Category: Movies

“Panama Hattie” (1942) starring Red Skelton, Ann Southern and Rags Ragland / Z-View

Panama Hattie (1942)

Director:  Norman Z. McLeod, Roy Del Ruth, Vincente Minnelli

Screenplay: Jack McGowan, Wilkie C. Mahoney (as Wilkie Mahoney), Herbert Fields, Mary C. McCall Jr. (uncredited), Lillie Messginer (uncredited), Vincent Minelli (uncredited), Joseph Schrank (uncredited), based on the 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva.

Stars: Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, Rags Ragland, Ben Blue, Marsha Hunt, Virginia O’Brien, Alan Mowbray, Dan Dailey, The Berry Brothers and Lena Horne.

Tagline: Swing as Ann Sings – Laugh as Red Clowns – Thrill to the Navy Stirring Battle-cry

The Plot…

Panama Hattie is Hattie Maloney, a nightclub owner/singer in the Panama Canal Zone.  Hattie has three Navy buddies, Red, Rags and Rowdy.  They want Hattie to perform at big party they are organizing.  Hattie is also getting ready to meet her fiancé’s young daughter for the first time.  Kitty-Belle, an Admiral’s daughter also wants to marry Hattie’s fiancé.  Oh, and Red, Rags and Rowdy think that they’ve discovered some Nazi spies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Panama Hattie is all over the place.  But considering the movie was based on a play, brought to the screen with eight writers and three directors, it isn’t surprising.  There’s a little something for everyone if you’re looking for music, comedy and dancing.

I like Red Skelton and the under-rated Rags Ragland.  My favorite parts of the movie involve them.  As to the musical aspects, Virginia O’Brien has the best songs (especially about her getting drunk at the Savoy!), and The Berry Brothers the best dance.  Oh, and Lena Horne made her MGM film debut in this film.  Ms. Horne sings in a nightclub.  Her scene was easily cut (without effecting the plot) when the film was shown in the South.

This film was made during World War II and the entire cast joins to sing the final song about the US joining the fight.  The movie ends and immediately a card for War Bonds appears.

Panama Hattie (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Scandal Sheet” (1952) starring Broderick Crawford, Donna Reed and John Derek / Z-View

Scandal Sheet (1952)

Director:  Phil Karlson

Screenplay: Eugene Ling, James Poe, Ted Sherdeman based on THE DARK PAGE by Samuel Fuller

Stars: John Derek, Donna Reed, Broderick Crawford, Rosemary DeCamp, James Millican, Jay Adler, Shirley Ballard, Don Beddoe and Harry Morgan.

Tagline: The Man From “The Mob” Is Making Another Killing!

The Plot…

Steve McCleary (Derek), ace reporter for the New York Express, reports on a murderer that is dubbed The Lonely Hearts Killer.  Little does McCleary know, but his editor, Mark Chapman (Crawford) is the killer!  As McCleary digs deeper into the case, all of his evidence is being presented to the killer himself.  Soon McCleary will be the killer’s next target!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Scandal Sheet isn’t as well known as many other films of the era, but if you like crime thrillers, you should enjoy it.

Scandal Sheet (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” (1982) directed by Carl Reiner, starring Steve Martin

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)

Director:  Carl Reiner

Screenplay: Carl Reiner, George Gipe, Steve Martin

Stars: Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, Reni Santoni and Carl Reiner; archival footage: Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Ray Milland, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Kirk Douglas, Fred MacMurray, James Cagney, Joan Crawford, Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, William Conrad, Charles McGraw, Jeff Corey, Brian Donlevy, Norma Varden, Edmond O’Brien.

Tagline: Laugh… or I’ll blow your lips off!

The Plot…

When Juliet Forrest’s (Ward) scientist father is killed in an auto accident, she hires Private Eye Rigby Reardon (Martin) to investigate.  Searching her father’s lab, Reardon finds two lists of names.  A mystery man wings Reardon and steals the lists.

More determined than ever to solve the case, Reardon will follow clues that lead him down mean streets, into dark alleys, searching for hidden truths, dealing with hard cases, low-lifes, doublecrossers and beautiful dames.  What Reardon discovers is a conspiracy that could be the end of the good-old-USA.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a film noir parody that seamlessly integrates characters/scenes from classic noir films into the new story.

