Category: Celebs

“War of the Colossal Beast” (1958) produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon / Z-View

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War of the Colossal Beast (1958)

Director: Bert I. Gordon

Screenplay: George Worthing Yates, story by Bert I. Gordon

Stars: Sally Fraser, Duncan ‘Dean’ Parkin, Russ Bender, Jack Kosslyn and Rico Alaniz.

Tagline:  The towering terror from hell!

The Plot…

When it is learned that Glenn Manning aka The Amazing Colossal Man is alive, the Army captures him for further study.  Manning was caught in the fallout from an atomic bomb test.  Although Manning survived the blast, radiation caused him to grow 60 feet tall.  Now horribly disfigured and brain damaged, Manning is a threat who may be beyond curing.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

War of the Colossal Beast is the sequel to The Amazing Colossal Man released a year earlier.

The movie gets more exciting once the army captures the Amazing Colossal Man.  A word of warning:  Be very careful should you ever give a giant an injection.  The scenes at the end outside the observatory are the best.  The last minute or so of the film appears in color and the change is effective.

War of the Colossal Beast (1958) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Terminator 2: Judgement Day” starring Sly Stallone by G.R. David!

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G.R. David created this al poster for Terminator 2: Judgement Day starring Sly Stallone.  Let’s let David explain…

What if Sylvester Stallone had been the Terminator? Actually, he was! That happened in an alternative universe in one of the best scenes from Schwarzenegger’s movie “Last Action Hero” (one of the most underrated action movie of all time). In this movie there are a lot of funny Easter Eggs and cameos, and the Blockbuster Video Store scene in particular is the funniest by far.

I did many years ago a poster photomontage of the display that appears in that scene. Now, I’ve drawn the poster. It must be stated that it is not a replica of that display; I clearly made some changes (a different Stallone’s face adding sunglasses and just his surname at the top of the poster).

You can see more of G.R. David’s art at his Instagram page.

“Ice Station Zebra” (1968) starring Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan & Jim Brown / Z-View

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Ice Station Zebra (1968)

Director: John Sturges

Screenplay: Douglas Heyes, Harry Julian Fink, W. R. Burnett based on Ice Station Zebra by Alistair MacLean

Stars: Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan, Jim Brown, Tony Bill, Lloyd Nolan, Gerald S. O’Loughlin, Ted Hartley, Ron Masak, Sherwood Price, John Orchard, William O’Connell, Michael T. Mikler and Jonathan Goldsmith.

Tagline:  An American nuclear sub. a sky full of Russian paratroopers–and a race for the secret of Ice Station Zebra!

The Plot…

A Russian satellite containing information vital to the security interests of Russia and the United States has crashed in the Artic circle.  Commander James Ferraday (Hudson) of the US nuclear submarine, Tigerfish, has been directed to retrieve the information at all costs.  In addition to his crew, Ferraday is transporting a marine unit that will provide support should Russians attempt to intervene.

While in route, three men are delivered to Ferraday’s sub: David Jones (McGoohan), Boris Vaslov (Borgnine) and Captain Leslie Anders (Brown).  Jones is a British intelligence agent.  Vaslov a Russian who defected to Britain.  Anders is a seasoned soldier sent to command the marine unit.  When it becomes obvious that an traitor is onboard, Ferraday’s suspects are one of the new arrivals.

In a race to retrieve information vital to freedom of the world, Commander Ferraday will find himself in the ultimate showdown with a battle-hardened Russian military unit, and a traitor willing to die to stop Ferraday.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Ice Station Zebra was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Cinematography (Daniel L. Fapp) and Best Effects, Special Visual Effects (Hal Millar, J. McMillan Johnson).

Ice Station Zebra is an action thriller layered with the mystery of a traitor willing to die to make sure the Americans don’t succeed.  The reveal of the traitor is well done and the way the secret is kept from the characters in the movie (even after the audience learns the traitor’s identity) is clever.

Ice Station Zebra was reportedly Rock Hudson’s favorite of his films.  Howard Hughes loved the movie so much he would call the television station he owned and demand they play it. (This was in the days before cable, VHS and DVD players,)  Viewers would call and complain that the scheduled shows/movies were pre-empted, but Hughes didn’t care.

