite shows. It raised the bar for what good television could be.
Al Abbazia is a fan as well. Abbazia created the poster above. I’m sure it would make Rod Serling proud. It’s cool that my two favorite TZ episodes got the top two spots on Abbazia’s print. You can see more of Al Abbazia’s art here.
Rocky Balboa by Steven Lu – “Yo! Steven Lu Did It!”
Check out Steven 🇱🇺‘s Rocky Balboa! “Yo! He did it!”
“Rambo: First Blood, Part II” Killer Alt Poster by Yvan Quinet!
Rambo: First Blood, Part II is one of my all-time favorite movies. It deserves a new bad ass poster. Yvan Quinet must have agreed because he created one.
You can see more of Yvan Quinet’s art at his website and/or his Instagram page.