Director Carl Reiner says that Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is the favorite film that he’s directed.

The film is Costume Designer Edith Head’s last feature film and is dedicated to her. It was also the final film of film composer Miklós Rózsa who re-scored music from films he had worked on in the 1940s.

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars

“My Gun is Quick” (1957) starring Robert Bray / Z-View

My Gun is Quick (1957)

Director:  George White, Victor Saville (as Phil Victor)

Screenplay: Richard Collins, Richard Powell, screen story by Richard Powell, based on My GUN IS QUICK by Mickey Spillane

Stars: Robert Bray, Whitney Blake, Donald Randolph, Richard Garland, Fred Essler, Booth Colman, Pamela Duncan, Patricia Donahue, Peter Mamakos, Claire Carleton, Phil Arnold, George Cisar  and Jan Chaney.

Tagline: The High Society Dame Who Played It Lowdown And Dirty! – The Secretary Who “Worked” After Hours! – The Stripper Who Knew How To Tease! – The Blonde Who Left Her Bedroom Door Open!

The Plot…

Late one evening in a diner, Mike Hammer (Bray) strikes up a conversation with a young prostitute called Red.  When Red’s pimp comes in and begins to berate her, Hammer roughs the punk up and sends him on his way.  Feeling sorry for Red, Hammer gives her money for a bus ticket home.

The next day Hammer learns Red was killed in a hit and run.  A ring she was wearing was stolen.  Hammer begins to dig into the case and learns the ring was part of a cache of Nazi jewels stolen after the war.  Hammer makes it his business to discover Red’s killer and finds himself up against an American Colonel and other thugs looking for the jewels.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

My Gun is Quick is a low budget adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer.  Several actors have played Hammer in films/television including Mickey Spillane himself.  My favorite is Armand Assante in I, the Jury.

My Gun is Quick (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars

RIP: Nicky Katt

It was announced today that Nicky Katt died on April 8, 2025.  No cause of death was given.  Mr. Katt was 54.

Nicky Katt began his career as a child actor.  As an adult Mr. Katt worked in both television and feature films.  It’s interesting that Nicky Katt’s best known television role was as a teacher on Boston Public, but in films he often played a heavy.  Mr. Katt was equally adept as a leading man or character actor.

Some of the television projects that feature Nicky Katt include: CHiPs; Fantasy Island; Father Murphy (2 episodes); Code Red; Herbie the Love Bug (5 episodes); Voyagers; Trapper John, M.D.; Quincy, M.E.; V (2 episodes); The Get Along Gang (7 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; The Facts of Life; Lifestories; Dear John (2 episodes); Uncle Buck; Love & War; Knight Ride 2010; Double Rush; Friends; Kindred: The Embraced; Astoria; Boston Public (49 episodes); The Guardian (2 episodes); King of the Hill (3 episodes); Monk; Love Monkey; law & Order and Casual.

Some of Nicky Katt’s feature film appearances include: Underground Aces; Gremlins; The ‘Burbs; Sister Act; Dazed and Confused; The Cure; Strange Days; A Time to Kill; SubUrbia; Batman & Robin; One True Thing; The Limey; Boiler Room; Rules of Engagement; Way of the Gun; Waking Life; Insomnia; Secondhand Lions; School of Rock; Sin City; World Trade Center; Snow Angels; Planet Terror; Death Proof; The Brave One; The Dark Knight and Behind the Candelabra.

My favorite Nicky Katt role is in Way of the Gun. I enjoyed him in Boston Public and in so many films.  Some favorites include Boiler Room, Sin City and the Grindhouse double feature Planet Terror and Death Proof.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Nicky Katt’s family, friends and fans.

“Eat Locals” (2017) starring Charlie Cox & Freema Agyeman / Z-View

Eat Locals (2017)

Director:  Jason Flemyng

Screenplay:  Danny King

Stars: Charlie Cox, Freema Agyeman, Mackenzie Crook, Tony Curran, Eve Myles, Blain Fairman, Rhys Parry Jones, Jordan Long and Nick Moran.