I’m a fan of the Ice Station Zebra poster above.  They don’t make ’em like that anymore.

Ice Station Zebra (1968) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Torpedo Run” (1958) starring Glenn Ford & Ernest Borgnine / Z-View

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Torpedo Run (1958)

Director: Joseph Pevney

Screenplay: Richard Sale, William Wister Haines

Stars: Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Diane Brewster, Dean Jones, L.Q. Jones, Philip Ober, Richard Carlyle, Don Keefer, Kimberly Beck, Biff Elliot, Al Freeman Jr., Frank Gorshin and Robert Reed.

Tagline:  The greatest submarine picture of them all !

The Plot…

Lt. Cmdr. Barney Doyle (Ford) commands the US submarine Greyfish.  Their orders are to find and destroy the Shinaru, the Japanese carrier that led the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Doyle learns that the Shinaru is protected by battleships and “shield” ships carrying US prisoners including women and children.  Two of those prisoners are Cmdr. Doyle’s wife and two year old daughter.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Torpedo Run was nominated for one Academy Award: Best Effects, Special Effects (A. Arnold Gillespie, Harold Humbrock)

There are some tense scenes when the Greyfish goes into a mined harbor and later when a submarine crew needs to abandon ship underwater to another sub!

Ernest Borgnine is especially good as second-in-command Lt. Archer ‘Archie’ Sloan.

Glenn Ford’s character’s tough decision makes him unlikable and I didn’t feel there wasn’t a solid enough redemption arc.

Torpedo Run (1958) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Bob Barker

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Bob Barker, the revered game show host and animal rights activist died today at the age of 99.

Bob Barker attended Drury College on a basketball scholarship.  Mr. Barker joined the Naval Reserve during World War II.  He finished his degree in economics after the war.  While in college Bob Barker began working on radio.  After graduation, he continued to pursue this line of work.

In 1956, Bob Barker became the host of television’s Truth or Consequences.  He hosted the program through 1975.  In 1972, Bob Barker was picked to host the revival of The Price Is Right.  He served in this capacity until June 2007.

Some of Bob Barker’s other appearances include: This Is Your Life; Dream Girl of ’67 (5 episodes); Miss Universe 1967 – 1980; I’ve Got a Secret;  The New Truth or Consequences (198 episodes); Tattletales (21 episodes); Match Game (40 episodes); Dinah! (14 episodes); Match Game PM (8 episodes); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (2 episodes); The Price is Right Special (6 episodes); The Price is Right Salutes (6 episodes); The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular (16 episodes); The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (6 episodes); The Bold and the Beautiful (2 episodes); The Price is Right (6,719 episodes); Inside Edition (3 episodes); Entertainment Tonight (9 episodes); Bonanza; Happy Gilmore; How I Met Your Mother; Family Guy (3 3 episodes); WWE Raw and SpongeBob Squarepants.

Bob Barker won 19 Daytime Emmy Awards…

  • 14 times for Outstanding Game Show Host, as host of The Price Is Right
  • 04 times for Outstanding Game Show, as executive producer of The Price Is Right
  • Lifetime Achievement Award (1999)

Bob Barker is also a member of the Hollywood Walk of Fame; the Television Hall of Fame (class of 2004) and the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame (class of 2008).

Bob Barker was the perfect host.  He not only was comfortable on camera but was able to put contestants at ease.  You always got the feeling that what you saw, was the real Bob Barker.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.

“Winchester ’73” (1950) starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters & Dan Duryea / Z-View

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Winchester ’73 (1950)

Director: Anthony Mann

Screenplay: Borden Chase, Robert L. Richards story by Stuart N. Lake

Stars: James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally, Millard Mitchell, Charles Drake, John McIntire, Will Geer, Jay C. Flippen, Rock Hudson, John Alexander, Steve Brodie, Abner Biberman, Tony Curtis and James Best.

Tagline:  The Gun That Won The West!

The Plot…

Lin McAdam (Stewart) and Dutch Henry Brown (McNally) are sworn enemies.  Each would kill the other on sight.  When Lin and his buddy, High Spade Frankie Wilson (Mitchell) ride into Dodge City, they learn two things: 1) Dutch Henry is there and 2) the town is holding a shooting contest for a Winchester 1873 repeating rifle.

The only thing that stops Lin and Dutch Henry from shooting it out is the town’s Marshall, Wyatt Earp (Geer).  The shooting contest comes down to Lin and Dutch Henry.  After several shoot-offs, Lin wins the rifle.  It’s a beauty.  Lin turns down cash offers to buy it.  When Lin takes the rifle to his room, he is jumped by Dutch and two of his buddies.  The only thing that stops Dutch from killing Lin is Wyatt Earp and High Spade come running.

Dutch and his crew make their getaway with Lin and High Spade on their trail. Before the final showdown there will be card sharks, saloon girls, Indian attacks, run-ins with a gunfighter, a stagecoach robbery and a reveal of why Lin and Dutch are mortal enemies.

Saddle up.  This is a good one!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Jimmy Stewart’s agent worked out a deal for Stewart to make Harvey and Winchester ’73 for a percentage of the profits (50%) on both films rather than his normal $200,000 salary.  Stewart ended up making a reported $600,000 for Winchester ’73 because it was so successful.  This deal was the first time since sound pictures that a star was given points as part of his/her salary.

Will (Grandpa Walton) Geer seems a bit old to be playing Wyatt Earp. Geer himself felt he was miscast.  What makes the part work is the respect Stewart and Mitchell’s characters give Earp.

Dan Duryea, pardon the expression, kills it as Waco Johnny Dean.

Winchester ’73 was a comeback film of sorts for Jimmy Stewart.

It’s interesting to note that the rifle becomes the real star of the film.  We follow it as it changes hands in many exciting scenes all in support of Lin McAdams’ journey to get revenge.

Winchester ’73 (1950) rates 4 of 5 stars.

SGT. ROCK VS the ARMY OF THE DEAD by Bruce Campbell and Eduardo Risso!

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Bruce Campbell teamed with Eduardo Risso to create SGT. ROCK VS the ARMY OF THE DEAD.  Here’s the lowdown…

Berlin, 1944. The Nazis are besieged on all fronts by the Allied forces. Defeat is inevitable. But Hitler and his team of evil scientists attempt a last-ditch effort that may turn the tide of the war and rewrite history itself: a serum that resurrects their dead soldiers, stronger than they were in life, and sends them back into the battlefield.

Now Sgt. Frank Rock and Easy Company have been dispatched into enemy territory to face off against the strangest, most horrific enemies they’ve ever encountered: Nazi zombies!

Sgt. Rock and Easy Company are behind enemy lines, armed to the teeth, and ready to go up against the strangest-and deadliest-enemies they’ve ever encountered: zombies, and a whole lot of ’em! Strap in, soldiers, it’s you against the world…of the dead!

Horror icon Bruce Campbell and comics legend Eduardo Risso bring you a terror-soaked Sgt. Rock tale like no other!

Collects DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead #1-6.

“Blazing Saddles” (1974) directed by Mel Brooks, starring Cleavon Little & Gene Wilder / Z-View

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Blazing Saddles (1974)

Director: Mel Brooks

Screenplay: Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew aBergman, Richard Pryor, Alan Uger story by Andrew Bergman

Stars: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks, Burton Gilliam, Alex Karras, David Huddleston, Liam Dunn, John Hillerman, George Furth, Jack Starrett, Richard Collier, Dom DeLuise, Richard Farnsworth, Sally Kirkland, Hal Needham, Rodney Allen Rippy  and Count Basie.

Tagline:  Mel Brooks and the West! Together for the last time!

The Plot…

Quicksand forces the new railroad to change its route.  When the dastardly Hedley Lamarr (Korman) learns the railroad will have to go through the town of Rock Ridge, he sees an opportunity to get rich.  If Lamarr can get the town’s citizens to leave, he will become owner of all the land.

Lamarr sends his thugs to scare the people into leaving.  Instead, they wire the Governor that they need a Sheriff to protect them.  Lamarr tricks the Governor into sending an African American who was about to be hung.  Lamarr figures that a black Sheriff won’t be much protection and will upset some town folk enough to leave.