Tagline: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

The Plot…

Eight vampire overlords meet at a remote farmhouse for their semi-centennial meeting.  Henry, The Duke, Peter Boniface, Thomas, Angel, Chen and Alice arrive first.  Because one of them has violated rules that put all vampires at risk, he/she will be executed.

Vanessa arrives with a human named Sebastian.  He has no idea that Vanessa is a vampire.  The overlords plan to either turn Sebastian into a vampire or feed on him.  What they don’t realize is four army squadrons have surrounded the farmhouse.  The soldiers know that a vampire is there — they don’t realize that there are seven.  The soldiers plan to kill the undead bloodsuckers.  Perhaps they should have brought more men.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Eat Locals is Jason Flemyng’s directorial debut.

Eat Locals has a nice mix of humor and action.  It’s a fun ride.

Eat Locals (2017) rates 3 of 5 stars

RIP: Ted Kotcheff

Ted Kotcheff died on April 11, 2025, just three days after his 94th birthday.

Ted Kotcheff graduated from University College, University of Toronto, with a degree in English Literature.  When he was just 24, he joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  He was the youngest director there.  Mr. Kotcheff directed Tiara Tahiti, his first feature film in 1962.  Although best known as a director, Ted Kotcheff branched out and did occasional writing, acting and producing.

Some of the television projects that feature Ted Kotcheff’s direction include: On Camera; Hour of Mystery; I’ll Have You to Remember; BBC Sunday Night Play (2 episodes); ITV Television Playhouse; Espionage; First Night (2 episodes); Drama 61-67; Armchair Theater (28 episodes); The Human Voice; ABC Stage 67 (2 episodes); The Desperate Hours; ITV Playhouse; Lights Out; Play for Today (2 episodes); Performance; Red Shoe Diaries (2 episodes); Borrowed Hearts; Buddy Faro; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (7 episodes).

Some of Ted Kotcheff’s feature films include: Tiara Tahiti; Life at the Top; Of Mice and Men; Wake in Fright; The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz; Fun with Dick and Jane; Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?; North Dallas Forty; First Blood; Uncommon Valor; Weekend at Bernie’s and Folks!.

My favorite Ted Kotcheff film is First Blood.  I had been a fan of David Morrell’s novel since it came out in paperback.  Sylvester Stallone was (and is) my favorite actor.  Ted Kotcheff at the helm made one of my all-time favorite films.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Ted Kotcheff’s family, friends and fans.

“Dawn of the Dead” (2002) directed by Zack Snyder / Z-View

Dawn of the Dead (2002)

Director:  Zack Snyder

Screenplay:  James Gunn; based on Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero

Stars: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Jake Weber, Ty Burrell, Michael Kelly, Kevin Zegers, Lindy Booth, Jayne Eastwood, Boyd Banks, Inna Korobkina, Louis Ferreira, Bruce Bohne, Scott H. Reiniger, Tom Savini, Ken Foree and Matt Frewer.

Tagline: When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.

The Plot…

At the onset of a zombie apocalypse a group of diverse strangers take refuge in a mall.  In the group is a nurse, a cop, a married couple with a baby on the way, a tv salesman, a rich jerk and three mall security guards.  As the zombie horde outside the mall tensions rise.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is Zack Snyder’s feature film debut.  He hit a homerun with his first at bat.

The introduction of the zombie apocalypse from Anna’s viewpoint is genius.  Escaping from the zombie in her house in the early morning to seeing helicopters, neighbors getting attacked, and then driving away from the madness into more chaos is perfect.

When Ana is driving down a highway there is a nod/Easter egg to Night of the Living Dead.  A truck crashes into a gas station/diner causing a big explosion.  In Night of the Living Dead Ben says he was in diner parking lot when a truck crashed into the gas pumps.

Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger and Tom Savini appeared in the original Dawn of the Dead and have cameos in this one.  One of the stores in the mall is named “Gaylen Ross”. Gaylen Ross was one of the stars of the original film.

Zack Snyder plays the last zombie seen at the end of the opening credits.

Scott Frank (Get Shorty) and Michael Tolkin (The Player) did uncredited work on the screenplay.

Be sure to watch through the credits!

Dawn of the Dead (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Sisu” (2022) written & directed by Jalmari Helander, starring Jorma Tommila / Z-View

Sisu (2022)

Director:  Jalmari Helander

Screenplay:  Jalmari Helander

Stars: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo.