Boy, was Lamarr wrong.

Let the fun begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Blazing Saddles was nominated for six Academy Awards:
Nominated for
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Madeline Kahn)
Best Film Editing (John C. Howard, Danford B. Greene)
Best Music, Original Song (John Morris – music, Mel Brooks – lyrics, for the song “Blazing Saddles”)

Blazing Saddles wouldn’t be made today.  It almost wasn’t in 1973.  John Wayne turned down the Waco Kid role.  Wayne thought it would tarnish his image.  Gig Young was hired but collapsed during the first scene.  It was later discovered Young suffered from alcohol withdrawal.  Gene Wilder was brought in to replace Young.  Richard Pryor was the first choice to play Bart.  The studio wouldn’t hire Pryor due to previous drug arrests.  Cleavon Little got the role.

The film makes fun of classic western troupes, breaks the fourth wall, features sight and verbal gags.  It is all over the place.  Everything is fair game.  Blazing Saddles isn’t for those easily offended.  Everyone else is in for a comedy guaranteed to entertain.

Blazing Saddles (1974) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“High Noon” (1952) starring Gary Cooper / Z-View

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High Noon (1952)

Director: Fred Zinnemann

Screenplay: Carl Foreman based on The Tin Star short story in Collier’s by John W. Cunningham

Stars: Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney Jr., Harry Morgan, Morgan Farley, Harry Shannon, Lee Van Cleef, Sheb Wooley and Jack Elam.

Tagline:  Simple. Powerful. Unforgettable.

The Plot…

Will Kane (Cooper) and hi bride are ready to start a new life.  It’s their wedding day. Kane is retiring as Marshal of a small western town.  He and his young wife Amy (Kelly) are moving to another town to open a store and raise a family.

Shortly after Will and Amy are married, they learn that Frank Miller is set to arrive on the noon train. Miller is a killer that Kane sent to prison.  Miller’s trial resulted in a death sentence. Miller swore he would return to kill Kane.  Instead of being hung, Miller’s death sentence was commuted.  Now Miller is on his way to keep his word.  Things get worse when Kane learns that three of Miller’s gang are already in town..

Will Kane knows it’s too late to run. Nobody in town is willing to help Kane face down the killers.  What chance does one man alone have against four gunslingers?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

High Noon was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four:
Nominated for…
Best Picture
Best Director (Fred Zinnemann)
Best Writing Screenplay (Carl Foreman)
Won for…
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Winner – Gary Cooper)
Best Film Editing (Winner – Elmo Williams, Harry Gerstad)
Best Music Original Song (Winner – Dimitri Tiomkin: music, Ned Washington: lyrics, for the song “High Noon aka Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'”)
Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Winner – Dimitri Tiomkin)

John Wayne hated High Noon.  Every time I revisit the film, I like it better.  It’s a great film, expertly directed, with a first rate cast and a story that rings true.  At first Will Kane is willing to leave before the train arrives.  Then he realizes that Miller and his gang will track him down.  Kane thinks it’s better to meet them head on. Kane is sure that he will get support from some of the town members.

It’s interesting the way each person he approaches finds a rationale to not help.

Standouts in the cast include Gary Cooper, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Lon Chaney Jr., Lee Van Cleef and Harry Morgan.  High Noon was a comeback film for Gary Cooper.  Lloyd Bridges is great as the cocky, immature Deputy who wants to be Marshal. Katy Jurado owns every scene she’s in.  In High Noon, Lon Chaney Jr. gives the finest performance of his career.  Harry Morgan is a coward doing his best to not appear so to his wife. High Noon was Lee Van Cleef’s feature film debut! Look for Jack Elam in a cameo as a drunk. His part was supposed to be bigger, but it was determined it took away from the suspense of the impending gunfights.

High Noon (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: Terry Funk

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Terry Funk died today.  Mr. Funk was 79 years old.

Terry and his older brother, Dory Jr., were the sons of Dorothy and Dory Funk.  Their father, Dory Funk Sr. was a high school state and college champion amateur wrestler.  After a stint in the Navy, Dory Sr. became a professional wrestler and later a wrestling promoter.  So both Funk boys grew up in a professional wrestling family and both would become professional wrestlers.

Terry Funk began his professional wrestling career in 1965, competing in his father’s Western States Sports Promotion.  His older brother, Dory was already an established wrestler.  They made a formidable team.  Terry would go on to wrestle and win championships for all the major promoters as well as on the independent circuit.  Later in his career when many wrestlers contemplate retirement, Terry Funk excelled as a hardcore champion, participating in extremely violent matches.

Terry Funk won multiple championships in promotions across the country.  Mr. Funk is in the following Professional Wrestling Halls of Fame:

  • Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1995)
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2004)
  • Hardcore Hall of Fame (2005)
  • NWA Hall of Fame (2009)
  • WWE Hall of Fame (2009)
  • St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame (2010)
  • George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2010)
  • International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2021)

Terry Funk also branched out into acting.  His first role was a major one in Sylvester Stallone’s Paradise Alley.  Mr. Funk would go on to act in television and feature films.

Some of Terry Funk’s television appearances include: Wildside (6 episodes); Timestalkers, Swamp Thing; Quantum Leap; Tequila and Bonetti (11 episodes); The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and Thunder in Paradise.

Some of Terry Funk’s feature film appearances include: Paradise Alley; Over the Top; Road House; Rambo III (stunts) and Rocky V (stunts).

I was familiar with Terry Funk’s wrestling as a kid growing up in Indiana.  Then when we moved to Florida, Terry Funk was a popular bad guy for years.  My favorite Terry Funk role, by far, is when he played Frankie the Thumper in Paradise Alley.  Mr. Funk and Sylvester Stallone got along well as evidenced by Terry Funk’s appearances in Over the Top, stunt work for Rambo III and Rocky V.

The fact that Terry Funk was able to wrestle for decades is evidence that he was a legitimate tough guy.  It’s impressive that everywhere Mr. Funk wrestled, he excelled.  Look at the number of Wrestling Hall of Fames feature him.  He was one of a kind.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Terry Funk’s family, friends and fans.

“EXPEND4BLES” (2023) – The Official Red Band Trailer is Here!

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EXPEND4BLES – Only In Theaters September 22. Starring Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Randy Couture, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, with Andy Garcia.

A new generation of stars join the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles. Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give “new blood” a whole new meaning.

“The Family Stallone”: Season 1 (2023) / Z-View

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The Family Stallone: Season 1 (2023)

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Flavin-Stallone, Sophia Rose Stallone, Sistine Rose Stallone, Scarlet Rose Stallone, Frank Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Vincent Piazza and Al Pacino.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The Family Stallone gives us a peek at the life of, you guessed it, the Stallone family: Sly, Jennifer, Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Season 1 feature eight episodes…

S1.E1 ∙ Meet the Stallones: We get a peak behind the scenes on Tulsa King.  The girls pull a prank on Sly that looks to set him off!

S1.E2 ∙ The Currency of Time: Sly realizes the clock is ticking and nothing is more valuable than time and how you spend it.  The girls visit Uncle Frank’s house.  Any time Frank is on, expect great tv.  I’d love a tour of his house since it contains so much memorabilia.  A reality show with Frank would be out of control.

S1.E3 ∙ Leaving the Nest: The focus is on Scarlet (who is heading off to college) and Jennifer who is suffering from empty nest syndrome.

S1.E4 ∙ The Show must Go On: Scarlet and her boyfriend break up and the girls worry how she’ll take it.  Sly heads to Atlantic City with Frank who will be performing.  Right before showtime, Frank gets unexplained nose bleeds.  (I wish we got more of Sly & Frank in Atlantic City.)

S1.E5 ∙ Unwaxed and Unfiltered: Scarlet and Sly head to Oklahoma for their roles in Tulsa King. I love the behind-the-scenes stuff for the series.  Frank, who admits he’s never watched Sistine & Sophia’s Unwaxed podcast, wants to be featured on an episode.  The girls have some concerns. They don’t know what Frank may say and they don’t want any blowback.  Sly encourages them to have Frank on since he’s family.