Tagline: Vengeance is golden.

The Plot…

World War II is in its last days.  Aatami Korpi lives a solitary life panning for gold in the wilderness.  Although a decorated vet who earned the nickname “the Immortal” because of suicide missions where he took out scores of enemy soldiers, Aatami is done with war.  Aatami’s entire family was killed while he was on an assignment.  Now he just wants to be left alone.

Aatami’s luck changes when he hits a vein of gold.  He fills two saddlebags full and heads for the nearest town.  Still in the wilderness, he encounters a platoon of Nazis.  They are heading back to the fatherland with scorched-earth orders.  When the Nazis discover Aatami has gold they decide to steal it.

Big mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sisu is a lean mean action film that would be at home in the 80s.

Sisu (2022) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Unit 234” starring Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Jack Huston – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Here’s a new trailer for Unit 234 starring Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Jack Huston.  It looks like fun.

Deal me in.

US Release Date: May 9, 2025
Starring: Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jack Huston
Director: Andy Tennant
Synopsis: After the discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night.

“Chicago Confidential” (1957) starring Brian Keith / Z-View

Chicago Confidential (1957)

Director:  Sidney Salkow

Screenplay:  Bernard Gordon, based on CHICAGO: CONFIDENTIAL! by Raymond T. Marcus

Stars: Brian Keith, Beverly Garland, Dick Foran, Douglas Kennedy, Paul Langton, Gavin Gordon, Buddy Lewis, Anthony George and Elisha Cook Jr..

Tagline: Rough, Real…and RAW!

The Plot…

When Artie Blaine, a union official, can’t be bribed, mobsters set him up as a patsy for murder.  District Attorney Jim Fremont knows a conviction will help him in his quest to become Governor.  The evidence is there and Fremont gets the murder conviction.

After the trial Fremont begins to have doubts.  His search for evidence to clear Blaine makes him a target for the mob.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A low budget crime tale with Brian Keith (an underrated actor) and Elisha Cook, Jr.!

Chicago Confidential (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars

“5 Minutes to Live” aka “Door-to-Door Maniac” (1961) starring Johnny Cash & Vic Tayback / Z-View

5 Minutes to Live aka Door-to-Door Maniac (1961)

Director:  Bill Karn

Screenplay:  Cay Forrester

Stars: Johnny Cash, Donald Woods, Cay Forester, Midge Ware, Merle Travis, Vic Tayback, Norma Varden, Hanna Landy, Howard Wright and Ron Howard.

Tagline: Introducing JOHNNY CASH, America’s top-recording star, as a lusty, romantic, guitar singing powerhouse

The Plot…

Fred Dorella and cold-blooded killer Johnny Cabot have a fool-proof way to rob a bank.  Johnny will take the bank Vice-president’s wife, Nancy hostage.  If the bank’s VP gives Fred $70k, Fred will call Johnny who will release Nancy.  If the bank’s VP doesn’t turn over the cash, Fred will call Johnny who will kill Nancy.

What Fred and Johnny didn’t count on, is the bank’s VP having an affair.  If the crooks kill his wife, he’ll be free!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

5 Minutes to Live was rereleased in 1966 as Door-to-Door Maniac.

Cay Forester, the female lead, wrote the screenplay.

Johnny Cash (in his film debut) teamed with Vic Tayback (of the television comedy Alice fame) as the bank robbers.  Ronnie Howard who played Opie on The Andy Griffith Show plays the son of bank vice president.

If you enjoy low budget crime thrillers, then give 5 Minutes to Live a shot.

5 Minutes to Live aka Door-to-Door Maniac (1961) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Havok” directed by Gareth Evans, starring Tom Hardy, Jesse Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant & Forest Whitaker – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

We have the poster and trailer for Havok directed by Gareth Evans, starring Tom Hardy, Jesse Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant, Forest Whitaker.  Man, oh man, does this thing kick ass?

Deal me in.

No law, only disorder.

When a drug heist swerves lethally out of control, a jaded cop fights his way through a corrupt city’s criminal underworld to save a politician’s son.

Watch HAVOC, coming to Netflix on April 25.