S1.E6 ∙ The Stallones Go West: Sophia was born with a hole in her heart and it’s time for her annual check-up. The reality is there are some things that fame and fortune can’t control.

S1.E7 ∙ Green Light Fight: Sophia is working on a novel.  Sistine sells her first script for a horror movie.  Sister drama ensues.

S1.E8 ∙ Philadelphia Story: Sly wants a family trip to Philadelphia, but Scarlet has just started college and doesn’t want to leave for the weekend.

I’m not a fan of most reality shows.  Truth be told if this wasn’t about Sly and his family, my interest level wouldn’t be near as high.  It’s cool to see Sly hanging out for pizza with Al Pacino and Dolph Lundgren, visiting Arnold’s office, Sly’s office and the Stallone house.  The affection that the Stallone’s have for each other is evident.

Bring on Season 2!

The Family Stallone: Season 1 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Shane” (1953) directed by George Stevens, starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur & Van Heflin / Z-View

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Shane (1953)

Director: George Stevens

Screenplay: A. B. Guthrie Jr., Jack Sher based on  Shane by Jack Schaefer

Stars: Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon De Wilde, Jack Palance, Ben Johnson, Edgar Buchanan,
Elisha Cook Jr., Douglas Spencer, John Dierkes, Ellen Corby, Edith Evanson and Leonard Strong.

Tagline:  There never was a man like SHANE. There never was a motion picture like SHANE.

The Plot…

Shane (Ladd), a gunfighter hoping to escape his past, befriends Joe Starrett (Heflin), his wife Marian (Arthur) and their young son Joey (De Wilde) when he stops for water at their small farm.  When Joe invites Shane to stay on, Shane sees the possibility of a quieter life.  But when Rufus Ryker’s men show up trying to run Starrett off, Shane knows that his gunfighter days aren’t over.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Shane was nominated for six Academy Awards: Best Picture; Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Palance); Best Actor in a Supporting Role (De Wilde); Best Director; Best Writing Screenplay; and won for Best Cinematography, Color (Loyal Griggs).

Shane is a classic western.  Everything came together to make it so.  George Stevens’ direction, coupled with a first rate story, and top notch cast make for a film deserving the accolades and love it’s received.

Shane is Alan Ladd’s best film and it reinvigorated his career.  It is Jean Arthur’s final feature film.  She came out of retirement to make it as a favor to director George Stevens.

Shane (1953) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“While the City Sleeps” (1956) directed by Fritz Lang, starring Dana Andrews & Rhonda Fleming / Z-View

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While the City Sleeps (1956)

Director: Fritz Lang

Screenplay: Casey Robinson based on The Bloody Spur by Charles Einstein

Stars: Dana Andrews, Rhonda Fleming, George Sanders, Howard Duff, Thomas Mitchell, Vincent Price, Sally Forrest, John Drew Barrymore, Ida Lupino, Robert Warwick, Mae Marsh, Larry J. Blake and Celia Lovsky.

Tagline:  Sensational LIPSTICK Murderer

The Plot…

The Lipstick Killer has the city on edge.  He continues to murder women and leave taunting messages.  The killings are coming with greater frequency. The news media is having a field day.

Amos Kyne (Warwick) died leaving his son, Walter (Price) in charge of the Kyne News Media conglomerate (newspaper, television, wire service).  Walter has little business sense. He decides his best bet is to create an Executive Director to run the corporation.  Walter offers the job to his top reporter/television commentator, Edward Mobley (Andrews).  Mobley turns him down flat.

Walter then tells the head of each arm of the conglomerate that whoever breaks the story of the capture of The Lipstick Killer will become the new Executive Director of Kyne News Media.  All three men want the job and are willing to go to great lengths to get it.  Although Mobley doesn’t want the position, he agrees to help his friend get it. Mobley goes on live tv and taunts the killer.  This puts Mobley and his fiancé in the killer’s path.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Vincent Price is perfectly cast as the smarmy son placed in charge of a business that he has no idea how to run.

There’s a lot of romance drama at the expense of serial killer drama.

There was a real serial killer dubbed The Lipstick Killer a decade prior to the release of While the City Sleeps!

While the City Sleeps (1956) rates 3 of 5 stars.